A Wolf's Mate Read online

  “I’m still investigating things here.” A few days ago she would have told him she’d concluded her investigation and was ready to come home, but that was before she’d met Nick. Now she was willing to hang things out a little so she could get to know him a little better. Find out if he really was good looking and decent to boot. He could be the type of guy who’d build her confidence back.

  “I’m attending yoga classes and I’m going to pretend to write stories about the spa and some of its members which will include Melanie Reynolds who according to our records was in the Witness Protection Program a short while ago.”

  “Yes, I’m aware of that and I hope you’ll conclude things by the middle of next week because the chief is getting itchy about whether or not to leave this one open or shut.”

  Damn, she’d have to stall things this end if she wanted to hang out with Nick.

  “Okay sir, and I’ll call in again tomorrow.”

  “Have a good rest of the day, Agent Spencer.”

  She pressed the end call button and placed the phone on the bed.

  It wasn’t exactly proper protocol for an agent to get involved with someone while on the job, but no Bureau rule said she couldn’t accept a dinner invitation and if anyone asked, she’d gone with him to fish for information. She laughed. She was pretty sure Nick would think the whole thing pretty stupid. If it wasn’t sharing Bureau files with outsiders, which was a no-no, she’d show him the photo of the bear. She could imagine his reaction. He’d probably roll around on the floor and then say what a waste of taxpayer’s money.

  Montana was full of bears. It was full of wolves too. Would someone report seeing a man turn into one of those too? She flopped down on the bed. Another thing that wasn’t on the can’t do list was have sex while away on assignment.

  She thought of Nick, of what she’d wear for their dinner date, and if she’d suggest they come back here or maybe go to his place. She wondered if he lived in a house or condo and what his bedroom looked like.

  Chapter Five

  Nick wasn’t the “take her flowers on the first date” sort of guy so why he’d stopped by the local florist on his way to picking Ava up, he had no idea. He’d like to think that it was his way of softening her, winning her over so she’d give Downward Facing Dog some publicity with a nice article in her business magazine. However, that hadn’t entered into his mind when he walked into the store and picked out an assortment of flowers, including a few red roses nestled in the middle of the bouquet. He knew their significance but hadn’t asked the assistant to swap them for something else.

  He put his nose on the bouquet as he headed to her motel room and knocked on the door. He heard the bolt being slid open and soon he was looking at the sexiest woman he’d ever seen. He’d said casual and she’d hit the bull’s eye with her black pants, red sweater, black boots. A black and red scarf wrapped twice around her neck complimented the look. Nick almost whistled but instead pulled his hand around from behind his back and presented her with the flowers.

  “These are beautiful. Just what this room needs to cheer things up. You want to come in so I can put these in water?”

  “Sure.”

  Nick stepped inside the room and detected part human scent, part that sexy perfume she wore. His nose twitched. He’d never really thought about how different a human smelled compared to wolves and the other shifters. Good thing humans didn’t have such an acute sense of smell or they might suspect something wasn’t right.

  “These really are lovely,” she said putting them in the water jug and placing it on the table by the window.

  “I’m glad you like them,” said Nick.

  “I love them. Let me grab my jacket and I’m ready. I’m starving.”

  He spotted her laptop and wondered what she’d been writing and what her writing style was like. Maybe she’d let him see some of her work later tonight. He was an avid reader and in fact, read anything he could get his hands on, crime novels, short stories, and also subscribed to countless magazines so it was possible he’d seen one of her bylines. She grabbed her bag and they headed out of the room. Ava locked the door and they made their way to the parking lot where tiny snowflakes were swirling around giving everything that holiday feel despite Christmas being over almost three months ago.

  “Do you ski?” she asked him.

  “Sometimes. I have a cabin up in the mountains so if I’m up there and there’s been a good snowfall I usually head to the slopes.”

  “Cabin, oh that sounds so rustic and peaceful.”

  “You want to go see it one of these days? In fact, you’re welcome to stay up there and do some writing, but I’ll warn you if it’s snowed you better have a four-wheel drive to get around and plenty of supplies on hand.”

  “I think I’ll see it before I say yes or no.”

  “Wise decision,” he said, opening the car door for her.

  He got in, started the ignition, and turned the heat up a notch.

  “So can I ask where we’re going to eat?”

  “Sure. It’s a little hole in the wall type café that serves the best food in town. Well, that’s my opinion.”

  “Sometimes the smaller places are better than the bigger restaurants. Do you take all the ladies there?”

  He wouldn’t lie to her. “I’ve been known to take the odd one or two.”

  “Hopefully not at the same time,” said Ava.

  He’d always found humans had a dry sense of humor and up till now he’d found it irritating but on Ava it was downright delightful.

  Nick headed toward the back road, the shortest way he knew to get to the Starlight Café. He’d always liked the name. Maybe it was because when he thought of stars and lights he thought of home. Not the home he had now but the planet that was no more.

  Starlight Cafe now had a new owner, a single mom who’d befriended Charlotte Renner. Aiden had told everyone that Charlotte had developed a craving for their Black Forest cake and that they ate at the café a couple of times a week. He’d highly recommended the pan roasted salmon but what bear shifter wouldn’t pick that? His stomach rumbled just thinking about the meal ahead.

  Nick pulled into the strip mall housing the café. Lights twinkled in its window. Nick turned off the ignition noting that the snow was coming down with more gusto since they’d left the motel.

  “Let’s hurry in there,” said Nick, opening the car door for Ava. “I think the chill in the air has made me ravenous.”

  Ava pulled her jacket collar up and Nick put his hand on the small of her back. Despite the cold, she felt warm and soft and he wondered what it would be like to snuggle up close with her. Wolves loved doing that with their mates.

  The bell over the door rang as they went inside. Candles were lit on each table, the fire was ablaze, and just a handful of customers were dining there at the moment. He hadn’t realized the new owner had turned it into such a romantic looking and feeling nook.

  Speaking of which, Nick guessed by how Aiden had described her, this was her as she approached them and smiled.

  “Hi, two tonight?” she asked.

  “Yes, and something by the fire would be perfect,” said Nick.

  She grabbed two menus and they followed her over to a table at the right side of the fireplace. Nick pulled out the chair for Ava and then sat opposite her.

  “I take it you’re the new owner. I’m a friend of Aiden and Charlotte Renner,” said Nick, taking one of the menus from her.

  “Yes, I’m Hannah Adams.”

  Nick held out his hand and Hannah shook it.

  “I’m Nick and this is Ava.”

  “Hi,” she said handing Ava a menu.

  “The salmon comes highly recommended,” said Nick, setting the one-page menu down in front of him. “Anything else you’d suggest we try?”

  “Well, not many have ordered it yet, but the meatloaf is my favorite and it’s basted with a chipotle sauce that I think gives it just the right kick if you like something spicy.”
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  “Ooh, that sounds good,” said Ava.

  “And I can highly recommend the smoked trout pate,” said Hannah.

  “Okay, let’s start with some of that and a bottle of white wine. That okay with you, Ava?”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  “House wine okay for you?” asked Hannah.

  “Always love house wine,” said Nick.

  “I’ll get that order started and let you look over the menu.”

  “That all sounded so good, but I should get my glasses out so I can see everything else that’s on offer,” said Ava.

  She dug around in her purse and pulled out her glasses and slipped them on. They suited her and made her look intellectual and downright sexy with their tortoiseshell frames.

  “I’m edging closer to that meatloaf,” said Nick. He was a typical wolf and anything with meat in its name got his attention.

  “And I’m leaning toward the salmon.”

  Hannah returned with their bottle of wine and poured some for Nick to sample. He took a taste test and nodded. “That’s really good. Your choice?”

  Hannah nodded as she poured some for Ava. “I used to manage a restaurant and quit when my son was born.” She topped up Nick’s glass. “The trout pate will be ready any minute. Have you decided on a main course?”

  “I have, how about you, Ava?” asked Nick.

  “I think I’m going with the salmon.”

  “Good choice. You have your pick of rice pilaf or mashed potatoes, and it also comes with vegetable of the day which is broccoli.”

  “Definitely the rice,” said Ava.

  “And I’ll try the meatloaf but I’ll go with the potatoes.”

  “Great, I’ll get these orders in and be right back with the trout.”

  “So are you a meat and potatoes type of guy?” asked Ava.

  Nick raised his hand. “Guilty as charged.”

  “My dad was too,” said Ava before she took a sip of wine.

  “Was? I take it he passed away?”

  She nodded. “Ten years ago and he never got to see me go through the ac…”

  Nick looked at her when she’d stopped in mid-sentence.

  “Graduate from university. How about you? Your parents still alive?”

  Hannah chose that moment to bring out their trout pate along with a plate of sliced French bread and crackers.

  “Enjoy,” she said placing the plates in between them.

  “Um, this looks worthy of just diving into,” said Ava.

  “Go ahead, ladies first. And to answer your question,” said Nick setting the napkin across his lap. “My parents died when I was a teenager.”

  “Both of them?” asked Ava spreading the pate across a thick slice of bread.

  “Yes.”

  “Accident?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, a collision,” said Nick knowing he wasn’t lying. They had died in one of those just not the sort she probably thought. The collision that had robbed him of his parents had been caused by their planet crashing to Earth

  “That must have been horrible for you,” said Ava.

  “Really was life-altering.” That hadn’t been a lie. “And your mother is she still alive?”

  “I don’t know because she just up and left my dad and me when I was five.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  “I guess some women aren’t cut out to be mothers.”

  Boy that had to be tough on a little kid. At least it didn’t seem like she harbored any bad feelings.

  “Siblings?” he asked.

  “None and you?”

  “Nope.”

  They finished the last of the pate just as Hannah brought out their main courses.

  “These both look delicious,” said Ava.

  “You mind if I turn on some music?” asked Hannah. “I’m hoping to get someone in to play piano a few nights a week. Don’t suppose either of you play.”

  “Not me,” said Nick.

  “I play, but so badly that people would leave,” said Ava.

  “Dane used to play. He’s one of our group.”

  The word group had slipped out before he’d realized it.

  “My running group,” added Nick.

  “Dane Reynolds?” asked Ava.

  “Yeah, you know him?”

  “Maisey mentioned him I think. His wife’s in her prenatal yoga class right?”

  “That’s them. He used to play, so did his first wife. Ask Charlotte for his number.”

  “I’ll do that and enjoy your meals,” said Hannah.

  “Dane was married before?” asked Ava.

  Nick took a bite of his meatloaf and looked at Ava. She really was nosy but maybe that’s what being a journalist was all about. However, why the sudden interest in Dane’s life?

  “Yes.” The group always knew to give one-word answers if anyone asked about some other shifter, just in case.

  “Divorced?”

  He took another bite. “Widowed.”

  “But he’s young…I mean, I know it can happen to anyone. Was she sick?”

  He stabbed at a piece of meatloaf. “No, she was killed by a hunter.”

  “Geez, I’m so sorry to hear that.”

  He was going to say these things happen to us more times than we’d care to remember, but stopped himself just in time. He was beginning to realize just what he loved about hanging out with his fellow shifters and not humans. This was all too hard and maybe he should stop thinking of pursuing Ava anymore even if she was obviously mate material. Nip it in the bud. Well, that’s what he thought until Ava put her hand under the table and onto his thigh. The action turned him hard immediately. He fidgeted just a little hoping she didn’t see how uneasy he’d become. He washed down the meatloaf with a big gulp of wine, almost causing it down the wrong way.

  “This meatloaf is off the charts,” he said, hoping that would ease his libido that was now in overdrive as she began to squeeze his leg, digging those cute pink polished nails into his flesh. “Chock full of garlic so I might not be fun to be around in an hour’s time.”

  “A little garlic’s never put me off kissing a man.”

  Her hand edged farther up his leg, getting dangerously close to his crotch. Then without warning her hand went right to his dick. She held it.

  “Wow, this is quite something,” she said.

  Nick had no idea if she was referring to his size, or the fact that he was as hard as a rock.

  She gave his cock a playful pinch. Just enough to send the blood pumping to his shaft at record speed. She had no idea just how dangerous it was to toy with a shifter like this. He could easily rip off her clothes, flip her on top of the table, and take her.

  He hadn’t thought about having sex with her. No, that wasn’t true. He’d seen her as mate material and that meant sex on the first date, no waiting to see if you were compatible between the sheets. Her sex drive was obviously on par with his own as he continued eating the salmon with her right hand while her left one didn’t stray from his dick.

  “You enjoying that?” he asked her before he realized he should have been more specific about which of the two things he was referring to.

  “Both are delicious.”

  Had it suddenly gotten hot in here or what? Nick ate the last of the meatloaf and washed it down with the rest of his wine. Hannah returned to their table. She glanced under the table and smiled. Oh yeah, she’d seen Ava’s hand on his crotch.

  “How was everything?” she asked.

  “Best meal I’ve had in a long time,” said Ava.

  “I’ll definitely be a repeat customer,” said Nick.

  “Glad to hear that,” said Hannah, taking their plates. “You want to see the dessert menu or are you in a hurry to get home?”

  Had there been a touch of sarcasm in that last question? Humans and their dry sense of humor again.

  “You want to split one with me?” Nick asked Ava.

  “I think I’ve got room for just a little more,” sh
e said.

  “Anything you recommend?” Nick asked Hannah.

  “Black Forest Cake which I’m thinking of renaming Charlotte’s Cake.”

  “In honor of the mother-to-be we’ll have one of those and two forks,” he said.

  “Sounds good and I’ll be right back with it.”

  “I have a little confession to make,” said Ava.

  He knew it had been too good to be true. She knew about the group and was fishing for a story.

  “Chocolate makes me as horny as hell.”

  This time it wasn’t the wine that went down the wrong way but Nick’s own saliva. And he thought she was already on the horny side when she’d grabbed his cock. Geez, at this rate they would be doing it on the tabletop. He coughed and Ava patted him on the back just as Hannah arrived with the mile-high cake and two forks.

  “You okay? You want me to top your water up for you?” Hannah asked him.

  Nick raised his hand and shook his head. “I’m fine, really.”

  She put the very generous slice of cake down between them and then handed them the forks.

  “Enjoy it,” said Hannah.

  She walked away and within seconds, Ava dived into the cake. Nick took a generous piece with lots of whipped cream and one of the maroon-colored cherries.

  “Delicious,” said Ava. “And I think the chocolate’s already taking effect.”

  This time is was the cherry that almost choked him.

  One thought popped into his mind.

  Condoms.

  He’d seen boxes of them in the store but had never needed to use one. Sex with a human would be changing that. Darn. He was a guy that didn’t like anything getting in the way of his dick and some pussy, but that’s what sex with these strange creatures would entail. Drugstore was the second thing that sprang into his head.

  “You mind if we make a quick stop on the way back your motel?”

  Chapter Six

  Ava had guessed why he’d stopped at the drugstore on the way back to her room. When he’d first gotten out of the car, she thought that maybe he was heading into the liquor store to get them a nightcap but then he’d made his way through the door at Mason’s Drugs.