by Sam Crescent
“What?” Nick asked, jerking up to look at the other man.
“You’re moody. Your employees are afraid to enter your office in case you have a go at them.” Dean leaned forward taking one of the sweets, Nick left out.
“What the fuck are you doing in my office?” He wasn’t in the mood to deal with his friend. The other man’s perky attitude was not welcome. He needed to think.
“I got a call from your personal assistant, who is worried about you. She asked for me to come down and see you,” Dean said.
“I should fire the woman.” Mrs. Lambert was amazing. She put up with all of his quirks and never argued with him even though he deserved it half the time.
“Trouble in paradise?”
Glaring at him, Nick turned off his computer and stood.
“Didn’t the e-reader work?”
Ignoring his friend, Nick tried to think of an excuse to get rid of him. Even Dean took offence at being used and told him to fuck off.
“How was your meeting with the alphas?” Nick asked, getting ready to leave for home.
“Stop dodging my questions. You bought Clara. Why are you looking moody? I thought the point of her was for you to let off steam.”
Nick didn’t say anything.
“For fuck’s sake, stop cutting everyone off. Talking actually helps. I know it’s strange for you to even consider shit like that, but it does fucking work,” Dean said.
“I told her why I was outlawed. I lost my temper with what she said and told her everything. We’ve not spoken in the last week. To be honest, I don’t have a clue what to say to her or how to move past what I’ve said.” He shrugged, feeling lost for the first time in his life. When he was being sentenced to be outlawed, he hadn’t felt lost. All of his life he’d known everything there was to know about his pack. Clara made him feel lost at every turn.
“Shit, what did she say?” Dean asked.
“I haven’t given her chance to say or do anything. I won’t say anything, and I don’t know what to do in order for us to start talking.”
Dean was silent for several seconds.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m going home. I try to find ways to break the ice, but I stop before I get the chance to mend our fences.”
He walked toward the door. Dean was one of the few men he actually trusted.
“Give her the e-reader,” Dean said, catching his attention again.
“What?”
“You bought her the damn thing. Give it to her over dinner tonight and start talking. I don’t know. Sit with her while she downloads books. Don’t give up.”
Nick would certainly think about it. He’d love the chance to hold her in his arms before she fell to sleep.
“What happened with the alphas?” he asked, interested to know what was going on in the world he’d left behind.
“They’re talking about the selling of women. They’ve stumbled onto the websites along with the auctions of female wolves. They’re not happy and are asking for my help.”
“I take it I was mentioned.”
“Yes, but more as a topic of interest, Nick. I believe they regret outlawing you.”
“Well, they did, and there’s no going back. I’ll see you soon,” Nick said, ready to leave.
“If they were to offer you back your status and give you a pack, would you take it?” Dean asked.
“No, I wouldn’t.” Nick didn’t hesitate in answering. In the early days of becoming an outlaw he’d have taken his pack back at the first moment. Now, he wouldn’t dream of going back. They could give him back his pack and easily take it away.
“Why not?”
“I no longer want a pack that’s overruled by a collective of alphas who think they’re above the law.”
“It was a long time ago, Nick. You’ve got to get over one man’s actions.” Dean placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. He shrugged the hand off.
“You didn’t see what he did to her. If you did, you wouldn’t be trying to bring me back into the fold. My life as an alpha ended that day.” Nick walked out of the office, thankful to leave his past behind.
Clara knew the truth, and it was time for him to man up. It wasn’t her fault he still felt guilty for putting the female in harm’s way.
The drive home didn’t last long enough. He entered the house and heard Clara making something in the kitchen. The scent of her baking filled the house. He noticed she baked a lot. Nick had taken her spare baking into the office so none of it went off.
He couldn’t be that moody to share his woman’s baking, could he?
Either way, he went to his office, putting his case away then grabbing the e-reader from the desk. It was all set up ready to receive books.
Give it to her.
She used to meet him the moment he walked into the house after he shouted at her. After the third day of him yelling at her, she stopped welcoming him home.
He’d fucked up. Keeping hold of the e-reader, Nick was determined to fix what he’d broken.
****
Clara kept mixing the potatoes even as she heard Nick enter the house. She had fucked up and hadn’t gotten the opportunity to apologize to him. There was only so much shouting she could deal with, so she tried to stay out of his way. She tried not to feel the hurt of being cut off from all contact. The last week with Nick had been the same as living with her parents. He didn’t talk to her, only accepted silence, and she spent most of her time trying to avoid him. The latest batch of cookies was cooling on the tray.
The only consolation she found was him taking her baking into work. At least nothing went off. She found the cookbooks in one of the cupboards, and her days had been spent marking the pages of the recipes she wanted to cook. He never complained about what she cooked, nor did he voice happiness at the food she presented to him.
The chicken and roast potatoes were keeping warm, and she tasted the mashed potatoes to see for their seasoning. Once they were done, she walked into the dining room to set their places.
When that was done, she went and served up. Putting the two plates on the mats, she removed the apron she used to keep her clothes nice and clean.
She wore a pair of tight jeans and red shirt that molded to her curves. Licking her lips, she pinched her cheeks hoping to put some color back into them. Seconds later she knocked on his office door, which was closed.
“What?” he asked.
Shrinking away from his anger, she called through the door hoping he heard.
“Dinner is served,” she said, moving away before he answered. Her place setting was beside him. Moving it three chairs down like the other times she took a seat and started to eat.
Clara refused to cry at his harsh words.
He joined her, stopping beside her chair. She stayed tense wondering if he would send her away. Holding her breath, she waited for him to move before eating again.
She sped up eating in the hope of getting away from him quickly.
“How was your day?” he asked.
“Fine.”
Nick asked her, and when she started talking and talking, he demanded she shut up as he was only hoping for a one word answer. He started eating, and Clara finished, leaving half of her plate. His anger unnerved her more than anything else.
Taking her drink with her, she entered the kitchen and started cleaning up. It was stupid of her trying to look nice for him. Whatever they’d shared in the first twenty-four hours of them knowing each other was long gone.
She washed up by hand each item. Twenty minutes had passed by the time she finished with the kitchen. Nick should be finished and long gone to his own part of the house giving her the freedom to disappear to her room.
Entering the dining room she found Nick sat, staring at the door. His gaze was on her, and she froze.
“Are you finished?” she asked.
“No, come and sit with me.”
“I’ve got to finish the dishes.” She took a step back ready to escape.
/>
“I’ve just listened to you do all the dishes and take your time about it. I’m sure my plate can wait for you to wash. I’m not covered in diseases.”
She blushed and stepped closer to take her seat.
“No, don’t sit there. Sit here.” He shoved the chair beside him out for her to sit on.
Once she was seated, she locked her fingers together in her lap.
“I’ve been a complete bastard to you, and I apologize.”
Staying silent, she chanced a look at him. His eyes were on her and made no move to look away.
“Erm, what do you want?” she asked after several seconds when he didn’t speak.
“Will you accept my apology?”
“There’s nothing to accept. I overreacted, and I wanted to say sorry to you.”
“No, you didn’t overreact at all, but I accept your apology.” He took her hand, locking their fingers together. Staring at where he touched her to his face, Clara felt her heart racing. This was the first real contact they had in over a week. “I shouldn’t have treated you the way I did. I hope you can forgive me.”
She nodded. “I forgive you.”
“You’re not going to make me grovel?”
“No.”
“Well, I’ve got a present for you. I had intended to give you this a week ago.” He leaned down and grabbed something off the floor.
Clara couldn’t deny the excitement. He was the first person to think to give her a gift. “I don’t own any romance novels, but I hope this can make up for it.” He handed her a rectangular box.
Staring down at it she saw it was an e-reader.
“We can fill it up now if you want.”
“Yes, I’d love that.”
She opened the box easing out her present. The instructions were easy, and Nick got up, taking her hand as they headed toward his office. He took a seat then told her to sit on his lap. She was still tense but watched as he logged into his account.
Bringing up the books she started to pick out everything she wanted. After ten books she stopped, feeling embarrassed for asking for so much.
“You’ve not bought a lot. You’re going to need enough to last you for the next week, Clara. Buy as much as you want.”
He bought her over fifty books to get started. His hand rested on her back while she leaned forward reading blurbs and looking at the books she wanted to buy.
When she downloaded them all, she reached back and kissed his lips.
“Thank you,” she said.
Nick caught the back of her neck, holding her in place. “Don’t mention it.” His fingers caressed the back of her neck. She still felt tense at his touch.
“I fancy going for a swim. Will you join me?” he asked.
She had a swimsuit with all of her clothes. “Sure.”
“Good, I’ll meet you in the pool.” He slapped her ass lightly as she stood up.
Clara didn’t look back and continued upstairs to change. She put her present beside her bed looking forward to reading the many books on the machine.
Removing her clothes, she quickly put her swimsuit on and went downstairs. She found the pool empty and dove into the water. Breaking the surface, she kept working her body in the hope of relieving some of the stress from her tight muscles.
Chapter Nine
Clara’s tense body didn’t go unnoticed to him. Nick finished paying for her purchases and stood to look outside of the window. He needed to put her at ease around him once more. His attitude over the past week would upset anyone even a fully grown man, and he’d directed it at Clara. She’d been the receiver of much unhappiness from her family, and all he’d done was add to it.
He hated the feeling of causing her pain. After enough time had passed he went to the pool. She was walking up and down the pool. He saw the tightness of her body from where he stood.
Hating every second she was nervous knowing he was the cause he removed his clothing. He left his boxer briefs on just in case. Clara no longer trusted him, and it was up to him to start to mend their fences. She’d tried and got her head bitten off for her attempt.
“I like your swimsuit,” he said, drawing her attention toward him.
“It was with all the clothes you bought.” She sank beneath the water hiding her body. Climbing inside he moved toward her, keeping each step steady.
“It looks good on you. I prefer you naked.”
She turned and started to swim away from him. Cursing, Nick watched her go. They needed to cut through this stalemate somehow.
“Will you give me a fucking chance?” he asked, shouting when he didn’t intend to. She stood up, turning to look at him.
The hurt in her eyes cut him deep.
“I told you the truth about how and why I became outlawed. Since then I’ve been a fucking idiot, and I regret my actions.” He splashed the water feeling helpless. At least she stopped swimming to listen to him. “Please, talk to me.”
“I tried to talk to you after you told me everything. You wouldn’t listen to me.”
“I know. I fucked up, okay. I was hurt, and I don’t talk about my past with everyone. It still hurts to think about what happened. I don’t care about not being an alpha, but knowing I failed my pack, still fucking hurts.”
Nick decided to be honest with her rather than lie. She would understand or at least try to.
“I’m sorry you were outlawed. You sounded like a good alpha. You shouldn’t have been cast out for what you did.”
“I tried to be good to my pack. I’d do anything for them, even die for them if they asked.” He opened his arms wide, looking around the pool. “When I bought you, I did it because I wanted to fuck a female wolf. I’ve been with hundreds of women, and none of them can take what I can give. I love hard sex, rough sex.” He ran fingers through his hair as he put himself on the line. “I know I’m asking for a lot, but all I want is your forgiveness, Clara. I fucked up, but I don’t just want sex from you. I want it all even though I don’t deserve shit from you.”
“Why don’t you deserve anything from me?” she asked.
“I killed someone.” He no longer cared he was a murderer. Over the years since it happened he had revisited that night over and over again and realized he wouldn’t change a damn thing.
Any man who forced themselves and then killed a woman deserved to die in his book. His pack was his life, and protecting every member ran within his veins.
“You did it because he hurt one of your family. A pack is supposed to be your family. I don’t think badly of you, Nick. I admire your strength and your courage.”
She stepped closer. He forced himself to stay still, giving her more than enough room to pad the water toward him.
“Not only did you exact your own justice, you gave her mate some peace of mind. He killed himself, but before they gave you such an awful sentence, he wouldn’t have. You’re not responsible for his death. The collective of alphas are.”
Nick took her hand as she got close enough to touch. “You’re too damn nice for your own good.”
Clara smiled. “No, I’m not. I just know what it’s like to not belong. My whole family hated me, Nick. Your pack loved you. Would you ever go back to them if given the chance?”
“No, I wouldn’t.” He couldn’t bring himself to join back to a pack who’d been ruled by a different alpha for so long. That kind of takeover could cause more problems than he cared to think about.
Cupping the back of her neck, he drew her close.
“Why not?” she asked, whispering the words against his cheek.
“Taking over any pack can be tricky. Men, women, even the children know you’re there because you overthrew their old alpha. I can’t do that. I can’t go back and see my pack hate me.” Nick closed his eyes, more interested in inhaling her sweet scent. Fuck, the last week had been torture. Now that he had her in his arms, he never wanted to let go again. She meant everything to him.
“It was your pack to start off with. How can you not see the
m welcoming you with open arms?” She cupped his face, tilting him back to look at him.
Nick, given the choice, would have claimed her mouth to silence her. He knew she deserved the truth.
“They put up a fight over the verdict, but they could do nothing. The alpha who took over is a good one. I made sure for the first couple of years that he was good for them all. I would never have forgiven myself if something happened to them.” Nick hated it when he agreed with the new alpha’s methods. When he realized he was never going to become an alpha again he had focused all of his attention into making money. Once he settled on money he made sure to employ other outlawed males who didn’t agree with the collective alphas’ decisions. His business thrived, and he’d found a best friend in Dean.
Life was more than perfect for him.
“Are you happy?” she asked.
Nick ran his fingers down her back to cup her ass. “With you in my life, Clara, I’ve never been happier.” He turned her, pressing her against the side of the pool. His desire rose with every second passing. There was a challenge he needed to win. By the next full moon Clara would be in his bed.
Will you be in her heart?
Leaning down, he licked a line across her plump, inviting lips. The thought made him pause for a split second, wondering if it was possible to get her to fall for him. He’d bought her like a possession, and it was how he thought of her at times, his prized, virgin possession.
“Nick,” she said, moaning.
“Do you forgive me?”
“Do you promise never to be a grouch again?”
“Yes.” He claimed her lips, slamming his tongue inside her mouth. Nick trapped her against the wall, kissing her deeply, wanting her to moan and writhe against his touch.
She held onto his shoulders with her nails digging into his flesh. He moaned, loving the small bite of pain her nails gave him.
Opening her thighs, he got her to wrap her legs around his waist. Her pussy pressed to his stomach, and he wished she’d not worn a one piece swimsuit. No matter, he’d have her naked in no time.
Cupping her ass, he gripped the back of her head holding her in place to take his kiss.
He broke the kiss first, going down her neck. Tearing the costume from her body, he exposed one full, rounded red nipple. Biting down into the harsh bud he heard her scream. The scent of her need wasn’t dulled by the water.