by Honor James
“Good to know,” he murmured softly in her ear before lifting his head as the waitress returned with coffee. “You ready to order, love, or do you need another minute?” he asked softly, stroking his fingers lightly up and down her side as he surveyed the restaurant again to see if there was anyone else he needed to be aware of in the place.
“I know what I want.” Looking up at the waitress, she asked, “Can I get three pancakes with lots of strawberries and a little whip cream on them? A glass of milk and two slices of bacon?” When the woman told her yes, she grinned and leaned back, her body fitting back into Janos’s with ease and comfort, as if she were born to rest at his side. “Your turn, mister.”
“I’ll get a short stack of pancakes, syrup on the side, and then the scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, and ham steak with a side of salsa,” he told the waitress and passed the menu back to her. “And lots of coffee, too, please.” He grinned at her.
When they were once more alone, she shook her head. “I think I am going to have to get used to how much you eat, Janos.” Because what she ordered was more than she normally ate in a day, but she wanted to do it, wanted to try it, eating more than she typically did. “This is nice,” she commented as she leaned against him, face turned toward the sun streaming into the window, and simply took in the moment of peace they had.
“I just burn more calories than you do, darling,” he told her, lifting his hand from her arm to stroke her hair gently. “It’s all part and parcel of being a Wolf. That and all the calories I burned last night as well,” he teased with a smile against her ear before gently nipping at her ear again.
“You know, I think that I might have burned one, maybe two calories last night, too. You certainly weren’t alone in what happened.” God was he never. It was wonderful. “Sure, you did all the work, but I moved with you. Especially when we took our bath.” She had to cross her legs, her desire swelling inside of her and making her ache with need.
“Yes, you did,” he murmured in a satisfied tone. Inhaling slowly, he smiled. “I should mention this now, before I get myself into too much trouble,” he said and then lowered his voice even more. “I can smell your arousal, hot, wet, and so very intense, Mina.”
She went as red as the ketchup that was placed on the table before them and ducked her head against his shoulder. “Oh my, that is bad, isn’t it?” She licked her lips and gulped before looking up at him. “Is it really bad of me to want to go to the car or somewhere private with you and relieve the ache I’m feeling?”
Jolting at her words, Janos let out a soft growl. “You’re playing with fire, sweetheart. We’ve got food heading our way, so we’ll just have to wait to alleviate your ache.” And his, too. Taking her hand, he pressed it to his thigh and then guided it up to the bulge in his jeans. “We’ll fix everything later,” he murmured, letting her hand go just as the waitress arrived with their food.
Chapter 30
When their food was placed before them, her hand was still on his thigh, and when the waitress left them, she allowed the hand to move back to his bulge and she shivered as her hand moved over him. “I love you, Janos. I need you and I hope and pray that never ends, because I love this feeling, these feelings, the knowledge that you are mine and I am yours and that we can be together at any moment we want.”
It was a heady sensation, to know he loved and needed her as much as she did him. “As soon as we are at the club, your office and desk, we will take care of our aches and pains.” It wasn’t a question, so much as a tentatively placed demand.
Chuckling, he nodded, hugging her to him and kissing her cheek. “As you wish, my lady,” he teased. “But you should eat now, because I don’t think once will be enough, and you still have to meet with Ben after that. So eat up. I don’t want you fainting on me in the middle of something spectacular between us.”
“Right…food.” She looked at the food before her and shifted slightly to remove her hand from his thigh even if her mind protested the action. “These look so good.” She looked at his plate and asked, “Can I try a bite of your ham steak and salsa?”
Moving his arm, he picked up his knife and fork and looked to her. “Sure,” he said, moving his plate a little closer to her. “If you weren’t my mate I’d take your arm off for even suggesting touching my food. But I love where your arm is, so you are safe,” he teased, sort of.
She hesitated and then shook her head. “It’s all right, I will order that next time.” She wasn’t going to take his food. “Besides, I likely have far more here than I will ever eat.” And she would make sure of it, and pass the remainders off to him. Looking at the syrups along the wall at their table, she selected the strawberry one to go with the strawberries on her pancakes and began to pour it even as she scooted away just a little to have more elbow room for eating.
Frowning, Janos cut a piece of the ham steak and stabbed it with his fork before moving closer to her. “Don’t do that, love,” he said softly, holding it up for her. “I was teasing, just pulling your leg,” he murmured as he ran a light hand over her hair. “You are welcome to anything and everything of mine. If it’s mine to give, you never even have to ask.”
She watched him for several long seconds and then nodded, leaning in closer, her eyes never leaving his. She opened her mouth and took the bite he offered her. Chewing it slowly, she nodded. “Thank you, Janos.” She didn’t like it, at all.
“Thank you for letting me try that. I have never had it before.” Taking a drink of her milk, she continued, “And I have to admit that I don’t care for it. It is far too salty.” But she would never have known if he hadn’t shared, and if she had ordered it, she would have forced herself to eat something she didn’t like simply because she couldn’t waste it.
Smiling slowly, he kissed her gently, his fingers a light touch under her chin to tip up her face. “You are welcome,” he said softly to her. “Do want some of the eggs with the salsa?” he asked gently. “If you like a hint of spice, the salsa will be a good choice for you.”
“Sure, are they salty, too?” she asked and looked up. “I don’t care so much for really salty things. It really bothers me and kind of makes my tongue feel all swollen up and ick.”
Chuckling, he shook his head. “They don’t put salt or pepper on them. They let the clientele do that in case anyone has a heart condition or any other issues. The only reason the ham is salty is because of the curing process and then the grilling bringing it up and out.” Shifting, he dug out a little bit of the salsa and stabbed some of the eggs before holding it out to her.
Opening her mouth, she took the eggs in and then when she chewed, she smiled. “That I like.” She did have to take another drink of milk, but it tasted really good. “I think next time I will order those, too.” She cut into her pancake. “Would you like to try a bite?”
“I have my own, love, but thank you for the offer,” he told her, kissing her gently. “I don’t want to take your food.” Slipping his arm around her waist, he hugged her slightly. “Eat, honey,” he murmured before moving just enough to give her space to eat.
“All right.” She forked that bite into her mouth and moaned. “Oh god, this is so good,” she muttered and forked another and then another bite into her mouth. She ate with relish and gusto. Everything tasted so amazing and felt wonderful as she ate.
Eating quickly, Janos had all his done before she was halfway through hers and, with a satisfied sigh, he sat back and sipped at his coffee. Grinning as the waitress returned to refill his cup and take his plates, he glanced slowly around the restaurant over the rim of his cup. Resting his arm along the back of the booth, he toyed with the ends of her hair when he returned his gaze to her.
She grinned up at him and shook her head. “Do you need me, love?” she asked and grinned. Her eyes were on him, and something caught her attention from the corner of her eye, and she looked up at the tall, rather large man at the other side of Janos.
The man cleared his throat. “We would lik
e to speak with you in private when you are able. We will be at your club until then.” He bowed. Never did he say “sire” or “your majesty.” However, the respect and the intent were there.
Glancing over, Janos, who’d felt him approaching and, while he knew there had been no intent to harm, was still on guard, nodded slowly. Watching the man as he went to rejoin the others and then as the majority left, Janos frowned. “We seem to have found ourselves with an honor guard of sorts,” he murmured, more to himself than to Mina.
“That’s bad, isn’t it, Janos? I mean you don’t want to be found. You want to remain under the radar, but will you be able to do that with them following you around like that?” Mina looked around and then watched outside as the men who left mounted motorcycles and roared out of the parking lot.
“I don’t know, love, but it’s not good,” he murmured softly. “But it’s probably better to have the good guys know we’re alive and kicking if the bad guys do, too. Be nice to have a little backup should it be required.”
Pushing her plate away, she shook her head. “I think I’m done, Janos.” She felt uncomfortable with the turn of events, but more so because of the fact that the men still needed and wanted to talk to Janos. She was worried, more than a little. “I think our afternoon on your desk has just gone up with a puff of smoke.” She had a grin on her face, teasing, but she was saddened as well.
Snorting at her, he shook his head. “Show’s what you know,” he told her. “We talk to them, kick them out afterward, get down and funky, try and find all our clothing, and then go and visit with Ben. Besides, we’ll need to tell him and the others as well and, depending on what’s said, it could cause us a hell of a lot of grief.”
Grief was something he simply didn’t need. “I’m sorry, Janos.” She couldn’t help but to feel that the reason he was now being given the grief was because of her showing up in his life.
“I have to admit, however, that I love your plan, but with one revision. I think that we need to remove our clothes carefully, fold them neatly, and place them somewhere easy to find, because I don’t want to go to meet your brother and be missing an item or two of clothing.” Like panties or a bra.
“No?” he asked with a grin as he looked down her body. “He wouldn’t notice something missing, especially with it being the middle of the day by the time we get there. He’ll be distracted and off in his own world or, if it’s the day to get his stuff organized for the accountant, he’ll be frustrated, hair on end, and distracted. Either way, he won’t notice if you’ve got your undies on or not, love.”
She smacked her hand on his thigh and laughed. “I don’t think so, mister.” Although the feeling ran down her body, a shiver of need and delight. “Oh god, Janos, that is not something I should be thinking of.” That fast her body was wet and needy.
Leaning closer, he kissed her, his hand in her hair to hold her to him. “Always think it, love,” he murmured, “because I definitely am, at least 90 percent of the time. Ever since we first shared the dreams, I’ve thought of you, the smell of your hair, the soft texture of your skin, the way your eyes dilate and your lips part as you get all hot and bothered and needy for your mate.”
“Oh god,” she breathed out and let her hand clench his leg. “I need you, Janos. You really need to pay the bill so that we can go to your club, and your friends will simply have to wait because I don’t know that I can.” It would be rude and obvious, but she honestly didn’t care in that moment.
Holding up his hand, Janos called for the check even as he gently stroked her hair. “They aren’t my friends. They’re merely not my enemies, at this moment anyway,” he said softly. “And you’re right, they can wait. Besides, you’re my mate and they will know we’ve only just become a unit. They will understand, or those with mates will.”
“Even if they didn’t, I don’t think that I could honestly really care less. I want and I need to be with you, Janos. I really don’t care who knows about it or what they do, just that I need you.” She closed her eyes and leaned into his touch with a smile and sighed. “I do love you, Janos.” She paused when the waitress brought the bill to them.
Pulling out his wallet, Janos put some money onto the tray with enough for a very generous tip for her. “Thank you,” he said to the woman and finished his coffee quickly.
Chapter 31
Sliding out of the booth, he took her hand and guided her from the restaurant, noting that two more Wolves were also leaving. “Looks like we’re going to have an escort,” he murmured softly to Mina with a frown. He didn’t mind them acknowledging him or his mate, but unless Mina was alone, he didn’t want them anywhere around.
She frowned and looked back at them. “Will they always be around, Janos?” She shivered and moved closer to him when they opened the outside door, the blast of arctic air causing her breath to leave her for a moment as she acclimated.
“Not if I can damned well help it,” he muttered darkly as he led her to the car. Unlocking the door, he opened it for her. “Get in out of the wind, love,” he said. Once she was in, he moved around to his side and rolled his eyes as the men got on their bikes and, starting them, waited. Sliding in, Janos started the engine and then pulled out of the lot, turning onto the street toward Full Moon. Glaring in the rearview mirror, he growled, not a nice one either. “I’m going to kick their asses.”
“I’m so going to help you, I think.” She wasn’t much up on stealth and keeping a low profile, but what she had learned on the streets and in foster care was that if you kept your head down and nose clean, things would be much better for you.
Glancing at her in surprise, he grinned, his bad mood gone just that fast. “Really?” he asked with a chuckle. “I think I’d like to see you kick some ass,” he told her. “Oh yeah,” he murmured, licking his lips, “I’m thinking that could be amazing to see.”
“I may not be able to kick Wolf butt, but I think I could hold my own. I grew up on the streets or in foster homes that were worse than the streets. I learned at a very young age to fight. So while I may not appear the type, I really can, if I have to.” But she hated to. It was as if it took a piece of her soul each time, which was why she had let Mrs. Smith all but walk all over her. She allowed her boss to fire her, all because she didn’t like confrontation.
Reaching over, he took her hand. “I’m sorry, honey, I didn’t mean to make you sad,” he said, gently rubbing his thumb over her hand. Lifting it, he pressed a kiss to her inner wrist. “You can beat on me any time you want, love. I’ll even let you have your wicked way with me if you’d like.”
That made her lips turn up in a grin and she nodded. “I like that idea, Janos. Being able to have you anytime that I want to will make me a happy woman.” She turned her hand so that he was holding hers and sighed. “You are amazing, Janos,” she whispered even as they pulled into the club’s parking lot.
Slipping the car into his spot, he threw it into park and smiled at her in return. “Not really, love, but you definitely are,” he told her. “Come on, honey, let’s get inside and see what the hell is going on,” he said, squeezing her hand briefly before sliding out of the car.
She moved up to his side, and when the bikers pulled up alongside and parked their bikes and turned them off, she frowned and shot them all dirty looks. These men were seriously beginning to get on her nerves, and if she didn’t have Janos all nice and naked beside her soon, she was likely going to tear one of their heads off.
Her hand slipped into his as she looked up at him with a smile and squeezed. “You get to tell them to wait.” Because she wasn’t sure she could be very nice about it.
“Screw that,” he muttered, pulling her along behind him. Moving inside, he saw that there was a group there already and the waitress was looking flustered. Shaking his head at the group as they moved to stand, he kept on going right past them and down the back hall labeled “Employees Only.” Opening his office, he let Mina go through and then shut, locked, and moved an armchair und
er the door handle just for extra fun. “Now, we ignore them for however long we need to do whatever it is that’s going through your mind, love.” He smiled at her.
“All right, well let’s see, I think that we need to have our clothes off for what is on my mind.” She winked at him and turned, began to remove her clothes slowly, folding them neatly as she did so. “I want to be able to find my clothes, because as if your brother wasn’t enough to need to be fully clothed in front of, I most certainly will not be without anything in front of the circus out there.”
Growling at the thought that any might even suggest it, Janos tossed his jacket toward his chair as he watched her strip. He kicked off his boots, but beyond that he stayed as he was just watching her. It was much more interesting than getting naked, for the moment anyway.
When she turned around, she grinned. “Now wait a moment.” She was fully naked, not even socks on, and yet he stood there completely dressed. “I see something wrong with this picture, Janos. I think you need to remove a piece of clothing or two.” Or hers were going back on.
Reaching over his head, Janos pulled off his shirt and tossed it aside as he reached for his jeans button. Slowly he undid his pants and pushed them down and, pushing off his socks with them, tossed everything to the chair. Moving toward her with a half smile, he lifted a brow. “Is this better, love?” he asked in a suggestive tone.
“Oh very much.” She moved toward him, closing the gap between them rather than waiting on him to come to her. “You are so very beautiful,” she whispered in reverent awe. He had scars, yes, but he was beautiful. Everything about him was.