“I hope one day you’ll allow me to read your masterpieces,” he said, taking one of her hands in his.
“So, what’s your deep dark hobby that you don’t tell anyone about? I shared mine.”
“I guess there’s no getting out of telling you, huh?”
She sipped her chocolate and bumped his shoulder with her own. “Nope. Now, spill.”
“If I have to admit this,” he glanced around as if making sure nobody would overhear, “my dirty secret is…I love to play Pac Man. I have my old system, and I get it out once in a while and just waste a few hours gobbling up dots. It’s my way to relax and release frustration.”
Though his face turned a slight shade of red, she loved that he had opened up to her. This was so much more than just telling her about a silly game. He trusted her with something private.
“I loved ping pong on my dad’s old Atari system. It’s a shame the simplicities of video games is long gone in our generation.”
The conversation went on pause when the opening music began for the movie. Lake brought her in close for cuddles as she rested her head on his chest. It was the perfect moment with the perfect man. Snowflakes began to fall from the sky. She was so enraptured by the simple joy of being with him, she didn’t see him coming in for a kiss. The movement caught her off guard, but she held her breath when he cupped her cheek.
“You’re beautiful.”
She sighed and leaned her face into his hand. “Thank you, Lake. This day has been magical. I’ll never forget it.”
“This will be the first of many magical days with you, my love.”
Her heart filled with love. She wasn’t even scared about falling for him. That perfect moment showed her the real man behind the alpha. And she knew he was it. He was the one for her.
Chapter Fourteen
Lake woke up to an empty bed, but the smell of bacon was swirling around her apartment. He quickly got up and pulled on the pajama pants he had left on the floor the night before. Making his way into her kitchen wasn’t a long path in her apartment, but what it lacked in size, it made up in the feeling of love and home.
“Good morning, would you like some coffee? I have breakfast ready. I was just waiting for you to wake up.” Priscilla said as she poured him a cup.
“Smells good. You didn’t have to do this. I was going to take you out for breakfast.” Lake accepted the steaming cup of caffeine and sat at the island that separated the small kitchen from the living room.
Placing the heaping plate full of eggs, toast, and bacon in front of him, she smiled and turned to get her plate that contained half the amount of food. “I enjoy cooking for you. I don’t have a lot of meals in my resume, but I can rock breakfast food.” She giggled.
Right when Lake had his fork halfway to his mouth, Lake’s phone began to buzz. He ate a bite of his food and took the napkin she offered to wipe his mouth before hitting the accept button on the phone.
“Lake here, what’s up?” he sat with one arm across his chest and the other holding the phone up to his ear. Giving the occasional hum in agreement, a smile spread across his face. “This is great news, thank you. Yes, let the contractors know they can start. I approved the blueprints on the repairs and addition last week. Make sure you express how grateful I am that they were able to get started on the house remodel so quickly.”
Lake put the phone on the counter and continued to eat. He watched Priscilla wait patiently for him to tell her what was going on. Still, he enjoyed seeing her internal battle of, should she be bold and ask or submissive and wait for him to tell her.
Picking up the cup of coffee, he finally said, just before the rim touched his lips, “Go ahead and ask. I know you’re dying to.”
She slapped his arm with her napkin and laughed. “I hate that you can read me so well, but yes, I want to know what’s going on. I gathered they’re going to get started on the house?”
With his chair facing her, he rested one hand on the back of hers and leaned in. “First, you enjoy very much that I can read you and your body so well. So well indeed, that I know what it needs before you do, and I’m happy to satisfy those needs.” He quickly brushed his lips on hers before leaning back into his seat. “And yes, the contractors that I wanted were able to work me in, and they’re going to get started on the house tomorrow. They think they can have it completed before New Year’s or at least have it livable by then.”
“Oh, Lake, that’s great news! Although I’ll miss having you here at night, I know that was a burden you didn’t need with what is going on at work too.”
He took her hand and pulled her over to his lap. “I was hoping when I moved back in, you would be moving in with me.”
Shock registered on her face, and before she could say anything, his phone buzzed again.
Seeing Lyle’s name on the caller ID, he sighed. “Hold that thought, I need to get this. It’s my brother.”
“Sure.”
“Hey Lyle, what can I do for you?” He never took his gaze off her and tried to convey with his eyes how much he wanted her. His brother rambled something and he tried to focus on his words. “Sure, hang on” Lake hit the speaker button and then continued, “Lyle, this is Priscilla, Priscilla, this is my younger brother Lyle” Lake made the introductions and held the phone up so she could talk.
“Hi Lyle, it’s nice to ah…meet you.” She gave a nervous little giggle. He squeezed her thigh to let her know it was okay.
“Hello, it’s nice to talk with you, but I was just asking Lake if you two were going to Gerri’s party tonight.” Lyle’s voice was short and to the point.
“Yes, I need to go pick up my suit at the cleaners, and then I’m going to be honored to have the most beautiful woman on my arm at the party. You going to be there?” Lake asked as he nuzzled his nose into her hair.
“No, I have something else I need to do, but please give Gerri my regards and regrets that I couldn’t make it. Priscilla, I’m sure I’ll meet you soon. You have fun and don’t let Lake get by with too much mischief.”
“I’ll do my best,” she laughed. “And I look forward to meeting you some time as well. Bye”
With that, Lake hung up the phone and picked her up in his arms. “I think we need a shower before I head to the office and the cleaners. You up for it?”
“Always,” she said, then kissed him as he carried her to the bathroom.
Chapter Fifteen
Lake couldn’t take his eyes off his mate. She was so beautiful, all dolled up for Gerri’s party. This was a different pretty than when she was decked out for the photoshoot. The studio work, she was damn hot with barely any clothes on. And now, she was more natural, more herself, and it was hot as hell to both him and his tiger.
While she was finishing her makeup and whatever women did, he slipped down to the car and turned it on, heater full blast, and pulled it up to the door so she wouldn’t have to traverse the treacherous snow.
Now, his hand was in the small of her back, though it wanted to slide down and take hold once again of what was his. Her ass was perfectly sized for his hands. He could grip onto her and hold her up as he slammed into her from underneath.
Getting her shy ass on top of him was the true challenge. She wanted to keep the covers over her body. That wasn’t right. He liked what he saw inside her and out. He wasn’t judging on physical looks alone, but her character. She was fun, made him laugh, would do anything to help anyone. But there was something else inside her that he couldn’t put his finger on that was…different.
Something was waiting in the wings for the right time to come out and show the world. Something she would need at one point to change who she was.
Exiting the lobby, she gasped, bringing him out of his thought.
“You brought the car around for me?” she asked with shiny eyes.
Her reaction to something so simple surprised him. “Of course. I don’t want you twisting an ankle on a snow-covered rock. Besides, it’s the man’s job to keep hi
s mate as comfortable and safe as possible.” He leaned down and gave her a kiss. “I take my responsibilities seriously.” He smiled and opened her door.
“Oh, Lake,” she sighed.
“As I mentioned earlier,” he continued, “if there ever is a time I forget to open your door, then you have my permission to thump me on the head.”
Her wicked smile that he’d come to recognize as her “naughty thoughts grin” gazed up at him. “I’ll thump your head while you lie on the bed, and I’m sliding up and down your cock. I’ll thump and thump until we come.”
Ah, fuck. His cock hardened so fast at her words that it almost hurt. Thank god he was holding onto the door. He’d be out flat on the ground. He did feel a little lightheaded. He leaned in and kissed her.
“Promises, promises,” he teased.
He closed her door and hurried around to his side. When they were on the road, he took her hand in his. Her skin was velvety smooth. He loved the way it rubbed against his roughened palm.
“How long do you want to stay?” he asked, sort of hoping it would be a short time so they could go to her place and make love the rest of the night.
“I don’t know. How long do you want to stay?”
His grin grew into a huge smile. He couldn’t help it.
Priscilla laughed and shook her head. “Oh, let me guess. You’d like to turn the car around right now and go back to my place.”
“The bedroom, to be specific,” he replied.
She rolled her eyes. “So like a man.”
Well, that’s what he was— a male with a smokin’ hot babe in his car that he wanted his hands all over. He really hoped their plans didn’t get cut short again, like with the call to go to the meeting room with the elders.
“If something happens with the pride again, I might have to leave to take care of things. I hope you don’t mind. I’ll come back, of course.”
She squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry about me if you get called in. You take care of what you need to. I understand your position and duties to your people. I’ll never begrudge you for that. In fact, every time you have to leave, I’ll love you more because it’s a reminder of how big your heart is. “
He kissed the back of her hand and allowed her words to warm his heart. He’d been hoping one day his mate would understand and be there to support him fully. He’d found the perfect woman. “You are amazing. I am truly not worthy of you. But if you would allow, I will spend the rest of my life trying to live up to that honor.”
Her face turned an adorable pink. There was that shy seductress he couldn’t get enough of. He wondered how she would react when he asked her to marry him.
The ring was in his pocket. It was perfect for her. He’d chosen the four-carat oval diamond because it was a traditional shape, but still a beautiful stone without being overly flashy. His mate was like the diamond. Clear, full of light and fire and sparkle. The halo was just a little extra bling her hoped would impress his mate. The petite band would look perfect on her small hands. He couldn’t wait to see it on her finger.
When they pulled into the drive to the venue, he was impressed. Gerri had finagled a mansion big enough to hold a couple hundred bodies. And that probably wasn’t even half of the people she knew.
Lake pulled up to the valet at the front entrance. He was handed a ticket in exchange for his key. He hurried around the hood to get to his mate. As he guided her inside, he said, “I would have gotten your door, but the guy beat me to it.” Priscilla laughed. His heart soared with her happiness. Everything would be all right as long as she was by his side. Together, they could handle anything thrown at them. Together forever as true mates. There was nothing that would keep them apart.
Chapter Sixteen
Lyle stopped his sporty car outside the party’s venue and called his brother on the new phone he bought. He hoped the bastard was with his slutty mate, so this would take away their time together. Not that it mattered. Lyle would make sure their time apart was much longer.
When his brother answered, it was time to start his academy-award winning act.
“Lake, I need to talk to you.” He put in his voice as much worry as he could.
“What’s wrong?” Lake asked. Lyle could hear music and laughter in the background.
“I’m outside.”
“Well, come inside,” Lake said with a touch of annoyance in his voice.
“We don’t need others hearing our pride’s problems.”
“Fuck. Fine,” Lake growled. “All right. Give me a second.” The line died, and Lyle smiled. This was too damn easy.
By now, the fake news he started earlier had spread to all the high schoolers in both pack and pride. They were planning retaliation against each other as he sat waiting.
The passenger side door to his car opened, and his brother slid into the seat. “Damn, it’s cold,” he said, rubbing his arms. “What’s going on now?”
Lyle frowned. “I was told that the kids are gathering for a fight. Something about name-calling.”
“Seriously? Damn it,” Lake grumbled to himself. “I thought I’d taken care of this.”
“I don’t know, but this sounded pretty bad. I know they only listen to you.”
“Where are they planning to meet?” Lake asked.
“At the county line,” Lyle replied. “they could already be there, as far as I know.”
Lake ran his fingers through his hair. “All right,” he said. “I need to tell my mate what’s going on.”
“Don’t worry about Priscilla,” he said. “I’ll let her know and make sure Maya is with her and takes her home. She understands how important this is to you and the pride.”
Lake opened the door. “I need to find my car,” he said, sliding out.
“Just take mine,” Lyle offered with an apologetic frown. “Give me your keys.”
Lake gave his brother his valet card and moved to the driver’s seat. “Lyle, I know I’ve been too wrapped up in things to say this, but I really appreciate all you’ve done to help me get through these past several weeks. I don’t know how I could do this without you, brother.”
Lyle’s eyes turned downward. “Don’t worry about it. That’s what little brothers are for, right?”
“Yeah, except you’re not my little brother. You’re my equal except for two minutes.”
Lyle tapped the hood of the car. “Get going before one of the cubs gets the shit clawed out of him.” Lake closed the car door and sped out of the mansion driveway.
Lyle sucked in a cold breath, holding back the overload of emotions that suddenly flooded him. Never had his brother thanked him for anything. Nor told him that he thought of his “younger” brother as an equal. For being an equal, he sure wasn’t treated the same.
He didn’t have the swanky alpha home. He didn’t have the she-tigers drooling over him. He didn’t have the respect of the elders. His title wasn’t CEO. His words were nothing but empty praise. Lyle knew the truth. Lake didn’t give a shit about him.
Anger and hatred once again controlled him. Back to his normal self. Thank god.
Lyle shook his hair loose, fingering the strands to bring the curls back, and proceeded inside the mansion. Too easy.
He quickly caught the eye of his brother’s mate since she was watching the door. A concerned expression covered her face. He waved her over, then she said something to her friend and hurried toward him. He took her elbow and guided her to the coatroom.
“What’s going on, Lake?” Priscilla asked.
“Just something stupid as usual,” he said.
Her brows drew down. Did Lake not complain about him all the time? Talk bad and cut on him? Lyle sure did about Lake. “Where are we going?” she asked.
“I have a surprise for you.” He tried to keep his smile from looking lecherous. “A little winter escape for the two of us.”
When she smiled, he noticed how beautiful she really was. Before, he couldn’t get past the shape of her body to “see” her.
She pulled her coat from the hanger, and he helped her slide it on. He figured his brother would do shit like that. As if the woman was helpless. Outside, Lyle handed the ticket to the valet, and a few minutes later, they were inside the warm Mercedes and driving away.
Priscilla reached over and took his hand from the steering wheel, and interlocked their fingers between them. He thought he would cringe from her touch, but that wasn’t how his body responded. In fact, heat infused his insides.
In objection, his tiger roared and pawed at him. It didn’t want his brother’s mate. That was the man in Lyle. And the man was interested in seeing where this would go. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the back. Her eyes twinkled at him. A pang hit his heart.
Nobody, not even his wife, had looked at him like that. Jealousy washed through him. Once again, his fucking brother got everything, including the true love of his mate. He squeezed the hand in his, stopping himself before crushing her fragile human bones.
“You’re quiet,” she said.
“I’m imagining what I’m going to do with you when we’re finally alone.” When her cheeks blushed, greedy desire raced to his cock. A new thought came to him. Instead of temporarily separating his brother’s mate from him, perhaps he could make it a permanent divide.
If he mated her with a bite and got her pregnant, then there was no way the alpha would be allowed to have her as a mate. The pride wouldn’t allow such debauchery. Of course, when the alpha turned her away, he wouldn’t claim the child and ship them both to the other side of the country.
Damn, was he a genius or what? About the only way to hurt an alpha was through his heart. And this would more than crush his brother’s. Lyle would have control of the pride and the company while his brother tried to keep himself from going crazy after losing his true mate.
Now he just needed to let his male instincts take over.
Chapter Seventeen
Scrooged Over: Paranormal Dating Agency Page 7