Chapter 7

Ashlyn

I'd ordered the fried chicken sandwich, because that's what Alice—the sweet lady who had taken our order here at the Diner—said was the best besides the burger. But I hadn't been able to take a bite.

My stomach was in knots, sitting across the little booth from Martin van Staamp, one of my stepfather's cronies. He was representing the buyers in this deal Dad had arranged and had spent the meal poring over all the documents in the file folder.

"Well…" He straightened and reached for his milkshake. "Everything seems to be in order."

My stomach clenched. The longer I sat here, the more I knew this wasn't what I wanted. The more I knew this was wrong, and I couldn't sign the papers.

He popped a French fry in his mouth, then reached into his coat pocket to pull out a pen. He clicked it, then smiled charmingly at me. "Are you ready? "

At least, he probably thought it was charming. After five days with Thebes, however, I knew what charming really was. I could feel the panic clawing up my throat, and I surprised myself—and Martin—by shaking my head.

"Ashlyn?" he prompted, but I pushed my sandwich away and plopped my elbows on the table.

"No, Martin, I'm not ready to sign those papers."

His bushy brows went up in genuine surprise. "Wh—why not? You're stalling?" His palm slammed down on top of the folder. "No, this is your father's idea, isn't it? He thinks he can get more money out of us!"

I was shaking my head again, even as I reached for the papers and began to gather them up. "This isn't from my stepfather, Martin. This is me. I'm not going to sign them today."

"What are you talking about?" I could hear his panic. "You want to wait? Till when?"

I finally met his eyes, and I was proud of how calm my voice sounded when I explained. "If you buy the historic district of Eastshore Isle and tear down the buildings there to build hotels and condos, you're destroying an important piece of the town."

He gaped at me.

"The museum is there," I continued. "Some of those homes were built almost a hundred and fifty years ago and are in remarkable condition because they're important to the town."

Martin was sitting there, pen raised in his fist as if still prepared to sign the sale contracts. "So what ?" Finally, he moved, tapping the end of his pen against the table while he scowled. "You can't honestly tell me that Cinders, Inc. gives a shit about tradition and history. Your company is all about progress, and this town needs hotels! There's only a handful of B&Bs! "

And thank God he wasn't staying in The Rose Inn. I tried to calm my heartbeat as I loaded the papers back into my briefcase. "Eastshore doesn't need hotels. In fact, the town has been fighting against them, because the residents know if more tourists arrive, the vibe of the town is going to be irrevocably changed. They like Eastshore Isle the way it is."

I'd figured out that much just in the last few days. Getting to meet so many residents when I toured the town with Thebes…chatting with them had opened my eyes to a lot of things.

Things Martin was now clearly disbelieving. "You can't expect me to believe Cinders, Inc—"

"This isn't about the company or my stepfather," I said quietly, clicking my old-fashioned briefcase shut. "This is about me . If you want to do the deal with Dad, you're welcome to contact him."

But I couldn't be a part of it.

It was heartbreaking enough to realize what was going to happen to this town when my stepfather got his way. But I wasn't going to be his representative, signing away Eastshore's past and dooming it to a future the residents didn't want.

And so, I was feeling pretty damn proud of myself when I slid out of the booth and offered Martin my hand. "I'm sorry. If I'd been brave enough to come to this realization earlier, I could've saved you the trouble of a trip."

Scowling, he ignored my hand. "This isn't over, Ms. Anderson. Just because your feelings got in the way, my clients aren't going to forget this deal and go on their way. Your father promised them this sale, and he promised you would sign this contract." When I said nothing, he shook his head. "Once your father hears about this, he'll ensure the sale will happen, no matter your feelings on the matter."

I nodded once and swallowed down the lump in my throat. "You'll forgive me if I don't wish you good luck."

On my way out, I dropped off a fifty at the counter to pay for our meals. I wasn't going to sit there any longer.

The Diner was on Sea Cucumber, so it wasn't too far to walk back to the B&B. I mean, it was probably a mile, but this was nothing for a girl used to Chicago city blocks, and I gotta be honest: I was too full of pent-up energy to try to find a ride.

So I walked, and it felt good to swing my arms and lengthen my stride and imagine I could run away from what was coming. Because I might've slowed down the sale of Eastshore's historic district, but all Martin would have to do is fly to Chicago and sit down with my Dad…and the sale would be final.

I was surprised how many people waved to me as I passed. People I'd met in the last few days, but whose names I didn't remember. There was the young mother with the kid in the stroller, and the lady who ran the bakery—Thebes had said she was married to one of the orcs. And there was the older gentleman who ran the hardware store, what was his name? Oh yeah, Mr. Wilson.

I waved back to all of them, and I think managed polite calls, but I was too distracted. Tears pricked my eyes, and soon I was all-but running to get back to my room.

I needed Thebes.

And when I burst into the reception area of The Rose Inn, it was like the universe had heard my tears, because there he was. Thebes had been pacing, hands shoved into his pockets, and now he whirled to me, eyes lit with that strange green glow I'd noticed a few days ago.

"Ashlyn! Are you okay? "

"No," I sobbed, and then he was there, arm around me, leading me toward my— our room.

"It's okay, honey, I'm here," he crooned as he settled me on the little settee and scooped some ice from the chest. He poured me some cold water, which I appreciated, then handed it to me. "I had something to tell you."

I'd guzzled the water, which did make me feel better, and now I lowered the cup. "Oh, Thebes, me too. I'm so sorry, I think I've—I've—" I felt my voice catch, so I squeezed my eyes closed and made myself confess. "I've ruined everything."

"Shit, Ashlyn, it can't be that bad." He settled beside me, one arm around my shoulders, pulling me against his side. "I promise, we'll fix it, whatever's wrong. Okay? We'll fix it."

I didn't think this could be fixed.

"My father owns Cinders, Inc.," I confessed. It was easier to say this to the top of the water cup, so I did. "His company has the deeds to this block of Eastshore and the two on either side of it. He sent me here to sign the contracts to sell this property."

The ice in my cup stared accusingly up at me.

Or maybe I was projecting.

Oh, you think? Ice can't stare, you idiot .

After a few moments, I realized Thebes hadn't said anything, so I steeled myself for his anger and peeked up.

He didn't look angry. He looked…curious.

"Thebes?" I whispered.

"Did you sign the contract today?" he asked.

I shook my head, trying to reassure myself. "I know what that would mean to this town. If the investors who buy this property get their hands on it, they're going to tear down all these cute little buildings and put up hotels ."

"And…" He swallowed. "Hotels are bad. "

It wasn't a question, but I nodded. "You know as well as I do that if Eastshore gets a hotel, this place is going to be crawling with tourists. It's going to completely change the way this town is."

Suddenly, I didn't have to wonder about what Thebes was thinking. Because his face split into a wide grin—his real smile—and he pulled me sideways into his lap to kiss me.

I was the one to gasp, "What? Thebes!"

"I'm sorry." Still grinning, he pressed his forehead to mine. "I'm just…really fucking pleased you saw all that, honey. Thanks for not dooming Eastshore."

"No, don't you see?" I planted my palms on his shoulder and pushed until I could look into his eyes. "Dad is still going to sell the property. Only now I've made more work for him, and he'll be pissed off at me. But I couldn't . I just couldn't."

"Oh, Ashlyn," he crooned, tucking me against his shoulder once more. "We'll figure it out. Even if your father is going to sell this property, you've bought us some more time to decide what to do. And we will . Cairo's Mate's sister is a lawyer, and Meli—that's his Mate—has already asked her for help."

Having a lawyer on our side would be good.

I was surprised how quickly I'd started thinking about Eastshore as "our side." I was here, I was a part of it…and I wanted to be a part of it for as long as possible.

We sat in silence for a little longer before Thebes spoke. "Does this mean you have to go back to Chicago?"

"No," I blurted with a little laugh. "No, I don't think my stepfather wants to see me right now, especially after Martin gets done complaining about me." A pause, then I confessed. "I was just thinking that I should stay here on Eastshore as long as possible. "

Thebes tipped away so he could capture my gaze. "So you'll be here for the gala on Friday?"

I felt my lips twitch. "I think that could be arranged." Thank goodness I packed all that extra underwear, huh? If I was going to extend my trip…I guess I'd need to find a gown for the event too…

He kissed me again, but it was over before it really got good. "I can't wait," he confessed.

We sat in silence for a few more moments, and I was pleased to just soak in his warmth, his scent. Finally I took a deep breath and said what I'd been meaning to say since he brought me here.

"Thebes, I'm sorry."

He stirred in response to my whisper. "About what, honey?"

Oh Lord, here we go. I peeked up at him. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you why I was here in Eastshore. I wasn't just on vacation."

His smile was a little crooked. "Ash, I know this. Why do you think I met you that first day? I was…well, I guess I was assigned to show you around town. To schmooze you."

I jerked upright, my lips tugging into a frown. "Schmooze me?"

"Yeah, like…" He shrugged a little awkwardly. "Make you fall in love with Eastshore Isle."

His face sort of went out of focus as his words set in, and I thought of everything we'd done these past days. "The restaurants…the tours…the way you were trying to gift-wrap Eastshore…" I thought of how eager Thebes had been to show me everything, how eager…

I gasped, everything snapped back with one horrible realization. "You— this !" I pressed against his shoulders, trying to push away from him. "You—everything we shared—! "

But he was already smiling and shaking his head, his hold on me tightening. "Honey, this —this connection we share? It's all true."

I frowned at him, trying to decide if I believed him.

He tipped forward to press his forehead to mine. "Ashlyn, love, the moment I caught you in my arms outside last Friday, I knew you were for me, and I was for you." His eyes were closed, and he spoke in a low, fervent voice. "Since then, my feelings have only grown stronger. This isn't a case of me liking you, do you understand?"

"Um…" I told the truth. "No."

His lips twitched as he opened his eyes to hold my gaze. "Honey, this is a knowing . Deep down, under my skin, in my chest…I know you, and I know we belong together." His hand moved to mine so he could twine our fingers together. "Can you feel it?"

Actually…I could.

I remembered the way it had felt when he'd touched me that first time, the shock that had followed.

"Yes," I breathed, and his smile bloomed.

"In my world—no, I mean, the orcs…" He chuckled slightly and shook his head. "I'm making a mess of this." He paused, took a breath, and started again, still holding my gaze. "When an orc finds his Mate, it's a matter of biology, Ashlyn. We know that she's ours, and that we're hers. Or rather…I'm yours."

My eyes had widened. What ? "Thebes, are you saying…you love me? I've only known you a handful of days, you can't be in love with me!"

My voice had gotten shriller, but now he shook his head, lips curled ruefully, and pressed our hands to his chest, so I could feel his heartbeat beneath my palm.

"I care for you, Ash, but this is more than simple love. I don't know how else to explain it. But I know you're my Mate, and I'm yours."

When he said that, the green glow in his eyes flared again.

"What does that mean?" I whispered.

"It means I'm going to spend the rest of my life trying to convince you I'm worthy of being your partner. You don't have to agree, but I'm never going to find another Mate who will fulfill me the way you do."

I was having so much trouble taking this all in. "It sounds…painful," I whispered, still not sure I should believe this.

"It would be," he agreed, "if you reject me. So it's up to me to convince you not to do that."

With that, in one fluid movement, he stood, taking me with him. I squealed and threw my arms around his neck, but he merely chuckled.

"What are you doing?" I demanded, and he strode toward the bed.

Thebes winked. "Making love to my Mate."