Chapter 3

Securing the safety chains, Gage flipped the power switch for the overhead pulley. Working around equipment that weighed fifty tons or more was second nature to him. Most men would be wary standing beside a machine with tires as tall as these, but to him it was no different than leaning against a regular pickup.

Satisfied that the winch hanging from the ceiling was supporting the weight of the bin, he hit another switch to lock it in that position.

“Need a hand, Boss?”

Glancing over his shoulder at Jake as he sauntered across the floor, he shook his head. “No, I got it.”

“Hydraulics go?”

Shaking his head, Gage walked over to the wall of tools, he grabbed one of the rolling carts filled with tools. “No, the cylinder won’t retract.” He motioned to the side of the truck. “Looks like it got dinged by the loader’s bucket, probably just a bent cylinder bracket.”

Jake nodded and stopped. “Give me a shout if you need a hand. I’m in limbo waiting on parts that are three hours late.”

“See if Gary needs a hand with that wheel dozer. They need it back on the site by tomorrow night.”

“No problem.” Turning on his heel, he walked out of the bay whistling softly under his breath.

Gage stopped and watched him leave. Sighing, he dropped his chin and stared at the floor. The last few weeks he’d preferred to work alone. Grinding his teeth, he inhaled deeply and tried to let some of his tension ease. Kelsey’s delay in coming home was really starting to put him in a place he wasn’t comfortable with. Shaking his head, he laughed softly and picked up the pry bar. Who was he kidding? He’d been in an uncomfortable place for seven years.

He hadn’t slept at all last night. Just as he’d been about to drift off, a stupid thought had crossed his mind. What if Kelsey had found a boyfriend while she was away? More than once he’d struggled with this, almost going to find out a few times, but he knew that he would have ended up marking her as his. The very idea of another male touching her filled him with thoughts of violence. An emotion his cat clung to tighter each day.

Exhaling loudly, he looked down at the bar he was white-knuckling in his hand. Clenching his teeth, he moved back over to the truck and studied the bracket on the cylinder. He just had to keep busy, she’d be home soon.

Then what? Well, he had his own delusions about that too, and could only hope some sort of miracle happened and she walked in wanting him just half as much as he wanted her. With a snarl, he brushed the thoughts aside and began prying on the arm of the bracket.

Widening his stance, he put a little more muscle into it; he only had to get it freed up enough that he could get the bracket off. The damn thing wouldn’t budge one way or the other. With a curse under his breath, he reached deep inside and tapped into some of his animal vigor. If that didn’t do it, he’d have to get the torch to get it off.

Yanking hard, he felt it move a hair. With a low growl, he reefed on it once more and it let loose, smashing his knuckles into the sharp metal on the edge of the frame. Cursing, he heaved the tool across the floor and looked down at the flesh ripped off the back of his hand. Blood ran across his knuckles and dripped onto his boot.

“That’s not quite the welcome I expected.”

Spinning, Gage looked over to see Kelsey standing there with her hands on her hips, brows furrowed and the pry bar he’d tossed just a few feet from her boots. Shit, he’d almost hit her with it.

The expression on her face changed when she spotted his bloodied hand. Grabbing a handful of paper towels from the dispenser on the wall, she started walking toward him. He could only stand there, unable to move. “I didn’t know you were there.” How hadn’t he sensed she was there? “Sorry.” God, she was lovely. A chill moved up his spine when she was only a foot from him, and he caught her scent. It was Kelsey’s unique scent, only more potent than it had ever been before. There would be no holding his animal in check now.

She stopped in front of him and placed the paper towel over his bloody hand. “Let’s rinse this off and see how bad it is.” Taking his wrist, she tugged on it and walked in the direction of the sink.

He followed her like a cub on a leash. If he’d been in his right state of mind, he would have objected, but all he could do was breathe her in and let her scent soak into every pore of his body. Later he’d admit he was in deep shit here, but for now he just wanted to take pleasure in knowing she was finally here. She was home.

She grabbed his hand and put it under the water, only to pull it out a few seconds later and start dabbing at it with a dry cloth. He knew it hurt like a bitch, but the pain wasn’t really registering in his brain. He couldn’t take his eyes off her, she was breathtaking. Gone was that pretty girl that had gone away. She was now a beautiful woman. Her light auburn locks were much shorter than the last time he’d seen her, now falling to frame her pale freckle-dusted face. He wanted to reach out and touch her hair to see if was as soft as he thought it would be.

“You’re staring,” she said softly still bent over his hand.

“I haven’t seen you in over a year. You’ve changed.”

She smirked as she examined the gash. “Not really.”

“You’re beautiful, Kel,” he admitted in a whisper.

Color flooded to her cheeks as she glanced up at him. “Are you all right?”

He blinked to break the hold her enthralling amber eyes had on him. “I’m fine.”

She raised both eyebrows at him. “You just paid me a compliment and didn’t growl it out.”

Gage knew she thought he’d been indifferent to her for years, but he hadn’t thought he’d behaved that badly. “I’ve always thought you were beautiful, Kel, just didn’t voice it for fear you’d smack me over the head with a wrench.”

Her hand froze holding the cloth on his; slowly, she lifted her head, her eyes searching his face. A confused expression filled them. “Who are you and what have you done with Gage?”

He smirked, even though it wasn’t the emotion he was feeling deep inside. He’d been an ass to her on purpose, to keep her from getting too close to him, and apparently, he’d done a good job of it. This wasn’t going to be as simple as letting nature take its course. He was going to have to convince her of his sincerity first. Why did he fear that was going to be harder than the rest? “I killed him and took over his body.”

She smiled and shook her head. Lowering her head again she checked his hand. “It’s not bad. You heal quickly, so I’ll just clean it up a bit.”

All he’d have to do is shift and it would be healed when he took his two-legged form again, but he couldn’t tell her that. “How are the folks?”

She was quiet for a minute while she held his hand over the sink again and poured some peroxide over it. “Good. Your dad seems really distracted with the new contracts though.” Glancing up at him, she gave him a concerned look. “Business is good, right?”

He nodded and tried to keep his expression easy. He knew the reason his father was keeping his distance. Kelsey was close to her body announcing what she really was, and it played havoc with any male cat in range. The fact that his cat was clawing inside him only confirmed what he thought. “Business is great. We’re having a hard time keeping up most of the time.”

“Summer is peak time.”

She had always been aware of everything going on at the shop, even when she was in school and wasn’t able to be here other than weekends. “Keeps us out of trouble.”

Grinning, she gently placed a large strip of tape over the gauze on his hand. “I’m sure you guys still find time for trouble.”

She finished covering the cut but continued to hold his hand.

Before he could reply, Jake came wandering back in. “I thought I heard a sweet voice.” He smirked at Gage. “Either that, or boss man was getting in touch with his feminine side.”

Kelsey laughed and released Gage’s hand. “I mention trouble and you walk in.”

Jake came over quickly and pulled Kelsey into an easy hug. When his eyes connected with Gage’s he knew the other man sensed her change being close. Subtly stepping away from her, Jake looked down at Gage’s hand. “Truck try to take a bite?”

Gage studied his eyes for a second more, his pupils were huge, and for the easy-going Jake that was rare. “Just a little bite.” He glanced back to Kelsey. “Did you get your stuff in the house?”

She shrugged. “I’ll bring the rest in later.” Her smile was directed at Jake. “I had to come and see if you guys were staying out of trouble first.”

Jake jammed his hands in his pockets. Gage could see how tense the muscles in his arms and neck were. “Speaking of trouble, I better go make a few calls and see where the hell my parts are before they’re all over my ass when their digger is not finished on time.” He sent her a brief look. “It’s great to have you home, Kels.”

“Did he get bigger or am I getting shorter?” she asked as she watched Jake walk out.

Gage wanted to growl knowing that she’d even looked at the other man. “He may have filled out a bit more. You were gone quite a while.”

“Yeah.” Tucking her hands into her back pockets, she looked around the shop. “You guys expanded this bay too. Its great things are going so well.”

It took all he had to lean back against the sink and try to look unaffected by her being there. “Are you staying?”

“At the shop?” She gave him an odd look.

Shaking his head, he crossed his arms over his chest. “No, home.” He watched her inhale deeply, trying not to react when it pushed her breasts up under the t-shirt that she more than filled out.

“Yeah, I think I am. I need some time to find a direction.”

“I thought you found it with all those classes you took.” That kept you out of my reach for years.

Moving over to the wall of tools, she walked along, hands still in her back pockets and looked over them slowly. “I thought I had too, but now it just feels…” She shrugged. “…lacking.”

Torn between wanting to reach out to her after hearing that desolate tone in her voice and doing a dance on the spot, just knowing she was starting to feel what he’d been going through for seven long years. There would be no waiting this time. Before she knew it, her body was going to make all the decisions for her. Her cat would know what he was to her, even if she tried to flee again. “Maybe you can put some of it to use here. Mom’s behind in the office and Dad is so busy with contracts lately and all the politics that go with it, that he doesn’t have time for the business end much.”

“I’ll see what I can do to help.”

She wandered over to the truck he’d been working on and then turned to look back at him. So many emotions were going through her eyes, he cringed inside. At least he knew why he was a complete mes; she didn’t have a clue.

“Gage?”

The hesitant way she said his name made his heart stutter. Not trusting his voice, he just held her eyes with his, safely keeping the ten feet between them.

“Can I ask you something?” She crossed her arms over her chest in a protective manner and he nodded.

“I know here is where my family is, I get that, always have, but…”

“And Kitty-Kat has finally come home.” Cooper walked into the bay, striding quickly in her direction.

Kelsey smiled wide and rushed in his direction.

Gage stood there fighting every instinct he had when the older man enclosed her in a tight hug.

“Hey, Coop,” she said, genuine emotion in her voice.

The older man leaned back while holding her shoulders and looked her up and down. Gage shouldn’t feel envious for their close relationship. It had been Cooper that had brought her to them after her parents died. He’d left the alliance then too and made here his home as well as hers. Gage often wondered if Cooper felt responsible for her parents dying, responsible for her.

“You’re home for good, right? It sure as hell has been a dreary place without your sunshine around here.”

She laughed. “I’m home for now, at least. I have no definite plans.”

Cooper’s eyes met Gage’s over her head. It didn’t take a genius to figure out the man was telling him to get it done and keep Kelsey where she belonged. For the most part he’d always gotten along with the man, except when Gage had let her go off to school without telling her the truth. Even though it hadn’t been up to Gage, he still took the brunt of everyone being pissed about it.

“Are you going to show me around?”

Gage realized she’d still been talking when he got lost in the past. Cooper was nodding, a smile on his old, scarred face.

“Absolutely. We have some new toys you’re going to want to check out as well.”

Kelsey paused and looked over at Gage, the hesitant look flashing in her eyes for a split second. “I’ll talk to you later, okay?”

Nodding, he continued to lean where he was. “Sure thing.”

Cooper led her toward the outer door, sending Gage a brief scowl.

Blowing out a breath, Gage turned around and grasped the edge of the sink. Dropping his head down to his chest, he stood there trying to let go of the tension that was riding him hard. Why had he thought it was going to be easier now that she was older? Clearly, he didn’t have a handle on rational thought right now.

Out of the corner of his eye he saw Jake and Noah come in.

“Cooper wrangle Kelsey out of breathing distance for a few minutes?”

Gage inhaled deep and let it out slowly. “Yeah.”

Jake came over to lean against the counter beside him. “How the hell are you still standing there?”

Pushing away from the sink, Gage turned and crossed his arms over his chest and stared at the concrete floor. “I’ve had practice controlling my baser instincts.”

“Practice or not, I don’t know how you’re going to survive it.” Jake whistled a low, drawn-out sound. “I almost lost it and I was only with her for a few minutes.” He gave Gage a wide-eyed look. “You have to live in the same house with her.”

Gage blew out a loud breath. “I know.”

“You lost me,” Noah said quietly. “She’ll know soon that she’s your mate, so what’s the problem?”

Jake snorted out a loud noise. “She doesn’t know.”

Gage looked up to see the confusion on Noah’s face. “She doesn’t know what she is.” He glanced at the door Cooper had taken her through, making sure they weren’t heading back this way. Noah shook his head. “She doesn’t know her own heritage.”

Noah’s mouth dropped open. Staring at Gage then turning to Jake, he finally closed it and swallowed. “Oh.” Standing to his full height, he eyed both of them again. “I can help keep things under control.”

“How?” Jake leaned back against the counter and crossed his arms over his chest. “You know a secret way to prevent mating?”

Gage eyed him, noting he rarely stood at his full height. A cold look filled Noah’s eyes as he looked back toward the door.

“No, but I can ignore the draw of being around females during their cycle.”

There was a pain in his voice that made the hair on the back of Gage’s neck stand out. He didn’t have to ask how he managed to ignore being around females ready for mating, he knew it would have involved beating and pain.

Jake made a strangled noise in the back of this throat. “Man, you should sell that gift. I know a lot of clans that would make you rich to teach them that.”

Noah’s jaw tightened. “I doubt anyone wants to learn the way I did,” he said in a low tone with his teeth clenched together.

“Oh, shit.” Jake straightened up. “I’m sorry, Noah.” He gave him an exasperated look. “Sometimes my fuckin’ mouth spews before my brain catches up.”

“No harm done,” Noah said quietly.

Gage took another deep breath. “I appreciate you putting yourself out there, Noah, I really do…” He rubbed the back of his neck taking a minute to think it through. “I don’t know how I’ll deal with you being near her.”

Noah nodded. “I’ll just step in if needed.”

“We’ll all run interference.” Jake grimaced. “If we can stand to be in scenting distance.”

“Fuck,” Gage said under his breath. “You can’t avoid her completely; she’ll know something’s up.”

“Then tell her.”

They turned to see Blair standing in the open side door. His almost white hair was as always standing straight on end like he’d run his hands through it every few seconds. He always looked out of control until he moved. With a long, easy gait, he came toward them.

“She’s family to all of us, Gage, and we’ve been playing this cat and mouse game far too long. You wanted to wait until she’s old enough. Respect that she is and tell her the truth.” He stopped and stood beside Noah.

Gage looked from one to the other. “I don’t have a choice.”

Jake reached out and grabbed his shoulder in a tight grip. “Are you going to be all right with her at the house?” His eyes were deadly serious. All of them respected him, but they loved Kelsey and would protect her, even from him.

Looking around at the concerned expressions on the three men’s faces, he exhaled and ran a hand down the back of his neck again. “Honestly? I’ll have to get back to you on that.” He shrugged. “I’d like to say it was just bad today because it’s been a while…” Hearing voices, he turned back to the open bay door.

Cooper and Gary were walking in, with Kelsey between them chatting a hundred words a minute. The glare Gary shot him from those twenty feet away was clear enough for Gage to see with his enhanced vision. He had no choice; he had to tell her tonight.

“Tour over?” He looked at Kelsey to see her grinning.

“Yes, I’m returning them so they can get back to work.” She paused when she saw Blair grinning at her. With a squeal, she was across the floor and practically throwing herself into his arms.

Gage’s teeth clacked shut tightly. He felt a hand at his back and knew Jake was bracing to stop him if he did something extra-special stupid, like toss Blair across the garage for being close to her. Then he noticed the expression on Blair’s face as he held her. He looked like he was in pain, but it wasn’t the same thing as when Jake had hugged her.

Swallowing down the envy of seeing her in his friend’s arms, he had no one to blame but himself. All the years he pushed Kelsey away it was Blair that stepped in the most to stop him from doing something he’d regret.

“When you’re done mauling our playboy, I’d like to introduce you to the newest member of our team,” Cooper said while sending Gage a warning look.

“Oh.” Kelsey released Blair and turned around. She paused and looked Noah up and down. “I was hoping you’d be normal sized.”

Jake snorted. “This is normal around here, Kels.”

She gave a dramatic sigh and pouted. “I can always hope.”

Gary winked at her. “You can probably still outmaneuver the rest of us in the rigs, so as far as I’m concerned, size doesn’t mean a damn thing.”

Kelsey laughed. “If you advertised that view men would hate you and you’d have a line of women three miles long.”

“One can hope,” Gary drawled softly.

Straightening, Kelsey stepped over and stopped in front of Noah. She smiled sweetly at him and held out her hand. “Kelsey Jennings.”

Noah’s spine stiffened as he looked down at her hand. Gage was sure he was picking up on the scent that he’d just assured them he was immune to. It wasn’t until he saw the surprise in the other man’s eyes that he realized it was because she was willing to touch him.

“Noah Reyes.” He grasped her hand briefly and then his shoulders relaxed a bit. “Do I want to know what this is about, you being better in the rigs?”

Kelsey’s smile was beaming, she shrugged. “Most girls played with dolls and their hair, I played with big rigs.”

Noah smiled. Gage’s eyebrows rose as he glanced at Jake, no one had seen him smile since he’d come here.

“Good, maybe you can teach me.”

Eyes widening, Kelsey looked at Gage. “I, uh, sure.” She looked around at all of them and then her eyes settled back to Gage. “I guess I’ll go get settled in and let you guys get back to work.” The glow in her eyes faded. “I’ll see you at the house.”

Nodding, Gage jammed his hands into his pockets to keep from reaching out to her. Every other male here had held or touched her, except him. “Yeah, I’ll be done here by five.”

With a smile to all of them, she nodded and then turned and headed toward the door. Not one of them moved until she was out the door, then they all turned to look at him. Taking in the hard looks on all their faces, he exhaled loudly. “I know. I’ll try to tell her tonight.”

“Hell of a homecoming,” Gary muttered as he spun on his heel and walked toward the truck.

Gage stood there as they all turned to head in different directions. Every nerve in his body was strung so tightly, he was sure he should be paralyzed. Shaking his head, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It was going to be a long night.