by Dia Cole
I shook my head. “No, it feels fine.” Strangely enough, my entire hand was numb.
“Good.” He leaned over and kissed the top of the bandage. “Just try to keep it clean and free from dirt.”
“Like that’ll be possible,” I muttered, looking back at the shack.
Mason followed my gaze. “You won’t have to stay there long. Nathan is on his way and I’m sure he’ll insist you move to the lodge.”
The mention of my ex sent me into a coughing fit.
Mason pulled a can of soda from his pocket and offered it to me. “You should drink something.”
I waved it away. “Nathan doesn’t care about me,” I said when I could breathe again.
“You two really aren’t together?”
“No, and after how he treated me, I wouldn’t take the bastard back if he begged.” My heart twisted at the memory of Nathan kissing Mira’s mother in front of me.
The lines of tension around Mason’s mouth relaxed. “I’m happy to hear that. Forgive my boldness, but I have to confess that I'm insanely attracted to you.”
“Ditto,” I smiled. A dark part of me wondered how Nathan would feel about me getting together with Mason? Would it cut him to the bone the way seeing him with Mira’s mother had destroyed me? Suddenly, I wanted to find out.
I locked gazes with the handsome doctor. “So what do you want to do about it?”
The sudden sexual tension that sprung between us stole my breath.
“I know we just met, but I want to be yours,” he said in a husky voice. He leaned over, his lips inches from mine.
Damn. I knew in that moment that Mason wasn’t a rebound guy or a one-night bed warmer. This was the love-you-forever-walk-down-the-aisle type of guy.
Am I ready for this? Unsure, I shifted away from him. “I could use that soda after all.”
A fleeting expression of disappointment crossed his face as Mason handed me the can.
Refusing to meet his gaze, I popped the top and soda shot all over. “Ah!”
Mason cursed, opened the door, and tossed the bubbling can outside into the snow.
“I’m sorry,” I cried, blinking away the brown liquid stinging my eyes.
“It’s my fault. It must’ve gotten shaken on the drive over here.”
I laughed at his chagrined expression. “Do you have a napkin or a towel or something?” I wiped my dripping chin.
“No, but…” He pulled off his jacket and offered it to me.
“I’m not using your jacket,” I protested.
“Why not?” He swiped at the soda clinging to his lip.
Suddenly, all I could think about was how those lips would taste. Before I could stop myself, I leaned over and licked a sugary drop of soda off his bottom lip.
He inhaled sharply, his gaze darkening to a deep ocean blue. “Two can play at that.” He leaned over and licked soda from my chin.
The sensation of his lips on my skin shocked me senseless. All I could do was hold my breath as he continued to lick down the edge of my jaw.
Heat coiled deep in my belly. I clenched my thighs together as my core throbbed.
He paused. “Am I’m being too forward?”
“No, I have men lick drinks off me all the time,” I lied.
He straightened and pushed the heavy curtain of my hair to the side. “You have soda here.” He motioned to the base of my neck. He paused waiting for my permission.
Oh what the hell? It’d been forever since I’d felt attraction like this for anyone and I promised Syd that I’d give the next guy a chance. Arching my throat toward him, I said, “Then you better get to work.”
With a groan he leaned over. The wash of his hot breath across my neck made my breathing hitch. Then with slow deliberation he licked and sucked the sticky soda from my neck.
“Oh, God.” The feeling of his hot, wet mouth set my insides on fire. I threw back my head, feeling my nipples stiffening into hard nubs. Desire pulsed through me.
“Yes,” I moaned when he followed the curve of my throat up to my ear and then down. Delicious shivers racked my body.
Groaning, he pulled me on top of him until I was all but straddling him on the seat. Then his lips found mine in a slow, sensuous kiss that made my head swim.
The kiss was different from Nathan’s wild, carnal kisses. Nathan… Memories of how he’d kissed, touched, and owned me body and soul in the bedroom came flooding back.
With a cry I slid off Mason.
“What is it, love?” he asked, an expression of confusion on his handsome face.
“Nothing.” I smoothed down the hem of my dress unwilling to explain that the ghost of my ex still haunted me.
“You know you can tell me—” He broke off with a curse. “Bloody hell. We have company.”
I looked out through the window and saw a white truck headed down the hill.
Mason looked less than pleased. “It’s Liam. Damn it.”
Sucking in a shaky breath, I mentally thanked the giant for his timely interruption.
11
Liam
The minute Doc took the elevator down to the infirmary, I marched straight out of the library. Having moonlighted with the Sanctuary construction crews whenever Tasha ran out of humans or Lykos for me to threaten, I had no problem finding my way around the lodge. I admired the craftsmanship of the furniture I passed. All my life I’d wanted to build things with my hands, not that I had many opportunities as an Enforcer.
As I passed the dining room, I caught sight of the fossilized stone dining room table. The massive slab of petrified redwood had been transported from California, delivered by a crane, and required nearly fifteen Lykos males to move into this room. Females, I thought with a snort. Their focus on aesthetics baffled me. What did it matter if the Alpha female and her entourage ate off a regular old wood table?
I’ll bet Havana wouldn’t care about something as frivolous as that. The dark-haired female’s beautiful face flashed into my mind. She seemed the type who had her priorities straight. Her repeated phone calls to warn her friends and her desire to save that boy back on the interstate showed that she cared about the things that really mattered. I gave the oversize table one last glare and headed toward the chef’s kitchen. Even though Havana may not care about expensive tables, she deserves better than that filthy cabin. I cursed Gabe’s stubbornness as I headed to the walk-in pantry.
Thanks to Tasha’s mandate that the lodge be kept ready for her at all times during the winter months, the kitchen was fully stocked. I quickly loaded up a crate of food to take to Havana and added some pots, pans, and other kitchen supplies she’d need.
I didn’t understand why Gabe wouldn’t bring the beautiful female to the lodge. He’d been compelled by Nathan to keep Havana safe and there was no doubt she’d be safest here with us. But it’d be a waste of time arguing with him. From years of experience, I knew there was no swaying Gabe when he’d made up his mind.
After setting the crate by the door, I found some cleaning supplies and an unused water cooler sitting next to a five-gallon jug of water. I quickly added them to the pile. Then I jogged upstairs and walked into the closest bedroom. It was lavishly decorated, like all the rooms in the lodge, and I had to tear at least a dozen throw pillows off the oversize king bed in order to strip off the plush brown comforter. I was tempted to leave the decorative pillows, but then figured Havana might like them too. Bundling them inside the comforter, I headed back downstairs.
As I set the bedding near the crate, I realized Havana didn’t have a bed to put the pillows or the comforter on. I backtracked upstairs and searched the rooms until I found a smaller mattress and box spring. I brought them downstairs and then added a rug and leather recliner I’d found in one of the rooms. She’ll love the cabin by the time I get through with it, I thought with a burst of satisfaction.
Since there was no way I was getting all the furniture into the back of the SUV, I went in search of another vehicle. Thankfully, I quickly found a
work truck one of the construction crew members must’ve left behind. The truck bed was half-filled with tools and lumber, but that was a good thing given the extensive work the cabin needed.
Filled with eagerness to see the lovely female again, I nearly ran Gabe over as I pulled the truck up to the front steps of the lodge.
The head Enforcer’s face was contorted in rage and his breath fogged the chilly air. “What do you think you’re you doing?”
“What does it look like?” I replied, stalking by him.
He followed me up the stairs and into the hallway that was barely maneuverable due to all the supplies and furniture I’d stacked in it. “What’s all this?”
I hefted up the mattress and box spring. “Just a few things I’m bringing to the cabin.”
“You’re not going there,” he said, trying to block my way back to the truck.
He may be in charge, but I’m off the clock. “Move.” I sideswiped him with the mattress.
He steadied himself and glared at me. “You can’t have Havana. She belongs to Nathan.”
“She doesn’t seem to think so,” I said, loading in the bed. “But if it makes you breathe easier, I’m just bringing over a few things to make her more comfortable. I’ll drop this stuff off and come straight back here.”
“Right,” Gabe said, watching me load up the rest of the stuff with a dark expression on his face. “You realize Tasha will have your balls when she finds her things missing.”
“Fuck Tasha,” I said under my breath.
Gabe rushed at me so fast he was a blur. He grabbed me by my collar and dragged my face down toward his. The deadly expression in his one dark eye froze my blood. “Perhaps you need a reminder of the kind of punishment the Alphas can dole out,” he growled. He sent flashes of his memories to me.
Agonized screams rang in my mind. I shuddered at the images of Lykos losing their lives. Males. Females. A newborn babe. I clamped my eyes shut as Gabe’s anguish slammed into me like a tidal wave. How could he survive such loss?
“Unlike you, I have no trouble remembering what she’s capable of.” Gabe flipped up his eye patch showing me the yellow diamond Tasha had placed in the socket of his right eye. Since the stone prevented the male from regenerating the organ she’d torn out of his head, and she’d compelled him never to remove it, he was left in a constant state of agony.
I sucked in a breath. I’d never quite comprehended the depths of Gabe’s pain until now. I clamped my friend on the shoulder. “I’m sorry, brother. I’ll be sure to bring everything back. Tasha will never know.”
Gabe flipped his eye patch down. “Let’s hope not. I’ve been in contact with Winterhaven and informed them that we are going to be delayed by the storm. Tasha will be expecting us as soon as it clears.”
My mood sank at the thought of returning to Winterhaven. I glanced up at the gathering storm clouds. “I’d better get this stuff delivered before the worst of it hits.”
“Be quick and make sure Mason returns with you.” Gabe nodded at the empty spot where the SUV had been parked.
That motherfucker took my car! I couldn’t believe I’d been too distracted to notice. There was no doubt in my mind where he’d gone. Damn it. Doc better not be putting the moves on Havana. I fisted my hands. “Yeah, I’ll be sure to bring Doc back with me.” Alive or dead. Muttering curses under my breath, I jumped into the truck and hauled ass through the snow.
I wasn’t about to lose this beautiful female to the smaller male. Doc wouldn’t be able to protect her like I could and Havana needed a male who could keep her safe. Especially now with the world in chaos.
You can’t have Havana. She belongs to Nathan. Gabe’s words rang in my mind.
I punched the steering wheel. I don’t care. I’d never wanted a female the way I wanted her. In fact, I’d be willing to forsake my family and take on Nathan if Havana would have me.
All my life I’d been passed over by one female after another. Not one had ever looked at me like Havana did. Even my own mother had referred to me as “that freak.” She’d seemed happy that Tasha had picked me out of the schoolyard to join the Enforcers. Better me lose my childhood and freedom than any of my precious older brothers. Mother had great hopes for them. Unlike me, they’d all been chosen by females and had given her the grandchildren she craved. At first, I too had loved seeing my nieces and nephews. Then they began trembling in fear when I’d visit. Feeling even more unwelcome in my family’s presence, I’d stopped dropping by. Not that any of them had cared.
As the cabin came into view, my chest tightened. Maybe Havana can grow to care for me? That thought filled me with something I hadn’t had in a long time. Hope.
That hope faded as I parked the truck next to my SUV and spied Doc straightening his clothes through the vehicle window. Damn it, I’m too late. Jealousy and rage clawed at me. For a moment, my inner wolf threatened to emerge. I took a deep breath and slowly let it out.
Doc shot me an annoyed look as he opened the back door and jumped out. “What’s all this?” he asked, motioning at the overflowing bed of the truck.
It took all my self-control not to bound over there and rip his head off his body. Swallowing my anger, I stepped out of the truck. “A few things to make the cabin nicer for Havana.”
The lovely female slid out of the SUV behind Doc and held the edge of the door with her bandaged hand as if for balance.
It was impossible, but she looked even more beautiful than she had just a mere hour ago. I took a deep breath, inhaling her intoxicating scent. My body’s reaction to it was instantaneous. “Hello, beautiful.”
“Hi, Liam.” Her cheeks were flushed and her gaze hungry as she gave me a once-over.
Clearly the decision to ditch my jacket and sweater was a good call. It looked as if the female liked the tight short-sleeve T-shirt I was wearing. Unable to help myself, I flexed a bicep.
She licked her lips, her eyes glued to my muscles.
Take that Mr. MD.
Doc looked between us with an annoyed expression on his face.
I grinned. Not all is lost after all. Schooling my face into a grimace, I stalked over to Doc. “You were instructed to stay in the lodge.”
To his credit, the smaller male met my glare unflinchingly. “Havana needed help.”
“Help, huh?” I leaned down and sniffed the sweet scent of the female clinging to his jacket. “You kissed her.” Based on Havana’s blush, I knew I’d guessed correctly.
Doc’s blue eyes narrowed in challenge. “Yes, I did.”
“But that’s all you did,” I guessed based on the coiled tension in the smaller male’s body and the fact that Havana was still clothed. “And that’s all you’re going to do.” If I have anything to say about it.
“She wants me,” Doc growled into my mind.
I couldn’t help taunting him. “Only because I wasn’t here. Don’t you see the way she looks at me?”
Doc scowled. “She’s just never seen a living behemoth before. Don’t mistake awe for attraction.”
Realizing that Havana was watching our silent exchange with a look of confusion on her face, I disguised my anger with a smile. “Sounds like you’re jealous, Doc.”
The male gritted his teeth.
Dismissing him, I walked over to Havana. “Let me help you back into the cabin, beautiful. We’ll get the place cleaned up and then I’ll show you how a real male kisses.”
Her shocked laugher filled me with happiness as I gently swooped her into my arms and carried her back inside.
12
Havana
Two and a half hours later I was seriously reconsidering my position on the shack. Liam and Mason had worked tirelessly scrubbing every inch of the place until not a spec of dust or a cobweb was visible.
Despite my many attempts to help, neither man allowed me to lift a finger. After cleaning the rocking chair and setting it by the woodstove, both men insisted I sit in it while they worked. And boy did they ever work.
&nb
sp; Liam, proving to be quite the handyman, had repaired the holes in the roof and in the floor and best of all he’d covered all the cracks in the walls where the rodents had fled.
After assuring me they were mice, not rats, as if that made any difference, Liam applied a peppermint-smelling liquid along the floorboards that he said would repel any pests. I wasn’t sure what rats, snakes, and bugs had against the Christmassy scent, but I resolved to douse myself in peppermint from now on.
Mason worked on creating a makeshift bathroom by hanging a thick wool blanket around the far corner of the room. He situated a bedpan and some toilet paper inside the space. I wasn’t thrilled with the setup, but it sure beat trudging through the snow to fight the raccoons for the outhouse.
At my insistence the two men had carried out that nasty couch and replaced it with the furnishings Liam had packed into the truck.
I’d squealed like a little girl when they rolled out an enormous white cashmere area rug that must’ve cost a fortune. I had to kick off my boots and wiggle my toes through the soft fibers. Then they brought in a large leather recliner and a full-size bed complete with box spring, deep chocolate-colored bedding, and armfuls of matching decorative pillows.
“Bloody hell. What’s up with all the pillows?” Mason asked Liam as they finished setting up the bed.
“Females love pillows. Don’t they?” Liam looked over at me for confirmation.
“Of course,” I replied, not wanting to hurt the giant’s feelings.
He grinned and set up the water cooler he’d brought me.
Mason sat down on the bed as if testing its weight. “You should’ve grabbed a king, mate.”
“I thought about it.” Liam lifted the five-gallon bottle of water onto the cooler. “But it wouldn’t fit in here.”
“I guess we’ll have to make do.” Mason winked at me.
I couldn’t help laughing at his surprising boldness.
Liam straightened and gave Mason a dark look. “The only thing you’ll be making is a drink for Havana.” He turned to look at me. “What would you like? I’ve brought instant coffee, some cocoa—”