Red closed her eyes and tried to calm her racing mind. Morning would come early and she wanted to be ready when Ace arrived. With a groan, she realized she’d have to get up earlier than usual and reset her alarm clock. She sighed and tried to remember the feel of Ace’s body against hers, his warmth seeping into her. She buried her face in her arm and inhaled his scent. It made her feel content, which scared her a little. Was she already coming to depend on him? After just one night? If she was hooked on him already, what would happen a year from now? Would he be like a drug to her?
Her musings would have to wait until daybreak. Until then, she would pretend she was lying in Ace’s embrace and try to get some sleep.
Chapter Five
Ace picked Red up the next morning at seven, giving them an hour before she had to report to work. He hadn’t gotten much sleep the night before, his thoughts consumed with his mate. She’d been so sweet lying beneath him. He’d gone easy on her, not wanting to frighten her. Not only was she inexperienced but, with her past, he’d worried that introducing her to BDSM would be too much for her to handle. He fully intended to work his way up to it though.
Red yawned and he couldn’t help but smile. She was so cute in the morning, her eyes heavy with fatigue. He didn’t feel one bit of remorse for her tiredness. If anything, he felt pride in wearing her out so well last night. Being a werewolf, he could stay awake for days at a time if need be, so he was wide awake, even without the jolt of caffeine. Not that he didn’t appreciate a good cup of coffee in the morning.
“Is your latte good?” he asked as she sipped at the pumpkin-flavored brew.
She nodded. “Thank you for bringing me here. I don’t get to stop in very often.”
Were things so dire for her that she couldn’t afford a four-dollar latte at least once or twice a week? It made him realize just how much he took for granted. He’d been born into wealth, and while it came with great responsibility, he realized that perhaps he was a little spoiled. No one had ever told him ‘no’ and he doubted they ever would. Well, perhaps Red would.
“Maybe we can make it a date every morning,” he suggested, looking for more ways to spend time with her.
“Maybe.” She smiled as she brought her cup to her lips.
“Did you sleep well?”
She shrugged a shoulder. “My thoughts were racing. Took me a few hours to calm my mind enough to fall asleep. I was tired, but my brain kept flitting from one thing to another.”
“Does that happen often?”
“Nearly every night. It’s even worse during the day. I have a hard time focusing on something for more than a few minutes. At work, I have to force myself to finish a task no matter how long it takes. But sometimes, it’s so bad I have to take a break, work on something else, and then go back to the other thing.”
He frowned. “Do you have mood swings, too? I mean, when it isn’t that time of the month?”
“How did you know? I can be happy one minute, take three steps, and then be furious or really sad. Drives me crazy some days. I feel like I’m all over the place.”
“Have you seen a doctor about it?”
Her eyebrows rose. “Should I?”
He wasn’t sure how to put this. Ace had a feeling he knew why she was feeling that way, but he didn’t know how she would take it. He wasn’t a psychiatrist by any means, but he had a pack mate that went through something similar. Of course, being a werewolf, she couldn’t take medication because it wouldn’t work on her. Everyone around her just had to deal with it, and some days, it was really hard not to swat her on the ass and tell her to settle the fuck down.
“I could be wrong,” he said, “but I think you may be bipolar. Destiny, a wolf in my pack, has similar symptoms and that’s what she was diagnosed with a few months ago.”
Red frowned. “I don’t have insurance through work, so I’ll just have to deal with it. Doctors are expensive.”
Ace reached across the table and caressed the back of her hand with his fingers. “You know I’ll take care of you. If you need to see the doctor, I’ll make it happen. Money isn’t a problem.”
“I can’t have you paying my bills, Ace.”
“You’re mine. When are you going to accept that? Stop pushing me away and let me help.”
She chewed on her lower lip. “Do you really think I need to see someone?”
“It might make you feel better. But if you don’t want to go, I won’t make you. It has to be your decision. Can you handle the mood swings and lack of sleep? Or do you want to do something about it?”
“I suppose it wouldn’t hurt to see someone, just to see what they say.”
Ace smiled. “That’s my girl. If you want, I can set up an appointment with Destiny’s doctor. I’m sure he can work you in whenever it’s convenient for you.”
“I’m off work tomorrow and Sunday,” she said.
“I’ll see what I can do. Do you want me to call the library when I have something set up?”
“Or you could just tell me when you pick me up.”
He nodded. “I’ll do that.”
Red finished her latte and pushed the cup away. Ace had finished his coffee a while ago, having drained it nearly in one swallow. He glanced at the clock and realized he had to get her to work within a half hour. He wasn’t ready to let her go just yet though.
“What’s your favorite flower?” he asked, needing to know more about her. He knew the major events in her life, but it was the little things he was missing.
“Spider mums. Why?”
“Just wondered. What about your favorite color?”
“Purple. What’s yours?”
“Hazel.”
She blushed. “Not eye color.”
“Blue.”
“Do you have a favorite animal?”
She seemed to think about it for a moment. “I’ve always wanted a cat for a pet, but I don’t really have the time or the resources to take care of one. If it got sick, I wouldn’t be able to take it to the vet. Not to mention all of those kitten shots.”
“Cat, huh?” He winced. “I’m more of a dog person.”
She laughed softly. “Big surprise there, with you being the big bad wolf and all. So when you’re in wolf form, do you chase cats up trees?”
“No. I do hunt rabbits and deer though.”
She scowled at him. “You hunt Thumper? How could you harm a sweet, innocent bunny?”
His eyebrows rose. “Wolf, remember? It’s on the menu.”
“Well, take it off the menu!”
“For you.”
He looked at the clock again. “I’d better get you to work. I don’t want that crotchety lady you work for coming after me for delaying you.”
Red laughed. “She’s not that bad.”
“If you say so. I still remember her throwing me out of the library when I was in high school.”
“And just what were you doing?”
He grinned. “Making out with Rachel Stephens. Turned out to be a disappointment though.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want to hear about your conquests. I’d rather pretend you were a virgin until last night.”
Ace couldn’t help but laugh. She was too cute. But at the same time, he could understand. He felt the same way about her. Knowing that someone stole her innocence, something that should have been his to claim, infuriated him. Not just because the privilege was taken from him, but because of the pain and horror she’d gone through alone.
“I’m sorry I didn’t approach you sooner,” he said. “I should have told you when you were sixteen that you were mine. I was a coward and you paid the price for it.”
Those long ago feelings of fear, despair, and pain filled her for a moment, then vanished. Hopelessness filled her and tears gathered in her eyes. A tear slipped down her cheek and she brushed it away. She knew it was ridiculous to feel this way, and just as soon as the feelings arrived, they were gone.
“It’s in the past,” she said softly. “Let’s
leave it there.”
“Fair enough.” He rose and held his hand out to her. “Come on. I’ll drop you off and then take care of some pack business.”
Red took his hand and let him help her to her feet. He wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her out of the coffee shop and out onto the sidewalk. Ace had parked just outside the door and he made sure she was settled into the Mustang before he walked around to the driver’s side. The car roared to life as he turned the key in the ignition and then he pulled away from the curb. The library was on the other side of town, but Burlison Heights wasn’t all that big and it would only take him ten minutes to get there. Fifteen if he caught all the lights.
After dropping her off and giving her a good-bye kiss, one that was all too brief in his opinion, he drove to Rook’s house. It was time to check on his prisoners. He’d neglected them long enough. Not that he didn’t trust Rook to handle the matter, but there were some things he just needed to take care of himself. They’d committed a crime against his mate, and justice would be his.
His Beta was sitting on the front steps when he pulled up. Ace smiled at him as he climbed out of the car. Rook had a cup of coffee in his hand, steaming in the crisp morning air.
“Are you coherent enough to talk?” Ace asked. His Beta was not a morning person. He figured it had to do with the fact that Rook’s mother was a wombat shifter. The man definitely had her nocturnal tendencies, even if he did turn into a wolf.
“Yeah. This is my third cup. Been up since five.”
“Why so early?”
“I figured you’d be by. Didn’t see you yesterday and I knew you’d want to check on Tate, Pierce, and Ian. Have you decided what you’re going to do?” Rook asked.
Ace shoved his hands into his pockets. “Ultimately? Brand them and cast them out. Before that, I don’t know.”
“Aside from the honey, they’ve been lashed and I was going to start the slow slicing today. But I’ll keep it to a minimum and keep them alive if you’d prefer.”
“Maybe it’s best if you handle things. I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep myself in check. It would be all too easy to get carried away.”
Rook nodded. “Consider it done. Do you want me to handle the rest as well?”
“It might be best. I need to spend more time with Little Red anyway, focus on her and our relationship. It’s hard to hold back with her, but I know I need to. She isn’t ready for everything I want to give her. I wonder if she ever will be ready.”
“You won’t know if you don’t try. Worst case, she stops you if it gets to be too much for her. I think you should give her a chance to make that decision for herself though. I’ve heard women sometimes seek out BDSM as a way to cope with sexual abuse. It might be a freeing experience for her.”
“Or it could trigger a panic attack.”
Rook shrugged. “Then you deal with it and move on. Part of the ‘getting to know you’ stage is learning what she likes and doesn’t like. There may be things you desire that she just isn’t interested in. But she may surprise you.”
“I suppose.” Ace sighed. “I need to call Dr. Williams and set up an appointment for Red.”
“Is she okay? Is she not taking the whole mate thing well?”
“It’s not that. I think she may be bipolar like Destiny. Not that it matters to me. If she doesn’t want to be treated, I’m okay with that. It would just be nice to know what I’m up against. I don’t want to lose my temper with her when she’s having mood swings, knowing it’s something she really can’t control. It wouldn’t be fair to her.”
Rook smiled. “I never thought I’d see the day.”
“What day?”
“The day you fell in love.”
Ace snorted. “In lust, you mean.”
Rook shook his head. “Nope. That’s love talking. I know you’ve watched her over the years when you thought no one was looking. You might have kept your distance, but your eyes followed her whenever she was nearby. I don’t think anyone noticed but me and maybe Memphis.”
“I can’t be in love with her. It’s too soon. It’s just the mate bond you’re sensing. I want to take care of her because of who she is to me.”
“You keep telling yourself that.”
Ace thought about the way he felt when he was around Red, or even when he was just thinking about her. His pulse didn’t race, but he did tend to smile when he thought about her. Being with her filled him with a warmth he’d never experienced before. He knew he wanted her to be safe and happy. Did all of that add up to love? He couldn’t really say. Maybe Rook was right and maybe he wasn’t. Only time would tell. Ace was sure he’d know if he was in love with his mate.
“What are you going to do the rest of the day?” Rook asked. “Since you won’t be torturing assholes.”
Ace looked at his watch. “Red doesn’t get off work for another seven-and-a-half hours. I have a few surprises in mind for her, but something tells me she will be pissed about one of them.”
Rook’s eyebrows rose. “You planning to move her out of her apartment or something?”
“Have you seen the death trap she drives?”
Rook chuckled. “So you’re going to replace her car with something shiny and new. Yeah, I can see Red getting pissed about you spending that kind of money on her. Maybe you should start small. Buy her a box of chocolate or something.”
“I was going to surprise her with flowers again when I picked her up from work.”
“Why don’t you leave it at that for today? You don’t want to overwhelm her. I’m assuming she’s seen where you live and is probably worried about the difference in her lifestyle and yours. I would imagine she’s wondering how she fits into your life, or if she’ll fit in. Knowing she was your mate, I’ve poked around in her business a few times over the years. She’s had a hard life. It won’t be easy for her to switch gears and suddenly live the life of the rich.”
“So what do you suggest? I want her in my home, Rook. Last night completely blew my mind and it was probably the closest to vanilla sex I’ve had since high school. But everything was new to her, and I know she’s learning to trust me. Maybe she already does, but she has fears to overcome, and I don’t want to push her too far too fast.”
Rook smiled. “Sounds to me like you’ve already figured it out. Just take your time with her. You may want her in your home, but I guarantee she wants to hold onto her own space. It was hard earned and will be hard for her to give up.”
Ace sighed. He felt like he was fighting a losing battle where Red was concerned. One step forward and two steps back. He knew she’d enjoyed last night, had jumped a hurdle and was on her way to healing, but how much time did she need before he claimed her? She wasn’t safe without his mark. Yes, the three ass-hats from the woods were taken care of and would be out of the pack soon, but that didn’t mean she wasn’t vulnerable. If those three were brazen enough to attack her, would someone else also be as bold? He hadn’t heard any rumblings in the pack, but that didn’t mean everyone was content with his chosen mate either. He knew there were a few females who had hoped he would choose them, especially after he began avoiding Red. The whole nasty situation was his fault.
“You’re beating yourself up again, aren’t you?” Rook asked.
“How did you know?”
“The look on your face. You’re thinking if you’d claimed her sooner, things might be different. And you’re right, they probably would be. But unless you’d told her right away, she’d still have been traumatized and have issues to work through.”
“I know. I need to stop playing the ‘what if’ game. I can’t change the past. All I can do is focus on the present and the future. I know Red will be by my side when it’s all said and done. I just want her there sooner than she may be ready for. Does that make me an asshole? That I want to push her into something for which she may not be prepared?”
Rook ran a hand over his chin. “Not an asshole, per se. Just…determined? Focused? Perhaps a little spo
iled and used to getting your way?”
Ace laughed. “Yeah, I guess you have a point there. I’m definitely used to getting my way.”
“What are your plans when you pick her up tonight? Other than taking her flowers?”
“We went to dinner last night, and while I know she needs to eat, I don’t want to do the same thing every day. We saw a movie, too, so that’s out.”
“Well… there’s the high school football game. You know that’s big around here. Or the new bowling alley? Go feed the ducks at the park, mini golf, visit the ice cream parlor, or go ice skating. Hell, Thanksgiving is coming up. You could make a scarecrow together and put it up in your front yard or down by the front gate. I bet she’s never had a massage before.”
Ace’s lips curled up in a smile. “Where the hell did you come up with all of those ideas? What is this, Dating 101?”
Rook shrugged. “You asked.”
“Maybe I’ll take her out for burgers and mini golf tonight. The massage idea is great, but I want to wait until she’s a little more comfortable in the bedroom.”
“Happy I could help.” Rook smiled. “Now, didn’t you say something about calling the doctor?”
“Yeah. Guess I’ll take care of that and plan out the next few days of dates.”
Rook stood and stepped up onto his porch. “Well, if you need me, you know where to find me. Aside from visiting our prisoners, I’ll be around the house all day. There’s a leak in the kitchen sink and the shower in the master bath is stopped up.”
“Probably from all that hair of yours.” Ace smirked.
“Leave the hair alone. It’s here to stay.”
Ace chuckled. “Get to your list of chores. If I need you, I’ll call.”
Ace got back into his car and headed toward his house. On the way, he phoned the doctor’s office and scheduled an appointment for Red for the following morning. He’d pick her up for breakfast and then run her over to the doctor’s office. After that, he wasn’t sure what they would do, but he’d think of something. Maybe he could convince her to take a swim in his indoor pool. It was heated so they could swim year-round.
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