by Vella Day
Finally, he lifted his head, and when he captured her lips, bolts of joy skipped down her spine. She widened her legs to accept him, and he didn’t disappoint. In one thrust, he entered her, and the friction set her on fire. She planted her feet on the bed and met the next plunge with equal force, her glow intensifying with each encounter. Their breaths mixed, and it was as if they were becoming one, a molecule at a time. On the next thrust, he hit every nerve in her body, and her blue glow increased and grew until both of them were encased in a bubble.
He must have recognized what that meant, because he broke the kiss and lowered his head, his teeth scraping the tender part of her neck. “I love you, Jillian Garner. And that’s not just my bear talking.”
His love soothed every emotional ache in her body, and the tears leaking out of her eyes were from pure joy. “I love you too, Brian Stanley. I want you forever.”
As if they had rehearsed this, they each sunk their sharp animal teeth into the other’s neck. Her climax swooped in with the force of the strongest tornado, and carried her to a safe and wonderful place.
Brian then lifted his head and kissed her. When their tongues touched, his cock detonated, pummeling his hot seed into her. He held her tight, and when his breathing slowed, he rolled over, taking her with him. Still connected, she rested her head on his rather furry chest, content beyond all belief.
“Maybe I should thank Frank Whitlaw,” she mumbled.
Brian tightened his hold. “Whatever for?”
“For escalating the time of our meeting.”
He kissed the top of her head. “I hope I’m worth it. You’ve been through a lot of pain, losing your dad like that and then your friend.”
Brian was so sweet. “You had it worse. You lost your parents and a sister for thirty-eight years.”
“But I found you and that makes up for everything.”
Aw. Jillian was one lucky woman.
*
The next week was bittersweet for both of them. Brian asked Jillian to move into his apartment, and she’d agreed. That was the good part. Now that they’d mated, their need to be with each other was growing stronger every day, which meant the pain of separation while they were at work, intensified with each hour. Keeping busy helped—somewhat. Because Anna was still recuperating, Elana had come into work. Kalan’s mom had been thrilled to take care of her only grandchild.
“So what are your plans now?” Elana asked.
Jillian and Brian had spent hours discussing what needed to happen next. “Once Anna returns, I’m going to head back to California.”
Her brows pinched. “What about Brian? This will crush him if you leave.”
Jillian waved a hand. “I’m not moving back. I’ve already called my boss and given my notice, but I need to clean out my office and put my house up for sale.”
“Brian didn’t say anything about going with you.”
“We talked about that also, but he has responsibilities at work and didn’t think it would be wise to ask for a few weeks off. He’ll stay here.”
Elana rubbed her arm. “That will be hard. I remember when Kalan and I first mated, we could barely go a few hours without each other.”
Jillian smiled. “We’re the same way, but this has to be done. Besides, the sooner I leave, the sooner I can return and look for a job.” Elana didn’t need two employees.
“You’ve done such a great job here. I really appreciate you helping out.”
“I’m not sure Anna feels the same way. Whitlaw wouldn’t have targeted her if I hadn’t been here.”
“She doesn’t blame you.”
Jillian hoped that was true. “Speaking of which, have you talked to her today?”
“I called her this morning, and she’s feeling better. Now it’s a matter of letting the stitches dissolve and the bruising to go away,” Elana said. “However, she said she wanted to come into work tomorrow, but that she’d stay in the back room and help with the arrangements.” Elana finished placing the roses in the vase. “Anna also said that your brother has called a few times to check up on her.”
“Really?” He hadn’t mentioned it. Then again, Dalton was closed mouthed when it came to women.
“She couldn’t believe that he rushed into the building and saved her when you’d been injured.”
Jillian hoped Anna wasn’t developing a crush on Dalton. He might be more handsome than any man deserved to be, but he was a workaholic. “Dalton said he didn’t know I’d been injured at the time.”
Elana placed the flowers in the cooler. “Now that Anna will be returning tomorrow, when do you think you’ll leave?”
“I guess I can go anytime. I’ll see if I can get a flight tomorrow.”
Elana hugged her. “I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done here.”
“It was my pleasure. I would have died of boredom if I hadn’t worked. If you hear of a law firm in need of a lawyer, let me know.”
“I will.”
When five o’clock rolled around, Jillian was sad to say goodbye to Blooms of Hope and Elana and Anna. Jillian loved the fragrance of the flowers and the peaceful setting, but she had to tie up her own affairs.
She trudged up the stairs, already missing this place, this town, these people. Brian had today and tomorrow off, and as soon as she walked into the apartment, he came over with a glass of wine for her. “How was your day?”
She kissed him then took the proffered drink. “Good. Anna will be back tomorrow.”
He glanced away, the energy he’d emitted seconds before diminished. “I guess that means you’re leaving?”
She set her glass down and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Leaving, yes, but only for a short period of time. I’ve already hired movers to come in and pack up everything. I won’t be gone for that long.”
He held her tight. “A day is too long.”
“I know.”
“You sure you won’t realize how wonderful Los Angeles is and want to stay?”
Brian was being silly. She pulled his head down and kissed him. Out of the corner of her eye, she spotted her sparks streaming off her body. When their tongues touched, she absorbed all of his goodness. “Does that answer your question? You can always come with me, you know. I’ll warn you now, it will be boring.”
“I really wish I could.”
He was so dedicated. She understood that he hadn’t experienced much success in his life and wanted to turn things around.
“I understand.”
He stroked her face. “I guess tonight will have to be something special then. I don’t want you to forget me.”
She laughed. “Never in a million years.” Jillian ran her hands down his back and lifted up his shirt. “Turn around.”
“Why?”
“I want to look at your marking again. I want to be certain that our incredible mating wasn’t a figment of my imagination.”
He turned his back to her. “Still there?”
She ran her finger around the symbol of their union. “Yes. Your bear paw seems to be darkening every day. The vine looks good behind it.”
He faced her. “And yours?”
Jillian smiled. “It’s the same as yours.”
“Show me.” Brian grinned. The oven timer dinged and he stepped back. “Crap. Bad Timing. Hold that thought.”
She sniffed and detected the heavenly scent of sugar. “What are you baking?”
“Chocolate chip cookies.”
She’d told him that was her favorite food and that she missed her mom’s home-cooked ones. “You made me cookies?”
He grinned. “Just for you.”
She loved him even more. Brian headed into the kitchen and Jillian dropped down on the sofa to enjoy her wine. She’d taken one sip when her cell rang. “It’s Dalton,” she called to Brian then returned her attention to the call. “Hey, what’s up?”
“I wanted you to know that Whitlaw’s body was autopsied by Dr. Williams.”
“Meaning what?”
“Our shifting identities are safe. We could have shipped the body directly to Los Angeles, but we wanted one of our own to perform the autopsy. We don’t need anyone to realize that a bear and a tiger killed him.”
“Good point, but wasn’t Dr. Williams suspicious?”
“He’s a shifter, and cleverly put the cause of death as blood loss due to a stab wound.”
“That’s an understatement. Let’s hope the LAPD doesn’t question his results,” she said. “They’d know he’d faked them.”
“From what I could tell, he had no next of kin, so maybe we’ll be in the clear.”
She sipped more of her wine. “Do you think I can tell Dalia’s parents that he confessed to murdering their daughter?”
“Let’s hold off on that. It might be hard to explain how you learned about it. I’m not sure we want to say that Whitlaw came after you and that you managed to overpower and kill him.”
Dalton always was so logical. “True. While I’m happy Whitlaw is dead, I would have enjoyed seeing him brought to trial and convicted. His cellmates would have had a ball with a cop.”
“Jillian, we need to be content knowing he can’t hurt anyone anymore.”
Dalton was right. “I agree. By the way, I’m going to see if I can get a flight tomorrow for LA.”
“What about Brian?”
“We’ll Skype or call.” Sure, he’d suffer with her gone, but she’d be in just as much pain.
“Stop by tomorrow before you go.”
“Will do.”
As soon as she disconnected, Brian brought over two cookies and the tin. “I didn’t want you to spoil your dinner. I’d like to take you to the Lake Steakhouse.”
She smiled. “This will be a night to remember.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
‡
Brian tossed back his second scotch. It had been nineteen days and counting since he’d been with Jillian. That was nineteen days too many. He looked around and absorbed the sights and sounds. There was something soothing about McKinnon’s Pub and Pool. It might be because this was the first place he’d stopped at when he’d visited his parents so many months ago that made it almost feel like home.
Finn McKinnon wiped the bar in front of him. “I take it you’re missing Jillian?”
“Missing is an understatement. Wait until you find your mate.”
He laughed. “Ain’t going to happen for a long ass time. I’m twenty-five and have a lot of enjoyment to look forward to first.”
Brian didn’t need to be lecturing this young pup about how much enjoyment he and Jillian had found, especially after they mated. Of course the sex was off the charts amazing, but that one night when they’d gone out for a run had been fantastic. Freeing. Exhilarating. Mind-expanding. When she returned for good, he wanted to romp and play every night. Thank goodness, she wasn’t some tiny wolf or he might end up hurting her by mistake. He still hadn’t learned how much damage a swipe could inflict. While Jillian was almost as powerful as he was, she was much faster.
“Now that you’ve seen my brother in action at McKinnon and Associates, are you tempted to join them?” Finn asked.
Brian polished off his glass. “No, thank you. Killing isn’t my style, though I was highly impressed with their operation. Besides, my technical skills are definitely not up to speed. That drone of theirs is something else.”
Finn puffed out his chest. “Connor does run a pretty sweet operation. I could have joined him in the family business, but I like working here. Hell, I probably know more secrets about this community than anyone. I pay attention to everything that goes on.”
What he said was true. If it hadn’t been for Finn vouching for Brian’s whereabouts the night of his parents’ murders, no telling where he might be right now. “Do you think you’ll be manager someday?”
Finn shrugged. “I’m hoping, but I’m happy stocking the bar and waiting on customers. The pay’s great and the hours are decent.” He looked up and nodded. “Mr. Murdoch! Fancy seeing you here.”
Daniel Murdoch, Kalan and Jackson’s dad, slid onto the seat next to Brian. “I’ll have an ale,” he told Finn. He faced Brian. “Elana tells me you want to have a place to start a woodworking shop.”
He’d called Mr. Murdoch and asked for an appointment with him. “I do. I’ll keep my job for as long as need be, but someday I’d like to make custom furniture.”
Finn delivered the ale and then moved to the end of the bar to serve some other customers.
“How can I help you?” Daniel asked.
Brian inhaled. “Elana said you have a small cabin not too far from here that you don’t use much anymore. I was wondering if you’d be interested in selling it?” He held onto his drink with both hands. Asking for favors never sat well with him.
“I might. Let’s talk about it.”
*
“Weren’t you scared?” Camille asked as she stuffed a piece of chicken in her mouth.
“Absolutely, but I knew I had to save my friend Anna,” Jillian said.
They were sitting at the small kitchen table at Camille’s house. Jillian had picked up some Chicken Cacciatore from her favorite restaurant, along with a few bottles of wine. They had a lot of catching up to do.
“What was it like to kill the scumwad?”
She chuckled at Camille’s name for him. “Brian had wounded him severely already. I merely delivered the fatal blow, but I did enjoy tearing out his throat.”
“Gross.”
“Yeah, well, that’s the fastest way to kill a wolf shifter. I wish I’d had the strength to really go head-to-head with him. Whitlaw was so freaking self-confident. His death was too swift.” Jillian took a bite of the spaghetti. The sauce was divine. “What’s going to happen to Dalia’s case? He confessed that he killed her.”
Camille shrugged. “You know better than anyone that hearsay like that won’t count in court.”
“I know.”
“Marie’s taking over the case, but I doubt she’ll get very far, especially since Whitlaw told you he tampered with all the evidence.”
“Yes. I know Dalia’s parents want closure, but that would mean finding some proof that Whitlaw killed her.”
“Unless you’re willing to reveal that shifters exist, they’ll always have to wonder.” Camille tossed back more of her wine. “So you’re really moving back to Tennessee?”
Jillian nodded. “Yes. Brian wouldn’t be happy if he moved here. Besides, those few weeks have shown me how much I enjoy being around Dalton. I was always so focused on work that we never spent quality time together.”
“Do you have a job lined up?”
“No, but I have enough money saved that I can afford to take my time looking. When I sell the house, I’ll be in good shape for a while.”
“Your mom’s going to miss you. How is she dealing with this?”
That had been a hard conversation. “She understands. She’s happy I’ve found someone and that I will be close to Dalton.”
“She can always move to Tennessee.”
Jillian chuckled. “I don’t think she could get used to the small town.”
Camille sighed, reached out, and clasped her hand. “I’ll miss you, girlfriend.”
“You can always Skype me. Or better yet, if the rat race gets to you, I bet the Silver Lake Sheriff’s department could always use a top notch officer.”
She laughed. “I think I’d freak knowing that half the town’s people were really shifters in disguise.”
“It’s not like they walk down the street in their animal form. Remember, humans still don’t know we exist.”
“If I decide to leave the department, you’ll be the first person I call.” Camille lifted her glass, and they toasted. “So tell me, what’s it like to be a person’s mate?”
“Oh, boy. Where do I begin?”
*
After three very long weeks of running around getting her house ready to sell, putting her possessions in a storage unit that she
could ship to Tennessee, and saying goodbye to her good friends at the law office, Jillian was exhausted. It was worth it if it meant she could return to Brian for good. Would she miss Los Angeles? Sure—at least part of it—but she was looking forward to starting a new life. She’d never really explored her animal side, and with Brian by her side, she’d be able to.
Once she boarded the plane to Knoxville, she texted Brian to make sure he’d pick her up when she arrived. Jillian couldn’t wait to be with him. They’d finally be able to live without the heavy cloud of Whitlaw hanging over them.
While she enjoyed Brian’s cozy one-bedroom apartment, even he’d said he would enjoy something bigger. It would be fun to house hunt—something with a couple of bedrooms, along with an office for her and a large workspace for Brian. He had such talented hands.
Don’t I know it, her tiger chimed in.
She swallowed a laugh. Her poor tiger had been so depressed these last few weeks. She’d begged Jillian to find a place where she could run free, but that wasn’t going to happen in a crowded city.
The flight seemed to take forever, probably because she was so anxious to see Brian again. While they would Skype and text almost every night, it wasn’t the same as when she could taste and touch him.
Many long hours later, the plane landed, and she eased her way to the front. Once in the main terminal, she rushed down the walkway and exited the restricted area, but she couldn’t find Brian. Instead, she spotted Dalton and immediately feared the worst.
“Welcome, home.” He hugged her. “Did everything go okay?”
Dalton and she had talked, but not as extensively as she had with Brian. “Yes, the house is on the market. Where’s Brian?”
Dalton walked her outside. “He said he didn’t think he could keep his hands to himself if he drove you home.”
She laughed. “For real?”
Dalton shrugged. “I didn’t ask for details, but your mate has been rather anxious since you left.”
She didn’t like knowing she’d caused him more pain. “Has he been okay?”