He caught her up in his arms, pressing her to him as both their voices babbled out at the same time: “What are you doing here?”
She laughed a rich, intoxicating laugh that waved over him. He stared at her, grinning like a fool at the sound. He hadn't heard that laugh since they'd skied together.
“Wait!” she said, the astonished laughter surrounding her words. “How did you know I'd be here? Did Joe tell you? That fink, he said he could keep a secret.”
Connor stared at her as a few pieces fell into place. “Interestingly, he told me to book my flight for this time because fewer people would be on the flight.”
Lia started to shake her head at Joe's cleverness, then stopped. Narrowing those gorgeous gray eyes at him, she said, “Your flight?”
Quietly, he said, “I was coming to you, love. Because I figured it out. I want to be with you, where you are, more than anything in the world,” he said firmly.
“But—” she began.
“I figured it out,” he said, smiling at her with wonder. His wolf was somersaulting in his mind with joy. “I finally asked Trevor if he'd be willing to shoulder more of the patient load at the clinic while I found a job in DC. He said he'd been waiting for me to ask, because he knew I wouldn't be able to be away from you for long.”
Her eyes suddenly softening, glistening a bit, Lia said, “You were about to fly out there? Leave everything here that you've built? For me?” Her wonder at that had him grabbing her fingers and taking them to his lips to kiss.
“Of course for you. I love you.” He thought he'd maybe never before meant the words as fervently as he was saying them right now.
“But the clinic,” she said. “You'd never abandon your patients.”
Connor made a self-deprecating sound. “And I haven't. I've left someone really good in charge until I could get everything else sorted out. But you were right. I was giving too much of myself there. I was running on fumes, not to mention letting the money get out of hand.”
“No, I was too hard on you,” she protested, looking slightly abashed. “You're just a good guy, Connor. You want to help people. It's something I'd like to get better at myself,” she admitted softly.
Ducking his head at her praise, he went on. “As it turns out, I wasn't paying much attention to what I have. The one place I never thought to ask for a grant was under my nose the entire time.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Go on?”
He snorted. Keeping his voice low so people around them couldn't hear, he said, “The pack.” Bardou Enterprises, the legitimate company run by the Black Mesa Wolf Pack, was a mighty force in the economy of the entire western portion of the country. Connor shook himself again that he hadn't thought his alpha would be interested in helping him help humans. “Alpha was more than willing to grant me enough to keep us well afloat for the next five years. He said the rest would be up to me, of course, but he trusted I'd figure it out.” Shaking his head, he added, “He told me all I'd ever had to do was ask.”
Lia snorted now, too. Softly, she said, “You and I are both good at not seeing what's right in front of us.” She reached a gentle hand up to his cheek, cupping it in her fingers as she gazed at him. “Now. What I am about to tell you is against the nondisclosure agreement I originally signed with them,” she said sternly. Then, shrugging, she added, “But since you and I come from a different world with different rules, I don't really care.” She winked at him.
Connor bit back a bark of laughter that would sound far too much like his wolf. His Lia was loosening up. He'd take it.
“As it turns out,” she went on, “the DC firm had essential information about that last case I handled with Joe. Information they planned to use me for in order to further their own aims. Then they planned to boot me to the curb once my usefulness was over. I was cherry-picked for the position just for what I knew. It was all nasty, underhanded big firm politics, and I was their unwitting pawn.”
Connor felt anger rise. “They did what?” he said in a low, dangerous tone. His wolf growled.
She waved her other hand, seeming far less concerned about it than he'd think she would be. “You know, I really thought this was what I wanted, Connor.” She shook her head a bit, still looking at him. “And I do want to be a lawyer. It's in my blood, and I love it. But there's something else in my blood that I love, too.” She let her wolf flare in her eyes for a split second, just for him to see. “And most importantly, I can't live without you.”
Her voice cracked on the last word, and Connor's heart about cracked with it. This was the side of Lia no one else in the world knew. The soft, vulnerable side. The side she needed to balance out her take-no-prisoners approach to life.
Still, he couldn't let her give up so easily. “That was your big dream, though. A big firm, in a big city.”
Sighing, she leaned into him. “It was my dream. But the reality is, I like it here.” The truth in her words was clear. “I love skiing. I love running with you. I love other things with you, too,” she added, pulling back so he could see the molten flare in her eyes and the heat rise on her skin.
“I like the sound of that,” he said, his approval rumbling through his voice.
“I also want to be more like you, love,” she said, fixing him with a look that arrowed into his soul. “If being a hotshot lawyer means stabbing people in the back, having no friends or life at all, and being used for shady purposes—well.” She laughed, shaking her head. Her eyes held a clarity and brightness he hadn't seen in years. “That was a childish dream of mine. I've woken up to reality,” she whispered. “I had an amazing life here already. A great job with people I really liked to work with. A second family we really should spend more time with,” and the wolf light flashed in her eyes again, making his own wolf rumble in agreement. “And you. I had you, every single day. I don't want to miss more, Connor,” she said seriously. “I missed you so much in the big city, I could hardly stand it. I'm not giving up my life to be here, Connor. My life is here with you,” she finished softly.
Connor took a deep breath so his wolf wouldn't howl through him into the airport corridor. He didn't, however, conceal the joy emanating from inch of his body. They stood there in the middle of the corridor, people pouring around them, staring at one another like lovestruck teenagers.
“So,” she finally said, slowly, “let me get this straight. You were coming out to DC to be with me, and I was coming back here to be with you. You were willing to give up your life here for me, and I was willing to give up big city life to be with you. Hmm,” she said with a mock frown. “Do you think maybe we're meant to be mates or something?”
This time, he didn't restrain his peal of laughter, even though his wolf managed to just barely underscore it with a depth that had a passerby give Connor an odd look before shaking his head and walking on.
“I'd say that might be a yes, mate,” he replied.
“I'll take it,” she said softly.
“Sounds like a plan,” he said back, just as softly. Then he cocked his head. “You know, it's the solstice today.”
“Mm-hmm,” she said, gently pulling him toward the front doors.
“Think you're up for a run with the pack under the full moon to celebrate the longest night of the year? And then I think we'll be celebrating on our own afterward.” He kept his voice low, but knew her heightened hearing would hear him perfectly well.
She squeezed his hand. “I think I am more than ready to start running with you again, Connor. And the pack. It's in our blood, after all.” She smiled at him as she started to walk faster. “Let's hurry. I can't wait. For the run or the afterward,” she added with a deliciously wicked smile.
Connor's wolf sent him ecstatic images of running with his sleek mate through the snow-covered mountains, silver moonlight shining off their coats as they leapt and played and ran with their packmates.
“Me neither, love,” he said, lengthening his own stride as well. “Happy winter solstice. And welcome home.”
>
“Welcome home yourself, love,” she said, and they stepped out into the clear, crisp air under the winter sky, together.
ABOUT
Black Mesa Wolves
Meet more of the Black Mesa Wolf Pack and discover their world in the bestselling paranormal romance series by J.K. Harper!
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J.K. Harper
J.K. Harper writes about paranormal romance because despite a lifetime of wishing, all the cool supernatural book characters of her childhood just don't seem to be real. Besides, it's really fun to make stuff up. She lives in the rugged, gorgeous canyon country of the Southwest, which is a great place to let her imagination run wild.
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Her Gingerbread Dragon
Dragon Blood Series
Élianne Adams
Leaving the city behind, Maddison Campbell tries to build a life for herself in the sleepy village of Glen Farley. Little did she know, when a man followed her into the bakery and saved her from a less than honest sales person, that the man would be a dragon shifter.
As soon as Luke Spence caught Maddison’s scent, he knew he had to have her—he would have her. All he had to do was convince the human woman that she was his mate.
ONE
The cold northern wind cut through Luke Spence’s jacket, pinching his cheeks. Stomping his feet, he brought feeling back to his frozen toes and shook the snow off his boots. His gloves were too thin, and of course, he hadn’t worn a hat, but he didn’t care. Under normal circumstances, he’d never choose to stand outside a baker’s shop on such a frigid night, but this wasn’t what he considered normal. Not by a long shot. Besides, he’d warm up fast enough once he was out of the cold.
When Stella had batted her eyelashes at him and begged him to run to the store for some eggnog, and nutmeg, he hadn’t had the heart to say no. His best friend’s mate had him—and all the other Dragon Blood men—wrapped around her little finger, and she knew it. In truth, he didn’t mind the small favors she asked on occasion. Seeing Brycen so happy gave them all hope that they would find their mates eventually, too, which was why he had come out on such a blustery evening to begin with. Not in a million years had he imagined he would be standing outside looking through a store window with his heart racing as though he’d flown over the mountain at record-breaking speed, rather than sitting at the estate in front of a cozy fire.
He had just come out of the local grocery store when he’d caught a whiff of something sweet, savory, and so potent his entire body had reacted. Now that he’d caught the scent, he’d never forget it. One whiff and everything else faded away. It wasn’t the smell of sweet treats from the bakery that kept him rooted to the snow-covered sidewalk, but rather the scent of the woman who had waltzed past him and through the door, disappearing inside before he’d had more than a fleeting glance at her pink parka and fluffy white hat.
He was about to walk in after her when the cell in his jeans pocket buzzed. He thought of ignoring it, but knowing Stella, she’d forgotten something, and he sure as hell didn’t want to make another trip into Glen Farley with the storm closing in. With his luck, he’d end up stuck in town. Dragon or no, flying in a blizzard like the one heading their way was ridiculously dangerous. As much as he loved the adrenaline rush, crashing into the mountain and spending the night buried in the snow freezing his balls off didn’t appeal.
“Yeah,” he answered with a smile. If he knew Stella, she was probably rolling her eyes at him, and would give him shit for not having better telephone manners when he got home.
“Luke, you still in town?”
His smile dropped a little when it was Brycen at the other end. He never called for the hell of it. “No, dude, I’m answering my phone mid-flight. Of course, I’m still in town,” he replied. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Listen, Stella told me that she likes gingerbread. Think you can pick her up a little treat before heading back? I hear Johnson’s Bakery makes great cookies.”
Luke shook his head. Of course, Brycen would ask him to pick something up for his mate. The poor guy was still drowning in guilt over leaving her alone when she was about to shift for the first time. Had he not gotten to her in time, it would have been disastrous, but he had, and all was well. Of course, Stella had forgiven him right away, and the love that shone in her eyes each time she saw the man was there for all to see, but Brycen still wasn’t over it. Maybe he never would be.
“I was about to head in there anyway. I’ll see what I can find for her.” At least now he had an excuse to go into the shop and stalk the woman who had his blood boiling hot in his veins. “Talk to you later.”
The woman’s sweet, spicy scent surrounded him the moment he opened the door. There was no denying it, this woman, whoever she was, was his mate. “Mate. Mine.” the dragon’s voice whispered into his mind.
“Yes, she is. But let’s try not to scare her off. I don’t think she’s a dragon.” He didn’t think the beast would do anything to blow it, but the warning couldn’t hurt.
The small shop consisted of a couple of tables with the chairs flipped upside down on top of them. The gangly teenager standing behind the counter rolled his eyes at him as he walked in, then looked pointedly at the clock. “We close in three minutes, mister,” the kid said.
Luke couldn’t care less about the kid, or the time the shop closed. Only two things mattered. Getting some gingerbread cookies for Stella, and getting closer to his mate. “I won’t be long,” he answered as he stepped up to the display case where the woman stood, not really looking at anything, but rather waiting for something.
“So what do you want, lady?” The kid asked, his tone as belligerent as his eye roll had been.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t realize it was so late. Can I have three dozen gingerbread men, please?” The woman asked, her hands twisting the mittens she held in front of her. Her soft, lilting voice slid over him, making him want to growl, not in anger, but with the need rushing through him.
The kid rolled his eyes again and bent down to glance into the case. Luke looked into the display and his heart dropped. There was no way there were three dozen cookies left.
The kid shook his head and grabbed a box behind the counter. Throwing the cookies into the box, he counted out the twenty-seven gingerbread men, then filled the rest of the order with some white colored cookies. “There you go, lady.”
Luke glanced in her direction, waiting for her to respond, but her face remained calm, and she smiled at the kid. She smiled. It wasn’t until she handed over a twenty that he noticed the walking cane hanging from her right wrist.
Luke felt the blow like a punch in his gut. She couldn’t see. Fury rose hard and fast. The kid was taking advantage of her. “Hey, kid, I think you made a mistake,” he said.
“Mind your own business, mister.” The kid glared at him, defiance radiating from the punk.
“And you’re about to make another one.” Luke stepped closer. “Miss, I’m sorry to intrude, but this young man hasn’t given you three dozen gingerbread men, and he’s about to shortchange you of five bucks.”
The woman gasped and turned to face him, her lips forming a small circle. Her beautiful dark brown eyes shone with life, but stayed fixed. She didn’t see him. “I… I… Thank you for telling me.” She sighed and closed her mouth. Her bottom lip quivered for a moment, but then she squared her shoulder and faced the kid again.
“I expect that you will rectify the situation,” she told the punk, her voice much cooler than it had been before. “I’ll be speaking with Mrs. Bateman tomorrow. I’m certain she’ll be interested to know that her employee isn’t quite as trustworthy as she thinks.”
“Listen, lady. I gave you three dozen cookies. I didn’t have enough of the gingerbread. I was going to give you the right change. I made a mistake,” the kid said as he glared at Luke again.
“Fine. I’ll have my change now.” She tilted her chin up and held
her hand out in front of her.
Luke watched as the kid opened the register and got the correct change.
“I’m sorry, but we’re closed now,” the punk had the nerve to tell him as he slammed the register shut.
“No problem. I was looking for gingerbread, and it appears you’re out.” Luke shook his head and followed the woman to the door, reaching it before she did. “Allow me,” he said, then opened it for her.
“Thanks again.” She gave him a tight-lipped smile.
“Hey, can I interest you in a coffee or something?” he asked once they reached the sidewalk before she could walk away.
“Oh,” the corners of her lips tilted higher, “I have to deliver the cookies first, but if you don’t mind, a small detour, I’d love one.”
TWO
What possessed her to say yes to coffee with a total stranger? Loneliness, that’s what. Maddie hadn’t even thought to say no, which was unusual for her in and of itself. And with good reason. The proof of how dishonorable people could be was steps away in the bakery. But there was something in the man’s deep voice that had made her heart race a little, and her breath catch in her lungs. It didn’t hurt that he’d called the young man at the bakery on his dishonesty.
“I’m Luke, by the way,” he said from right next to her.
She jumped when the box she held was lifted and taken away from her. “I can carry the cookies,” she replied. People were always underestimating her. Being blind sucked, but it was all she had ever known. Just because she couldn’t see didn’t mean she wasn’t capable.
“Of course you can. And if you really want to, I’ll give them back, but I was kind of hoping you’d take my arm. I like the idea of having your hand there. Call me old fashioned.” He chuckled, and a funny little quiver rushed through her.
Sugar, Spice, and Shifters: A Touch of Holiday Magic Page 82