Something had to give. So he’d invited her this weekend as an act of desperation.
He knew, not firsthand but through many accounts and stories, how werewolf matings could be. He hadn’t been joking when he’d asked for her help. She was his buffer at this thing, but this was also an experiment to see if this spark existed for them both. This mating would either be a catalyst or tell him to move on. Either way, he’d be out of limbo.
However, Leia’s reaction to the type of event had been concerning. She’d even called his bluff about putting her job at risk, which had shocked him. Leia gave every appearance of loving her work. Happy, satisfied, fulfilled employees were a source of pride for him as a successful businessman. Her willingness to walk away over such a minor thing had dented his pride. He didn’t like it.
“Are you challenged?” he asked, his thoughts out of his mouth before he vetted the words first.
Her fingers paused in their nonstop motion, and she turned in her chair to frown questioningly at him. “Sorry?”
“At work. Are you feeling challenged? Happy?” What was wrong with him, blurting it out like that? Usually he was more…subtle.
She blinked at him owlishly, which made him want to shift in his seat like a naughty school boy.
“Yes.” She drew out the word, obviously not knowing where he was going with the question.
“Good.”
She continued to stare at him with those china blue eyes that seemed to see too much of his soul. “Is there something wrong you’re not telling me?”
He cocked his head. “Why?”
“Because you’ve never asked me a question like that.” She shrugged. “I know the business is doing great, but maybe there’s a problem with your family? Pollux is okay?”
And there it was again. A twinge of irrational annoyance—he refused to dub it jealously—at the idea she might be interested in another man. He’d experienced it twice yesterday. Once with Mike, who’d obviously been hitting on her. The other when he’d realized she’d have to cancel a date this weekend, generating a frustrating sense of satisfaction. Now he was suspicious of his own twin brother. He was losing his mind.
Get a grip.
He ran a hand over the smooth chrome of his arm rest. “Pollux is fine. Answer the question.”
She stared at him blankly, which he returned with a poker face the pros would envy.
“I love my job.”
He couldn’t mistake the sincerity in her voice. “And you’ll let me know if you need more or aren’t happy in any way?”
She lifted a single eyebrow. “I’m not exactly shy about speaking up.”
He chuckled. “That’s true.”
She grinned and turned back to her work, effectively dismissing him. He watched her for a bit, battling with the strangest urge to brush her hair away from her neck. Would she lean in to his touch or jerk away?
Needing distraction before he embarrassed himself, he reopened his own laptop and tried to read some new contracts.
The nice thing about flying private was how quickly you got out of the airport. Rather than hire a driver, Leia had a rental car waiting for them at the gate. Their luggage was loaded, and they were away within minutes.
At first they concentrated on getting out of Denver and heading up into the mountains. Eventually they hit a long stretch.
“So…” Leia broke the silence. “Tell me more about this ceremony.”
He’d already filled her in on the business deal, a large fleet of private aircraft and vehicles for the wolf pack.
“Marrok Banes has been a friend for many years.”
“He’s the groom?”
He nodded. “Yes, and the alpha for his pack.”
“You said Banes/Canis. Weren’t their families in a bit of a feud the last hundred years or so?”
He took his gaze off the road for a brief second to send her a surprised glance.
“What? Even nymphs without a spring to their name have a few friends left.”
Not many, her tone implied, but he should’ve figured she’d know something. Nymphs were bound to nature, as were werewolves, though in different ways.
“You’re correct about their families. The Hatfields and McCoys have nothing on the Banes and Canises, but Marrok was determined to end the feud.”
“Let me guess, he’s marrying the Canis alpha’s daughter?”
“No. The alpha herself.”
“Oh!”
Female alphas were rare in the physically-dominant werewolf world where alphas fought to the death for their right to lead.
“Does he love her?” was her next question.
“No idea. Knowing Marrok, love didn’t enter into the plan.”
“I see.” She glanced away, out the passenger- side window.
He cocked his head at the disdain he detected in her. “Are you a closet romantic, Ms. Naiad?”
She didn’t move an inch. “Not at all.”
“I can tell when you’re lying, Leia.”
She turned her skeptical gaze back his way. “Oh, really?”
“Yes. You won’t look at me.”
“I was looking at the scenery.” She waved a hand at the mountains. They’d left the interstate and were following Highway 36 along the St. Vrain river.
“Your side is solid rock. The scenery is out my side.”
From the corner of his eye, he caught her small movement as she raised her chin.
“I was keeping an eye out for bighorn sheep.”
“Sheep.” He lifted a skeptical eyebrow.
“Yes. According to my research, they’re more common down Big Thompson Canyon, north of here, but have been seen in this area as well. I’ve never seen one.”
He had to give it to his EA…she could bluff with the best of them, but he still wasn’t buying it.
“Being a romantic isn’t a bad thing you know.”
“You’re an expert on romantics?”
He chuckled at the disbelief in her voice. “I was one. A long time ago.”
She turned in her seat to face him more fully “You?”
“Yes, me. I was married, you know.”
“Wasn’t that about two-thousand years ago?”
“Yes, but I loved her deeply. After she died, I never expected to love like that again, and I haven’t.” Now why had he confessed that? He’d never talked about Hilaeira. Maybe the similarity between his wife and his feelings for Leia now, though the two women had nothing in common, had him thinking more of that time.
Leia was quiet for a long stretch of road. “Do you miss her?” she asked, her tone noticeably more gentle.
“Every day.” He could have given a trite answer, but he didn’t want to.
“Are you lonely, Castor?”
“I’ve managed to keep occupied.” Now it was his turn to use a dry tone. He didn’t want her pity.
“That’s a fact.”
He chuckled.
Chapter Four
The rest of the drive didn’t take too long.
“There’s a hotel worth staying at. Your friend has good taste in wedding venues.” Leia made the comment as Castor drove them through the town to the Stanley. It sat up above a shopping center, high enough that you could see all of the building. The front of the hotel faced toward the town of Estes Park. Mountains rose up around them like a cathedral of granite. The hotel itself was stunning—Victorian in style, stark white with red tile roofs.
Rather than valet, they parked and walked their suitcases in.
“I’ll take that.” Castor held out his hand for Leia’s luggage.
“No, you won’t.” She pulled out the handle and started rolling it to the building.
Cas shook his head at her independent streak but didn’t argue and followed in silence. They made their way up a set of stairs to a large porch covered with white wicker chairs to enjoy the view. Several double doors leading into the reception area were thrown wide, letting in the warm May breeze, carrying with it the crisp scent o
f the pine trees.
Once inside, the receptionist at the hotel had a surprise for them both.
“Mr. Banes did what?” Leia squeaked beside Castor.
The woman’s smile wavered. “He placed you in the suite beside theirs.”
“A single room?” Leia asked for the clarification.
“It’s a suite, but yes.”
She turned to Castor. “You take the suite. It’s obviously meant for the guest of honor.” No surprise a demigod at the ceremony would have garnered attention. “I’ll get another room.”
“We don’t have any more rooms available.” The receptionist gave them an apologetic grimace. “And I doubt you’ll find anything anywhere else. There’s a horror film festival going on this week.”
Leia’s knuckles turned white as she crushed the nice brochure she’d plucked from a holder on the desk when they’d been waiting in line.
Caster covered her hand with his. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Don’t—” She bit down on the words when she turned and recognized the warning he was trying to silently communicate with his eyes.
“Let’s get settled. Then we’ll figure it out.”
Her lips were pale as she clenched her teeth, but she gave him a jerky nod. After they got their keys, she followed him without a word. Their suitcases made a clack-clack-clack as they crossed the lobby with its original wood floors. They passed large fireplaces with comfy seating around them, then headed up the grand staircase covered in a deep maroon velvet carpet.
“I can’t stay here with you,” she said as soon as they got to their room and the door closed behind them. “I’ll get a hotel room down in Denver or Fort Collins.” She crossed to the mini-fridge in the corner and pulled out a bottled water which she proceeded to gulp down. Never a good sign when Lyleia needed to chug water.
Guilt pressing on him, Castor shook his head. “There are too many events, and I don’t want you driving the canyons at night. I’ll sleep on the couch.”
She glanced at the couch in the sitting room, a piece deliberately created to imitate an old-fashioned sofa, with the scrolling back and armrests in wood, and the cushions in a patterned, pink silk. Then she moved her pointed gaze to him, as she eyeballed his six-foot-three frame. Like every demigod, his body was built for battle—broad shouldered, lean hipped, tall and muscled.
“I’ll sleep on the couch.” She wrinkled her nose as she grudgingly conceded.
But he didn’t like that option either. Having Leia on the uncomfortable piece of furniture didn’t sit right with him. Before he could offer another suggestion, the phone rang.
He held up a finger and crossed the room to answer it.
“How do you like the suite?” Marrok asked after they exchanged hellos.
“It’s great. Thank you for the upgrade.”
“My pleasure. Thank you for agreeing to stand up for me on the big day.”
Castor glanced at Leia in case she’d caught that. He hadn’t warned her yet. But she wasn’t paying attention to him. Instead, she’d started unpacking and hanging her garments in the closet. He took the opportunity to appreciate how her black skirt highlighted her lovely behind. She’d removed her jacket, allowing him to see her hourglass figure better. He loved those pencil skirts she favored.
“Cas?”
He pulled his attention back to the conversation. “Absolutely, buddy.”
“Tala and I would love to have lunch with you and your date today.”
Castor glanced at his watch. “What time were you thinking?”
“Noon.”
An hour to convince Leia should be enough time. “Sounds good.”
“We’ll meet you in the lobby then.”
Castor hung up and turned to Leia, conjuring up his most winning smile. Not that he’d seen it have any effect on her yet, but, still, it was worth a try.
She turned from the closet and crossed her arms. “Don’t even bother with that fake smile, Castor.”
He blinked and snapped his mouth closed, swallowing the words on the tip of his tongue.
“I heard.”
“I see.”
“I noticed you didn’t correct his mistaken impression that you’re here with a date and not your assistant.”
“Um.”
She held up a hand. “Are you going to correct them at lunch?”
“Well—”
“I see. Is there a business reason not to tell them?”
“No. But I’d accepted while I was still seeing Pamela. They obviously assumed they were doing us a favor with the room. I wouldn’t want them to feel bad.”
“Uh-huh. And what will they say when I show up to the business-related meetings?”
“That I’m a lucky man?”
She gave a delicate snort. “You will tell them at lunch.”
He could tell this was a sticking point for her. Her chin was up in the air and her back straight as a board, a sign of stubborn refusal to budge on a point. One he recognized after a year spending hours with her on a daily basis. “Yes, of course.”
She nodded. “Give me a half hour to wash off the travel and change. More casual for lunch with a friend, I assume?”
“Probably a good idea.”
She pulled a dress from the closet where she’d just finished hanging it. He stayed where he was as she gathered other things and crossed the room.
“By the way…”
Her voice pulled him out of the daze he’d been in after the conversation hadn’t gone quite the way he’d expected. Now she stared at him from the doorway to the bathroom.
He raised his eyebrows in question.
“Congrats on being the best man at the ceremony.” She winked and closed the door behind her.
Chapter Five
“You should probably know this is not a love match.” Castor tossed the words in her general direction as they crossed the lobby of the hotel.
She kept the pleasant smile plastered to her lips despite the desire to glare at the man beside her. “You could have mentioned that sooner,” she muttered between clenched teeth.
“Great dress by the way.”
While she did like the knee-length blush colored dress with a sweet belt tied in a bow at her waist, he wasn’t going to distract her. “Thank you, but you’re not off the hook.”
“Too late, they’re right over there.” He grinned. “Marrok.” He held up a head to catch his friend’s attention.
The werewolf couple were waiting for them in white wicker chairs on the large porch at the front of the hotel. Leia was glad she’d changed, as both were dressed casually. Like Castor, Marrok wore jeans and a button-up with the long sleeves rolled back. His bride, whose first name Leia didn’t know, wore a stylish single-piece pant suit in a striking blue. They appeared to be deep in serious conversation until Castor hailed them. They stood, and Leia noted both were tall and lean, typical build for werewolves.
After the two men shook hands, Marrok introduced Tala, his bride-to-be. The male werewolf’s voice had a dark rasp to it, like a rumbling growl. She’d be nervous of him, but deep laugh lines around his eyes spoke of an inherent kindness. She decided she liked him.
“Congratulations on your upcoming marriage.” Leia offered her felicitation to them both.
Marrok simply nodded. The small smile she received from Tala was shadowed by a wariness in the elegant blonde’s stunning green eyes. Castor had said this wasn’t a love match, but was the bride reluctant?
Castor turned to Leia, his hand at her back, warm through the thin silk of her dress. She resisted the urge to lean into that hand and straightened away from him.
“I’d like to introduce you both to my Executive Assistant, Lyleia Naiad.”
She nodded to Marrok. Deep blue eyes gazed back at her from under thick black eyebrows. He had silver at his temples, not unusual for an alpha, even a relatively young one. She placed his age around thirty-two.
“Assistant?” Marrok asked, his gaze moving from her back
to Castor.
“Yes. Change of plans at the last minute.”
Marrok laughed. “In other words, you dumped Pamela.”
Castor shrugged.
Marrok looked back at Leia with a grimace. “I hope my changing your rooms to a suite isn’t an issue, Lyleia?”
She gave him a serene smile. “Call me Leia, please. And not at all. I’m a nymph, which means I have a natural resistance to demigods.”
“Oh really?” Marrok’s drawl cut through Castor’s laugh.
She tipped her head up. “Of course. In fact, it’s why I was hired to be his assistant. Dark, movie-star good looks, charming personality, and adorable dimples do nothing for me whatsoever.” She gave Castor’s arm a patronizing pat even as she lied through her teeth.
His eyebrows winged high. “You think my dimples are adorable?”
She rolled her eyes. “You would only pay attention to that part.” She turned back to the other couple, who’d watch the exchange with wide-eyed interest.
Marrok led them outside and around to the valet parking. “It was a good idea to bring a shield to the ceremony anyway.”
“A shield?” Leia asked.
“The unclaimed women will be naturally drawn to his power during the ceremony,” Tala explained. “He’ll have to beat them off with a stick even with you there.”
“So now I’m a stick?” She shook her head at Castor who was trying his best not to laugh. “I think I need a raise.”
They got into a sleek grey Jaguar sedan with Marrok behind the wheel. The werewolves’ scents, which had been subtler in the open air. swirled around them, reminding Leia of warm days in fresh plowed fields of fertile black earth, like the land close to her spring in Greece. She inhaled appreciatively, giving a small hum of contentment. “You smell like home.”
Tala turned from her seat in the front. “Most people say we smell like dirt.”
Leia shook her head. “I like it.”
“You said you’re a nymph?”
My Paranormal Valentine: A Paranormal Romance Box Set Page 83
