“No, school’s on the first floor only. Those are suites,” King turned to his left, “Crow’s private office and personal suites are this way.”
She followed, but not before noticing that a dark wooden rail rested on the far side of the hall so that one could lean over and look down or up to the other floors. Her eyes darted to the staircase and she wondered what could possibly be upstairs. With a school, cafeteria, infirmary, suites, and Monroe’s office and quarters covered, there wasn’t much else she could think of that a wildlife preserve and rehabilitation facility would require, aside from the barn she’d already glimpsed.
“Ms. StCloud?”
Her eyes jerked to where King stood holding a door open. Sheepishly, she hurried to him and entered.
The door led to a room that rivaled the reception area of any corporate office she’d ever seen. A cherry wood desk sat empty amid a sea of burgundy carpet. Tall, green plants dotted the space and a row of couches with a glassed top table sat as a waiting area in front of the reception desk.
King stalked through the area to the only door visible. Following, Eden brushed past as she entered the second room, which she quickly discovered was Monroe’s personal office.
The sight of Monroe behind his desk and on the phone sent a punch of lust shooting through her. He looked virile, powerful, and so sexually potent that she couldn’t help but detest him for it. With his raven black hair, broad shoulders, tall build, and impossibly blue eyes, he had every right to be as arrogant as he was. The determined set of his jaw was so savagely hewn that she couldn’t stop the image of him parting his lips to nip at her flesh. She blushed even as self-loathing washed through her.
Just then those gorgeous blue eyes lifted from the paper he was jotting on to slowly survey her from head to toe then back up. She was glad she’d opted to wear her full tactical uniform today. The appearance fortified her nerve. Dressed in all tan BDU’s, her button-up shirt was tucked in at the waist, cinched with a belt, and the pants of the legs were tucked into her tall, black, combat boots, while her black 9mm pistol was strapped to her thigh. She’d pulled her hair back in a tight ponytail and knew she at least carried the look of authority.
Staring at the CEO, she saw the corner of his mouth tweak slightly as he watched her but spoke to the person on the other end of the phone. For some reason his appraisal left her feeling deflated, as though he’d seen right through her plan to look like she was the one in control. Damn him!
“Get it done,” Monroe barked and hung up the phone without any further salutation.
“Mr. StoneCrow.” Eden’s tone was clipped as she tore her eyes from his to eye the expensively furnished and slightly intimidating office.
“Nice to see you could keep your appointment, Eden.”
“It’s Warden StCloud.”
Monroe smiled and she knew he had no intentions of using her title. “And, Eden what have you uncovered? Dead bodies in the barn, falsified licensure, forged permits, a crack house in the cafeteria?”
Arrogant ass! Nettled, Eden refused to let it show. “No Mr. StoneCrow, what I’ve seen so far is confusing but not unlawful.”
“Seen so far?” his gaze jerked to King who was backing toward the door.
“Sorry, Crow. I forgot I have an appointment. She’s only glimpsed the first floor.” King turned and opened the door, “Gotta go.”
The door shut and when Eden turned to Monroe she could see that he wasn’t happy about King’s rapid departure or the fact that he’d now be required to give her the tour of the site himself.
“Well,” he straightened his tie as he stood then buttoned his suit coat. “Shall we?” He crossed in front of the desk and grabbed her elbow to lead her from the room. She tried to pull free, but his grip only tightened.
***
An hour and a half later and back in Monroe’s office, Eden was more confused than when she’d come to the estate.
Monroe led her to the two black leather couches that sat facing each other in front of his desk.
Taking a seat, Eden fought back her scowl. “Explain to me again why you need an on-site reception hall and pub?”
Unbuttoning his suit coat before taking a seat opposite her, he replied coolly, “We’re forty-five miles from the nearest town. I don’t want to promote drinking and driving.”
It made sense, but she still couldn’t get over the feeling like she’d missed something, something big.
Sitting opposite her and watching her mind work, Monroe knew she had suspicions. Hell, if the tables were turned he’d be suspicious as hell. Rather than fueling her curiosity, he simply sat and watched her, waiting for her next question.
Perfect teeth worried her plump bottom lip and he had plans on crushing King’s throat for leaving him alone with her. She was beautiful, intriguing, and smart as hell. Several times through their tour, he’d caught her staring at him. When he’d looked at her, she’d attempted to hide a blush and divert his attention with questions or demands to see certain licenses or paperwork. The one thing she couldn’t disguise though was her scent. She smelled like sweetgrass and rain and it was distracting as hell because it reminded him of the one thing he loved nearly as much as his Walkers…Montana.
Several times over the course of the tour he’d scented her arousal. Hesitant arousal. She was attracted to him when she didn’t want to be. Her diffidence and uncertainty were sexy as hell. Especially to a man who could have his choice of women at any time. Not Eden. She would be no easy conquest and he was glad for it. The slight insight into her character coupled with the sweetly agonizing scent of her arousal had him fighting back an erection. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d had to do that and it was annoying as hell. Typical! He would be attracted to the one woman in the state that not only was fighting her interest in him but was determined to make his life a living hell.
His eyes stroked her slight frame as if memorizing her when instantly an image seized him. Chocolate brown eyes, half-lidded in raw passion. Her back arched with pert nipples atop luscious mounds thrust in the air. Her bare, bronze, flesh slick with the heat of her passion. His large frame settled between her spread thighs and his head tossed back, a roar leaving his mouth with force, as he sank into the moist heat of her.
Monroe bit back a primal snarl. Had any woman ever affected him this way?
“It would appear that your facility is operating under legally permissible parameters,” Eden offered when it was obvious she couldn’t think up any more questions.
He was having difficulty concentrating. His brows hiked as he steepled his fingers and offered a delayed but sarcastic, “Shocking.”
Not liking his tone Eden forged on, two could play this game. “I could set up a schedule.” She slowly stood and paced to the window that sat behind his desk and smiled to herself as she saw from the corner of her eye that his gaze jerked to follow her. “If I request it, I could have your facility inspected for the next four-quarters.” She turned then and winked, “Ya’ know, just to ensure I haven’t missed anything.” She shrugged a slim shoulder. “Better safe than sorry.” Looking back out the window she smiled when she heard the unmistakable curse under his breath.
She felt the heat of his body behind her and spun to frown up at him. How had he moved so fast?
“And if you do that, I’m going to have to take time out of my schedule to satisfy your wounded pride.”
“My…”
He didn’t let her finish, “And if I have to take time of out my schedule, things won’t get done. Important things like recovering injured or wounded animals.”
The frown left her face.
“Things like rehabilitating the abandoned or abused animals that we already have here at the facility. Things like…”
It was her turn to cut him off as she stepped closer until her chest pressed into his. Her hands planted on her slender hips and she had to tilt her head far back to glare up at him. “I get it!” Her shoulders rose and fell sharply as she took in
great lungs-full of air and exhaled just as deeply. “Let’s get one thing straight right now. First of all, let me say what a class act you are to use my obvious love of animals to get what you want. Second, that might deter me but it won’t stop me if I find out there is shit happening on my mountain that shouldn’t be happening. And finally, I’m only going to tell you this once so listen close. This. Is. My. Mountain. I work here, I live here, and I’m raising children up here, young, impressionable children.”
Monroe’s eyes narrowed at the lie. He knew she had no children.
“This whole bullshit wildlife preserve front isn’t fooling me for a second. I don’t know what you’re doing up here, and frankly I don’t give a damn so long as it doesn’t interfere with my wildlife, my mountain, or my kids.”
When she’d initially bumped his chest, Monroe’s brows hiked nearly to his hairline. The reaction was so ludicrous that Eden wondered for a moment if anyone had ever dared to stand up to the CEO before. She got her answer when there was one knock at the door and the Chief of Security, King Mulholland, stepped in. “Crow, I…”
Eden didn’t tear her eyes from Monroe. The two stood chest to chest. Eden sneering up at him while he had a look of shock on his face that was wiped away with an unsteady frown as if he wasn’t sure that was the expression he should be wearing.
“Ms. StCloud, you shouldn’t challenge him,” King began.
Monroe drew in a deep breath and took a step back. “It’s fine, King.”
“I’m not challenging him,” she turned to frown at King. “I’m just explaining myself in terms that he can’t misunderstand. And you’d do well to not misunderstand me either.” Crossing her arms over her chest she pinned King where he stood with angry brown eyes. “Cleary we don’t like each other gentlemen, but this mountain can be big enough for all of us. So long as you play by my rules,” her lips turned up in a self-satisfied smile, “we’ll be just fine.”
Neither man spoke. Stunned, King looked from Eden to Monroe then back. His mouth opened and closed several times giving him the appearance of a fish out of water. Finally a lone word passed his lips on an unsteady query. “Crow?”
Glancing at the Monroe, Eden wasn’t happy to see that his smile had returned.
“Leave us.”
Without a word King spun on his heel and exited the office.
“I’m afraid you’ve misunderstood me Eden.”
“Of for crying out loud! If you’re going to forego the use of my title than call me Edie. I hate it when people call me Eden.”
“As I was saying, Eden, you have misunderstood me. Whatever could have given you the impression that I don’t like you I’m not quite certain, but apparently we need to clear some things up before you leave here. First,” he was mocking her with mimicry, “I wouldn’t use your appreciation of wildlife against you. I was simply stating a fact. Second, what you see here is what you get. Third, I too have young, impressionable children housed on the estate. My estate. You can keep your mountain, Eden. I just want to be left on my land in peace. I don’t need your acceptance, and I sure as hell don’t require your approval, but I demand you respect what it is I’m trying to accomplish here.”
When she thought he was finished she opened her mouth to speak but he continued.
“And finally, you may not like me Eden.” He took several steps until he was just feet in front of her, “but I like you. I like you very much.”
The words knocked her off guard.
“As a matter of fact, I was hoping you could stay. We could have dinner.”
She had to fight to keep from rolling her eyes. If he actually thought that he could seduce her into acquiescence, he had another think coming. “I have to get home to my children.”
Monroe frowned, instantly offended that she’d lie to him twice in one visit. There existed an invisible heartstring that connected parents to their children and that connection had a scent that Walkers could detect. Monroe didn’t need to inhale deeply, but his nostrils flared as he scented her again, his eyes transitioning to a matte black as he partially shifted. Eden had no offspring. “Lying to deflect me Ms. StCloud?” He saw that she was offended by his words, but her dismay was quickly disguised.
“No, Mr. StoneCrow. I don’t need to lie to deflect anything or anyone. I do have children…several. If you’ll excuse me I best be getting home to them.”
When Eden made to pass, Monroe couldn’t keep his hand from collaring her wrist. She gasped as she was prevented from exiting. Leaning down, the CEO brushed his nose against her shirt and there it was. Her scent had been so overpowering to his senses that it had masked all others, but pressing closer he found imbedded in her clothing the fresh, soft scent of young life. It was unmistakable. There were children in her life, but they were not hers.
Is he smelling me?
“Their father?” He hadn’t meant to sound so viscous but the thought of her with another man caused violence to surge forth. It was stupid. He already knew they weren’t her children from another man and the lack of logic behind the emotion baffled him. It was highly out of character.
“I don’t know,” she offered.
Monroe liked that she hadn’t tried to wrench her wrist free. His thumb stroked along her skin and he smiled when he felt her pulse kick up.
“I adopted them. I know nothing of their real families.”
“Families? How many children do you have?”
“Four. Three boys and a girl.”
She smiled then and the joy he read in her eyes at discussing her children made his chest ache. He wanted that same joy.
“Tell me about them.”
Drawing in an unsteady breath, Eden debated on disclosing any information. She was silent a moment as she contemplated and finally deciding that there was no harm in it she began, “Well there’s Micah. He’s sixteen and very much a teenager.” Her smiled broadened, “His hair is purple right now. I’m holding out hope that he’ll out grow the phase. Then there are Cole and Ransum. They’re both six.”
“Twins?”
“No,” her smile faltered, “they aren’t blood related, but they make my life worthwhile. And then there’s Peyton. She’s the baby at four.”
Eden shook her head and laughed, the sound sent desire coursing through Monroe. What he’d give to be the source of her delight.
“I never thought in all my life that I’d be wrapped so tightly around one little girl’s finger,” she shrugged negligently, “but I am.”
“And you don’t mind?”
“Not at all. I love them.”
“Where are their parents?”
He kicked himself for bringing up the topic when her smile quickly vanished to be replaced by sheer anger. “Don’t know. The kids were abandoned in these mountains two years ago. If I hadn’t found them…” She didn’t finish as tears flooded her eyes.
Seeing her reaction, Monroe felt like an ass. “Well,” he supplied clearing his throat and releasing her wrist. He had to step away from her to stand behind his desk. He needed a barrier between them because if he stayed near her a second longer he was going to wrap her in his arms and never let go. “They have you now and that’s all that matters.”
Surprised that she felt so cold by his sudden absence, Eden ran her hands up and down her arms. She eyed the door knowing she needed to leave but not really wanting to. It was nice to talk to someone, an adult for a change, and it didn’t help that he was such a good listener and attractive as hell. “I better be going. Have a good night Mr. StoneCrow.”
She turned and reached for the door when Monroe was suddenly beside her. For inexplicable reasons, he couldn’t seem to stay away from her. “I’ll walk you out.”
She simply nodded and allowed him to escort her to the elevator. She didn’t say anything when he placed his hand on her lower back and kept it there.
The ride down to the main floor was silent and the space felt too small…Eden felt too small. Somehow, this woman who’d outshined all the men
and received a special commendation at the Law Enforcement Academy always felt so slight and feminine in Monroe’s presence. It was disconcerting.
When the door chimed open, Monroe escorted her out. They stood just inside the lobby doors and watched as King pulled up in a car to take Eden back to the main gate where her truck had been left at the Chief of Security’s insistence. Monroe was reluctant to let her go.
“You should bring the children up sometime.”
Surprised at the offer, Eden stalled before reaching the door. “I…They…”
“They’d like it here. They could tour the stalls, feed some of the animals. We could have lunch together,” he smiled at the idea. “I’d really like to meet them.”
“I’ll see if they’re interested,” her tone was clipped.
He hated the way that she had suddenly shifted from relaxed and easy going to all business.
Ignoring Monroe’s sudden scowl, Eden shook her head and eyed the lobby of StoneCrow manor. “Well, I haven’t found anything out-of-order with regard to your paperwork or your operations, but the amount of staff and expense makes little sense to me.” She snorted, “I mean a pool, bar, school, cafeteria, helicopter pad, and fine dining establishment?” Her lips pursed in disbelief as she shook her head. “Not an ounce of sense.”
“I assure you Eden, we are up to code.”
“Yes, I see that you are. But tell me Mr. StoneCrow, you can’t possibly earn enough from this enterprise to even cover your overhead?”
He smiled, “I have other investments. This facility and the work we do here is because it’s something I enjoy, not to make money.”
She regarded him out of the corner of her eye and he smiled at her total failure to disguise her disbelief. “Tell me Eden, why are you a Warden with the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks? Surely, you can’t make much. Wouldn’t you do better in another profession?”
Her cheeks flamed. “Touché’.” She turned and Monroe opened the door for her. “Good day, Mr. StoneCrow.”
“Good day Eden. I look forward to seeing you again.” And surprisingly, he did.
Skin Walkers: Monroe Page 5