by Cara Wylde
“Right…”
Why wasn’t she as mad as she should have been? She crossed her arms over her ample chest and threw him the most murderous look she could muster. No, she couldn’t hate him for his ridiculous stunt. It was simply too fascinating to watch him enjoying himself so much, even at her own expense. His blue eyes were sparkling with amusement, his full, sinful lips stretched cutely over his perfect, white teeth, and he had even gone as far as to hold his stomach while trying to stifle a second fit of laughter. How could she ever be mad at someone who looked better than any of Michelangelo’s sculptures? When a smile threatened to ruin the fake danger in her green eyes, Olivia bit the inside of her lip to make it go away.
Tristan finally calmed himself down and patted his lips with a napkin.
“I’m sorry, that wasn’t very graceful of me.”
Liv shook her head. “No. You’re pretty much anything but a proper gentleman.”
“Did you really ever expect a gentleman?” He gave her a mischievous smile.
She didn’t stop herself from smiling now. “No, I guess not.”
He grabbed his fork, but instead of taking a piece of chicken, he pointed it at her. “You know, I have the impression you’re not the kind of woman who’s attracted to gentlemen.”
“Huh. Then who do you think I’m attracted to?”
“I don’t know. You tell me.”
Olivia cocked an eyebrow. This conversation was taking a whole different turn, and she wasn’t sure where it was going to lead them. Better to end it now.
“Well, I guess I’m staying the night after all.”
Tristan chuckled. “I guess you are.”
“You’re sleeping on the couch, though.”
He laughed and stuffed half of a baked potato in his mouth. “Whatever makes you more comfortable.” He honestly doubted she would let him sleep on the couch. Alone.
Olivia nodded, satisfied. She had the same doubts. Right now, however, she couldn’t think about his naked body, his lips on hers, his cock deep inside her. She had to call Miranda and tell her she’d be back the next day. She was also dying to hear her son’s voice. Neither of them was used to be separated from the other for long, and her unexpected trip had probably affected him.
“Now that we’ve established this important detail,” she said, “I have to make a phone call.” She stood up and headed for the living room, where she had left her purse.
Tristan swallowed slowly and took a long sip of wine. If Olivia had looked at his face before leaving the dining room, she would have seen his expression had changed. He knew nothing about her. Of course she’d have a family, friends… She surely wasn’t alone in this world, and there was someone, somewhere, whom she had to tell where she was and how long she was staying. But what if this someone was another man? Would Olivia do something like this? Tristan shook his head, trying to chase the unpleasant thought away. No, that would be cruel. She was a bit of an airhead, but she wasn’t that type of woman. He would have known. His lion would have sensed it in her.
Olivia exchanged a couple of words with Miranda, then asked for Liam. She didn’t call him “son”, just in case Tristan had a sharp sense of hearing. She doubted he would listen to her conversation, or even be able to hear her from the dining room, given that she had taken the phone with her in the bedroom, but she couldn’t risk it. As expected, Liam didn’t say anything. She did all the talking, her eyes closed, both her mind and heart focused on the sound of his steady breath. She knew he was fine. Miranda had told her so, and her instinct was telling her the same thing. Before saying “Good night”, she promised him she would be home the next day, right after lunch.
Liam. Tristan caught the name, and his heart clenched. He poured himself another glass of wine and tried to block her voice. Whoever this Liam was, it was better if he didn’t know. Better if he never heard the name again. But it was impossible not to listen to her. She was talking so carefully and sweetly to him… He could have been anyone, though. A brother, or a cousin, or her uncle. Maybe he was ill and she was trying to make him feel better. He sighed. All these theories sounded stupid.
“Sorry it took so long.”
His stomach did a wild flip when he realized she was back in the dining room. He had been so lost in his thoughts and theories that he hadn’t heard her come in. Being taken by surprise… the feeling was new to him. He couldn’t believe this woman had such power over him that she could cancel his sharp senses.
“Not at all. I’m not going anywhere.” He smiled, even though he didn’t feel like smiling.
“I had to let my sister know.”
He nodded. She had a sister. Finally, he had learned something about her.
Olivia sat down to finish her meal.
She didn’t give him any other details, and he didn’t ask. In time, he would find out who Liam was, but for now it was better to get the name out of his head and enjoy the evening in her company.
“My invitation still stands,” he said.
“Oh?”
“The long stroll…”
Olivia threw him a concerned glance. “Isn’t it too late for that? I mean… it’s really dark. Looks dangerous out there.”
He gave her a broad, reassuring smile. “You’re safe with me.”
***
After Tristan told her the small neighborhood at the edge of Andes was actually more of a community built on private land, Olivia wanted to see it in daylight and meet its members. The next morning, she was brimming with excitement. She ate her breakfast as fast as she could so she’d have time for the walk and thorough presentation Tristan had promised her, before heading back to New York. Last night, she had thought it strange that no one had been around on the streets. She had spotted some people in their front yards and gardens, but Tristan hadn’t offered to introduce her. Then, she had thought they were neighbors, but she was beginning to understand they were more than that.
What Olivia didn’t know was that Tristan had expressly asked the members of his pride to be as discreet as possible and not bother him while he was with her. They didn’t question him. No one ever questioned the Alpha. They had all smelled her the second she had made her appearance inside their community, and they were all wondering why she was there. More importantly: why was Tristan so infatuated with her? Who was she, that their powerful Alpha had told them to stay out of his way, and focused all his attention on her? So, when Tristan and Olivia walked out of the house holding hands, and Tristan started dragging her to each and every house to introduce her, they were more than surprised. Baffled was more like the right word. They kept their feelings to themselves, though.
Olivia smiled and waved cutely, shook hands and made small talk with everyone Tristan insisted she should meet. It seemed strange to her that he could walk into their front yards and houses as if he was at home, and no one ever expressed annoyance.
“We’re much more than just neighbors here,” Tristan explained.
“I figured that much.”
They were walking back to his house. Olivia checked the time to make sure she was within schedule. As much as she liked it here, she had to go back to the city. Andes was peaceful, relaxing, the Catskills were breathtaking, and the people she had just met were unusually friendly and pleasant. She felt like she had just been welcomed into a huge family.
“You said this is private land.”
They stopped in front of the house next to Tristan’s. Olivia looked up at him, wondering why he was hesitating.
“Yes,” he answered.
He was studying the windows, listening to the sounds coming from inside. The person living there, the last one Olivia had to meet, was in the kitchen. His sensitive nose told him she was preparing herself a ridiculously light lunch made of yogurt and some crackers. “When will she ever start eating normally?” he asked himself.
“May I ask whose land it is? You don’t have to tell me, of course, if it’s confidential.”
Tristan smiled. “It’s mi
ne.”
In fact, that was confidential information. Highly guarded information, even. But he felt like he could trust her. He wasn’t thinking straight when she was around. The night before, Olivia had rocked his bed and his life once again, and he was smitten. What scared him a bit was that his lion seemed to be smitten even more than his human side.
“Oh wow! I… did not expect that.”
Olivia thought for a second. Tristan had to be the most fascinating and mysterious man she had ever met. If the land was his, it made sense that all the people living there would be so friendly and respectful. Still… something didn’t feel right. She wasn’t born yesterday. She knew this was not how anything worked in this world. Why would this specific community be such a huge exception from the natural order of things?
Tristan squeezed her hand. “There’s one last person I’d like you to meet.”
Olivia cocked an eyebrow and followed him to the house in front of which they had been standing for the past five minutes.
Tristan opened the door slowly and held it for Liv. His sharp senses were telling him the woman living there wasn’t having lunch even though she had just prepared it and set it on the kitchen table. She was doing something else, and he had to know what. It wasn’t like him to sneak around, especially since it was useless to even try when being surrounded by a dozen lion-shifters, but this was a special case. The woman at the kitchen table was human. And, indeed, she wasn’t eating.
“Camille. Hello.”
The young woman jumped in surprise, her small, pale hand flying to her chest. She applied pressure on her left breast, in an instinctive attempt to slow down her heartbeat.
“Tristan! You scared me!”
He smiled. “I’m sorry.”
“No, you’re not,” Camille thought. She stared at him for a second, then remembered what she had been doing. Quickly, she took the vial next to her cup of yogurt, placed it in the wooden box in front of her, and snapped the lid shut. She didn’t need to look up at Tristan to know he was studying her every move. “Damn shifter… Can’t do anything without him sneaking around and sniffing me out.” She locked the box with a small key which she then slipped inside the pocket of her jeans. She stood up, grabbed the box and stuffed it inside the kitchen cupboard. The rattle of tableware told anyone who was paying the slightest attention to their surroundings that wasn’t the place where the box usually stayed. She’d move it later, but now she had to deal with the two uninvited guests in her kitchen.
“What can I do for you?” Camille turned around and finally took in the woman standing next to Tristan. Her mind went blank for a second, and her stomach and gut started doing wild tricks that made her thank the heavens she hadn’t had lunch yet. She was just Tristan’s type: tall, curvy, with full lips, and a healthy blush on her cheeks. Camille swallowed hard and tried to smile.
Tristan gently placed his hand on the small of Liv’s back and pushed her forward.
“I’d like you to meet Olivia Jensen,” he said. “She’s… a good friend.”
The women shook hands.
“I’m Camille. Nice to meet you.”
“Olivia.” She squeezed the woman’s hand, and a chill ran up her spine. Her fingers were so bony and her skin so cold! It was as if Camille wasn’t entirely… alive. Of course, that was a stupid thought. Still, the girl’s slender body looked more like a shell. She could have been beautiful if she hadn’t been almost anorexic. Long, blonde hair, pale blue eyes, fair skin. A few years ago, Olivia would have given anything for those traits. Then she grew older and wiser, and learned to love herself.
“I love your dress,” said Camille.
Liv let go of the girl’s hand and tried to smooth down her blue dress. It was a mess, actually. Crumpled and a bit sweaty, as she hadn’t had anything else to wear.
“Thank you.” She studied Camille quickly, in hopes she’d find something to compliment. Unfortunately, they had really taken her by surprise and found her wearing an old T-shirt and a plain pair of jeans.
“Would you like to take a seat? I could offer you a glass of… something…”
“No, thanks,” said Tristan. “Olivia must drive back to New York today. I showed her around a bit, introduced her to everyone.”
Camille cocked an eyebrow. This was strange. This was really strange. Tristan never brought anyone home. She knew he dated lots of women, shifters and humans alike, but he had never brought a lioness home or, even worse, insisted that a human female met the members of his pride. Could she be… the one? Could she be his mate? The thought of it stabbed her right in the heart. She almost doubled back when she felt the blade of disappointment and hopelessness twisting and twisting. She fought to keep her back straight.
“I’d love to have a glass of… something with you when I come back,” Olivia offered. She could tell Camille wasn’t overly enthusiastic about the situation, but she wasn’t sure why. She seemed different from all the other people she had met today. Frail, lonely, isolated. It was hard to understand how someone could feel lonely and isolated when belonging to such a tight, loving community, and Liv hoped she’d find out when they’d get the chance to chat a bit over coffee. For some reason, this girl stimulated her motherly instinct. Olivia wanted her to be safe and happy, just like she wanted Liam to be safe and happy.
Butterflies started flapping their tiny wings inside Tristan’s stomach when he heard Liv intended to come back. Since the day before, he had been trying to come up with ways of convincing her to stay or return as soon as possible. Now he didn’t need to apply any of them.
“Sure,” said Camille. “I’d love to. Stop by whenever you like.”
“I will. Thank you.”
They talked about meaningless things for a few more minutes, then Tristan asked Olivia if she was hungry. She was, indeed. Camille walked them to the door, but when Olivia headed towards the street, Tristan fell a bit behind. She heard him whisper to Camille:
“What was that vial you hid in the box?”
In a small voice, the girl answered: “A new experiment I’m working on.”
“What sort of experiment? The liquid was transparent.”
“Don’t worry. It has nothing to do with that.”
“Camille, I thought I was clear when I told you you’re not allowed to work with… that.”
“It’s not that.”
Olivia sensed the reluctance in her voice. Then Camille added: “I promise.” Tristan didn’t say anything, and neither Liv, nor Camille could tell if he had been convinced. He left Camille without another word and caught up with Olivia.
Liv turned around and waved at Camille. The girl waved back.
“What was that all about?” she dared to ask Tristan.
“Nothing. Camille is working on something for me. She’s… a chemist.”
Liv’s eyes went wide with curiosity, and just a bit of incredulity.
“I see,” she said. “A chemist.”
It took them one minute to reach Tristan’s house.
“I’ve just realized,” she continued. “I never asked you what you do. You know… for a living.”
Tristan smiled. “I never asked you that, either. Actually, I never asked you why you’re here.”
Olivia sighed.
“We only met once, two years ago. All you had was my name, and I’m pretty sure that wasn’t enough information to find me. You showed up at my door, told me we have to talk, then completely forgot to enlighten me about your visit.”
“Yes. Yes, I know.”
They stopped in the living room, facing each other. Tristan placed his hands on her shoulders and looked deep into her eyes.
“I’ll answer all of your questions after you answer mine first.”
Olivia bit her lower lip, then smiled. “Fair enough.”
Tristan waited patiently for a moment.
“Well, are you going to do it now?”
“Err… no. How about I do it when I come back?”
“Will you rea
lly come back?”
“Yes. I promise.”
He hadn’t believed Camille earlier, but he did believe Olivia.
“All right. Let’s have lunch.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Olivia couldn’t tell if it was because she and Logan had settled things, or because she felt the powerful need to talk to someone about the past few days, but she told Miranda everything. Finally, the two sisters sat down before two cups of steaming coffee and talked for hours. She told her sister about Tristan Ward, about the night she had spent with him two years before, and about her decision to look for him and, maybe, tell him he had a son.
“Maybe?” asked Miranda. “You haven’t decided yet?”
“No…” Olivia looked at her cup, then back up at her sister. “I was going to tell him right on his doorstep and leave everything to fate, but then I realized I felt something for him. And it’s not just physical attraction, I’m afraid.” She smiled to herself. “Miranda, I think I’m falling in love with him.”
Miranda made a wide gesture with her hands, as if to show her sister was talking nonsense and wasting everyone’s time.
“All the more reason to take Liam with you today.”
Tristan had invited Liv to a fancy restaurant in NYC, and she was going to meet him later. Of course, they would then head to Andes. Miranda had convinced her it would be a good idea to spend the weekend with the man who was the father of her son. She had no problems taking care of Liam.
“No, not yet,” said Liv. “This weekend will be like a test. I like Tristan, yes, but I want to make sure he’d make a good father to Liam. I thought I wouldn’t care, you know? He was a stranger to me, and I had no intention of building an actual relationship with him. But things have changed. Now… it matters. It matters if he wants a son, if he’s willing to build a family, if he’s going to take responsibility for Liam and I. I want to figure out these things first, then I’ll tell him.”
Miranda sighed. “You’re right, of course.” She sipped her coffee and studied her sister for a few moments, then smiled. “It’s so unusual.”