Midnight Mate: A Paranormal Romance Standalone

by Heather Hildenbrand

Cat appeared from the hall and stopped short at the sight of me.

  Hot damn. She’d worn her hair down again. Just like earlier, my fingers itched to get lost in those golden waves. But I forced them to remain at my side. While she glared at me, I studied the off-the-shoulder black dress she wore. And was rewarded when I scented her pheromones rising.

  My wolf practically begged me to close the distance and rip that dress right off her sexy frame.

  Down, boy, I thought—in more ways than one.

  “You look beautiful,” I told her.

  “What are you doing here?” she demanded, ignoring my compliment.

  “Well, I went to your parents’ house, but the woman who answered explained you sold it to her last year.”

  She frowned. Instead of explaining, she said, “I thought we were meeting at the restaurant.”

  “What kind of date would I be if I let you show up alone?”

  “Seriously, Cat,” Rudy scolded, and I decided to like him after all. “Where are your manners?”

  “I was trying to be efficient,” she said. “Your injury—”

  “Feels fine,” I assured her. “Ready?”

  She shook her head as if the argument wasn’t worth it. “Sure, let me just get my coat.”

  Rudy darted to the closet and came away with a long jacket the same color as Cat’s dress. He held it open for her, and she slipped her arms inside.

  “Now, listen, I won’t wait up,” Rudy said, shoving her toward me and then both of us toward the door.

  “Rudy,” Cat began, heat rising to her cheeks.

  Outside, I turned to see Rudy’s mischievous grin. “It was a pleasure meeting you,” he said.

  “Likewise.”

  “And Cat, don’t do anything I wouldn’t.” Then he lowered his voice and said, “But do everything I would.”

  “Rudy,” she hissed.

  He laughed. “Good night,” he called as he shut the door behind us.

  Cat glanced sideways at me.

  “Is he always this excited?”

  “No,” she said solemnly. “Sometimes, he’s dramatic.”

  I laughed, and we headed for the restaurant.

  Kip’s was crowded. It was also disturbingly casual.

  “I swear, this place was fancy once.”

  Cat laughed. “Once, yes. But not for a long time. Now, Farrago’s the place to go for an upscale meal.”

  “Well, we’ll just have to save that for next time then.”

  Cat didn’t answer, but I saw her frown before she lowered her head to study the menu. She was wary of me. I knew it. I couldn’t blame her for it. I also wasn’t going to bring it up and ruin a good thing.

  My wolf had already accepted the challenge of winning her over, and I had a feeling there wasn’t jack shit my human side could do to stop it. Not that I wanted to.

  The waitress arrived and took our orders. When she was gone, I reached for Cat’s hand. “You really do look beautiful tonight.”

  She stiffened then pulled away.

  I let it go.

  “So, how long have you known Rudy?” I asked.

  “About six years.”

  “Is his name actually Rudy Rascal?”

  “Stage name,” she said, smiling ruefully. “He moved here after college to work for the theater program.”

  “I didn’t know the Falls had a theater program.”

  “It’s still small, thanks to the minimal funding from the town, but Rudy’s fighting for more of a piece of the tourism pie. He fills the seats, and the revenue makes the city happy, so . . .” She shrugged.

  “You’re proud of him.”

  “He’s amazing.” Her unfiltered affection did something strange to my belly.

  Not jealousy, at least not in a way that made my wolf feel threatened. Had anyone ever said that about me? Cat had. Once upon a time.

  “What about you?” she asked, and I blinked, refocusing on the conversation. “See any old friends yet?”

  I sat back. “Ran into Angus Moore the other night. Had a beer.” I didn’t mention how it ended.

  “How’s he doing? I haven’t seen him since things got busy for me at the clinic.”

  “Seems good. We didn’t spend too much time on the nitty-gritty.” I lowered my voice before explaining, “He’s setting up an appointment with the witches.”

  “The witches?” Her expression went blank.

  “For my knee.”

  “Oh.”

  There was a beat of silence between us.

  I knew where Cat stood on magic. She knew about it, of course, like many of the humans in this town. Just like she knew what I was. Had always known. I’d been too explosive back then to hide my beast from her, and she’d surprised me by accepting my wolf more easily than I could have imagined. But being human came with a certain amount of wariness and distrust for the supernatural. After all, we were, by definition, higher on the food chain. Even the witches, with their power, were creatures for humans to fear.

  “I’d love it if you came with me.”

  I hadn’t meant to say the words, but now that they were out, I didn’t want to take them back either.

  “To see the witches?”

  “I’d feel better having you there.”

  “Would I be welcome?”

  “If you’re not, I won’t go.”

  “East, that’s ridiculous. If there’s a chance they can heal you, you have to go.”

  “Then say you’ll come.”

  She pressed her lips together, hesitating. Finally, she said, “All right. I’ll come. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be a supernatural. Maybe I can live vicariously.”

  I grinned; a victory.

  Dinner was simple but good. Better than I’d expected for what looked a lot like a tourist trap these days. Midnight Falls was more crowded every year. Good for business, a pain in the ass for locals trying to live a quiet life.

  “So, how’s life in the rest of the world?” Cat asked.

  “I wouldn’t know. Breckenridge is pretty similar to the Falls. Tourism is a mainstay, and in the winter, the slopes are busier than the streets of New York.”

  “Then why settle there? I mean, if it’s no different from the Falls, then why not just come home?” She ducked her head. “Sorry, that was a rude question,” she added.

  “It’s fair.” I hesitated. “The difference is the peace I get there.”

  She bit her lip, unwilling to pry further.

  My wolf was restless, pushing me to tell her the full story.

  I changed the subject. “Speaking of peace, what’s the story with you and Travis Burns?”

  “You know him?” she asked, surprised.

  “He’s a wolf.” I shrugged. “I make it my business to know my own kind.”

  I didn’t bother to tell her I’d looked him up and asked around about him after our run-in yesterday morning.

  She sighed and reached for her wine glass. “We went out a few times. He wanted to get serious, and I didn’t. When he pushed, I broke it off, and . . .”

  Her face paled.

  “And what?” The look on her face had me instantly on edge.

  “He lost his temper,” she said then took a big sip of wine. I waited, sensing she needed time to tell it. “He threw things,” she said finally. “Yelled. Nearly shifted.”

  Something about her careful tone had my wolf already snarling.

  “What do you mean ‘nearly’?” I pressed.

  She met my eyes then looked away again. The wine glass in her hand wobbled, and I gritted my teeth, waiting for her answer.

  “His legs remained human but his arms . . . his hands… He threw a vase at me and nicked my ear with a claw.”

  She lifted her hair back to reveal a still-healing scrape on her earlobe.

  My wolf rose so quickly I almost came out of my seat. Bloodlust pumped through my veins.

  “East.”

  Cat’s voice sounded faint and hollow against the rushin
g in my ears.

  I gripped the chair until the wooden armrest crumbled in my hands.

  Cat slipped out of her seat and rounded the table, crouching beside me. Her blue eyes held mine with no trace of fear. “Breathe, East. Just long, deep breaths. You’re fine.”

  Her voice was soothing. Calm.

  Shit.

  My heart rate finally slowed. Only now, I was mad at myself. A quick glance told me we’d gained the attention of at least half the restaurant.

  “You okay?” Cat asked.

  I grabbed her hand. “I’m so sorry, Cat. That was unacceptable.”

  “It was understandable.”

  “You just got done telling me your ex lost control of his wolf side and flipped out. And then I almost did the same damn thing. In public, no less.”

  She shook her head. “You would never hurt me.”

  She was right, but it touched me how sure she sounded.

  “Not physically, anyway,” she added, and the implication was a blow I should have seen coming.

  “Cat.”

  She pulled her hand free and stood, returning to her seat and reaching again for the wine. Her gaze flitted down and around but avoided me.

  “I’m sorry,” I said quietly. “Also, Travis is an asshole.”

  That got her attention. She looked up at me, her lips curving wryly. “Tell me something I don’t know.”

  “I left because my dad’s a drunk.”

  The words were out before I’d realized they were coming.

  Cat lowered her glass, her eyes wide as she studied me.

  “When he drinks, which is always, he swings between ignorantly happy and vehemently angry—sometimes to the point of violence,” I explained.

  “I had a feeling it was his drinking that— Wait. Violence,” she repeated, stricken. “Toward you?”

  I shrugged. “When I got old enough, I made sure to draw him away from my mom.”

  Her expression filled with sorrow. “East, why didn’t you tell me?”

  It wasn’t as pathetic as I’d expected—the sympathy. But it had done its job. Something had irrevocably changed between us. I wasn’t sure I liked it.

  “Mostly because of the way you’re looking at me now,” I admitted.

  “How am I looking at you?”

  “Like you feel sorry for me.” I grimaced, hating the weight of it as it settled around us. Like a third wheel.

  This was why I’d never told anyone before.

  I’d been stupid to start now.

  “Funny. That’s not what I’m thinking.” Her voice was steady now. Solid.

  “What are you thinking?” I was almost scared to ask, but I couldn’t help it. I had to know.

  “That you’re stronger than anyone knows. I can’t imagine how hard it must have been to carry that all this time. You’re a hero, East.”

  I snorted. “I ran, Cat. Left town without explanation. Without my mother. I’d hardly call that heroism.”

  “Did you ask her to go with you?”

  “Of course.” Fury flamed brightly before I breathed through it and calmed again.

  “God, East.”

  “What?” I snapped, still trying to get my emotions under control.

  Her smile turned crooked. “You were already hot. I didn’t need the extra layer of you getting all sensitive and emotional on me.”

  I grinned, the anger melting off as I focused entirely on her and the sparkle in those doe eyes of hers.

  “You think I’m hot?”

  She rolled her eyes. “East, everything with a pulse thinks you’re hot.”

  My grin widened. I signaled for the waiter and the check.

  “Good. Because I’m walking you home, and I’m coming inside. We’ve got some lost time to make up for.”

  10

  Cat

  East was in full seduction mode. I could see it in his eyes. Sense it in the way he kept letting his hand brush my skin as we moved through the restaurant and out the door into the cool night. My heart pounded harder the closer we got to my apartment. I wanted this. But I also couldn’t afford it. Not now.

  I hadn’t lied back there.

  His vulnerability and trust in me when he’d told me about his dad had only made my feelings for him worse. But if we slept together now, there’d be no preventing my heart from breaking all over again when he left. And after the bomb he’d dropped at dinner, I had no doubt he would leave. Even though I was still pissed about what he’d done, I couldn’t blame him for it. Not anymore.

  “Here we are.” East turned and led the way up the front walk to my building.

  I lagged behind.

  “East.”

  My voice was faint, but he turned immediately, concern already lining his rugged face.

  “What’s wrong?”

  He was at my side instantly. Another point in his favor. And another reason this was a bad idea.

  I nodded to the window already lit above us. “Looks like Rudy’s home. I don’t think tonight’s the best night for this. Unless we want an audience.”

  He smiled. “Plan B. We’ll go to my room at Nicole’s.”

  “Also an audience,” I pointed out. “Those walls are paper thin.”

  He eyed me knowingly. “You don’t want this.”

  I hesitated then forced my gaze to his, knowing full well he could hear my erratic heartbeat. “When your injury is healed, will you leave again?”

  He hesitated. “My life isn’t here anymore, Cat.”

  I nodded, my throat tightening. “Exactly.”

  I pushed past him to the door.

  “Cat.”

  “I’ll see you at your next appointment.”

  I slipped into my building before he could answer, closing the door on something that had ended long ago anyway.

  Monday was a shitshow. I spilled coffee on my favorite sweater, ran out of creamer, and was confronted by an angry patient—all before nine a.m. Basically, it was an outward reflection of my shitty mood.

  East had wanted to take me to bed, and I’d said no.

  To Easton Raines.

  The guy who’d stolen my heart ten years ago and never given it back.

  I was an idiot. And just in case I wasn’t sure about that fact, Rudy had told me so the moment I walked in and explained why I was crying.

  He’d hugged me as he said it. But that didn’t make the words any less true.

  I’d spent Sunday eating my feelings.

  Ice cream. Wine. Greasy pizza.

  Rudy had threatened to unplug the fridge if I didn’t stop.

  Today, I was paying for my choices.

  Snapping back at the jerkwad wanting a walk-in on our busiest day made me feel marginally better.

  By lunch, I was stewing. Angry with myself, I realized.

  Why couldn’t I be one of those girls who could have no-strings sex?

  God, I needed to get laid.

  And hadn’t I always wondered what East was like in bed?

  At one, I walked a patient back to the lobby in time to see a delivery man leave a long, narrow box with Leslie at reception.

  Any other day, I might have ventured out to see what sort of presents she’d gotten from her disgustingly devoted husband. Today, I couldn’t bear it.

  I attempted to retreat to my office, but Leslie called out, stopping me.

  “Cat? Something came for you.”

  “Me?” I frowned and slipped around the corner and into her space. “What is it?”

  She shrugged. “The shape of the box suggests flowers.” She turned in her chair and handed me the white box. “Open it.”

  I ripped through the seal and flipped the lid open. My eyes widened. Blood-red roses lay against white tissue paper. They were beautiful.

  “Oh, those are gorgeous,” Leslie gushed. She pointed to a small card nestled among the thorny stems. “An admirer?”

  I took the card, careful to avoid the thorns, and set the box aside.

  Roses are red. Violets are bl
ue. No one gets in the way of me and you.

  -T

  My chest tightened.

  Well, if that wasn’t creepy as hell.

  I dropped the card into the garbage and then did the same with the box of roses.

  “What are you doing?” Leslie asked.

  “Get rid of these.”

  “Seriously? If you don’t want them, I can display them up front.”

  “I don’t want them in the office,” I snapped, my breaths coming in shallow gasps.

  Leslie nodded, eyes wide.

  I spun on my heel and escaped back to my office before she could press for more.

  Alone, I tried to tell myself red roses and bad poetry didn’t mean Travis was a complete psycho. Unfortunately, that combined with the violent outburst meant he was unpredictable. Unease worked its way into anxiety.

  I needed to do something about him.

  Except, I had no idea what. So far, ignoring him wasn’t working. And neither was a direct order to stay the hell away from me.

  For now, I had work to do. Maybe a few hours of mind-numbing paperwork would ease my mood.

  Just after three, my direct line rang. I snatched it up. “Cat Bequette.”

  “Whoa, killer,” Rudy teased. “Save the venom for the snakes.”

  I sighed. “Sorry. A serious case of the Mondays over here.”

  “What you call Monday I call sexually frustrated. Tomato, potato.”

  I scowled. “Can I help you with something?”

  “Your man stopped by.”

  I dropped my pen. “Who?”

  “Easton the Beast—Uh, I mean Mr. Raines, obviously.”

  I sagged in relief. For a moment, I’d thought he meant Travis.

  “What did he say?”

  And why stop by my apartment when he knew I was here?

  “We chatted about the new theater program.” He paused and then added, “He asked what time you get off. Said he was pretty sure you were going to play a big ‘ol game of avoidance for some silly reason, but he wanted to ask for one more date.”

  My jaw dropped. “I can’t believe he went around me and came to you. Like he’s asking for your blessing. What is this, the eighteenth century?”

  “Well, he’s not an idiot,” Rudy said, defending East so completely that I rolled my eyes. “And if he wants my blessing, he’s got it. Have you seen those gluteus maximus muscles?”