by C. M. Steele
We gather everything needed and carry the trays and drinks to the dining room. I sit at the head of the table, and Maria’s on my right so I can touch her whenever I need. Aria’s on my left and my father is beside her, leaving my mother next to Maria.
“So, Maria, how many siblings do you have?” Aria asks as she takes half a slab of ribs and puts them on her plate. I take the tray from her and offer some to my mate, who takes only three small pieces. I grab a full slab for myself. I need as much food as I can before my father reaches out and grabs the tray to serve my mother. He loves to do such a small but loving gesture. She smiles up at him, grabbing her own half slab.
“I have two brothers who are married, and eight nieces and nephews.”
“Really? That’s crazy.” I feel bad that I haven’t even bothered to ask about her family.
It’s okay. I wasn’t interested in talking about my family. Only making a new one.
“Do you all get along?” my mother asks as she passes the potatoes.
Maria takes them and adds a large dollop to her plate before handing them to me. “Yes, but since I’ve moved away, I tend to talk to them less often.”
“So you’re like me. One girl, two brothers. I wonder if that’s what you two will have.”
“There’s a possibility of that, but we have a long time before we need to worry about that.”
“Not really, sweetheart. We have a shorter gestation period than normal humans,” my mother adds in her expertise.
“Oh, goodness.”
“Oh yes, I forgot to mention my mother’s the local OBGYN for both humans and shifters.”
“Although I do have to say I don’t have experience with a human shifter baby.”
“I’m going to have to call Cat Wolfe for that. They have several kids. Sorry—pups.”
“No, that’s fine, dear. Call them what you will. Most of the time we refer to them as children. With humans around, we must be careful,” my mother says, reaching over and patting Maria’s hand.
“There’s so much to learn.”
“It’s okay. Take your time. Soon it’ll come so naturally that you’ll believe you were born a shifter.”
“I do hope so.”
“You will, or you wouldn’t have made the perfect match for the Alpha.” My sister makes a great point. Maria’s the best woman to be mine for the rest of my days.
We eat dinner and talk about the basics. Aria’s already planning a spa day with Maria, but I don’t mind one bit. I want them to get along. I really want my brother to be here and be happy for me, but he needed to find his own path. My gut tells me he’ll be back and that he just needs time. He wouldn’t be the first to leave and go to college or live life before settling down in White Wolf.
It’s nearly nine when we’re done eating, and everyone takes the dishes and helps clean up. “We’re going to leave you kids to have some time together. I know you still have to go back to work in the morning.”
“Yes. I have to show Maria around and get the hang of everything before Daphne pops.”
“So true.” We exchange hugs, and they leave us to our own devices. I lock up the house and then turn to my queen.
“Mate. It’s time for bed.”
“Time for bed?” she raises her brow, attempting to toss the sexy look my way, but she can’t hide the yawn that follows.
“Yes. To. Bed. You need sleep, my darling.” I swiftly swing her into my arms and turn off the lights downstairs as I carry her to our bedroom. Everything can wait until tomorrow. My woman needs her rest. Stripping her down, I do my best to keep my arousal at bay and then slide one of my T-shirts over her body.
“I have a nightgown somewhere,” she mutters.
“I know, but I like seeing you in my shirts.” I lift her up, and she wraps her legs around me as we go into the bathroom and handle our nighttime routine. “Here you go.” It’s a pink toothbrush that matches mine. “I’ve been dreaming about you for six months, so I started grabbing random things that we’d both need when I went to the store.”
“It’s perfect. You’re perfect and adorable.” After we brush, I carry my sleepy woman to bed, tucking her in and then cradling her to my side. I’ve never felt so damn content, and sleep comes in a heartbeat.
7
Maria
We wake up super early, so early the sun isn’t even out, and Turner's already on the phone with his mother. He's pacing back and forth as the tension rips through him. His assistant just went into labor, and there's still a few last-minute issues to be handled.
I stand in his path so he’s forced to stop or collide with me. When he finally does pump the brakes, I offer my services. "I can help wherever you need. As of right now, I'm kind of unemployed."
He pulls me close and presses a kiss to the crown of my head and then tips my chin to look at him. "Thank you, but you're not unemployed. You own an entire ski resort. I can use your help, going over her notes and making sure the checklist she has is completed. Daphne's an extremely organized person, so it's all in one place, neatly updated every few hours."
"Okay. I'm sure I can manage just fine. Let's get ready and to work before we get carried away with other things,” I whisper, rubbing his growing erection. Hell, I’m not sure if he’s ready to go all the time or not. I’m going to have to pay attention. Even that thought has me horny as hell again.
“I want to get carried away with you, Maria, but I do have to go to work and I could really use your help. I feel terrible putting this on you. You're supposed to be resting."
"I know we haven't been getting much sleep, but we will tonight." I climb out of bed and slip on my robe before going into the bathroom. I'm not trying to get him riled up. The second he sees too much skin, he's instantly aroused. I wash quickly, brushing my teeth and hair before he has a chance to run a hole in the floor with his pacing.
When I step out, he's in a nice suit that does dirty things to my girly parts and I do my best to control my inner thoughts, but I'm too late.
"After we get everything straightened out, I'm going to have you bent over my desk, filling you up with my suit still on."
"Okay. Well, until then, could you please make some coffee, and I'll get dressed."
"Sure thing, love." He winks and then leaves our room while I let out a long sigh. I wonder if I can block my thoughts from him.
Don't try it, woman.
It would help to curb our hunger at work.
True, but I always want to know what you're thinking.
I get ready and leave our bedroom without thinking about anything but the process of getting dressed and a hot cup of coffee.
"Here's your cup. We have a few minutes to drink them, but I need to get an early start since Daphne's out."
"Understand. I'll follow your lead." He kisses my temple and then goes back to drinking his coffee.
His phone rings, and he grumbles before answering it. I know he’d rather spend time with me, so he’s a bit grumpy. Finishing my coffee, I rinse out the cup and set it in the strainer, only to feel Turner’s arms slide around me. “Are you ready, my love?”
“As I’ll ever be.” He takes my hand, and we put on our winter coats before heading out of the house. Strangely, I don’t feel as cold as I should.
“I have a question.”
“Shoot.”
“I actually haven’t seen your wolf. Are you like a type of arctic wolf?”
“I am definitely the type of wolf that can handle the cold. I love to run my paws into the cold snow. If you’re not too tired tonight, I’ll show you.”
“Do you ski?” I ask, wanting to know more while avoiding the fact that he’s so sexy. He holds up his hand and then closes the passenger door. I watch as he adjusts his cock through his slacks under his coat. I giggle to myself.
“Yes, and you?” he asks as he jumps in the driver’s seat.
“I’ve never done it before.”
“Maybe we’ll get some time, and I can show you.”
“That would be good,” I choke out, immediately feeling uncomfortable about the heights. I’ve never climbed the mountains in Wolfe Creek because I was scared.
“Are you afraid?”
“No… Maybe a little,” I admit with pursed lips.
“Don’t worry. I have great reflexes, and I won’t let anything happen to you.” He leans in and kisses my lips before turning on the SUV.
“Then I’m all yours.”
“That you are.” He pulls out of his driveway, and we’re on our way to work. I’m super nervous, but I do my best to take it easy and think about how beautiful the snow looks against the lush greenery.
We drive through the mountain pass and arrive at a palatial-looking resort. Hunter’s is nice, but this is much grander. Its entrance is like Wolfe’s Den, but with a longer roundabout for the valet. He pulls into a spot where a few cars are actually parked, and it has his name on it. We exit and he takes my hand, leading me past all the curious eyes. He ignores everyone unless they greet us with a good morning. Then we walk down the hall and to the elevators. Off to the side is one that says Conference level. He presses the button for that elevator and the doors open immediately. “My office is on the top floor. It’s where we have conference rooms for our guests,” he answers my unspoken question.
“So that’s the opposite of Wolfe’s Den, then.”
“Is that a bad thing?”
“Not at all. You get a great view from up top, correct?”
“Yes. It’s definitely a selling point.”
“So do you have to meet with anyone today?”
“I don’t believe so.” It’s a quick ride to the tenth floor and as the doors open, I’m taken aback at the elegance. It’s not what I would have expected for the rustic appeal of the rest of the hotel and resort. “This leads to my office and Daphne’s, but down that way are the conference rooms.”
“Good morning, Nancy,” he says with a smile.
“Good morning, Mr. Turner.” She has a smile on her face until she sees me and his hand in mine.
“Nancy, this is my fiancée, Maria.”
“You’re engaged?” she gasps, and I know immediately this woman is human and attracted to him. Strange, I feel like I can smell her.
So you can start to smell the way that we do now? Interesting. She’s young and human, but not interested in me. It’s the only reason I’ve allowed her to work so closely to my offices.
“It’s nice to meet you, Nancy. I’ll be doing my best to fill in for Daphne while she’s out on maternity leave.”
“It’s a pleasure to have you here. If you need any help, please let me know.” She picks up a stack of envelopes and hands them to Turner. “Here’s the mail while you were out, sir.”
“So I know you have a busy day ahead—can you point me to what you need me to do first?”
“Daphne’s office is right here.” He points to the door off to the right, but it’s the door next to the large wall behind the receptionist that he pulls me into. “This is my office. Our office, to be exact.” It’s massive. Maybe the length of the wall and nearly just as deep. He has a large desk in the middle of the room where there is a view of the snowy mountain range behind him. Off to one side is a medium-sized round conference table and a sofa, and the walls are lined with bookshelves and cabinets.
“What’s that door?”
“My private bathroom.”
“That’s awesome.” I pause and then turn to face my mate. “So are we going to talk about what I need to do?”
“I see you’re anxious to get to work.”
“The sooner we get everything on track, the sooner we can relax together. I can sense your anxiety. What’s it about? Your brother, the resort, us?”
“I can’t help the worry when it comes to Max, but I believe it’s everything. I’ve gone about our mating all wrong. I haven’t told my people, but I suppose it doesn’t really matter because I’m sure they’ll all be coming to meet you one way or another. They’re excited, from what I hear, but I’m feeling a little hesitant.”
“Why, are you ashamed you—”
“Stop yourself right there. I’m not ashamed in the least. I don’t want to share you with others. Human or shifter, I’m a crazy, jealous bastard and I’m not okay with it.” I smile and wrap my arms around his waist and press my head against his chest.
“That’s a much better answer.”
There is a buzz on the intercom, so he reaches over and presses it. “Yes?”
“Mathias needs a word with you as soon as possible. There’s a problem with a couple of servers.”
“Okay. Is he on the phone, or did he come up here?”
“He’s on the phone. Do you want to take it now?”
“I’ll take it now. Please come in and show Maria around Daphne’s office and onto her computer.”
“Yes, sir.”
I kiss his cheek and then walk away. Turning back as I hold the door open, I wink and say, “Don’t forget your call.”
Closing it so he can have some privacy, I turn to Nancy, who’s smiling at me nervously. It’s not the kind of sketchy nervousness I’ve seen from people trying to hide something as a cop. It’s probably because the pressure is on.
“So, how long have you been working for Turner?”
“I’ve been working for the company for five years, but I got bumped up here about a year ago, when the woman who had this position quit and moved out of the state. She didn’t like the cold.”
“Well, I’m relying on you to get me through my first day to help Turner. I’m sure you know some of the stuff Daphne does, but not all of it.”
“Only a little. She’s so dang efficient there’s even an information folder for her temporary assistant. I’ve already taken care of the first two things on her list since they had to be done quickly and she was freaking out while going into labor.”
“Well, that’s crazy. Thank you for stepping up. Please, let’s take a seat and go over this list. I’m not an assistant, I’m actually a Deputy for the Wolfe Creek police department. Well, I guess I was, so I know paperwork and I’m not afraid to talk to people, so that’s all of my experience.”
“That’s pretty cool. It’s amazing that you and the boss met and just hit things off and you left for him. I haven’t met a man worthy enough to make me go out of my way for anything.” She blushes because she’s given me too much. People tend to do that, but that’s why I made a great cop. A sadness washes over me as I think about not doing it anymore.
“Maria, can you come into my office, please?”
“In ten minutes. I need to learn some stuff.”
Now. It’s important.
“I need you to come in now.”
“Coming.” I stand up and say, “Excuse me.” As soon as I’m in, his arms and his mouth crush down on me. “I’m sorry you’re sad about having to leave your job for me.”
“Damn, that mindreading shit sucks.”
“Well, I think it’s fantastic because I need to do all I can to make you happy.”
“Is that what the rush in here was for?”
“No. I have to deal with some issues. I’ll be back in about an hour or so, hopefully less.”
“What’s wrong?” Before he can say anything, I can hear his thoughts. Two females quit because they know we’re together.
“Sorry. Damn it. I suppose this shit has a bad side.”
“You know I can’t do anything about them being upset and I sure as fuck didn’t give them any attention, but now my restaurant manager’s upset because they’re short-staffed. I have to go put out those fires before things get worse.”
“Where are those women?”
“They split. I’m guessing they expected to hook up with me, but you know how it works. I didn’t notice them and only treated them like I do all my employees.”
“Okay. I trust you, but just be careful. After what happened yesterday, I’m a bit afraid.”
“I’ll be fine. I promise. Now, I�
��ll have some breakfast brought up in a bit.”
“Egg and sausage wrap?”
“Yes. No cheese?”
“No, but would hash browns be too much?”
“Nothing is too much for you. Do you want them in the wrap or on the side?”
“Whatever works is fine with me. I’m hungrier than I thought I was.”
“Maybe it’s our little pup in there.” He presses his hand to my stomach, and I sigh. It’s way too soon to know, but the thought makes me happy. He spins me around and pats my ass. “Be good.”
I go back into my office, and Nancy’s on the phone at the desk. “Yes, actually. She’s right here.”
“Daphne would like to talk to you if you have a moment.”
“Isn’t she still in the hospital?”
She shrugs.
“Sure. Of course.” She hands me the phone and then I cover it, letting Nancy know I’d like some privacy. I don’t know what Daphne has to say, but it might not just be about the office.
Getting the hint, she walks to the door. “Okay. I’m going to my desk to see if I have any missed calls and voicemails.”
“Thank you, Nancy.”
I release my hand from the receiver and say, “Hello, Daphne. This is Maria.”
“Hello, Maria. It’s a pleasure to find out that Turner found you.”
“Thank you. I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things about you from him. Congratulations on the new baby, although shouldn’t you be resting in the hospital?”
“Thank you. I’m still in the hospital. I’m only calling to make sure you don’t stress. Everything is under control, and most of his schedule is pretty straightforward.”
“I’m looking at it now, but he’s already had his day messed with. Two women from the restaurant just quit.”
“Angel and Naevah?”
“I don’t know their names. They were interested in Turner, but he’s with me, and I guess that set them off and they left the restaurant manager in a bad place.”