Chloe broke away from her family and friends, running onto the field. As soon as he saw her, Wesley motioned to his teammates to put him down—he was being lifted up in the air by the linebackers, who were feeling the weight of Wesley’s mass of muscle.
He grasped her tightly, pulling her toward him and kissing her deeply, to the amusement of all the fans and team-mates that were chanting his name.
“I love you, Chloe Reed.”
“I love you too, Wesley Reed,” she laughed in response. They had been married the week before and were still getting used to sharing the same surname.
Chloe couldn’t believe how quickly her life had changed in the past month. She was deliriously happy with Wesley—a sense that her life had always meant to be this way, that he was always supposed to be by her side, no matter what.
They lived in Wesley’s Chicago penthouse, for now, but were debating moving into the same building as Derek and Audrey. Beyond that, they had no major plans. Chloe knew that whatever happened, as long as they were together, life would just be one long, wonderful adventure that the two of them would get to experience together.
Tanner and Heather joined them on the field. Wesley broke away to hug them both. There were tears in her dad’s eyes. Despite Wesley’s fears, Tanner had welcomed Wesley as a son-in-law. He’d claimed he’d always known that Chloe was Wesley’s mate—but Chloe and Heather had a sneaky suspicion that wasn’t quite true. He had given a beautiful speech at the wedding, and a particular part had stood out to Chloe:
“My daughter doesn’t need protecting—she’s as ferocious as a bear. But I’m glad that Wesley’s going to be with her through all the ups and downs of life, and it gladdens my heart that I’ll always know she’s being properly looked after—that there’s no more honorable or worthy man than Wesley.”
She had clasped Wesley’s hand under the table when her father had said that, giving it a tight squeeze. Neither her father, nor Heather, would ever know what happened that terrible night. She never wanted to tell them. Both Todd and Eli received nothing but a slap on the wrist. Todd got six months’ probation for attempted assault. It wasn’t enough—for either of them. But Wesley had apparently paid a visit to both of them—something about a pet grizzly—and scared the bejeezus out of them both.
Mia and Harper had been horrified when they found out. Mia had instantly dumped Torres, just for associating with Todd—but that hadn’t held her back for long. Wesley had introduced her to Jamie Harrison, the right guard on the team. Mia had been delighted to date him—and to finally get the double dates she’d always wanted.
“I have something to tell my wife,” Wesley growled in her ear, pulling her closer and squeezing her around the waist.
“Then don’t be distracting,” Chloe scolded with a laugh. “What is it?”
“Our honeymoon.”
“What about a honeymoon—are we even having one?” She questioned. They hadn’t actually ever talked about a honeymoon amidst all the jittery nerves and hoopla of the Super Bowl preparation. It seemed enough of a gift just to be getting married.
“How does a week in the Maldives sound, followed by a tour of Paris, Rome, and then Iceland?”
“What?” Chloe asked, trying to work out if he was joking or not.
“I’ve booked the tickets, so I hope it sounds good?” Wesley asked, looking sheepish.
“Good? That sounds incredible,” Chloe replied in awe.
“Our lives start now,” he murmured. “We’ve got catching up to do. I missed out on too many years of you, and I want to take advantage of every second we’ve got together.”
“I’m fine with that,” Chloe grinned, thinking what an understatement ‘fine’ was. She clasped the silver bear hanging against her collarbone, quietly thanking God for having her ‘rock’ back in her life.
The next moment she was laughing into Wesley’s chest, as she heard O’Neill in hysterics at the news that Wesley would soon be leaving for an extended honeymoon.
THE END
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WOLF BOSS: Shifters of Hell’s Coner 1 (SNEAK PEEK)
Chapter One
Carter
My living room had become an informal meeting place for some of the ladies—my new friends—here in Helen’s Corner. The girls were discussing effective advertising for the upcoming fall season, hoping to lure more tourists to town.
My personal opinion would not have been helpful, so I kept it to myself. Personally, I didn’t want tourists. They were stressful and I didn’t like so many strangers traipsing around. I, however, didn’t have a business to run. The women around me did, and they depended on the tourists to keep them open and running. Which was why I didn’t chime in. My vote would have been to put up roadblocks and maybe even barricades and quarantines to keep newcomers out of the little town of Helen’s Corner, a.k.a. Hell’s Crazy Corner, the place that had recently become home for my daughter and me.
Muddy Hilton, friend, owner of Muddy’s Corner Bed and Breakfast, and my employer, had the floor. It was easy for her to attract the attention of whatever room she entered. In addition to her bold and take-charge personality, her vibrant red hair and peaches-and-cream complexion turned heads. “I liked the year that we all dressed up as witches. I wore those thigh-high boots with the pointed toes and I didn’t have to shave my legs all season.”
Sonnie Chaplan shook her head. “No, it’s not politically correct. I have a friend in Austin who’s Wiccan, and she says that it’s offensive to dress that way because witches look like normal people, not old hags with pointy hats and warts on their noses.”
“Well, now I’m offended. What do old hags look like?” Muddy’s mom, Grace Ellen, piped up. Grace Ellen owned a flea market called Another Woman’s Treasure and looked nowhere near her age. At sixty, she could’ve passed for forty.
“Nothing at all like you, Mom.” Muddy rolled her eyes and held up her hands. “Okay, witches are out. I’m one more rejection away from suggesting we do a month in our bra and panties. Anything to get people in here. Last year, I barely made enough to keep the doors open.”
Sonnie sighed and stared out my open front windows and across the road at her little flower shop. It’s Sonnie Out Flowers hadn’t fared any better, or so I’d heard. “Maybe they won’t mind. The Wiccans, I mean. In the name of sisterhood and all that, maybe it wouldn’t be too offensive.”
Charlie—Charlotte only if you were her mother—Monroe stood up and pointed at Muddy. “Maybe you’re onto something with the bra and panties.”
“Says the woman who owns the underwear shop,” Grace Ellen laughed.
“That’s lingerie,” Charlie corrected, “not underwear.”
“Well, in any case, I can’t afford to get anymore pretty bloomers from you than I already have, Charlie.” Grace Ellen’s words were pointed, but she smiled with a certain graciousness.
“Ahh, but look at my latest,” Charlie grinned and pulled up her T-shirt, revealing a beautiful lace-detailed bra that hugged her generous bust line perfectly. None of us was the least bit ruffled by her display. She was always flashing us her boobs to show off her new designs. “I just finished this one for myself.”
“Oooh…Can you make me one in pink?” Sonnie pulled up her own shirt and showed off another of Charlie’s impressive designs. “I’m wearing this one out. It’s just so pretty. Even though no one can see it, I feel beautiful just knowing it’s there beneath my clothing.”
I scanned my living room and, like some sort of soft-porn pajama party, all the women were showing off their Charlie Monroe Specialty Designs—CMSD—as the black-and-white sign over her store proudly displayed. Her shop did well all year ‘round because the women of He
len’s Corner couldn’t stay away from it.
When Muddy realized my bosom was still completely covered, she made a face at me and nodded toward my shirt. “Well? What are you wearing, Carter?”
Hanes. From before they were chic. I smoothed my hands down my shirt and shrugged. “Carter’s Secret.”
“Well, it’s not Charlie’s Specialty Designs.” Charlie wagged her finger at me. “No matter how many times I beg, you still haven’t let me fit you for one of my creations.”
“And no matter how many times I say I don’t need fancy undies, you still won’t listen.” I patted my chest and shrugged. “No one’s going to be seeing these babies for a very long time.” If ever.
Denny Wade, named after the restaurant chain because her momma, who was always in between one addiction or another, was in the midst of food cravings when she gave birth to her daughter, barged through my front door with all the finesse of a bull in ballet shoes. I watched as a framed picture of my brother and daughter started to fall.
Muddy reached out and caught it, showing off her shifter reflexes. “And Denny has arrived.”
“Sorry. Sorry about the picture. Sorry. Oof.” Denny dropped onto my favorite chair, which was half-covered in a faux fur throw and had a matching ottoman. She looked around the room and blew out a big breath. “Sorry, do you happen to have any dessert, Carter? I need something sweet. Or rich. Or just something with lots of butter.”
I stood up and smiled at her, thankful to have the attention off of my five-year-old Hanes bra. “You’re just in time. I’ve got strawberry bourbon cupcakes with maple drizzle and fresh lemon zest, but only if you tell us what’s got you so frazzled.”
Charlie raised an eyebrow. “I’m not done with you, Carter.”
Denny was already off on her story, though, so I was able to escape to the kitchen. It was the only room in the house that was completely put together. The rest still had moving boxes that I hadn’t yet unpacked, despite the fact that Jellybean and I had been in Helen’s Corner for a couple of months already. I had two dozen cupcakes that I’d finished icing only an hour or so before. The women always managed to know and “stop by” whenever I was trying out new recipes. I guess that was to be expected in a town of predominantly female shifters. Their heightened sense of smell was one thing, but when it came to sweets, a she-shifter could sniff ‘em out for miles.
“Hey, do you—” Muddy stopped when she saw me and frowned. “I’m sorry, Carter. You’re missing Jellybean, huh?”
She’d caught me staring at my daughter’s latest artistic creation hanging on the fridge. It was a colorful crayon drawing of her Uncle Cannon and his mate, Uncle Matt, standing next to Jellybean and me. My arm was around an indistinguishable, swirly blur of color that looked a bit like a rainbow tornado.
Since Cannon had found his mate, she was obsessed with the idea of me being with someone. If I didn’t miss her so much, I’d almost be glad for the break from her subtle and not-so-subtle hints. She was visiting her uncles, Matt and Cannon, at their home in Burden, Texas, for a few weeks. I touched the blur and sighed a sigh of single mom’s guilt. My daughter wanted a dad.
I snatched my hand away from that damned blur and tried to shake off the bad feeling I got every time I thought of bringing another man into our life. “Yeah, I am. She’s only been gone for a couple of days and I’m already going a little stir crazy.”
“I’ll be sure to keep you busy, then.” She grabbed a stack of napkins and waved them. “Come on. Stuffing your face with one of these cupcakes will make you feel better. Plus, she’ll be home before you know it.”
I nodded. It was true. I needed the time she was gone to try to get our home in order. There was never any time to unpack when she was home. She required full time supervision. She had too much of me and Cannon in her. She was wild and brave and everything good in the world somehow, despite what we’d gone through.
I grabbed the cupcake stands and smiled. “Let’s go hear what Denny’s been up to.”
Chapter Two
Alec
An engagement trip? What the fuck was an engagement trip? I never knew there was such a thing until I was informed that I had to clear time in my schedule for an engagement trip to a strange little town out in the middle of nowhere. A place called Helen’s Corner. We’d just pulled up outside the B&B on Main Street. The sign out front read Muddy’s Corner Bed and Breakfast.
I admit, I wasn’t exactly sure what I’d signed up for when I’d agreed to marry Chelsie, but I certainly had no idea it would include a trip to one of the most remote towns in the American Southwest.
I had important work to do, and all I wanted was to be back at the office in New York to tackle it. I was juggling a huge merger with Dames, Inc., and I wanted to be in the office to handle it myself. If anything went wrong, we could lose the chance at getting Patterson Furniture into a major market in North America. The merger meant the opportunity to turn my million-dollar company into a billion-dollar company. The whole engagement trip was an annoyance.
But, being engaged to the daughter of the man who called the shots at Dames, Inc., Arthur Dames himself, meant that I did what I had to do to make sure she was happy. If she wanted to visit Helen’s Corner, then Helen’s Corner it was.
Chelsie peered at me over the roof of the car and snapped a picture with her phone. She looked at it and then made a face. “Bay-bee, would you smile? You look so cranky. I don’t want to post this to my Instagram with your miserable sour-puss face.”
I tried to look like I wasn’t ready to slam my head in the car door, but judging by her frown, I wasn’t succeeding. I opened the trunk and removed our bags. “I’m not miserable. I just have a lot of work to get done before dinner tonight.”
She looked up from her phone and sighed. “Work, work, work. It’s all you do, Alec.”
“I know. I tried to warn you of that before we started this trip. With the merger, there’s a lot that needs to be taken care of. Things are stressful right now.”
“Well, planning a wedding is stressful, too. You don’t see me ignoring you, though, do you?” She tossed her hair over her shoulder and looked back down at her phone. I found myself wishing she’d ignore me a little more.
I supposed that stemmed from the fact that I wasn’t used to having someone else in my life. Something I’d have to work on. Relationships were hard work, or so I’d heard. I’d never been in a real relationship before. Nothing that lasted more than a few months, anyway. Until Chelsie.
I’d have to make a concerted effort on this trip to act interested in the things that were important to her like… I wasn’t quite sure what was important to her other than shopping, parties, and social media.
Well, there it was. Something to work on over the next few days. Finding out her interests.
“Come on, Alec. I’ve got to figure out where the girls took their pictures. We’re going to need to up our game to outdo Madison and Edward. Theirs were stunning.” Her demands always irked me a little bit, but Chelsie was Chelsie. She was headstrong, a quality I generally admired. People said the same about me.
As I followed her through the front door of the quaint bed and breakfast, she was still talking, something about her sorority sisters and their photos, but there was a scent in the air that was incredible. My mouth watered. I tipped my head back and inhaled deeply. Delicious. Even with my shifter senses, I couldn’t pinpoint where it was coming from. It seemed to just float in the air.
“What’s that smell?” Even my wolf stirred, agitated we couldn’t figure in which direction to go to chase it. Huh. He never stirred.
“Jeez, Alec, subtle much? It’s just an old house.” Chelsie stopped at the front desk, her hand already slapping the bell to announce our presence.
“Not that. It smells sweet. Like cupcakes and… I don’t know, something else.” It was like sweet vanilla cupcakes with buttercream icing. My wolf loved it. He was practically tail-wagging like a pup.
A tall woman with b
right red hair walked in, all smiles. “I couldn’t help overhearing you. It is cupcakes. My friend Carter does all the baking for us, and she’s uh-may-zing. I don’t know what she made earlier, but lucky for us, the smell always lingers. I can’t say the same for the cupcakes, though. Those are gone like that.” She snapped her fingers.
Chelsie flashed her best fake smile and moved in closer to the woman, looking like she was ready to make a new best friend. Chelsie was slick. In fact, I could probably learn a thing or two from her to aid in my business dealings. It was barely detectable that her smile wasn’t genuine. I’d posed for enough ridiculous Instagram photos with her lately to know, but it was unlikely others could tell.
“Do you work here?” Chelsie cooed. “We’re on our engagement trip and need to check in.”
“I’m Muddy, owner of Muddy’s Corner Bed and Breakfast. You’re the future Mr. and Mrs. Patterson, I presume?”
I almost winced. Why did the sound of that make me squirm? I guess it was because I’d been a bachelor for so long. I never thought I’d hear a Mrs. attached to my name. One more thing I needed to get used to.
Long-term commitments had never been my thing. My life revolved around business 24/7. There’d never been a shortage of women around to satisfy my sexual needs, but I went for the “no hassles, no headaches” types. I was a busy man. My idea of long term was having breakfast together in the morning. Until Chelsie, of course.
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