Cade: Le Beau Brothers: billionaire Shifter Series BBW mates (Le Beau Series)

by Dold, V. A.

  “Cher, you don’t need to be noticing other men,” he growled.

  She laughed as she walked toward the kitchen. Marcus and Stefan turned to each other, looked at him, and both busted out laughing.

  Anna quickly got busy in the kitchen making a list of what still needed to be done and when items needed to start cooking so everything finished at the same time. There was still so much to do before her final guests arrived.

  Every time Cade tried to sneak into the kitchen, she would shoo him back out. The aromas wafting through the house were making the men salivate.

  Stefan glanced at Cade. “I know she cooks for you at home all the time, but did you know she could cook like this? I mean, man that smells good. You need to find me a woman who can cook like that.”

  He grinned. “No, I didn’t, but I’m an even luckier wolf now. Every time I turn around my mate amazes me more. Sorry, brother, you’re on your own. I don’t know how I ever got so lucky as to stumble upon Anna, but I thank the goddess every day I did.”

  Marcus nodded in agreement. “Yeah, I agree. Being a bachelor’s getting really old. I’m looking forward to settling down with a beautiful woman and starting a family.”

  He glanced between both of his brothers. “Anna has spoken of several girlfriends who are single, and you are going to get to meet Rose today. Who knows…” He left it hang there for his brothers to think about.

  Rose, was flying in from Denver to celebrate Thanksgiving as a surprise. She would be staying for an open ended visit. When Cade heard she had lost her job he had called and suggested she extend her stay with them.

  When Anna had her back turned, Stefan snuck into the kitchen driven in by the wonderful smells wafting around him. He was about to stick his finger into the mashed potatoes.

  “Get out of that!” she snapped, popping his hand with a spoon.

  “Ow!” he said, jerking his hand back and then sucking his fingers.

  “Get out of here, Stefan, or I swear I’ll whack you again.”

  “Fine, I’ll wait little sister, but you’re killing me here.” He grabbed a couple of beers from the cooler and went back to the men.

  When he entered the great room, Cade took one look at his bright red hand and a huge grin lit across his face. “What did you do, little brother?”

  Stefan scowled at him. “Your mate wields one nasty wooden spoon. I made the mistake of reaching for the mashed potatoes. They just smelled so good! I only wanted a little taste, and bam! She wacked me with her evil spoon.” Stefan was gesturing wildly mimicking a replay of what happened in the kitchen.

  John and Thomas sat with knowing smiles.

  “Oh, yeah, that sounds like Mom all right,” Thomas said.

  Both Cade and Marcus busted out laughing, even Simon made a chuffing sound from the couch.

  A car pulled into the driveway. Cade reached over and gently touched Simon’s shoulder. “Simon, I’m sorry, but could you please shift to human? Anna’s human friend is about to walk through the door.”

  Everyone turned to the sound of the front door opening. Isaac, Emma, and Rose walked in carrying suitcases. Hearing the commotion, Anna came hustling out of the kitchen wiping her hands. She couldn’t believe what she was seeing! Both women squealed, grabbed each other and started a hugging dance combination. Everyone smiled and waited for the women to finish their excited greeting of each other.

  She let Rose go from the tight hug she had her in, wrapped her arm around her friend’s shoulder, and they both turned to face the room full of handsome men and her mother-in-law. “Rose, you know John and Thomas, and you’ve already met Isaac and Emma. This extremely handsome piece of male specimen is my husband, Cade.”

  He stepped forward, taking Rose’s hand in both of his. Clasping her hand gently, he said, “Rose, it’s a sincere pleasure to meet you. I’m so glad you’re able to spend some extended time with us.”

  “I’m glad I was able to come. I hated to miss the wedding. I’m sure the service was beautiful.”

  “I wish you could’ve been here as well, but we can make up for it now.” She gave her friend another squeeze. “This scoundrel is the second oldest of the family, Stefan. Stefan, this is Rose. The one with impeccable manners is Marcus. Marcus, please meet Rose.”

  Each of them stepped forward and gallantly shook Rose’s hand as they strangely leaned in, and she swore they sniffed her.

  Anna gestured to Simon lying with his eyes closed on the couch. “You remember I told you about Simon. He’s not feeling well, but wanted to join us today. He’ll come to the table for dinner if he’s feeling up to it, otherwise I’ll set a plate aside for him for later.”

  Her friend stared at Simon. Rose walked to him lying with his back to everyone in the room. She reached out and gently touched his shoulder with her fingertips. The caress was really barely a touch at all. She blushed bright red and pulled her hand back, quickly glancing at Simon’s family before returning to stand next to Anna again.

  Anna saw Simon’s head raise a little and turn toward Rose. His nose seemed to twitch but as Rose retreated he returned to his original position.

  “Are you all right?” Anna whispered and led Rose into the kitchen.

  “I don’t know, I don’t just walk up to strangers and touch them like that. Why did I do that?” she asked.

  “Don’t worry about it, hun. Let’s enjoy the meal and we can talk tonight after everyone goes home. I don’t think anyone was watching anyway,” she said to comfort her. She knew darn well everyone had seen her but she wasn’t going to tell her friend that.

  With introductions out of the way, everyone started milling around chatting and enjoying each other’s company. Anna encouraged Rose to join the boys, along with Isaac and Emma in the great room while she went to change out of her cooking clothes into a pair of black slacks and a silk blouse for dinner.

  Cade quietly snuck through the bedroom door, easing it shut behind him. He leaned against the wall, quietly watching her, admiring his beautiful mate. He couldn’t stand to be away from her for very long.

  Not hearing him, she turned around. “Oh my God! You scared the heck out of me. Don’t do that.”

  He tried to appear contrite. “I’m sorry, cher. I didn’t mean to startle you. I couldn’t wait one more second to get you all to myself. I swear I’ll never get enough of you.”

  She gave him a saucy smile, stood on her tip toes and gave him a sweet, gentle kiss.

  When he moved to snag her, she quickly danced out of his reach. “Oh, no you don’t. I need to get cleaned up and changed so we can eat before all my hard work gets cold.”

  He gave her his best pout, he was sure he looked like a petulant child.

  She chuckled and shook her head as she entered the bathroom and closed the door, locking it for good measure.

  A few minutes later she appeared back with the others. She had taken her hair down and left the mass flowing gently down her back.

  Cade could hardly breathe she was so beautiful. He stood from where he was sitting and cupped her cheek gently with his palm. “You’re so beautiful. You take my breath away.”

  She smiled and leaned into his palm for a moment. Turning she addressed the room, “If everyone will move to the dining room, dinner is ready. Emma and Rose, would you please help me bring in the food?”

  Isaac stood and gave Anna a warm, fatherly hug. “You are lovely, Anna, as always,” giving her a knowing wink.

  The party moved to the dining room and the Thanksgiving dinner was placed on the table. Six pairs of male eyes almost popped out of their heads.

  Cade gazed at Anna, “You did all this? Everything looks and smells amazing.”

  “I had a little help.” She glanced at Emma. “But, yes, the recipes are mine.”

  She held out the carving knife to Isaac. “Would you like to honor us by carving the turkey?”

  With a happy little grin Isaac inclined his head and accepted the honor.

  Once the platters were load
ed with sliced turkey, the feast began as the bowls and platters were passed around the table. Everything was perfect. The turkey was juicy and succulent, the mashed potatoes were rich and creamy, and Anna’s family recipe for hamburger dressing was the absolute hit of the meal.

  Cade watched with pride as everyone piled their plates to overflowing. He leaned in and kissed Anna’s cheek gently. “You’ve done an amazing job, mon amour.”

  He passed the mashed potatoes across her to Stefan, who gazed at them with a fierce longing. “Do I have to share these?” he asked.

  Anna laughed. “Take as much as you want, there’s more in the kitchen.”

  The room quickly filled with moans of delight as the men began eating.

  Stefan was on his third helping of potatoes and gravy as the desserts were served.

  Anna looked around the table at the men who were quickly becoming her new family. “I made my family’s favorites, pumpkin pie and strawberry rhubarb pie. I hope you like them.”

  Thomas and John both said together, “Oh, yeah, Mom’s strawberry rhubarb pie is the absolute best.”

  From the amount of damage done to the pies when everyone was finished, Anna would take that as a yes.

  Everyone sat back in their chairs, full and content. Now was the perfect time for their announcement. “We’d like everyone’s attention for a minute.” Everyone quieted and waited to hear what Anna had to say. “Why don’t you tell them, babe?”

  “Mom, Dad, in about six months you’ll be grandparents,” Cade announced.

  The cheering was deafening with everyone congratulating them.

  Thomas and John high fived. “Is it a little brother or little sister, Mom?” John asked.

  “We don’t know yet, hun, I’m not sure if we want to find out ahead of time.” Anna was so happy the boys were taking their news so well.

  “Rose, do you think you will be able to stay long enough to see my baby into the world?” Anna really wanted her there.

  “You couldn’t keep me away.”

  Isaac smiled with his heavy lidded eyes half closed with satisfaction. He stole a glance in Rose’s direction and gave Emma’s hand a gentle squeeze under the table.

  “Anna that was the most amazing meal. Your talents in the kitchen are second to none,” Emma said quietly. “Please let me know if I can be of any help to you with the pregnancy and if you would like a shopping partner for the baby, I offer my services.”

  Anna could tell Emma was dying to start shopping.

  “I can’t believe I ate so much. I couldn’t stop myself,” Cade said as he rubbed his extended stomach with a satisfied expression on his face.

  “Yes, Anna, that was a true work of art,” Marcus agreed.

  Rose sat quietly watching the family’s banter and interaction.

  Dinner was cleared away and the party relocated to the great room again. The family was naturally drawn to Simon and his need for touch. Marcus instinctively sat in the chair close to Simon’s head, reached out and laid a hand on his brother’s shoulder. Simon’s sigh at the contact was soft, but all the wolves heard him.

  The room was full of activity, loud, boisterous men doing what men do when you get a group of them together.

  Stefan spotted Anna across the room with Rose. Walking over to the women, he wiggled his way between them and wrapped one arm around the shoulders of each woman. His wink at her and Rose had Anna shaking her head, he was incorrigible.

  Instantly, Cade’s head jerked up, his eyes latched onto his brother. There was death in those eyes. It was deadly for another male to touch a pregnant mated female. Stefan stiffened when he saw his brother’s threatening stare.

  At the same instant, Simon Le Beau went from what everyone thought was a catatonic state to full alert. He shot to a sitting position, nose sniffing the air, glaring at his brother with violence evident in his glare. Hidden from Rose’s view were Simon’s hands which had shifted into the deadly claws of his wolf as it forced its way to the surface.

  Marcus instantly grabbed Simon, placing his hands on Simon’s shoulders to hold him down on the couch. Isaac had also moved in on the other side of Simon and had his hand on Simons arm to calm him.

  Stefan casually removed his arms from around the women careful to make no sudden moves. Never taking his eyes off Simon, he stepped away from Rose and slowly backed out of the room.

  Seeing Stefan move away from Rose allowed Simon the space he needed to control himself and remain seated on the couch. It was taking everything he had to remain in human form and not attack Stefan. Inside his wolf snarled and snapped for release. He knew he had to protect the shifter community and not expose himself to a human, gritting his teeth and stayed in control.

  “Just breathe, everything’s all right, just breathe. Simon, look at your hands. You need to take care of that,” Isaac whispered quietly so only Simon would hear.

  Simon breathed deeply, closed his eyes and centered himself so he would be able to shift to total human again. That’s when he caught the first tendrils of heavenly fragrance coming from Anna’s friend. It was the coffee and cinnamon rolls again.

  He thought he had smelled it earlier when Rose had touched him but it had been so fleeting he thought he imagined it.

  All of this happened in a matter of seconds. Rose, hadn’t seen most of it, she had missed the violence and fury coming from Simon. She gave Anna a questioning look and then saw the brother called Simon was now sitting up on the couch.

  Everyone had shocked expressions on their faces except for Isaac and Emma. They gave each other a wink as Simon stood, straightened his shirt and walked over to Rose. With a spark of life in his eyes no one had seen since he had returned home. He reached for Rose’s hand. “It’s my pleasure to meet such a beautiful woman.”

  Simon gave Rose a warm smile. As he took another deep breath, his smile grew a little larger. He held her hand longer than was necessary and gazed deeply into her eyes. “I look forward to spending time with you.” He gave a gentle kiss to the back of her hand, inclined his head. Walking backward, he led her to the couch with him.

  Small gasps of surprise were heard all around the room. It was wonderful to see Simon interact and respond in a way they understood. There had been little hope that the old Simon would return to them. That hope had just increased exponentially.

  About the Author

  V.A. Dold is the author of the Le Beau Brothers series, New Orleans wolf shifter novels. A graduate of Saint Cloud University, she majored in marketing with a minor in reading romance paperbacks.

  Prior to becoming a full time writer, she was Publicist to the authors, owning Innovative Online Book Tours and ARC Author & Reader Con’s (ARC NOLA) (ARC Phoenix). Still is. The companies mesh well, much like PB&J.

  Her idea of absolute heaven is a day in the French Quarter with her computer, her coffee mug and the Brothers, of course.

  A Minnesota native with her heart lost to Louisiana, she has a penchant for titillating tales featuring sexy men and strong women. When she's not writing, she's probably taking in a movie, reading, or traveling.

  Her earliest reading memories are from grade school. She had a major fixation with horses, and the Black Stallion was a favorite. Then junior high came along and teenage hormones kicked in. It became all about the Harlequin Romances. She has been hooked on romances ever since.

  Connect with V.A. Dold:

  Visit V.A.’s website http://www.vadold.com/

  Like on Faceboook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/VA-Dold/1404660546458551?ref=hl

  Follow on twitter at https://twitter.com/

  Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5356266-v-a-dold

  Read on for an excerpt from

  V.A. Dold’s

  Next book:

  Simon

  Book 2 of the Le Beau Brothers

  The Plan

  Emma Le Beau knelt in front of her alter as she prepared to take her daily meditation time and speak with the spirits when the Goddess came
to her. “Simon has suffered much, more than any of my children should ever endure. His mate is Rose, a friend to Anna. She will be here at the plantation for Thanksgiving. Her love and connection to Simon will be the final thing that he will need to return fully to his human form. I have set events in motion to guarantee Simon’s mate will come. Take care, my daughter, blessed be.”

  Bursting with excitement Emma ran to Isaac. “I’ve been given another mate’s identity. This woman is meant for Simon.”

  Isaac’s brows furrowed. “Why Simon and not one of the older boys?”

  Taking Isaac’s hand Emma quietly said, “Fate doesn’t work in chronological order. There’s nothing type ‘A’ about fate. Fate does what it wants, when it wants, where it wants, and to whomever it wants. You can’t control or dictate fate, it just is.”

  “The goddess said our sons would receive their mates at the proper time and then she would disclose to us who that mate was and where she would be found. She never said our sons would receive their mates in order by age from oldest to youngest. We should simply accept the gift she has given and not question her.” Emma kissed him, so thankful for her own mate.

  “I can see the reasoning behind Simon receiving his mate before Stefan, he’s still so withdrawn from his experience. I’m thankful the Goddess wants to ease his suffering by bringing him his destined mate. Especially if she is the answer to complete his healing. It’s killing me to see him suffer and not able to help him.” Isaac drew Emma in as close as he could get her.

  Nibbling on her fingernail, “We need to come up with a plan to get Rose here,” Emma said almost as if speaking to herself. “The barbecue is tomorrow and Anna will be here. I’ll try to bring up her friends and family from Denver. If I can get her to mention Rose, I’ll point out that Cades house is very large and has plenty of room for visitors.”