Shifters of grey ridge b.., p.21
Shifters of Grey Ridge Box Set, page 21
part #1 of Box Set: Books 1 - 3 Series
“I’ll do you one better. Would you mind if I stayed there for a couple of nights? I need to get out of the packhouse, and I don’t think Cooper is going to be fun to be around until you’re back,” she jokes.
“Of course, you’re more than welcome. Just maybe tell Marcus because he’s probably still monitoring the place.” Leila hesitates for a fraction of a second before responding.
“That’s brilliant, thanks, Hayley. I promise I won’t make a big mess. I’ll be your first official guest,” she gushes, and I note she doesn’t agree to contact the big sheriff.
“Perfect. I’ll see you on Wednesday or Thursday then,” I start to say goodbye, but then I can’t help myself. “Leila, will Cooper be okay until I get back?”
“Probably not, but he’ll survive. You take care of yourself and don’t worry about him. He’s a big boy. But I’ll get Nathan to check in on him,” she offers, and I feel better about basically running out on him. This mate bond has me all over the place.
CHAPTER 44
HAYLEY
“Okay... spill.” My sister saunters in with a plate of biscuits and flops down on the couch beside me. She leans her back against the armrest and stretches her legs out across my lap. Her mass of blonde curls hangs around her shoulders, and her eyes sparkle with curiosity.
“What do you mean?” I try to play dumb, trying to buy myself some time to sift through what I can tell her and what I can’t. She pokes me with her feet until I relent.
“Fine. Yes, I’m seeing someone. Cooper, the guy I rescued... he’s the same guy who stopped James,” I admit reluctantly, and she sits up straighter and starts clapping her hands excitedly. I groan and cover my face with my hands in frustration. It’s way too early for her giddiness. She’s always like a ball of energy.
“So, tell me what’s going on?” she encourages.
“He is a great guy, Leah. I’ve never met anyone like him,” I gush and she rolls her eyes at me being all mushy before I lower my voice to a whisper to make sure my dad doesn’t hear the next part.
“And the sex, holy shit Leah. HOLY SHIT.” She chokes on a biscuit and coughs as she stares at me.
“That good?” She sounds unconvinced.
“Mm-hmm, really. That good.” I nod vigorously and giggle, and she bursts out laughing, kicking her feet.
“Oh, I love it, Hayley, you lucky bitch. So, what’s the problem?” She stops giggling and tries to pull back on a straight face. I think for a second about how much I can tell her before trying to give her a vague version of what’s going on.
“He is basically the town mayor and his family’s businesses are big in the area. He doesn’t want anyone to know about us because he says it will draw a lot of attention to me immediately. And he’s worried it’ll be too much stress for me with everything that’s gone on lately. He says I shouldn’t be making any serious decisions right now.” I huff the last bit out angrily. It’s like he thinks I’m on the verge of a meltdown or something. “But it just makes me feel like he’s not as into this as I am.” I look at her for support, but she’s just staring at me wide-eyed.
“You love him,” she says in a whisper and gives me a little smile. I pause and consider lying, but my little sister is shrewd, and I know there is no point, so I nod in agreement. I love him, and if I hadn’t been certain before, I know it now when I haven’t even been away from him for twenty-four hours and I’m itching to get back and just breathe him in.
“Has he told anyone about you?” she asks me, tilting her head to the side as if she is trying to work it all out.
“Well, his brother and sister know, and Ethan, obviously. I think his dad too.”
“So, basically the most important people to him know about you dating, just not everyone else,” she continues, annoyingly reasonable.
“Yes, but...” I start before she cuts me off.
“You said he’s a decent guy. Do you think he’d lie to you about liking you? That he’s playing you?” she presses.
“Well, no... but...” Before I can finish, Ethan appears in the doorway. He’s been stuffed to the brim by my mother and has finished charming my father, who is thrilled by the appearance of my own personal bodyguard. Leah does a double-take when she sees him as if stunned afresh at his good looks and presence in our home.
“Leah, this is Ethan, Ethan, my sister Leah,” I say, introducing them properly. He drifts into the sitting room and lowers himself into the empty armchair that’s beside Leah and turns to face her.
“Cooper is a great man, and he would never lie to Hayley,” he assures her, fixing her with his piercing blue gaze and I roll my eyes, praying to God he’s not going to hit on my little sister right in front of me.
“He’s been taking care of you since the attack? He put himself in danger to save you?” She drags her eyes away from Ethan and back to me after giving him a quick, blatant once over.
“Yes,” I confirm. “Actually, he got shot.”
“And he sent me here to watch her, just in case there are any more of James’ buddies looking to cause trouble for Hayley,” Ethan supplies helpfully.
“He’s not jerking her around?” She doesn’t even ask me this time, just directs it straight at Ethan as if he is the fountain of all knowledge and my take on any of it means nothing.
“Absolutely not. He just doesn’t want her to deal with any pressure right now. But he adores her, and he’s all about keeping Hayley happy and satisfied.” He shoots me a wink as he all but admits that he heard me complimenting Cooper’s sexual prowess. Shoot me now. I blush furiously and try not to think about that.
“You’re an idiot, Hayley,” Leah says to me bluntly. My jaw drops open.
“What? You’re supposed to be on my side!” I shout out indignantly.
“There is no side. Let me ask you something. If Chase was here when you were attacked, what do you think would happen?” She’s daring me to lie.
“He would never let me leave the house ever again.” Ethan narrows his eyes at me, clearly confused and concerned. “My brother,” I explain before he worries about another ex of mine crawling out of the woodwork.
“And would that make you think he doesn’t love you?” Leah continues.
“Of course not,” I sigh.
“Because Chase being an overprotective ass would be his messed-up way of showing how much he cares. This is Cooper’s way of trying to protect you. He’s not trying to hide you. He’s trying to shield you... and he’s not wrong. You’ve had a crappy few months. It’s coming from a good place. Maybe you need to give the guy a break.” She sits back after giving me her little speech. When I open my mouth to argue with her a few times but then close it again, she smirks. So does Ethan.
“I like you,” he says to her, and she just grins at him. They’re thick as thieves, enjoying ganging up on me, just as she would with my brother.
“He wants me to miss the conference. It’s not happening,” I say to both of them. I know it will irk my sister. She’s not a fan of anyone being expected to stay home barefoot in the kitchen.
“Only because he thinks you should be resting. I, for one, agree with you, Hayley, but there will be other conferences. Why not just skip this one and go to the next?” Ethan says reasonably.
“Why? Because I don’t want him to see me as some delicate flower he has to wrap up in cotton wool. If I give in, he’ll just keep doing it. And everyone else will see me as weak as well. So, what do I do?” I ask myself more than anyone else. If I’m supposed to help him lead a pack of wolves, I can’t be seen as some helpless little girl that he needs to mind all the time.
“You break him,” she says simply, tucking a stray strand of blonde hair back behind her ear.
“Sorry? I do what?” I say. Leah is completely straight-faced. I must have heard her wrong.
“You... break... him,” she says again slowly and sighs, as though I’m daft for not catching on to what she means.
“You need to get him to see you for you again, and not as a victim. You need to stop him thinking with his brain, get him to listen to another part of his anatomy, and he won’t be able to stay away.” She winks at me before shoving another biscuit into her smug mouth.
“Oooooh, that sounds like fun.” Maybe she’s right. With all this drama with James, Cooper has been treating me so carefully. It’s time to remind him I’m not as fragile as he thinks I am.
“Break out naughty Hayley, look smoking hot at this conference... he’ll be begging to have you on his arm.”
“Oh no, that’s not a good idea guys... I’ve changed my mind. I don’t like you. You’re trouble,” Ethan accuses, concern etched across his handsome features as he frowns at Leah, but we completely ignore him.
“Great idea. And you, don’t say anything for now. He’s assuming I’m staying behind, so it’ll be a nice little surprise when I tell him.” I point a finger at Ethan. He shakes his head vigorously as he stands and rubs a hand over his face.
“No, no, this is bad, Hayley,” Ethan pleads, but now he knows what it’s like to be ganged up on.
“It’s genius. We’ll see who has the most willpower now. How did you get to be so wise?” I give my sister a quick hug and laugh at Ethan as he groans, looking paler than I have ever seen him before.
“Easy. I’ve learned exactly what NOT to do by watching you two idiots.” She laughs, right before I smack her in the face with a pillow to hide her self-satisfied smirk.
CHAPTER 45
COOPER
The rumble of a suitcase being dragged down the hall catches my attention, and then a heavenly scent drifts through the open door of my office, teasing my senses.
She’s back.
I step out from behind my desk, happy to get away from the never-ending unread emails waiting for my attention. Hayley is hauling a small cabin bag on wheels across the wooden floor, while Ethan trails behind her with a large duffel bag. She looks relaxed and happy.
“What’s going on?” I ask, glancing down at the bag, stopping just short of Hayley, my fingers itching to reach out and pull her to me for a kiss, but there are always people watching in the packhouse.
“Cooper I... em,” Ethan stutters, looking at me wide-eyed and slightly terrified. “Sorry, man.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up as I realise I won’t like whatever this is one bit. Hayley looks delighted with herself as she steps into my personal space, a little too close for an employer and employee situation, and smiles up at me seductively. I clear my throat and edge back a bit, and Hayley chuckles. Now I’m nervous.
“Leila and I are doing a little house swap,” she says as she starts up the stairs, Ethan snatching the bag from her before she tries to lift it herself with her cast still on her arm. I go still as I absorb her words.
“I’ll just bring these up for you,” he offers, before basically running away to escape from the argument he knows is coming.
“What do you mean house swap?” I ask cautiously, trying not to jump to conclusions. I never asked her outright, but I thought I’d made it pretty clear that her staying at the cabin was not a temporary arrangement.
“Leila is going to stay in my place, and I’m staying here. For a little while anyway.” She keeps walking and I clench my fists to stop myself from grabbing her and carrying her straight back out the front door.
“I can’t face staying there, and I can’t stay in your cabin again, or the rumour mill will go back into overdrive. And you did say that I need to spend time around the packhouse before you’ll mark me. This is perfect.” She is suspiciously cheery about this when just two days ago she stormed out, furious with me for not marking her or making our relationship public.
Deep breaths.
I focus on taking deep calming breaths as I follow her into Leila’s one-bed apartment, which is next door to my own... and just one flight of stairs up from a floor full of horny, unmated wolves.
Over my dead body will she be staying here.
Ethan bolts out the door and shoots me another apologetic glance before shutting it behind him. I stride across the room to where Hayley is placing her purse down on the sideboard and whirl her around to face me. She looks up at me, stunned with lips parted and I can’t help myself. I grab her around the waist and haul her to me, smashing my lips to hers in a bruising, possessive kiss.
“I missed you. I’ve been going out of mind while you’ve been gone,” I admit, burying my head into the crook of the neck and sucking in a big lungful of her beautiful scent to calm myself.
“I missed you, too.” She relaxes into my embrace, running her hands up my back and into my hair. Her pale pink nails scrape lightly across my scalp and it sends shivers down my spine.
“Hayley, there’s absolutely no fucking way you are staying here,” I say firmly, lifting her ass onto the sideboard and pulling her hips to the edge so our hips are perfectly lined up. I cup her face in my hands and lean down to kiss her, those full lips irresistible to me.
“I can’t stay with you, Cooper. So it’s either here, or with Marcus. He offered me his spare room if I want it. At least you’ll know I’ll be safe there,” she says all innocently, cutting off my argument before I can make it.
Fucking Marcus.
I growl and push my hips against her, rubbing my cock along her pussy. I catch the faint scent of her arousal and smother a predatory grin. She missed me, too.
“Fine, but I’m staying here too. I don’t trust these fuckers not to hit on you as soon as my back is turned. You’re mine,” I grumble sulkily. She’s gorgeous. They’ll be perving on her and trying to charm their way into her pants in no time.
“In your place,” she clarifies. “You wanted us to pretend we’re not together, remember?” I nod, completely distracted by her small soft hands underneath my shirt, trailing up my abdomen and chest, her nails dragging across my sensitive skin, making me shiver.
“And I’ll need to book my room for the conference...” she says quietly, before kissing along my jaw and down my neck. I nearly forget what she just said when she bites down on my shoulder, and my dick twitches. Then it hits me and I go stock-still as her words penetrate my lust-addled brain.
“You’re not going to the conference,” I state the obvious, and Hayley whips her head up to look at me with a stern expression on her face.
“Excuse me?” She narrows her eyes at me, and I see anger flare in the depths of her eyes. Leaning in close, I cage her in with one arm on either side of her. God, she’s hot even when she’s pissed off.
“You are NOT going to that conference. I won’t allow it,” I grind out, using every ounce of my Alpha aura to get her to submit to my will, but nada. She slides to her feet and stares up into my eyes with obvious annoyance.
“You won’t allow it? Who the hell do you think you are?” She scoffs at me, totally immune to my attempted Alpha order. It’s so sexy to see this fiery side of her but frustrating as hell.
“Do I need to remind you that you were almost killed just a few days ago? Someone tried to shoot you!” My hands clench into fists and my arms shake with the tension building inside of me. “I nearly lost you.”
“They did shoot you, but you’re not sitting at home!” She throws her hands up in the air and shakes her head as she calms down a bit. “I am going to the conference, Cooper... because it’s my job, and your dad wants me there,” she says gently.
“No, Hayley. You’re still recovering. It’s too much,” I argue.
“You are not listening to me, Cooper. I want to go. Therefore, I’m
going, that’s it.”
She crosses her arms across her chest and stares at me defiantly. I let out a growl of frustration and pace away from her, pulling at my hair with my hands.
“Hayley, you should be resting. If you go, and people realise you’re mine, but still unmarked, you’ll be in danger. At the very least, you’ll be on the receiving end of some unwanted attention, and you don’t need that stress.”
“I appreciate you looking out for me, Cooper, but what is your plan? You can’t keep me locked up in your cabin. Unless you want me to stay here and get to know the rest of the pack while you’re gone?” she says, and I finally notice the mischievous glint in her eye.
Damn it. She’s got me there, and she knows it.
I don’t want her at the conference. It’ll be torture to pretend we’re not together. But I’ll lose my mind thinking of her here with a pack of unmated males and jealous females, with none of my family to watch out for her. The conference is the lesser of two evils.
“Fucking hell! Fine,” I concede, and she grins victoriously. “But you and Leila better stay out of trouble, and you stick to her like glue.”
“Yes sir,” she practically purrs, and the sultry sound goes straight to my balls. She glances up at me from under her long dark lashes, and she looks so hot, I ache to touch her. Hayley backs further away from me and kicks off her shoes. They fly past me, landing with a thud somewhere behind me. I don’t take my eyes off her for a second.
She gives me a sexy little smile before gripping the hem of her white top, pulling it up over her head, and tossing it carelessly to the side. Her little impromptu strip tease gives me a tantalising view of her flat stomach and pert breasts hidden by expensive-looking lingerie. Trailing her fingers down her sleek body, she pops the buttons on her jeans and shimmies them down over her hips, flicking them at me with her foot when they fall to the floor.
She’s left in a pale blue silk bra and panties, and the sheer lace sets off her tanned skin to perfection. Her nipples strain against the thin material as she reaches behind herself and opens the clasp. The delicate straps slip off her shoulders as she presses an arm over her breasts, keeping the cups of the bra from falling away completely.
“Fuck... Hayley, you look so fucking sexy,” I growl as I stalk towards her, closing the space between us as she continues to sashay backward, swaying her hips sexily from side to side.
