The thing was that after last night, Caleb knew the bond was stronger than he could have imagined. After all, it was that bond that caused Marge to break off ties with her own twin sister. And, although Caleb knew it was hard on Marge and she missed her sister for the rest of her life, she would never have changed a thing. That was the strength of the bond.
“I hope you’re right. What about Elena? Did she mention how she feels about Chicago?”
Caleb nodded. “I don’t think she’s been very happy with her current arrangement, so that could work in my favor. But I’m not going to pressure her. She needs to realize how important our connection is on her own.”
“I agree.” Hunter glanced at his watch. “They’re going to be here any minute.”
Caleb stood as he unrolled his sleeves and buttoned them at his wrists. He smoothed his hands over his slacks next and glanced down at his loafers. He considered putting on his suitcoat, but decided that would be overkill.
Hunter pushed to standing also, smirking again. “I see you decided to go all out with the professional attire too.” He was dressed similarly in grey slacks, a perfectly pressed white shirt, and red and blue striped tie. This was going to be fun.
Most days the two of them dressed business casual, but today wasn’t most days. Today was the day that the women they would be spending the rest of their lives with were going to step into Larosa and Tanner Law Offices to meet with the attorneys for their aunt’s estate. Today was the day Elena and Layla were going to find out Caleb and Hunter weren’t just some random cowboys who drank at a bar.
“Did you sleep last night?” Hunter asked.
“Not a single minute. How about you?”
Hunter shook his head. “Tell me why we let them walk away last night?”
Caleb cocked his head to one side. “Because they were both freaked out, and we knew better than to pressure them.”
Hunter nodded. “Right. And how are we going to fix this problem?”
“Time. It would be easier if they knew nothing about shifters, but instead their heads are filled with misinformation, making them think we have some sort of super powers we use to lure them into our wolf den. They’re leery because of it. I can’t blame them.”
Hunter lifted a brow. “Let’s not forget they’re mostly right.”
Caleb shoved Hunter’s shoulder as he walked by him, aiming for the office waiting room. The space they rented on the main street in town had two offices and a reception area. During regular business hours, they had an office manager who worked in the outer room, greeting people. This was Saturday though. Rayanne was off.
Caleb set his hand on the door frame and turned to face Hunter. “Okay, they’re sort of right. But it’s not something we control. It’s all in the pheromones. They can feel the pull same as we can. They’re just going to take longer to accept it.”
“Uh huh. Let’s hope they don’t take too long. My dick can only stand so much.”
The outer door opened into the reception area, making Caleb send Hunter a grin and mouth, “Game on.”
The second Caleb stepped into the reception area, Hunter right behind him, Elena met his gaze. Her mouth dropped open, and several moments of silence passed before she spoke. “You can’t be serious.”
Layla said something similar at the same time.
Caleb held out his hand to the sexiest woman he’d ever seen. Last night she’d been rather casual in her black jeans and pink blouse. Today. Fuck me. The woman was wearing a professional gray pencil skirt and a white blouse. The lace of her bra was visible under the thin material. She had on black flats, and he smiled inside at the memory of her wearing flats last night too. His woman wasn’t the sort to wear heels. “Caleb Tanner. Nice to meet you. I’m your Great Aunt Marge Keller’s attorney. This is my partner, Hunter Larosa.” He loved the look on her face as she let him take her limp hand, her gaze going back and forth between the two men.
Chapter 8
Three hours later, Elena opened the front door of Marge’s house to find Caleb standing on the front porch. Hunter was walking around to the side of the house. Not surprising since Layla was out there trying to manage Aunt Marge’s plants. Two cars were parked out front. They hadn’t come together.
Caleb was no longer wearing a suit and tie. He was dressed similar to the night before in jeans, boots, and a tight Navy T-shirt. His fingers were tucked in the front pockets of his jeans, and for once he looked slightly chagrinned, rocking back and forth on his feet, head cocked to one side. “Forgive me?” His gaze remained on her face for several seconds, but he eventually glanced down at her body and back up.
She should have known he would hunt her down, and she probably shouldn’t have changed into something so revealing. She’d only been thinking of her comfort when she’d put on the white tank top and jean shorts. She didn’t even have shoes on. After all, her day was going to be spent working on the house. She needed to be comfortable.
Elena leaned against the frame of the door and rolled her eyes toward him as she crossed her arms. “Seriously though. What did you think was going to happen when we arrived at your office? Did you think we would laugh it off and hold hands and sing Kumbaya?”
He chuckled. “Well, no. But I didn’t expect you to turn around and leave either.”
“You lied to us.”
He cringed. “Not really. We honestly didn’t know you were in town or who you were until you explained about your Aunt Marge.”
She glared at him. “You expect me to buy that story? You sent us certified letters.”
He shook his head. “We have a new office manager, Rayanne. She thought she had everything under control. She sent the letters, and then she put down that we had quote ‘new clients’ coming in today on our calendar.”
“And then last night you thought you’d just keep your identities a secret?”
He sighed. “We just left out that little detail. We were having a good time. Getting to know each other. I didn’t want to interrupt that by discussing your aunt’s will.”
“It was kind of important, don’t you think?” She was still a bit furious.
“Not really. I mean so what if Hunter and I are the attorneys for your aunt’s estate? It doesn’t change anything. It just makes it easier for you to get the answers you need over the next few days. And cheaper.”
She narrowed her gaze. “How do you figure?”
“Because if you forgive me and let me inside, I’ll help you figure out what needs to be done while doling out free legal advice.” He grinned, that damn panty-melting look that made her struggle to hold on to her perfectly good mad.
“You want to come inside and help?”
“Yes.” He stepped closer, removed one hand from his pocket, and stroked a finger down her biceps.
She shivered at the contact. His touch undid her every time. In fact, she jerked her arm back. “Stop touching me.”
He dropped his hand but took a deep breath. “I like touching you. I like the feel of your skin. The warmth. The softness.”
“Well, I don’t like it. You scramble my brain when you touch me. I’m convinced my grandmother was right. You do have some freakish powers that can control people into doing your bidding.” There. She’d said it. She didn’t even care if it sounded absurd.
He took a slow breath. “If I admit there is some merit to that fact, will you let me in?”
She jerked back, her voice rising. “If I’m right, and you’re brainwashing me, why the hell would I let you in?”
He shook his head. “I’m not brainwashing you. I promise. I have no control over your decisions. It doesn’t work that way.”
“You just said you have the power to control my mind.”
He sighed. “Not exactly. Please. Let me come inside. I’ll explain better.”
She stared at him for several moments, knowing instinctively letting him inside was the worst decision she could possibly make while at the same time knowing there was no other answer. She need
ed him to be inside. She needed to be close to him. As unwise as it was, she couldn’t stop herself from backing up and holding the door open. “Is this some kind of vampire thing where you have to be invited in before you can cross the threshold?”
He laughed as he stepped inside. “No. Wolves don’t have to be invited in. And before you ask, no, I don’t know any vampires. I’m pretty sure they’re mythical.”
“Really?” She shut the door and passed by him, returning to the kitchen where she’d been going through the cabinets. The red cabinets. The ones that perfectly matched the color scheme of Marge’s yellow and red kitchen. The walls were painted yellow. The floor was white tiles with the occasional red one thrown in. It was bright and had lots of windows and sliding glass doors that led to the back deck. It wasn’t Elena’s style at all, and she cringed every time she stepped into the bright cheerfulness. In her mind, the roosters called out cock-a-doodle-doo every time she stepped inside.
Elena ignored the crazy color scheme and shook her mind back to the conversation. “From my perspective, so are shifters.” She kept walking until she reached the open cabinet, but it was impossible to tune him out and concentrate on categorizing the contents. He filled the damn room with his presence.
She set her hands on the counter and took a deep breath.
Caleb set his hands on her bare shoulders and blew out a long breath. His voice was soft when he spoke. “I know you feel the connection too. I’m not controlling it, Elena. I promise. When wolf shifters meet…certain people, they just connect. It’s a vibe in the air. We both feel it. It’s not one sided. You feel it too.”
He was right. Every inch of her body felt the connection, and it was even stronger when he touched her. She felt a little out of control when his skin was on hers. And a lot aroused. She closed her eyes and fought to control her now-racing heart.
Caleb stepped closer, his body heat radiating through her. “I’m sorry. For not telling you who we were last night.”
She relaxed under his touch. Even though her mind warred with her, telling her not to let her guard down, her body disagreed. “Do you have any other secrets I should know about?” She was half joking, but he stiffened a bit and didn’t respond.
She spun around and faced him.
His hands landed on her shoulders again, having not really moved from their position in the two seconds she took to face him. “Caleb…”
He swallowed. Visibly. “A few. It’s complicated.”
“My English is amazing. Try me.”
He nodded slowly. “Well, for one, you know how your Aunt Marge fell in love with Josiah and never left Canyon Springs?”
She glared at him. “I’m super clear on that.”
“She was Josiah’s mate.”
She flinched. What the fuck was he talking about? “His mate?”
Caleb nodded. “More than just a wife. Being mated is a stronger bond than marriage.”
“Uh huh. Do you realize how ridiculous you sound? I mean I’ve heard the term. In movies. Books. Not real life.” Part of her wanted to duck under his arm and shove him out of the way so she could break the connection. But when he was touching her… Damn it was hard to imagine losing that contact.
“I know it’s hard to believe or understand, but it’s true.”
“What?” She jerked back a few inches. “Oh. Oh, I see. You think you and I are mates like Marge and Josiah… That’s insane.” It took every ounce of willpower she had, but she finally gave him a push and ducked under his arm. As soon as she broke free, she sucked in a breath. She also felt a burning loss, almost painful.
She gasped for air as if she’d been running and continued to back up until her ass hit the kitchen table.
Caleb turned around, but he didn’t approach. He leaned against the counter. His expression was tight. “I wish there was an easier way to tell you, but there just isn’t. I decided to rip off the band aid.”
She shook her head, even though she knew deep inside somewhere that what he was saying was probably true. “Caleb. I like you. I do. You’re gorgeous and nice and kind and funny and so many other things, but I’m not going to marry you.” She inched her way around the side of the table, putting more space between them, glad that he didn’t follow her.
“I’m not saying we have to get married. Not now. Hell, not ever. That’s up to you. I’m saying you’re my mate. My partner.”
She licked her dry lips. “But that’s absurd. We met last night.”
“It happens instantly. I knew when you stepped into Morton’s Grocery. I jerked my gaze up from the checkout to find the owner of the scent.”
She drew in a deep breath and grabbed the back of one of the kitchen chairs, fisting the top wrung. “You smelled me when I stepped into the store and knew I was your…soul mate or some shit?”
“Yes.” He still didn’t move, which calmed her somewhat. At least he wasn’t pouncing on her. He wasn’t doing anything to make her feel threatened. In fact, he set his palms on the counter beside him and gripped so tightly his knuckles turned white.
She rubbed her forehead. “And this is what happened to Aunt Marge?” Her voice was calmer, though she had no idea why. She should turn around, run from the house, get in her rental car, and drive out of town. Selling this place wasn’t worth the trouble.
“Yes.”
A thought occurred to her. “Does this happen to all shifters? Is that why everyone was staring at us last night? The entire damn town knew that you’d marked us or something?”
He sighed. “Yes, this happens to all shifters. We don’t usually marry someone until we find our mate. Sometimes it takes longer than others. Sometimes it doesn’t happen at all. Sometimes shifters meet another shifter or even a human and enjoy a full life without actually scenting them out specifically. And yes, to answer your last question, everyone knows.”
She winced again. Great. Just great. “I can’t…” She backed up again, intent on leaving the room. “There is no way to process what you’re saying, Caleb.”
“I know, Elena. It’s a lot to absorb. I get that. I’ve heard all about it. I’m not the first shifter to go through trying to explain to his mate what we are to each other.”
“And Hunter is going to tell Layla the same thing?”
“I’m sure he’s making his case right now. It wouldn’t be fair to either of you to keep it to ourselves any longer.”
“You said I have free will.”
“You do.”
“So, I can walk out the door and leave town right now and never look back?”
He took a slow breath. “You can. It wouldn’t be pretty, but you could.”
“What would happen?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure. It’s never happened to me. I hear it’s painful. Not physically, but it leaves a mark deep inside. Some shifters never recover from the loss of their mates.”
“What about…me? Are you saying it would be difficult for me too?” she asked tentatively.
He lifted his shoulders. “I can’t know that at all.”
“Surely you know people who have not bought into this and left town.”
“Yes. It happens.” He tipped his head back. “It’s rather horrifying. It leaves a deep hole in a shifter’s soul when they’re disconnected from their mate. For any reason really.”
“Ah. Because people die too.”
“Yes. Of course regular humans experience loss of a spouse upon death also, but not with the same intensity. For a shifter, it can be life-altering. Granted, when someone’s mate dies, though, it hurts badly. It does sort of release the party left behind. Not that they would ever forget or that the pain is lessened, but they can move on, mate with someone else, or at least find a partner to spend their life with.”
“But it’s not the same,” she mused.
“No.” Caleb shoved off the counter, but only took one step forward. “Enough sadness. I came here to help you.”
“Help me?”
“Go through Marge’s b
elongings. Whatever you need.”
She frowned at him. “You’re serious.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because the only way I can convince you to give me a chance is to spend time with you.”
She swallowed. This was such a bad idea. “Caleb, I live in Chicago. I have a life there.”
“You said yourself it wasn’t going very well.” He winced.
She nodded. “Yeah, well, that doesn’t mean I’m going to stay here just because some guy I met last night at a bar says I’m his mate.”
He smiled. “Okay. Don’t think about it. Just spend time with me. Let me help you.”
“Let you hang around the house while I work, trying to lure me into your wolf den?” She couldn’t keep from giving him a small smile.
He laughed. “I don’t have a den. I promise. I own a regular house. I’m even pretty tidy. Any time you want me to, I’ll take you there and give you a tour.”
She backed up, almost laughing. “Oh hell no. If I let you get me alone, you’d probably mark me or something and never let me leave.”
He wiggled his brows. “That’s not a bad idea.”
She considered this plan for a minute. What harm could it do? If he left, she’d spend every hour thinking about him. Wondering. What if there was some merit to his claim? It was preposterous, but he was sexy as hell, kind, and he made her insides turn to mush. Not to mention what he was doing to her sex. Her panties had been wet since she opened the front door, and the tank top she was wearing felt too tight.
Finally, she spoke again. “You can stay, on one condition.”
“Anything.”
“Please tell me you don’t actually intend to mark me. Ever.” If that was a thing, she was going to escort him to the door and shut it in his face.
He chuckled. “Can’t promise I won’t eventually suck on your skin hard enough to leave a hickey.”
God. The thought of his lips on her skin made her suck in a sharp breath. Her nipples stiffened as she pictured his head between her breasts, licking, sucking, making her moan.
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