by Kasey Belle
“It’s not the food,” his bear growled. “It’s her. The colorful beauty. Mate!”
A low rumble built up in his chest. He knew Ella and Rainbow couldn’t hear it, but no doubt Koda and Nikki could. Koda caught his eye and smirked as if he could read Storm’s thoughts.
Nikki eyes danced back and forth between him and Rainbow. “No way,” she whispered then shot him a wide smile.
Oblivious to his reaction, Ella introduced Storm to his mate. “Storm Brightman, I’d like you to meet Rainbow Mason. She owns Mug Shots. The coffee shop slash bakery in town. She is the genius responsible for the trays of baked goodies today. Storm’s the man I told you we hired to head up the construction on the additional cabins and outbuildings.”
Rainbow smiled shyly. “It’s nice to meet you, Storm.” Her voice was smooth like honey and wrapped around him like warm silk. “Welcome to Sanctuary.”
****
It was more than nice to meet him. Was she drooling? Should she check? No, definitely not. Goddess. He was beautiful. He made her mouth water and her mind go blank until all she could do was stare. Storm wore an eyepatch over his left eye. His face was marred with a long scar that started just above his left eyebrow and traveled under the patch in a diagonal line to just below his cheekbone. She wondered if he lost the eye or if he was just self-conscious of the damage it probably sustained. Either way, his injury didn’t detract from his beauty. He was the most handsome man she’d ever seen.
His square jaw was clean shaven, his eyebrows were neatly groomed. Taking pride in one’s appearance and lack of hesitation to pluck or wax was an endearing quality in a man. Storm had the longest lashes she’d ever seen on a male member of the species. They framed his cognac colored eyes making them stand out against his tanned skin. And those lips… Bow wondered what it would be like to kiss those lips.
He had his black hair tied back in a ponytail. He wore a faded Batman t-shirt that hugged his large arms and muscular chest just right. His jeans hung low on his hips and were threadbare in spots. Perfectly polished black combat boots adorned his larger than average feet. The man was perfect. He radiated raw masculinity.
Storm held out his hand. She eyed it for a moment. It was easily three times the size of her hers. Bow didn’t want to appear rude, so she reached out marveling at the sight of his hand completely engulfing hers. Sparks surged up her arm. Her body warmed, her nipples turned hard, and her core throbbed with need. Her body never reacted that way to meeting a man. Not even Stevie’s father… the ass. Her mind didn’t understand her visceral reaction. The only thing she knew about him for sure was that he was ex-military. Her new friend Ella had explained that all their new hires were veterans. However, her body told her mind to take a hike. It was totally onboard with these new feelings. Just seeing him left her insides feeling warm and liquid. Bow feared she might swoon.
Storm sucked in a breath. At least she wasn’t the only affected. “It’s nice to meet you, Ms. Mason.”
“Um, yeah. You too. Call me, Rainbow or Bow.”
“Rainbow.” The pitch of his voice deepened when he said her name. The look in his eyes had her jerking her hand away.
Bow wiped her hand down her pants to rid herself of the sensation his touch caused. No such luck. She took a step back. “I was just going to grab another drink.” She turned to Ella. “I’ll meet you and Nikki outside. I’m sure I’ll see you around, Storm.” She went to the kitchen and grabbed herself a Coke then scurried away. She felt Storm’s eyes on her as she made her escape.
Chapter 2
Storm noticed his weren’t the only eyes that followed Rainbow as she retreated. He sighed when the door shut firmly behind her. The blinds on the doors blocked the windows and hid her from his sight. Storm’s bear butted against him. Demanding they claim their mate. He fought his beast and maintained control. A beautiful woman wouldn’t want a scarred mate like him, fated or not. Just as well. He’d probably end up getting her killed, anyway.
“That was… interesting,” Ella said with a sly smirk.
“She’s your mate, isn’t she?” Nikki asked then wagged her eyebrows.
Storm cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck. He so did not want to answer that, but knew it was useless to lie when two-thirds of the people awaiting his response were shifters. “She is,” he reluctantly responded.
Nikki clapped her hands and squealed. “Bow’s awesome.” She did a little shimmy before hugging Ella. “Now we really get to keep her.”
Storm couldn’t help but be amused by the little fox’s antics. Like most of her species she was full of energy.
“I know right?” Ella gave Nikki a high-five. “Just think how excited Casey and Stevie will be when they find out.”
Both women turned their excited, hopeful gazes on him and said, “Congratulations.”
“Um. Thanks?”
Ella narrowed her eyes and planted her hands on her hips. “Was that a question?”
Storm’s self-preservation kicked in urging him to remain silent. The last thing he needed to do was piss off his boss’s mate within thirty minutes of his arrival. Besides, the question was most likely rhetorical. When women asked stuff like that it usually was. Well, either that or they were giving you a chance to change your answer and stop being a dumbass. Since he wasn’t sure which, it was best to remain silent until he knew for sure.
“What is it with you men? Stubborn, the lot of you. Bow is beautiful and sweet.” She poked Storm hard in the chest with her index finger. “That woman is your mate. Don’t be a dumbass. Jump on that shite.”
Storm noticed the angrier Ella became the thicker her accent. “It doesn’t exactly work that way,” he explained.
“I know exactly how it works.” Ella growled then sent a disgusted look in her mate’s direction. Definitely a story there.
Koda winked at Ella and blew her a kiss. “One would think you’d be over that, my Irish beauty. We have a daughter now and everything.”
Ella harrumphed. “Whatever.” She looked at Nikki and nodded her head towards the back door. “Come on, Nikki. Let’s go join Bow before I decide to poison Storm’s food or something equally bad that would land me in prison if I were dumb enough to get caught.”
Storm watched his boss’s mate stomp off. “She wouldn’t really do that would she? Poison me, I mean.”
Koda snorted a laugh. “Damn right she would. That woman is a spitfire.”
He glanced at the man. The love he had for his mate was as plain as the dopey grin on his face. “And you love every minute of it?”
“Damn straight.” Koda clapped him on the shoulder. “Come on. Let’s grab a beer then I’ll show you around.”
“I thought we were going to have something to eat?”
“Make yourself a plate. You can eat on the go. I don’t think sticking around is wise at this juncture.”
“Are you suggesting I need to make a hasty retreat?”
“If you want to keep your balls intact, yes, yes I am.” Koda snickered and headed to the fridge.
Storm had to agree it wasn’t a bad plan. If nothing else, putting some distance between him and the unique beauty with the delicious scent would help calm his bear and his cock.
****
Bow dropped into one of the cushioned chairs surrounding the round glass table. Vinny, Ella and Koda’s dog, was curled up on the wooden bench swing that hung under the shaded patio by the pool enjoying a nap.
A breeze cooled Bow’s heated skin as she took deep measured breaths trying to calm her racing heart. Good goddess Storm was potent. Of course, there was no way he’d go for a woman like her. Not that Bow thought there was anything wrong with who she was. She was just different, a bit more colorful than the average citizen. Storm seemed too reserved for the likes of her.
The door behind her opened then closed a moment later. She didn’t bother to turn and see who’d joined her. Bow knew it was her best friends. She smiled to herself. Before she met Ella and Nikki i
t had been a while since she’d had any close girlfriends.
The women joined her at the table looking at her expectantly. No doubt wanting to talk about the latest addition to The Sanctuary.
“What did you think of Storm?” Ella asked.
Bow frowned. Guess they were just delving right in to the hard questions. She didn’t want to share her X-rated thoughts with them. No matter how close they were. “He seemed nice.” Her friends frown at the vague answer.
“Seriously?” Nikki glared.
“What?” Bow blinked innocently. “Is he not nice?”
“Girl. You know damn well what Ella meant.” Nikki flopped back in her chair with a huff.
“He sent your heart all aflutter, didn’t he?” Ella batter her lashes. “I can only assume so. You certainly looked like you were about to faint.”
Because all the blood in her body rushed to her naughty bits. “Doesn’t matter?”
“The hell it doesn’t,” Ella argued. “Did you miss the way he looked at you?” She fanned herself. “The temperature in the room went up about a hundred degrees. Storm only had eyes for you.”
Bow wanted to believe it. Really, she did. She shook her head. “A man like Storm Brightman has no use for a woman like me. Well, maybe one use. That look was infatuation and curiosity because I’m different.” She indicated her hair and clothes. “I have no desire to be someone’s walk on the weird side. Been there. Done that. Got the t-shirt and a baby to prove it.”
Ella and Nikki each took one of her hands in theirs. “Oh, honey.” Ella gave her a sympathetic smile. “First of all, you’re not weird, so stop saying that. Second, I don’t think Storm’s interest was just in your wrapping, although it is pretty awesome. However, you don’t have to decide anything about Storm this second. Why don’t you wait and see what happens? When he asks you out on a date, you set the rules.”
“If,” Bow corrected.
“When,” Nikki countered. “Because he will. Trust me on that. So, when he does, you tell him how it’s going to be and if he can’t abide by your rules, well then he isn’t the man I know he is.”
“Fine. Whatever. But he isn’t going to ask me out.”
Her friends shared a look. There was something in their expressions that said they knew something she didn’t. Bow however didn’t ask. Honestly, she didn’t want to know. Nor did she want to get her hopes up. Bow would stick with denial and keep her expectations non-existent. That way she wouldn’t be disappointed when she turned out to be right about Storm. Well, not much anyway.
Chapter 3
Storm couldn’t officially start his job until Koda received the final plans from the architect and the permits were filed. So, he filled his time over the next few days by getting to know the animal residents of the refuge. Everyone at The Sanctuary―regardless of job description―was required to know how to take care of all the animals in their care in case extra hands were needed.
He’d spent the morning in the medical building helping Ella check over a litter of pug puppies an old lady in town dropped off at the clinic yesterday evening. The bitch―the puppies’ mother not the old lady―died before the pups were weened and the owner couldn’t afford to care for them. Okay, Storm didn’t actually do anything spectacular. He more or less handed Ella the puppies so she could examine them and show Storm how to give them their shots and feed them. But whatever. He had to start his hands-on experience somewhere. At least he got to spend time with cute, smooshed faced puppies and not mucking out stalls. That nasty job belonged to Hal’s grandson Max. Thank fuck.
Storm walked out of the building lifting his face to the sky enjoying the warm sun on his face. He made the way to his vehicle which was parked beside the barn deciding at the last minute to make a pit stop and visit Lady Grey. Little Casey had introduced him to the mare his second day at The Sanctuary. Even a half-blind man like himself could see how much the horse and girl loved each other. Storm admitted he was pretty enamored with Lady as well. She was a sweetheart. The abuse she suffered before she found a home with Koda infuriated Storm. Meeting Lady Grey convinced Storm what a good thing Koda had going with the refuge. He’d created something amazing and was doing a lot of good. It didn’t matter what kind of animal, if it was in need there was a place for it at The Sanctuary, including misfit shifters like himself.
After his discharge, a friend at the VA he was able to obtain a job with a construction company. Storm had plenty of money saved, so technically he didn’t have to work. However, he found the more time he spent idle the more depressed he became. He had hoped to find the camaraderie with the men on the crew that he had with his team, but it wasn’t meant to be. They were friendly, but Storm never actually clicked with them. He figured finding another place he belonged, a place that made him happy, just wasn’t in the cards. That same friend, who also happened to be a shifter, knew Storm was having a hard time connecting with his co-workers and gave him the lead on the construction position at The Sanctuary. The man thought if Storm worked with shifters it might help. Since Storm had nothing to lose, he applied for the job but never really thought he stood a chance at getting it. He’d been shocked as hell when Koda called him for an initial phone interview. He was doubly shocked when he and the wolf shifter clicked. Eventually, Koda made it a trifecta and offered Storm the job.
Storm smiled as he fed Lady a sugar cube. He’d really found some place great to land. He knew he could be happy in Sanctuary. Still, he wondered how long it would last. In his experience, you could reach for the good things in life, but you didn’t get to hold on to them. Eventually they were taken away. The first-time life schooled him on that little truth, he’d been a boy.
He’d had a great family. A mother, father, and baby sister who loved him. Then they were ripped away when Storm was eight. His family died when their furnace malfunctioned and filled the house with carbon monoxide. Had he not spent the night at his best friend Mark’s house, Storm would have died with them. When Storm’s parents didn’t pick him up the next morning, Mark’s mother tried calling them. She tried for an hour, finally calling the police, asking them to do a welfare check, and the rest as they say was history.
After that, the universe never let him forget his place in it. Orphaned and alone. He was shuffled from one foster home to the other. It didn’t matter if he liked the family he was placed with. His ass had belonged to the state and was mercy to their whims.
Storm experienced his first shift alone. Graduated from high school alone. Graduated from boot camp alone. What should have been times for celebration was just another reminder that there wasn’t anyone left who cared. The hardest had been recovering in the hospital after his last mission. There was no one there that mattered when he woke in recovery. Nobody there who loved him enough to push him when he felt like giving up. Nobody who was happy he was still alive.
The first time he’d ignored that little voice in his head―the one that told him it was useless to want, to dream―Storm reached for and attained his goal becoming a Navy SEAL. It had been the best thing that ever happened to him. He’d gained not only a fulfilling career but a family. Unfortunately, in the end, like everything else, he didn’t get to keep it. He’d not only lost his career but his teammates as well. Brothers who weren’t related by blood but shed it for each other and the greater good. Brothers who stood by you no matter what.
Even with the knowledge and pain still fresh in his mind that everyone he cared about died it didn’t stop him from climbing into his SUV, so he could drive to his mate’s coffee shop to ask her out on a date. Nope. He completely ignored the lessons life taught him in favor of spending time―no matter how short or fleeting―with the one woman chosen for him who smelled like cupcakes.
Storm couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Rainbow Mason. He didn’t fight the bit of hope invading his mind and heart that somehow this time would be different. Fate had chosen this woman for him after all. Maybe, just maybe, fate would let him have this one.
&
nbsp; “Hey,” Koda called from his porch to Storm as he settled in the driver’s seat.
Storm closed the door, started the ignition, and let down the window.
Koda jogged over. “Where you off to?”
“Um.” Storm rubbed the back of his neck. “Town?”
“Are you asking me or telling me?” Koda leaned on the door and snickered at his lame comment.
“Town,” Storm replied with attitude.
“Going to visit a certain Bohemian barista?” His friend wagged his eyebrows.
“Maybe.”
“Hmm. You say maybe but I hear absolutely,” Koda teased before his expression became serious. “Look, I know your instincts are to fight this thing. Mine certainly were. You can’t go through what we did and not feel the need to push people away. You, my friend, are double fucked because you have the added bonus of the orphandom complex.”
“Orphandom complex? Is that even a thing?”
Koda shrugged. “I think so. It should be at least. Anyway. Stop deflecting.” Koda cocked an eyebrow.
Storm huffed a breath not bothering to deny it. He didn’t want to talk about this. Which Koda no doubt picked up on and completely chose to ignore.
“I like you Storm. You’re family, now. A brother. So, as your older brother―”
“You’re older by two months.” Storm ignored the sting behind his eyes brought on by Koda’s sincere words. Damn, he loved this place.
“Doesn’t matter. Still older. Now, shut up and listen to your extremely handsome and highly intelligent elder.” Koda offered him a crooked grin.
Storm grunted and wrapped his hands around the steering wheel, so he wouldn’t reach out and smack it off his face.