Chapter Four
“I’ve enjoyed our time together and don’t want to see it end. Catherine is mad at me for sleeping with you and I don’t care. I want to continue seeing you.” He brushed a strand of hair out of her face. “I want to continue to be with you.”
“What business is it of hers who you sleep with?”
“She feels she needs to protect you.” He smiled. “From me.”
“I can protect myself.” She looked over at Catherine before looking back at him. “Tell me the truth. Am I just a diversion for you?”
“You fascinate me. That doesn’t happen often.” He ran his fingers along her jawline. “I don’t want to force you into something you don’t want, but I don’t want whatever is happening between us to end.”
The look in his eyes exposed a side of him she had never seen. She had to admit to herself she was flattered that he wanted to spend more time with her. The question was if it was safe. She already had a crush on him. What would happen if she spent more time with him? Could she handle losing her heart to him and then have him walk away? Then again, could she live her life not taking the chance to see what could happen between them?
“You aren’t forcing me into anything. I just need to go into this situation with my eyes open.” She kept eye contact with him. “I don’t want to get hurt.”
“I would never hurt you on purpose.”
At least he didn’t tell her a lie and she could keep her fantasy alive a little longer. She smiled and nodded.
“Let’s go get our things.”
***
Catherine watched as they walked away. She was glad Sarah had learned the truth. She wasn’t sure if Conor was the right person to train her, but there was no way to pull Sarah away from him without making a scene.
She had known Conor a long time. They had tried to have a relationship at one time, but they figured out quickly they weren’t suited for each other. At the time she was disappointed, but she hadn’t met her true mate at that time. Now she was happy she hadn’t mated with Conor. Jacques was perfect for her.
What she saw a few minutes ago made her wonder if maybe, just maybe, Conor was really interested in Sarah. Playing matchmaker wasn’t her thing but she would keep an eye on how their relationship progressed.
***
“You know I need to wait until Catherine’s appointments are through before I can do any moving.”
“That’s fine. Most of your things are still in my garage. I’ll bring those first. I also need to pack my things as well. By the time I have all my stuff packed and make a run or two, you should be done.”
“How much do you have? I thought the place you were staying at was furnished.”
“It is, but I only use my knives, my cookware, you know. Mr. Perfectionist here.”
She laughed. “I haven’t forgotten.”
“Then I’ll see you later.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her close so he could kiss her.
It surprised her. She assumed he didn’t like showing affection in public since he supposedly had a wife. It was quick, but she could feel the passion in it. Holy cow, she was glad it was quick. As it was, she was going to be distracted the rest of the day.
***
The rest of the day went by quickly for Sarah. She took the notes Catherine would need to decide which person she’d want as head of the departments for the college. The people she spoke to were already hired to teach. What Catherine needed to do was figure out who would supervise the other teachers within their department.
Sarah was a bit in awe all day. She knew each of these professors. They were the top names in academics. Her gnawing question was if they were werewolves too. She had a feeling they were.
“That’s it for now.”
“How do you want me to put this together?” She closed the file on her tablet. “In bullets or a summary?”
“Good question,” said Catherine as she got up from behind her desk. “Do you mind doing both?”
“Of course not.” Sarah followed her out the door.
“Great. Send it when you can. I know you’re moving in today so don’t push yourself to get it done right away. Besides, I have three more days of these interviews.”
“Oh, yay.” The enthusiasm was missing.
“I know.” Catherine laughed. “It’s just above a snore fest, but I have to do it. And as my assistant, you have the joy of joining me.”
“Like I said, yay.” She brought her hands up like she was going to cheer, then dropped them after a weak try.
Catherine laughed harder.
“Can I ask a question?” asked Sarah.
“Sure.” They walked out the door of the building together.
“Were all those people like us?”
“Yes, so are the students.”
“Really?” Her eyes widened at the thought. “I didn’t think there were that many.”
“The enrolled students are from all over the world.” Catherine touched her arm. “It might seem like a lot once they all arrive because they are all in one place. Don’t let that get to you. Take this time to watch and learn.”
“I will try.”
“Now, go see what Conor has done.” Catherine made a shooing motion.
“Thanks. What time do you want me in the morning?”
“My first appointment isn’t until eleven. How about ten thirty? That would give us time to get coffee and get settled before they arrive.”
She nodded before she headed to their house. Saying it in her head sounded weird, but it did have a nice ring to it. The house looked the same. Sarah wasn’t sure what she expected.
Opening the door, she inhaled heavenly aromas. “Conor?”
“You finished early,” said Conor as he came out of the kitchen, wiping his hands on a towel. “I’m fixing dinner. Everything can simmer for a moment if you’d like to look around.”
“You don’t have to give me a tour.”
“Forgive me, but I want to see how you like what I did.” He gave her a disarming smile and gestured for her to walk in front of him. “I tried to incorporate your things with my items as well as the furnishings they gave us.”
She saw a painting her mom gave her when she started college hanging on one wall. That meant a lot to her. On the coffee table, she saw the runner her grandma had made for her. It was the little things he'd done that softened her resolve not to lose her heart. Her cat was curled up in his bed in a small niche in the wall.
“I have one more thing to show you.” He opened the door to one of the bedrooms. “I know how I get, so I wanted to give you a place to go to when you need to.”
“Is this my room, then?” She knew better than to assume he wanted to share a room with her.
He took her hand and brought her to another room. He opened the door and stepped back.
The massive bed dominated the room. One dresser had items she didn’t recognize but the masculine look let her know they belonged to Conor. Another dresser held her comb, jewelry box, and several bottles of nail polish.
“I wasn’t sure if you would feel comfortable if I just assumed you wanted to share the bed, so I gave you the other room as a sanctuary. I want you in my bed. Just looking at you makes me hard so don’t think I’m casual about our relationship, but I want you to feel comfortable. You have so much to learn you need a haven to go back to.”
“You are too sweet.”
“Hey, don’t say that in public, or I might have to prove how mean I can get.”
“Oh, I’ve seen that TV personality and I know not to piss you off. But right now, it’s just us so I can say whatever I want.”
The fact she didn’t understand the dynamic with an alpha made him hesitate. He didn’t want to frighten her, but she needed to start understanding her new world.
“I think it’s time for a lesson.” He pinned her against her dresser. “Although every pack only has one alpha, each male has a little alpha in him. It’s there to protect our family.”
“Are you saying you consider me family?” She looked at him with her expressive eyes. He could get lost in her gaze.
“I’m telling you that you will find all males to be a bit overbearing when it comes to females.” He pressed a kiss against her lips. “Whether they are related to you or not they will show that alpha in them if you try to do something they feel isn’t good for you.”
“So, the alpha thing is real?”
“Yes. There is one main alpha to protect the pack, but he normally isn’t the only alpha in the pack.”
“And how does that work? I thought werewolves would fight each other to be the top dog.” She put her hand over her mouth. “Sorry.”
“You’re not too far from the truth.” He gave her a toothy smile. “I’m going to use my family as an example. My father is the head alpha of my pack. He had two sons. Both are just as much alpha as the other but only one can rule. My brother is the oldest, so he was the one trained to lead.”
“So, what happens to you?”
“I could be my brother’s second, but I stepped back from that. My first thought was to start my own pack, but then I found cooking. My world changed again when I met Max.”
“Do you mean Mr. Santos?” She looked at him in shock. “Of Santos Incorporated?”
“The same. He came into my small restaurant one day and helped me become what I am today. I only hire werewolves and have always done that. I guess that struck a chord with him. He became my mentor, and through his guidance, I found a way to have my pack. I am the head alpha of my brigades. They do what I tell them to do and when they make a mistake, they face my wrath without flinching.”
“Um. I’ve seen that wrath on television, but you haven’t been overbearing so far with me.”
“Because I know this is all so new to you.” He traced her collarbone with a finger. “I know I could just demand you stay with me and expect you to obey me, but you’re not used to our ways. I don’t want to frighten you by expecting you to behave the way a female werewolf would. They were trained from birth. You weren’t.”
“Are you telling me this to make me feel better? Because it’s not working.”
“I’m sorry. I grew up in the world you just started learning about. You must build a new layer of thick skin, and build it quickly, or others will eat you for breakfast. Catherine can teach you a lot, but she can’t protect you from any alpha. She’s been trained to bow down to them.”
“So, are you stepping up?” She looked deep into his eyes. “Do you plan on protecting me?”
“Best I can.” He brushed a few strands of hair out of her face. “And, instead of demanding, I’m going to request that you forget everything you’ve learned from your human parents and start acting and dressing as a werewolf. First, no underwear.”
“What?”
“Male, female, we don’t wear underwear. What if we have to shift suddenly? Anything we have on gets shredded, so most of us carry something to put our clothes in just in case we do need to shift. We don’t want to leave any evidence behind, and underwear tends to disappear. I’ve heard from women that they find bras constricting and if you notice most go without.”
“Can I inch into it?”
“Nope. You have to jump into the deep end.” He slipped his hands under the back of the shirt she had on and released the clasp of her bra. “I also would like to see you in loose fitting flow outfits. Dresses are the best.”
“Um…”
“I know you don’t have too many. Not a problem, we’ll go shopping tonight.”
What exactly was going on here? She thought he was going to seduce her not start a werewolf lesson. He wrapped his arms around her and in a move so fast she couldn’t see he had her clothes off her and had her pinned to the bed.
“How the hell did you do that?”
“I tried to explain that I am the son of an alpha. I will never run my own pack, but I consider my brigade my pack. That’s when my alpha shows up. When I’m not training my chefs, I can relax and be a little more beta when I want. I know the full force of an alpha will scare you and I don’t want to do that to you. I’m quicker than others, and as you can see, I’ve gotten good at sleight of hand.” He nipped at her collarbone. “I’ve been thinking about us together while I was unpacking everything. I want to feel your body take me in. I want to hear you whisper my name and maybe get a soft growl from you.”
“I don’t growl.” The soft kisses he was placing along her collarbone relaxed her. When he blazed a trail to one of her breasts her heart started beating faster.
“Ah, but I’m sure your other lovers didn’t know how to read you the way I can. I can hear those soft sighs. I can smell your desire as it gets stronger. I know when you are close to your release by the scent your body gives off. You will be able to do the same thing as time goes on.” He brushed his tongue against her nipple. “I will bring you to heights you didn’t know you could reach.”
He had already done that. How much higher could she go?
***
Conor knew he had frightened her. She might not admit it, but he could see it in her eyes, pick it up in the scent she gave off. He didn’t want her frightened of him. He wanted to see that twinkle in her eye or that quick and easy smile he had grown to like.
He wanted to have her trust him, not fear him. Their trust in each other was so new and fragile and she needed someone to be there for her as she maneuvered through her new world. It would be so much easier if he was the one to do this. He would be able to protect her.
Each time they made love was earth-shattering and brought them a little bit closer. And right now, that was the only thing he knew would calm her and make her smile again. He started slowly, with soft touches and kisses to arouse her. Then he focused on the places he knew would push that arousal higher. Time to make her forget everything but them.
He captured her lips with his. Brushing his tongue against the seam of her mouth he waited for her to open for him. The moment she did he deepened the kiss, drawing little sighs out of her. Conor broke the kiss and then started planting kisses all along her collarbone. He moved down her body pausing in his favorite places, as well as those places that sparked her desire up to a flame. One that could burn them both.
***
Sarah felt like she was on fire. Conor knew just the right places to touch her. His mouth worked magic on her body. When he focused on her core, she could do nothing but feel. Everything he did was right. Excitement zinged through her veins.
He climbed back up her body and touched her face with his fingers, then drove into her. She arched as he filled her. Conor set a pace that had her moving with him. She loved the moment when she felt her body filled with the beginnings of her release. The tingle took over and she laughed as the joy filled her.
“Laughter? Really?”
She looked up at him. Before she could answer him, he hit just the right spot to send her over the edge. A moan escaped her. He pumped into her a few more times before he relaxed his body and pressed a kiss against her throat.
“Why did you laugh?” He shifted his weight so he could settle back and take her into his arms.
“There is this moment just before I climax where my whole body tingles.” Her voice came out soft. “The laugh was a joyful one because I knew what was coming next. You know you always take my breath away. I wasn’t laughing at you.”
“Good, because if you were I’d have to give you something to laugh about.” He used his fingers and ran them across her ribs. A place he had found was highly ticklish.
She started laughing. “Two can play at this.”
***
“I didn’t know there was a mall nearby,” she commented as she climbed into his car. Conor closed the door once she was clear and walked around to the driver’s door.
“I didn’t say anything about going to the mall.” He started the car. “I know a seamstress who can help us.”
“You mean you.” The moment she said it she knew she had made a mistake. Silence stretched between them. “Sorry.”
“Sarah, I’m trying very hard to allow you to understand your new reality, but you keep acting like everything is the same.” He turned to face her. “It’s not. You need to learn you can’t talk to a male that way. It’s within his rights to discipline you if he feels you need it.”
“Are all werewolves such Neanderthals?”
He backed the car out of the driveway and headed to the shop he told her about. His silence bothered her.
“I’m sorry.” She looked at her hands for a moment. “This is all too much to handle easily. I tend to attack when I feel cornered.”
“You have a very steep learning curve. I understand that.” He took a deep breath. “I’m trying to not get angry when you push back like that, but I have my breaking points too.”
“I’ll try to do better.” She felt like an ass. He was trying to help her, yet she fought him at every turn. “Maybe I should just stay in bed.”
“What?”
“It’s the only place where we don’t fight.”
He reached his hand out to her which she took.
They rode in silence after that. He pulled up to a house and stopped the car. “This woman is very charming but be warned. She has her fingers on the pulse of our people. Any crack will be reported. Show no fear.”
She nodded as he stepped out of the car and walked around to her side. He opened the door for her just as the front door of the house opened.
“Conor!” an older woman shouted from that door.
“Aunt Martha!” He went to her side, hugged her, and kissed her cheek. He turned to Sarah who had caught up to him and stood at the bottom of the three steps that led up to the front door. “This is Sarah.”
“Come in, come in.” She gestured for them to follow her into the house. “Tea? I was just getting ready to have a cup.”
“Yes, please,” said Conor.
She brought out a tin and set it on the kitchen table, then poured three cups of tea. “Cream? Sugar?”
“No, thank you,” said Sarah.
“The cookies are for you, Conor. Sarah, bring your tea and follow me.” Martha walked out of her kitchen and to a small spare bedroom. “My nephew has asked me to help you with your wardrobe.”
“He has told me that.”
“But you’re not sure why.” Martha looked at her figure, walking a circle around her. “Conor said you just found out that you’re a werewolf.”
She nodded.
“Well, when most are young and learning how to control the shift, they tend to rip their clothes to shreds if they’re too tight. Conor said that most of your wardrobe is tight-fitting jeans and shirts. Even the dresses you own are too tight. The dresses I’ve made will be loose fitting so if you inadvertently shift you won’t find yourself naked in public.”
“I would like to try to avoid that.”
“Ha!” Martha laughed. “Conor, you didn’t tell me she was funny.”
“What did he tell you about me?” asked Sarah.
“That you’re sweet, new to our world, and very innocent to the mechanics of the hierarchy.” She brought a dress over to Sarah and gestured for her to remove what she was wearing.
Sarah stared at her for a moment before shrugging and doing as she asked. Martha slipped the material over her head and helped it slide down her body. The soft flow dress felt good against her skin. She hadn’t expected a maxi dress, but as she moved about in it, she liked the design.
“That looks good on you,” said Conor. He leaned against the door frame between the room and the hallway. “How do you feel?”
“Very feminine.” She looked at her reflection in the mirror. She held the skirt in her hands and swirled it around her.
“Good. Let’s try on another one.” Martha helped her out of the first dress and into another one.
This one was cinched in at the waist, but only by elastic. The skirt flowed about her like the last one, but this one was shorter. She turned around to look at the back. Much shorter. She liked it as well.
“This last one is in the process. I needed to see how you were shaped first to see if this would look good on your body.” She placed the partially constructed dress on Sarah and walked around her. “I think this should have a little shape, but still be loose enough for you to be comfortable.”
Sarah held her arms up as Martha pinned the dress in certain places. She looked at Conor. “I’ll have this one ready in a day or two.”
“Sarah, this is for you.” She handed Sarah a handled paper bag.
“How many dresses are there?” Sarah asked.
“Six so far. Now that I’ve seen you, I’ll be able to come up with a few more silhouettes. You’ll see the first design in three different lengths and the same with the second one.”
“Which one would you like to wear home?” asked Conor.
“Oh, I hadn’t thought about it.” She looked at the bag in her hands. “I guess the first one?”
Martha smiled as she helped her get it out of the bag. “I liked this one too.”
Sarah stood still as Martha took the pinned dress off her and helped her back into the first dress. They said their goodbyes and got back into the car. She felt like a kept woman. Conor was doing everything for her, including making decisions she could do on her own. Was this what she would have to deal with from now on? How do the women deal with it?
“You’re deep in thought,” said Conor.
“Sorry.” She wasn’t sure what to say. Every time she had spoken today, she had angered him. It wasn’t something she wanted to do again. She wanted more information but wasn’t sure if Conor was the one to ask.
“You have questions?”
“I do, but they can wait.” She tried to act nonchalant about it.
“Ask.”
“Um, it’s okay.” She turned to look at him.
“I promise not to get upset.”
“I didn’t say anything about upsetting you.”
“I can smell your fear.” He touched his nose. “I know you feel I’ve been a bit overbearing at times, but I promise to remain calm.”
“Is this what it’s going to be like?” She looked at her hands. “Someone telling me what to do and what to wear? Don’t women in this werewolf society have any independence?”
“They do, but they also know when they need to allow their mates to be in control.”
“Is there no room for error?” She fought the tears threatening to fall. “I was taught I could do anything if I put my mind to it. That there is no such thing as the weaker sex, but now I’m thrust into a world of alpha males, shifting abilities, and God knows what else.”
“Sarah, please don’t cry.”
“I’m not crying.” She wiped her eyes before any tears could fall.
“Perhaps you should talk to Catherine.”
“That’s what I was thinking. I’ll send her a text and see if she’ll meet me a little earlier than we planned tomorrow.”
“How do you feel about the dress?”
“Once Martha explained why you recommended it, it made perfect sense. The only time I wore dresses growing up was when I was going to church. I avoided them once I started college.”
“You look beautiful.” He had driven back to the house by this time. Conor shut off the car and walked around to open her door for her. “The moment I saw it on you I knew it was perfect for you.”
She climbed out. “And it goes great with my shoes.” She lifted her foot to show her sneakers. “I don’t own any heels either.”
“Those we’ll have to get from the mall. Maybe something you can slip off and on easily? You’ll go through a lot of shoes in the beginning if you wear confining ones like sneakers.” He opened the door to the house and held it open for her. “Would you like something to eat? I can whip up something quickly.”
“Sure, but I’m going to have to go to the gym or on a diet if you keep feeding me.” She looked at the door of the room Conor had said was her haven for a moment before she carried her bag into the room they would be sharing.
When she returned, she found him creating risotto. She sat at the bar and watched him as he moved about the kitchen, he had a grace about him that entranced her. Sarah could watch him for hours.
“What?”
“Huh?” she sat up. “Oh, nothing, just watching you in your element.”
“I have no one to scream at.”
She laughed at that.
“I was going to add mushrooms unless you would like something else.”
“That’s fine. I’m not much of a meat eater.” She looked at him. “Is that normal? Or do we eat a lot of red meat?”
“We eat whatever we want. I know a few werewolves who are vegan.”
“Really? I thought werewolves had to eat raw meat.”
“You have watched too many movies.” He laughed as he stirred the rice, adding broth when he needed to. “We can eat a lot of food and not gain an ounce. You’re the same way. It might seem like a lot of food right now, but you will burn it off quickly.”
“Now I understand how you kept thin while eating all that rich food.” She watched him for a moment. “Um, how do you shift?”
“Well, I think each pack does it a little differently, but the basic way is to focus on the wolf inside you.”
“I don’t know how to do that.”
“We could try after dinner. If you can shift easily, we could go for a run.” He continued to work.
“As a wolf? I’d like to try that.”