Figure of Speech (Halle Shifters) (14 page)

“Good.” That was some of the best news Chloe had gotten all week. She couldn’t wait to see George again.

“He’s going to be huge, you know. Those paws of his are massive.” Jim smiled fondly. “We should have named him Moose.”

“Nah. We can still bug him and love him even if he is the size of the couch.”

Jim cupped her cheek. “I have to go.”

“I know.” She missed working with him, but it wouldn’t be long before she was back at the clinic, surrounded by the animals she adored and the mate she loved. “See you tonight?”

“With the puppy.”

“Darn tootin’, with my puppy.” She lifted her lips to his, giving him a swift kiss.

“Is that all I get? That little peck?” He pouted adorably. “I’m bringing you a puppy, after all.”

“Add some ice cream and we’ll see what I can do when you get home.”

The blue of his eyes was rapidly replaced by golden brown. “Deal.”

Chloe smiled as he closed his eyes and inhaled, slowly letting the breath out. When he opened his eyes again, the brown had faded to a faint hint around the outer ring of blue. “See you at home, Jim.”

He shuddered, his eyes once more brown. “Can’t wait.” With that, he cupped the back of her head and took her lips in the kiss she’d denied him. Slow and sweet, it was full of the promise she’d given him. When he pulled away, her own eyes had shifted to the reddish brown of her Fox. “Don’t leave the shop without Ryan.”

“Mm-hm.” Chloe nodded dreamily, reaching for him once more.

Jim gave her what she silently asked for. This kiss was far more sensual, sending heat racing through her body. She gave some serious thought to dragging the man into the back room and fulfilling some fantasies, but damn it, just when she was about to give in he pulled away again. “I have to go.”

She shook her head and whimpered. Dear gods, she
really
needed him to take her in the back for some nakey time.

“Be good, little vixen. I’ll see you tonight.” He brushed her hair back from her face with a wistful sigh. “And don’t let my brother talk you into doing anything stupid.”

“I heard that!” Spencer’s laughing voice came from behind Cyn’s curtain.

“I’ll send someone to take him home when Cyn is done with him.” He stepped away from her completely, backing toward the front door. His gaze never left her. “See you soon.”

She nodded, still fantasizing about getting him undressed and spread-eagle. The chaise was soft and inviting looking. Cyn wouldn’t mind too much, right?

Jim bumped into the door, jumping slightly, as if he’d forgotten where he was going. With a sheepish look he turned and opened it, heading out into the summer heat with a small sigh.

Damn. There went her afternoon delight, but at least the rear view was nice.

Chapter Fourteen

Ryan had dropped her off an hour ago, and she’d finally gotten over her nerves and decided to explore her new home. What she’d seen impressed her a great deal. It was nothing like his bedroom. He’d created a warm, inviting space in keeping with the style of the house.

Her mate never ceased to amaze her.

Jim lived just outside the main part of town, in one of the older brick homes. Built sometime in the 1920s or ’30s, the home had a huge covered porch painted crisp white that wrapped most of the way around the house. He’d put a set of two rocking chairs out front with a table between, and for just a second she felt jealous over anyone who might have sat in that second chair, chatting with her Jim. But she could picture nights when the crickets were out and the fireflies were dancing in the bushes, just him and her, and she shivered with pleasure. She couldn’t wait to just relax there with him and know that it was finally real.

Inside the main part of the house was a dream come true. Its original crown moldings were in place, as was the fireplace, but he’d remodeled it at some point. The original brick around the fireplace had been changed for a sleeker, more modern look of dark stacked slate. He’d also painted the built-ins that surrounded it, filling them with books and knickknacks. He’d painted all the trim white, brightening the space, and the walls were done in gold, like fresh honey. He’d filled the space with furniture done in simple lines and soft, buttery leather. The kitchen was small, but he’d brightened the space with crisp white Shaker cabinetry, oil-rubbed bronze fixtures and swirling gold granite countertops.

All the place really needed was some artwork and maybe some patterned fabric. Perhaps he’d let her change the plain drapes for something a little more fun? And she’d seen the prettiest chair on the Internet the other day, one that would go beautifully with his leather sofa.

“Jim wants to move. I want him to put in a stair lift for my chair. We’re discussing it.” Chloe turned to find Spencer watching her from the dining room doorway, his expression tense. At the moment, the formal dining room had been set up as a bedroom for Spencer, so she’d chosen not to go into that room without an invitation. “What do you think?”

She glanced around, her gaze lingering on the beautiful moldings and original hardwood floors. “What would be easier for two?”

Spencer shrugged. “Since I don’t plan on living with my big brother for the rest of my life—” he gagged, and she laughed, “—I’m thinking he should stay.”

“I agree.” In her mind, she’d already started ticking off the minor changes she would like to make if Jim kept the house, like adding a backsplash in the kitchen or adding some pictures to the walls. He had spots where you could see pictures had once been, but for some reason he’d taken them down.

“His parents.”

“Huh?”

“The pictures were family photos, pictures of him with his parents. He took them down when they both turned on him.” Spencer shrugged. “Can’t really blame him, but I feel bad about it.”

“Don’t. Not your fault.”

“I still want to kick their asses for how they’ve treated Jim. They hurt him badly, and he’s been mourning them like they’re dead. It’s why I’m glad you’re finally here. Now he has someone besides me to stand by his side.” Spencer shook his head. “C’mon, Jim should be home soon. Let’s go sit in the living room and get comfy.”

Chloe followed Spencer into the living room and settled on the sofa. There was a clear spot where Spencer could easily pull up his chair, making him part of anything going on. It was obvious that Jim adored his brother and was willing to do whatever it took to make him comfortable.

In a way, it was reassuring to her. If he could adjust his life so easily to accommodate Spencer, then maybe his easy acceptance of her disabilities was real as well. If only she could trust that he wasn’t going to run away, or abandon her again. While she didn’t have the panic issues Glory did about being left, she wasn’t keen on the idea of her mate deciding once again that he might be too old, or too busy, or too anything for her.

“He really cares, you know. More than you think.” Spencer’s knowing gaze was full of sympathy. “He’s just not very good at showing it.”

She looked around the house and shrugged. “I’d say he’s
berry
good at showing it when it matters.”

“His parents have really fucked him up, you know.” Spencer snickered. “Wait until the first time you answer the phone and it’s Wanda. She’d give Gandhi indigestion.”

“I heard.” When he tilted his head in confusion she explained. “She called while we were packing my apartment.”

Spencer grimaced. “Poor guy. She treats Jim as if he were the one who cheated rather than the sperm donor. You’d think, since Jim is her only child, she’d do better by him.”

“That might be why.” Chloe sat back and tucked her legs under her. “If she feels abandoned—”

“But she wasn’t. All Jim asked was that she accept that he wanted a relationship with me, and she couldn’t do it. She put down this ultimatum, and every time he talks to her she screams her head off and tells him he’s a backstabbing son of a bitch.”

“At least she got part of it right,” Chloe muttered.

Spencer leaned forward and patted her hand. “Anyway, I wanted you to know that you were all he talked about when I asked him about home.”

She blinked, blushing furiously. “Really?” Jim had talked to Spencer about her?

“Really. He was worried about having our issues dumped on top of yours, that it might set your recovery back. He was worried that he was spending so much time with me and you wouldn’t be willing to give him a chance because of it.”

“I wish he’d balked to me.” Chloe sighed. “I would have understood.”

“I tried to get him to, but…” Spencer shrugged. “He’s stubborn.”

Chloe’s eyes went comically wide. “No, really?”

“Like a dog with a bone.” Spencer’s smile turned sweet. “I’m glad you’re here. He needs you more than he lets on.”

“How?” Chloe could understand her need for Jim, but Jim was so strong, so self-contained, she couldn’t see him needing anything or anyone.

“He…lives inside his own head too much. He needs someone who can force him out, who can get him to see the bigger picture. He’s one of the most caring people I’ve ever met, but he tends to forget about himself. It’s part of what makes him such a good veterinarian, but he’s running himself into the ground trying to help everyone at once. Hell, he’s still trying to get his mother to acknowledge me as his brother, and if anything’s a lost cause, that is.”

The front door opened and Chloe swiveled in her seat, draping her arm along the back of the sofa. “Hey.”

Jim smiled so wide she could almost see his back teeth. “Hi.” He put the pet carrier down and walked over, giving her a soft kiss. “You and Spencer getting to know one another?”

She glanced over at Spencer and nodded. “I tink so.”

“She’s cute.” Spencer tilted his head. “Do you have a sister?”

“Nope, but I have a cousin, Tiffany.” She laughed. “Then again, I’m not sure I’d inflict her on you. She’s fierce.”

Jim shook his head. “What do you two want for dinner?”

Chloe smiled. “You cook?”

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Spencer shaking his head wildly.

“Knock it off, butthead.” Jim stuck his tongue out at Spencer.

“Our sperm donor should have been Italian. Then he could have named him Sal Monella.”

Jim popped Spencer on the back of the head as he walked by as Chloe cackled and clapped her hands.

Spencer bowed. “Thank you, thank you.”

Chloe was practically bouncing in her seat as she stared at the pet carrier. “George?”

Jim nodded. “Let him out.”

“Wait. You brought home a dog?”

Chloe ignored the squeak of Spencer’s wheels as she swiftly let her new puppy out. George bounced out, knocking her on her ass and covering her in puppy kisses. It took a good ten minutes for her to finally get up off the floor and let the puppy explore.

Jim’s fond smile as he gazed at George morphed into something a great deal warmer as he looked toward Chloe. “What say we order in pizza and watch a movie?”

“Works for me.” She winked at Spencer as Jim helped her up off the floor. “Chick flick?”

Spencer blinked, pausing in his rapturous scratching of George’s floppy ears. “Only if you rip my testicles off first.”

Chloe laughed again as Jim began ordering their food. Spencer was a riot. How could anyone not like him? Maybe she would figure out some way to get Wanda Woods to accept him, because it was obvious Spencer wasn’t the only one who needed his brother in his life. If anyone could “pull him out of his head”, it would be Spence.

“All right.” Jim settled on the sofa, a beer in one hand and his remote in the other. “Have I got something for you.” He rubbed his hands together as the beginning credits began to roll.

“What the…?” Spencer tilted his head. “Cartoons?”

Chloe gasped. “Oh my God! It’s
Princess Mononoke!
” She hugged Jim tight, almost knocking the beer can out of his hand. “This is perfect!”

For a moment he looked utterly shocked, then hugged her back fiercely. “I love a woman who’s willing to let her geek flag fly.”

“Can we do
Spirited Away
next?” Chloe was practically bouncing in her seat, forcing Jim to put his beer down.

“I don’t see why not.” Jim kissed the top of her head.

“If we’re doing cartoons tonight, we do Monty Python Saturday night.” Spencer slumped in his chair, pouting adorably.

Chloe stared at him, hoping she wouldn’t laugh. “Cartoons?
Cartoons?
Princess Mononoke
is one of the breast fantasy films ever made.” She hmph’d. “Heathen.”

Spencer held up his hands. “Hey, no one told me it was a breast fantasy.
That
I’m down for.”

Chloe rolled her yes. “Pig.”

“Oink.” Spencer started paying attention to the television, only moving to answer the door and pay for the pizza while Jim held George back. For all his razzing about cartoons, he was quickly as engrossed as Chloe and Jim in the epic tale of Ashitaka and San.

Jim’s scent wrapped around her, warming her from the inside out. His easy breathing, the way he adjusted his arm automatically when she moved, the soft little kisses he peppered on her head, told her more than words that he was beyond pleased she was there, in his home, sucking down his pepperoni pizza like sausage was going out of style.

Jim was having one of the best damn days of his life. He’d woken up that morning to an armful of snuggly redhead, his mate’s scent on his sheets making his Wolf practically purr in satisfaction. His brother had made blueberry pancakes for breakfast, proving once again that Jim had gotten his cooking skills from his mother. When he’d left for work, Chloe had been looking up ways to get certified as a vet tech so she could begin working at his clinic as soon as possible while fending off an overenthusiastic armful of puppy love.

Best of all, Chloe’s things were in his bathroom, her clothing taking up space in his closets and drawers. The thrill he’d felt when he’d seen her feminine hygiene products snuggled next to his shaving kit should have given him the heebie-jeebies, but instead he’d pumped his fist.

You knew a woman meant to stay when her tampons were nestled up against your aftershave balm.

To top it all off, one of his clients had brought in a pregnant stray who’d just birthed some of the most adorable kittens he’d seen in a long time. She’d told him that she couldn’t bring any of them home, so Jim was going to find places for the stray and her babies once he was sure they were all healthy.

He already knew where two of the kittens would go. Chloe would adore the little white one with the single black spot on its nose, while the only little tiger-striped baby would go straight to Emma. The other three he’d have to put up for adoption.

“We’re keeping one.” Irene smiled as she watched the little fur balls sleep. “The clinic needs another pet, and a cat is always a good one.”

Jim shrugged. “We can do that, but you’re cleaning the litter box.”

She snorted out a laugh. “We’ll see.” She patted him on the back. “When will Chloe be starting work? We could really use the help.”

“She’s looking into her certs.” Jim shrugged off his lab coat, eager to get home to his mate. “As soon as she has them she starts.”

“Good. I wish we could have her come in earlier, do the work she used to do.”

“Not with her hand the way it is.” Chloe had done quite a lot around the clinic, helping with the animals, soothing the clients, and running the more delicate labs. She’d been a sparkling presence, and he missed her more and more each day he worked without her.

Damn it. He should have listened to Emma when she told him he was being unreasonable about Chloe’s age, but he’d been blind to how much he truly cared about her until after she’d been hurt. He was going to spend the rest of his life making it up to her, loving her the way he should have right from the beginning.

“Earth to Jim, come in, Jim.” Irene waved her hand in front of his face. “Where did you go to?”

Jim shrugged. “Chloe, who else?”

She laughed. “Ah, new love.”

He didn’t correct her. His love for Chloe had started when she still worked for him, way before she found herself in the hospital. But not only was she too young, it was unethical to date his employee, a rule he was happily tossing out the window now that he’d claimed her.

“You gonna put a ring on it before someone else snatches it up?”

Jim snarled, startling Irene.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

“Sorry.” Jim huffed out a breath and ran his fingers through his hair. “It feels like I’ve waited forever for her to grow up, and now that she has I’m all ‘mine mine mine’.”

“Well, I’m happy for you. I’m also glad I don’t have to listen to you pining for her anymore.” She shuddered dramatically. “I swear, you have more estrogen than I do.”

He flipped her off, ignoring her laughter in favor of waving good-bye to the other vet tech, Clare. It was Saturday afternoon, his new partner had the evening shift, and Jim was off tomorrow.