Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

One touch of Shepard’s lips and I knew I would lose myself. Based on the slight tremor that wracked Shepard’s body, he looked like he was having the same problem.

“Is it me you don’t trust or yourself?” he asked softly.

“It’s me,” I said. “Definitely me.”

“Wrong answer,” he said a moment before his mouth was on mine.

The kiss melted my insides, creating a molten need for more. More of his lips on my skin. More of his taste. More touching. More of everything except clothes. We needed less of those.

My fingers had just drifted to his shirt when he caught my hands in his and set his forehead against mine.

“I hate myself for stopping this,” he said, his voice pure gravel. “But I think you would hate yourself more if I didn’t.”

I gulped in one breath after another and managed to nod.

“Thank you.”

He groaned and kissed the corner of my mouth lightly. I wanted to turn my head and steal another kiss.

“You’re wrong, though,” I said

“Wrong? About what?” He pulled back to meet my gaze.

I saw the gold in his eyes and felt even more guilt.

“I already hate myself. I know you can smell Cross on me. Every time I’m with one of you, it’s like I lose my sense of direction. I can’t tell the difference between up and down. You think this date—spending time together—will help me choose you, but it won’t, Shepard.”

He opened his mouth to speak, and I pressed my fingertip to his bottom lip. He nipped it. I felt the shock of that simple gesture all the way to my toes.

“You asked me to get to know you,” I continued. “But isn’t that so I can like you more and eventually say yes to everything you can offer me?

“I’m not stupid, Shepard. I know you’re not pushing, but this is still a gentle nudge.

“The more I try to stay away, the more you’re both there. And I like it, Shepard. I like it so much, and I hate myself for liking it. I want to say no to both of you, and I can’t. You both keep drawing me in.”

His fingers feathered over my cheek, and his gaze held so much adoration my knees felt weak with it.

“Don’t hate yourself, Everly. I can deal with Cross' scent on you more than I can with you slamming the door on what I feel for you. Just keep spending time with…us. We’re both okay with it.”

I didn’t believe him. Not for one second. But I wanted to.

My seatbelt clicked into place, and he moved away from me to buckle himself in.

“I hope you’re ready for some serious desserts. You’re going to like the place I found.”

Taking a steadying breath, I smiled and asked about the restaurant, which turned into a nice conversation about the places Shepard and his people discovered during their search for vampire nests. He kept the vampire talk very minimal and unbiased. In turn, I asked questions about him as a person rather than a boss or the pack alpha.

He didn’t really have any hobbies since his time was spent protecting the pack and running Blur. But he loved the color of the sky just before it stormed and admitted he’d taken an interest in me the moment I walked through Blur’s doors for the interview.

“It took one hint of your scent to hook me,” he admitted.

“Last fall? Why didn’t you…”

“Make a move? I didn’t want to scare you away, and I wasn’t sure how you felt about my kind. You don’t really talk about yourself at work. You’re a very private person.”

“Takes one to know one,” I said.

He chuckled. “Very true.”

“I have a question for you.”

“Ask me anything.”

“You said that a hint of my scent hooked you. Doc mentioned something similar about werewolves having great noses when it comes to their mates. How do werewolves typically find their mates?”

“It’s not easy. We might smell a woman we think is right, but typically, the woman doesn’t agree. My kind is rejected more often than they are accepted. Romantically, I mean.”

“What if you know the one you’re smelling is already interested in your kind? Would there be fewer rejections?”

“Depends on the woman, I suppose. Is there a reason you’re asking?”

“I have an idea to help increase the popularity of our bakery and maybe help a few of your kind find their mates. What if women who are interested in a potential wolf mate each made a cookie that I could sell at the bakery? Wolves would be able to smell if they’re interested in the woman through the cookie. If there’s a match, they could meet up.”

Shepard rubbed a hand along his jaw, not nearly as excited as I was when I had thought of the idea. “It’s a good idea. But it might work too well.”

“Too well?” I chuckled. “Don’t want your house overrun with women?”

“Space isn’t the issue. There’s enough room for everyone. But if Cross wants to attract otherworld beings like vampires, it wouldn’t work if wolves are lining up for cookies. Vampires wouldn’t dare enter with such a heavy wolf presence.”

“I didn’t think of that. I’ll talk to Cross and see if we can work something out. Maybe it can be a special event instead.”

Shepard pulled alongside a pothole-riddled road and parked near an alley. I looked around, trying to find a restaurant, but there was only a wig shop, a butcher shop, and a spice shop.

“Are we at the right place?” I asked.

“Remember how I said I found this place while searching for vampire nests?”

I nodded. “You must have looked hard because I still don’t see anything.”

“Because it’s not in sight, which is why we thought it might be a nest.”

He hopped out of the SUV and came around to open my door to help me down. Keeping my hand in his, he led me down the alley between two brick buildings.

The alley opened up to a small courtyard filled with metal bistro tables and chairs. A magical mix of fresh bread, sugar, and herbs scented the air there, and I read the sign above the propped open door. Le Four Cachè .

A chalkboard near the door displayed the day’s menu.

“I love this place already,” I said.

“I thought you would,” Shepard said. “The woman who owns this is half fae, half human. She combines her love of both worlds into her menu.”

“Why isn’t this place packed?”

“Aibell doesn’t care about customers too much. She loves her craft and gives leftover food to shelters and otherworlders who can’t find employment.”

“That’s kind, but how can she afford to stay in business?”

“Her father is fae and can keep her business running for as long as she cares.”

We entered the small restaurant that had mismatched wooden tables and chairs. Twinkle string lights crisscrossed the ceiling, creating the only light beyond the two windows in front.

“I’ll be with you in a minute,” a woman called from beyond a doorway that was draped with strings of beads. “Have a seat anywhere.”

Shepard followed me to a table near the window.

“I can’t decide between la soupe au pistou with fresh rosemary bread or the tomato and basil soup with goat cheese tartine,” I said. All I knew was that I had to save room for dessert. The mille feuille and kouign amann were calling my name.

“What if we get both and split it?” he asked, hammering home just how perfect he was. Not only did he bring me to a place he knew I’d love, but it might be the inspiration for the bakery I needed.

“I’d like that a lot,” I said.

A stunningly beautiful woman with white-blue eyes framed with dark eyelashes emerged from the beaded curtain. She smiled in welcome.

“What tempts you today?” she asked.

“All of it,” I admitted.

She laughed. The sound was alluring enough that I felt the typical fae attraction.

“We’ll take one of each special and share,” Shepard said.

“Anything to drink?” she asked.

“Water for me,” I said.

“Same,” Shepard said.

She left us, and Shepard reached across the table to take my hand. His fingers barely closed over mine when his phone buzzed with a message.

I saw the annoyance flash over his expression.

“I don’t mind if you need to check your phone, Shepard.”

“But I do,” he said. “I don’t want anything to interrupt us. And if I’m honest, I’m a little disappointed that you’re okay with it.”

“I’m not the clingy type, Shepard. If that’s what you’re looking for, I’ll just disappoint you. I’m more of the equal partner and mutual respect type.”

He lifted my hand to his mouth and kissed my knuckles. “I like that you’re not clingy and are independent. A little bit of a pout when I leave your side is just to boost my battered ego.”

“Battered? How was—” I closed my mouth, understanding. He wanted to know he was wanted regardless of how I felt for Cross.

I held out my hand. “Phone.”

He flashed me a grin and handed it over.

Doc: I think we might have a problem. Call me.

Shepard: You’re interrupting your alpha’s date with the incredibly cute human who fed you a homemade breakfast this morning and not your alpha. Is it really important? If not, your alpha’s attention is mine for the next hour.

Shepard made a low sound that teased my senses as he read it and hit send.

“I wouldn’t mind if you were a bit possessive,” he said, the corner of his mouth tilting up.

“Possessiveness could become stifling after a while,” I said, knowing damn well I was flirting with a man who would very much like to be possessive with me.

“Then let’s have a safeword. I’ll let you know when you go too far.”

The room felt ten degrees warmer when his phone buzzed again. It took him a few seconds to break the hold his gaze had on mine to check who’d messaged. When he read it, he growled lightly and stood.

“I’ll be right back.”

I watched him walk out with his phone and pressed my hand to my chest, trying to calm my thundering pulse.

Aibell emerged with two glasses of water.

“Whew. That’s a lot of suppressed desire you have going on,” she said, setting a glass in front of me. “Understandable. He’s quite the specimen.”

She leaned in a little and breathed in deeply. “If my father were here, you would be a meal he couldn’t pass up. Unsatiated lust. I need to make a dessert that captures that. There isn’t a fae alive who would be able to resist that.”

She laughed lightly and ran a finger along my cheek before she set the other glass on the table and retreated.

Unsure if Aibell had just hit on me or not, I ran through the conversation a second time and realized she’d given me the answer to what fae wanted from a dessert. I just needed to figure out how to make it.

My phone buzzed as I was contemplating.

Miles: Shepard and Cross need to get to the mountain. Fast.

Me: Why?

Vena: Why?

Cross: I don’t believe they would welcome me even if the mountain weren’t locked down.

I waited for a response from Miles, but our lunch arrived first.

“Thank you,” I said.

Shepard walked in as she turned away.

“I apologize. We need to take this to-go,” he said, radiating urgency.

She took my food from me before I could sample a bite.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Can I explain in the car?” he asked.

“Of course.”

I didn’t ask anything else until we were on the road.

“Was it the message from Miles?” I asked.

“Miles messaged? What did he say?” he asked, proving that wasn’t it.

“He said that he needs you and Cross to get to the mountain.”

“Why?”

“He didn’t say. If we’re not leaving because of him, then why?”

“A body was found. Completely drained. He’s from one of the coastal homes on the other side of the Chesapeake Bay. Doc has some concerns and needs me to go there.”

“Oh. Let him know I’m sorry for the text I sent. I didn’t mean?—”

Shepard's hand closed over mine.

“Don’t apologize for that. I liked it, and he understands.”

My phone started to vibrate with an incoming call. Shepard released me so I could answer.

“Why isn’t Miles answering, Ev?” Vena demanded. “What’s happening in the mountain that he needs Shepard and Cross? What about my parents? Why do things keep happening to my family?”

My heart hurt for her because she wasn’t wrong. First, her grandparents, then Miles, Anchor, and now Miles and her parents.

“You’re getting a luck charm for your next birthday. I promise.”

I heard a slight hitch in her breathing. “I’m serious, Ev.”

“I know, but remember they’re in Dwarf Mountain, not missing. The mountain is one of the safest places they can be right now.”

“Then why send a plea for help?”

“Technically, Miles didn’t ask for help. He just asked Shepard and Cross to get to the mountain. Don’t forget…Miles is a bookworm. He might have found information that pertains to the vampires and what they are after. Either way, we’ll find out. I promise. Until then, remember where your family is and who they’re with. Do you really think a mountain brimming with dwarves will allow anything bad to happen?”

“Um, something already did happen, Ev. The prince died.”

“Yes, but we don’t know how or why. For all we know, he could have had a weak heart. All I’m saying is to wait for information. Let’s meet at the house and figure out a plan.”

“Fine.” Vena disconnected.

My phone exploded with group texts from Vena to Miles demanding answers.

Me: Text Miles separately until he answers back, Shepard is dealing with another issue right now.

My phone went silent.

“Everything okay? Or is something else going on?” Shepard asked.

“Vena’s worried. After Miles sent that text asking for you and Cross to go to the mountain, he hasn’t responded.”

Shepard reached out to take my hand. “Once I handle my situation, I’ll address the one with Miles. Don’t worry.”

Cross was already at my house when we arrived and opened the door for us.

“He still hasn’t answered,” Vena said as I entered. “Neither are Mom and Dad.”

“I heard the dwarves were making plans for the funeral,” Cross said as he moved a pair of chairs from the dining table to the living room so we could all sit.

Anchor and Vena sat on the couch with me. Cross sat on a chair while Shepard remained standing, his hands resting on the back of a chair.

“I heard the same,” Shepard said to Cross before looking at me. “I’ll reach out to my contact and find out if he can tell me why Miles might be requesting our presence. Until then, you and Vena should both stay here with Cross and Anchor. Anchor, you can then take them to Blur for their shift later.”

“Work?” Vena asked. “How can I work when I have no idea what’s happening to my family?”