Chapter Two

Conor was disappointed he couldn’t be introduced to Sarah. He had hoped he’d have a chance to get to know her a little more, but no one had seen her leave. She had snuck out like Cinderella did at the ball, but she didn’t leave anything behind for him to use to find her.

The ride back to the house Max had set aside for him wasn’t too far but his GPS was taking him on the highway which would have added time to his trip. Since he had stayed there before he knew his way and decided to take a shortcut through a neighborhood that made him want to lock his doors. There was a car on the side of the road with one blinker on. This place was a bit sketchy, and he hoped whoever the broken-down car belonged to would be safe. As he got closer, he noticed a young woman leaning against the car. She shifted her weight and he saw red hair and a splash of a simple yellow dress. He knew that dress. It was Sarah.

He didn’t think, he just pulled over and backed up until he was close to her car. There was no way he would leave her here. He kept the car running but brought the fob with him. He wasn’t sure how he should approach her, so he just dived right in. “Problem?”

Her mouth hung open a little too long. He knew she recognized him.

“I’m fine.” She straightened up. “Just waiting for a tow truck.”

“Then I’ll wait with you.”

“Oh, you don’t need to do that.” She started to play with her fingers, showing her nervousness. “I’ll be fine.”

“I must insist.” He glanced inside her car and noticed it looked like it carried everything she owned. She was homeless? “This isn’t a good neighborhood and I’d hate to see something happen to you because I left you.”

She didn’t answer right away. She also didn’t look him in the eyes.

“You don’t have a truck coming, do you?”

She stood there looking at the asphalt for a few seconds. It felt like forever to him before she finally shook her head.

“That’s what I thought. You have two choices. Either you let me take you home and call a truck for you, or you stand here and hope to God that a cop comes by before someone you don’t want to see stops to help you.”

“You don’t have to do that.” She looked up at him and those gray eyes of hers captivated him once again.

“I do. I’d never forgive myself if I left then learned you had been harmed, or even worse killed.” He leaned against her car. “Your choice.”

A sigh escaped her. She didn’t answer him but walked to his car. Good, he wouldn’t have to throw her over his shoulder to make her do the right thing.

She climbed in before he could help her, so he slid into his seat. Her silence bothered him. When he looked at her, he saw a single tear slide down her cheek.

“Everything you own is in that car.”

She glanced at him for a moment before nodding. “It’s not what you think. I’m supposed to start a new job in a few weeks, and I’d be moving. The building I’ve been living in was to be condemned, but after I started the new job. Unfortunately, the contractor started early so I had to pack up everything and figure out what to do until the college opens.”

“You decided to live in your car? What about a hotel?”

“No.” She shook her head. “The ones I can afford smell too much.”

He understood that. He turned the car off and turned to her. “Let’s get your things.”

“Really?” She looked at him in shock.

“Yes.” He got out and walked around to her side and opened the door. “I noticed you didn’t grab anything from your car when I gave you your choices. You were going to give me some bogus address and double back here for your things, weren’t you?”

“I don’t have much, but I don’t want anyone to take it from me. I just wish…”

“Wish what?”

She shook her head.

“I know I wouldn’t want to leave my things behind either. Which is why we’re going to take your things with us.” He pointed to her trunk. He bet she wished he hadn’t found her. He was glad he had. “Pop that and I’ll transfer it to my car.”

She used her key to open it.

She opened the passenger door and pulled out a pet carrier. “Are you allergic to cats?”

“Cats?” Not what he expected. Then he remembered she didn’t know she was a werewolf.

“He found me and kept coming around.” Sarah lifted the carrier. “He needed a home, and I gave him one. I needed a friend, and he became mine.”

“I’m glad he’s a comfort for you. Cats are fine. They just don’t like me too much.” He moved several boxes to his car and went back for more.

“Do you yell at them in Gaelic as well?” Sarah grabbed some bags and put them into the back seat.

“Ha! I save that for my chefs. They like it when I swear in Gaelic at them. It shows them I care about the quality of food they create.” His car was a lot bigger than hers, so he had only filled half his trunk. “You didn’t have any furniture you wanted?”

“Couldn’t fit anything else into my car.” She closed the back door.

Was that what she meant when she said I wish? “Do you have a few pieces you wished you could have brought with you?”

“It’s too late.” She opened her door and climbed in. Once again, she didn’t look at him. “They have probably knocked the building down by now.”

He climbed in as well. “I’m willing to go by if you want to see if the building is still there.”

“I don’t really have anything worth saving.” She looked straight ahead.

He knew there must have been something there she wanted, or she would have looked him in the eye. Conor started the engine and pulled out onto the road. “You have a few more choices to make. I’d like to see if your building is still standing. If it is, we can try to get the last of your things. So, you can either give me your address and we’ll go over there, or we will drive around all night while I make calls to find out where the buildings that have been condemned and scheduled to be demolished are.”

“Why?”

“When I first started, I lived in sketchy areas and in rundown apartments to make ends meet. There were a few times when I had to leave things behind that meant a lot to me. I feel for you. If you have things there, I feel I need to help you get them.”

She just looked at him.

“Your choice.” He pressed a button on his steering wheel.

“Take a left in about a mile.”

She directed him to her old building. Sarah was surprised to see the building still standing. “Do you think my things are still there?”

“There is only one way to find out.” He parked his car and helped her out of it.

All the buildings to the right of her old one had already been knocked down. From what Conor could see they were demoing the whole block.

“My apartment is on the fifth floor. We’ll have to take the stairs. Someone broke the elevator months ago.”

“Not having power in the building might affect it too,” he commented.

She looked at him and laughed. The sound was beautiful. “I didn’t even think of that.”

They climbed the five flights to her apartment. He heard the soft snick of the lock when her key turned to release it. The apartment was small but neat. She had stuffed as much as she could into her car. The kitchen had been cleaned out. So had the bathroom. Her bedroom had several stacks of boxes on both sides of the door. He noticed a floor mirror, two nightstands, and an empty bookcase. Conor did a quick calculation to make sure he could fit them in the car if needed.

“What goes first?”

“My mirror.” She touched it with love. “I think I have an old blanket in the closet.”

He took the mirror off its stand and after she wrapped the glass, he took both pieces down the stairs. When he came back, he found the bookcase and some of the boxes outside of her apartment. He picked up most of the boxes and headed back down again.

Sarah came down to the car with the bookcase. She set it on the concrete sidewalk next to the car. “I’ll go get the last few boxes.”

“What about your nightstands? And the headboard.”

“I didn’t think you’d have room for them.” She brushed her hands across the top of the bookcase. “If you have room, I’d love to bring them.”

***

Once he'd packed all her items into the car he drove back to his house. Catherine was going to come after him if she found out he was going to let her stay at his house, but he couldn’t leave her out there to fend for herself. He had promised to not use her and then lose her, and he would keep that promise.

Conor looked in the backseat and at the items filling it. He wasn’t sure what they would do with them until she could take them when her job started, but he also knew he needed to take it one step at a time. He didn’t want her to be frightened by his alpha blood; he was already feeling protective of her and wouldn’t leave her until she started her job.

He had to think about what he had scheduled. Could he change it? He glanced over at Sarah and knew he had to make the changes, even if it upset his producer and his sponsors. He needed to tell Max about his guest and his change in plans. He might anger Max and knew Catherine would kill him when she found out but they wouldn’t fault him for wanting to protect her.

The house had a garage, and he hit a button on the clip on the visor of his car to open the door. Once he drove in and turned the car off, he closed it.

“Come on in. I’ll show you your room so you can settle in, and I’ll fix us something to eat.” He had already told her she was staying with him, no argument. He couldn’t live with himself if he just dropped her off somewhere.

“That sounds great.” She set the cat carrier on the floor, which Conor picked up, grabbed two duffle bags from the back and followed him into the kitchen.

It was massive and that was what he loved about it.

“Wow!” She looked around in awe. “My whole apartment could fit in here.”

“Let me show you your room.” He had noticed that the moment he had walked into her tiny apartment but there was no reason to rub it in. He led her into the living area and down a short hall. Conor opened the door and stepped back. “Here you go.”

She stepped into the room and looked around. There was a queen size bed in the room and some beautiful antique furniture that showed it had been well cared for. The polish on it made the wood glow.

“Come into the kitchen when you’re unpacked.” He backed out of the room and went to make them something to eat. Although Sarah had eaten, he hadn’t in hours, so he was ready for a big meal. He opened his refrigerator to see what would appeal to him. Most of his favorites would take hours. But not eggs.

He pulled out a carton of eggs, cheese, heavy cream, bacon, and sausage then set them on the counter. After turning on two pans he pulled out his favorite seasonings. Once the pans were the temperature he wanted, he dropped the bacon in one and the sausage in the other. This was when he was truly happy. He started to hum as he moved about the kitchen.

***

Sarah switched into an oversized shirt and a pair of yoga pants when she smelled the bacon in the air. Her nose led her to the kitchen. She stopped when she heard singing. Damn, Conor had a great singing voice. Great chef, and a good singer, what else could he excel at? The moment she wondered how he would be in bed she stopped the thought. There were rumors he was married, so he was just being nice to her. As it was, Becky wouldn’t believe she'd spent the night in his house even if she told her about it. But she’d have plenty to fantasize with.

She walked into the kitchen, feeling like she was intruding on him. The moment he saw her he smiled and pointed to a chair next to the island in the kitchen.

“Hope you like eggs. They were quick and easy.” He gave her a heart-stopping smile before he went back to singing as he finished up their meal.

The song was in Gaelic, but she picked up enough to understand the gist of it.

“You have a beautiful voice.”

“Thank you. It was those years in the boys’ choir for my church. Father Frances was pushing for me to join the priesthood but me mum told him no. Something unheard of in a catholic community. She said I sang like an angel but was the devil the rest of the time. She wanted me to find something that would make me happy. I wanted to cook.”

“One of the best.” She rested her hands on the table.

“Thank you. Me mum was so proud when I started cooking for Max Santos. The moment me mum learned he liked my food and was willing to help me with my dreams she became his biggest fan.” He pulled the bacon out. “Do you like it fatty or crispy?”

“I’m a crispy fan.”

“Me too.” He smiled. “I like it a little on the burnt side but as a chef, I can’t say that.”

“Your secret is safe with me.” She grinned as she leaned her elbows on the counter. She was seeing a side that few people saw, and she felt privileged.

He was at home in the kitchen. She loved how graceful he was. His movements were fluid as he mixed things together, checked what he had in the pans so they wouldn’t burn, and placed the dishes he had used into the sink.

“I’d like to help.” She slid off the chair and stood.

“I have everything covered.” He shook one of the pans to move the sausages inside it. “You sit there and enjoy.”

“I can wash dishes.” She pointed to the sink. If she sat there much longer doing nothing, she might make a fool of herself.

He looked behind him. “That would save me time after we eat but know I’m a perfectionist.”

“I’ve seen you on TV.” She laughed. The man had thrown food at his cooks when they didn’t live up to his expectations. Yet when the eliminated cook spoke of their time with Conor they were in awe of his talents and what they learned from him. They loved him and their time with him, even if he pissed them off, or made them cry.

Sarah filled the sink with hot water and soap. There were a pair of rubber gloves next to the sink, but she never cared for them. The first pan went in, and the water sizzled from the heat. Maybe she should wear gloves this time.

Conor kept moving and singing.

She shook her head as she rinsed the now clean pan and put it in the drain. Moving quickly, she caught up to him and washed and dried each item so he could put them away when he was ready.

“How you doing?” he asked as he handed her another pan. “I’m almost done.”

She looked up and found him standing close to her. Her heart started to beat a little quicker. He didn’t wear any aftershave or cologne but there was something her nose picked up that went straight to her libido. His green gaze captured hers. Her fingers wanted to brush a wayward curl off his forehead. She stammered. “I-I’m almost done too.”

“Good.” He quickly checked the cleaned pans and then went back to their meal.

She released a pent-up breath. He must have been happy with how she cleaned them.

“Come on and sit down. Everything is ready.”

She removed the gloves and joined him. She expected eggs and bacon, what she got was an omelet with cheeses inside as well as a sauce on top. Two pieces of bacon sat on her plate.

“What would you like to drink?”

“It’s a little late for coffee. How about water?”

“I have some herbal teas that shouldn’t keep you up.”

“I’d love that.”

He quickly made them tea and then joined her at the table. “Do you need sugar or cream?”

“Maybe a touch of honey?”

He got up, grabbed a jar, and gave it to her before he sat down.

She put a little in her cup and then picked up her fork and knife. The thought of having two of his meals on the same day was making her giddy. Sarah looked up to find Conor watching her. “Now, you keep watching me like that and it’ll make me nervous. I tend to be a bit klutzy when I’m nervous.”

“Sorry.” He looked down at his food before he looked back up at her. “It’s a habit. I always want to be sure people enjoy my food. I watch from the kitchen when I’m feeding a large group.”

“I’m honored to eat two of your meals. The meal at the restaurant was wonderful and I know, although it’s your recipes, your brigade were the ones who made everything. This is something you made and from what I’ve heard what you make by hand is so much better than what anyone could try to create, even under your tutelage. I just hope I don’t make a fool of myself while eating. My friend accused me of drooling earlier.” She stopped before she told him why she said that. Sarah used her fork to cut into the omelet. The first bite exploded in her mouth, and she couldn’t stop the moan that escaped her.

“Good?”

She nodded. The smile he gave her warmed her to her toes. He started eating and she continued her meal. The seasonings he used enhanced the flavor of the cheeses, the crumbled sausage he filled the omelet with, and the eggs. Sarah wanted to do a happy dance as she continued to eat. It didn’t matter how much she had eaten before. She would eat every bite in front of her and love doing it.

Sarah sat back with a sigh. “That was the best omelet I’ve ever had. You have spoiled me.”

“I aim to please.” He stood and bowed before taking her plate and carrying their two plates to the sink. “I normally can’t sleep right away when I get home, so I watch TV in the living room. Would you like to join me?”

It would keep her awake a little longer so maybe she would sleep through the night. She must have taken too long to answer because he also told her she could go to bed if she wished.

“Um, I’m not that sleepy right now. What do you like to watch?”

“No cooking shows. I end up yelling at the TV. How about some comedy?” He led her into the living room.

“That’s fine with me.” She followed him to the couch. Then she wondered where to sit.

“I promise I don’t bite.” He patted the cushion next to the one he took. “Much.”

His words relaxed her. She sat next to him. How did she get so lucky? She had fantasized being with him like this. Sarah wished the night would never end. For more than one reason.

***

Conor could tell she was a little skittish. Her scent told him she was excited and frightened at the same time. He hoped to put her at ease. There was something about her that called to him. He just wasn’t sure if she was there because of him or the fact he was famous. He had a reputation of being a ladies’ man, but most of the women pursuing him lied about what happened between them. That was when he started the rumor of being married. The mystery wife had never been seen, but it helped keep some of the women at bay. The ring he wore all the time helped with some of the others. It had been his shield to make women leave him alone. Now here was one he was attracted to, and he had no clue what to do. Some ladies’ man.

Sarah sat next to him, she shifted so she could have her legs off the floor and on the cushion beside her. She slid a piece of her red hair behind her ear.

He wanted to laugh. She was as nervous as he was. Picking up the remote, he turned on the TV and searched for an older sitcom. “How do you feel about Friends?”

“One of my favorites when it was on prime time.” She played with her hair. “Um, I expected your wife to be here. Is she sleeping?”

“Oh, no.” He looked into her expressive gray eyes. God, he wanted to kiss her. “Um, I don’t have a wife.”

“Oh, no.” Sadness crept into those beautiful eyes. “What happened?”

“It’s not what you think.” He ran his hands through his blond hair. “Don’t think less of me but I created a wife to keep certain ladies from following me everywhere.”

She looked at him and smirked. “You mean to tell me you perpetuated a wife story to keep the groupies away?”

He nodded.

She started to laugh, and he liked the sound of it. “Oh, that’s rich! It makes you more human to me. My old roommate created a boyfriend to keep her parents from trying to play matchmaker.”

Tears came out of her eyes as she continued to laugh.

“It’s not that funny.”

“I’m sorry. I’ve watched you on TV for years.” She wiped her eyes. “You make all those young chefs quake in their boots because you run a tight kitchen. I can’t believe you can’t control an aggressive woman.”

“I’m not that old either,” he mumbled. “And I don’t see me as a tyrant.”

“You’re like the God of the kitchen.” She placed her hand on his arm. “I know you scream and yell, but you do that because you care. I never thought women would go after you without understanding that part of you.”

“Thank you. My parents hate it. They fear I will never marry if I continue to keep this ring on my finger. At least one person understands.”

“So, are you going to divorce this imaginary woman when you find the right one?” She smiled.

“I’m hoping she’ll understand and make the fake one a real one.”

“One that people will see,” she said.

“Of course.” He saw that smile again. “What? Can you come up with a better idea?”

“No, but I hope you and your real wife think this through. People are going to want to know why she had a change of heart and decided to start showing up where you’re working. And what about the children I saw in pictures with you? Who are they?”

“Cousins.” He watched her for a moment. The desire to kiss her was overwhelming. “Every time I taped a show, I would have women come up to me. Sometimes they were part of the patrons, some were part of the filming crew, and a few were my chefs. I got tired of having to say no and firing people who tried to get a little too close didn’t work. It seemed to fuel the flames. I couldn’t work like that. It was me mum who recommended that I create a fake family.”

“And me? I’m one of your biggest fans. How can you trust me? I could have planned all of this.”

“A broken-down car, yes, but would you do that with all your possessions inside it? Don’t think so. I am a good judge of character. I can smell a gold digger a mile away. I didn’t get that with you.” He looked deep into her eyes. The gray had little flecks of green and blue. He bet her eye color changed depending on what she wore. “I can’t help it. I find you intriguing.”

She ducked her head at that. “There isn’t much to me. I’m adopted so I don’t know who my real parents are. All I have is a blanket that I was found in. Don’t get me wrong. I love my adopted parents, but I’d love to know why I was given away.”

That was what Catherine had told him and he wondered the same thing. She was a werewolf but didn’t know it. How was that possible? Was her pack one of those that didn’t shift until they were older? Or was she shifting but wasn’t aware of it? And why the hell not? He knew asking questions she couldn’t answer would ruin the bond they were creating. His desire to kiss her could send her running so he swallowed his desire, relaxed against the back of the couch, and turned on the TV. Grabbing a throw, he draped it over his legs and offered her part of it.

She hesitated for a moment or two before she scooted over and took half the blanket. He slipped his arm around her shoulders and settled back. The calmness that filled him with her at his side was wonderful. No one had ever calmed him like this and all they were doing was relaxing on the couch. He settled back and soon he closed his eyes, thinking he would just listen to the TV.

***

A whimper dragged him out of his sleep. He growled at the intrusion. Then he heard the heartfelt whine again. Conor opened his eyes to find a gray wolf staring at him. “Sarah?”

She stepped back in fear.

“It’s okay. Don’t be afraid.” He sat up and offered his hand to her.

She shook her head as she stepped back again.

“There is nothing wrong with you. You’re a shapeshifter. So am I.” He removed his clothes quickly and shifted so she would see him as a wolf. “This is in your blood. It makes you different from humans, but it doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you.”

She plopped down on her butt when he shifted. This wasn’t the best way for her to learn the truth about herself, but he wanted her to know she wasn’t alone.

“You’ve never seen anyone do this before, have you,” he said it like a statement.

She shook her head.

“Did you realize that you could do this?”

Sarah hesitated for a moment before she shook her head again.

“The bed. You’ve been shifting in your sleep and when you wake up, you’re human again and can’t figure out what happened. How many things have you found with some sort of damage in the morning?”

Her response was a huff.

“Right. You haven’t learned to talk in this form. Do you know how to shift back to human?”

She dropped her snout and shook her head again.

“I’ll teach you, but you will need to focus.” He moved closer to her and rested on his back haunches. “First, close your eyes. Focus on your front paws. See your hands in your mind. Flex your fingers the way you have in the past. Feel your hair on your back. Imagine you’re sitting on your legs.”

Sarah took a deep breath and focused the way he told her. He watched as her front paws shifted back to human hands, her fur converted to hair and skin. He shifted quickly and grabbed the throw so he could wrap it around her, then he grabbed his pants and climbed into them before she realized they were both naked.

She clutched the throw around her, staring at him in fear. “I’m... I’m a what?”