by Creator
“I take it you’ve had a good morning?” he asked her.
Cassie laughed. “More like an exhausting one. I’m afraid I’ve dragged her from one store to another. We ran into Hunter on our way to the car.”
Aislinn gave him a tired smile. “She’s right. It’s been a busy day.”
Connor narrowed his eyes at Cassie. “She’s supposed to be resting.”
“She needed more clothes.”
“Whatever their reason for being out, I’m glad I ran into them,” Hunter said. “It’s been an honor meeting Aislinn.”
“Definitely a lovely addition to our pack,” Austin added.
Connor growled at the werewolf’s word choice.
Austin raised his hands in mock surrender. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I was merely complimenting your mate.”
Connor’s food arrived and Aislinn, hoping to lighten the mood, sneaked his pickle from his plate. When she took a big crunchy bite, he looked at her in surprise.
“Pickle thief,” he accused.
She smiled. “I didn’t think you’d mind.”
He grinned at her and kissed her cheek. “You can steal whatever you want from my plate.”
Aislinn blushed, feeling happier from that one innocent kiss than she had during her entire marriage. Connor made her feel special, a feeling she never wanted to end. If only she could believe this would last! But the sorcerer’s words were always present in her mind. If she didn’t pass the tests, she wouldn’t be able to stay in Ashton Grove, would have to say goodbye to Connor. It was more than her heart could bear.
Her tactic worked and the mood at the table lightened. Connor took Cassie’s teasing comments with good humor. And the werewolves, having seen that their alpha was going to be reasonable, relaxed and resumed the conversation they’d been having with Aislinn before Connor’s interruption.
When the meal was over, Connor gathered Aislinn’s things and put them in his truck. It was obvious he wasn’t going to let her out his sight again. He helped her into the truck and buckled her in before closing the door. Getting in the driver’s side, he started the engine and turned toward Aislinn.
“I have a stop to make on the way home, if that’s okay.”
“That’s fine.”
“I need to buy a laptop on the way home, so I can finish a few things for work.”
“And we’re going home after that?” she asked.
He nodded. “I know you have to be tired, sweetheart. I promise I’ll be as quick as possible.”
“It’s fine, Connor. Take as long as you need.”
“Do you need anything while we’re out?”
She shook her head. “Cassie already bought me quite a bit today.”
“Then I’ll make my purchase and we’ll hurry home.”
She smiled at him, not really caring what they did as they got to spend time together. If things ended badly, all she’d have were memories.
Chapter Nine
Two weeks later, Aislinn was completely healed. She smoothed her hands over her hair, trying to get the wild strands to calm down as she stared out of the window of her new Ford Focus at the construction site in front of her. She hadn’t found work yet and staying at the house was starting to drive her crazy.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped out of the car. She should have called Connor, but had opted to surprise him instead. If she were honest, she’d admit that she hadn’t called on purpose – and it had nothing to do with surprising him. She’d worried that he would tell her to stay home and not to bother him at work.
She closed her car door and walked along the gravel path to the trailer at the front of the site. She knew that was where Connor had his on-site office. She only hoped he was actually on site. He had mentioned having an office in downtown Ashton Grove, but she wasn’t sure where it was located. Not that Ashton Grove was big by any means, but she was still learning her way around.
Her tennis shoes crunched on the gravel. Looking down at herself, she hoped she was dressed okay. Jeans and a long-sleeve tee weren’t exactly stylish, but she thought would suffice for going to a construction site. Having never been to one, she wasn’t quite sure what the dress code would be.
As she neared the trailer, she heard raised voices. One she instantly recognized as Connor’s and the other was a female’s. Connor had mentioned having a female employee, and Aislinn remembered his phone conversation from her first week in Ashton Grove. If the yelling was any indication, it seemed the woman was still upset.
Steeling her nerves, she opened the door and peeked inside.
When Connor spotted her, he smiled, his eyes lighting up in pleasure.
“What are you doing out here?”
She tentatively entered and pulled the door closed.
“I thought I would surprise you,” she answered softly.
Coming around the edge of the desk, he wrapped her in his arms. Aislinn breathed in his scent and hugged him back.
“I’m glad you did.”
She smiled up at him. “I was worried I might be interrupting your work.”
Across the small room, Cameron decided she’d had enough of being ignored.
“Ahem, you are interrupting.”
Connor looked at her over his shoulder and narrowed his eyes. If Cameron had a clue as to just how upset he was, it didn’t show. Instead, she flipped her long hair over her shoulder. Hair he’d told her repeatedly needed to be in a ponytail or braided for safety’s sake, yet the woman’s vanity wouldn’t allow it. It had been one of the many things they were arguing about before Aislinn had arrived; her skin tight clothes had been another.
“Aislinn is welcome here anytime she wishes to stop by.”
Cameron folded her arms over her chest and looked away.
“Connor, I can go. I didn’t mean to disrupt your work schedule,” Aislinn offered, hoping to ease the tension in the room.
He smiled down at her. “Sweetheart, you’re fine. Matter of fact, I was thinking of taking a lunch break. Why don’t you join me?”
“Connor, I asked you to go out to lunch,” Cameron whined.
His jaw tensed. “And I said no.”
“Connor, really I…” Aislinn started, but he stopped her by gently placing his finger over her lips.
Deciding it was time to claim Aislinn in more than words he lowered his head and kissed her gently. His lips barely brushed hers, but it was enough to make them both hungry for more.
Having seen enough, Cameron stormed past them and out the door, letting it bang open against the side of the trailer, startling Aislinn and Connor.
Aislinn gently touched her lips. She’d kissed Hugh many times, but she’d never felt anything like she did now. Connor’s kiss had been tender and sweet, yet it had stirred her unlike any other kiss; he made her feel safe and cared for.
Connor caressed her cheek and smiled at her. “Come on, I have somewhere special in mind.”
Aislinn looked down at her clothes. “I don’t think I’m dressed for anywhere special.”
“You look beautiful.”
Aislinn blushed and allowed Connor to take her hand. He always made her feel special, wanted. If she wasn’t careful, she would lose her heart to him. While she might be his mate, she wasn’t sure that would be a wise idea. He hadn’t mentioned anything about caring about her, much less loving her.
“There’s somewhere I want to go before we have lunch.”
She looked at him quizzically, but didn’t say anything.
Connor helped her into his large truck, which had been parked behind the trailer. Once they were buckled, he headed for Main Street.
Connor pulled up in front of a small jewelry store and turned off the truck. He had a feeling Aislinn was going to fight him when she realized they were going inside; more specifically, when she realized what he was buying. He needed to make sure that everyone knew she belonged to him, and vice versa. What better way to do that than with an engagement ring?
“Come on,” he s
aid with a smile. “We’re just making a quick stop, and then we’ll go get something to eat.”
Aislinn looked at the jewelry store and eyed him uncertainly. The hospital had removed her wedding ring before starting her tests and she hadn’t put it back on, leaving her without any jewelry. Had Connor noticed and planned on getting her something? She wasn’t sure she was comfortable with him making so many expensive purchases for her. First the car and now jewelry?
Curious to see what he was up to, she got out of the truck and followed him into the store. When they stopped in front of a display of engagement rings, she froze. She understood that being mated to him meant they had a forever kind of relationship, but marriage? She wasn’t sure she was ready to go back down that path – now or ever.
“Connor, I don’t think…”
He placed a finger over her lips. “Let me do this, Aislinn. If you won’t let me do it for you, then do it for me.”
She pulled his hand down. “For you?”
He nodded and pulled her aside, out of the hearing range of the people in the store. “You’re my mate, Aislinn. I want you to marry me.”
She shook her head. “I can’t, Connor. I’m sorry, but after everything I went through with Hugh, I just can’t do that right now.”
“Then at least wear my ring and think about it. If you need time, I’ll give you time, but I want everyone to know you’re mine.”
She gave him an odd look. “Is this a territorial thing?”
He threw his head back and laughed. “No, sweetheart. It’s not just that I want people to know you’re mine, I also want them to know I’m yours.”
Hers. She liked the sound of that. “Will it really mean that much to you?”
He caressed her cheek. “Yes, it would.”
“Then I’ll wear whatever ring you buy for me.”
With a smile, he kissed her gently and led her back over to the cabinet of engagement rings. She may not have agreed to be his forever, but at least she was going to wear his ring. It was a step in the right direction.
Chapter Ten
Later that night, Aislinn sat in the living room and waited for Connor to come home. She had planned on cooking dinner for him, but had found the pantry was rather bare. She would have gone grocery shopping, but she didn’t have any money. All in all, she felt rather useless.
The rumble of a truck in the driveway told her Connor was home and she leapt off the sofa. Hurrying to the door, she opened it and waited anxiously on Connor. She may not want to get married again, but she had to admit he was rather spectacular to look at, his shirt clinging to his muscular arms and chest.
He smiled when he saw her waiting in the doorway. “Front door service? I feel rather special.”
Aislinn smiled and felt a blush spread across her cheeks. “How was work?”
“Well, after you left, it was rather uneventful. Cameron never came back from lunch so the afternoon was rather quiet. I have to admit, it was nice not having her around.”
“I was going to make dinner, but I couldn’t find anything to fix. I know you’ve been eating out a lot lately, but would you mind going out tonight?”
He pulled her closer. “Aislinn, I don’t mind taking you out for dinner. If I had thought about it, I would have left some money for you to buy groceries today.”
“It’s okay. I just feel so useless. I don’t have a job so I can’t afford even the most basic of things.”
“Honey, you’re not useless.” He gave her a quick kiss. “Let me shower and change, then we can go out.”
She nodded and stepped back out of the way, letting him into the house. While he showered, she went to change her clothes, putting on a long-sleeve lavender dress with matching flats. Her body might have healed, but she’d never been graceful enough to wear high heeled shoes, not without tripping.
When she put on her lipstick, her ring caught in the light and cast rainbows across the room. She looked at the rather large rock on her finger. When she’d agreed to wear his ring, she hadn’t realized he would buy one that cost quite so much. She’d expected something more sedate like the
ring Hugh had bought for her, more of a chip than an actual stone, but the two carat diamond on her finger was definitely not a chip.
Fluffing her hair, she walked out of the bedroom and collided with Connor.
“Easy, sweetheart.”
She smiled up at him. “Sorry, I guess I should have been paying more attention.”
Connor’s eyes devoured her. “You look wonderful.”
“Thank you.” Her gaze dropped to his chest.
He tipped her chin up and smiled down at her. Slowly, he lowered his head and gently brushed his lips across hers. When she didn’t pull away, he coaxed her lips apart and delved into her mouth with his tongue. As his tongue glided along hers, he felt Aislinn lean into him. Pulling her closer, he slanted his mouth over hers, deepening the kiss.
When his heart began pounding, he pulled back, worried he would lose control. She was so sweet that he wanted to consume her, wanted to feel her sweet body pressed against his, wanted to feel her moist heat wrapped around him.
“We better go.”
His voice had gone husky from desire and washed over her. Aislinn opened her eyes and stared at him in wonder. In all the time she’d been married, she’d never experienced passion like she did in Connor’s arms. For the first time in her life, she wondered what it would be like to make love with someone.
Hugh had been rough and it had always ended quickly. He was the only man she’d ever been intimate with, and now she wondered if she had been missing something. Not having been allowed any friends, she hadn’t had anyone to discuss it with. Surely not all men made love to their wives like a rutting bull.
When Connor took her hand, she nearly forgot to breathe. Her new-found feelings were puzzling. She wondered if it was yet another part of being Connor’s mate, or if it was something else. Perhaps it was just good old fashioned attraction. Either way, she was both excited and terrified of the way Connor made her feel. She wanted to explore the new sensations with him, but was afraid that her happiness would only be jerked away from her. The sorcerer had told her that she would be tested. What happened if she failed the test?
Dinner had been quiet and relaxing. Connor had stopped by the ATM to make sure she had money for grocery shopping the next day and then they’d returned home. The ride in his truck had been easy going, with only light conversation, but now that they were home, Aislinn felt self- conscious.
“Connor, may I ask you something?”
He pulled her over to the sofa and sat down, tugging her down beside him.
“You can ask me anything.”
Aislinn fidgeted. “Can you explain this whole mate thing to me again?”
Her question wasn’t one he had anticipated so he took a moment to answer. While the question seemed simple enough, it was a rather difficult one.
“A werewolf mates for life. There is one woman in the world destined for each of us. In my case, that woman would be you.”
“But how does it work?”
“I guess it works like any relationship. The difference is that you don’t have to worry about me cheating on you, or wanting another woman period. You’re the only woman I’ll ever want to be with for however long I live.”
“What happens if… if I were to disappear as quickly as I appeared?”
Connor studied her a moment. He could tell she was hiding something, but he wasn’t sure what it was. “Why would you disappear?”
“What if I can’t pass the test? The sorcerer said I would be tested, but what if I fail?”
He pulled her into his arms. “Honey, you won’t fail. You’re meant to be with me.”
She burrowed into him, needing his comfort. “I wish I could be as certain as you. I’m terrified that I’ll…” She stopped, not ready to admit she was already starting to feel something for the man holding her. It was too soon!
“You’ll what?�
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She shook her head.
“Aislinn, we can’t keep secrets from one another.”
“I’m scared that I’ll start to care too much about you only to have you taken away from me. I’ve survived living with Hugh’s abuse, but I don’t think I could survive that.”
He hugged her tight. “You’re an amazing woman and you can survive anything, but you won’t have to worry about losing me. I’m not going anywhere and neither are you. Now put it out of your mind.”
She nodded and leaned into him, drawing from his strength. She still wasn’t certain that she would remain with Connor, but he was right to put it out of her mind. If she kept worrying about it, she would only ruin whatever time she had, and she meant to enjoy every moment of her time with Connor.
“Connor?”
“What it is, honey?”
“Would you… would you mind holding me?”
He grinned. “I thought I was already doing that.”
“I mean, would you hold me tonight? While… while I sleep?”
Connor nearly stopped breathing. She wanted him to share a bed with her? Part of him was elated that she trusted him that much, but the other half knew he would be tortured. Holding Aislinn without being intimate with her might very well kill him. He’d held his beast at bay thus far, but he wanted to claim his mate in every way possible.
“I’d be happy to,” he finally answered.
Connor lay in the bed wide-awake. Aislinn was wrapped in his arms, snuggled against him, her nose buried in his chest. When he’d climbed into the bed in his boxers and nothing else, he’d thought for sure she would balk. While a pretty blush had stained her cheeks, she had climbed into the bed and gone willingly into his arms.