Already Freakn' Mated (14 page)

Less than two hours of talk, frantic kisses and the glorious moment she came apart for him didn’t come close to satisfying Chris. On the contrary, he hungered for Jill more than ever. Worse, she burned just as hot for him, and Chris needed to act as the voice of reason, peeling his woman from his chest lest they get caught by her husband.
Don’t mind me, dude, just making sweet love to your wife.
Somehow he couldn’t see that scenario ending well.

“Meet me tonight,” he asked. Leaning his forehead against hers, he waited for his racing heart to calm – not likely to happen while he remained in close proximity to her, but he pretended to try.

“I wish I could,” she murmured wistfully. “But I can’t. He’ll know something’s up.”

“Something is,” he growled, grabbing her hand and placing it over his groin.

Her eyes widened and her cheeks flushed bright. Damn, how could she appear so innocent? If he didn’t know any better, he’d swear she was inexperienced. Impossible given she was married, but cute nonetheless, and utterly arousing.

“I don’t work tomorrow and was planning to skip my yoga class. I was hoping we could spend some time together.”

“What about your husband?” He could barely bite the word out.
I’m the one who deserves that title.

“He has a meeting in the city. He should be gone for at least two hours or more.”

“That’s it?” Definitely not enough time to do half the things he planned.

“It’s better than nothing.”

“What happened to working on him so we could be together?” Because otherwise, Chris might have to revise his stance of no killing.

“I’m trying, but it’s hard. There’s so much I can’t explain.”

“You could try.”

“I can’t. I wish I could, but I can’t.”

“You don’t trust me.” He said it flatly, knowing his irritation showed, but unable to stem it. It didn’t matter that he asked a lot of her, that he wanted her to turn her whole world upside down for him. He didn’t care they’d first met just over a week ago. Ready to change his life – whip it inside out, turn over a new leaf, including getting rid of his black book – he expected the same of her. He trusted his gut when it told him she was the one and it hurt – not that he’d admit it aloud – that she didn’t feel the same.

“I do trust you, and I want to tell you, but I can’t betray Jack. I made a promise.”

“You also made a promise to cherish and be faithful, yet you have no problem breaking that,” he snapped, regretting the cruel words as soon as he tossed them out there.

The hurt on her face made him feel like the biggest jerk alive and when she struggled to get away from him, he hugged her tight. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean that. I’m sure you never expected, neither of us did, to have the mating fever hit us. I’m just so frustrated. I need more than a few stolen moments, baby.”

“And that’s supposed to make it okay for you to call me a cheater when you’re the one who seduced me first?”

“Me? You’re the one who made me melt when we first met.”

“Oh please. As if. I could barely even talk.”

“Really?” He couldn’t help the pleasure at her admission. “So you do think I’m hot.” He said this with an arched brow and a wide smile.

“I would have said conceited, but –”

He dug his fingers into her ribs and tickled her until she squirmed and gasped for mercy. “Okay, you’re cute,” she cried. He didn’t relent, loving her laughter. “I give in. You’re superhot.”

“That’s better. Nothing like admitting the truth.”

“Like you didn’t know,” she scoffed.

“A man enjoys hearing it though. Just like I’m sure you enjoy hearing you are the prettiest damned thing I’ve ever met.”

“Now who’s lying?”

“Hey, I resent that.”

“I find it hard to believe I’m the prettiest girl you’ve met.”

She denied his compliment, and yet, he couldn’t help but hear the pleasure in her tone, and the sense she needed reassurance. “I’ve met good looking girls,” he stated. And bedded most of them, a fact he kept to himself. “But none ever made me feel like the world stopped spinning the first time we met. None ever gave me sleepless nights.” Or never ending hard-ons. “And none ever made me want forever. Or talk like some geeky freak in touch with his feelings.” A moue of distaste curled his lips. God, he sounded like such a sappy idiot.

“If it’s any consolation, you’re the first man to ever make me regret my promise and marriage. I wish I could have met you before it all happened.”

The sincerity in her tone humbled him and made him feel like an absolute ass for his earlier words. “I am truly sorry for what I said before. I’ll try to be more patient.”

She stroked his hair, sifting her fingers through the strands. “I’m going to tell Jack it’s over. I can’t wait any longer either. I need to stop the lying. ”

“When?”

“After his meeting tomorrow.”

Not the answer he wanted, not with a rock hard dick and another projected evening of whacking off alone, then beating his brother for ridiculing him. “Why after?”

“Because. Don’t push me on this.”

“Or?”

Her nose wrinkled. “Anyone tell you that you’re stubborn?”

“All the time.”

A soft smile graced her lips. “I need to go. Jack will be home soon and he mustn’t find us like this.”

“Fine.” Chris sighed. “You know you’re killing me, right?”

She kissed him softly. “It’s hurting me just as much. Until tomorrow.”

Away she scampered, leaving him hard and aching, pining for her presence, angry that she wouldn’t give in to what they both wanted.

Worried he’d do or say something he shouldn’t to Jack, Chris packed up and left just before four thirty. He wished he could figure out the deal between Jack and Jill. What was she so worried about? Did Jack have a temper? Did she worry for her safety?

If that prick laid one hand on her, he’d rearrange his face, gladly. Or did her concern stem from something else? If Chris could just figure out what kept them apart, he’d … what? Understand?

Probably not. But he also lacked the patience to wait like a good wolf on the sidelines while his jealousy and need grew.

Just one more day. She’d promised to broach it with Jack tomorrow. Surely he could wait one more day. He hoped so because otherwise he didn’t know if he could stop himself from doing something rash that would require his cousin Gina pulling strings to spring him.

Stomping into his house, he ran into his mother carrying a baby on her hip.

“Thank goodness, you’re here,” she exclaimed, handing over his nephew Mark who looked ridiculously cute in his Redskins football jersey and mini blue jeans.

Juggling the baby, he eyed his mother. “What’s up?”

“Naomi went to dinner with her mates.”

“And?”

“Melanie’s still napping upstairs.”

“You still haven’t explained how this concerns me,” Chris replied making a face at the long line of drool hanging from his nephew’s lower lip.

“You need to babysit while I run to grab a few things.”

“Why me?” he complained. Hmm, good thing Naomi wasn’t here, she would have offered some cheese to go with his whine.

“Why you? You’re about to settle down with a mate. It’s time you learned what some of that entails.”

“How does dumping Naomi’s kids on me teach me anything?”

“Babies are the result of physical affection. You know, sex. The thing you’re hankering to do with your lady friend.”

“Ma!”

“Christopher,” she aped back in a tone laced with mirth. “As I was saying, since you can pretty much expect your own little bundle of joy to arrive in nine months or so if you don’t wear a rubber hat –” Chris moaned and covered his eyes. “– it’s important for you to learn some of the basics so you’re not useless to your mate when the time comes. Like feeding a baby. Or changing diapers.”

He held up a hand. “Wait a second. I’ve heard dad brag about how he never had to change diapers when we were babies. If he didn’t have to, why should I? Isn’t the rule of thumb preach what you practice?”

Arms crossed, his mother pursed her lips. “No, it’s do as I say and not as your father did. See, the reason Geoffrey didn’t change diapers was because he puked on your brother, Stu, the three times he tried. It seems he has a low gag reflex.”

“He puked on Stu?” Chris snickered, then howled. “Oh my god. The ammunition you just gave me. Priceless.”

“Oh no you don’t, Christopher, or else someone with loose gums might just find the pictures of himself playing with the big brown shark in the tub hitting Facebook.”

“You wouldn’t.” Her gaze remained steady. He sputtered. “I was two!”

“Older than your brother when your father hurled on him. So do we understand each other?”

“Yes,” he said it begrudgingly. But you had to hand it to his mom. She was the best mother ever – when it came to blackmail. In her defense, she needed an evil side to stay ahead of the chaos he, his brothers, sister, and father would otherwise cause.

“This is not what I had planned for the evening,” he muttered, his fantasy of Jill doing a strip tease on the back of his eyelids fading fast.

“Thank goodness, I say. Some of us are tired of you moping about like a lovesick puppy.”

“I do not mope,” Chris retorted. “I pout.” His lower lip jutted far enough to make his mother snicker. A chuckle shook him. “Sorry about the bad moods. It’s just, since I’ve met her –”

“No need to explain. I went through it when I met your father. I understand how overwhelming it can seem. Hence, the distraction. You can thank me later.”

“But...” Chris tried sticking out his bottom lip again, but his mother proved immune.

She shook a finger at him. “Don’t you dare teach that face to the baby! Otherwise, he’ll have his mama doing backflips and spoiling him rotten. Now, as for what you need to do. Listen for Melanie. She’ll wake up soon. She’s a better sleeper than her busy brother. They might get hungry. If so, there’s breast milk in the fridge –” Chris made a face, “– and instructions for heating it on the counter. Have fun. I’ll be back before you know it.”

As his mother walked out the front door, Chris demoted her from best mother ever to…dammit, still the best mother ever. She was right. He needed something to keep his mind occupied and teaching one little boy how to rule the world – through the use of cute puppy dog eyes – would fit the bill.

Setting the baby down on the floor, Chris then sat beside his nephew, watching him strain to push himself up on his forearms.

“Good job, little buddy,” he said when his nephew regarded him with a drooling smile.

Piece of cake. Look at him, taking care of the baby. Who said he wasn’t ready for parenthood? Wait a freakn’ second. Once he and Jill hooked up, they could end up with kids of their own in nine months. His mom’s words penetrated his thick skull finally.

Holy shit, I could be a dad.
What once would have put him into a panic, now just made him grin. Funny how meeting the right person could change a man’s mind.

An hour later, elbow deep in dirty diapers, screaming babies, and encased in a layer of baby powder, he decided that perhaps he should invest in a case of condoms. Maybe two.

And that was how Naomi found him, along with her tag along guest, Jill. The icing on the cake though? Melanie spat up the breast milk he’d managed to feed her, and it landed on his bare foot. Gross!

*

Stopping the giggle proved much too hard despite Chris’s pleading look for help. How could Jiao not laugh until tears pricked her eyes at the sight of her big and strong wolf? He was the picture of a male out of his element and steps away from full blown panic. He sported a half dressed baby on each hip, hair in a mussed tangle on his head, eyes wide through the layer of powder on his face, and as for the steaming layer of vomit on his foot? Funniest thing ever.

Laughter bubbled forth, a belly laugh like Jiao couldn’t ever recall. She snorted and giggled so hard, her eyes watered and she hiccupped for breath.

“It’s not that funny,” Chris growled.

Risking a peek at him, while trying to stifle her mirth, she saw him wince as one baby drooled on his arm. It set her off again.

With a shake of her head, Naomi, grabbed a squealing baby, slapped a diaper on and handed the child back to Chris who’d just straightened after wiping his foot off with his filthy shirt.

“Hey!” he tried to protest.

“I’ll tell Ethan you made Melanie cry.”

Chris clamped his lips shut, but his eyes shot daggers as Naomi took care of the other bare bottomed tot. She shoved the second child – now thankfully diapered – at Jiao before taking off with the toxic waste her children created.

Shocked, Jiao gaped at the baby dressed in pink, who in turn regarded her with suspicion. What should she do with the little critter, um girl? Jiao didn’t exactly have much experience in the baby department and the unblinking gaze freaked her out. “Why is she staring at me?” She whispered the question, even if she couldn’t have quite said why.

“Melanie is trying to decide whether to scream or drool.”

“Maybe you should hold her then,” she exclaimed, holding Melanie under her armpits and aiming her at Chris.

He shook his head, and gestured to his armful. “Nah. I’m good. You keep her. Me and my buddy Mark here are going to chill.” Chris flopped onto the couch and balanced the baby on his lap. Content with the choice, chubby Mark stuffed a fist in his mouth and sucked noisily.

Jiao sat more gingerly, afraid she’d drop the child. Melanie didn’t want to sit, though, and let out a yodel. Jiao shot up and the baby quieted – and Jiao could have sworn she smirked.

“Ha. Works every time. She’s a true princess in training.” Chris beamed at his niece and Jiao couldn’t help but smile.

“I take it she’s done it to you.”

“Done it? Who do you think taught it to her? While my sister wasn’t looking, of course,” he confided in a low whisper. Then louder. “What are you doing here? I thought you couldn’t get out tonight.”

“Not without a good excuse. Your sister showed up and insisted I come over to her place for coffee. She wouldn’t take no for an answer.”

He frowned. “I thought she was going to supper with her jocks.”

“She did, but they got called in for some kind of emergency team meeting, so she detoured to my place and insisted I come with her for a coffee over at her place. We just stopped in here to grab the babies first.”

“Sorry you had to see me like this,” he said ruefully.

A smile curved her lips. “Why? I thought you looked very cute.”

“Well, I guess that’s nicer than inept.”

“If it’s any consolation, I think you handled it better than me. I can’t imagine taking care of two babies at once.” Heck, she found it hard to picture even caring for one.

“You’ll have lots of help when it happens to us.” He stated the eventuality they’d have children together in a matter of fact tone.

“We will, will we? And have you decided on how many we’re having?” She arched a brow.

“Lots.” He laughed. “But not right away. I’d like to spend some alone time first with you before we get into the whole baby business.”

“I like the sound of that.” She liked the sound of any plan that included a future with Chris. Now, if only tomorrow would come faster so she could have her talk with Jack – not a pleasant one she could predict already – and start her life with her wolf.

“I’m back so you can stop making googly eyes at each other,” Naomi announced. Two pairs of baby arms went up and Naomi scooped her children up, nuzzling them.

“I do not googly eye,” Christ retorted. “I stare longingly.”

Jill didn’t say a word, though, too shocked by the fact Naomi guessed her interest in Chris.

“Don’t look so panicked,” Naomi admonished. “I know about your secret yen for each other. I won’t tell a soul. Promise. However, you might want to do something about your I’m-married situation, because it’s kind of obvious you both have a thing for each other.”

“It is?” Jill’s shoulder slumped.

“What does it matter?” Chris asked moving from his spot on the couch to kneel at her feet. “After tomorrow, Jack will know the truth, you’ll be free, and we can mate just like fate intended.”

Or, her brother would knock Jiao out, kidnap her and not let her regain consciousness until they’d gotten far away with a new life and identity. However, she couldn’t tell Chris her fear. God only knew what he’d do. “I just hope everything works out,” she murmured in a low voice.
But I have a really bad feeling.
A sixth sense that things would not go as planned.