by Eve Langlais
A flick in the back of Lenore’s head stopped that in its tracks. But it was still too late.
“You mean a man whore?” Charlotte nodded. “Yup. I can see that. He is much too pretty. I’ll bet the girls don’t even make him work at it.”
“They don’t. It’s why he gets bored.” Lenore agreed.
“Is it because women don’t interest him?” Once more Charlotte twisted his aunt’s words.
Lacey laughed. “Oh, she is quick.”
“Too quick,” grumbled Lena.
“Speaking of quick, where are we going at ridiculous speed?” Charlotte asked.
A good question. “Auntie?”
“Told you. We’re hungry,” Lena grumbled.
“Meaning?”
“Ain’t many places out here to find food and drink, maybe a bed for the night, so we don’t have much of a choice.” Lena appeared to be avoiding a proper reply.
“Why do I get the feeling I won’t like this?”
Lenore sighed. “Because you won’t. We’re going to see the Medvedev.”
He pursed his lips. “You’ve got to be kidding. You do realize they’re nuts, right?” The last time he’d run into a bear from the Medvedev sleuth he almost got arrested.
“It will be fine. Stop being such a kitten about it,” scoffed Aunt Lena.
“Kitten?” Charlotte bit her lip but didn’t manage to completely stem her mirth.
“I know, hard to see him as a youngling now that he’s so huge. He’s not half as cute as when he was little.” Lenore didn’t help things.
“Hey!” he protested.
“What? It’s the truth. He had the chubbiest cheeks as a baby,” Lacey enthused. Then proceeded to show Charlotte because, of course, her phone had pictures, a veritable timeline of his life.
And his Peanut actually looked at them then remarked, “His poor mother. Look at that fat head.”
“He was a tubby tabby, all right. From a young age, we had to put him on a protein and exercise regime,” Lena said proudly.
The history of his life continued unfolding with every image shared. Charlotte’s gaze even strayed to him a few times, not that he was watching—directly at any rate. He was slouched in a way that allowed him to watch her in the rearview mirror.
He didn’t take his attention off her until they pulled through some old wrought iron gates set into dark stone arches. The drive was pebbled and lined with trees and led to a roundabout with a massive stone fountain bubbling coldly. A few Jeeps missing doors and roofs and covered in mud and slush were parked randomly.
The house was massive and made of both natural and cut stone. It had the feel of an ancient fortress but sported modern amenities like lights instead of torches. It could have used better air filtration because the moment they walked in his hackles rose.
He hoped against hope that he wouldn’t be here.
He must have growled because Charlotte muttered, “What’s wrong?”
“Bears.”
“What?”
No time to explain as someone bellowed, “Why if it isn’t Lawrence the Little Liger, my best friend in the whole wide world. Give me a hug.” A massive man ambled for him, and there was no avoiding the hug that attempted to crack his ribs.
“Hello, Andrei,” he managed to gasp. No way would he complain. Only pussies couldn’t handle a bear hug.
“What a nice surprise. I knew you would forgive me eventually.”
“I haven’t. My aunts insisted I come.” He scowled at the reminder of the last time they’d been together, when he ended up in a prison being stripped and cavity searched. His ass cheeks still clenched at the smell of latex.
Andrei beamed wider. “You brought your aunts? Always did love the older ladies. Are they still single?”
“You want them, have them,” he muttered.
“Maybe later, as I smell something delectable. Did you bring me a human snack?” Andrei rubbed his hands. He liked to joke that his family ate the human peasants in the area when the winters were lean. At least, Lawrence hoped they were jesting.
“She is not for you. Her name is Charlotte.” And then because he didn’t like at all the way Andrei eyed her, he declared publicly for all to hear, “She’s my mate.”
Chapter Twelve
Charlotte’s attention was drawn from her observation of the room to the massive man with the full beard who’d tried to squish Lawrence in a hug. The jovial fellow laughed and kept laughing. Glad someone was amused. She personally itched something fierce to leave. She was fairly certain she’d heard the word bear. Bear as in shapeshifter bears?
Where? Were there some in this very room?
She admitted to being impressed. The two-story hall was set with trestle tables and benches, the rustic look extremely well done, with aged wood tops sealed in resin. The long seating was thick and heavy to avoid toppling, but each spot had an indentation to cradle the butt.
Want something a little softer? Then adjourn to one of the spots flanking a roaring fireplace, featuring wide couches, fat armchairs, and rugs. Lots of them. Everywhere she looked, she saw even more shag carpet on the stone-paving floor.
She half expected to see candles when she looked up; however, the owner had opted for electric lighting set in a massive wooden wheel and long-finned ceiling fans to move air around. A necessary thing given the amount of people inside. Thirty to forty at least. They appeared to have walked into a party of giants.
Or so it appeared to her given she was shorter by at least a foot, two in many cases. Outweighed as well. There was a similarity to the crowd, with most of them owning lush, dark hair. Not a bald head to be seen, and most of the men sported a full jaw of hair. The women were broad and solid looking, their laughter as bold as the men’s.
Lord help her if she’d gone from being in a car full of lions to a den of bears. What was next, a pit of crocodiles?
I have to get out of here. Escape before she was well and truly screwed, but how? To return to civilization she’d need to steal a car at the very least. Steal from lions and giants and bears.
Oh my.
But what was the alternative?
The massive man bore down on her, wearing a determined grin, but Lawrence beat him, sweeping an arm around her waist before she could protest.
“Peanut, my dear mate, I’d like you to meet my old friend, Andrei,” Lawrence announced rather loudly.
His mate? She cocked him a glance, and he gave a quick tilt of his head that said, Play along?
“You actually did it?” Andrei sounded more surprised than anything. “You silly bastard.” More laughter erupted, which meant she wasn’t paying attention as he added, “Let me hug the bride.”
Wait, he was talking about—
“Eep!” Charlotte couldn’t help the squeak as she was grabbed. For a second, Lawrence’s arm tightened, and she feared being caught in a tug of war that might hurt.
“Two seconds. No longer,” he said as he released her.
Andrei—who looked nothing like the wrestling giant—engulfed her in a hug that would surely break every bone in her body. The man smelled surprisingly good and proved quite gentle, meaning she was quite all right when he set her back down on her feet.
A possessive arm claimed her waist, and she allowed it. Even leaned into it.
“I can’t believe you got mated.” Andrei shook his head. “I never thought you’d ever settle down.”
“It only takes the right person,” Lawrence lied smoothly.
He had to be because he couldn’t seriously think that. They barely knew each other. This had to all be an act.
“I thought all the children were in bed.” The remark came from a rather tall lady wearing her dark hair in ringlets around her head.
It was meant to antagonize Charlotte, and it worked. But she couldn’t let it show. “I look young for my age.”
“It’s your size. You’re awfully small.” A sly gaze slid past Charlotte onto Lawrence. “And didn’t I hear you say she’s
your mate? An odd pairing. Aren’t you afraid she’ll break if you’re too vigorous? We both know how you like it rough.”
The implication proved less than subtle, and Lawrence stiffened, his fingers digging in before he removed them entirely. “Lada, as classy as ever, I see.” Lawrence looked ill-pleased.
“Since when do you want a lady?”
“Since he decided he was done sleeping with trash,” was Charlotte’s blurted retort.
It widened a few sets of eyes and then narrowed Lada’s in fury. “Are you insulting me?”
“If you can’t tell, does it count?” Charlotte couldn’t help herself. Her mouth ran and got her into deeper trouble. Just making friends everywhere she went. Not.
Andrei broke the tension. “Your mate has a bit of fire in her. You just need to fatten her up.”
“Charlotte is perfect as she is,” was Lawrence’s reply, and it warmed her.
Yes, it might be a lie, an act for these bold people, but she enjoyed it. For about five seconds.
“Are you drunk?” Lada exclaimed. “Perfect how? Have you seen her? Undersized and human.”
The insult proved blatant and rude. It also assumed Charlotte would stand there and take it. Listen to a jealous sow. Yes, jealous because someone couldn’t hold on to her man.
It brought out the shit disturber in her. Despite Lawrence having moved slightly apart from her, she tucked in close. His arm slid right around her as if it belonged.
She smiled at Lada. “Don’t worry about my sweet Roarie. My cuddly kitty is more than satisfied with what I have to offer. Why, we just came back from a lovely unplugged vacation in the wilderness. Just me, him, and a fireplace. Pity his aunts can’t leave him alone for more than a few days or we’d still be there, naked in front of that fire.”
Lawrence’s face suddenly ended up buried in her hair, and she’d have sworn he slightly shook.
Lada’s lips pressed tight. “Better enjoy it while you can. It won’t last. It never does.”
“Are you sure about that? I hear being mated is a permanent thing.” She angled her neck to show off her marks, and Lada’s face turned red.
“I need a drink.” Lada whirled and stomped off.
A slow clap led to Andrei laughing. “Fuck me on top of the dryer on tumble, it’s not often Lada is put in her place.”
But she’d only won against Lada because she’d lied. She’d pretended the whole mating thing was real. As if. While Lawrence might no longer be a complete stranger, she remained unready to call him husband. And from the sounds of it, he wasn’t the type to tie himself to one woman.
It meant sooner rather than later this charade would end. But until it did, she had to play a role. Right now, that was pretending to be his lovey-dovey wife. Or mate, as they kept calling her.
He seemed especially interested in making sure he shoved that fact in Andrei’s face. The big man, to his credit, let all the jibes roll right off him, usually laughing and giving it back just as good.
Lawrence made the comment of, “Judging by the pounds you’ve packed on, you must be ready to hibernate.”
“Not all of us like to be as skinny as a prepubescent boy. I am all man.” A remark served with a wink in her direction.
It didn’t mean a thing. She could see Andrei did it on purpose, and yet Lawrence acted as if he were annoyed. Dare she even say jealous? Over her?
Should she be flattered he showed such ardent interest? It certainly warmed her in some interesting places. Or should she be insulted that he thought she’d be so shallow as to let him touch her one minute and then, right in front of him, make plans for seduction with someone else?
It was so utterly strange and different that she decided to enjoy it. Why not? This charade would end in another day. Two at the most. She snuggled by his side as they filled a plate high with food and shared it. Utensils appeared to be lacking, so everyone ate with their fingers. Lawrence fed her, dabbing chunks of hot bread into whipped butter. She might have moaned at the simple pure pleasure of the taste.
He looked pained.
She put a hand on his arm as he looked away. “Are you okay?”
“Fine. Just fine.”
“Are you sure? Maybe you should lie down.”
“Maybe I should,” he mumbled.
“What’s this? Is my little liger tired already? Getting too old to hang with the men?” Andrei taunted.
The challenge tightened Lawrence’s lips. In another second the testosterone dicks would really start swinging. She needed a way to get them out of here that left him with his pride. Only one thing would shut Andrei up.
She smiled and leaned forward, knowing her blouse with its missing button gaped. Something their host noticed. When she’d first arrived, she had worried about the fact she’d not properly bathed in days, only to realize no one cared. It also helped Andrei had the happy face of a man well into his cups. In this case, liter-sized mugs that he kept refilling.
His gaze followed the dark crevice as she murmured, “Don’t be silly. My cuddly Roarie isn’t tired. It’s our code for, ‘Let’s ditch everyone and find a place we can be alone.’”
“Make him wait. Stay here, drink more with me, and drive him completely mad,” Andrei suggested with a raised rakish brow.
Her lips tilted. “What makes you think it wouldn’t make me just as insane? We are, after all, still newly mated.” She put her hand on Lawrence’s, and his fingers laced with hers.
“Ah, young love.” Andrei sighed. “Far be it from me to get in its way. Still, the night is young and full of bears.”
“Isn’t the expression beers?” she replied.
“My mistake.” Andrei tilted his head and stared at her while talking to Lawrence. “She has no idea, does she?” A cryptic statement.
“She knows enough.”
“Which is too much.” Andrei drummed his fingers. “You put me in a difficult spot.”
“Leave her alone, Andrei.” Lawrence barely spoke above a whisper, and yet there was a vibrating strength to the demand.
But the bigger concern? Why did Lawrence think Andrei threatened her?
“If it isn’t chubby Andrei. Look at you all grown up. And that cute peach fuzz of a beard.” Aunt Lacey was the one to suddenly appear between the men, smiling widely, and ruffling Andrei’s hair. “I see someone’s been eating his breakfast and those of his brothers.”
“Lacey. You look ravishing.”
“And you are quite drunk, which is impressive for a bear. What do you say we leave my nephew and share a few toasts?” Lacey winked.
Was she really flirting with the younger man?
“How about we crack a keg I’ve been saving?” Andrei stood and slung an arm around Lacey before they headed away.
Aunt Lenore took her place, snapping her fingers. “Let’s go while she’s got him distracted. You just had to antagonize him.”
“Me? He practically propositioned Charlotte,” Lawrence said.
“Is she not capable of saying no herself?” asked his aunt.
To which she replied, “I did. But he’s a man, which means the potential for stupid—”
“Is multiplied!” Lena exclaimed, arriving at the rear. “Damned those giant bastards. I swear the Medvedev are always looking for trouble.”
“You know that, yet brought us here anyhow.” Lawrence held her hand as they escaped the big room for a hallway and, at the far end, stairs.
“We came because they have really good mead. We will drive home in the morning after a decent night’s rest.”
He snorted. “Like you party cats are going to sleep.”
Pretending affront, Lenore sniffed. “I feel so attacked.”
That brought a smile to Charlotte’s lips.
Lenore swept open a door two flights and three halls later. “While you were pissing off Andrei, I had some rooms assigned to us.”
“Not my fault he was already drunk,” Lawrence grumbled.
“They’re having quite the party,�
� Charlotte observed.
“That’s their nightly routine,” Lena scoffed. “You want to see a real party? Come for the winter and summer solstice. It has five times as many people and lasts for days.”
“Even so, make sure to lock the door. Sometimes Andrei and his family like to wander,” was Lena’s reminder.
The aunts were gone before Charlotte had time to realize it was her and Lawrence alone, in a room with one bed. “We’re sharing a room?”
“We’re mated. It’s kind of expected.”
“Oh.” It didn’t occur to her they’d keep playing at the role outside of the public eye.
“My aunt just told you. Old rivalry.”
She shook her head. “It’s more than that with the pair of you.”
“You’ve met him, right?”
“I have, and he’s big, loud, boisterous, and seems to genuinely like you for some reason despite the fact you’re an ass.”
“I thought you understood he’s a bear.”
“For real? I thought you were maybe joking.”
“Why would I make it up?” He sounded confused.
“Was everyone downstairs a bear?”
“No.”
She sighed and then clenched as he added,
“Pretty sure there were at least two wolves, too.”
“Why do you hate Andrei in particular?”
“Lions and bears don’t get along.”
She got the impression it was more than that. “Your aunts seem okay with them. And I’m going to go out on a limb and say you liked Lada a little too much one night.”
He grimaced. “I didn’t mean to. Remember that mead my aunt says is so good? It’s potent. I got drunk with Andrei, and I woke up to her on top. No idea how she got there, but I was young. Dumb. I didn’t tell her to get off. And she’s been clingy ever since.”
It was brutally explicit, and Charlotte might have been more put off but for the honesty. “I get the impression you don’t like to date.”
“Don’t mind the dating. It’s the rest that stumps me.” At her blank look. he explained. “At dinner, I saw you preferred the red wine to the white, and between the two reds you tried, you chose the dark label over the pink stuff.”