by Lia Davis
Holt dropped into one of two soft, brown leather armchairs, not caring that he was still in his towel. It wasn’t like nudity was an issue among shifters. Plus, he was the same age as Anthony. They’d grown up together. And, Holt had healed each of their asses on more than a few occasions.
He was about to reply to Anthony’s taunt when two more knocks sounded on the door, and it opened to reveal Ryan. The male’s short hair looked as if he’d tried to pull it out while his blue eyes appeared almost black. A hum of dark power rippled through his aura.
Either he had just come from a visit with the demon who’d marked him, or he was being called to a meeting. Holt could never tell one way or the other. The level of dark energy felt the same to him.
Giving Ryan a short nod, Holt asked, “Everything okay?”
“Fine.”
The word was clipped as Ryan went to the kitchen. He returned a moment later with a beer and leaned against the wall next to the door.
Holt sighed. “Tiffany is my mate.” He held up a hand, stopping them from speaking all at once. “What I don’t understand is why now? Why not when she came of age?”
The thought of her going through her first heat cycle with another male bothered him more than it should. Before he hadn’t cared…much, who the male was that had taken care of her urges.
Trey sat on the sofa and let out a low chuckle. “Before you break the arms off that chair, I thought you should know that Tif opted for meds during her heat cycle.”
Holt snapped his gaze to Trey. “Who gave them to her?”
She should have come to him. He was the Healer.
“Calm your fucking bear. Your mother gave them to her,” Anthony said with the power of his Marshal status, which was pretty damn close to the level of power the Alpha held. The flow of energy filling the room calmed him, but only a little.
Holt closed his eyes and rested his head against the chair. “I don’t know how to handle this need to…”
He let his words fade away. After all, they were her brothers and didn’t need to hear what his mind and the bear were planning to do to her when they got her alone.
“What if she doesn’t accept you?” Ryan said from the door. There was no emotion in the male’s tone. No way of knowing if he was baiting Holt or not.
“Does that actually happen?” Holt stated, almost as calmly.
Silence fell between them for a few moments before Anthony spoke. “It has. One mate can feel the pull, but the other doesn’t.”
Holt frowned. What if Tiffany didn’t feel the pull? The thought of her rejecting him and his bear made a new fear rise up. He couldn’t stay in the den if she chose not to mate him. The jealousy associated with watching her mate another would drive him insane.
He let out a low growl. “How do I woo her?”
Anthony laughed. “Her passion is her café and her love for cooking and baking. You have to learn to like it, too. And understand that, mate or not, she will put Beary Sweets above all.”
He nodded. He liked to cook. Baking was another thing. It was too scientific for him. But he could learn. Tiffany was the perfect one to teach him.
Chapter Four
Tiffany eased out of bed, slowly putting her weight on her feet. She’d slept in bear form, hoping to help her ankle heal a little faster. Relief washed over her as she stood and only had half the pain she’d had the night before. There was no way she’d be able to walk on the ankle for long, but she could manage. Especially when Holt arrived and she could wrap herself in his scent.
Her body warmed at the thought of him. His sage scent filled her mind, and she groaned as she hobbled to the door. Tiny shards of pain shot up her leg with each step, chasing away any desire she’d stirred at the thought of Holt.
Apparently, her bones hadn’t healed as much as she’d hoped. No. Usually, breaks took twenty-four hours or more—in bear form—before they mended together. Tiffany didn’t have that long. So she would deal with the discomfort.
She got halfway down the hallway when Kaylee exited the guestroom. “Tif, what are you doing? I told you to text me when you got up.”
Waving the female off, Tiffany said, “I’m fine. It only hurts when I walk on it.”
The scowl she got from Kaylee made her laugh and lose her balance. Kaylee rushed to her side and tucked her shoulder under Tiffany’s arm for support. “Stop being stubborn.”
Tiffany smiled and let her friend help her to the living room. Kaylee would make a good mate for Ryan. She had just the right amount of sass to put her brother in his place when needed. Plus, she had a huge heart. Only thing Tiffany had to do was figure out how to unbind him from that demon.
“What do you think about Ryan?”
Kaylee stiffened before answering. “He’s quiet and sometimes seems standoffish.”
Yep, that sounded like Tiffany’s brother. “That’s his shield he hides behind. You’ll have to break it down.”
After helping her sit on the sofa, Kaylee stood back up and held Tiffany’s gaze. “What makes you think I want to break them down?”
A small laugh escaped Tiffany just as a knock sounded on the door. By the notes of sage in the scent, she knew it was Holt. “You can pretend to not want to, but I can sense otherwise.”
Kaylee rolled her eyes as she turned to the door. All the while, the female’s scent sharpened at the mention of Ryan. Tiffany was definitely going to find out how to get rid of that demon.
Right after Winter Solstice. At the moment, she had a sexy Healer to capture.
Meeting the scowl on Holt’s face, Tiffany waved and smiled. “Hi, handsome.”
“Please tell me you didn’t walk out here on your own.”
“Kay helped me.”
Kaylee grunted. “After I found her in the hallway.”
Tiffany folded her arms and pretended to be hurt. “Traitor.” The urge to stick out her tongue at Kaylee died the moment Holt lifted her leg to examine her ankle. Heat traveled up her leg to other more sensitive parts.
She fought off a groan as she gazed into his green eyes. His bear flashed from within the depths, and his scent sharpened. Every part of her ached for him like her body was on fire from the inside out.
He let go of her leg and put some distance between them. The warmth from his touch disappeared, leaving her feeling cool. The urge to pout, or beg for him to touch her again hung around her, pushing her to make an ass out of herself. Or at least act like a spoiled brat.
Grow up, Tiffany. “Kay, can you get my notebook and a pen?”
The female nodded and left to retrieve Tiffany’s notebook from the kitchen. Some of Tiffany’s best planning was done on paper.
Focusing on Holt, she watched him start another fire and let her thoughts wander. Who was he besides the clan’s Healer? What did he like? She frowned as the idea that he might not like curvy females entered her mind. Okay, Tif, you’re being ridiculous. If he didn’t like her, he wouldn’t have kissed her, right?
She’d never been insecure about her curves. In fact, she loved everything about her body. As a shifter, she couldn’t get the human illnesses and other ailments that came with an unhealthy lifestyle. Although not all humans who have a few extra pounds are unhealthy. Kaylee ate healthily and walked at least three miles every day with Tiffany. The female was at her peak physical condition, for her.
And they were both beautiful, curvy women. So what was Holt’s deal?
Holt stood, glanced at her, and then frowned. “I’ll be right back.”
When Kaylee came back with the notebook, Tiffany took it and asked, “Do you think Holt is gay?”
The female laughed as she dropped on the sofa beside Tiffany. “No.”
“How can you be sure? And what’s so funny?”
“He’s hot for you.”
Tiffany sharpened her gaze on her best friend. If Kaylee had extra abilities, then the female was holding out on Tiffany. That broke a very important friendship
rule. “How do you know?”
“Because he started the fire to hide his erection from you.”
Tiffany’s jaw dropped. “No, he didn’t.”
Kaylee laughed some more and nodded. “He did.”
Tiffany folded her arms and stared at the door. The Healer sure did a good job of keeping his feelings in check. Wait a minute! “You looked at my mate?”
Surprise lit up Kaylee’s face, followed by a wave of embarrassment. “I… I didn’t mean to look. It was hard to miss. Are all bears hung like that?”
Tiffany sucked on her lower lip to keep from smiling. After all, she was supposed to be upset that her BFF saw a hint of Holt’s package before she did. She gripped the square, quilted pillow next to her and swung it at Kaylee, hitting her in the head. “I don’t know. But I don’t want you looking at mine.”
Kaylee laughed, clearly picking up on Tiffany’s teasing. “I promise to try.”
Tiffany let out a playful growl. “Try real hard, or I’ll tell Ryan you have the hots for him.”
“I do not!”
“Oh, please. I’ve seen the way you look at him.”
Kaylee jerked the pillow from her and whacked her with it. “Who wouldn’t look? He’s cute. But that doesn’t mean I have the hots for him.”
“Yeah, yeah. Keep telling yourself that.”
Holt entered the house again and studied them with raised brows. Damn, he was sexy. Leaning into Kaylee, she whispered, “I hate you.”
“No, you don’t.”
Holt shut the door while shaking his head as if he didn’t want to know what they were talking about. He was right. He didn’t want to know.
Glancing to his hand, she spied a crutch. Excitement and fear fluttered inside her. He was giving her a way to get around the house. She would have independence. Then again, he could be backing out of helping her with the food.
He handed her the crutch and smiled. “I know how you love your independence and control over things. I thought this would make things easier.” He held out a hand to help her stand. When she placed the crutch under her arm, he closed the distance and said, “Just don’t use it on me when I screw up a recipe or two.”
Her heart bloomed. He was staying to help. And she would get to spend time with him, tease him, and claim him as hers. “I’ll try to behave.”
His sensual, kissable lips lifted at the corners. “Ditto.”
Holy fuck. Her heart pounded, and her blood raced through her veins. Why hadn’t she realized how hot he was before now? Oh, yeah. She’d been busy with Beary Sweets, and never paid attention to much outside of the café.
Well, she was paying attention now, and she liked where it was going. “Alrighty, then, let’s get started. I really just need you to help Kay prep for me.”
He folded his arms and set his jaw. Here it comes. “You can prep and instruct me on cooking or whatever it’s called.”
Refraining from rolling her eyes, she narrowed her gaze at him. “The prep is more moving, lifting, and standing than stirring the ingredients and putting stuff in the oven.”
His bear flashed in his eyes again before he glanced to Kaylee, who shrugged while trying to hide her amusement. Turning his attention back to Tiffany, he relaxed and stepped aside for her to pass. “Very well, you cook. But when I say you rest, you do just that.”
Yes, my mate. A giggle bubbled up at the thought. He was hers, and she was willing to do anything he asked, follow him anywhere. However, did he feel the same?
Chapter Five
When Holt arrived, he’d smelled the hint of pain. Her ankle was a little swollen, but healing as he’d expected. Tiffany was young and strong. The ankle would be healed almost completely by tomorrow morning. As long as the stubborn female stayed off it.
He watched Tiffany make her way to the kitchen. Her hips didn’t quite sway due to the crutch she used, but her curves still begged for his hands. Stifling a groan, he followed her to the kitchen island and pulled out a high-back barstool. “Sit.”
She smiled at him as she complied. The intense need that boiled his blood every time he looked into her blue eyes was going to kill him. Not to mention that his self-control was in jeopardy of snapping at any moment.
Kaylee laid the notebook and pen in front of Tiffany and sat on the stool beside her. Tiffany opened it to a page she had marked with a pink tab. “Since my father and brothers will be hunting for the meat, all we have are side dishes and dessert. Kay and I have several finger foods listed, and she’s making her mixed berry tarts.”
Holt studied the list. Even though it was upside down to him, he could read the items. Pointing at the words cranberry stuffing, he asked, “Is that your mom’s secret recipe?”
“It is, plus a few extras I’ve added.”
Mesmerized, he stared into her blue depths. Glee and mischief mingled together as if she were plotting world domination. She just might be.
There was so much he didn’t know about her. “I can’t wait to taste it.”
Her face lit up, her bear flashing in her eyes. Almost as fast as the emotion appeared, it was gone. She glanced at her notebook and opened it to the last page, where several index cards were tucked into a small pocket. Pulling them out, she shifted through them until she found the one she searched for and handed it to him. “Gather the ingredients and bring them here. I’ll help chop the veggies and fruit.”
Nodding, he studied the card then pulled the items from the oversized, double door refrigerator. When he dropped his loot on the island countertop, Kaylee brought over a couple of knives then moved to the kitchen counter to start her tarts.
He lifted one of the knives and raised a brow to Tiffany. “Is there any specific way you want them cut?”
She shrugged. “Not too big or too small. One of Mom’s secrets is that she leaves the stuffing kind of chunky, especially the fruit and nuts.”
“Got it.” He began with the onion while Tiffany grabbed the cranberries.
They worked in silence except for the occasional instructions from Tiffany. Holt didn’t mind the silence, though. He’d gotten lost in listening to Tiffany’s steady breathing, and her soothing voice. Besides, her intoxicating, berry scent calmed him as he helped with the food prep.
In the few hours they’d worked, he’d briefly forgotten that Kaylee was there until she placed a dozen small glass bowls with lids in front of him. The human female had been working quietly a few feet away. Then again, Holt’s attention had been fixed on Tiffany.
He glanced to the clock and was amazed to see that they’d worked right through lunch. It was going on 3:00 p.m. Wow, how had he not noticed the time?
Turning his attention back to Tiffany, he knew how. She was beautiful, and he found it was too easy to lose himself around her. To her. A few thick strands of her black hair had escaped her ponytail and framed her slightly round face. The contrast of her dark hair against her milky skin made his hands itch to touch her. Then his eyes fell to her pouty, kissable lips. It took all of his self-control to not drag her across the island and kiss her senseless.
A knock on the door snapped Holt from his thoughts. A moment later, Connie and Madison—Tiffany’s mom—entered with laughter in their eyes as if they’d recently shared a joke. However, Holt sensed something mischievous in the works.
Sure enough, his suspicions were confirmed when Madison spoke. “We’ve come to borrow Kaylee for the day.”
Holt’s heart hammered and his bear perked up, ready to finally be alone with Tiffany. But Tiffany appeared to be alarmed by the news. “Why? I need her here.”
Mama Bear shrugged and gestured to Holt. “You have help. Plus, the girls and I are fixing a couple of sides to lighten your load.”
By the way Madison glanced from him to Tiffany with a mixture of approval and glee, he knew what she was up to. It wouldn’t surprise him if Kaylee didn’t come back that night. Thank you, Mama Bear. “We can manage without Kaylee. In fact, I think we
’re almost done with the prep.”
Tiffany glanced around the kitchen, completely avoiding his gaze. Then she dropped her shoulders and muttered, “I guess we did get a lot done this morning.”
“Good.” Madison turned to the door. “Come on, Kaylee, we have a lot to do.”
Holt watched Tiffany as the other two females left. She stared at the door for several moments before reaching for the crutch where she’d rested it against the island next to her. Once her fingers touched it, it fell to the floor. He was on the other side of the counter before her feet hit the tile.
Instead of picking up the crutch, he scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the sofa. “Want anything to eat?”
“Yes, please. There are pre-portioned meals in the freezer.”
He frowned, not at all liking the idea of her dieting. “What for?”
Tiffany laughed. “I get so busy working on new recipes and with the day-to-day at the café, that when I settle down, I’m too tired to cook. So, once a week I cook all my meals for the week and freeze them.”
His cheeks heated with embarrassment. “I’m sorry…”
She pressed a finger to his lips and gave him a smile that made his pants uncomfortable. “Shush. Go warm us up something to eat.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Before he straightened, he leaned in and kissed her. Pleasure exploded across his senses. When their tongues touched, a shot of electrified energy blasted through him.
Reluctantly, he ended the kiss and pressed his forehead to hers. A soft sigh escaped Tiffany. “If you have no intentions to claim me as your mate, you need to leave.”
What? He drew back, confused, and stared into her blue gaze. “Trust me, I have every intention, but I thought you needed time. That we needed time to…I don’t know, date or something.”
She nibbled on her bottom lip briefly before replying. “Dating is for humans. We’ve known each other all my life, even became friends. There’s no one else I’d rather be mated to.”
He scooped her up and proceeded down the hall, thoughts of food forgotten.