Accidental Lover (Wolven Moon Book 3)

by Dany Rae Miller

  “Thank you,” I say and reach for the simple white tank dress in my closet.

  “Gabby sounds almost relieved,” he says.

  “She does. It could be facade, though. We should keep an eye on her.”

  “Will do.” He turns me to search my eyes. “Since you don’t have to go to the Springs for your things, you can start work on Monday. Your first assignment will be taking notes at the town’s film festival meeting. You can see what it takes to accommodate the Hollywood elite in Telluride.”

  “Well, I’m not sure I’ll be back by Monday.”

  “Back from where?” His jaw ticks. “Your shit’s all in my storage locker. You said so yourself.”

  I step away from him, certain that he’s going to go ballistic when I tell him my plans.

  “Just before we drove down for Gabs’ wedding, Jesse helped me move my college stuff from Boulder to Colorado Springs. In exchange, I promised to go to Santa Fe with him — to help look for a place to live.”

  Victor’s eyes close briefly; his jaw tightens. He’s trying to contain his wolf’s anger. “But you’re not going to live in Santa Fe now.”

  I ignore the statement and tick off items on my fingers. “The plan was that directly after the wedding, Jesse and I would go to Santa Fe for a few days, then drive back to Colorado Springs where I’d get my stuff and he’d get his car. We left it at Mom’s B&B.”

  “He can rent a car and go by himself.”

  I nod. “He could, and he may decide to do that given what I did last night. The thing is,” I close my eyes, grimace. “I want to check out The Graces.”

  Victor rubs his jaw and paces in front of me. “I thought you were happy with The Av deal. It’s a fabulous starting salary.”

  “I know and a fabulous training opportunity. You heard the message from Rodriquez?”

  “Yes. I did.”

  “I’d like to hear their take on wellness tourism. It is an emerging niche, you know. And, The Graces is full of people like me — witches. He made me curious.”

  “Just curious? You’re not running away are you? Running from me?”

  I lower my eyes.

  “Fuck, Cherie. Look at me.” He’s doing well battling his anger, but the thickness in his voice indicates his beast is pulling on the leash.

  My eyes flutter up to his. “I just need to take a step back.” I look away, again, the disappointment in his golden chocolate eyes is too much. “This is all going so fast, too fast, don’t you think?”

  “This?” He asks.

  “This relationship. Sex. Passion and lust. Whatever it is that we’re doing.”

  He cups my face with both hands and strokes my cheeks with his thumbs. “Don’t you dare play dumb, mi ninfa.” His voice softens. “You know what this is. That four-letter word that scares the shit out of you?”

  I wrench away to brush my hair.

  “Were you there last night? Did you see what I did? What Baldwin did? That four-letter word hurts people, Victor.” I snap on a turquoise barrette, capturing my hair at the nape of my neck.

  “Do not compare yourself to Baldwin. You didn’t make a promise. You weren’t committed in any way to Jesse.”

  That’s true. “Still. He got hurt and it was my fault.”

  “Life hurts sometimes, especially when someone you have feelings for doesn’t return those feelings. That’s not the case between us, is it?” He smirks, certain of himself.

  “You are so arrogant.” God, I want to believe — him, Lauralynn, Mom.

  He smiles. “And —”

  “Audacious,” I say it before he can.

  His grin broadens. “Look. I’ve been where Jesse is right now and I’ve been where Gabby is right now.”

  “With Jen?”

  Victor nods.

  “That’s surprising. She didn’t look that stupid.” I smile.

  “She is totally stupid.” Victor chuckles. “When it was all said and done, I realized it was the Santana name and the money she was after. She wouldn’t sign the prenup — even though it was generous, to say the least.”

  “I’m sorry that happened to you,” I say. And I am. Over the years, I watched so called friends use Gabs for her money, too, and how much it hurt her.

  “I’m not. It got me here to this time and place. Got me here with you.” He strokes my bottom lip with a thumb. “What about you, Cherie? Would you sign a prenup?”

  I step away, grab my purse and head to the door. “Luckily, that will never be an issue, because I am never getting married.” I smile and open the door. “Have a good day, Victor. Good luck with the mass exodus.”

  chapter thirty-three

  HAVE A GOOD day, Victor? Cherie just used her customer service tone on me, then elegantly sashayed her shapely ass out the door. That’s bullshit. I turn to her dresser mirror to adjust my tie she had tugged on.

  You are getting married someday, dream girl, — married to me.

  Did I just think that? Yes, I did. Glancing from my tie to my eyes, I tell myself that Cherie’s right; I am one crazy fucker.

  Downstairs, the morning rounds go smoothly. The girls cancelled with The Av first. Cherie had spoken to Monbeau before I even got to the kitchen.

  Chef added a special to the breakfast menu to feed as much of the food as possible to departing guests. He planned lunch and dinner menus as well and contacted local caterers to resell some of the fresh food overstock.

  The wedding cakes had been baked, but not yet decorated. The pastry can be repurposed for other desserts. We’ll give some to employees, donate the rest to the local food locker.

  As the girls contact the 300 plus wedding guests, most are opting to cancel the rest of their stay and checking out today — as I expected.

  The head bellhop called in more of his staff. Housekeeping, too, has brought in extra maids for the morning shift.

  Running the wait-list, reservations will do their best to rebook the vacant rooms.

  My staff is on it, making my job a pleasure. I sit down to the in-basket in my office, getting through the stack of invoices and signature requests quickly. Just as I put the last document in my out box, Grandmother knocks on the open door.

  “Grandmother.” I stand, kiss her cheek. “I take it you heard the wedding news?”

  Nodding, she sits. “I can’t say I’m surprised. Gabriela seems to be processing it well.”

  “She does.” I take the chair next to Grandmother.

  Grandmother nods, links her fingers, rests her chin on them. “Have you spoken to Cherie since last night?”

  “Yes, I have.” I don’t elaborate.

  “And? How has she processed Gabriela’s outburst?”

  “Harshly,” I say. “She believes what Gabby said about her.”

  “I was afraid of that.”

  I decide to out mi ninfa’s plan, tell Grandmother of Cherie’s planned trip to Santa Fe with Jesse. “She wants to take a tour of The Graces while she’s there.”

  Grandmother nods.

  “You’re not surprised?”

  “No. She’s young and extremely curious. When are they leaving? Your parents are en route to Colorado. I was hoping we’d have a nice dinner so they’d have the opportunity to meet her.”

  “She’s not leaving. I’ll find a way to stop her.”

  Shaking her head, Grandmother says, “Don’t.”

  “What?”

  “I said don’t stop her. Let her go to Santa Fe with that nice young man.”

  “And if she doesn’t come back?” My lungs tighten, the paralysis moving up my throat and allowing my beast to emerge.

  “Then, she’s not meant to be — for The Av or for you,” Grandmother says softly.

  I pick up and slap a file on my desk. “I can’t do that, Grandmother. I can’t let her do that. She wants a resort career. The Graces isn’t on that path. Even if — we don’t — if she doesn’t —.” I can’t even say the fucking words aloud.

  Even if she doesn’t want me.


  “You must let her find her own way, Victor.”

  My voice raises despite trying to keep cool. “Absolutely not. I have a responsibility to guide her.”

  “Why do believe you’re responsible for her?”

  Because … she’s precious? I took her virginity? I’ve fallen in love with her?

  “Because she’s doesn’t have a clue. She’s too naïve to know what’s best. The Av —.” I scrub my jaw.

  “You?”

  I sigh, nod.

  “All the more reason to let her go.” Grandmother nods. “You are correct. Overachiever she may be, what the poor girl believes when it comes to affairs of the heart is severely warped. She’s begun to straighten it out, but you cannot force the pace or do it for her.”

  Getting to her feet, Grandmother rests a hand on my arm. “Any attempt to manipulate or control Cherie could backfire in the worst way, Victor. Just love her. I have a strong suspicion that that alone will encourage her to come back to you.” Grandmother takes a deep breath. “Now, I need some breakfast. How about you? Have you eaten?”

  I shake my head. “I’ll meet you in the dining room in a moment.”

  Opening the mini-fridge to get a calla lily from my stash, I twirl it in my fingers.

  Let her go? Not a chance.

  As I thought she’d be, my girl is still in the dining room working. Several tables shoved together in the far corner function as a makeshift call center. Each of Gabby’s helpers has a printed name and number list in front of them.

  Grandmother and Aunt Rebecca flank Gabby. Cherie’s Mom sits next to her daughter. The school friends are there, too. Even Reed and Jesse make calls.

  Cherie, speaking into her phone, sees me walk toward them. She tilts her head, wondering what I’m hiding behind my back. I stand behind her, kiss the top of her head. When she finishes the call, I present her with the flower.

  “That is so sweet.” Her mom smiles at me.

  I have won over one Valentine.

  Cherie tilts her head back, looks at up me in a playful way. “Did you buy a floral shop, Mr. Santana?”

  “No. But that is an excellent idea.” I reach for a chair at the end of the table.

  Rose gets up. “Take my seat, Victor. I have to go pack.” She kisses her daughter’s cheek. “Lunch with Phil and me?”

  Cherie blows out a breath. “I guess.”

  “Pick the place and let us know.” Rose says her goodbyes around the table before she leaves.

  I signal the waiter, order an omelet, juice and coffee.

  Grandmother taps a finger on the table. “Actually, a floral department is something to consider, Victor. With the increase in weddings here, the numbers could work. Doesn’t The Broadmoor have their own, Cherie?”

  “Yes,” Cherie says. “As well as their own greenhouses.”

  Getting off a call, Lauralynn draws a line through a name on her list. “So, tell me again why you’re not interning there, C? You love that place.”

  “Lauralynn Taylor.” Grandmother shakes her finger at the girl. “Do not give Cherie any ideas?”

  “You brought it up, Grandmother.” Reed winks at Lauralynn who promptly blushes.

  Cherie laughs. “Because I’ve been there, done that. Give me the fresh and the new.”

  “Like Santa Fe?” I say.

  Squinting at me, Grandmother covertly shakes her head.

  Jesse winks at Cherie. “Secret’s out, baby.”

  Everyone at the table turns to Cherie. She makes a face at me and at Jesse.

  The kid bails her out. “It’s my idea. When Cherie got the internship at The Graces, I promised to show her around my hometown, help her find a rental. I’m living up to the promise.”

  “I’m confused. I thought you’re interning here,” Amber says to Cherie. Turning to Jesse, she adds, “And, I thought you were mad at Cherie.”

  “I am. This is my mad face.” Jesse grins.

  Either he got over Cherie fast, or something else is going on. Fuck. Just when I thought I was overcoming my jealousy.

  Before I can force my girl to confirm she’s interning here, my cousin butts in.

  “When are you leaving?” Gabby glances between the two.

  “Since there’s no wedding, tomorrow morning,” Jesse says. “We’ll stay at The Av one more night.”

  I shoot Cherie a look. “And when you get back?”

  You better fucking come back.

  “C and Ells are moving into my condo. I’ll stay until I have to be back in Boulder for class.” Gabby digs in her purse, hands each girl a key. “I had these made yesterday for you.”

  “Thanks, but I won’t be moving in right away.” Lauralynn clears her throat. “A last minute job came through, a consult in Denver. I’m leaving this afternoon.”

  “I’m headed to Denver myself. Do you need a ride?” Reed asks with a tinge of hope in his voice.

  “No.” Lauralynn answers curtly, then softens her tone. “But thanks for the offer.”

  Creased brow and tilted head, Cherie’s thinking hard about something. “How long will you be gone, Ells?”

  “I don’t know. Two weeks, maybe.”

  Biting her bottom lip, Cherie turns to Gabby. “Since you won’t be on a honeymoon, G, you should come with Jesse and me.”

  My omelet arrives. I eat and listen to the conversation.

  “I will not be a third wheel.” Gabby gets up. “I’ve had way too much coffee. Be right back.”

  Cherie watches my cousin walk to the restroom, glances at Jesse. She knows they have a thing for one another, probably knew it all along. That’s most likely why she didn’t give in to him before.

  “Convince her to come with us, Jesse,” Cherie says.

  “It’s too soon. Give her time to get over Baldwin.” The kid glances at me. Hate to say he’s right, but he is. I give him a small nod.

  “Well, we’re going back to the Springs tomorrow morning. The place is all yours, girls,” says Aunt Rebecca, pushing her chair back to stand. “You can both move your things to the condo before you leave town.”

  “A? F? When are you flying out?” Cherie looks at the other two girlfriends.

  “Today, directly after check out,” Fallon says.

  Amber nods.

  “You can’t.” Cherie looks around the table. “We cannot leave Gabs alone right now. We’re postponing our trip, Jesse.”

  Yes!

  Grandmother pats Cherie’s hand. “No, you’re not. Gabriela will be fine. You go to Santa Fe and enjoy yourself. Come back refreshed and ready to work.”

  Fuck. Love her to death, but I wish Grandmother would shut up.

  Pushing back her chair, Grandmother lays a hand on Cherie’s shoulder. “Speaking of work, I have a special project you might be interested in. I’d like a word with you about it. Come by Victor’s condo. Around three this afternoon?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Cherie says.

  “I’ll have you know that calling me ma’am makes me feel ancient, my dear.”

  Cherie smiles. “Yes, Maria.”

  Grandmother laughs. “Much better.”

  Aunt Rebecca leaves with Grandmother.

  The rest of the group goes back to making calls. I push my empty plate away, watch Cherie while I sip a second cup of coffee.

  Worry for Gabby could be just the thing to stop Cherie from going to Santa Fe. I could enlist my cousin’s help to make my girl feel guilty enough to stay.

  Grandmother would disapprove. Damn it, though, stepping back and letting her go feels wrong. How the fuck am I supposed to let her leave without a fight? Could I take the torture of not knowing whether she’ll come back? What if she doesn’t?

  As I think that, my girl dips her nose into the calla lily, smiles at the scent.

  You’ll come back. I’ll make fucking sure of it.

  We need another night of Operation Romance. How do I top the grand finale from last night? I almost snap my fingers when I get the perfect idea. A fresh and new romantic ex
perience coming right up.

  chapter thirty-four

  VICTOR STARES AT me, fingers under his chin and his left eyebrow lifting every now and then. Trying to ignore him, I dial the next person on my list.

  “Mrs. Camdon, my name is Cherie Valentine. I’m calling on behalf of Gabriela Santana.”

  Before I can say anything more, Mrs. Camdon says she’s heard the sad, sad news of the cancelled wedding and isn’t it just a shame.

  “Yes, it is.”

  I listen to another five minutes of regrets and condolences for the bride — Geez, no one died, lady.

  “I will pass along your message. Thank you, Mrs. Camdon.”

  I tap end call. Lay my head on the back of the chair and look at the ceiling.

  “That bad, huh?” Lauralynn laughs. “I’m done. How many do you have left, C?”

  “Two.”

  “Give me one.”

  As we finish those calls, I glance over at Victor, tapping furiously on his phone. He looks at me out of the corner of his eye, hides his screen. His secretive smile, as he pockets his phone, stands and walks away, tells me he’s up to something.

  Done with my last call, I tap end call and Victor’s goofy face is on the screen signaling a text from him. I click to read it.

  Road 2 Santa Fe can have u 2morrow. 2night, ur mine ALL mine. Be ready at 4p. Wear jeans, cowboy boots if u got em.

  Smiling, I look up. He’s grinning at me from the doorway, then, with a wink, disappears into the lobby. It’s the mine ALL mine line that amps up my anticipation.

  A minute later another text appears.

  & wear whatever it is u got @ lingerie shop. Ohlala.

  The girls and I spend the rest of the morning returning wedding gifts. Then, I go to lunch with Mom and Phil. I’m already at the little cafe when they arrive.

  “Sweetie.” Mom kisses my cheek. I even let Phil kiss my cheek. I still don’t like him, though.

  Mom says the B&B is shut down as of now, but she won’t put it up for sale until next spring. They want to do some repairs and updates to get top dollar. She wants me to come home over a couple of long weekends between now and then to choose things from the house that I want to keep. They’ll put them in storage for me.