by Vella Day
Stunned, Tasha turned off her phone, not wanting to think the worst of Burke. There had to be a logical explanation, but nothing came to mind other than the fact she’d been gone less than two days at that point and Burke had gone back to his old ways. She sat there, wanting to throw up. She’d been a fool—a big one.
You’re my mate, Tasha.
To think she’d fallen for that line. She needed some place less noisy and not so full of people, if only for a little while, to gather her thoughts. Tasha grabbed her suitcase and wheeled it to the bathroom. Once in the stall, she sat there and cried. Stupid, stupid. She should have believed Emmaline when she said there was no such thing as a mate. Burke had said that just to get into her pants, though why he picked her was anyone’s guess. She wouldn’t be surprised if Wade had dared him or something. Hot men didn’t go out with big women. Period. She didn’t care what anyone said. A pretty face might attract a man at first, but it was her big tits that men really wanted. She needed to find a guy who liked to read and who had ambition. All Burke liked to do was fuck and drink.
When a muffled message came over the intercom and filtered into the bathroom, she blew her nose and stepped out of the stall. Her plane was probably loading. If she had any sense, she’d exchange her ticket for one to another state. Any place would do just as long as Burke Devereaux wasn’t there. If she didn’t love her family and her job so much, she might have done it.
The trip home took forever. Her poor luck, she sat next to a guy who wanted to talk the whole time about his start up computer business. While she might have been interested at one time, she couldn’t concentrate on a word he’d said.
Eventually, they landed, but there was little joy in being back in North Carolina. The late morning was bordering on hot so she rolled down the window. Even the fresh air did little to improve her mood. The familiarity of the Blue Ridge Mountains should have comforted her, but all she could picture was Burke breezing around on some winding road enjoying himself.
When no other car was in her driveway, Tasha blew out a breath. She didn’t want to speak with him just now and hear some excuse as to why Dee Dee happened to end up in his arms. Hell, he might not even bother coming over to explain, but if he did, it would be just for sex.
Once inside, she unpacked, ate, and then settled down to read a good book. She’d read the Kathleen Woodiwiss story at least ten times, but Tasha was in the mood for a happily ever after—even if it wasn’t her own.
* * *
Burke was beside himself. He’d phoned Tasha three times, and she hadn’t returned one call. He had no doubt that Cheyenne had spilled the beans, so he’d gone over to the Vet Clinic the next day to explain the situation to her, but Dr. Snow was too busy to see him—or so her assistant claimed. He’d tried to make an appointment, but the young man must have been warned not to let Burke near her. Fine. He’d figure something out.
He debated asking Tasha’s father when her flight was coming in, but he didn’t want to explain what happened. After many hours of worry, his mind finally cleared, and he checked which flights were arriving from Parkersburg. There were two. One had already arrived three hours ago, and the second wouldn’t land until seven tonight. It made sense she’d take the early flight since the conference ended last night.
Because Tasha loved sweets, he stopped at a bakery and bought what he hoped she’d like. Hell, the chocolate éclairs even tempted him.
When he pulled into her driveway, he was pleased to see her car. Now came the hard part—convincing Tasha that what Cheyenne saw wasn’t what it looked like. Knowing her, she wouldn’t believe him at first, but if she’d let him make love with her, she’d be able to tell that she was the only woman for him.
As he approached her front door, his gut seized up. He had a bad feeling about the outcome. With the bag of sweets in his hand, he rang the bell. The living room blinds widened. Darn. When she saw who it was, he feared she wouldn’t let him in.
Burke knocked. “Tasha, please let me in. We need to talk.”
“Go away.”
He wasn’t used to rejection, but he could handle this. “Dee Dee kissed me. I did not return the kiss.”
No answer.
Damn, she was a stubborn woman. He pounded this time. “Tasha. We have to talk. If not now, I can come to the library tomorrow.” That should scare her into speaking with him here.
Footsteps sounded, and the door eased open. “Burke.”
Her hostile tone didn’t bode well for him. “Did you get all of my messages?” he asked as gently as he could.
“I just listened to them.”
“And?” Sweat beaded on his forehead and it wasn’t from the heat.
“I know you have feelings for Dee Dee, and I think she is a better match for you than me.”
Christ Almighty. She was playing her martyr card. “May I come in?”
She stepped back, and he entered. Heaven help him, but his body shot into overdrive. The need to possess her was strong, but he worked to push it aside.
“Say what you came to say and then leave, please.” Tasha lifted her chin, despite it trembling.
He wanted to wrap his arms around her, but if he tried, she’d stiffen. “You, and you alone, are my mate. I’m guessing that Cheyenne told you what she saw.”
Her lips tightened. “Yes.”
He could work with the misunderstanding. What he couldn’t tolerate was if she’d decided she didn’t want him. “As I said in my message, Dee Dee came on to me. I wanted nothing to do with her, which was why I asked her to step outside. Even though I told her you were my woman, she kissed me. Then I took off. Didn’t Chey tell you that I left alone?”
“Yes.”
That should have cleared things up. “What more would you like me to say?”
“Nothing.”
“That’s not going to happen. I want you, Tasha, and I will do whatever I can to make this right.”
She crossed her arms. “Don’t you see? We aren’t right for each other. We have nothing in common. I don’t like sports and Dee Dee does. I barely know one mixed drink from another, and I sure as hell have no intention of riding on back of that death trap of yours.”
He didn’t know where all this pent up anger had come from. “I don’t care if you think the Carolina Panthers are a group of shifters instead of a football team, or if you ride my bike. I’ll get a station wagon if it’ll make you feel better.”
She glanced to the side, her eyes teary. “What happens when the library extension is finished? You’ll go back to Pennsylvania and where does that leave me?”
So that was what this was about. She wanted a commitment. That pleased and frustrated at the same time. He reached out for her and a flash of blue light nearly blinded him. Tasha had shifted. That pissed him off.
“Tasha, I’m not going to talk to you while you’re in your shifted form.” He waited for her to change back, and when she didn’t, he waved the bag of sweets. “I brought these for you.” He took one out and bit into it. “Yum.”
It tasted like sugary crap, but he pretended to love it. She twisted around and lumbered down the hallway.
Well, fuck. He set the bag of goodies on the back of the sofa. “When you’re ready to talk, call me.”
With that, he left. Women.
Chapter Thirteen
Emmaline had left numerous messages on Tasha’s phone, offering to discuss the situation, but she hadn’t answered. When her friend was in this kind of mood, it was usually best to let her simmer down. However, by five on Sunday, Em couldn’t stand it any longer. She had to tell Tasha what she’d overheard Dee Dee say to one of her friends.
Em debated driving over to Tasha’s house, but if her friend was still in a snit over the kiss, she wouldn’t listen to reason anyway. She called once more and got the same damned recording.
While she’d wanted to tell her in person, the phone message would have to do. “Tasha, it’s me again. Since you won’t answer your stupid phone, I have to let y
ou know what I overheard. At our monthly Clan gathering, Dee Dee told Crystal that she hated the fact that at one time she’d had Burke wrapped around her finger and now he was with a big, bumbling bear. Those were her words, not mine. Remember not all wolves are snobs. Not that she’d ever win him back, but her goal was to have him—once. That’s all. She doesn’t give a fig about Burke. What I’m saying is that Dee Dee kissed him—not the other way around. If you want to talk, call me. I’m here for you.”
She hung up, more frustrated than before. Em paced her living room. What was going through Tasha’s head, or poor Burke’s for that matter? Em had to assume he’d tried to explain what happened, but he must not have made any headway or Tasha would have called back saying everything was okay.
If only Chey hadn’t told Tasha about seeing those two together, she wouldn’t have found out. Then again, this was Hidden Hills, a town where secrets always leaked.
Emmaline debated calling Burke but then thought better of it. Not only would he probably not be in the mood to talk, she didn’t know him all that well. If she said something to upset him further, Tasha would never forgive her.
Wade! He’d know what was going on because he’d been with Burke when Dee Dee had come into the bar. Normally, she’d never contact him, but she had nowhere else to turn.
She looked through her phone log, only to realize she didn’t have his number.
No wait! He’d scribbled it on the back of a card after they’d danced the first time. It might still be stuffed in her purse. She rushed to her bedroom, located her bag, and dug through it. “Got it!”
Not having looked before, she studied the card, which was from Emerson Investments. Clearly, some salesperson had given this to Wade, and he’d used it to write on.
She had no idea what Wade did on a Sunday afternoon, but she chanced calling him. Emmaline paced while the phone rang. If it went to voicemail she wasn’t sure what she would say.
“Hello?”
Her pulse rose. “Wade, it’s Emmaline Nettles.”
He chuckled. “Don’t think there’s another Emmaline for a hundred miles. What can I do for you?”
She appreciated his attempt to put her at ease. “It’s about Tasha and Burke.”
“Fuck. You saw, didn’t you?”
Emmaline dropped on the bed. “Not the kiss, but I heard about it. Tasha won’t return my calls.” She didn’t want to have this conversation over the phone. Watching his facial expressions would allow her to spot any lies. “Any chance you could stop over at my place? I want to see if the two of us can come up with a plan to help smooth things over.”
“Sure, baby.”
She didn’t like men to call her that. “This isn’t a date, Wade. Tasha needs an intervention. I know why Dee Dee threw herself on Burke.” That should entice him.
“Sorry. What’s your address?” His flirty tone immediately disappeared.
She gave him the information. “We need to act fast.”
“Have coffee ready. I’ll be right there.” He disconnected.
* * *
When Wade showed up less than fifteen minutes after Em had called, he must have jumped right into his car. He was unshaven and appeared tired, but still looked hotter than hell. Of course, Em hadn’t been interested since he’d be leaving town soon. She assumed that the sexual stirrings were because she hadn’t had sex in forever and not because he did anything for her. Heavens no.
From what he said, he and Burke had been up late last night discussing his options before he approached Tasha today. Right before Em had called Wade, Burke had called him saying that Tasha refused to talk with him. Wade then asked Burke if he wanted to come over, but he’d declined, saying he had something to take care of.
Wade had stayed at Emmaline’s house for over an hour. The whole time, he’d been focused on the task, for which she was grateful. In the end, the plan was for her to go to Tasha’s house and try to talk some sense into her. While she was there, Wade would bring Burke over, and the two of them would act as mediators, hopefully getting the lovebirds together.
Now it was her turn to perform some magic. Em turned down Tasha’s street and was relieved to see her friend’s car in the driveway. While Tasha would never deny her access, she might not talk to her about Burke and what had happened. The pain might be too raw.
Please let this work. Em cut the engine and had her hand on the door handle when her cell rang. She glanced at her phone that sat on the seat next to her. It was Wade.
“Hey. I just pulled into Tasha’s driveway.” Hopefully, he was with Burke now.
“We have a problem.” His voice was so low she could barely hear him.
“What is it?”
“Burke’s gone.”
Her pulse soared. “Gone? How is that possible? Didn’t you tell me he merely had an errand to run? Perhaps he’s still on it.”
“I thought that at first, so I called his dad.”
Her blood pressure plummeted. This wasn’t good. “And?”
“He left town. He’s gone back to Pennsylvania.”
She didn’t believe he’d do that. He cared for Tasha too much—or so she thought. “Are you sure?”
“Just going by what his father told me.”
Well, shit. “Did Mr. Devereaux say why Burke left?” She thought he was staying until the library extension was completed.
“Nothing besides he had stuff to do.”
That really could mean a number of things. “I appreciate all your help. I guess I need to tell Tasha about Burke’s disappearing act, though I certainly don’t relish this conversation.”
“I hear ya. And Emmaline?”
“Yes?”
“You’re a good friend.”
That wasn’t what she thought he’d say. “So are you.”
She disconnected and inhaled, dreading the next few minutes.
* * *
Tasha had been an idiot. She rubbed her forehead to help reduce the stress, but it didn’t help. She’d been rude to Burke, but at the time she didn’t know he’d done nothing wrong. After Emmaline’s message, as well as Burke’s, she’d been convinced that Dee Dee had thrown herself at him.
With each minute that passed, her regret increased. And then she’d shifted on him. Looking back, her action had been immature and senseless. Her parents had told her many times that being passive aggressive wasn’t a good way to have a relationship, that couples needed to talk things out, but she hadn’t listened. Sometimes, she was too damned stubborn for her own good.
As soon as Burke had walked out, Tasha had shifted back even though she’d been spitting mad. She then spotted the bag of goodies, tore it open, and ate all five éclairs. Now she felt sick to her stomach, but she deserved to suffer for what she’d done.
Burke had left a few hours ago, and in that time, she’d done a lot of thinking. For starters, she needed to apologize for doubting him, but she blamed it on his playboy reputation. Her heart could attest to the fact that Burke was a good man. She should have listened to her good sense.
An engine sounded in her drive, and joy and relief rushed through her. Tasha ran to the window, praying Burke had come back, but before she had a chance to look, the bell rang, and she hustled to answer it.
With a smile on her face, she yanked open the door. It was Emmaline. Tasha worked hard not to let the disappointment show. “Hey.”
Her friend held out a bottle of wine. “Can I come in?”
“Sure.” Tasha had messed things up with her friend, too. Not answering her calls had been bad. She took the bottle. “You want some?”
“Totally.”
Em followed her into the kitchen. After Tasha opened the wine, she poured two glasses. “I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you. I’ve had a lot on my mind.”
“No problem. You were upset. I get it. I would be, too.”
“Let’s sit in the living room. I could use some advice.” About how to grovel.
Tasha plopped down on the couch and Em sat nex
t to her. It seemed a bit odd that she didn’t take the chair across from her, but Tasha would be the first to admit that she needed a good friend right now.
Emmaline drank a good portion of her wine then pressed her lips together. “We need to talk.”
She already knew about the kiss. “Did Burke send you here? He was probably scared that I’d lost my mind.” She rubbed her forehead again and blew out an exasperated breath. “I never should have shifted.”
“Whoa. Back up and start from the beginning. You shifted when he was talking to you?”
“I’m afraid so.” Tasha explained how when Burke came over she wouldn’t even listen to him. “I was that mad.”
Emmaline whistled. “Not good.”
“Tell me about it. I’ve been trying to call him back to tell him I’m sorry, but now he won’t answer. I can’t say I don’t deserve it.”
Em set down her wine glass and picked up Tasha’s hand. “We’re friends, right?”
Her stomach churned at her deadly serious tone. “Absolutely. Do you know something? Is Burke okay?” Images of him crashing his bike flew in her head.
Her eyes widened as if she hadn’t thought Tasha would jump to such a conclusion. “Yes. At least as far as I know. Sweetie, he’s left town.”
“He what?” Her world tumbled. She’d driven him out. “Oh, my God. Why? I mean, I can guess, but I need to let him know that I believe him now.”
“You do? So you believed me when I called and said Dee Dee was just being mean spirited?”
Tasha nodded. “Now I do, but not at first. Look at me and look at Dee Dee. When a beautiful and talented woman throws herself at a handsome man, I just figured any guy would say yes.”
Emmaline screwed up her face. “You’re his mate, dummy.”
That almost made her chuckle. “I didn’t think you believed in such stuff.”
“I’m thinking it’s different with bears.”