Readers love
Secret Chemistry
by CHRIS T. KAT
“I really enjoyed this story and was pleased with how quickly it moved along. I will recommend this to those who love shifters, tension, conflict, attraction, pining, danger, escapes, really hot sex and a happy ending.”
—MM Good Book Reviews
“I finished the book feeling happy and satisfied and looking forward to how things continue as the series progresses.”
—Joyfully Jay
“The author drew on my interests, kept me entertained and before I knew it I was enjoying the meat of the story.”
—Top 2 Bottom Reviews
“This is a heartfelt and fast-paced story with a wonderful paranormal flair… I will be waiting to see what happens next.”
—Fallen Angels
By CHRIS T. KAT
Animal Magnetism (Dreamspinner Anthology)
The Caveman and the Devil
A Purrfect Match
Seizing It • Too Good to Be True?
Silver Lining
The Wolf and His Diva
SHIFTERS
Secret Chemistry
Secret Energy
JEFF WOODS MYSTERIES
Attachment Strings
Sacrifices
Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com
Copyright
Published by
DREAMSPINNER PRESS
5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA
http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of author imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Secret Energy
© 2014 Chris T. Kat.
Cover Art
© 2014 Anne Cain.
[email protected]
Cover content is for illustrative purposes only and any person depicted on the cover is a model.
All rights reserved. This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of international copyright law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines, and/or imprisonment. Any eBook format cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA, or http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/.
ISBN: 978-1-62798-885-8
Digital ISBN: 978-1-62798-886-5
Library of Congress Control Number: 2014943212
First Edition August 2014
Printed in the United States of America
This paper meets the requirements of
ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992 (Permanence of Paper).
Rosie: Thank you for being my friend and making me laugh.
Cate Ashwood: Thank you for your help and encouragement.
One
ROBIN WAS tapping his left foot against the sofa’s armrest while he listened to his father, Ralf Evans, on the phone. As much as he loved—and missed—his father, even though they had been apart for only about two weeks, Ralf’s ever-expanding list of don’ts were grating on his nerves. He could just imagine his father standing in the kitchen, body held rigid, while his gray eyes pierced whoever dared to cross his path.
“Robin!”
Robin jumped, startled at Ralf’s booming voice. “Yes?”
“Did you listen to me at all?”
“Sure,” Robin replied. He ticked every item off on one hand as he rattled back the information. “I’m supposed to stay with Tim, I’m not supposed to drive him crazy, I’m not supposed to go anywhere alone—especially not in the forest—and I’m not supposed to shift without letting someone know about it.”
“I really thought you were daydreaming instead of listening,” Ralf said, then chuckled. “Sorry for doubting you.”
“Is Mom there too?”
“She’s right behind me. When you’re done talking with your mother, I want to talk to Tim, understood?”
Robin expelled a long breath before he asked, “Why?”
“Robin, I swear we’re not trying to make this difficult for you, but he is your older brother, and I want him to look after you.”
“But, Dad. That’s all he’s doing. It’s annoying!” Robin whined.
“You’ll survive. Here’s Mom.”
Robin listened to the rustling in the background before his mother’s voice floated through the phone.
“Hey, baby,” she said softly.
Robin mustered up all his strength to avoid bursting into tears. At the age of nineteen, he shouldn’t be so devastated at not seeing his mother regularly, but still, there he was, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand. Sitting down on the sofa, he tucked his knees up to his chest and curled one arm around them.
“I miss you, Mom.”
“I miss you too. Very much, actually.” Paula, Robin’s mother, audibly gulped in air before she regained her composure. He could hear the smile in her next words. “There’s no one wrecking my kitchen or whirling through the house calling my name. It’s really… silent around here without you.”
Robin closed his eyes to conjure up an image of Paula, sitting in her wheelchair and smiling her dimpled smile, her long blonde hair bound into a braid and draped over her left shoulder. Somehow that image lessened the absolute homesickness and allowed him to breathe more freely.
“You have three grandchildren to keep you on your feet,” Robin said. A moment later he added, “Metaphorically speaking, of course.”
“Oh, it’s not metaphorical anymore. My legs are still weak from years of not using them, but I can walk a few steps with my crutches. Soon I’ll be able to chase after them, and you, when you come back.” Paula laughed, the joy and pride clear in her voice.
Robin wished he could be there with her. He wanted to help her as she took her first steps after the eighteen years she’d been bound to the wheelchair because of the damage Richard Thompson, Ralf’s former beta, had caused her spine during a fight.
Jay, Tim’s mate, and Robin himself had combined their healing powers two weeks earlier and repaired as much of the damage as they could. The result was that Paula now could move her legs again, although she probably would never be able to walk without aid. Still, he was happy for her.
Paula filled him in on what was happening at their stable and with his other siblings. Half an hour later, Robin’s father cleared his throat in the background and asked for the phone. Robin quickly said his good-bye to Paula.
“Robin, please go and get Tim,” Ralf said after he’d taken over the phone.
“Do you really need to rile him up even more, Dad?” Robin asked as he got up from the sofa to search for Tim.
“I’m not riling him up, Robin. I’m making sure he protects you, Jay, and Walter,” Ralf replied. His voice had developed that certain edge Robin knew so well. Ralf would not be arguing with him, period.
“All right,” Robin said as he slipped into his riding boots, which were neatly lined up next to the door leading out to the porch.
He walked out into the fresh air, inhaling and enjoying it. Walter Cox, Jay’s father, sat in his favorite chair in the corner of the porch, nursing a mug of coffee.
Robin sent him a quick
smile and mouthed, “Where’s Tim?”
Walter lifted his uninjured arm to point at the pasture behind the stable. On impulse, Robin went over to Walter and gave him a one-armed hug. In the past two weeks, he’d become fond of Walter, who radiated an aura of grandfatherly calmness, which was emphasized by his sparse white hair and a white beard that was interspersed with gray streaks.
Robin let go of him and hurried over to the stable, the gravel crunching underneath his riding boots.
“Where is he?” Ralf asked.
“Behind the stable, probably grooming a horse,” Robin replied.
He rounded the back side of the stable and skidded to a halt. He swallowed the laugh that threatened to burst free from his throat at the sight in front of him. Tim had Jay pressed against the stable wall, both hands underneath Jay’s ass to steady him while Jay had wrapped his legs around Tim’s waist and his arms around Tim’s neck. Neither of them had heard Robin approaching.
Robin coughed, causing Tim and Jay to startle violently. Jay’s blue eyes were dilated and unfocused as he searched for the source of their interruption. When Tim turned his head toward Robin, Tim’s canines had dropped. At the same time, he issued a low, threatening rumble.
“Oh, Dad, I think Tim’s rather incapacitated at the moment,” Robin singsonged.
“Why’s that?”
“He—” Robin broke off when Jay slapped Tim’s shoulder none too gently. Tim blinked owlishly at Jay, who was struggling to get onto his feet, his long chestnut brown hair fanning around his face, hiding it.
Tim groaned before he released Jay’s legs, then rubbed both hands over his face. He straightened up, ran his fingers through his short blond hair, and held out his hand to Robin.
“Gimme,” he said in a hoarse voice.
Robin pushed the phone into Tim’s outstretched hand, pitying Tim—at least a bit. He looked over to Jay, who stared at Tim with such open hunger on his face it almost hurt to watch him.
Not wanting to startle him again, Robin called out, “Jay, need me to bring you a long coat or an icepack?”
Jay’s head swiveled around. A moment later he laughed. “Both!”
Grinning, Robin waited for Jay to walk toward him. He slung an arm around Jay’s shoulder, squeezed it, and said, “Sorry for disturbing you two. Why can’t you take this to your room?”
“We’re not doing it deliberately. It’s mating stuff, I guess. It feels as if my brain short-circuits every time Tim touches me.”
“Okay, too much information.”
“Already?” Jay grinned at him. “I suppose that’s your father on the phone?”
“Yeah.”
“What does he want today?” Jay asked with the slightest hint of exasperation in his voice.
“He keeps on about the same stuff,” Robin replied as they walked together to the house where Walter was still sitting on the porch, reading the newspaper.
“Is it seriously possible for you to lose yourself to your wolf if you don’t shift back in time? Or when no one is around to keep you company?”
Robin shrugged, uncomfortable with this train of thought. “I’ve had trouble a couple of times because I didn’t want to shift back. Once they even had to call Raven, the old senser of our pack, to convince me to shift back. So, yeah, I guess it’s possible.”
“I’m sorry,” Jay said. He gave Robin’s cheek a quick brush with his thumb before he ducked out from under Robin’s arm and took a seat on the porch.
“Busy?” Walter asked without looking up from his newspaper.
Jay groaned and put his head on the small table. Robin settled on the armrest of Jay’s chair, laughing and patting Jay’s back in a vain attempt to comfort his friend.
“You’re all evil,” Jay whined.
“Why? We’re just stating the obvious,” Robin stated.
“Don’t, okay?”
“But where’s the fun in that?” Robin asked. He was about to say more when Tim strode toward them with a shuttered expression. “Uh-oh. Someone’s pissed off.”
Jay lifted his head at the same time Walter put his newspaper down. They all looked expectantly at Tim.
“I hate this,” Tim growled. He walked onto the porch, simply pulled Jay out of his chair, slumped onto the free seat, and then placed Jay on his lap.
“Yeah, you really hate having your mate sitting on your lap. We can tell,” Robin drawled.
Tim frowned at him while Jay and Walter chuckled. Robin settled on the armrest of Tim’s chair and Tim looped an arm around his waist. Tim said, “Okay, I get it. I’m being annoying.”
“Why, I would never phrase it like that,” Robin exclaimed, widening his eyes in a mock-shocked expression.
Robin twisted around so he could press a quick kiss on Tim’s stubbled cheek, enjoying the fact that he’d brought a smile to Tim’s face. “Stop worrying so much, okay? It makes you grouchy, and I don’t like you grouchy.”
“No one likes him if he’s in his testy mood, believe me,” Jay added.
“Hey, no ganging up on me.”
“We would never do that, right?” Robin asked.
“Never,” Jay deadpanned.
“Walter, help me!”
Walter smiled at them, his hazel eyes lighting up with obvious joy at their banter. “Ah, I think this is my cue to have a nice nap.”
He got up and ventured inside, cradling his injured arm to his chest. Tim’s expression became haunted because he had been the one to hurt Walter.
To distract Tim from going on a guilt trip, Robin asked, “What did Dad say?”
“To be careful. They got word that Thompson has been seen sporadically in this area,” Tim answered.
“What?”
“Didn’t they ever prosecute him for what he did?” Jay asked.
“They could never prove that he killed anyone. Our father banned him from our pack, but that was all he could do,” Tim said.
Jay seemed to want to say more, but instead he snuggled up to Tim’s chest and closed his eyes. The trust Jay had in Tim was at times disconcerting.
In a surly tone, Robin asked, “Does that mean you’ll never let me run on my own?”
“Probably,” Tim replied.
Two
Two days later
THE DAY had started well enough with the usual stable chores, and then Robin had played with the two foals while their mothers watched them. Robin’s positive mood dwindled during lunch when Tim denied his request to run. They had cleared the table, done the dishes, and were now standing on the porch facing each other.
Robin couldn’t keep his anger bottled up any longer and shouted, “Shut the fuck up and leave me alone!”
Tim tightened his grip on Robin’s shoulders and seemed to struggle to control his temper before he snarled, “You are not going anywhere without me.”
Robin tried to shrug off Tim’s hands, and his frustration kicked up a notch when he couldn’t free himself. Panting, he shot back, “I didn’t come with you two lovesick puppies to be kept as a prisoner. I came with you to help you. Now let me do my own thing.”
“You are not going anywhere without me,” Tim repeated. “Robin, we talked this through. Dad told you repeatedly why he doesn’t want you to stroll around alone. I’m not preventing you from running on your own because I think it’s so goddamn funny. Let me go with you, please.”
Tears welled up in Robin’s eyes, and the urge to stomp his feet like a petulant toddler became almost unbearable. Instead of giving in to that less than mature action, he shoved against Tim’s chest, satisfied that he at least managed to throw him off balance.
“That’ll mean Jay will be with us too, which will inevitably lead to the two of you sucking faces. No, thank you.”
Robin swallowed hard. When had he turned so bitter? But now it was too late to take the words back. Tim was right, of course, which only fueled his anger. He just wanted to run, push his nose through leaves scattered on the ground, and follow a trail—alone.
“R
obin, it is too dangerous for you to stroll around on your own,” Tim repeated.
“What the hell could happen to me? I’m a werewolf, for Christ’s sake!”
“So?”
“So what? I can defend myself if a bad man is out to get me.”
“Thompson might be out there, and besides, you can’t even shake me off.”
For a moment Robin was engulfed in a tidal wave of fury, and a red veil clouded his gaze. Why did everyone believe he needed to be protected? He was so sick and tired of that attitude. Just because he couldn’t get Tim to let go of him didn’t mean he couldn’t fight off another wolf. Allowing the rage to surge through him, he gave his wolf permission to surface.
Robin’s canines elongated, and his face shifted partially. Tim lifted his hands from Robin’s shoulders, clearly startled by Robin’s changed appearance. A threatening growl rumbled in Robin’s chest.
“Okay. Okay. I understand you’re suffering. I’m not busy at the moment, so how about we take a run together? I’ll just get Jay and—”
“No!” Robin yelled. “I do not want your company. Is that clear enough? Or do you need me to write it down for you?”
Hurt flashed over Tim’s face, but Robin stomped down hard on his immediate guilt. As much as he loved to be around people, he also needed time to do as he pleased with only himself for company. Sure, he understood Tim’s reasons, especially given Tim’s history and the fact that Ralf had ordered him to look after Robin, Jay, and Walter but still…. He wanted to run so badly!
“Crystal clear. You’re still not allowed to go anywhere alone.”
Jay came up behind Tim, wrapped his arms around Tim’s waist, and pressed his forehead against Tim’s back. Immediately, Tim’s facial expression changed from irritated to content. Robin rolled his eyes and barely suppressed the urge to make a rude gagging gesture. Those two were lovesick, absolutely and annoyingly lovesick. Normally he’d make fun of it, tease them, but today he was so off-kilter, it was all he could do not to sneer at their affectionate behavior.
Secret Energy (Shifters Book 2) Page 1