A Game of Cat & Mouse (12 page)

“Okay,” Essence said. Her eyes were less shadowed and her once-hollow look a little brighter.

“Now, let’s talk to Gunner.”

Miranda led Gunner back into the living room. Clearly excited and animated, Gunner was showing her his toys, and she was nodding at his every word. Miranda sat on the couch, and a happy Gunner climbed into her lap. Caleb kneeled in front of Gunner, and the three-year-old snuggled deeper into Miranda’s lap.

“Don’t scare him, Caleb.” Miranda whispered into Gunner’s ear, “He’s not going to hurt you or punish you, Gunner.”

Gunner’s head lifted from Miranda’s arm, and his dark green eyes focused on Caleb.

“Why did you go into the mineshaft, Gunner?”

Gunner looked up at Miranda, who

smiled encouragingly. “I not.”

“You didn’t go into the mineshaft?”

Gunner shook his head in an exaggerated no.

“How did you get in there?”

“Where?” Gunner asked, his little

shoulders shrugging.

“How did you get into the mineshaft, Gunner? The dark tunnel that you were in when Miranda found you?”

“I no know.”

Caleb rubbed Gunner’s hand before

standing. It would seem that Miranda was right. Caleb hadn’t wandered into the mineshaft. But if he hadn’t, then someone had to have put him there. The question was who.

“Thanks, Essence. I think I have all I need from Gunner. Remember to send Zackary over in the morning.”

“Thanks, Alpha,” Essence said with a small smile before showing them out.

Caleb pulled into his driveway, instantly noticing a strange vehicle in the drive.

“Miranda, stay in the truck.”

Miranda looked at him questioningly but nodded her assent. Caleb climbed out of his truck and walked toward the figure hiding in the shadows of the porch.

Stepping onto the porch, he came face to face with familiar gray eyes set in a face older than the little girl he once

remembered. Her blue-black hair hung in straight layers instead of the braid she’d once sported. He still recognized her face, but it was more mature and less cherubic than it’d been when she was a ten-year-old child.

“Aspen?”

“Hey, stranger,” Aspen said before Caleb enveloped her in a hug.

***

Miranda watched as Caleb folded a dark-haired female into his arms. She went from curious to furious in two seconds flat.

One second she was in the truck, her heart breaking as she watched the love of her life hug another woman, and the next, she was pulling Caleb away from that same female.

“Get away from him!”

Caleb turned to her in surprise.

“Miranda, sweetheart, what’s wrong?”

Miranda stared at her daft mate, rage boiling inside her.

“You are mine,” Miranda whispered

“Shit! Sweetheart, I’m yours, and you are mine. You’re being irrational because we haven’t claimed each other. Now take a deep breath, sweetheart.”

Even on the edge of reason, Miranda realized the truth of Caleb’s words. Her shoulders slumped, and Caleb wrapped her in his arms.

“I’m sorry, Caleb.”

“Nothing to be sorry for, sweetheart. I’d like to introduce you to Aspen Clarke. We grew up together until her parents moved away when she was twelve.”

Miranda pulled back and wiped the tears from her cheeks before extending her hand to the female named Aspen.

“I’m sorry, Aspen. I’m usually not like this.” Aspen smiled and hugged Miranda close. Aspen was a few inches taller than Miranda and boasted curves that Miranda only dreamed about.

“That’s understandable. It’s nice to meet Caleb’s mate.”

“So, would you like to come in? I’ll fix something to eat,” Miranda offered. Aspen looked to Caleb, and Miranda stepped in front, drawing her gaze. “I would love to get to know Caleb’s friend better. Please come in.” Aspen nodded, and Caleb led the way.

Miranda went to the kitchen and was secretly pleased when Caleb and Aspen followed. Jealousy still coursed through her veins, and she wasn’t certain she could handle them alone together.

“You two have a seat and catch up. I’m just going to cook something for us to eat.

Would anyone like something to drink?”

Caleb pulled a chair out for Aspen before coming around the island where Miranda stood. Taking her face in his hands, he bent and kissed her lips. Miranda sighed and sank into him. Caleb pulled back, and his face was serious as he studied her eyes.

“Mine,” he finally said. Miranda felt herself shudder at the authority he projected in that one word.

“Yours,” she whispered.

“Umm, not to break up a moment or

anything, but maybe I should go. I’m staying with Winston and his wife tonight.

I actually just came over to see if I could be readmitted to the pride.” Aspen’s voice pulled Miranda back from Caleb’s hypnotic golden-brown stare. She felt ashamed that she was acting so callous toward the woman when she in no way deserved such treatment.

“No, Aspen. I’m sorry. I really am, and I promise to behave. Please don’t go.”

“Oh, I was just trying not to intrude on the love fest, but if you really want me to stay, then I insist on cooking.”

“Why would you want to cook?”

Aspen’s tinkling laughter filled the room.

“I’m a chef. I love to cook so much that I made it my career. So, can I intrude on your kitchen and cook something?”

Caleb nipped Miranda on the earlobe, pulling her attention back to him. His eyes seemed to plead with her, and Miranda could not resist those pleading brown depths.

“I think that’s great if you really want to.”

Aspen came around the island and

opened various cabinets, pulling things out as she went. Caleb grasped Miranda by the hand and sat her on a stool on the other side of the island before joining her on the stool beside her.

“The answer is yes,” Caleb said. Aspen stopped, and Miranda stared. Miranda could see the same confusion she felt on Aspen’s face.

Caleb chuckled before adding, “The

pride would love to have you.”

“So you don’t think your father will have a problem with me rejoining?” Miranda could feel the sadness sweep Caleb. He would probably have loved his father to make that decision, but sadly, he could not.

“My mother and father were both killed in a car accident over a year ago. I’m alpha now.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Caleb. I didn’t know,”

Aspen said, her own sadness reflected in the tear that escaped her eye.

“It’s okay,” Caleb said. Miranda

squeezed his hand, and he smiled sadly at her. She needed to get him to talk about it, or he would never come to terms with their deaths.

The ringing of Miranda’s cell phone broke the tension that permeated the kitchen. She hopped down and ran,

grabbing her purse to answer the call.

“Hello,” she said, breathless from her mad dash to the living room.

“Whoa, honey, am I interrupting

something?”

“Ha ha, Mom. No, I just ran to the phone, that’s all.”

“Thank goodness. Look, your father and I found a cute bed and breakfast that we are just dying to try, so we’ll stay here tonight and see you in the morning.

Okay?”

“That’s fine, Mom. See you then and tell Daddy that I love him.”

“Will do. Have fun, sweetheart.”

Miranda rolled her eyes at her mom’s last comment. Walking back into the kitchen, she was glad to hear Caleb laugh at something Aspen was saying.

“I remember getting a spanking,” Aspen said, her face split with a smile as she stirred something on the stovetop.

“You may have gotten a whipping, but I got a whipping plus grounded for two months. I hear that Daryl got three months,” Caleb said.

“What happened to Daryl?”

“We haven’t hung out in years. He went to the Fire Academy and I was at the university for architecture. We just drifted apart. He’s still a member of the pride, but I wouldn’t classify him as a close friend anymore.”

Their banter continued throughout the night as they entertained Miranda with tales of childhood pranks and various punishments received for each. Her sexy kitty had been a handful as a child.

Miranda was sure his children would be much of the same. The thought of having Caleb’s child sent equal parts of excitement and fear coursing through Miranda.

However, one thing was for certain—watching him with Aspen or thinking of him with another female made Miranda feel murderous. She had to stop that. She loved this man with everything that she was, so what was holding her back from that final plunge?

Nothing. Not anymore.

After eating a delicious meal, Miranda hugged Aspen goodbye. She breathed deeper her curiosity spiking at the undertone of sadness coming from Aspen –that and something she couldn’t quite place. It seemed that Aspen wasn’t completely honest about her reasoning for moving back to Pinewood Creek, but

Miranda kept it to herself. It was not her place to spill the beans. Then Aspen was gone, and now nothing stood between Miranda claiming Caleb.

Caleb sat on the bed, calling various members of his pride to set up Zackary’s scholarship money. Miranda was grateful for the distraction as she set the mood for seduction. Sure, they’d sampled each other before, but it wasn’t every day that a girl claimed her mate. Miranda wanted it to be special.

She took a shower and spent extra time softening her skin with a lotion she’d purchased at the mall. She picked her outfit out of the bag and bit her lip. She was nervous. Sitting down on the side of the tub, she took a deep breath. She was about to tie her life to Caleb’s. Once finished, there was no going back. Miranda loved Caleb, but this was the equivalent of a human marriage – without the divorce.

You love this man, Miranda. So put on this scrap of nothing, parade your ass out there, and claim him!

Bolstered by her pep talk, Miranda slid into the chemise she had purchased. She pulled on the white thong underwear that went with the baby blue chemise, grateful that soon she’d be free of them. Many women probably loved thongs, but Miranda didn’t enjoy the feel of her pants rubbing along her backside. Miranda enjoyed the feel of the silky material as it slid along her body. Her nipples pebbled as she thought of Caleb taking the chemise off.

Standing in front of the mirror, Miranda ran her hands over her body. It was beautiful. Spaghetti straps held the baby-doll style chemise on her shoulders.

Barely-there fabric gave hints of flesh to her hips where the nightie became

asymmetrical, showing off her left hip and covering the right down to her mid-thigh.

The lace that edged the hem only added to the beauty of the lingerie.

Miranda took a deep breath and entered the bedroom, sexy pose and all, only to find the bedroom empty.

Caleb grabbed the whipped cream and strawberries from the fridge as his mind worked overtime on how to seduce his beautiful mate. He wanted to claim her now, no more waiting. His cougar couldn’t have agreed more. He grabbed a few candles and the candleholder. It was not much, but maybe Miranda would

appreciate the gesture.

He’d already called for a meeting with the entire pride in the morning to

announce his official mating with Miranda and introduce her as the pride’s alpha female. He would handle Zackary at the meeting and ensure that Aspen received a house within the pride also. Now all he had to do was convince Miranda to mate with him for life.

Caleb entered the bedroom and stopped in his tracks. Standing by the window bathed in moonlight stood his Miranda.

She was dressed in a baby blue nightdress that was almost transparent. He could see tiny peeks of the curve of her breast and her pert ass. A purr started deep in his chest, gaining her attention.

“There you are,” she said as she walked toward him.

“Wow, Miranda, you look fantastic,” he said, his voice husky.

His cock had hardened with just

thoughts of claiming Miranda, but as she walked toward him, her dress playing peek-a-boo with her tantalizing flesh, his dick became hard as steel. Her nipples strained against the silky fabric, and his mouth watered at the thought of tasting and tormenting the pale pink buds.

Miranda looked down at the things he had gathered, and a smile played on her face. “What’s all that?”

“Well, I was planning on seducing you, but I’d say you are one step ahead of me,”

he said as he laid the items on the dresser.

Miranda picked up the whipped cream and studied him from under thick lashes.

She grabbed his hand and pulled him toward the bed. A familiar urge swept him, and instead of burying it, Caleb embraced his need for dominance. He swept a gasping Miranda from her feet and placed her in the middle of his bed, following her down and capturing her lips.

Caleb didn’t wait for acceptance; he nipped at her bottom lip and gained entrance from her small gasp. Her arms wound around his neck, and her body arched along his. He couldn’t believe that such a beautiful woman belonged to him.

He thanked his lucky stars he’d decided to laze at the creek the day he met her. She completed him as no other ever could.

Caleb pulled back and cupped Miranda’s face so that he could see her big, beautiful brown eyes. Her lips had reddened from his kisses, and her eyes were glazed from passion, and he’d never found her more beautiful.

“I love you, Miranda,” he said, and her eyes became big with surprise. He didn’t understand her reaction. He’d told her he loved her many times, usually when he kissed her good night.

Miranda traced his lips. “You love me?”

“With all my heart, Miranda, you know that.” Caleb was distressed to see a tear leak from her eye. He bent down and lapped the tear with his tongue. “Don’t cry, Miranda.”

“I’m just so happy, and I can’t help it. I love you too, Caleb.”

Caleb smiled down at his beautiful

mate. She was stunning with her hair splayed around her and the flush coating her skin. Caleb bent his head to nuzzle her neck briefly before he liberated the can of whipped cream from her grasp.

Caleb separated their bodies and

kneeled over Miranda. He situated himself between her legs, forcing her to spread them to accommodate him. He smoothed his hands up the outside of her thighs, delighting in the feel of her smooth skin.