Goal: A Mate (Bachelor Auction #2) (10 page)

Reenie phoned a few minutes later. “Where are you? I’m at your apartment.”

“The cabin.” Kelly started a pot of coffee just in case Brandon had forgotten to get some.

“Oh, right. I forgot for a second. I’ll be there in a few.” Again, Reenie signed off before Kelly could tell her otherwise.

She slipped her phone into her pocket and went over to the window to watch for her friend. Brandon pulled up and parked the car. He got out, carrying a bag with “Lou’s Diner” stamped on the brown paper in one hand and a plastic grocery bag in the other. A blast of heat brought Kelly to her knees. The contact jarred her, and she groaned. The door banged open, and Brandon came to her side, dropping the sacks in the progress. The wolf shoved forward. Need wound around her tight, stealing her air. Her heart hammered against her rib cage. Desire pinged around her blood as tingles raced along her limbs. Her nipples tightened and her breasts grew heavy. Any pain she’d had was dulled in the return of arousal.

Brandon grabbed her wrists and rose up until they were both on their feet. She swallowed and rearranged her thoughts:
crepes, fucking, the cat shifters, desire, Shadows, need, claim
. She shook her head and turned to the task at hand: finishing business and then enjoying the rest of her weekend.

“If my crepes get damaged I’m going to use those cock rings on you.” She grunted as he helped her up.

His touch on her elbow sent a wave of fire up her arm and around her torso. She sucked in more air. An icy wind circled around the space as the door opened again, but the cold did nothing to calm down the burning in her veins.

“Back up, brother dear. I’m going to get her out of here.” Reenie breezed into the room.

“What? Why?” Brandon sounded confused.

“Because we have business, and she needs a break before you restart your sex-o-rama. The sooner we get this done the better for everyone.” Reenie shuffled over to Kelly, took her hand, and pulled her out the door. “Come on horny wolf, we have some pussies to calm.”

Reenie guided her to the door. “We won’t be long.” Reenie’s grip on her hand was tight, but it helped to push back some of the mating heat.

“Reenie stop. I can walk.” Kelly tried to yank her hand out of Reenie’s grip, but her friend wouldn’t let go.

“If we don’t go now you won’t leave, and I want to get this shit fixed ASAP. The cats have been active while you’ve been away.” Reenie yanked open the passenger-side door and gestured for Kelly to get in.

“What happened?” Kelly slipped into her seat and buckled up.

Reenie closed the door, rushed around to the driver’s side, and got in. “They’ve been spreading vicious rumors that our maids steal crap. People are starting to believe them. There have been cancellations. Any more and… Well, I don’t want to think about what would happen.”

Reenie put on her seat belt and put the car in gear. “They weren’t the least bit pissed when we started our business, even if we were across the street from them, so what’s their deal?”

“Hopefully Madison can tell us, and then put a stop to it.”

Kelly felt lost. The further they got from the cabin the dimmer her need for Brandon became.

“How’s your heat? You feeling better?” Reenie reached over and adjusted the temperature in the car. “Need some AC?”

“Yeah, a bit. No cold, please. I know how you get, and I don’t want you to start complaining about how it’s freezing in here.” Kelly bit back a smile.

“I just don’t like to be cold. Anyway, he didn’t claim you, did he? Otherwise you’d be more even-keeled by now.”

The ride going into town was much smoother than leaving. Kelly relaxed into her seat. “Maybe. I just know this is the start of something. Brandon isn’t just a good man, he’s a good person. I’m lucky he wants me as his mate.”

“Not want. You
are
his mate. Always have been. That’s the way it works.” Reenie flipped on the blinker and turned toward home.

Kelly watched the town pass by beyond the window. “Yeah. It’s scary, you know? My dad and mom… Once he lost her he didn’t even try to see if anyone else was out there. But to know that he had that love? I’m happy we didn’t dance around it anymore. Now that I’m with him… I can’t see why we just didn’t get it over with. His age never bothered me, and he’s always treated me well.” Kelly had never felt so relaxed in her life. Despite the soft buzzing of arousal in her body, life was wonderful. The only thing left was for Brandon to claim her as his and for her to have a little talk with her father about this stupid alpha thing he orchestrated. “But Reenie. Where does this leave you?”

“What do you mean?” Reenie turned into the parking lot of Shadows, a large white-and-black structure with the name painted on the side beneath the logo of a prowling cat all in black. Energy danced along Kelly’s arms as she beheld the building she’d spent her adult life avoiding. There were rumors about what went on beyond its doors. She wondered if Brandon had ever been inside.

“Is Alberto…your mate?” Kelly waited for the usual refusals to come up.

“First, he’s not my mate, just a casual fuck. And second, Bran has never been here. Don’t pretend you weren’t wondering. He’s too busy to have that kind of fun. Plus, if he ever did come here, I wouldn’t want to know. Come on.” Reenie parked, and they got out of the car.

Kelly stood behind Reenie as she entered her membership pin number. “This isn’t over, Reenie. You can pretend all you want, but Alberto is…”

“Not my problem. And besides he’s
your
intended, which I’m OK with, because it’s what’s best for the pack.”

Kelly doubted her best friend really was OK with it, but she couldn’t see an out unless her father went back on his word. And her father was nothing if not honorable. The doors clicked open. They entered the dark corridor, which spilled out into a dining and bar area. Booths sat against the wall to their right and tables to the left.

“Ladies.”

“Hey, Sully,” Reenie greeted the fabled owner, who stood behind the counter with a shaker in his hand.

Kelly studied the man she’d heard so much about but never met. Dark glasses hid his eyes, but Kelly could feel his gaze on her. He wore a bright white sweater that highlighted his tanned skin. Sully slinked out from behind the bar, a glass of amber liquid in hand. He stopped and leaned a hip against a stool. His brown leather pants looked well-worn in places, and his boots were scuffed at the toe. Various necklaces adorned his neck and silver rings covered his fingers.

“Missed both of you at the date night for the couples from the bachelor auction. You here to book a table for a makeup?” His voice was deep and rough, like the first glass of whiskey swallowed too quickly. There was an edge of a purr in there somewhere. A light feline musk floated on the air but gave no indication as to what species he belonged to.

“No, we’re here to see Madison Weston.” Reenie nodded toward a booth. “Mind if we wait?”

He gave them a slow smile, showing off perfect, straight white teeth and sharp canines. “Not at all. Hungry? Got some dark-chocolate-mint pancakes with chocolate chips that the cook whipped up for me. He always makes far too much.” As if on cue a handsome man with sharp angles, only an inch or two taller than Sully, pushed through a set of swinging double doors next to the bar.

“Added vanilla bean to the whipped cream,” he announced. “Let me know what you think and if it’s good enough to add to the menu.” The rich tenor of the chef’s voice set off goose bumps on Kelly’s arms as recognition slammed into her. The pungent odor of reptile cologne added to the feline perfume in the room.

She swallowed and nudged Reenie.
Draco Van Buren
, she mouthed.

Reenie raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Draco Van Buren had left town long ago, vowing never to return, after he’d been denied his right to choose a mate. Rumor had it he vowed never to come back. From what she’d heard through the gossip mill, he was a world-renowned chef.

The prodigal shifter eyed the women but said nothing. Sully dug into his food with gusto. “Perfecto, Draco. Add it. Oh, see if Madison is ready? I kind of screwed up her morning with my requests for
Moulin Rouge
Night.” Sully ducked his head, but there was no indication of shame that Kelly could see.

“Yeah, you did, boss man.” Madison strode into the room looking like a queen. Her brown eyes glittered with excitement. “I straightened everything out with Paolo and Eva, and they’ll work that night, but for more than the usual price since this is a rush.”

“Ah, my savior. Thanks. Your appointments have arrived. I’ll send over some of Draco’s grub. It’s really good. I’ll even add strawberries or blackberries. Draco, I have an idea…” Sully wandered off toward the kitchen with Draco trailing behind him.

Madison slid into the booth with liquid grace. Her dark-brown eyes shone, even under the low lights of the bar area. “So, Eireen told me you’ve been having issues with the Persian cat shifters that own the maid service across the street from you.”

Kelly nodded, hoping that the werelioness could shed some light on the issue. “I’ve spoken to Mabel, and she’s explained her side of it. The issue is… Well, you were encroaching on their unofficial territory.”

“What?” Reenie and Kelly turned and blinked at each other before returning focus to Madison.

Madison bobbed her head. “Yeah, you see for years Mabel’s family and a few of the other workers served as maids and household staff for some of the feline shifter families. Mabel’s grandmother and mother worked for the Everetts, one of your new clients. Now the families involved in their…pranks…didn’t have an official contract with them, but Mabel and some of her workers felt slighted that the people they’d toiled for for years would go to werewolves for their needs without asking them first. It got to the point of anger.” Sadness weighed in Madison’s eyes. “I know their actions were wrong, and I’m not excusing them, but I get where they’re coming from.”

Kelly let the words sink in. Everything now made sense. Horror filled her. She knew that if the situations were reversed she’d be pissed too.

“Now keep in mind there was no contract, only years of service over several generations. But Mabel felt those houses were theirs—”

Reenie narrowed her eyes. “Why couldn’t Mabel just tell us all this? Maybe this is a pack of bullshit.”

Madison shook her head. “She’s a proud woman who’s started from the bottom and worked her way up to having her own business. She grew up to accept things in life and keep her tongue. Talking about her problems would be like expecting her to pull out all her hair. Besides that, they are domestic cat shifters, considered the bottom of the totem pole to some of our kind. She wouldn’t risk embarrassment by declaring the houses her turf only to be rebuked. Better to make the opposition look bad than humiliate herself.”

Kelly thought about this. Mabel’s predicament reminded her of a few of the older werewolves in her pack who had come up from humble beginnings and would suffer in silence if a slight was done to them. They wouldn’t dream of talking about their feelings but would act out if the opportunity arose to get their own back.

An idea popped into Kelly’s head. “I don’t want Mabel and her team punished. I want to work with them. Would they be willing to join forces? Our building is big enough to house both and we could share the profits.”

Reenie nudged her. Kelly hadn’t cleared it with Reenie, and she knew what her friend would say, but if they could work out a deal then everyone would win, and they would all get extra profit. She had no desire for a turf war.

Madison’s eyes went wide, but she didn’t rebuke her. “It can be done. Look, I can make some calls, but you should talk to your business partner first. I’ll get some of those pancakes. They do smell good.” She got up and headed across the room and through the swinging doors.

Once alone, Kelly addressed Reenie. “What? It’s a good idea. And if we combine resources we cover more ground.” Kelly eyed Reenie to gauge her friend’s reaction. “We can at least talk to them.”

Reenie folded her arms over her chest. She nibbled her bottom lip as her gaze flickered all over the place. “OK, we’ll start talks.
Only
talks. Nothing else until we feel we can trust them. In the meantime, what about the houses that they feel are theirs?”

Kelly didn’t need to think about it. “We let them have it, but for a cut of the profits since it’s our contract. And only if the owners agree to it. If not, it’s not our problem.”

Reenie nodded. “I can live with that. Should we bring in someone or…”

Kelly groaned. “A negotiator could be expensive, and we’re already stretched thin on our expenses as is. How about you handle things?”

“And really start a turf war? N.O.” Reenie shook her head, her dark tresses going everywhere.

“Maybe Madison knows someone willing to work for cheap or free.”

“Madison knows who can do what for cheap or free?” A feline shifter they didn’t know stopped at their table, interrupting the conversation. Her tawny hair was pulled up into a messy bun, her delicate features free of makeup. Her green eyes shone even in the low light. A few scars marked her flawless chocolate complexion, but other than that she was gorgeous, model-like even. A tall, handsome man stood beside her. “Because if it involves shoes or champagne I may be in. I’m Lea and this
adorkable
person next to me is Alec. We’re friends of Madison’s. Oh, you’re Kelly. I recognize you from the bachelor auction. Lucky, I wanted to bid on Brandon but didn’t have enough money.”

Alec snorted beside her. “She was too drunk and overwhelmed by the man-meat on display.”

“Perv! If it was really on display, we’d all be in jail explaining ourselves and you’d have a harem of men ready and willing to please you.”

Alec waved her away with a hand. “As if. If my date didn’t want me, what makes you think some of the other guys would?”

Kelly couldn’t help but smile. They reminded her of how Reenie treated her. “We’re hoping to find someone to act as negotiator with Mabel.” She wasn’t going to get into the details with strangers no matter how much she liked them.