Our children, his wolf snarled.
He gripped the porch railing, feeling the wood bite into his palm. No one would take Chloe from him. They were bonded as mates. Any male foolish enough to challenge his claim would die. He’d find a way to sway the local pack Alphas if they tried to force the issue.
“I have to drop by the parlor this morning but I’ll see what I can do,” Declan said. “In the meantime you need to clear out. Don’t stick around. Does your female have any family you can talk to? They might be able to answer some of your questions.”
He rubbed a hand over his face, noting the thick bristles on his cheeks. His anger ebbed, replaced by the concern of a newly mated male. If he wanted to greet Chloe properly this morning he’d have to make time to shave. She needed softness against her tender skin, not prickly stubble.
“I’ll see what I can find out when I take her to collect her things.”
“The evening went well?” For the first time there was humor in Declan’s voice. “Did you manage to calm the hellcat down?”
“It’s rude to kiss and tell.”
“When has that ever stopped you?”
“Mating changes things,” Jackson muttered, unexpectedly ashamed of his numerous sexual exploits. Before Chloe, he hadn’t cared how many women he had no-strings sex with. Now? It made him feel like an ass.
“So I’ve heard.” Declan paused. “It’ll take time to ask questions. Since it’s early I’ll swing by the diner for breakfast. Depending on what I learn, I’ll work my way through the bars.”
“Be careful.” The hair on Jackson’s nape rose, alarm making him wary. “If Gavin finds out you’re sniffing around he’ll want to know why.”
“I think I can handle it. Check in tonight. Say around seven?”
“Sounds good. I’ll keep my phone handy.”
“Do that.”
Declan hung up without saying goodbye. The Beta didn’t mince words but he was one hell of wolf to have at your back. Jackson shut off the phone and walked back inside. He returned the phone to the receiver and looked around, trying to decide if he wanted to cook breakfast for his mate or prepare her bath. He decided on the latter, making his way to the bathroom.
Once inside he walked from cabinet to cabinet, flipping open doors. He was frustrated by what he didn’t find on the shelves. He couldn’t give her the bubble bath he’d planned. He couldn’t even sprinkle the sweet things females enjoyed into the water to relax her. All he had on hand was Dial soap and a bottle of shampoo he’d snagged the last time he’d visited the store.
Fuck it.
He walked to the clawed tub, plopped the cover over the drain and started the water. After he tested the temperature, he flicked his fingers dry and went to retrieve a washcloth and towel. Chloe smelled like heaven. He wanted to enjoy her just the way she was, absorbing her scent, putting it to memory. Heavy fragrances would only get in the way.
After he’d collected the items from the closet in the hallway, he froze. Chloe’s whispered words were spoken too quickly to understand but it was his mate’s voice he heard.
He took his time, walking slowly toward the bedroom and stopping in the doorway. The bed was empty, the sheets tossed aside. Bowing at the waist, he glanced beneath the bed and grinned. Chloe was hidden on the opposite side, trying to work the zipper of her jeans.
“Yes!” she hissed. “I can’t talk right now. No, there’s no time to explain. Look, I’m in deep shit, okay?”
Deep shit? That’s how she looks at this? He cracked a smile. Interesting.
“Who’re you talking to?” he asked innocently and stepped into the room.
“Uh…” A beep indicated she’d shut off her phone. The blonde curls around her face appeared first, followed by her bright green eyes as she rose to her knees and peered over the bed. “Wrong number.”
“Funny,” he said, striding toward the bed. “I could have sworn you were talking to someone.”
She flushed a bright shade of red. Even if he couldn’t scent her nervousness, he could see it clearly on her face. He forced his laughter aside, wanting to put the delectable female at ease. With her anxious and uncertain, the best way to accomplish that was to take control of the situation.
“I’m running a bath for you.” He strode around the bed in her direction. “We don’t want the water to get cold.”
“That’s okay.” She avoided eye contact, her gaze darting around the room as she rose to her feet and edged away from him. “I need to go. Gram and Gramps must be worried sick.”
He reached out and wrapped his fingers around her arm. “Then I suggest you hurry. We don’t want to keep them waiting.”
“We?” She tripped over her feet but followed as he pulled her along. “What do you mean, we?”
“We,” he repeated as he led her out of the room and down the hall. “You and me.”
“Are you nuts?” She tried to pull free, struggling when he yanked her into the bathroom. “You have no idea who protective Gramps is. He’ll—” Words were silenced when he tossed the towels into the sink and started removing her clothes. He pulled her sweater over her head, sending her curls scattering.
“He’ll what?”
“S-shoot you,” she whispered, quaking when he ran a finger along her collarbone.
He popped the button her jeans and pulled the zipper down. “Does that worry you?”
His question snapped her out of her growing sexual stupor. “Don’t be stupid. Of course it does.”
“I’m not so easy to kill, Chloe girl.” He reached over to stop the flow of water but remained in front of her, ready to shred the denim hiding her from view. “Your grandfather and I will come to an understanding.”
“I think you’re missing a few marbles. Did you hit your head when you climbed out of bed?”
He chuckled. “Not that I recall.”
He tugged her pants off despite her protests, stripping her until she was covered only by her skimpy panties. His cock saluted the visual. There would never be a time he didn’t want and crave this woman. She did things to him he couldn’t control, bringing out instincts he’d never thought to experience. He resisted the urge to bend her over the sink, removed her panties and urged her toward the steaming bath. Her fear overrode the demands of his body, putting her first.
“In you go.”
In an instant Chloe seemed to become aware of her nudity. She quickly tried to cover herself and hurried to the water. He thought the temperature was too much for her at first, concerned when she hissed and gritted her teeth. Then she slid into the clear depths—vanishing as she ducked her head below the surface—and he released a sigh of relief.
He crouched beside the tub and waited for her to reappear. She came up for air with a greedy gasp, using her hands to clear the water from her eyes. The liquid caressed her breasts, lifting them high. After she finished swiping at her face and gazed at him, something inside him changed.
With her like this—wet, confused and vulnerable—it was hard to do the right thing.
Instead of protecting her, he had other things on his mind. Things she might not appreciate this early on. He had to battle his wolf for dominance, determined to behave as a mate should.
“I’m going to make breakfast,” he said hoarsely and handed her a washcloth, forcing his hand away from the temptation of her silken skin. “Come into the kitchen when you’re finished.”
He hurried from the room, trying to focus on feeding his mate instead of fucking her like the animal he was. She was young and inexperienced. He had to prove his worth and soothe her rattled nerves. This was the most important meal he’d ever prepare in his life. He had to focus.