Stefan: Le Beau Brothers: New Orleans Billionaire Wolf Shifters with plus sized BBW for mates (Le Beau Series Book 3)

by V. A. Dold

  “Goddess, you’re so beautiful.”

  She stiffened. Rose’s voice rang loudly in her mind. “My personal favorite is night vision.”

  El abruptly sat up and dragged a sheet to cover her nakedness. “Get out! Get out of here now!” She used both feet to shove him onto the floor.

  “What the hell, El?”

  “You could see me the whole time and let me believe you were as blind as I was,” she screamed as she jabbed her finger into his chest. “I bet you found that all very amusing. You bastard, get out of my room. You’re just like all the others.”

  She struggled to stand while ripping the sheet from the bed. Using her body and pure rage she forced him into the hall and slammed the door.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Hell Hath No Fury...

  Dumfounded, Stefan stared at El’s locked door. He needed to employ his new speed dial settings on his cell phone immediately

  “Hi, Mom.” He paused to run his fingers through his mussed hair and take a breath. “I really screwed up.”

  “What’s wrong, cher? What did you do?”

  “I have no idea.” He threw his arm in the air. “When El invited me to her room tonight after our date, I was over the moon.”

  “So... how is that a screw up? You didn’t call out another woman’s name, did you?”

  “Mother!”

  “Sorry. But, you have to admit it could have happened.”

  Stefan squeezed his eyes shut. “Anyway,” he huffed into the receiver, “she was uncomfortable with the lamp on, so I turned it off. All I wanted was for my mate to feel comfortable.”

  “Okay?”

  “We were cuddling in the bed recovering from–you know–and I gazed into her gorgeous brown eyes and told her she was beautiful. Next thing I know she shoved me out of bed, screaming at me to get out.”

  “Oh. Cher.”

  “What the hell did I do?”

  “You shut out the lights and didn’t say anything.”

  “How is ensuring my mate’s comfort wrong?”

  “That’s not the problem, Stefan. You didn’t tell her that even though she couldn’t see you, you could still see her like it was midday.”

  “You lost me.” Stefan growled in frustration.

  Emma softened her voice. “Baby, she thought she was safe from you seeing her naked. You should know by now that El has a horrible body image. To her, you deceived her in the worst way possible. Because of her past, your deception made her feel like she has been toyed with, bated, and used. I’m sorry, without knowing her history, you couldn’t have known.”

  “Shit.”

  “Leave her be for now and let her cool off. I’ll stop by tomorrow and try to talk to her.”

  “Do you think that’ll work?”

  “That and a lot of groveling. Prepare yourself, this could get very painful before it gets better.”

  He sighed and then said, “Whatever it takes, Momma. At this point she hates me and I really don’t see how I’m ever going to get her to accept me, much less love me.”

  “All right. Let me think.” There was a long pause. “Do you know of anything she wants very badly?”

  “I heard the foreman mention a prized mare she wanted, but the breeder refused to sell.”

  “Buy that horse first thing tomorrow. Get up and do the chores, then leave without seeing El. Let her miss you a little. When you show up with the horse, you’ll be her hero.”

  “That’ll fix it?”

  “That’ll get her to talk to you again. You have a long row to hoe to fix this, and one horse isn’t going to do it.”

  “Okay. Thanks, Mom. I’ll let you know how it goes and you can tell me what to do next.”

  “All right, cher. Get some sleep and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  “Good night, Momma.”

  *****

  The instant Emma hung up the phone, she alerted the family. An emergency meeting was required. It didn’t matter the time of day or night. Even at midnight it took only ten minutes to rally the troops.

  Cade was the last to walk in with Anna. As he settled her on the couch, she rolled her eyes at the others over his shoulder. The more her baby belly grew, the more Cade hovered. As chuckles sounded throughout the room, Cade turned to see what everyone was laughing about. Anna almost felt bad for making fun of his mother hen behavior, but the confused expression on his face was always priceless.

  Emma called the meeting to order. “I received a panicked call from Stefan tonight and we may need to step in and assist him with El.”

  “The Romeo can’t keep his lady happy?” Lucas snorted.

  “Zip it, pup,” Isaac snarled.

  Lucas sat back and shut his mouth. It wasn’t wise to make his father angry.

  “Do you have something in mind?” Simon asked.

  Isaac cleared his throat. “Your mother and I tossed around some ideas and we wanted your opinion.”

  “If things don’t turn around soon, we think we’ll be forced to bring the island into play.” Emma sighed.

  “Do you really think it’s that bad?” Cade was alarmed at their drastic suggestion.

  “Sadly, yes. I’ve been privileged to El’s past through Marie. I won’t tell her tales out of school, that’s up to El to disclose her history to those she trusts. Trust me when I say, Stefan betrayed her in one of the worst ways he possibly could without realizing it or meaning to.”

  “Stefan.” Anna shook her head sadly. “So, when do we need to do this?”

  “I’ve told him I’ll advise him as much as I’m able. He may call you and Rose for help as well. If the situation becomes any worse, I’ll alert you all to take action.”

  The room was eerily silent as the family digested the situation.

  *****

  It was four a.m. and the lights in the barn already blazed. Sleep had never come. His entire future teetered precariously before him, turning his stomach into painful knots. He slapped a hand over his mouth and ran for the barn washroom. Every time his thoughts drifted to losing El forever he wanted to throw up.

  It hurt to think or breathe or...feel. He went through the motions of his chores on autopilot. As if sensing his distress, the horses nickered to him, gently nudging him when he came near. It was too painful to speak to them today, instead he gently stroked each in turn as he mucked out their stalls.

  All the ranch dogs and barn cats gathered around his feet. That was the final straw, he lost it and sobbed uncontrollably.

  When his knees finally gave out, he crouched on the floor, doubled over with grief. Shep, the largest of the ranch dogs, nosed into his embrace and held Stefan as best he could, pressing his body as close as possible. Then he laid his head over Stefan’s shoulder and applied pressure to bring him in tight.

  Inhaling a shaky breath, he stood and wiped his tears. He had a horse to buy.

  The hour and a half drive to Folsom, Louisiana was the longest truck ride of his life. He had to get this horse. He couldn’t even consider ‘not’ bringing that mare to El. The empty trailer he towed would be filled on the way home. It didn’t matter what it took to make a deal with the breeder, he would be buying that horse today.

  The truck and trailer raised an ominous plume of dust as he sped down the dirt drive to the ranch house he sought. It was like a menacing hand that reached for him as he raced to outrun it. Or was it the pain he ran from before it over took him again?

  Mr. Michaud stepped from the house and waited for whomever was in the truck to step forward. “Where’s the fire?”

  “Sorry about the rush,” Stefan apologized. “I’m here to purchase a specific mare.”

  “Sorry, son,” Mr. Michaud frowned, “none of my mares are for sale.”

  Stefan’s stomach churned. “Price is not a factor.”

  “Look Mr...?”

  “Le Beau. Stefan Le Beau. Of the Le Beau Corporation.”

  “Pardon me, Mr. Le Beau, I didn’t know who you were.”

  “Pl
ease, call me Stefan. Now, about that mare.”

  “All right, Stefan, if you call me Marcel. Now, what mare has you in such a rush?”

  “Mystic Wind.”

  Marcel scrubbed his jaw. “You have an excellent eye for horseflesh. She’s my most promising mare. As a matter of fact, I just bred her to the number one stud in the state.”

  “What would it take to replace her and increase your breeding operation to your satisfaction? I want to leave here with that horse and you in a better position than before I arrived.” For a man like Marcel, it’s not always about the price tag. He lived to breed the best foals in the nation, and Stefan was going to exploit that to his advantage.

  “That’s an impossible offer to reject. You really play hardball when you want something.” Marcel chuckled.

  *****

  Two hours and several phone calls to obtain the horses Marcel required in exchange, Stefan had the horse he came for. He could almost breathe easy again. Almost.

  As soon as he cleared the country roads and had miles of highway stretching before him, he called his mother.

  “Hello?”

  “Good morning, Mom.”

  “You sound tired, did you sleep at all?”

  “Not really. But, the good news is I got the mare she wanted.”

  “Excellent! That’s such good news. She’s going to be floored when you deliver the horse to her.”

  “Plus, she comes with a bonus.” He grinned as he waited for her to ask.

  “Oh my. What? Did you get her a second horse?”

  “Sort of. The mare was just bred to the top stud in the state.”

  “Even better! Call me later and tell me how it goes.”

  “I will. Love you, Mom.”

  “Love you, too, cher.”

  Stefan checked his watch, by his calculation he would pull up her driveway in time for lunch. If all went well he would be having a meal with his mate in an hour.

  *****

  El awoke to a silent empty house.

  Did Stefan leave for good?

  Absently she rubbed the tightness that had settled in her chest. It both surprised and annoyed her how much that thought made her heart ache. She’d tried to avoid getting involved with the playboy and last night she failed in her resolve. She’d have to try harder if he ever returned.

  Mémé had called to tell her she was having breakfast with her friend and would see her later in the day. She was on her own, so there was no need for anything fancy. A fresh cup of coffee sat before her and a toasted frozen waffle lay in a pool of syrup on her plate. It defied comprehension how a buttermilk waffle covered in butter and liquefied sugar could taste like cardboard.

  El relinquished the soggy waffle mess to the garbage can and settled for her coffee. She needed to mainline caffeine this morning after her restless, sleepless night.

  The foreman told her the chores had been done when he arrived at six a.m. Stefan must have done them early to avoid seeing her. She couldn’t help checking to see if his suitcase was gone. She saw it sitting silently in the corner of his empty room and her heart leapt. Stupid heart. His bed didn’t look slept in, but he must be coming back or his clothes would be gone.

  Hours later she re-read the same page in her novel for the tenth time, but refused to glance across the room. If she looked at the clock one more time, she was going to kick herself. Why should she care if BR came back?

  Was that a truck? More hopeful than she cared to admit, she turned to look out the window. Her pulse raced at the sight of his truck slowing in front of the barn. Why was he parking over there? Wait. Does he have the horse trailer attached to it?

  Curious, she leaned closer to the glass. Dang it, she couldn’t see what he was doing from that window. She moved to her bedroom window and craned her neck to try to see what he was up to. Crud, she couldn’t see from there either.

  El refused to walk out there to see what was going on. If he wanted to talk to her he’d have to come to the house. She harrumphed as she plopped back into her chair. The infuriating man could just stay in the barn.

  A few, very long minutes later, Stefan knocked on the door. She answered it wearing a glare.

  “Hello, El.”

  She grunted in response and continued to glare.

  “If you have a minute,” he paused to drag in a breath, “I have something to show you in the barn.”

  His face was etched with pain and longing. She would have to be completely heartless to say no. Still refusing to speak, she nodded and followed him to the barn.

  Stefan’s heart hammered his ribs to rubble. This was it. In fifty more steps, he would either win a second chance with his mate or die of a broken heart.

  Unconsciously, he slowed his steps. Terror ripped through him; this could be the last time he looked upon El’s beautiful face. He had to make this last as long as possible.

  He saw her frown at his strange behavior.

  Goddess, please help me.

  He stopped outside the closed barn doors and turned to her. “Please, wait here. I’d like to bring my gift out to you, if I may.”

  El nodded again, obviously confused.

  He purposely positioned her outside the doors that prevented her seeing inside.

  When the clip clop of hooves sounded, El rose on her tiptoes and craned her neck, trying to see what kind of gift could possibly require the use of a horse.

  She gasped and staggered back a few steps when Stefan stepped through the doors leading Mystic Wind. Her eyes shot to his and back to the most beautiful animal she had ever laid eyes on.

  “I know we have a lot to talk about, but I want to not only tell you but also show you how terribly sorry I am for my stupid, ignorant, male blunder last night. Please accept this mare as my pitiful effort to apologize and beg for another chance.”

  Her eyes misted over. She wasn’t sure if the cause was his grand apology or the horse standing before her. She decided it must be the horse. Mystic Wind was safer.

  As she ran a hand across her withers she whispered, “Thank you.”

  His breath hitched. She spoke to him. Thank goddess.

  “There’s more,” he said quietly. When she finally looked his way he added, “She was recently bred to the number one stud in the state. She should foal early November of next year.”

  El’s hand flew to her mouth. This time the tears fell.

  Stefan’s heart stuttered. He'd blown his last chance. “Oh, baby. I’m so sorry. I screwed this up. I meant to make you happy and instead I made you cry. I’ll put her in her stall and go.” He couldn’t raise his eyes from the ground. His head suddenly weighed five hundred pounds and he just didn’t have the energy.

  The touch of her hand on his arm startled him. His flinch had Mystic Wind snorting her disapproval and tossing her head.

  El calmed her, then turned to him again.

  “Thank you, Stefan. Please stay.”

  Had he heard her right? His world tipped on its axis as he fought to breathe.

  “Stay?”

  “Yes. But, that doesn’t mean you’re forgiven. Only that I’m willing to let you try to convince me to do so.”

  “I accept.”

  She hadn’t said more than a few words, but she had spoken enough. He had another chance and his world hadn’t shattered.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Let the Torment Begin

  Relief lightened the immense weight that had crushed Stefan’s heart and soul minutes before. As he held the door for her, he tried to formulate his question. How was he going to ask her why his being able to see her last night had caused so much trouble? If he didn’t understand it, he couldn’t ensure he never committed that epic mistake again.

  “Have you eaten lunch?” El asked as she kicked off her boots.

  “No. I didn’t want to stop with Mystic in the trailer.”

  “I was just going to make something.” El set her boots aside and looked him in the eye. “Do you want to join me?”

 
Boy, did he ever. “I’d love to. But, why don’t you let me make the lunch? You still have a wing out of commission.”

  “You don’t have to do everything for me, you know. I’m not helpless, it just takes me longer to do certain things.” Like dressing, showering, cooking...okay, everything.

  “Please,” he pleaded sincerely. “I enjoy doing things for you.”

  She eyed him for a moment. “All right. If it means that much to you.”

  Stefan continued to try to come up with a way to broach the subject of their conflict. Half way through the meal he set his fork aside. “El?” He waited for her full attention. “As much as I hate to dredge up last night’s fiasco, we should talk about it. I understand that my idiot blunder stemmed from not telling you that even with the lights off I could see you.”

  El opened her mouth to speak, but he stopped her.

  “Please, let me finish.” He took out his discomfort on his hair and raked his fingers through it over and over. “I’m sorry. I thought I was making you more comfortable by turning out the light. Stupid me, I didn’t realize your aim was to avoid my seeing you at all.

  “Believe me when I say, if I had turned my male brain on and understood that, I would’ve told you to leave the light on and blindfold me instead. I ‘never’ meant to hurt you.

  “The last thing on this planet I want to do is hurt my mate. Here’s the thing, if you could explain to me why you didn’t want me to see your incredible body, I might understand it more clearly and avoid doing something so stupid ever again.”

  “You mean that? You would have had me blindfold you to make me comfortable?”

  “Absolutely.”

  El was quiet through the rest of the meal. He could see her working things out in her mind. Rather than push the issue, he waited for her to speak again. As he loaded the dishwasher, he heard her take a deep breath.

  “I don’t feel comfortable telling you what happened in my past. Suffice it to say, I don’t trust handsome men to see me naked.”

  He closed the machine and set it to wash before he turned to her. Capturing her gaze, he walked to where she sat at the dining table. With his stomach turning, he reached for her hand hoping she wouldn’t pull it away. She didn’t.