Chapter Four
“I’m scared,” she said.
He could see how difficult this was for her.
“But I want this too,” she whispered.
Patrick didn’t give her a chance to change her mind. His hands started to glide across the soft fabric of her shirt. Once he was sure she had relaxed a little he slipped his hands underneath to explore the softness there. “You are so beautiful.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Are you kidding? Haven’t you noticed the way the men in the office watch you?” He watched her shake her head. “Then I’m the luckiest man on the planet because if you did I wouldn’t have had a chance with you.”
His words sank in and he saw her transform in front of him. She looked into his eyes with a hope he had never seen in her before. Stacey touched his chest again, this time in curiosity.
“I don’t know what to do.”
“First, we should undress each other,” he told her.
Stacey nodded. She started off a little hesitant, but it didn’t take long before she acted like each part of his body she revealed was a gift for her. Her hands touched all the right places and with just enough pressure to make his need rise. The moment he knew they were naked he urged her backward toward the couch.
Stacey took him by the hand and led him to her bedroom. “The couch won’t work for me this time.”
He did understand. He wanted her first time to be perfect too. Patrick just hoped he wouldn’t disappoint her.
Her bed beckoned and he took control to lead her to it. Taking her into his arms he captured her mouth with his. She needed to be highly aroused before he took her. He needed to be sure the slight pain she’d feel wouldn’t make her stop and think. They inched backwards until her knees brushed up against the sheets on the mattress. Her slight sway let him know they had reached his target.
Patrick broke the kiss to focus on her throat as he eased her to the bed. He wanted to taste all of her. His mouth blazed a trail to one pert breast. Using his tongue, he circled the tip before sucking it into his mouth. God, she tasted wonderful. Stacey started moving beneath him, showing she wanted more. She wrapped her legs around him, pulling him toward her.
He knew he had to move carefully now. There was no way he was going to screw this up. Patrick might be putting too much thought into what was happening between them, but this was her first time. Hopefully, there would be other times when he could lose himself in her sweet body. He moved back up her body to look her in the eyes. “You act like you’re ready, but I want to be sure.”
“There is this feeling inside of me that wants to burst out.” She rolled them over so she was on top.
He saw the wolf in her try to take over. It was the first time he had ever seen hers and it was beautiful. “You need to trust me and let me make this memorable for you.”
“You already have.” She lowered her face to his and she kissed him with so much passion.
He rolled them back over. “If you are sure.”
She nodded.
“I’m going to do this slowly.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I’ve been told the quicker the better.”
“It will hurt.”
“Only for a moment, right?” She looked at him with such trust. “Then you’ll make up for any pain?”
“I promise.” He still entered her slower than normal. Once he was sure he had hit the right point he drove himself in deep, tearing her membrane and wishing it didn’t hurt the way it must. Her eyes got glassy from unshed tears. Patrick started to move slowly at first. Gentle rocks that had her sucking in her breath. “Now, I’ll rock your world.”
He started to move, watching her face for the subtle hints of what she liked. It wasn’t long before she started grabbing at him, trying to pull him in deeper. Patrick accommodated her using deep long strokes that had her gasping for breath.
“Oh, Patrick.”
“It only gets better, Stacey.”
“How is that possible?” Her voice was only a whisper.
He didn’t answer just switched his tempo. He felt her heart leap. Her body started to move with him. Soon she was keeping up with him, meeting him thrust for thrust. He could feel his orgasm rushing forward. He wanted to let go, but he had to wait for Stacey. This being her first time he had to be sure she enjoyed herself and an orgasm was the best way for him to know.
Stacey’s hands moved over his back, reaching down and grabbing his ass. He started to pound into her, giving her everything he could. Bringing her to the edge of her release. Her body clenched around him enveloping him in an exquisite vice-like grip. Patrick felt it to his toes. He also couldn’t stop his release now.
Stacey looked up at him with a little bit of shock and a lot of awe. Her world splintered in her eyes as her release took her over. He felt his orgasm grab him and it squeezed a howl out of him. The echo bounced around the room.
Crap, he didn’t mean to be so loud. “Hope I didn’t scare your neighbors.”
“It’s Friday and most of my neighbors are single. My bet is they’re not home and won’t be for hours.”
He moved off her and pulled her into his arms. No one ever made him howl like that before. The question pestering him was did she want him to leave? Someone else might walk away from her but he didn’t want to. He was going to be dead meat when Max got ahold of him, but he wanted to be sure she wouldn’t hate him because he left too early.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.” He brushed a hand up and down her back.
“Do you howl all the time?”
“What?” he laughed. “No, in fact that was a first.”
“Really?” she lifted her head to look at him. “Why did you do it tonight?”
“Because I was moved to. I know this was your first time and you were so open. I saw no fear, just joy from you. It made it beautiful for both of us and I had to show my joy.”
“Thank you.” She rested her head on his chest once again. “Um, I’d understand if you need to go.”
“I’ll go if you want me to, but I’ll be honest, Max is going to kill me over this. Alicia is very fond of you and he’s going to blame me for everything that has happened between us. I want to do what you want. We do have the whole weekend and we could enjoy it in each other’s arms, then when we have to face them, and we will, you’ll at least have the weekend to remember.” He held his breath while she contemplated what he said.
“I’d like that.”
“Then why don’t we get something to eat?”
***
Patrick parked his car in front of Max’s home. He had tried to talk Stacey into staying at her apartment, but she refused. She used a phrase she learned as a child. In for a penny, in for a pound.
They approached the door together. Jacob opened it and let them know that Max and Alicia were in the dining room waiting for them. Max looked up the moment they entered.
“It’s about time you got here,” he said. Then he paused. He looked at Patrick then Stacey. He stood as a low growl came from him. “I’m going to kill you.”
“What the hell, Max?” Alicia stood with him. “What is going on?”
“They’ve been together.”
“What?” She looked at Stacey then him. “You slept with her?”
He nodded. Stacey slipped her hand into his and he took the silent support.
“You okay, Stacey?” Alicia noted their hands and turned to Max. “Before you kill him, can I speak to Stacey for a moment?”
“Why?” Anger controlled Max and Patrick knew that wasn’t good.
“Because I asked if I could?” She jammed her hands on her hips.
“Fine.”
“You,” she said as she poked Max in the chest, “need to calm down and really look at the situation.”
He turned his angry gaze to his mate before looking back at them.
Alicia slipped around the table and grabbed Stacey’s free hand. After a quick squeeze she let go and went with Alicia.
Max was on him in two strides. Holding him by the throat, he growled, “What were you thinking?”
“Max.” His shoulders slumped. He had to tell the truth. “She didn’t come to work on Friday, and I was worried about her. So, after work I decided to check up on her and see if she was okay. She was in heat, Max.”
“Damn it, Patrick. You should have left her alone.”
“She wanted it as much as I did. We spent the whole weekend together. Max, she made me howl.”
***
“Stacey, what happened?” Alicia was surprised at what happened between them. She knew what the girl really wanted, and Patrick wouldn’t be the one to give it to her. “Patrick of all people.”
“I know, but it’s not his fault. I went into heat and knew I couldn’t go to work.”
“You never stopped working with me when you were in heat.” They stepped into the kitchen and Alicia gestured to a chair at the small table there.
“That’s because you’re female.” Stacey sat down. “It doesn’t affect you the same way. Ever notice how I don’t want to be around Max when I’m in heat? I know what my pheromones will do to him.”
“Are you saying that your pheromones will drive him to have sex with you?” Alicia sat as well.
“Not exactly.” Stacey adjusted herself in her seat. “It will drive him wild but since he’s mated to you, you’d be the one who would have to deal with what my pheromones do to him. That is true of any female who might be in heat and around our men.”
“So it wasn’t like he couldn’t stop himself?” She caught that Stacey said our men. Was she attracted to Patrick?
“Um, no.” Stacey brushed a piece of hair behind her ears. “He told me he had wanted me for a long time and if I didn’t feel the same way he would leave.”
“Okay, so that brings me to what you asked me to do.” Alicia took her hand. “Why would you sleep with him if you knew you wanted to change?”
“I don’t know.” She looked at their joined hands. “I guess it was my chance to be with one of my kind for the first time. Something I secretly wanted to experience before I made my decision.”
“And how was it?”
“Oh my god, I never experienced anything like that.” She looked up at Alicia. “He was loving and gentle. Patrick made sure I enjoyed my first time. I made him howl.”
“Really?” Howl? Really? “I know that’s pretty rare.”
“Normally only mates howl for each other.” Stacey ducked her head. “He only howled the one time, but I thought about it the entire weekend he was with me.”
“Wait. He stayed with you all weekend?” Now that didn’t sound like Patrick. He was a love them then leave them type of guy. Was there something between the two of them? Something she should encourage?
“It was wonderful. For three nights and two days he was all mine. I didn’t have to pretend. I didn’t have to hide. I could just be me.” She straightened her shoulders. “I’m tired of hiding.”
“Why are you hiding? You’ve never explained that, and I think you should. I know it would make it easier for me if you do ask me to change you. Max will need the truth, you know that. Why not tell me? I can be in your corner so much better if you tell me.”
“I’m, I’m not ready.” She shook her head.
“Okay. I get it.” Alicia paused as she thought. “You know you two screwed everything up. You were supposed to be there and stay under the radar, not sleep with the boss.”
Stacey hung her head. “I’m sorry.”
“You know we have to tell him why you’re working for him.”
“Why?”
“Because we now have to come up with a different plan.”
“No, you don’t. We hooked up. No big deal.”
“No big deal? No one is going to trust you now.” Alicia stood. She needed to think. “You think Patrick will ignore you? Treat you like all the other women he has been with?”
Stacey shrugged. “I’m—”
“Don’t you dare tell me you’re nothing,” Alicia stopped her. “You are one of my best friends and I care for you more than you’ll admit. I think Patrick does too. He spent the weekend with you when he could have walked away. What if he wants to continue? Doesn’t he deserve to know why you’re there?”
“I do.”
Alicia turned to find Max and Patrick standing there. “How much did you hear?”
“Enough,” said Patrick. “My sister put you two up to this, didn’t she?”
“Your sister came to me and explained you had a problem,” corrected Alicia.
“I’m going to kill her.”
“No, you’re not. She knew you needed help and knew that Stacey was good with accounting. She learned that when I started up my business. You need Stacey and you’re stupid if you think you can convince me otherwise.”
Patrick didn’t know how to react.
“So now that you screwed everything up by sleeping with the help how do you plan on fixing this so we can find out who is embezzling?”
“What?”
“Oh, please, Max knows. He is the alpha after all.”
“You knew?”
“I figured it out.” Max walked up to his mate and put an arm around her shoulders. “Have you figured out who is doing it?”
“No. The paperwork all pointed to one person,” said Stacey. “Until Friday when I started to realize that the numbers that we thought were wrong were actually the right ones.”
“Can you explain that?” asked Alicia.
“The numbers wouldn’t add up and it bothered me. When I took the old invoices and plugged in the numbers they worked. That shouldn’t have happened either. It’s like someone did this because they wanted to get caught.” She looked at Patrick. “Like they wanted to get your attention.”
“Not my attention,” said Patrick. He turned to Max. “But yours.”
“You need to check all your holdings,” said Alicia.
Max looked at his mate.
“You made a comment a couple days ago that you were due for an audit.”
“Sure, but they happen every quarter.”
“And if someone is trying to get your attention they could be doing this in some of the other companies which would show up during an audit.” Alicia looked at Stacey. “How fast can you go through a set of books?”
“Sweetheart, that is impossible for her to do by herself before the audits will start.”
“She found mine in three hours when my head accountant couldn’t figure out what the problem was after trying for several weeks,” Patrick told him.
“Really?” Max grinned. “If I get you some help you think you can pull this off?”
“I don’t know.”
“Of course she could, but you’re forgetting the big picture here. She’s supposed to help Patrick find the embezzler.”
“Actually, I have a better idea. Let’s make a big stink about her finding the books are off. And now she will be checking all the books in every department in each of my companies. Let the person who is trying to catch my attention know they have it,” Max declared.
“And the fact that these two have slept with each other?”
“Face value,” said Max. “Not something they expected but it will show how protected Stacey is with us. She’s not only the one I trust with my books, but my second as well.”
***
Stacey found herself the center of attention when she walked into Patrick’s offices. Some congratulated her, others glared. Great. She just put a big ol’ target on her back. She sat at her desk and waited. It wouldn’t take long before something happened. What, she didn’t know but she knew it would happen.
Butterflies took off in her stomach. What she thought was something that would only be important to her, suddenly had become national news. At least to werewolves. The few men in the office she worked in looked at her differently. Damn.
Patrick walked in and smiled at her as he rested a hip against her desk. “Looks like we’re the talk of the town.”
“I can’t believe our weekend together has everyone’s attention.” She looked around the room before looking back at him. “I think I can figure out who you have already slept with so I can get into that office pool now.”
“Office pool?” he frowned.
“Never mind.” She placed a hand on his thigh. “I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do now. I get winks and frowns and I’m sure if enough time goes by I’ll get a few growls.”
“Growls?” He smiled down at her. “I think I can give you a few growls if you want.”
That made her blush.
“Max and Alicia will be here soon, and I wanted to be sure you have all the books worked out. Max wants to see who the embezzler is and I told him you would be able to show him.” He was a little loud, but it didn’t seem to get anyone’s attention.
“I have everything ready.” She made a few taps on her tablet.
“Good. Follow me to my office and we’ll wait for them there.”
She nodded and stood. Once they were out in the hallway, she touched his arm. “I didn’t see any reaction.”
“I didn’t either, but I know enough of the gossipers heard it so it will get the right person’s attention. We just need to see if anyone tries to sneak out before Max gets here. I’m quite sure they want that thing more.” He pointed to her tablet. “But I don’t think anyone would be crazy enough to try to grab it while you’re with me.”
“Wouldn’t they assume that this only has a copy and my computer has the main file?”
“Which is why I have a camera trained on your computer. If anyone tries to access any information there we’ll know about it.” He entered his office first and once Stacey entered as well, he closed the door. He inhaled her essence as she passed him and he felt desire, sharp and quick fill him.
Max had better get there quick.
***
Stacey knew he was aroused. She could see it in the way he moved and the way he smelled. It was affecting her too. The man was sexy as hell and she enjoyed their time together. She didn’t expect a repeat performance, but maybe he did. Her heart did a little flip at the thought. He would be one she couldn’t say no to.
Patrick locked his gaze with hers and she knew she was lost. He moved toward her, crowding her back against the wall. His hands bracketed her body. She couldn’t move if she wanted to. He leaned into her and inhaled.
“You smell so good.” He didn’t touch her but moved close enough that she could feel the heat coming off his body. His essence entered her, she could smell it, taste it. It filled her.
There was a quick rap against the door before it opened. Max walked in followed by Alicia. Max took in the scene and smiled. “Are we interrupting?”
Patrick straightened and took a step back.
Stacey didn’t know how to react. She looked at the one person she knew she could trust and that was Alicia. Her friend didn’t say a thing. All she did was arch a brow. Oh, Stacey knew she was in trouble.
“So, did anyone react?” asked Max.
“No,” said Patrick. “But it is still early. Most people didn’t really have a chance to react.”
“And you?” Alicia came to stand beside her.
“And me, what?” asked Stacey.
“Just curious about how you reacted to everything.” She looked at her mate and smiled. He cornered Patrick so they could speak quietly. “You’ve always been one to plan and this might be one of those impromptu things.”
“There is nothing between us.”
“Okay, whatever you say.” Alicia shrugged.
Stacey closed her eyes. Alicia didn’t believe her. How would she convince her best friend that Patrick only saw her as a one-night stand? “Come on, Alicia. He can have anyone he wants. Why would he want me?”
“You sell yourself short.”
She frowned. “He’s Max’s second.”
“And he’s attracted to you,” said Alicia.
“What? No.” She looked at Patrick then back at Alicia. “He was just being nice.”
“All weekend?” Alicia shook her head. “That was a man who enjoyed who he was with and what he was doing.”
Could Alicia be telling her the truth? Stacey looked at her hands as she spoke softly. “I’m sure someone else will snag his attention in a day or two and he’ll forget all about me.”
“I’d like to make a bet.”
“What sort of bet?” Stacey looked at her, then over at Patrick and Max talking quietly together.
“You promise to tell me the truth about why you want us to use the Tears on you if he does stick around. Unless of course you change your mind because you have found someone who you can be yourself around.”
“You never bought that, did you?”
“Nope.” Alicia shook her head. “You have secrets you’re not ready to share and I get that. There is something dark in your life you’re not ready to talk about.”
“What makes you say that?”
“I’ve watched my mate and his friends. They love being a werewolf. They would never think of making the change.”
“Max did.”
“True, but he thought that was what I wanted, and he was willing to do anything for me. We’re mates. That is why he’s not pushing me to make the change either. He loves me for me not what I might be.”
“That’s what I want.”
“But you refuse to look for a mate among your people. You’d rather change and find that mate with a human.”
“It would be safer,” Stacey said it so softly Alicia might not have heard her, but her friend touched her shoulder and gave it a squeeze.
“I’m here when you’re ready to talk.”
***
Stacey had never been in charge of anything like this before. It took Max growling in her ear on how to delegate to get people working on the books the way she needed them to. Within a few hours each department accountant had cleared their books and turned over their files to Stacey who went through everything once more before she spoke to Max.
“From what I can see only the factory has been infiltrated.” She handed him the chip. “But I do recommend you have these books checked weekly. Not hire anyone until you figure out who is behind this. That should keep you safe until the audit.”
“Good. You’re in charge of this.”
“Me?” she squeaked. She hated it when she squeaked.
“You know what the books look like and will probably be able to catch it a lot quicker. You have shown me that you are quite capable to handle this.”
“Yes, sir.” Not what she wanted. Stacey wanted to fade back into the woodwork, but Max wasn’t going to let her. At least this would take her out of Patrick’s factory so she could prove that she didn’t mean that much to the man.
“Patrick will work with you.”
“Patrick?” her voice squeaked again.
“As my second he works wherever I need him to and right now that is as a bodyguard. I’m sure we have gotten the attention of the people we wanted. If they are trying to harm the pack they might try to harm you.”
“But I’m not part of your pack.”
“You work for my mate and carry the scent of my second in command. They won’t think past that point and will only see you as a liability,” Max told her. “I can’t take that chance. You and Patrick will continue to be a couple. It’s the one thing that will keep him around you without it looking like he’s been assigned.”
“I’m very good at being ignored.”
“I know you try to blend into the background, but you are now entwined with us and we are the loudest pack around. No one can ignore us, and we don’t want them to.”
“You want to change the world, don’t you,” she stated.
“We need to grow and change with the technology of this planet. I want our people safe and happy.” Max smiled and she saw the man Alicia fell in love with. “By the way, your father will be coming here in a few days so you might want to give him a heads up about your latest assignment. He worries about you.”
“My father?” Holy crap was he aware of what was going on as well? She shook her head slowly. “He asked about me too much, didn’t he?”
“It’s never too much when it’s family.” Max patted her shoulder. “He explained to me why he wants you safe, which is why I assigned Patrick. He’s the best.”
Now she understood.