Library
Home / The Lion's Mate / Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Emilia

" A dam, it's not your fault, it's mine," I firmly state. "If I hadn't started dating him, this wouldn't have happened."

"Emi, sweetheart, that's simply not true. I don't know this young man, so I don't know why he's got a beef with me, but he was obviously hellbent on creating this havoc for the company, and in doing so, injuring so many people. I'm not worried about the work we're going to have to do to replant the area, because crews from across the country are headed here to help our own guys, but it kills me that there are people in the hospital who got hurt because of his actions. Hell, you were nearly killed!" he exclaims.

I can hear him pacing the floor at my aunt's house, where we are ‘celebrating' my release from the hospital. Zane hasn't left my side, something that Bonita has mentioned multiple times. It's obvious from her tone that she highly approves of him, although I didn't share his secret, understanding that he's relying on me not to out him or the rest of the family he's built.

"Adam, let's agree to disagree then, okay? I'm going to be perfectly fine, and I seem to have gotten the better end of the deal out of it anyway," I reply, alluding to how solicitous Zane has been since we got here.

"Zane's a fine, upstanding man. One of the best I know. You couldn't do better as far as I'm concerned, and I'm giving my blessing," he says, coming toward me and putting his arms around me. Kissing my forehead, he whispers, "I would've died if you had been seriously injured or killed, sweetheart. I'm grateful that you went looking for the cats you heard, because otherwise, we'd be together today for a very different reason."

A shudder courses through me when I think of just how close I came to dying in the fire and once again, I wonder what Paul meant when he said he was sending a message to Stephens.

"But I'm fine," I insist. "I'm home now, and Zane isn't leaving my side until Paul is found."

"I've decided that while we're temporarily closed down, I'm going to pay all the employees," Adam suddenly announces. "I know the crews are now out there, working over the damaged areas so that we can replant, but all the office staff are at home, and the sawmill is currently not in operation. At least not until we start getting the loads that so many other logging companies are sending our way."

"You've got a great reputation in the industry, sir, and this is one way for them to show how much they respect you, by helping in this way so we can honor the orders we have," I reply. "If there's anything I can do to help while we're closed, please let me know."

"You'll be one of the first I call, Emi," he says. "Now, your young man is giving me the look, so I'm going to walk you over to him, okay?"

I smile and nod. "That sounds good to me."

Ever since Zane told me he was my mate, I've thought of nothing else except him. I now know he's taller than me, which isn't too far of a stretch given that I'm so petite, and he's muscular from all the hard work he does as a lumberjack. His scent envelops me, and I know that Mr. Stephens has brought me right to him, as he promised. Silence ensues and I suspect they're having one of those quiet conversations I've heard about in my books.

A gentle yet calloused hand takes mine and I turn my head up and say, "Hey, Zane."

"Hey, sweetheart. You doing okay? Not getting tired or anything, are you?" he asks.

"Not really. Knowing my mom and Aunt Della, they're not going to let this go on and on. Plus, have you seen how protective Uncle Bud is of me? I heard him growl at someone already, and what's funny about that is it was my dad!"

He chuckles and the rich, deep timbre sends a shiver of wanting through me, causing my face to heat up. I feel a finger caress my cheek and then he leans in and kisses my forehead.

"You let me know if you start to get tired and we'll head over to your place, okay?"

"Okay," I reply.

He leads me to where my aunt and mom have set out the food they catered and fixes me a plate, after describing each dish. My heart swells knowing he doesn't care that I can't see; he exudes patience, something that Paul stopped doing early on in our relationship. I know it's not right to compare the two men, but even just this one thing puts him head and shoulders above Paul as far as I'm concerned.

Hours later, we walk over to my house as I explain that I use the step method when it comes to moving between the two houses. I'm close, but not so close that I don't have my own privacy, something Aunt Della was very firm about me having.

I input the code to open my door and tell him that while I also have keys, this allows me to get in and out without a problem. Once we're inside, I reach over to the lights and turn them on, showing him how the switch plates have braille on them so I can know when they're on or off.

"That's remarkable. I know you don't need the lights, but it lets your aunt and uncle know when you're home and once you're ready to head in to bed, they know when you're closed in tight for the night," he murmurs, as I lead him toward the kitchen since Phantom and Shadow are furiously meowing.

"Well, look at you two," he says, his voice sounding as though he is leaning down. "Has anyone ever described them to you?" he suddenly asks.

"Not really," I admit. "I think they forget sometimes that I know colors and stuff."

"Well, they're both solid black, with green eyes. One of them has a tiny bit of white on the tip of their tail."

"That's Shadow," I reply. "Bonita helped me name them and she said he was like a shadow of Phantom. Now I know why."

"So, what do they eat?" he asks as we get to the kitchen.

Not that it takes particularly long to get anywhere in my house. It has two bedrooms with two full baths, but it's still not like we have to walk for ages to get from one point to another.

"They have dry food available all the time, but get wet food at night, when I get home," I reply, reaching up to the cupboard where their wet food is stored. Pulling down two cans, I then open the next cupboard and grab a plate. Quickly, I have the cans opened and on the plate, before I crouch down and set it on the floor.

"Look at them eat," he muses, as I hear the unmistakable noises of my two babies eating their dinner.

"They act like they've been starved," I advise.

"Typical feline behavior," he says, chuckling. "So, show me the rest of your home?"

With pride, I reach out to take his hand and show him my house, with all the special features my aunt had the manufacturer add. "I also use the closet in the second bedroom for clothes," I confess. "That allows me to swap the seasons out. Well, Bonita swaps them for me, but still, I don't have to worry about grabbing a sweater when it's ninety degrees outside. Not that I would, but it's nice to have the room to do it, you know?"

"Totally understand, Emi," he says.

"So, um, what now?" I ask, nerves now coursing through me.

"Now, we get ready for bed and get some rest. You've had a trying few days, sweetheart, and need rest to continue to heal," he advises, before moving closer and asking, "Do you want me to lock up and turn out the lights while you get ready?"

A wave of need crashes into me, pushing the nerves aside as I nod. Just him asking to handle that simple task has me seeing how it'll be between us. He's going to give me my independence but will also do his part in making sure I'm protected and cared for, something I've dreamed about but never expected would happen.

"You okay with this?" he asks, as he slides between the sheets and the comforter. I nod, already turned on my side so I'm facing him.

While my usual routine is to listen to an audiobook for a while, I feel a bit shy doing that with him right here, especially since when I last stopped, I was at a spicy part. Instead, I'm hoping he'll kiss me good night, at least, so I can wipe away the last vestiges of Paul from my mind.

"So, what do you do to relax before bed?" he questions once he's settled. He's cupping my face, something I feel is so intimate, so caring, and it adds to the feelings already growing for this man.

"Normally, I listen to an audiobook," I admit, my face flaming.

He chuckles then says, "Bet it's a romance. Alistair's wife is addicted to romance books."

"It is, but um… well, the part I stopped at isn't appropriate to listen to in mixed company," I whisper. "Some parts are… spicy."

"Maybe it will be eventually, sweetheart," he replies. "But you look tired, so I think tonight, you should get some sleep."

"Can… will you kiss me goodnight?" I stammer out.

"Absolutely."

I feel him move closer when he replies, his breath ghosting over my lips. As he lightly touches his lips to mine, a surge of something I can't explain wells up inside of me and I move my hand until it's resting on his shoulder near the nape of his neck. When he deepens the kiss, I mold myself to his strong, capable body, desire swamping me and causing my pajama pants to dampen in desire.

Long moments pass as we kiss, until his tongue swipes across my bottom lip, requesting access to my mouth. With a sigh, I part my lips and soon, our tongues are dueling as we learn each other. My hand is playing with the curls at his nape as I allow the sensations to thrum through me. Before I feel ready, he pulls slightly back, placing a kiss on the tip of my nose.

"That might not have been a good idea," he whispers. "Because now, I'm not thinking about sleep at all."

"Me either," I admit.

"Then let's see where this takes us," he says.

"Okay."

Comments

0 Comments
Best Newest

Contents
Settings
  • T
  • T
  • T
  • T
Font

Welcome to FullEpub

Create or log into your account to access terrific novels and protect your data

Don’t Have an account?
Click above to create an account.

lf you continue, you are agreeing to the
Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy.