Chapter Three
“Shapeshifter, werewolf, Loup-garou. We have many names. All given to us by humans. We’ve been here as long as humans. We’ve worked beside them, married some of them, but kept our presence from them.”
“Then how did those names come about?” She rearranged the blanket so she could move to the couch.
“Okay, so we might have been caught shifting here and there but most of that was back before there was any technology. Once pictures were developed, we made sure no one would be able to catch any one of us shifting.” He followed her to the couch. “The question is what happened to your parents? We take care of our own. You should have never been placed with a human family.”
She stared at him. Fear radiated off her. He was pretty sure she didn’t hear a word he had said except that she was a werewolf.
“Is this why my sheets and bedding were shredded? Is this going to happen all the time?”
“No.” He sat beside her and took her hands. “Once you learn to control your ability you’ll only shift when you want to. But it’s going to take a crash course to get there.”
“I didn’t ask for any of this.” Tears filled her eyes.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay.” He wrapped his arms around her. “You wouldn’t feel this way if you had grown up with a family of werewolves.”
He felt the tears sliding down his chest. Conor tightened his hold on her as he reached for a box of tissues and offered her one. That made her lean back so he could see her face. Using his thumb, he wiped tears from under her eyes.
“You have a whole new world to learn about.” He looked into her shimmering eyes. The unshed tears caught the light just right.
“I’m scared.”
“I’ll be by your side as you learn about our world. I won’t let anyone harm you.” Conor wasn’t sure why he just volunteered himself for something he wasn’t sure he could fulfill, but the smile she gave him was worth it. He’d stay by her side all the time if he could see that smile more often.
She looked at him and something passed between them. It was very natural for him to lower his mouth to hers and kiss her. Her lips were soft. When she opened her mouth for him, he deepened the kiss and explored her mouth. A hint of the tea she had earlier, still clung to her tongue. Sarah fit in his arms perfectly. He wanted more, but Catherine’s warning went off in his head. If anything was going to happen between them Sarah would have to be the one to instigate it.
Throw forgotten, she tightened her hold on him. Sarah broke the kiss and placed her hands on his chest. “I need to forget all of this for a few moments. You can help me.” Sarah stood and dropped the throw, standing in front of him in all her glory.
“I can take your breath away, but I want to do it on my terms.” He stood and scooped her up in his arms. “The couch isn’t good enough for you.”
***
Sarah didn’t know why she made the demands she did. Maybe with everything that had happened, part of her hoped she was dreaming. The desire to control something overcame her and she had been aggressive, but Conor wanted to be the one in control, and the moment he demanded it she gave it to him. She felt overwhelmed and part of her was glad he wanted to take over.
She could see it in his desire-filled eyes. Knowing he was like her relaxed her a little, but a werewolf? They were things of legends. Sarah never thought they were real. Now she had to find a way to accept it and learn to live in this new world she was thrust into. She knew nothing of their social rules. She had no idea how to behave.
“Relax, Sarah.”
“Am I that bad?”
“We have heightened senses. I can smell your desire and your fear.” He continued to his room.
“How?”
“Close your eyes.” He stepped into his room. “Take a deep inhale.”
She did as he asked.
“What do you smell?”
“Um, I detect a fresh smell.”
“That is the clean sheets.” He shifted her so she could put her feet on the ground. “What else?”
“Wood polish.” She took another inhale. “There is something else, but I can’t put my finger on what it is.”
“Where is it coming from?”
“I’m not sure.” She had kept her eyes closed. Using her hands, she touched his chest. She leaned in and took another whiff. “It’s coming from you.”
“What does it remind you of?” His voice was soft.
“The woods, and fresh cut grass.”
“That is my personal scent. Yours is like standing in a field of wildflowers on a spring day. The moment I had smelled it I had to see who it was coming from.” He brushed some hair out of her face. “You can open your eyes. Now, where were we?”
“You were sitting.” Sarah tried to show she wasn’t afraid of him or what she was. She wanted to recapture the feeling she had when she first tried to be aggressive.
“Right.” He took off the pants she had undone, then sat on the bed.
She still wanted to forget for a moment or two but lost the backbone she showed earlier. Conor must have picked up on it because he offered her his hand, gently tugging her to him. He pressed a kiss between her breasts before he focused on one. Using gentle hands, he caressed one while he used his mouth on the other.
Desire, hot and swift flowed through her veins. His tongue swirled around the areola of her breast. His teeth grazed the tip. A soft moan escaped her. Using her hands, she urged him to lie back on the bed. He wrapped his arms around her, broke his contact with her breast, stood up, and had her on the bed within a breath.
“How did you do that?”
“Quick reflexes.” He pressed a quick kiss against her lips. “You can do it too.”
She laughed. “I’m pretty sure you don’t want me to try right now.”
“I get a little hyper-focused so even if you could shift our positions, you will find yourself right back where you are.” He brushed a few hairs out of her face. “Or should I say right where I want you?”
The desire she saw in his eyes made her insides clench. This was the biggest fantasy she had and it was coming true. Maybe she won’t tell anyone about her time with him and keep it to herself to relive over and over. She wasn’t sure how long this time with him would last but she was going to take advantage of it.
Any thought she had flew right out of her head when he latched onto her breasts again. She wanted to touch him, but he had maneuvered his body so she couldn’t reach anything she wanted to reach.
“Conor,” her voice came out soft.
“I love the way you say my name.” He pressed another kiss between her breasts. “Your fear earlier was real. I felt it, too. Right now, I want to remove that fear and give you nothing but joy. Show you that what we are doesn’t make us fiends. We laugh, we cry, we love too. We look human. Most of us look at ourselves and see the human side. We consider ourselves human with perks.”
“Perks?”
“Hyper hearing, hyper vision, you won’t see a werewolf wearing glasses unless it’s for fashion. Hyper smell, as well as a few others. Once you learn how to use your senses you’ll be able to smell fear, happiness, all the emotions we feel. We're also quick. A lot faster than a human.” He caressed her as he spoke. “Right now, I plan on taking your breath away. I want to make you feel things you’ve never experienced before.”
“You know I’m not a virgin.”
“Let me ask you a question.” He brushed his fingers against the underside of her breast. “Have you ever been able to truly let go?”
“I... no.”
“That’s what I thought and that is my goal. I want to hear you howl.”
Sarah never thought about how much she enjoyed sex. She didn’t want to admit it, but Conor was right. She had always enjoyed it, but she couldn’t say that any particular time took her breath away. What he was promising was a tall order.
The heat of his mouth moved to her belly button. When she felt the tip of his tongue take a quick dip, it sent a quiver down her spine. It tightened everything inside her. That never happened before. She realized this time would be different.
He nipped at her hip and his hands slid down her legs then back up, urging her legs apart. Her stomach did a little flip at the thought of where he was heading. His mouth used soft wet kisses to leave a trail as he moved around her body. He took his time, stopping as he moved to focus on one part or another. Her breasts were his favorite. Conor circled back to them several times. He had her so aroused she couldn’t keep her legs still.
He climbed back up her body and brushed his knuckles along her jaw. “Ready?”
Sarah nodded as she gazed into his eyes. His smile melted any reservations. He filled her completely. She arched her back at the sweet invasion. He set the pace, slow at first, but he picked up speed when she kept up with him. They moved together as one, each trying to reach that perfect moment of bliss. Her blood zinged through her veins. She knew she was close when her body clenched. Then she felt it blossom deep inside her, flowing through her and filling her with a euphoria that she had never experienced before.
She looked up at him in awe.
He gave her another one of his smiles and captured her lips once more. When he broke the kiss, he brushed his fingers against her cheek. “That was amazing.”
Conor had been right. No one had ever brought her to the heights he had. Now that she had experienced something so profound, she wasn't sure if she could handle anything less.
***
Conor didn’t want to leave Sarah. They had spent the last few days in bed. She was the best partner he had ever had. As much as he wanted to stay with her and spend a few more days in bed he had a meeting he needed to attend.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t miss this meeting.” He pressed a kiss against her lips. “I promise I’ll be back as fast as I can.”
“Maybe I should go too.” She looked around. “I can’t stay here forever.”
“Promise me you will stay here until I get back. I promise not to be long.”
She nodded but she didn’t seem very happy about the idea.
“Do I need to tie you to the bed?” He searched her eyes and smiled. “I will do so if need be.”
She laughed. “I’m not going to make you go to that extreme. I’ll be here.”
“Good.” He kissed her lips again. “I’ll be back.” He stole another kiss and headed out the door. If it wasn’t for Max, he wouldn’t be making this meeting.
***
Sarah took advantage of the time and took a leisurely shower. Grabbing an oversized towel, she wrapped it around her body after scrunching her hair dry. She looked in the mirror. The face looking back at her didn’t look any different than it did a couple of weeks ago. Okay so maybe all the sex did put a glow on her face but learning that she was a shapeshifter didn’t change her on the outside. Same face, same gray eyes, same strawberry blonde hair. Everyone called it red but she stuck to strawberry blonde. She smiled in the mirror to see if her teeth looked bigger. Turning her head left then right she couldn’t see a difference.
Her phone rang and she dashed to see who it was. “Hello, Catherine.”
“I’m sorry to call you, but can you come to the college? I’m interviewing some of our would-be professors and I need you to take notes. I can’t remember half of what my last appointment said.”
“I’d love to, but, um, my car broke down.” She bit her lip. This didn’t look good. How can she be a good assistant if she can’t even get to where Catherine was?
“Don’t worry about that. I’ll send a car for you. Just give me the address.”
What is the address here? She happened to find a pad that had the address. When she read it to Catherine she got a stretch of silence, a mumble about hurting someone, and was told the car would be there in twenty minutes. She dashed through the place, finding her bag and her tablet, making sure they were together before she got dressed. Just as she slipped her feet into her shoes the car pulled up. She grabbed everything she should need and hurried out the door.
The driver opened the door for her. Wow, not what she expected.
“It should take us about forty minutes to get there. Mrs. Beau has a folder for you to go through. It has all her interviews and what she feels are important for the potential employee to have.”
“Thank you.” She climbed into the car, and he closed the door for her.
Once he climbed in and pulled the car out into traffic he spoke again. “There is coffee and snacks for you as well.”
“Thanks again.” She settled in and started to read.
***
Conor pinched the bridge of his nose. He wished they would leave him alone. He wanted to cook, not teach. “Look, I’m very flattered but you know I like traveling and finding my new chefs through my competitions.”
“I understand, and I don’t want to stop you from doing that, but how many people apply? Hundreds? Thousands? And you only take twenty per season. This will give the people who want to learn from you a chance to do so. It will also allow you to use your brigades as teachers. You’d be the head of the department and oversee, but you wouldn’t have to teach, just make sure you have your best to teach our students.”
“It’s that important to you?”
“It is, Conor. Max wants this college to be the best it can be. We’re opening with a law department, a business department, and a medical department. Then one of our new professors commented on how well your brigade cooked and wished we could bring a few to the college to run the kitchens.”
“That isn’t what you’re proposing.”
“I know. This was all Max’s idea. He’s the one who felt adding the chef academy would be something that could help a lot of our people.” She paused when there was a tap on her door. “Come in.”
“Sorry, Catherine. I got here as fast as I could.”
He knew that voice anywhere. Why didn’t he remember that Catherine had told him she was her assistant until now? Conor looked at Sarah. He knew why. He had been too distracted by her scent.
“It’s okay, Sarah. I didn’t give you a lot of notice.” She gestured to a chair near her desk. “Have a seat.”
She realized he was in the room and paused for a moment before she nodded at him and took her chair.
Catherine frowned. She looked right at him and growled. “How could you? I asked you to leave her alone.”
“You asked me not to hurt her.” Since Sarah hadn’t said anything about coming here, he knew Catherine must have called her after he left. Having no car meant Catherine probably sent one to get her. He was amazed she held in her anger until now. “You said nothing about leaving her alone.”
“Wait, you two talked about me?” Sarah interrupted. “When?”
“Your boss asked me to not hurt you at the dinner when I first saw you.” He looked at Sarah. “I had to ask her who you were when I realized the scent that I found so tantalizing came from you.”
Sarah ducked her head.
“Catherine also doesn’t know that you know the truth.”
“About what?” asked Catherine. “The wife?”
“And about being able to shift.”
“Conor!” They said it simultaneously.
“What?” He looked at Sarah and then Catherine. “I told Sarah the truth about my rumored wife. By the way, she had the same reaction you did when you learned the truth.”
“The shifting comment?”
“Oh, she has been staying with me for a few days. She shifted accidentally.”
“And how the hell did you two end up together?” Catherine looked at Sarah before staring Conor down. “You had left the restaurant before I could introduce Conor to you.”
“My car broke down and Conor came by and—” Sarah kept her gaze down. “Well, he refused to leave me there.”
“So why didn’t he take you back to your apartment?”
“Oh, well—”
“Her building was being fumigated and the motel she was going to was far too dangerous for her to stay at.” He jumped in before Sarah had to reveal the truth. “I refused to take her there. I offered the spare room at the house and wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“Okay. I get that because I know you. As far as I know, Sarah has never shifted. What happened?”
“We fell asleep on the couch,” said Conor. “Something whimpering woke me up. She was awake and didn’t understand what had happened to her. I explained to her that she was just like us.”
“Wait. Just like us, Catherine?” asked Sarah.
Catherine nodded as she lifted her hand and shifted that one part.
“Oh my god, you have to show me how you do that.” Sarah looked at her own hand. Conor bet she was trying to mimic what she saw Catherine do.
“All in good time, Sarah,” said Catherine. “Let’s get back to you.”
“Right. I had had trouble with my sheets, comforters, and mattresses for a few months,” Sarah added. “I woke up some mornings with damaged bedding, but had no clue how it happened. When I woke up a few nights ago it was the first time while I was still a wolf. I realized I needed to get out of the house before Conor found me that way, but didn’t know how to open a door or change back.”
“I shifted to show her she wasn’t alone and promised to help her through this.” He smiled at them. “But this makes my decision easier. Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
“If Sarah is going to be on campus as your assistant once classes start, then yes, I’ll help you put together a chef’s academy.”
“Because of Sarah?” asked Catherine.
“She needs someone to show her the way. I was there when she learned the truth about herself so I should be there to help her learn what she can do.”
“You think you can do it better than me?” Catherine glared at him. “I’ve been waiting for her to learn the truth.”
“You knew?” asked Sarah. “You knew and never told me?”
“And how would you have reacted if I had told you before you realized the truth?”
“I would have thought you were out of your mind.” Sarah smiled. “And probably wouldn’t have stayed with you as long as I have.”
“That’s why I didn’t tell you. And why do you think you did well with me? I read your files. You were awkward, standoffish, and clumsy. You had tried to work for several professors before you came to me.” Catherine turned her chair to focus on Sarah. “I knew what you were the moment I met you, but you didn’t know. I didn’t know why.”
“We can sense each other. We carry a particular scent that tells others of our kind that we’re like them,” Conor interjected.
“Maybe you were someone who has werewolf in you but doesn’t shift and might not know about that part of your heritage,” Catherine continued. “Then I learned you were adopted. When I met your parents, I knew you were clueless because you were raised by humans. I didn’t know what pack you came from, and you didn’t know the truth, so I knew you didn’t shift. Maybe you’re from one of those packs that doesn’t shift until you’re mated or you’re in danger. I knew if I said anything before you started shifting, I could cause you a lot of damage and I didn’t want to do that.”
“And now?” Sarah asked.
“I’m here to help you learn about our people and teach you how to control your abilities.”
“Excuse me,” said Conor. “But I already said I would be the one to help her.”
“I can do that, Conor.” Catherine looked at him. “You’re going to need to focus on the academy.”
“If you want me to do this, I will be the one to help Sarah learn about our world.” He didn’t break eye contact. He was the alpha here, not her.
Catherine lowered her gaze. Good, she knew better than to challenge him.
“I also have a few stipulations.”
“And what are those stipulations?” Catherine asked and looked back at him.
“One, is that I can shoot a new series here. It will show the school I’m in charge of as well as the college overall. It will give you good publicity and make our people aware of the college.” He had to give Catherine credit. She knew he was showing his Alpha and she knew to back down but at the same time, she was still showing she was in control of this meeting and the school by not just curling up and giving him anything he wanted.
“I think we can work that out.”
“And I want a place big enough for me and Sarah to share.”
“What?” asked Catherine. He knew she was going to try to fight him on this. It probably was something Max had concerns about as teachers started getting to know each other. A fighting couple wouldn’t be good for student morale.
“You want to live with me?” asked Sarah.
Conor smiled at Sarah and addressed Catherine, “Think about it. I do a lot of traveling, so giving me my own place to stay wouldn’t be cost-effective and Sarah should have someone with her as she starts to learn about our world.”
“You know those two are exact opposites,” Catherine responded.
“Not really. I must build my staff and make sure they are up to par, then I have to talk to my producers about my idea, and set everything up once I get the okay. Your mate is going to want to spend time with you, not you and Sarah. I’ll be there for her. I was there when she figured out what she was, and I want to be there when she has questions.”
“Conor…” Catherine began.
“Those are my demands. If you want me to do this you have to do what I want. If you need any incentive, I can call Max.”
“No.” She sighed. “I’ll do my best to fulfill your wants. If I have to, I’ll speak to Max myself.”
Conor sat back and smiled.
“Follow me,” Catherine said and stood.
Conor gestured for Sarah to walk in front of him.
Catherine led them out of the building and to a sweet cottage. “This is the biggest one I have. This would have been yours anyway, Conor because of the size of the kitchen. It has three bedrooms because I know your family likes to visit.”
“When can we move in?” he asked.
“Anytime.”
“Perfect.”
***
Sarah wasn’t sure she wanted other people to make decisions for her. The thought of living with Conor did have a lot of appeal, but she bet he was only doing it to help her acclimate to her new reality. The problem was she didn’t know how to stop anything before it got out of control and they were ignoring her. “Do I have a say?”
“Of course, you do,” said Catherine.
“Can I speak to Sarah for a moment?” asked Conor.
Catherine nodded.
He walked up to her. “Have you ever learned to pitch your voice?”
“What?”
“We can pitch the sound of our voice so only the people we want to hear us can.” He smiled at her as he took her hand and led her away from Catherine. “I’m doing it right now.”
“How?”
“It’s easy but will take a little time. Right now, Catherine can’t hear me, but she will be able to hear you.” He lifted her chin. “If you don’t want to live with me, I will understand. I know you’re going to have questions. Questions that will pop up at any time.”
“Questions I could write down and ask when I see you or Catherine if I lived by myself.” She looked at him. “And you know that, so explain to me why you proposed this?”