Queen Bitch of the Callowwood Pack (Siren Publishing Classic) (27 page)

“Please, Jeff,” she pleaded, dropping her head onto his thigh. “I need someone to hold me and to tell me it’ll be all right. You’re the only one I can let near me these days. We’re both adults. I won’t let you go any further than just holding me, for both our sakes. But I really need someone to lean on.”

She ignored the voice warning her it was already too late after that kiss.

His hand settled on her hair and stroked it gently. Julianna didn’t care that she’d just had it styled at the salon. Feeling his gentle touches more than made up for the mess, and she closed her eyes. She wanted to be here forever, but she’d take tonight as a sample.

Jeff sighed. “You’re pushing my control, Julianna.”

“I know,” she agreed softly. “But this is the best excuse you can have to see me alone. Just tell everyone I’m distraught over the attack and I need someone to make sure I’m okay. I won’t let us have sex, Jeff, but I really do need you to stay for a little longer.” She raised her head to look at him.

He opened his mouth to reply, but the whistle of the teakettle sang shrilly into silence, and she rose to take it off the heat. He didn’t move as she poured hot water into a mug and put a teabag of chamomile into it. She looked at him with raised eyebrows, gesturing with the kettle, but he shook his head. Then he rolled to his feet.

Julianna steeled herself for his retreat.

“I really shouldn’t stay.” He sounded weary. “It’s a small town, and everyone will recognize my car in your driveway.”

Julianna felt her heart drop into her feet, and disappointment crashed over her like a wall of falling bricks. She could barely breathe, but she nodded and dropped her gaze to her steaming cup of tea, seeking comfort in the fragrant heat.

“But you’re my Mate.” She looked up at him in surprise. “And I can’t walk away if you really need me to stay. It’s just not in me to leave you distressed.”

Julianna felt tears start in her eyes, and she whispered, “I need you, Jeff.”

He sighed wearily again then held out his hand to her. “Come on, then. Get your tea and we’ll put you to bed.”

“I don’t need the tea.”

She dumped the mug in the sink and grabbed his hand, allowing him to lead her to the bedroom, where he switched on the light. The sight of him in her room made her heart thunder against her ribs, and she recalled his visit in her dream.
This time he’s really here.
A delicious shiver cascaded down her back, but she firmly told herself to calm down.

That was damn near impossible when he seated himself on her bed, positioning the pillows behind him to prop himself up. Her mouth went completely dry, and she suddenly wished she still had her tea. He looked perfect against the white and purple comforter. She could imagine him lying there completely naked, waiting for her with a satisfied smile on his face. Right now, he looked stressed and tired, but he gave her an encouraging smile, and she shook herself back into reality.

“I’m going to change,” she choked out, clearing her throat. “I can’t stand the scent of those bastards on me.”

“I’ll be here.”

Thank God in heaven!

Julianna grabbed a tank top and light PJ pants and darted into the bathroom. She’d never stripped so quickly in her life, but tonight she couldn’t get out of her clothes fast enough. Though she removed her bra and panties, she made sure she was modestly covered when she returned to the bedroom.

Jeff hadn’t moved at all, but his eyes heated when he saw her, and she felt the same heat zing down her back and wet the place between her legs. Julianna damn near threw herself on top of him and began kissing him again, but she reminded herself she’d promised they wouldn’t have sex. Her hands fisted until her nails pressed into her palms, but she managed to walk slowly over to the bed, trying to ignore her screaming attraction.

“Come to bed, darlin’,” Jeff drawled with a tired, crooked smile. “Let’s tuck you in and let you get some rest.”

He held the bed sheets up, and she looked at him with raised eyebrows. The space he offered was against his body, between his legs. Granted, he still wore his clothes, but getting between his legs had been a dream of hers for so long she was momentarily confused at the opportunity to do so.

“You coming?”

“Are you sure it’s safe?”

Jeff laughed and nodded. “It is tonight. I promise.”

Rather than fight it, she slid into the bed between his muscular thighs and laid her back against his chest as he wrapped his arms loosely around her. His arousal reminded her of his very real attraction, but he made no move to force the issue.

“Thank you, Jeff,” she murmured, grateful for his warmth and scent around her. “I’ve been waiting forever to be right here.”

“Oh, my sweet, beautiful Lupine, it’s my pleasure,” he rumbled, tenderly kissing the top of her head. “Now, you get some rest, and I’ll be right here.”

“Okay.”

He reached up and turned off her beside lamp, snuggling her against him with a sigh. Julianna meant to stay awake and appreciate the comfort, the strength, and the immense contentment she felt being in his arms. But the events of the months she’d lived through caught up with her and dragged her beneath the edge of sleep within moments.

Politics and Gossip

Jeff grimaced as he looked at his phone.
Ten messages, eight texts, and two voicemails. Doesn’t anyone have anything better to do with their time?

He’d woken up to find Julianna snuggled up against him, her head on his chest, her left arm across his belly, and her left leg draped over his thighs. They still wore all their clothing, and his hands rested in PG places. Despite the discomfort of sleeping in his clothes, he rested content with his situation.

And then his phone beeped at him imperatively with a new voicemail.

Shit.

He hadn’t meant to fall asleep with Julianna, but his exhaustion– paired with her soft breathing and sweet scent–had overpowered him, sending him into dreamland. He’d intended to do as she asked— watch over her until she slept, then get up and leave her so his car wouldn’t be seen in her driveway the next morning.

That plan had been blown straight to hell.

He rose carefully out of the bed and softly kissed his Mate on the cheek, making her smile in her sleep. The smile tightened his chest, and he knew he’d lost his heart to this woman. The mating bond made him lust after her, but last night’s attack had brought home to him just how much he
loved
Julianna Morris. The thought of her hurt had damn near suffocated him, and he hadn’t calmed down until he saw her step out of her car. Even then he’d had to hold her.

The phone beeped again, and Jeff grunted in disgust.

“Yes, I know. I’m coming!” he whispered.

He gathered his phone and his keys and headed out the door, locking the bottom lock behind him. Once he sat in his car, he checked the voicemail and text messages before he started the engine. He drove to his father’s house like he faced the hangman, and probably to a lecture, given the messages he’d heard on the phone.

Most of the texts originated from Zach and the other bouncers who’d seen his car parked in the Morris driveway. The first voicemail came from Tawny. She’d noticed his car was missing when she got home and where the hell he was. The second voicemail was from his dad, telling him in a tight voice to get his ass home. They had to talk. Jeff suspected his father had heard about his location from someone and steeled himself. Why the hell did he feel like kid caught with his hand in the cookie jar?

Jeff parked the Camaro in its customary spot beneath the large cottonwood tree shading the driveway and got out. He took a deep breath before he walked to the kitchen door to let himself in.

He knew he was in the doghouse by the looks Felicia and Lindsey gave him. Felicia, their cook, had been mooning over his father for years since his mother died. Lindsey kept the household running like a Swiss watch, everything in its proper place and at its proper time, and he’d definitely been out of his proper place.

Jeff nodded to the two women. “Where is he?”

“The office,” Lindsey replied, subdued.

Uh oh. If Lindsey’s walking on eggshells, I’m in real trouble.

He swallowed his unease and made his way through the house to his father’s office, the place where Julianna had met the “family” the night of the party. The door stood closed, and Jeff took a moment to shake his head and straighten his shoulders. Then he opened it.

Richard Lightfoot sat behind his desk, his attention drawn to the doorway, though his hands still rested on the keyboard of his computer as if he’d been working on emails or some other form of correspondence. Jeff met his eyes and strode over to the wet bar to pour some of the coffee from the silver coffee pot left on a tray. The door clicked closed behind him.

“Thanks for coming so quickly,” Richard remarked with heavy irony.

“I came as soon as I got the message.”

Richard nodded as he leaned back in his chair. “Where were you last night?”

“Come on, Dad! Let’s not pussyfoot around. Just be honest.”

“All right,” the Alpha drawled, and Jeff felt his guts clench in dread. “Why were you at the Morris place last night?”

“Tawny called me from Leland and told me Ms. Morris had been attacked by five men in the parking lot as she left the salon. I drove to her house to make sure she was all right. She arrived just after I got there.”

“And…?” his father prompted when he didn’t go on.

“And nothing. She asked me to stay to make sure she was okay. She didn’t throw herself at me, and I didn’t take advantage of her. I tucked her into bed, and that was that.”

“But you stayed all night, Jeff.”

“Yes, I did. I didn’t intend to, but I guess I was more tired than I thought.” Jeff shrugged and drank some coffee. “I fell asleep watching over her, and nothing happened. I’m still wearing my clothes and so was she when I left this morning.”

“Dammit, Jeff!” Richard growled as he rose to his feet. “The whole damn town knows you spent the night with Ms. Morris. I’m gonna have the families of the other Luna candidates all over my ass because of it. Couldn’t you just stay away from her a little longer?”

“That’s all I’ve been doing, Dad!” Jeff carefully set the coffee cup down to keep from throwing it against the wall. “I
have
been staying away from her, but when Tawny called, there was no way I could just let Julianna come home alone. Nothing happened, and I accidentally fell asleep. It wasn’t my intention, but there it is. We didn’t have sex.” He stomped to the window, trying to curb his anger.

“That’s not what people around here are going to think, especially the other Luna candidates. Hell, I’ve already had calls from the Winthrops
and
the Cutters about your car in her driveway.”

“It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks!” Jeff growled as he shoved away from the window. “She’s a candidate for Luna, just like the others, except
she
doesn’t have anyone else to comfort her except her human mother, who doesn’t know what we are. Julianna was attacked! I couldn’t just leave her there alone all night. So I stayed and held her. Nothing else happened. We didn’t overstep our bounds.”

“But that’s not what people will
think
. Dammit, Jeff, this is a political thing now!” his father shouted at him. “You have to pretend you’re being objective, no matter how difficult it is.”

“I couldn’t stay away from her even if I wanted to,” Jeff admitted tiredly, shaking his head at his father’s wary expression. “She’s my Mate, Dad, and she was in distress. I couldn’t walk away from that. She needed me, and I was there. I didn’t do anything to consummate the bond, and you can smell that for yourself. But she begged me to stay until she slept, and I couldn’t say no. I was just too tired, and I fell asleep with her. I
had to stay
, Dad. Don’t you see?”

Richard stared at his son for a long time, his face hard as stone, but his expression softened, and he nodded. He dropped back into his chair and rubbed his hands over his face.

“Yeah, I do, Jeff. It was the same way with your mother. I couldn’t turn her down for anything.” He paused, thinking again. “You’re sure she’s your Mate?”

“Yeah. I knew it the minute I saw her at the funeral.”

“Dammit,” his father grumbled, but there was no heat in it. “That complicates things, but I’m glad you told me. I had a feeling she was when we interviewed her before the party. That’s why I gave her your mother’s pendant. So I was right?”

“She’s my Luna, Dad.” Jeff nodded firmly. “Whether any of the others pass the tests or not. Julianna’s well on her way to passing all of them anyway, but no matter what, she’ll be my Luna. I can’t stand to touch or be around any of the others.”

“I know, son,” his father agreed solemnly.

He was silent for a while, a thoughtful expression on his face. Jeff had the feeling there was a lot going through his father’s mind, but the old man had always been good at keeping a poker face.

“Here’s the thing,” Richard said at last. “You can’t be with her
unless
she passes the tests. However, she
is
your Mate, and there’s no denying the Lady’s grace on that count. It
has
been long enough that you can narrow the field of candidates you’re considering.”