“I’ll take it now, if you don’t mind.”
Eliza walked to a workstation and packed up the breakfast in a carry-out container. “Here you go.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“Anytime.” She saluted Caleb and then returned to her desk.
Caleb searched the dining room for the man he heard on the phone, but he had left.
Cameron and Connor still argued when he walked into his office. “Before you two start in on me, I’ve had a crappy morning, and it looks like it will be a worse afternoon.”
“And how is that our problem?” Cameron asked.
Caleb glared at him. His twin was the biggest pain in his ass most days. “Get on with it.” He sat behind his desk.
“Connor didn’t get the pictures of the gazebo to the printer in time for the spring brochure. There’s not time to fix it, unless we want to pay twice as much.”
“I didn’t get the pictures to the printer in time because you never approved them,” Connor argued.
“I did. By not saying anything about them that was me letting you know they were fine.”
Connor slammed his coffee cup on the table.
Coffee. Caleb forgot to get coffee. As impossible as it seemed, he swore his falcon just flipped him off. He chuckled to himself. My bird gave me the bird.
“What’s so funny?” Cameron demanded.
Caleb shook his head. “Nothing. Do you approve of the pictures?”
Cameron took his feet off the coffee table and set them on the floor. “I already said I did.”
“Right,” Caleb said. “Connor can you get them to the printer today?”
“Sure. Are you paying the fee? I spent my budget for the quarter,” Connor asked.
“Fine. Why do you need me to solve this for you? You two are owners, too. Can’t you decide?”
Connor stood up and walked over to Caleb’s desk. “I would have paid the fee, but the company credit card is maxed, and the printer threatened to cancel our account because it took us too long to pay him last time. He wants his money up front this time.”
“The card is maxed?” Cameron asked.
Both brothers stared at Caleb. “Money’s been tight. With everything going on around here, I had to use my money to cover a few expenses. Didn’t you see that in the reports I gave you?”
“I didn’t read that.” Cameron put his feet back on the table and leaned back.
“You gave that to us yesterday. I’m busy too.” Connor held up his hands palms facing out.
Caleb pounded his fist against the table. “Why the hell do I put together those reports if you two aren’t taking the time to read them?”
“Well, maybe if you added cartoons or gave us the abbreviated version.” Cameron laughed, and Connor gave him a thumb up in agreement.
Caleb pushed back his chair, exhaled, and walked to his door. Through clenched teeth he said, “Send the pictures to the printer and tell him I will call him this afternoon to arrange payment.”
“Where are you going?” Connor asked.
Caleb clenched and unclenched his fists. “I have to visit the construction crew working on the boutique. There are some concerns that need to be addressed.” He left before either brother could respond.
He stopped at a side table in the lobby to make a cup of coffee. “Maria,” he snapped, “the Keurig is out of water.”
Maria rushed over to get the water tank. “Sorry about that. We had several guests check out at once and I forgot to take care of this.” She avoided eye contact and mumbled something under her breath as she walked away.
Sleep. Coffee. Hard to decide what he needed most. Snapping at people was not professional. He pinched the bridge of his nose and turned to the kitchen. Two arguing workmen blocked his path.
“Nathan, you’re the next guy I wanted to see today.”
The foreman grimaced. “I’m on my way out to another site. Can we meet later?”
Caleb crossed his arms. “No, I want to see how everything is going. I’d like you to show me what you’re doing.”
Nathan rolled his eyes. “Fine. I have ten minutes.”
“Nathan, out of curiosity, how many projects are you working on right now?” Caleb followed him down the hall. They crossed a make-shift barrier of long, thick plastic sheets separating the hotel from the work.
Nathan tossed Caleb a hardhat. “Put this on while you’re walking around.”
Caleb put it on and studied the men working on drywall and the electricity. “Are you on schedule?”
“Yeah,” Nathan said over his shoulder. “Ahead.”
“Ahead is good as long as you don’t skimp on quality.”
Nathan stopped and stepped closer to Caleb. He panted. Caleb smelled cigarettes and coffee. His falcon woke up expecting trouble.
“Are you questioning the way I run my projects?”
“No. I hired you to do a good job and I’ve seen no reason to assume you aren’t doing that. But it is my resort and I’m the one who will live with the work you do.”
“I never hear complaints.” He puffed out his chest.
Caleb’s left foot moved back, and he assumed a defensive stance. “I’m not complaining. You come highly recommended. As a responsible owner and your client, I’m asking how everything is and expressing my goal for a safe and beautiful outcome. This will be the first boutique we’re opening, and I would like there to be more.” He connected with his falcon enough to shift his eyes to make them more intense, a move he hadn’t needed since high school.
Nathan opened his mouth to say something, then closed it. “We’re good Mr. Hanson.”
Caleb held his hand out, shook Nathan’s hand, and clasped his arm at the elbow. “Good to hear it.” He walked out and headed to the lobby. Maria jumped up from her desk and met him before he rounded the counter.
She handed him a cup of hot, black coffee. Guilt stabbed his heart. Maria had worked at the Libre Volare for four years. He relied on her a lot and hated his earlier behavior. “Maria, I’m sorry for earlier. I’m not having a good day.”
She grinned. “It’s okay, boss. I heard your brothers arguing.”
He took a drink of coffee and sighed. Life was better. “Are they still in there?”
She nodded. “Want me to get them out of there?”
His eyes opened wider. “Can you?”
“Go on back there and give me a minute. I got your back.”
Caleb nodded and walked to his office where his brother sat arguing over college basketball. They ignored Caleb as he sat behind his desk.
Within seconds Cameron and Connor received text messages claiming they had to take care of something. Caleb had no idea how Maria pulled it off, but decided she needed a raise.
He opened the styrofoam container left on his desk. The cold omelet still smelled great. The first bite was amazing. His phone and computer dinged, a meeting notice. He and Wednesday had an appointment with Hank. Before he could click out of the screen, Wednesday walked over to him. She bent and kissed his head.
“Hey, honey. How’s your morning been?”
He crammed in another bite of his breakfast. “I’m just now eating breakfast if that is any sign. I pissed off Doug, my brothers, and Nathan.”
“Nathan?”
“The foreman working on Sky’s shop. I have concerns about the safety of his operation, but there wasn’t any proof when I walked through. We’ll keep an eye on it.”
“Do you have to do it?” Wednesday pouted.
Caleb took another big bite of food. “Not now. Now I’m off with you to go see Hank.”
“Are you sure you can get away? It’s a regular appointment.”
He put the final bite in his mouth, guzzled the coffee, and wiped his hands on his jeans. “I haven’t missed an appointment yet. Don’t feel like starting today.”
As they stood to leave, his phone rang. The accountant. Caleb sent the call to voicemail. As he closed Wednesday’s door, the phone rang again. The i
nsurance representative. He sent that call to voicemail. When they pulled up to Hank’s, his mother called. Caleb got out of the car, threw his phone on the ground, and stomped on it.
Wednesday stared at him. “Are you okay?”
“I am now.” He put an arm around his mate and walked with her inside to meet with Hank. For the next half-hour he wanted nothing to do with the outside world.
Wednesday
Wednesday collapsed on the couch, reclined the seat, and propped up her feet. Her evening plan involved staying in that position until bedtime.
“Are you hungry?” Caleb called from the kitchen.
“Yes, but it takes too much energy to eat.” Wednesday chuckled.
Caleb rounded the corner with a ginger ale he handed to her. “How about I order from the Chinese takeout?”
“That sounds great. I’ll take one of everything.”
“Do you think a lot of salt is good?”
She glared at him and growled. He held up his hands in surrender. “Fine. I’ll be right back.”
“Do you have to go get it, can’t they deliver?”
“It will take longer. Is that okay with you?”
Wednesday smiled and patted the couch next to her. “I’m okay if it takes longer.” She lowered her eyes and stuck out her chest. The pregnancy had one benefit.
Caleb found her phone in the purse on the table. “Do you have the number saved?”
She nodded. He found the number, called in their order, and sat next to her, reaching for the remote. “I can catch the end of the game.”
Wednesday rested her hand on his shoulders and ran her fingers through his hair. “That’s one way to spend our time.”
Caleb slipped off his shoes and put his feet on the ottoman. Wednesday ignored the sweat smell. Increased smell sensitivity was not a benefit of pregnancy. She ran a finger up his arm and leaned close to his ear. “Isn’t there something else we can do?”
He yawned. “I’d take a nap if there was time, but by the time I fall asleep, they’ll be here.”
She pressed her breast against him hoping her hard nipples would communicate her desire better.
“Isn’t the game being recorded?”
His arm twitched, and he scratched it. “Sure, but now I can watch it live. Nobody can spoil it for me this way.”
Wednesday took off her sweater, the cami undershirt stretched tight with the extra growth. “I don’t want to watch the game. There’s something much more intimate we could do.”
Caleb mumbled a response and yelled at the TV.
Wednesday rubbed his upper thigh and across his crotch.
Caleb dropped the remote. “What, um, what are you-” he looked her in the face, “-oh. I see what you’re getting at. You want to do that? Now?”
She nodded. “Very much so.”
He twisted and put his hands on her inner thighs. “You should have come out and told me that’s what you wanted. That is always better than watching a game.” He kissed her neck and nibbled her ear, then rested his hand on her midsection. “I want to see you. Take off your clothes.”
She stretched back. “Why do you want to see me? I’m as big as a whale.”
Caleb slipped a finger under each strap and slid them down. “You are the mother of my children and a beautiful goddess. I love seeing you full of life.” With her help, he removed the cami and cupped her breast. The darkened areolas highlighted her hard nipples. He bent over and kissed each one.
She shivered. “Turn off the lights.”
“No. I won’t be able to see you.”
“I know.”
Caleb grinned. “I claimed this body years ago. I want to enjoy every last bit before I have to share it. The lights stay on. You will, however, take off your pants and lean against the corner. I plan on starting with your pussy and I will work my way up tasting you.”
Wednesday’s heart beat faster and her panties grew wet. Nothing excited her more than Caleb controlling the situation. If he wanted a show, she’d give him a show. She found “Earned It” on her phone. Leggings were not sexy but taking them off could be. And her strip tease would have worked if she had better coordination and balance.
Caleb rushed over to help her off the floor. “Are you okay? Are the babies okay?”
Wednesday swatted his hand away, her leggings bunched up around her ankles and her ass sitting on the floor. Big tears streamed from her eyes. “I’m fine. Their fine. We’re all fine. I want this over.” She looked up at him. “I don’t want to be pregnant anymore. I’m done. Call Hank and tell him to get this ball rolling.”
He sat with her back against him holding her tight. “It doesn’t work that way, honey. I understand you’re tired of this. You’ve done such a good job. Our girls are so lucky to have you as their mother.”
She hiccupped. “You think so. I can’t even take my pants off without falling. What if I fall when I’m carrying one of them? What if I drop one of them?”
Caleb moved to face her. He put his finger under her chin and tilted it up to face him. “This is part of pregnancy. My falcon called to you before I ever did. He knew you’d be a good mother.”
“But I’m a lousy shifter. I’m not strong and graceful. I’m not an Earth Mama tied to the cycles of nature and the moon.”
Caleb chuckled. “I told you before, don’t compare real life to the movies. The movies are fiction created to make money. Would you pay money to see John Goodman as a shifter? You are strong and graceful. I love you, Wednesday O’Neil.” He held her until the hiccups stopped and she stopped crying. Then helped her out of her leggings and back to the couch. He restarted the music from her phone and stood in front of her.
“What are you doing?”
“You’ll see.” Caleb untucked his shirt and ran his hands underneath. He moved his hips in time to the music, pumping his groin and rubbing his cock through his jeans. His shirt slid off and landed on the floor next to him. He undid his jeans and wiggled out of them. With only his boxer briefs left, he moved closer to Wednesday. She reached out and held his bulge, but he took her hand away and used a waving index finger to show that was not allowed.
“Now, I told you to lie against the corner. You don’t have a choice.” Wednesday complied “Close your eyes, my Goddess Falcon.”
She snickered.
Caleb said, “No, no, no. Forget everything except what I say and do.”
He rubbed her feet and massaged her ankles then kneaded her calves and thighs. “Relaxed?”
“Almost too much.”
“We need to change that.” He brought her hips to the edge of the couch and let her legs fall over his shoulders.
She flexed her legs in anticipation of his mouth on her clit. Instead, he rubbed his finger up and down her folds, pinched the outside lips and leaned in closer. His cold breath sent an electrical shock up her back and she wrapped her hand in his hair holding him closer, needing to feel his tongue tease her. Caleb slipped a finger inside her walls and bent his finger in a come-hither motion. She dug in her heals against his back. When his tongue danced across her hard bump, she fought the urge to orgasm instead wanting to enjoy the buildup and foreplay.
He pulled back. “I’m not letting you cum this early.”
She wanted more, needed him deep inside her. His need to control and influence the outcome interfered with her need of release. She bit her lip and looked longing at him. Caleb stood and held out his hand. He walked her to the kitchen table and helped her sit on top. He dropped his boxers and stroked his hard shaft.
“Is this what you want?”
Wednesday licked her lips and nodded.
He stepped between her legs and wrapped them around his waist. With a little maneuvering around her stomach, they found a comfortable position as he slipped inside her pushing his head deeper into her folds. She laid back against the table and he cupped her breasts.
“Harder,” she moaned. The table creaked but held firm. She half sat. “Harder,” she moaned louder, t
hen fell back against the table as he obliged.
Caleb brought her close to the edge, then changed the speed and depth to tease her more. She came close again, and he switched movements to extend her pleasure. Trying to manipulate him, she lay still and focused on not reacting. Yet, again he brought her close and refused to let her finish.
“I know how you work,” he teased. “I want this as much as you. We will cum when I say we do.”
She rocked her head side to side and dug her nails into his arm. “Please, Caleb. I n...n...neeeedd...”
With one last thrust, they both reached the edge and soared over.
A knock at the door ended the afterglow.
“Coming,” Caleb called.
Wednesday laughed. “Yes, we did.”
Caleb snickered and shook his head. He helped his mate off the table. Threw on his pants and went to the door. She went to the bedroom to change into pajamas and returned as Caleb laid out the food on the counter, all six bags.
“When I said one of everything, I didn’t mean it.”
He shrugged. “Well, I wasn’t sure. I got none of the spicy stuff because that’s not working for you these days.”
She stood on tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “Thank you for this and the other. I hope it served as much of a stress reliever for you as it did for me.”
He handed her a plate. “I guess. It’s not an easy time right now.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“I don’t know. Clone me.”
She put down her plate, opened the refrigerator, and took out a beer. “I can’t do that, but I can get you a beer and let you watch the game.”
“I wanted that clone but watching the game sounds good too.”
They sat on the couch, ate their dinner, and watched the end of the game. When it was over, Caleb took out his laptop. “Have you given any thought to who’ll take your classes while you are out?”
She sighed. “No. I don’t relish the thought of someone taking my place.”
“Honey, no one is taking your place. It will be a substitute. Someone who can help after the babies are born.”
She put her feet on the floor. “You mean I can’t work after the babies are born?”
Shelter For My Mate: Sassy Ever After (Sanctuary for My Mate Book 3) Page 4