by Ellis Leigh
“So, now you know I’m a bull shifter—”
“Do you have horns?”
He eyed me, that dark gaze going positively wicked. “Yes. Big ones.”
“I want to see them one day.”
“I promise that you will.” He shook his head, his expression quizzical. “What about you—cat shifter. Domestic? Tabby?”
I grinned and sat back. “Siamese, to be exact.”
“I’ve heard they’re quite talkative.”
“I have my moments, but I’m quieter than most. My mother lives up to that assumption, though. She can talk your ear off with the right conversation.”
“What would the right conversation be?”
I took a deep breath, fighting to keep my hands from shaking. This was normal, right? Chatting about our pasts as newly fated mates was normal…safe. I hoped.
“Local legends.”
He cocked his head, looking inquisitive. “LaPorte… That has to be the Lonely Hearts Murders, right?”
My stomach twisted, the room growing almost unbearably hot. It took me a few more seconds than I would have liked, but I found the strength to whisper, “Yes.”
Mateo grunted, his eyes locked on me. I didn’t know if he saw something that told him this wasn’t the path to stick to or if he simply made a turn in the conversation, but whatever the catalyst, he wrenched topics back to Kinship Cove events. I listened as he chatted away, answering questions when asked, but otherwise almost completely distracted by memories from Indiana. I couldn’t even finish my lunch, my thoughts were so bad.
Thankfully, Mateo either didn’t notice or ignored my rudeness. We finished eating—him paying for the meal even after I argued I could pay for my own—then he rose and offered me his hand.
“I assume you need to return to the library.”
I nodded, shaky but refocusing. Fighting to ignore the old stuff that tended to shut me down. “Yes, actually. I still have a few hours to work.”
“May I walk you there?”
I placed my hand in his, looking up into his deep, dark eyes and smiling. “I would really like that.”
Mateo escorted me outside, both of us saying goodbye to the older lady who ran the establishment and who told us to come back for their meatloaf special. Once on the sidewalk, he placed my hand in the crook of his arm, once again making sure to walk on the street side of the sidewalk. Such a gentleman.
The fresh air did me good, blowing off the stink of the depths my mind had tried to drag me down to. I wasn’t in LaPorte anymore—I was in Kinship Cove, home of shifters of all sorts. None of whom I was related to. A safe place for me.
And I had my new mate beside me.
“I like this,” I said, letting myself drift a little closer to him. “Walking with you.”
“I’m glad.”
“I feel safe with you.”
“I’m even more glad. You should feel safe with me—I would never let anything happen to you.”
That promise did a lot to reassure me. Of course, he could always change his mind once he learned my truth. Once he found out all my secrets. But for the moment, he seemed to genuinely care for me even though we’d just met. So far, I’d have said the mating was going swimmingly.
Of course, that was until we actually reached the library and I realized I had to let go of him. I might have sighed my displeasure at the thought. I definitely pouted.
“Well…this is me.”
Mateo grunted, seemingly as upset as I was. “May I see you again?”
My answer exploded out of me, bright and vibrant and with no hesitation. “Yes.”
“When?”
“Tonight?”
“Yes. I like that. What time should I pick you up?”
I bit my lip, knowing I should direct him to my cottage but unhappy at the thought of even one extra minute keeping us apart. “I get off work at five.”
“I can be here at five to walk you home or right to a restaurant. Whatever you like.”
I took a deep breath, psyching myself up to be far more outgoing than usual. Once I felt brave enough, I rose onto the balls of my feet and dropped a soft little kiss on his cheek. “You are the sweetest man.”
Mateo snuck an arm around my waist, pulling me up and into him. Tugging me close. His lips were a whisper away from mine, his breath warm on my face as he murmured, “May I kiss you, sweet Arabella?”
My whispered “Yes” was all it took for him to plant a kiss on me that had my toes curling and the blackness behind my eyes exploding into lights and colors again. The man kissed like a beast—strong and demanding—but also not overly aggressive. I had a feeling kissing him when we were alone would have me melting on the spot, and I was definitely looking forward to that.
For the moment, I had to be happy with a quick, deep kiss and feeling the rumble of his growl reverberating through my body from his.
He took a deep breath when we broke apart, still holding me close as he whispered, “I’ll see you at five.”
“Right here,” I replied, hating the thought of letting go of him. Wanting to feel his arms around me every moment of every day. I had never in my life felt so safe. So protected.
But I actually did have to work, so I pulled out of his hold, staring up at him.
He gave me a soft smile. “I promise, I will be right here when you’re done with work.”
I nodded, slowly turning and heading for the stairs. I stopped when I reached the top one, meeting his eyes for one last time. “Don’t be late.”
“Never.”
I had a feeling he truly meant that.
3
Mateo
I’d never been so happy and yet so filled with rage in my entire life. Happy because I’d finally—finally—met my mate. Living alone for so long had left me feeling as if the fates had skipped me over, but no. They’d been waiting to drop the most beautiful, sweet, amazing Siamese cat shifter in my lap. Arabella could stop the world with a smile, and she was to be mine. There were not enough words to proclaim my joy.
But the rage…that came right along with the mating. Mostly because I was a fucking idiot.
I jumped into my car once I knew Arabella had made it safely inside the library and pulled out my phone. I needed to score a reservation at the nicest spot in town, which, from my research, seemed to be the restaurant at the hotel right on the water. Not the place I was staying but I’d looked up every detail about this town before I’d arrived, and that search had shown me picturesque views and food that looked pretty enough to smell through a monitor. Seemed like a solid choice.
Once I secured a reservation for Arabella and me to have an intimate meal together, I took a deep breath. Stared at my phone for a solid two minutes. Then I pressed and scrolled until I reached the contact I really didn’t want to speak to. My client.
The phone rang and rang, finally clicking over to voice mail. I ended the call, not wanting to leave this in a message. I might have been able to pull off an actual conversation, but not a message. I had no way to judge the old biddy’s reaction to what I was saying. Instead, I again tapped on the screen and pulled up my email. Sending a written missive was in no way my preferred method of communication, but it would have to do.
“Don’t be an idiot,” I said to myself, and then I started to type.
* * *
I’ve chased your information across the United States but had no success in locating your target. Unfortunately, something personal has come up for me, and I can no longer continue this investigation. I will be refunding your deposit as this failure to continue is entirely my fault. Thank you for your business.
* * *
“Yeah, that’s solid. Not suspicious at all.” I sighed and sat back, sending the email and hoping the client would accept my resignation without a fuss. I had a wickedly rough feeling in my gut, though. One that told me my hopes would not come true.
I had known when that creepy old shifter woman had hired me that I should have turned her down, but
I’d been stubborn and had thought the job would be easy. Arabella had just made sure that wasn’t the case, though.
Thinking of my mate reminded me that I had a lot to do to prepare for our date. First up, flowers. As much as it pained me to leave Arabella alone at the library, I wanted to spoil my pretty kitty. Thoughts of my mate bombarded me, memories of that first sight of her—long black hair blowing out behind her, the look of absolute fierceness on her face as she moved to protect the child at my feet, and that skirt. Long, red, and entirely too enticing to a bull shifter like me. My inner beast pawed and grunted in my head, making enough commotion for me to shut down my memories.
“Knock it off,” I said as I made the turn onto Main Street and started heading toward the only florist in town. “You’re going to give me a headache.”
My bull snorted his displeasure but quieted. Which was a good thing because I needed to focus on the task at hand. I needed to pick out beautiful flowers so I could court my lady.
Did the kids say court anymore?
“Has anyone in the past century said court, you idiot?”
My brain needed an update.
I pulled into a spot outside the Enchanted Rose floral shop and took another deep breath. I had to calm down. If I busted into such a small, quiet place with my personality on ten as it was then, I’d probably scare the hell of whoever worked there. That wouldn’t do. I just needed to relax a little. To focus on what I needed to accomplish.
“Calm down, you jackhole.” A few more deep breaths, a little meditation-style relaxation, and I was ready to go. I hoped.
A little bell rang over the door when I entered, tinkling softly in the fragrant space. I took a deep breath before heading for the counter, ready to deal with the woman who likely owned the place.
It wasn’t a woman who came out from the back, though.
“What’s up, man?” the tall blond shifter said, smiling broadly. “How can I help you?”
I blinked and froze for just a second before coughing. “Yeah, um…I need some flowers.”
The man’s smile grew wider. “Then you’re in the right spot. What’s the occasion?”
“A date…with my new mate.”
That gleamingly white smile grew wider. “Ah, a new fated mating in the Cove. Excellent! I can absolutely put together a bouquet to set the stage for a night of courting. What do you know about her?”
My smile came unbidden, his energy and good-naturedness pulling it from me. Plus, he’d used the term courting. I wasn’t the only one.
“She likes red.”
“Good start. Is she local? If she’s been in here, I might know the flowers she likes to buy.”
“She is local. Arabella—works at the library.”
He let out a laugh. “Arabella Snow? Ah, great catch, my friend. She’s an amazing woman. She comes in here every two weeks to buy herself a few daisies, but she loves my roses. How about half a dozen roses with some daises intermingled for that touch of whimsy?”
I didn’t know whose whimsy he’d be touching, but I wasn’t about to argue with the man. “You’re the professional.”
“Damn straight.” His expression grew serious, and he leaned across the counter as if about to tell me a secret. “Do you really want to knock her socks off?”
I nodded. What man wouldn’t? Of course I wanted to do everything I could to make the best impression possible.
The florist obviously understood that. “Here’s what you’re going to do. While I pull this together, you head over to the Cake-Ily Ever After bakery. It’s a block down the road. Ask for Ginger. She knows Arabella best and will put you on to her favorite treat.”
Damn, the man was good. “Great plan. Want me to pay now or…”
He scoffed and waved a hand in my direction. “When you come back. I’ll even give you the new fated mating rate.”
“You have one?”
“I do now. Go. Buy your woman something sweet. Come back to me for the flowers.”
“Thanks. I really appreciate it.” I rushed out the door, on a mission to find the bakery. If flower dude said I should buy my woman a treat, then I would buy my woman a treat. But when I walked into the bakery, it wasn’t a woman named Ginger at the counter. It was a man. And if my nose wasn’t playing tricks on me, he was a dragon shifter.
Fuck me.
“Can I help you?” he asked, his tone flat and somewhat aggressive already.
“I’m looking for Ginger.”
The dragon’s eyes went red, and his nostrils flared. My bull perked up, recognizing the signs of an impending fight when he saw them.
“What do you need Ginger for?”
I looked over the cases filled with treats then brought my eyes back to his. “I need her assistance in picking out a treat.”
“You don’t know what you want?”
“No.”
“Then why are you in a bakery?”
“The florist dude sent me.”
“Seems sketchy.”
“Yeah, well, so does a dragon shifter hanging out in a bakery, but I’m not such an asshole to call that out.”
The man looked ready to climb over the counter at me, but thankfully, the door to the kitchen opened and a redhead came rushing through.
“I need your help with the mixer, Kingston. The damn thing—” She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw me, slowly moving her head as if looking between the dragon and me. The eye roll she finally performed was the stuff of legend. “Who are you pissing off now?”
The dragon huffed. “I’m not pissing off anyone.”
“Yeah, he is,” I said, giving the man no grace. “You don’t happen to be Ginger, do you?”
The woman shot the dragon a scowl then turned a wide smile on me. “Sure am. How can I help you?”
“The guy at the flower shop sent me to you. Said you might know my new mate’s favorite treat.”
“Who’s your mate?”
“Arabella, from the library.”
Ginger grinned and jumped up and down, clapping her hands. “Oh! I love Arabella. She’s a feisty one. Okay, her favorite thing to buy is our dulce de leche cupcakes. I don’t have any out here, but you’re in so much luck. I was about to frost some in the back as tomorrow’s special flavor. Give me two minutes, and I’ll have a couple ready for you.”
“Thank you. I’d appreciate it.”
“No problem.” She elbowed the dragon at her side. “Come on, Kingston love. You need to fix this mixer so he can spoil his mate.”
The dragon huffed, following behind Ginger, though never taking his eyes off me until the door closed between us.
“Nice place. Real welcoming…other than the guard dragon,” I said to myself, taking a breath. I pulled out my phone, expecting an email response from my client or a call or…something. There was nothing. No response to my resignation. Maybe I’d escaped any sort of retaliation for not finishing the job.
Maybe…but doubtful.
I couldn’t think about that, though. I had a date to prepare for. Once Ginger returned with my cupcakes—and the dragon stopped glaring at me—I headed back to the florist to pick up Arabella’s bouquet. I wasn’t a flower sort of guy, but the red blooms mixed with the big white ones did seem really pretty.
By the time I was finished, it was close to five. I drove back across town to the library and parked right in front, leaning against the hood of my car with the flowers in hand to wait for my sweet mate. I checked my phone again while I waited, just in case. Dread built in my gut. No calls, no emails. Radio silence from the woman responsible for putting me on the path to Arabella. That just…seemed off.
At five till, I took a deep breath, knowing my girl would be exiting the building soon. I didn’t want her to see me distracted with my phone when she appeared, so I tucked it back into my pocket. I needed to focus solely on her, to make sure she knew she was the only thing that mattered in that moment. I needed to be prepared.
And I thought I was prepared, thought she�
�d be the one surprised by the sight of me, but I had been so very wrong.
Arabella walked out of the library looking like a princess, with her hair pulled up, dangly earrings drawing my attention to her long neck, and a smile on her face that stole every bit of breath from my body. All thoughts of what had brought me to Kinship Cove—my client, my resignation, and how messy things could get if people knew my intentions—flew right out the window. That girl looked amazing, and she was all mine.
I rushed up the stairs to help her down, reaching out my hand for her to take. Nearly sighing when she did.
“Hi,” she said, all sweet and smiling and so damned adorable.
“Hello. You look absolutely stunning.”
Her neck grew pink, and her smile bloomed right in front of me. “Thank you.”
“Ready for a nice dinner?”
She nodded, then slipped her hand into the crook of my arm, looking up at me as if I was some sort of Prince Charming. I wasn’t—I knew that one—but for one night, I felt okay letting her think that. I could play the role. For one night, I could pretend to be the man she deserved.
Tomorrow. I would tell her the truth tomorrow.
4
Arabella
I had never been to the hotel on the cove for dinner, and the second I sat down at the table, I knew why. The place was fancy with a capital F. No way could I have afforded it, and since I hadn’t really dated since I moved to Kinship Cove, no one was taking me.
Until Mateo.
My big, handsome mate helped push in my chair then moved to his own, dropping into it with a grace his size belied. A waiter handed each of us a long, stiff piece of paper, whispering something about the wine list. Mateo glanced his over before giving me a smile.
“Do you like wine?”
“I’ve never had it.” I glanced over the long list of wines, having no idea where to even begin. “Do you like wine?”
“I do, but we don’t have to have any if you don’t want to.”