by J. L. Wilder
"Come on!" he said, sticking his head so she could see him.
Echo hurried into the kitchen to see Mace standing in front of the massive refrigerator, the doors opened. He pulled one item out, then another, then another, setting them all on the counter. Echo glanced down at the packages to see that they were meat and cheese and tortillas.
"Are you making tacos?" she asked.
"Burritos," he said. "I mean, they're pretty much the same thing, really."
"How are tacos and burritos the same?"
"All Mexican food's the same," he said with a grin. "Meat and veggies and tortillas. The trick comes in the execution."
Mace pointed to the kitchen bar with a spatula.
"Sit," he said.
Echo complied, sliding onto one of the open bar stools. He went back to the fridge, and the moment her butt hit the seat he'd taken out a pair of Coronas, opening them both and placing one in front of her.
"Not really into Corona," he said. "But they're a fucking must when you're making Mexican food."
Echo sipped her beer as Mace went to it, opening up the packages and cooking the steak first, followed by the veggies. Soon the entire kitchen was filled with the delicious scent of cooking food.
"So," he said, raising his voice to speak over the sound of sizzling meat. "What's your story, kid?"
"My story?" asked Echo after taking a sip of her beer, which was crisp and refreshing. "Don't you already know that? I was with the Hearteaters, and then I ran away. And now I'm here being a major pain in all of your asses."
"Sure," he said. "You're definitely that."
He flashed her another smile.
"But you were with the Hearteaters ever since you were a kid, right?"
"Yep," she said. "Ever since my mom got knocked up and wandered into their territory."
"Shit," he said. "Hell of a thing. And they just let you become one of them?"
"Not at all," said Echo. "They never let me become ‘one of them.' They never let me forget that I wasn't a true member of the clan, that I was some fuck-up orphan. Especially the girls."
"Not surprising," he said. "I've seen how girls can tear each other apart. Makes me glad to be a dude."
"Yeah," she said. "I've been around enough guys to know how they solve their problems. Usually a punch to the face, one goes down, then they're right back to being buddies."
"Girls, on the other hand," said Mace.
"They'll get into your brain and make you go crazy," she said, memories flooding back hard and fresh. "It's like they have this intimate knowledge of your psychic weak points and know just how to hurt you."
"Damn," said Mace. "That's one way to put it. What kind of shit did they put you through?"
"There were these three girls," said Echo. "June and Charity and Marlene, they were the worst. We all knew each other since we were kids, and they seemed like they took special pleasure in making my life a living hell."
"Such as?"
"Like, for my sixteenth birthday," she said. "They told me that they were going to bury the hatchet, throw a nice party for me so we could all start off fresh as friends. And, like an idiot, I believed them. Thought that they'd finally accepted me as one of the clan."
"And they didn't," said Mace, seeming to know where the story was going.
"You're right about that. Instead of a party for me, they had a party with everyone but me. They and some of the guys went off to Montreal and partied, leaving me by myself in the woods with the old-timers in the clan. They'd all be planning on going into town anyway, but thought my birthday would be a chance for them to have a little extra fun, and to make sure that I didn't follow them."
"Fucking hell," said Mace as he tossed the meat in the pan.
"And that wasn't the worst of it," said Echo. "The thing that happened to get me to leave was worse than that."
Echo went through the story, telling him how the girls tricked her yet again, feigning friendship only to do her dirty.
"Now, no offense intended," he said. "But I'm a little curious as to how you fell for the ‘pretend to be your friend only to screw you over' trick twice."
"Because this time I was mated to the alpha," she said. "I figured that if anything, this might get them to calm the hell down and decide that it'd be stupid to be my enemy. After all, it wasn't like I was going anywhere."
"Fair enough," said Mace. "But this time they went past words—actually beat the shit out of you."
"It was the final straw," she said. "Made me realize that I didn't know where my place was, but it wasn't going to be with the Hearteaters."
Mace let out a snort of a laugh.
"What's so funny?" asked Echo.
"Not funny like ha-ha," he said. "But funny as in interesting."
"What's that?" she asked.
After setting out an array of white plates in front of him, Mace began putting out the ingredients. First the meat, then the veggies, then the tortillas. Once that was done, he began loading the tortillas and folding them up. When Echo's was ready, he passed the plate over to her.
"Just that we all have a similar story," he said. "Granted, they don't involve getting bullied to hell and back by a bunch of mean girls, but me and Cutter and Jack, we all have our story of what made us realize that we weren't cut out for clan life."
"Yeah," said Echo. "Jack told me about what happened to him."
"Fucked up story," said Mace as he prepared his own burrito.
"And...what about you?" asked Echo.
"That," he said. "Is none of your business."
"Oh," said Echo, checking herself. "Sure."
The burrito on his plate, Mace made his way over to the bar and sat down.
"Cheers," he said, raising his beer.
"Cheers," said Echo.
They tapped the edge of their drinks before starting in. Echo's eyes went wide at her first bite of the burrito. She couldn't believe how good something so simple could taste.
"Damn," she said. "This...this is amazing."
"Thanks," said Mace, already halfway done with his. "And try that salsa—I made it myself. But it's hot as shit, so be careful."
Echo eagerly reached for it, pouring a small amount on the end of her burrito and taking another bite. Sure enough, it was fresh and delicious and like nothing she'd ever had before.
"How did you get to be such a good cook?" Echo asked, more than a little impressed.
"That's kind of my thing," said Mace.
"Cooking?"
"Anything that involves artistry, you know?" he said. "Music, cooking, painting—always had kind of a knack for it. But that doesn't really take you far when you're living out in the woods with a bunch of shifters."
"Some can appreciate art," she said.
"Any of the Hearteaters feel that way?" he asked.
She thought about it, realizing what the answer was.
"No," she said with a slight chuckle. "Not even a little. The closest thing they got to art was when they tore apart the clans they fought with."
"There you go," said Mace. "My old clan, the Long Blades, were the same way. Didn't give a shit about anything other than fighting and conquering."
"And they're gone?"
He sighed.
"No, they're still around, out there somewhere."
He gestured to the woods beyond the estate.
"They'd tell me to ‘fuck off' if I ever saw them again," he said. "That is, if they were feeling generous. More likely they'd carve me into pieces for leaving them."
"I know the feeling," she said. "Not like I'd ever want to go back to the Hearteaters, though."
"I'll drink to that," he said.
As she ate and drank and talked with Mace, Echo couldn't help but notice how close she felt to him after so short of a time. Between that and the incredible physical attraction she had to Mace, she found herself not knowing what to think, how to feel.
I've been with these guys for less than a day and I'm already confused as hell, she thou
ght. What's going on with me? Why is it that I've been a virgin for my entire life and now I want nothing more than to fuck each of these men? Am I going insane?
Before she could give the matter too much thought, Echo heard a phone go off. Mace quickly slipping his out of his pocket and answered it.
"It's Cutter," he said before putting the phone to his ear and stepping out of the room.
Echo watched him as he spoke, taking in the sight of his lean, toned body, his gorgeous profile, the sparkle of his blue eyes. Just seeing him from a distance like that was enough to get Echo thinking very dangerous thoughts. Maybe he could take her up to his study and play her as skillfully as one of his instruments.
He stuck the phone back into his pocket and started back to the kitchen. Echo quickly turned her attention back her food, hoping he hadn't noticed she'd been eyefucking him hard.
"What's up?" she asked.
"Cutter said he's with the Gray Wind clan, this group of bears up north. Said he's making some progress getting them to join the fight, but that they're going to have to stay with them for a few days."
He sat back down.
"That means it's just you and me, kid," he said. "Hope you're not disappointed."
Hardly, she thought with a smile. Not even a little.
CHAPTER 15
ECHO
Despite their conversation that first night together over burritos and beer, Mace kept his distance from Echo over the rest of that night and the day after.
She found this strange—why would he go so far out of his way to get to know her only to give her the silent treatment, she wondered.
Had he felt like he'd said too much, been to open with someone he barely knew? For all she knew, Echo realized, Mace could be thinking that she was some kind of spy sent to get info on the three shifter men who lived alone out in the woods. Maybe he'd made the decision to keep her at arm's length for his own safety.
Echo spent the third day there keeping to herself, reading old books in their massive study, not wanting to risk bumping into Mace and getting on his bad side.
The fourth day, however, things changed. She woke up and headed to the kitchen, ready to start her usual morning routine of coffee and a light breakfast. This time, to her surprise, Mace was already there. The stove sizzled and the scent of bacon and eggs and fresh coffee filled the kitchen.
"Morning," he said, glancing up from the cooking food and giving Echo a slight nod.
"Morning," she said back, more than a little happy to see him.
"Want some coffee?" he asked.
"Yeah," she said. "Definitely."
Mace grabbed a cup from one of the cabinets and filled it full of steaming, dark coffee. Once it was in front of her, he set some sugar and cream next to them.
"Thanks," she said. "But...what's the occasion?"
"Occasion?" he asked. "What do you mean?"
"I don't know," she said. "Just haven't really seen much of you since dinner the other day."
"Been busy," he said in a terse voice.
Echo couldn't figure out if he was mad at her, or he just didn't want to go into any more detail on the subject.
"But tonight's a different story," he said.
"What do you mean?" she asked.
"Talked to Cutter again—said he made some progress with the clan. As long as we can get some more numbers on our side, they're going to ride with us against the Hearteaters."
"Are you serious?" she asked. "That's great?"
"And," he said. "I don't know about you, but I'm getting kind of fucking stir-crazy here in the house."
"Yeah," said Echo with a smile. "Me too."
"So, before the guys get back, I'm thinking the two of us could have a little fun."
Echo felt her skin run hot at these words. What kind of fun, exactly, did he want to have?
"How do you mean?"
"Well," he said. "I was thinking about what you told me happened on your sixteenth birthday, about how those assholes told you they were going into Montreal only to ditch you."
"Yeah?"
"And it just so happened that I got a text from a friend of mine in a big band in town. You heard of the Storm Runners?"
"I have!" said Echo, her eyes lighting up. "They're awesome!"
"Perfect," said Mace. "If you feel up for a little road trip, then you and I ought to go see them play. It's a few hours' drive, but it goes by like nothing when you're on a bike."
"Are you serious?" she asked. "You want to take me into the city?"
"Sure," he said. "But don't tell Cutter or Jack—this needs to be our little secret."
Echo was so excited she could barely think straight.
"When can we go?" she asked, already eager and ready to leave.
"Damn," said Mace, flashing a mouth of pearl-white teeth. "Someone's chomping at the bit. Let's eat up, then I'll check on the bike. Once that's ready, we can head out."
"Perfect," said Echo.
Mace served up some sausage and eggs, which Echo shoved down so fast she could hardly believe it. She couldn't believe that she was finally getting to go to the city, to Montreal. Echo had never been there before in her life as the Hearteaters always kept her on a short leash, never letting her go further than a few of the smaller towns in their territory.
She could hardly contain herself with excitement and volunteered to clean up the kitchen once breakfast was done. But the time she finished and showered and got ready, putting on some extra, oversized men's clothes that the guys had set out for her, she was ready.
"That's not going to work," said Mace, looking her over. "Not one bit."
"What are you talking about?" asked Echo, glancing down.
"You look like you're drowning in those clothes," he said. "Okay, first stop is the hotel. Then after that we buy you some new threads, that work?"
Echo's eyes went wide.
"Um, sure," she said.
Perfect," said Mace. "Let's move out."
He headed off and Echo followed closely behind, the two of them ending up in a massive, dimly lit garage. Mace flicked the switch for the lights, and they turned on with a thunk each row illuminating one after another.
"Wow," said Echo. "Nice rides."
She wasn't lying. The garage, fully stocked for repairs and maintenance, was filled with expensive sports cars, all gleaming under the bright lights.
"There," said Mace, pointing ahead. "There's our ride."
He went in the direction and the two of them soon arrived at a massive chrome bike, the seat big enough for two and equipped with side storage pouches.
"This is my cruiser," he said. "Perfect for heading down to Montreal whenever I need to go."
"Works for me," said Echo.
Her belly tingled with excitement at the sight of the bike. Echo couldn't believe that she was about to head into the city on the back of a motorcycle, her arms wrapped around a man like Mace.
"Hop on, kid," he said. "Let's ride."
He reached into his leather jacket and took out a pair of Wayfarer sunglasses, slipping them on before handing Echo a black helmet hanging off the handlebar.
"You don't need this?" she asked.
"Rather your head be safe than mine," he said with a smirk.
Before Echo had a chance to say anything in protest, Mace hopped onto the back of the bike and gunned the engine, the booming of the motorcycle filling the air of the garage.
"Come on!" he said. "We got a city to take over!"
A big smile on her face, Echo hopped onto the back of the bike. There was more than enough space for her to sit back and grab onto the sidebars, but she instead chose to sit close to Mace and hold onto him for support.
As soon as her arms were around Mace, she knew she'd made the right decision. His body was solid and strong, and his scent musky and masculine. She felt like she'd just taken a hit of some wonderful drug, her mind spinning as Mace pulled the bike out of the garage.
It was so strange to her. After all, it'd on
ly been a short time since she'd had the most intense, and first, sexual experience of her life with a man she was so attracted to, she could hardly stand it. But then there she was with another man for whom she was just as into.
And then there was Cutter. She knew she'd be lying if she were to say that he didn't make her mouth water and her heart race in the exact same way.
It was so confusing and thrill and arousing all at once. Echo had hoped that she'd be this struck by a man once in her life. But, for her, it wasn't simply happening once—it was three men. And what's more, it was all at the same time.
Just calm down, Echo, she thought to herself. Right now, you're on the back of a bike with a gorgeous man, and the view is fucking amazing. Focus on the now for once instead of freaking out about what might happen.
Mace tore down the road through the woods, the landscape a blur around them. She rested her head on Mace's wide back, a smile on her face as they made their way down the hills and into the lower reaches. Before too long they passed a sign that read, "Mont-Tremblant: 20 km." She might've never been to Montreal before, but she knew that this meant they were only an hour and a half, two hours at the most, away from the city.
She couldn't wait. The sun was high up in the cloudless sky and the wind on her bare skin was perfect. On the back of that bike with Mace, Echo felt free for the first time in as long as she could remember. The future was uncertain, but at that moment she was happier than she'd ever been.
They continued along and just like Mace said, the time flew by on the back of the bike. Before too long, signs signifying that Montreal was near began to appear on the side of the road. Excitement brewed in Echo's belly, and by the time they officially crossed into the city she was so eager that she almost wanted to jump off the bike and run wild into the city.
Echo took in the sights of the city, from the green parks to the gorgeous old-style buildings to the hip, fashionable people moving up and down the sidewalks. It seemed to be everything she'd been missing after spending her entire life in the woods. She loved nature, but the city was something else entirely.
"There," Mace said, pointing ahead at a beautiful building that looked like something out of the 19th century, situated in front of a sweeping park of emerald green grass. "That's where we're headed."