by Cara North
“How long have you known him?” Evelyn could have sworn Ayden was now smiling. The big bad Wolf, a man even she once feared, seemed nervous in this woman’s presence. Evelyn turned it over in her mind, who was this woman, and why had he never spoken of her before?
“Almost eleven years.”
Evelyn choked though there was nothing in her throat. “The hell you say?”
“Evelyn, Charlie is a very old friend of mine. Please. We’ll be down in a bit, but I need to catch up with her first.” Ayden needed to get Evelyn out of there. He needed to talk to Charlie. He needed to sit down and plan. He hated surprises.
“I bet you do.” Evelyn looked at Ayden with a very suspicious eye. This didn’t seem right at all. Ayden had been trying to date unsuccessfully over the past year, now this bombshell drops in and says she has known him for eleven years. Evelyn felt an itch, an old itch. She didn’t like it. She closed the door behind her and planned to make a call if Charlie was still there come Monday.
Ayden walked over to Charlie’s bags and picked them up, two large suitcases on wheels and two duffle bags. “Follow me.”
“You don’t have to do this. I mean I can find somewhere else to stay.” Charlie followed him, thankful she was staying. She had no place else to go. She was running. Hopefully, she had run far enough.
* * *
Ayden set the duffle bags on the guest bed. The house had five bedrooms, set up almost the same as Joshua and Evelyn’s house but bigger. He had stocked them with furniture, good solid wood beds and dressers. He turned one into an office where his secrets remained safely locked. “You carried all this?”
“I set the duffle bags on the suitcases and rolled all that.” Charlie pointed at the wheels.
“You pack everything you own?” Ayden looked around the room, anywhere but at her. Each bedroom had a different theme, thanks to Evelyn. This one was serenity. It was earthy and comfortable; he liked it. The main reason he put Charlie there though was because it was right across from his bedroom. He needed to keep tabs on her. Something wasn’t right.
Charlie had come a long way to see him. He didn’t know why. She’d told him years ago, she loved him, but Ayden knew that was just her grief talking. She had a lot of living to do then, and he was a green FBI agent eager to get promoted. He had no time for a woman. It was the same when he was in the Navy. He was a part of the SEAL team, always on an operation. No time for a woman then either. Actually, Ayden hadn’t made time for a woman since high school. He had been with only a few women in the last fifteen years. He gulped hard at the realization. He was always on the move, always on a case. He was so busy he never realized the time had passed him by so quickly.
“Yes.” Charlie looked around the room. The queen size bed looked like an antique. The dresser and bed were made of cherry wood and aged. A nice sitting chair next to the window gave a welcome and peaceful feel to it.
She knew he was opening a bed and breakfast. That’s what the business license was for. As far as she could tell, he should be open already. He’d had the license for six months. Charlie thought it was a stretch for him to let so many strangers into his life. Maybe he was still debating it. Or maybe he had met someone.
* * *
Ayden had been dating a year now, and it wasn’t going well. He considered himself a nice guy, but he didn’t like the dating scene. Women seemed too fast. They were ready to jump into bed on the first date. That just wasn’t his way. He had to know a woman before he could sleep with her. His past could catch up to him any day now, apparently today, since Charlie was in his house. He wasn’t afraid to let Charlie stay here. It seemed almost natural for her to be in his home. An old memory from hiding her surfaced.
A serial killer had murdered her sister and other girls. They thought the killer was after Charlie next. Ayden broke several rules to keep her safe. He kept her at his apartment. Charlie knew him all right. She had nothing else to do but sift through his stuff and watch television. He never touched her sexually though he was rarely home to indulge the thought. When it was all over, she made him promise to come see her.
“You wearin’ that to dinner, darlin’?” Ayden looked her over again.
Damn he had to stop looking at her like this. He knew she was beautiful by any standard. The twins had just accepted a contract for a well-known lingerie company when their lives were turned upside down. Of course, the contract was cancelled when Michael was murdered. It wouldn’t have been smart to put Charlie in the public eye. It was a shame though. She could have been living a good life, her and Michael both. Instead, she was stuck in Vegas, on the stage, night after night performing.
“What are you wearing?”
“Different pair of shorts, T-shirt, some flip-flops.” Ayden was sure she wasn’t expecting that, but it was July and the coast was hot and humid this time of year. He had long hung up his suits and ties. Now he only wore them when he taught classes at the college for their Basic Law Enforcement Training known as BLET classes, or when the FBI called him to give a class for them. “Those kids will be all over you.”
“Kids?” Charlie gulped. She was a showgirl. She was single; not many people she knew had kids. They were all young single women like her. A couple may have been married or dating, but many were too caught up in the career to have a life much less children.
“Three of ‘em.” Ayden nodded.
“Are you taking a shower?” Charlie let her eyes wander over him freely now. His feet were in the work boots, big socks pushed down above them, a pair of green cargo shorts and no shirt. Charlie looked him over slowly, and it felt like she stroked him with her fingers everywhere her eyes traveled. Ayden was grateful she was at his chest by the time his shorts had tented. He had to get out of there and fast. What was happening to him? Charlie needed his friendship and his protection, he was sure of it. Not his wandering eyes, definitely not his wandering hands.
“Yeah. I’ll meet you downstairs in a few.” Ayden hurried out of the room.
* * *
Fifteen minutes later, he had talked himself down from the ledge of lust he had been standing on. Cold water poured over him, and he scrubbed his hands over his face. After another five minutes, he was ready. He had showered and was now prepared to take Charlie down the street to meet the family. He would never hear the end of it. No amount of planning would be good enough, and now there wasn’t time.
* * *
Charlie sat on the couch in a pair of cutoff jean shorts and a T-shirt. She owned flip-flops, too. Looking at the men earlier, they were all tall, at least her height, but Evelyn was shorter. Tall for a girl but not tall like Charlie and that had always been a problem in her youth. She didn’t want to draw too much attention, but she always did.
“You ready?” Ayden asked. When she stood, he wanted to die. The shorts weren’t real short, but Charlie had legs so long that anything looked short on her. The T-shirt clung to her like a second skin showing generous breasts and a flat stomach. This was going to be one hell of a family dinner.
“Yes.” She walked to him. “I’m a little nervous. I didn’t plan on meeting so many people.”
“It’ll be fine.” Ayden pressed his hand in the small of her back to lead her out the door. Charlie stumbled and then caught herself. “You okay?”
“Fine, just caught my shoe.” Just caught her breath was more like it. Having him touch her always threw her off balance.
They walked side by side to the house a block down. Charlie felt more nervous by the step. “So, why did you choose to live here?”
“Evelyn.”
“So how long have you been here?”
“Almost a year now.”
“Your house is beautiful.” Charlie was really running out of things to say, yet she had so much she wanted to tell him.
“Charlie.” Ayden stood outside the front door. “I’ll follow whatever you tell them about how we know each other. If you don’t want to tell them…”
“No, I’m fine about that
. It’s just… women tend not to like me.”
“What’s not to like?” Ayden smiled. He knew she was afraid of crowds, knew this would be a challenge for her, so he would stay next to her, protect her, even though she wouldn’t need protection from his family. “You’ll do fine.”
He opened the front door and walked in. Charlie stepped in behind him, and he could have sworn time stopped. Everyone froze and looked at them, even the kids.
“Holy cow, you’re as tall as my daddy!” Chase Jr. ran right up to meet her. “My name’s Chase. What’s your name?”
“Charlie.”
“Charlie? That’s a boy’s name, lady.” Gray was now at his cousin’s side.
“Yes, it is. My dad named us. He thought me and my twin sister were boys because he showed up to the hospital late and saw twin boys in the nursery.” Charlie smiled down at the little monsters. Leave it to kids to tell the truth.
“What’s your sister’s name?” Chase asked.
“Michael.”
“Is she here, too?” Gray looked around to see if anyone else was coming.
“No.” Charlie swallowed hard.
“What is this? You guys with the census bureau?” Ayden looked down at the boys.
“No,” they answered in unison.
“You’re very pretty,” Gray informed her.
“Gray Alexander Young, are you flirting with another woman in front of me?” Evelyn teased the toddler who, up until Charlie walked in, was in love with Evelyn.
“She is.” He shrugged and went about his business.
“He is his father’s child.” Grace walked to the door to meet the woman. “I’m Grace. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Come on in.”
“Thanks. I’m a little nervous,” Charlie admitted. Grace was about the same size as Evelyn. Both had red hair, but Grace’s was bright and curly, wild. Evelyn had dark red hair, pulled into a ponytail. “I’m not used to being in large crowds.”
“We’re harmless.” Grace smiled then looked at the three-year-old boys who now followed behind Charlie. “Most of us anyways.” To the boys, she said, “You guys go play out back with your dads and uncles.”
“Are you coming, Ayden?” Chase Jr. looked up at him.
“No. I’ll be out in a while.” Ayden stood by Charlie. Evelyn circled around him.
“Ayden, go play out back with the boys. You’ll be the only man in here.” Evelyn came around and pushed him with both hands toward the back door. “Scoot.”
“I’ll be just outside if you need me…”
“For what?” Evelyn cut him off and shook her head. “Get!”
“Men!” Evelyn turned back to Charlie. The poor woman looked like a deer trapped in headlights watching Ayden go.
“Are you okay, Charlie?” Evelyn looked at her with a concerned eye.
“I, uh, yeah, I’m just not used to crowds.” Charlie felt like she would hyperventilate. Being on stage in front of hundreds of people was one thing. Actually talking to people, that was another matter entirely. She never went out. The world was a dangerous place. She’d learnt that the hard way. She did all her shopping online. Getting to Ayden had been one of the most challenging events of her life. Now she had to be in a crowd and talk to people.
“Honey, this isn’t a crowd,” Grace added with a warm smile. “We’re all family.” “Oh.” Charlie swallowed. It sure seemed like a crowd to her.
“Hi, I’m Stephanie, Joshua’s sister.” Stephanie Young entered the room, and Charlie felt her whole body relax. Stephanie was almost as tall as she was, blonde and beautiful. “Megan’s on her way in to meet you, too. We’re all excited to meet Ayden’s woman.”
“Oh, well you may be disappointed then.” Charlie looked away. “He’s not interested in me. Not like that.”
“That’s absurd.” Megan bounced in the room. Her brown curls were pulled back in a loose ponytail. “Chase couldn’t stop talking about you. Now that I see you, I know why. I’m Megan, Grace’s cousin and Chase’s wife. There are a lot of us, I know.”
“Uh.” Charlie was feeling cornered. The four women were all looking at her, and apparently, they thought she and Ayden were an item. She wished it, but it was far from true. They were friendly and expectant. “No.”
“Well why not?” Evelyn took a seat at the kitchen table and motioned for everyone else to do the same. They followed, with all eyes on Charlie as she sat down.
“You’d have to ask Ayden.” Charlie shrugged. “I love the man. I do. But he’s never indicated we could be anything more than friends.”
“Have you told him this?” Grace asked.
“Yes. Years ago.”
A collective gasp followed.
“What did he say?” Megan looked scandalized.
“That I was too young for him.” Charlie didn’t care. It was the truth, and she didn’t hide her feelings for Ayden. He rejected them flat out. Besides, they would know now that she had eyes for Ayden only and none of their men.
“How old are you?” Stephanie asked.
“Thirty.”
“You don’t look a day over twenty-one.” Megan looked at the woman with a new appreciation. Charlie was thirty with a face like an angel and a body of a supermodel.
“Guess that doesn’t help my case.”
“How old is Ayden, Evelyn?” Grace asked.
“Thirty-six,” Charlie and Evelyn both answered.
“He looks younger than that.” Stephanie nodded.
* * *
The women continued the question and answer session inside while the men circled Ayden outside.
“Who is she?” Joshua asked.
“Charlie is an old friend,” Ayden answered.
“No shit, spill it, Wolf. A woman like that doesn’t just fall from the sky on your doorstep without wings attached.” Joshua challenged him now.
“She is really hot,” Chase agreed.
“I second that motion.” Malcolm nodded.
“She looks like she stepped out of a Victoria Secret catalogue. I know, Grace has lots of them, and I have painted several of the women in them.” Ethan looked up at the back door to make sure they weren’t going to get caught talking about this woman, or they would all be on the porch tonight.
“She’s a Vegas showgirl. Her sister was my first real case, killed by a serial killer. I kept her safe, found the man who did it, and Charlie has hero worship. A bad case of it.” Ayden huffed. They were still looking at him for more information. “Yes, she is amazingly beautiful, but she is also smart and quirky and afraid of crowds. Don’t hover over her, don’t stare at her, and I’ll break you in half if any of you touch her.”
“Malcolm is the only one not married here, Wolf, calm down.” Ethan laughed. Oh Charlie was more than just a friend all right. Ayden all but howled at them. If he was this defensive among friends and family, he would be lethal to the general population of men in the area.
“I’m not on the make though. I have Stephanie. She’s more than enough for me.” Malcolm held his hands up.
“What the hell does that mean?” Joshua growled at Malcolm.
“It means she is the love of my life, and I plan to marry her.” Malcolm wasn’t as big as Joshua, and he didn’t want to fight with him. Stephanie’s big brother needed to realize she was a grown woman, not a child.
“Congratulations, man.” Chase put a solid hand on Malcolm’s shoulder.
“She better be wearing white down that aisle.” Joshua growled.
“Look who’s talking.” Ayden now growled at Joshua. “You thoroughly debauched my little sister.”
“Oh contraire, your little sister thoroughly debauched me.” Joshua smiled.
He and Ayden were on the ground wrestling in a heartbeat.
“Gray, go get your momma.” Ethan pointed his son to the door. Chase Jr. and Gray headed for the house, full of excitement.
Ethan tried to break them up but got elbowed and started wrestling himself. Chase tried to get Ethan, and before they knew it, ev
eryone had a hold of everyone, and it looked like a football pile up. By that time, Ayden was on the bottom, followed by Ethan, Joshua, Malcolm then Chase. The women headed outside, and Grace headed right for the pile.
“Up.” She grabbed Chase and Malcolm by the ear. They moved. “Next two?”
Ethan and Joshua scrambled before she could get a hold of them, but the Wolf was catching his breath. Grace bent down and stared him right in the eye.
“Ayden Wolf.”
“Grace?” Ayden smiled as he pushed up to face her. Grace wasn’t mean like Evelyn, but she was known for pinching and grabbing an earlobe at an angle that no man liked. Evelyn had taught her well.
“You should be ashamed of yourself.” Grace lifted her eyebrow and pinched him on the arm. “Ashamed.”
Ayden sat there confused for a long second. How did she know he started it? Or did she assume that because he was on the bottom of the pile? He took one look around the yard. All of the men were either, being scolded, hugged, or pampered by their women, except him. Then he looked to the porch. There was Charlie, and damned if the sun hadn’t cast a halo around her pale blonde head.
Charlie was really confused. She stepped outside and saw a pile up of pinching, biting, and twisting grown men acting like children. On the bottom of the pile was Ayden. She had never really seen him playful before. They all had marks from each other or from Grace. Charlie looked around and then looked at Ayden. She wasn’t sure if she should go to him or just wait to see if he came to her. The women of the house seemed to have faith that if she gave it time and a concentrated effort she could indeed lure Ayden out of his den and capture her Wolf. Charlie hoped they were right.
Ayden pushed to his feet, dusted himself off, and headed toward the porch. Charlie started walking toward him. She met him halfway in the yard.
“What were you guys doing out here?” Charlie searched his eyes. He seemed more playful and free than she had ever remembered seeing him. She liked him this way.
“Just screwing around. Happens a lot when we get together. Too much testosterone in one small yard.” Ayden winked. “What were you gals doin’ in there?”