by Rayna Tyler
The only way I was going to calm my wolf and ease my own tension was to spend more time with her. “Why don’t I go with you? I need to pick up some more shingles to finish the repair on the roof anyway.”
Mandy furrowed her brows, her suspicious gaze landing on the stack of newly purchased shingles I’d placed on the end of the wooden porch. “Uh-huh.”
“Let’s take my truck.” I spun her around, grasping her hand and tugging her toward the vehicle before she had a chance to tell me no.
I’d barely gotten her situated in the passenger seat when Bear barked and came running from his hiding spot underneath the porch. When we weren’t at my cabin, the animal always found a place where he could burrow. I figured it was Bear’s way of feeling protected, a safety mechanism he’d developed after being abandoned and having to take care of himself.
Bear’s front paws reached the bottom of the doorframe, but his legs were too short to jump into the truck. I leaned forward and lent him some assistance by placing my hand under his rear and lifting.
Mandy tapped the seat in the middle. “Come on, boy.” She smiled when Bear curled into a ball next to her, placing his head on her thigh.
Before heading to the main road, I made a quick stop at my cabin. “Sorry, boy. Not this time.” I snatched Bear off the seat and carried him to the porch. “You’re staying here.” I wasn’t too worried about Bear’s comforts. He had the small cushioned bed Mandy had purchased for him, and I’d set a bowl of fresh water out earlier that morning so he wouldn’t get thirsty before we returned.
Bear dropped his head on his front paws, doing his best to make me feel guilty. “Give me a break.” I leaned closer and whispered, “I need some alone time with Mandy, okay?” When had I started explaining my actions to the dog? Since the scruffy creature had wormed its way into my heart and made himself at home, that’s when. “I won’t be gone long, I promise.” I scratched Bear’s head, then returned to the truck. I ignored his whimpers, knowing if I glanced over my shoulder, I’d end up changing my mind and taking the damned dog with us.
MANDY
After we dropped Bear off at Nick’s cabin, I settled into my seat. I lowered the window, letting in the cool air that always carried a fresh hint of pine, to fill the cab’s heated interior. I stared at the scenic landscape, admiring the hilly backdrop lined with walls of spruce trees and intermingled with tall ash. I’d made this drive countless times and never failed to be inspired by its astonishing beauty.
It didn’t take a genius to know Nick didn’t need more shingles to finish his roofing project. The proof was stacked on the edge of the porch. I wasn’t sure why he’d insisted on driving me to Hanford, but I didn’t argue when he helped me into his truck. Truth was I enjoyed spending time with him. I looked forward to our daily routine and found any excuse possible to be around him. I was in a constant state of awareness whenever I was near him. I’d been aroused from the moment he’d jumped off the roof and wrapped his arms around me.
Telling Nick I hadn’t been able to reach Reese was the truth, sort of. I knew he wouldn’t have a problem with me leaving, so I’d left a message on his voice mail. The trip to Hanford was going to take a couple of hours, and stopping by to see Nick and asking him to relay the message was the only excuse I could come up with to see him before I left.
Selfishly, I couldn’t get enough of Nick and was thrilled that he wanted to spend time with me. Part of me wanted to embrace the relationship, to throw caution to the wind, so to speak. Another part, the part that feared rejection and was afraid things would end badly, that one day I’d show up at his cabin and he’d be gone, fueled my reluctance. I didn’t want to go through the same kind of heartache I’d suffered when Craig had cheated on me. Being cheated on and having someone leave weren’t exactly the same thing, but enduring the pain and loneliness afterward would be no different.
I didn’t understand why I was attracted to Nick’s animalistic behavior and gruffness. It was so different from any of the men I’d ever dated, yet it appealed to me on so many levels. Even when he’d acted feral during our first encounter, I’d been drawn to him.
Contemplating thoughts about Nick had my gaze wandering in his direction. I couldn’t help admiring his profile or the way the breeze gently teased the ends of his dark hair. There was a casual ease in the way he gripped the steering wheel and maneuvered the truck along the winding road. Living in the mountain wilderness suited him well, as if he’d been born to it and this was where he was meant to be. Berkley had voiced her opinion more than once about her concerns that he’d leave when his year ended. My friend wasn’t the only one who hoped he’d make his stay permanent.
He’d warned me that he wasn’t much of a conversationalist, yet his silence wasn’t unsettling and didn’t bother me. Being around Nick made me feel comfortable and safe.
Surprisingly, when I thought about it, I’d never felt this way when I was around Craig. Comfortable, maybe, but never like this. Not the rightness I felt with Nick, as if we should be together, as if I belonged with him and he belonged with me. “Huh.” My pondering had me speaking out loud without meaning to.
“Did you say something?” Nick glanced at me curiously, then returned his attention to the road.
Nothing I wanted to share. “No, just daydreaming.”
He stretched his long arm in my direction, clasped my hand, and settled them on the seat between us. “About anything specific?”
You. “Work, my dad, the usual.”
Nick frowned and squeezed my hand. “Is there a problem with your father? Because if there’s anything you need...”
“No, he’s fine. It’s hard for him to spend all day at home doing pretty much nothing. I just worry he’ll do something he shouldn’t and make his leg worse.”
His tight grip loosened a little. “Mandy, if you ever need anything, all you have to do is ask. You know that, right?”
“I appreciate your concern, but we’re fine.” I returned his squeeze when he shot me a skeptical look. “Really, we’re good.”
Nick slowed the vehicle as we reached the city limits. I dismissed the wave of disappointment when he released my hand to grip the wheel to make a turn.
“Have you been to Hanford before?” I asked when he made the next right turn onto the street leading directly to the store.
“A couple of times with Reese to talk to a contractor and some material suppliers.” He pulled into the parking lot and stopped his truck in a spot three rows back from the entrance. He shifted sideways in his seat to face me. “The place is nice, but I like Ashbury better.”
“Because it’s smaller and the people are friendlier?” I asked, unsnapping my seat belt.
“You already know I don’t do well with lots of people. Although, there is one person who holds my interest and for whom I’d gladly make an exception.” The silver in his eyes darkened, and he raised his hand to my head, tucking some loose strands behind my ear.
I was mesmerized by his intense gaze and nervously licked my lip. “And who would that be?” I hoped he was referring to me, but it didn’t hurt to actually hear him confirm it.
“You already know.” Nick caressed my cheek with his thumb, leaning closer toward me.
“Oh.” I wasn’t sure if the heat rushing across my skin was because we’d stopped and there was no longer air flowing in from outside or if his soft caresses were having an effect on me. A good guess said it was the latter.
Nick slid his hand along my neck and cupped the back of my head. He pressed his mouth to mine, gentle at first, then more possessive. This was different from the kisses we’d shared during our tasting game or other playful moments where Nick had made his interest known. The way he took control of the kiss had me moaning and left no doubts that he was staking a claim—on me.
I agreed with the idea, didn’t I? I hadn’t realized how much I’d grown to care about Nick in the few days I’d known him. I was falling for him in a big way, and it scared the hell out of me. A l
oud honking jolted my already racing heart and had us quickly pulling apart. I noticed a car had stopped a row over, and a fiftyish woman was leaning out the window, waving at a man who appeared to be around the same age and was pushing a cart across the lot.
“We should get going.” I giggled nervously, then reached for the handle on my door.
Nick released a low growl and glared at the couple who’d interrupted us. “Fine,” he grumbled and reluctantly exited the vehicle.
“Come on, grumpy.” I took his hand and tugged him toward the store’s entrance. “Hopefully, they’ll have everything I need, and we can get you back home before you decide to eat someone.”
“I’m not grumpy.” Nick nudged my arm and shot me a petulant frown.
“You’re worried I think you’re a grouch, but snacking on someone doesn’t bother you.”
“Nope.” He winked. “Is it supposed to?”
I grinned and shook my head. “Unbelievable.” I paused in front of the sliding glass doors, waiting for them to open. Everything I needed was small, so once we were inside, I snatched a green plastic basket from the top of a stack near the door, then headed for an aisle toward the middle of the store. Even though I’d shopped here for years and knew where to find everything, I automatically glanced overhead at the rectangular white sign clearly stenciled with the word PLUMBING in bold black letters.
Without looking, I could feel Nick’s eyes on me, studiously watching me pick through the different bins. “How did you learn so much about plumbing?”
I gave him a quick glance, then went back to examining the different parts. “My mom passed away when I was four. My dad couldn’t afford daycare, so he took me along on his service calls.”
I rummaged through another box of fittings until I found the part I needed. “As I got older, he let me help on the easier stuff. Eventually, I was able to do everything he could and started working some of the jobs by myself.”
“Do you enjoy it?” Nick asked.
“Most of the time, I do. It’s just...”
“What? I’d really like to know.”
I stopped and gazed at the sincerity on his face. “I’ve always dreamed of being an interior designer. My backup would have been woodworking, but me and hammers...don’t get along.”
Nick placed his hand on my arm, the warmth comforting and arousing at the same time. “What’s stopping you?”
“Money for one, time for another.” I sighed. “When dad broke his leg, the doctors told him it would be a while before he could go back to work. It’s not like we’re rich or anything, and I knew if I didn’t take care of his service calls, he’d try to do it himself.”
“Isn’t there anyone else who could help? Another family member?” Nick asked.
“No, it’s only the two of us. Luckily, I don’t have to worry about him while I’m at work. Barb, the lady who lives next door, checks on him during the day. She’s a widow, and to tell you the truth, I think she has a thing for my dad.”
I dropped two more fittings into the basket. “I started some online courses, but between work and taking care of him, I don’t have much time for myself. The other night at the bar was the first time I’ve been out in ages.”
“Mandy?”
I grimaced when I recognized the familiar male voice. A voice that scratched along my skin and I’d prayed never to hear again. At first, I thought it was my imagination playing a cruel trick on me because I’d been thinking about him earlier. It wasn’t until Craig spoke again that I finally acknowledged it was really him.
Heart hammering, I slowly turned and dismally watched Craig approach me, grinning as if we were the closest of friends. The same Craig who’d devastated my life and was the star in every nightmare I’d had for the past year. The closer he got, the more the pounding increased. Not because I was excited to see Craig, but because I’d never wanted to see or deal with him again.
After what happened with Adam, my current concern was Nick. I sensed his tension and glanced in his direction. Sure enough, his eyes had darkened and his hands were balled into tight fists. “Crap,” I muttered to myself, wishing a hole would open in the floor and swallow Craig before he got any closer.
“Hey, Craig.” I tried for polite but knew it was a wasted attempt by the sound of my voice. Craig stood a few inches shorter than six feet, had a slight paunch around his midsection and lacked the hard-muscled physique of the construction workers he supervised. I knew from when we’d dated that he spent his time reviewing plans, pushing paper and schmoozing owners, not getting any dirt under his nails or developing some calluses. Oh yeah, and how could I forget his personal pastime of screwing his assistants on the desk in his office trailer?
Craig presented me with a wide-toothed grin. “It’s been a long time.” He stopped a couple of feet in front of me, completely ignoring Nick when he spoke. “You look great.” He slowly rolled his gaze over me, an appraising glimmer in his golden-brown eyes.
The scratchy itch was getting worse, and I wondered how I’d ever mistaken his leers for charm. I purposely made a big deal of tipping my head to the side and glancing behind him. “Where’s Tisha?”
He furrowed his brows. “It’s Trina, and she quit shortly after...you know.”
Yeah, I knew all too well what he was implying. “Gee, I’m so sorry.” I gripped the handle of my basket tighter. “From what I saw...” And I’d seen plenty. Images of their naked bodies entwined and sprawled across his desk were forever burned into my memory, and my father’s. “She had a lot of promise.” The sarcasm rolled off my tongue, and I smiled at my own humor.
“It was a mistake.” Craig held out his hands apologetically. “One I deeply regret.”
I highly doubted either of his admissions and almost snorted. After we’d broken up, I’d learned about several more of the “mistakes” he’d made when we were still together.
“Mandy.” Nick’s voice was deep, husky, laced with anger. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”
“I’m sorry. Nick, this is Craig, and he’s not my friend.” I wanted both men to be clear about Craig’s status.
“How can you say that after all the time we spent together?” Craig formed a heavy pout with his lips. “What we meant to each other?”
“Do you really need an explanation?” I gritted my teeth so hard, I was sure I’d cracked a molar.
“Man, I’ve missed you. Why don’t we take a walk outside, catch up?” He paused for a moment. “Maybe talk about you giving me another chance to make things up to you?”
I couldn’t believe the asshole was seriously asking me to forget what happened and take up where we left off. Before I had a chance to tell Craig what he could do with his invitation, Nick was growling and in his face. “In case you hadn’t noticed, Mandy is with me, and I don’t appreciate anyone messing with what’s mine.”
Okay, the “mine” thing was new. I knew we were slowly moving in the direction of developing something I would consider special, but Nick’s admission totally blindsided me. I didn’t have time to consider what he’d said before movement to the right caught my attention, and I noticed several other customers hovering closer, eavesdropping on our conversation. Great, the last thing I needed was for Nick to wolf out and frighten the locals.
“Nick.” I ran my hand along the tightly bunched muscles on his arm, hoping to distract him. “He’s so not worth it.”
NICK
It wasn’t hard to determine from Mandy’s conversation with Craig that she’d been in some sort of relationship with him, and it wasn’t sitting well with my wolf or me. I wasn’t naive enough to believe that someone as gorgeous as her had never been involved with anyone before I’d met her. It didn’t mean I was happy about meeting the male or would tolerate his interference.
Whatever their past history had been, it was clearly not something she wanted any part of now. She was doing her best to hide her uneasiness, but I wasn’t fooled in the slightest. I’d recognized her discomfor
t in the sarcastic tone of her voice, the way she nervously bit her lower lip, and the numerous glances in my direction.
The male’s presence was upsetting her and aggravating me. I didn’t appreciate the way Craig’s lustful gaze continually skimmed over every inch of her as if she were a scrumptious meal and his for the taking. She wasn’t Craig’s, she was mine. My mate. I planned to make sure Craig understood what that meant even if I had to draw his blood to do it.
“Nick.” Mandy’s soothing voice drew me from my murderous thoughts. “He’s so not worth it.” It was growing increasingly hard to control my wolf. The vehemence she directed at Craig was the only thing keeping me from letting my animal surface and rip the male apart.
I didn’t think she’d appreciate the efforts I would take to protect her, so the sooner I got Mandy away from him, the better. “Do you have everything you need?” I kept my hardened gaze locked on Craig and his determined glare.
She glanced at the basket on her arm, taking inventory of the few items inside. “Yeah, this will do it.”
“Good, then we should go.” I urged Mandy in the direction of the checkout registers. With her attention focused elsewhere, I allowed my wolf’s anger to emerge in my eyes and glared at Craig. “Mandy is no longer your concern, so stay the hell away from her.”
His face paled to an ashy hue. He stumbled backward. “What the...” he mumbled, his remaining words incoherent.
“Are we clear?” I asked, wanting to make sure the man never bothered Mandy ever again.
Craig bobbed his head, made a choking noise, and appeared as if he was going to urinate in his pants. I glanced at the man’s crotch and was disappointed to see that the fabric was still dry.
Satisfied he’d gotten the message, I quickly caught up with Mandy in the short line by the nearest cash register. “Are you okay?” I placed my hand protectively along her lower back.