“This is great, Carter, seriously.”
“No problem. I was making some for myself anyway. It was no effort to make extra.”
Maybe not, but she was still touched that he’d thought of her.
They ate in a companionable silence. Piper purposefully hunched forward, using the shelf of her now much larger breasts to hang the t-shirt over the swell of her belly. How must she look to him—this barrel of her body with her stick thin arms and legs? She’d always been slender, and now she barely recognized herself. Not that she minded. She’d sacrifice her figure for her child.
She’d sacrifice her life, if she had to.
Piper finished eating and got to her feet, picking up her empty plate as she stood.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Helping to clean up.”
He took the plate from her.
“It’s fine.” She tried to snatch the plate back, but failed. “I’ve got it. Honestly, it’s the least I can do.”
He shot her a stern glare. “Piper, yesterday I found you barely conscious in the forest. I know as shifters, we heal fast, but still you need to rest.”
She shook her head. “No. I appreciate everything you’ve done for me, but I can't afford to rest any longer. I need to keep moving.”
His brow pulled down. “You got someplace to be?”
She glanced away, unable to meet his steely gaze. “Not exactly,” she admitted.
“Then sit the hell down and let me do the dishes.”
Meekly, she dropped back into the seat.
Carter had his broad back to her as he spoke. “So, you gonna tell me who the hell you’re running from?”
His words were like an electric shock to her system. “What?”
“You heard me. The only reason you’d have for wanting to get out of here so quick is because you’re trying to run from someone. You wanna tell me who that someone is? I'm gonna guess an old boyfriend.”
He was close to the mark, and her face rushed with heat. She stared down at her fingers threaded together on the table. “It’s nothing like that,” she muttered.
“No?” he said, glancing over his shoulder at her. “Then you gonna tell me what it's like?”
How could she tell him the truth?
He must have interpreted her silence for exactly what it was—her reluctance to tell him what was going on.
“Fine,” he relented. “I was just hoping I could help.”
“Why?” she snapped. “Why do you even want to help me? You don’t know me at all, and yet here you are, bringing me into your home, feeding me, giving me a bed to sleep in. I don’t get it.”
He shrugged. “Maybe I just felt like you needed help and I should be the one to help you.”
He was right; she did. But he had no idea what he was getting himself into.
“You don’t want to get dragged into my mess,” she said, shaking her head. “Trust me on that.”
He turned to face her fully, a fresh light in his eyes. “So you admit you are in trouble?” Did he like that idea? Did the thought of trouble excite him? Perhaps he was that kind of guy—one of those who always went looking for it.
“Carter, please ...” She glanced away again.
He lifted his hand in surrender. “Okay, okay. I get it. It's none of my damn business, and if you don’t want to tell me right now, that’s fine, too. But you don’t need to go running off anywhere. I can’t help feeling you’re not safe out there. In fact, from the state you were in yesterday when I found you, I know you’re not safe, but you are in here. So just stay. I’m not offering forever, but one more night isn’t gonna hurt. Get your strength back up, rest, and then you can do whatever the hell you want.”
She had to admit the thought of spending another night curled up in that big soft bed, knowing there was no one around who was going to hurt her, made her want to weep with relief. Could she do it? Spend one more night here? Yes, it would increase the chance of him catching up with her, but it would also mean she could rest like Carter suggested, build the strength to be able to go farther and faster when she did get back on the move. The offer was incredibly tempting.
“Okay,” she finally relented. “Thank you, Carter. I don’t understand why you’re being so kind to me, but I’d be stupid to turn down your offer of help.”
A wide smile broke out across his face. “Good,” he said with a nod. “Now, is there anything else you need?”
She almost sat back and put her hands on her belly, but caught herself moments before she did, realizing it would completely give her secret away. “No,” she said, “you’ve already done too much, thank you.
“Okay, well, I need to get some work done, so make yourself at home.”
Chapter Seven
CARTER LEFT HIS KITCHEN and immediately placed both hands over his face, tilting his head back. What the fuck had come over him? When she’d mentioned leaving, he’d been filled with panic at the idea of her walking out of his home and never seeing her again.
Everything about Piper fascinated him, yet he knew nothing about her. He didn’t even know her surname. He’d had to leave her in the kitchen because he didn’t trust what would come out of his mouth next. When she’d talked about leaving, it was all he could do to stop himself asking her to move in. This was insane. He’d lost his goddamned mind. What kind of person found a girl in the woods and practically moved her in with him?
Who was the person she was running from? Anger rose inside him at seeing the fear in her eyes. If anyone tried to hurt her while he was around, he’d crush them into a pulpy mush. How could anyone hurt someone so beautiful? She looked fragile, but he sensed a strength in her, a determination. He watched the war on her face as he’d offered her the comfort of a warm bed. She’d battled with herself, knowing she should go, while wanting to take that comfort.
He hoped he hadn’t put her in danger by persuading her to stay.
His office was his place of respite in this house. Most would choose their bedroom, but for Carter it was sitting in his big, leather chair, in front of his even larger desk. He fired up his computer and checked his funds for the day. He spent the next few hours moving stocks and shares around, investing in companies that looked promising and pulling out of those that were falling. Though he worked hard, he couldn’t stop his thoughts going to what Piper might be doing. Was she back in the bedroom? His ears strained, trying to pick up on any sign of her, but she was quiet, like a ghost in his home.
Once he’d finished his own work, he needed to turn his attention to pack issues. As alpha, if there were any disputes within the pack, those issues were first brought to James, and if he wasn’t able to sort them out, or if they were something of importance, such as something that threatened the security of the pack, it would come directly to him. Luckily, today it seemed there wasn’t anything too serious—a dispute about money owed from one family to another, and a mating between two of the pack members.
He realized he hadn’t thought about his own issues since finding Piper. Was that why he was so drawn to her? Was it because she distracted him, or was it because of something biological? No, he didn’t want to put his hopes on that. He’d tried before, numerous times, and he was sure there was something wrong with him. He was too proud to go down the medical route, knowing it would make him a laughingstock of the pack if others found out.
A knock came at his door, and it cracked open, Piper’s face peeping around the edge. “Hey, I brought you coffee.”
The smile that had been so quick to reach his lips since he’d found her leaped to his face. “You didn’t need to do that.”
“No problem.”
“Did you make one for yourself?”
She wrinkled her nose. “I’m not drinking coffee right now.”
He raised his eyebrows. “No? How come?”
“Oh, just the caffeine doesn’t agree with me.” Color had tinged her pale cheeks. He took the moment to study her more closely. The clothes he’d found
for her hung off her frame, and she had a strange way of hunching forward. He wondered if she had an injury of some kind. Had the person she was running from—her ex, he’d assumed—hurt her so badly?
She started to back out of the room. “I’ll leave you in peace.”
“No, you’re fine. Stay. Please.”
He didn’t understand why he wanted her in his presence, but having her around calmed his soul.
“You’re busy.”
“No, I’m done. Stay, talk to me.”
She gave a small laugh. “About what?”
“You. Where you’ve come from.”
Her lips tightened. “A long way from here.”
“Another shifter pack?”
She nodded. “Yeah, but one that’s a little more old fashioned than this one.”
“Old fashioned?” he prompted.
“Carter ...” She gave him a pleading look, and he could tell she didn’t want to talk about it. Curiosity burned inside him. He desperately wanted to know where this beautiful woman had come from. Did she have family? How far had she traveled? What did she look like in wolf form? He ached to know every single thing about her, and yet she was a closed book. Yes, he’d found her and helped her, but that didn’t give him automatic access to her life. He was genuinely interested in this woman, not only in her body, which, because of how she was dressed, he’d barely caught a glimpse of. Her exquisite face was enough for him for the moment, how her dark blue eyes were filled with sadness and pain. He wanted to know what was behind those eyes. What in her story had made her look such a way?
While he’d been lost in thought, she’d been looking around the walls of his office. She pointed toward the framed photographs on the walls, the portraits of his grandfather and grandmother, of his father and mother, and aunts and uncles. She turned a circle, following the numerous faces immortalized in the photographs.
“Are these all your family?” she asked.
He nodded. “They were, yes.”
“Were? So none of them are alive?”
“No. I’m the last remaining Reed. When I die, the family name will die with me.”
“Not necessarily. You might have a family of your own one day. You’re only, what, thirty, at the most.”
He laughed. “Twenty-eight, but I won’t make you feel bad for thinking I was older.”
“Sorry. But you still have plenty of time to have a family.”
“I think if it was going to happen, it would have happened by now.” The old darkness at his center rose like a cobra and lashed its tail. He pushed it down again, not wanting to give it any more thought.
She gave a small smile, awkward, as though she’d sensed his discomfort. “So Carter is your first name, not your last?”
He was relieved that she’d steered the subject away from having a family. “That’s right. Carter Anthony Philip Reed. My parents obviously didn’t think it was important to have a name that would roll off the tongue.”
Her smile widened, lighting up her face. “I think it’s a good name. Strong.”
“Thanks. I don’t even know your last name.”
She hesitated, and something he couldn’t quite read passed across her features. “Can we just leave it as Piper for the moment?”
“Really? So you know my entire, pretentious name, and I don’t even get to know your surname. Doesn’t seem fair to me.” He was only half teasing.
She glanced away, her face pinking up. “Sorry.”
“Hey, it’s fine.” He was suddenly panicked she’d use his prying as an excuse to leave. He needed to distract her. He glanced around the room to spot his chess set, the board folded into the box containing the pieces. He nodded over to it. “You ever play?”
She glanced over at the box. “Chess?”
“Yes, chess.”
“No. No one ever taught me.”
He got to his feet and crossed the room to the round table where the set was. He gestured to her to take the seat opposite from his, which she did, and then began setting out the pieces. As he placed each one on the board, he talked her through which each piece represented and what they were able to do.
“This is the king. He’s the one you must protect at all costs. This is your queen, and she’s the most powerful player on the board.”
Piper caught on quickly. He helped her at first, pointing out different moves she could make, which at first made him feel as though he was playing against himself. But then she started to make moves of her own, and before long, she proved herself to be a worthy opponent.
The hours whiled away. They finished one game and started another, bringing in snacks from the kitchen to eat while they played. Piper was good company, quietly reserved, knowing her mind while not throwing any dramatics when things didn’t go her way.
She hid a yawn behind her hand, but he spotted it.
“Sorry. You should be resting, and we’ve been playing for hours.”
“I’ve enjoyed myself. It’s been nice not to be lost in my own thoughts for a change. Focusing on something other than my own problems.”
He understood exactly how that felt. “You can always tell me about them,” he prompted.
She smiled. “Nice try.”
“Okay, but I’m here if you ever decide you want a sympathetic ear.”
To his surprise, she leaned across the table and placed a soft kiss to his cheek. The scent of her washed over him, and it was all he could do to stop himself from grabbing her by the arm and yanking her into his lap.
“Thank you, Carter. I don’t know what I did to deserve having you find me yesterday, but I’m happy you did.”
He turned and watched her go, both his heart and his cock aching. He didn’t know either, but in a small amount of time, Piper had definitely made a big impression.
Chapter Eight
SHE WOKE THE FOLLOWING morning with her emotions torn. She should leave today. Today would be her third day in the same place, and every moment that passed made it easier for him to find her.
But the thought of leaving this beautiful house, with this gorgeous, caring, attentive man made her want to weep. She didn’t know if Carter was like this with everyone, or if it was just her, but it didn’t even matter. In a matter of days, she’d gone from being terrified and alone, to feeling safe and cherished, and he was the one who’d done that for her. She didn’t want to go on the run again, knowing her baby was growing bigger inside her every day, that every day brought her a day closer to when she’d give birth.
Wouldn’t it be the safer thing to stay here?
The temptation lured her in, but it wasn’t possible. Her belly was growing bigger, and it would be impossible to keep her pregnancy a secret for much longer. Carter was sure to notice. Besides, he’d definitely notice when she went into labor and a baby suddenly appeared. She couldn’t put that on him. What the hell would a hot, twenty-eight year old, motorcycle riding alpha want with a mother and a newborn baby? The moment he found out she was pregnant, he would run a mile. Or else he wouldn’t, and would let her stay on, but only because he felt pity for her. She didn’t want that either.
No, she needed to keep moving. Maybe Carter would lend her some money, so she could at least find a motel room when the time came. She’d make sure she paid him back every cent, though at the moment she had no idea where she’d get any money. She’d make it work, though. She had to.
Piper hauled her expanding bulk out of the bed, sad to leave it behind. She wanted to take a hot shower—she didn’t know when she’d get another one. She locked the bathroom door. She didn’t think there was much chance Carter would walk in on her, but she didn’t want to risk it. Peeling off her clothes, she stood naked in front of the mirror. The bump of her belly was unmistakable now.
She missed shifting into her wolf form, but she couldn’t risk being seen. Her swollen stomach would be obvious without any clothing to hide it, and what if something happened and she was forced to shift back to human without any of her clothes nearb
y? People would ask questions of a pregnant wolf shifter without a pack, and word would soon spread. She couldn’t have the news getting back to him.
Piper took her shower, taking time to enjoy the fragrant soaps, washing her blonde hair, and finger combing the knots from the long strands. Her thoughts went to Carter as she showered, thinking of the wall of photographs in his office, all those family members now gone. Just like her, he was all alone, yet when she’d mentioned him having his own family one day, he’d shut her down. Perhaps he was one of those guys who saw themselves as a permanent bachelor. Hell, maybe he hated kids.
Once she was out, dried, and dressed, she stuffed the couple of changes of clothing Carter had found her into a bag she’d located in the closet. She hoped he wouldn’t mind her taking it, though she felt bad even about that.
Stupidly, nerves fluttered around her stomach. Could she just creep out? Would Carter fight her about leaving again, or had she already outstayed her welcome? He might even be pleased to see her go and have his house to himself again. But no, she couldn’t sneak out. He’d been kind to her, and she owed him the respect of saying thank you and telling him she was leaving.
Piper took a deep breath and headed to the bedroom door. As soon as she opened it, the heady scent of bacon frying and fresh coffee brewing reached her nostrils. Damn. That man was making her want to stay by his cooking alone, and he sure seemed to like his bacon. She’d lost her taste for coffee since becoming pregnant, though for some reason she still enjoyed the smell. A part of her couldn’t wait to have the baby so her body felt like her own again, but every time she thought such a thing, guilt swamped over her. For the moment, the baby was safe inside her. Once he or she was born, they’d be exposed to the dangers of the outside world, and Piper was terrified she wasn’t strong enough to protect them.
She headed downstairs, the bag clutched at her side. Carter was in exactly the same position as he’d been yesterday, cooking at the stove. She stood for a moment, appreciating the sight of his broad shoulders in his t-shirt, and the way his jeans molded perfectly to his ass. Her stomach flipped, and a surge of adrenaline pulsed through her. She’d never been attracted to a man in such a way before. The relationship she’d been in had nothing to do with attraction, and he’d made sure to keep her away from anyone who might catch her eye. She was young, and a sudden sadness filled her that she’d never gotten to experience this, and perhaps she never really would. Her best years would be behind her, and soon she’d have a baby to think about, and she knew she’d always put her child before any man.
A Baby for the Alpha Page 4