Chapter Five

River Thomas

Opening my eyes, I try to turn from the bright light blinding me.

“Hold still,” Mrs. Williams says. “Let the paramedic check you over.”

I sigh knowing that as long as I am still alive the shifter magic in my veins will help me heal at an accelerated rate. By tomorrow evening this will be nothing more than a bad memory. That is, if I can get away from all the people worrying over me right now so I can find a spot in the tropical foliage on the outskirts of town to shift.

I take in the scene around me. There’s a man dressed as a paramedic, Mrs. Williams, and Carter Lawson.

Fuck! What is my boss doing here? I try to push up again but the glare he throws my way has me remaining in my spot.

“She seems to be fine,” the paramedic addresses Carter. “But I still suggest taking her to the emergency room for a full workup.”

He starts to pack the little bag with all the items he used to assess me.

“I will take her as soon as possible,” Carter says in a tone that leaves no room for argument.

“We need to get her statement,” a police officer I didn’t see says. Carter levels him with a glare that could peel paint off a building. “Unless she isn’t pressing charges.”

“No charges,” I croak.

My voice sounds strange and my throat hurts like a motherfucker. It feels like I tried to give a cactus a blowjob. I don’t want to press charges. I don’t want to deal with anyone. I just want to be left alone to lick my wounds, literally and figuratively. My gaze clashes with Carter’s, begging him to do something.

I still don’t understand why he is here but when he starts ushering people out, I couldn’t be more grateful. After the last person leaves, I get off the couch and head toward my bedroom. I need to change out of these clothes and into something less constricting. My ligress is prowling the corners of my mind begging for the chance to shift and start to heal. She is also highly bloodthirsty at the moment.

“Where are you going?” Carter asks me.

“I need to change.”

“River.”

He reaches out to touch my shoulder before dropping his hand by his side. He thinks I’m damaged by what Kevin did, that any man’s touch right now will send me over the edge.

“We both know I need to shift,” I say, and his eyes widen. “What? Do you think I didn’t pick up on your animal the moment I walked onto your floor? You’re a predator, Mr. Lawson. Probably some big ass carnivore.”

He nods as a small smile twitches at the side of his mouth. “We do need to talk.”

“No, I need to run.” I close the door to my room to afford myself some semblance of privacy.

Carter Lawson has me twisted in knots. One minute I want to be a smart-mouthed brat and the next I want to fall into his strong arms and just be held like some damsel in distress.

I’m putting on a big show now, but inside I’m dying. I don’t know what the fuck to do. My apartment is supposed to be my safe space and Kevin has violated that. He took something from me that I hadn’t realized was my most prized possession. The door to my room swings open and Carter strides in before pulling me against his muscular chest.

“It’s all right, River. I’ve got you.” He runs a hand up and down my spine trying to soothe me.

It’s only then that I realize I’ve been crying. Slowly, my tears dry but I don’t pull away from my boss’s grasp. My ligress purrs happily to be in his arms but I know it won’t last. He is only trying to make me feel better before he leaves.

“Pack a bag,” Carter says as he holds me at arm’s length.

“What?” I ask confused.

“Get something together for a couple of days. I can’t let you stay here until I know that asshole has been taken care of.”

“Ca r— ” I start but catch myself. “Mr. Lawson. I am thankful for your assistance, but I can take care of myself.”

Taking my chin in his hand he stares at me, making sure he has my full attention. “It wasn’t a request, River. Pack. Your. Shit.”

I feel the need to fall to my knees before him and offer myself to him. His dominance. His pure male Alphaness is enough to have my knees shaking. He only releases my face after I nod in acceptance.

“Good girl.”

A shiver works its way up my spine. Who knew those two little words would have me feeling giddy? Why do they feel so familiar? A moment later Carter has his phone out of his pocket and is making calls and barking orders at people as I try to clear the cobwebs from my mind. The man is like a potent drug working his way through my system. I need to get away from him before I embarrass myself.

It only takes me five minutes to gather everything I will need to get me through Christmas at a hotel. I don’t have any family and the few friends I have are more like acquaintances. We get along just fine but there isn’t anyone I could call to stay with.

Walking out of my room I take in my apartment and the damage Kevin has wrought. My Christmas tree is tipped on its side, and ornaments are strewn all over the place. The frames I had against the wall are smashed on the floor, glass covering the hardwood I had installed last year. More tears sting my eyes as I take it all in, but crying isn’t going to solve a damn thing.

“I have someone coming in to clean everything up.” I jump when Carter speaks but I don’t turn to face him. “I’m also getting someone to replace your door and install a better lock and a new security system.”

“That’s no t— ” I start to argue but he grips my shoulders and turns me to face him.

“It is necessary, River. If I had been even two minutes later, we wouldn’t be having this conversation,” he says and frowns.

“Why are you here?” I ask curiously.

“I forgot to tell you about a meeting we were supposed to have early this morning. I wanted to pick you up on the way.”

“Shit.”

“Don’t worry about it,” he says while leading me to the door. “I already moved the meeting to the new year and Trask was more than happy to oblige. Blake Industries will be closed from tomorrow into the new year so you can stop worrying.”

I didn’t even realize we had reached the bottom of the stairs while he had been talking. Carter opens the door to his sleek black car and helps me get inside while dropping my bag on the back seat. He stalks around the front before sliding in beside me and pulling away from the curb. His presence fills the entire vehicle and I start to get a little dizzy from his scent.

“You can just drop me at a hotel,” I say while staring out the window at the buildings passing us by.

“You’re not going to a hotel, River.”

“What do you mean I’m not going to a hotel?” I glare at him, and he smirks. I want to smack him but hold back because he’s driving.

“I have a house on Moloka’i. You can rest there.”

“I’m not going to an island with you!” I yell in the confined space of his car. “Yesterday you couldn’t stand to look at me and now you want me to go to a remote island with you.”

“River…” He sighs as he turns into the marina. “I can’t leave you here in town, with that fucker on the loose. I have someone looking for him, but it could take a couple of days.”

“That still doesn’t mea n— ” but he cuts me off.

“It’s secluded. You can have the freedom to shift whenever you want. Heal without having to worry about someone catching you.”

Fuck. That sounds good. Shifting whenever I feel like it, not being concerned about someone seeing me. But I can’t go with him. The man is my boss, for God’s sake.

“Mr. Lawson.” I sigh loudly.

“Carter.”

“What?”

“I think the line between employer and employee is pretty much nonexistent now. You can call me Carter.”

“Carter, this isn’t a good idea,” I say as he cuts the engine.

“Probably not,” he agrees as he gets out of the car and comes to open my door. “But it’s still happening.”

****

Carter Lawson

River has been through a traumatic experience. I mean, she could have died today but she has been eerily calm since she stopped crying. She shows little bouts of backbone but then recedes into herself just as quickly. On the other hand, I barely have any control now. My tiger is pushing to be released, begging me to let him hunt down the coward who laid his hands on her.

I don’t understand the possessiveness I feel toward her. Yes, I want to fuck her, but I’ve been with many women and I’ve never felt this way.

It could have something to do with the fact that I know she is my mystery ligress. Knowing I am the reason she is hurt has me seeing red. I never meant for any of this to happen. Nonetheless, this is the situation we find ourselves in.

“Carter,” she says softly, and I stop to face her.

She looks so lost and scared that I can’t help but wrap my arms around her. I want to comfort her and make her feel safe. The only way I know how to do that is to take control of the situation.

“River,” I say into the crown of her head. “Let me help you. It’s the least I can do.”

Confusion covers her face at my words, and I know I will have to tell her the truth at some point, but for now, I just want to get her somewhere safe.

I turn and lead her toward the gleaming white speedboat and help her aboard. Neither of us speaks as the pilot starts the engine and points us in the right direction. The bright sunlight washes over us, River’s hair whipping behind her in the wind. A smile crosses her face and I have to hold myself back. I want nothing more than to kiss the ever-loving shit out of her.

I saw it on Monday when she walked into my office. She is a stunning woman, all curves and natural beauty. Even with the bruises and cuts around her neck, she is still stunning. But I can’t touch her, I won’t, not until I tell her the truth. About the dating app and who I am, and about my part in her assault today. She deserves that much.

Sitting back, I watch her instead. Her face tilted to the sky, basking in the early morning sunshine with her eyes closed. I lose all sense of time as I stare at her and before I know it, we are docking and disembarking the speedboat.

Taking her bag and her hand, I lead her up the path toward my favorite place in the world. I hear her gasp behind me as we walk up to the house I had built many years ago. It’s nothing elaborate, certainly not somewhere you would expect a man of my wealth to live, but I love it and I hope she does too. I’m not sure why but I want her to be happy here.

“Let me show you to your room,” I say as we walk through the glass sliding doors that face the beach.

Gabby, my housekeeper, has already left but I know the fridge and pantry are stocked and we won’t need anything for at least two weeks.

“Wow.” River turns to take in the view. “This is beautiful.”

“I’m glad you like it.” I smile as I lead her deeper into the house.

There are only three bedrooms and I lead her to the one beside mine. I’m still working out how to tell her everything I know, but I am certain I want her as close to me as possible. When I tell her the truth, she may never want anything to do with me again so I should enjoy the time I have.

My tiger roars in my mind at the thought of losing her and an involuntary shudder rips through me as the realization slams into my skull. River isn’t just some woman I want to fuck. There is a reason my tiger reacts to her the way he does. She is our mate.

This entire situation just got so much more complicated than I ever thought possible.

“I’ll make us something to eat while you get settled. Not sure if you prefer to shower before or after shifting?” I say with a strained voice.

“After.” Her gaze bounces around the room decorated in white with turquoise accents.

“I’ll be in the kitchen if you need me.”

“Carter,” she calls as I reach the end of the hallway. It hits me like a gut punch, hearing my name fall from those pouty fucking lips, and I have to take a deep breath before I face her. “Thank you.” She smiles softly.

Nodding, I make my way to the kitchen and grab everything I need to prepare some sandwiches for us. She needs all the energy she can get. Healing will take a lot out of her. I pour us each a glass of juice and slice up some fruit before she appears.

She is wearing a pair of neon pink running shorts and a white tank top that shows off her gorgeous tits and a sliver of skin across her belly. I’ve never been so grateful to have a large kitchen counter I can hide my erection behind.

“You don’t have a Christmas tree,” she murmurs.

I’m not sure I was supposed to hear the comment, but I am coming to find that it’s hard to miss anything about River. I still can’t figure out how I missed that she is my mate in the first place, not to mention the whole dating app thing.

“I don’t usually celebrate but we can get one if you want.”

She chuckles. “I’m aware of how you feel about Christmas.”

She is referencing the incident at the office, and I lower my gaze in embarrassment.

“You don’t have to go through the extra trouble,” River says before taking a seat across from me at the counter. I have already sent Gabby a text and know it will be here within the hour.

I would go to the ends of the earth to make sure she is happy even if she doesn’t know it.

“Eat.” I push a plate in front of her.

I can see she wants to tell me to fuck off. She doesn’t like me telling her what to do. But it only takes a moment for her to realize it’s what she wants, what she needs, so she complies. After we finish our sandwiches, I load the dishes into the dishwasher and turn to her, my hip leaning against the counter.

“I know you didn’t want to come here but I want you to relax and enjoy the week.” She nods but doesn’t speak or make eye contact. “I’m going to grab a shower. Give you some privacy to shift.”

She chuckles before finally facing me. “I’ve shifted in front of strangers before. It comes with the territory.”

I don’t like the idea of her being naked in front of anyone except me, and neither does my tiger. The possessiveness we feel toward this woman, our mate, is insane and like nothing I have ever experienced before.

“That may be true, but you’ve been through a lot in the past couple of hours.”

“Will you stop glaring at my neck?” she growls.

“I find it offensive,” I snap.

“You find it offensive?”

“Yes, River,” I sigh in exasperation. “It offends me to know there are men in the world that think they have the right to hurt a woman. It pisses me off to see dark bruises and claw marks along the column of your neck, marring your perfect skin. The only bruise any woman should wear is one she begged for.”

Her eyes widen at my words. Both of us are breathing harshly. This seems to be our dynamic. We are either pussyfooting around each other or being blatantly honest.

“I can’t find my phone,” River changes the subject.

“It’s on charge in my room. I’ll give it to you when you get back.”

Nodding, she rises from her seat and walks outside onto the wooden porch that surrounds most of the house. She starts undressing as she goes, first removing her shirt and then pushing her shorts to the ground. It takes every ounce of willpower I have to turn and walk away. I want nothing more than to lay her flat on the deck and make her scream my name.

Instead, I slam the master bedroom door as I stride inside and go straight to the shower. Stripping quickly, I step beneath the freezing spray of the shower. I was praying a cold shower would help my cock go down but no such luck. Wrapping my right hand tightly around my length I place the left on the cold tile. And with thoughts of River moaning over the phone last night I find my release in a less-than-satisfactory orgasm.