“Why didn’t you tell me?” She said smiling at Harper.
“I was afraid you would reject me. I was afraid you thought I wanted you for one thing only and not someone I could love.” Emily reached and hugged Harper. She kissed him and he rubbed her stomach.
“Is it too soon to have movement? I feel a leg and arm,” Harper said laughing. “He kicked me.” Then he placed his ear to her belly. “I hear their heart beats.”
“Liam said that he heard three heartbeats,” Emily said.
“Triplets. We’re going to have triplets.” He picked up Emily and danced with her around the room and then he stopped in the middle of the twirl. His face took on a gloomy expression. He stared at Emily as if he didn’t see her.
Harper placed her feet down on the floor and then he took her hands and brought her to a chair where he sat. He pulled her down on his lap. “Emily. I don’t know what to say but Liam can’t be allowed to tell anyone that I’m a werewolf or that Angela and the rest are shifters.”
“But what can you do? He knows already. Well not really because he said he didn’t believe in werewolves,” Emily said watching warily at Harper.
“I can’t let him leave here,” Harper said staring into Emily’s eyes.
“What do you mean he can’t leave here? You wouldn’t...” Her hand flew to her mouth. “No Harper. We can’t start a life by killing an innocent man.”
“No. I wouldn’t kill him. But there must be a way to keep his silence. But I haven’t thought about it yet.”
“I should speak to him. Maybe he would see we’re happy and we’re going to have a family. If you could demonstrate how you can shift. Then he would know.”
“I’ll let you try to convince him first, but I can’t promise you anything if he tries to come between our happiness.” She held Harper’s face. “We can’t be happy if you kill him. You’re not that kind of man.”
“I’m not a man, Emily. You have to understand that. I’m a werewolf and I kill.”
“But you kill not for the sake of killing. You’ve done it because it was necessary. Because you were threatened and because you were trying to protect me. There is a difference you know.”
“I thought when I came here I wouldn’t have to kill my kind. I thought I would be at peace, but now I’m threatened with losing you.”
“You will never lose me, Harper. I’ll just tell Liam that I’m not going to any hospital. I’m staying with my husband.” Emily rose from Harper’s lap. She kissed him and felt his rise through her gown. “None of that. Only a few more months,” she cautioned.
“And we will work on another litter of pups,” Harper said.
“They’re babies,” Emily said scolding Harper. “You see them as werewolves I see them as human.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Harper said standing, “I have my family and that’s all that’s important. Did Liam say whether they were males or females?”
“Does it matter?”
“No. Not really but...”
“He won’t be able to tell until you get the equipment he ordered for the hospital. Ask him to stay, Harper. We need him.”
“He’s a very young man. We can’t expect him to live out here with no females to occupy his time.”
“I wonder if Angela can introduce him to one of her were-cat friends,” Emily said with a sly smile.
“We can’t do that? Can we?” Harper said matching her grin.
“Well it would keep him occupied and he could stay until the babies were born,” Emily said leaning to kiss Harper.
“It might work. Do you think Angela would help us out?”
“She can always say no,” Emily said smiling broadly because she thought that was the answer to her problems. Find Liam someone to keep him interested and prevent Harper from being jealous of Liam which could prove fatal.
When Harper left his bedroom, Michael was calling him on the phone.
Chapter Twenty Three
“What is it this time, Michael?” Michael’s voice raised and Harper suspected that something was wrong. He appeared to be out of breath. “Have you been out jogging?”
“You know I don’t go out for the physical stuff. It takes up too much of my time. Besides people die doing all that running and jumping. If I die I want it to be with a heart attack in my bed. If you know what I mean.”
“Come on, Michael, tell me what you called about.”
“Elisabeth filed a suit against you claiming you were the father to her unborn child.”
“I’m not the father,” Harper said with a raised voice.
“I know that, but you have to prove it.”
“I don’t have time for that. Emily is having a baby, I mean babies. It’s at least three. And thank you for sending Liam.”
“She hasn’t been with you a good week and she’s pregnant?”
“I was wondering about that too until Angela, she a female shifter who explained to Emily about how long it would take her to give birth. It appears I can impregnate a woman overnight. Another benefit of being a werewolf.”
“That’s what Elisabeth claims. She got pregnant the first time you touched her,” Michael said.
“Her claims are bogus. You know that. You tried to warn me about her, but I wouldn’t listen.”
“I’m listening now. There’s something I have to say about Liam...” Michael cut him off.
“Yes, he’s a wonderful young doctor. He came widely recommended,” Michael said.
“There’s just one problem. He knows too much and he’s infatuated with Emily.”
“Come on Harper. He’s too professional to do anything and Emily is in love with you.”
“It’s not Emily I’m worried about. The man is my age.”
“You’re just too protective. I should have sent an older man but Liam is younger and he’s better suited and I thought he may be open to understanding your particular problem.”
“The only problem I have is him.”
“You aren’t going to do anything.”
“No. Why is everyone asking me that? Have I changed that much?”
“Do you want me to answer that, Harper?” Michael said. There was a deep silence between them. “What are you going to do about that bitch?”
“Now that doesn’t sound like you, Michael.”
“I know, but people can change you,” Michael said. Harper thought about what Michael was trying to make him understand. Had he changed so much that he didn’t know himself, and he didn’t know what he would transform into from his experiences being a werewolf.
“Give Elisabeth what she wants. I have plenty of money.”
“If you do that she will continue until you’re broke. She’s vengeful and she’s not going to stop especially since she knows you married Emily. Who knows what she’ll do if she discovers that Emily is pregnant. She can’t be trusted.”
“Give me a few days. I need to take care of something,” Harper insisted.
“I hope it isn’t Emily’s doctor. I will never forgive you if something happens to Liam. I don’t think he has ever had a girlfriend. He just works all the time.”
“That’s what I’m going to take care of. I’m going to find him a distraction until my babies are born and he can concentrate on a woman and not my Emily.”
When Harper walked into the dining room after a long conversation with Michael, he heard Emily’s voice. She was sitting at the table and eating her lunch and laughing with Liam. He stood longer than he should to listen to their conversation before he opened the door.
“Where did you and Mr. Samsa meet?” Emily looked up from her plate of broiled Salmon and vegetables. She was just getting started. She appeared constantly hungry. Liam watched as she downed a whole Salmon. “You have a healthy appetite.”
Placing a fork down she said, “I met Harper in San Francisco. I worked for him as his maid. Does that surprise you?” She waited for his reaction.
Liam shrugged, “No. I’m not surprised by anything. I’m a doct
or remember. When you have an attractive young woman like yourself and you’re constantly near a young man, I wouldn’t be surprised at what could occur.”
Emily reached for fresh baked bread, Liam picked up the plate and handed it to her with a smile. She said thanks and seeing the look on Liam’s face she thought she should say something. “These little wolves I’m carrying are hungry.” She patted her large belly.
“Why do you call them wolves?” Liam questioned as he watched at her.
“Because that’s what they are. Wolves. Pups.”
“Don’t you think there’s something strange about you referring to your children as wolves and pups?” Liam questioned.
“What should I call them? They aren’t children in that sense and they aren’t wolves but they are my babies and I can call them what I want. Harper said they’re pups.”
“Like in dogs,” Liam said with two raised eyebrows and a furrowed brow.
“No. Not like dogs. They are werewolves. I think my wife explained to you what they are,” Harper said stepping into the dining room and closing the door behind him. It was then Liam noticed something different about Harper. His eyes had a tendency to change with his mood. There was a reddish color to them. His nostrils flaring. And now he wore a serious sour look on his face.
Liam for the first time realized that he was dealing with something unusual. Something he knew little about.
Harper stood behind Emily, pushed her hair to the side, kissed her on the shoulder and then her cheek and sat on her left hand side. He leaned to look at Liam.
“When are you leaving?” His voice cold and flat. And then he shot Liam a closed smile.
“I thought you wanted me to stay on until your babies were born. From what I see that will be in two months if Emily doesn’t have complications. I would suggest that you take her to San Francisco where she can be checked out thoroughly.”
“You’ve given me your assessment before and I’ve given you my answer.”
“Don’t you think we should hear what Emily wants? It’s her babies and her life at stake.” Emily looked back and forward wavering her gaze between Liam her doctor and Harper her husband.
She sees something in Harper’s eyes she had never seen before. It was jealousy. How could he be jealous of Liam? Then she saw something in Liam’s eyes. He lowered his eyes when he spoke to Harper about her. He didn’t want Harper to know that he was indeed infatuated with her. But Harper knew this all along. And that’s why he wanted him gone.
“I have to go to San Francisco, Emily.” He held her hand. “If you need anything, I’ll be close and I can get back to you soon. However, I might be gone for a week.”
“You can’t leave her in this wilderness and pregnant for a week,” Liam said raising his voice in panic.
“You’ll be with me and I have Angela,” Emily said watching at Liam. “Go Harper and take care of your business. I’m strong. Don’t worry about me.” Harper stared at Liam. Emily had made her decision and she wanted Liam to stay.
“When Harper returns, then you can go Liam. If something happens, I have Liam here to help me. What can be more assuring than that, Harper?” Emily felt good that she had solved that problem.
Harper didn’t want to go, but Michael stressed how important it was to be in San Francisco to contest Elisabeth’s claims that he was the father of her child. Emily looked at Harper and he stood and took her hand.
“You will have to excuse me and Emily, Liam. I have something to discuss with my wife before I leave.” He glanced at Liam as he led Emily to the door. Once it closed he raised her and cradled her in his arms and stepped up the stairs careful not to hurt her.
He brought her to their room and closed the door. “Will you be Ok with me leaving you?”
“I’ll be fine. Liam is with me.”
“That’s what I’m afraid of.”
“What do you have to worry about, I don’t see other men. I see only my werewolf.”
“That’s because there are no other men around you and now there is Liam.”
“Why would I want a man when I can have you? You make me feel safe and you make me happy, Harper.” She kissed him and the heat of her body pulsated through him. The kiss heated. His manhood yearning to enter her again. But he knew he could not. At least not now.
Harper had wasted too many nights worrying about how painful for Emily it would be for him to enter her warm soft tight opening.
He had loss that time he could have taken her out on a date. Now he could kick himself for being ill informed.
Just when he’s happy beyond anything now he has to leave the woman he loves but he had grown tired of Elisabeth ruining his life and if he didn’t take care of this now who knows what trap she would lay for him in the future.
Harper feeling thankful that he found out about Elisabeth before she completely ruined his life. Now to take care of the situation and keep it from Emily.
When Emily had called Angela to her home to discuss finding Liam a girlfriend, Harper was driving up to his office building in San Francisco.
Chapter Twenty Four
Harper arrived in San Francisco just after three pm. He stopped at his office. The one he turned over to Michael. The one with his name out front for the world to see. His father’s set in large lettering in stone in the front of the building—SAMSA.
When the valet came out to park the truck, he glanced up in surprise at seeing Harper. “Mr. Samsa, good to see you back. We heard you had gotten married and living out in the wilderness.”
“Oh you’ve heard about my property?” Harper said with a raised eyebrow.
“Nevada is a great place. Some places remote. I hear they have beautiful lakes for fishing and boating. Yeah it’s all over the office and the girl I date, she said she got it from a good source and from the expression on your face it seems to be true.”
The attendant stepped in the truck waved and drove it around and up the ramp into the parking garage.
Harper stood looking around wondering who had passed that piece of information down where it would reach the parking attendants. He hadn’t replied to the office gossip he just smiled and didn’t say any more. As he stepped into the building, he could feel his father’s presence.
The building still bore his father’s designs and the furniture his father had ordered before his death. But Harper hadn’t taken his time to put his stamp on the building and the many more holdings left to him by his father. Of course he was a Samsa and there would be more Samsas to come and he would let them make changes to the company when it came time.
At first he thought about selling, but now there wouldn’t be a need. All this would belong to his sons. Or his daughters.
When he entered the elevator he felt the eyes on his back, but then he heard all kinds of noises he had never heard before or smells that incited his senses as never before.
It had been Emily’s smell that drew him to her. The natural fresh smell of a spring morning when the sun is out and frost is on the ground.
Like the heavy breathing coming from a large man in the back of the elevator or the smell of a woman’s perfume or the smell of a couple who had just had sex. He smelled the odor of passion as they passed in front of him and got off on the sixth floor looking less of a couple but the signs were clear if anyone could smell and see them the way Harper did.
His sharp eyes saw a strand of dark hair down her white blouse and a long strain of her blond hair attached to his black hair. He saw the flush of the man’s face and the blush in hers as they passed him with their secret smile.
The door opened on their floor and the woman glided out the elevator in one direction, and the man strode in the opposite direction carrying their secret with them. Then Harper heard someone say to the man with the secret, “Your wife called, Andy.”
Now Harper knew what most men didn’t, and it could be a curse or a blessing.
The door closed and continued up to the twenty first floor where Harper got off.
>
He passed the secretary who was surprised to see him because he never spent any time in the office since his father had died. He walked passed her fast. He strode through the hall and standing at his office door before the secretary said a word. She didn’t have time to welcome him back which he didn’t want anyway.
Harper opened the door to his office without knocking. And stopped at the door closing it behind him.
Sitting behind his desk was Michael with a look of scorn on his face. It was for whomever was sitting in the chair facing the desk and her back to Harper. Michael was shuffling papers and tapping wildly on the desk with his pen. When he saw Harper he looked up.
The woman in the chair turned around and smiled. “So you finally came. I told Michael I wanted to see you yesterday. Oh, if you’re looking at my hair, I changed the color.”
“Back to your natural color of course. Mousy brown,” Michael said with cold pleasure.
“Oh Michael, I didn’t know you noticed,” Elisabeth said in a big voice and a thin smile.
“Everyone knew you weren’t a real blond. That is everyone except Harper. I just didn’t have the heart to tell him. But he would have found out if you had let him...” Michael said.
“That’s enough Michael. And what do you want from me, Elisabeth?” Harper said his voice low but strong.
“Sit down first.” She patted on the leather chair across from where Michael sat and near here.” Harper surveyed the chair. He didn’t relish being that close to her but what could she do to him. He felt nothing for her. Not like he felt when the relationship was new and his interest was high. And he wanted to fuck her.
But now she couldn’t ignite a fire under him if she stripped naked and begged to suck his cock.
“I have papers I need you to sign,” Elisabeth said. Harper took the papers from her and read them and sat in the chair across from his desk.
“Under no circumstances are you to sign those papers,” Michael said peering across at Elisabeth as if he could strangle her.
Harper dropped the papers on the desk in front of Elisabeth, and she picked them up and placed them in front of Harper.
A Bride For a Werewolf Page 12