Freedom in the Smokies Read online

  “Ha ha.”

  “Did you tell her? I bet that was a shock.”

  “Are you crazy? I didn’t tell her anything. In fact, she undoubtedly thinks I’m addled. I barely spoke. You have to get rid of her.”

  “What?” Sergius sobered, his mouth still twisted in a smirk, but his eyes narrowed. “You know it doesn’t work that way, bro.” Sergius continued to stare at Micah until his mouth fell into a frown. “Seriously?”

  “She isn’t safe here. I don’t want this crazy life for her.”

  “Safe? You mean like Juliana and Brianna aren’t safe?”

  Micah sucked in a breath. “Exactly.”

  “Listen…” Sergius pointed a finger at his brother, “…I’m going to ignore the implication you don’t believe I’ve made good judgments where my mate is concerned because I know you’re confused and…addle-minded right now.”

  Sergius rose and continued. “However, I think you should take a few hours to ponder this situation before you make any rash decisions. Yes, times are dangerous. Yes, we have a lot on our plate with a vampire lurking in the forest. No, I would not choose to have women in danger under such circumstances. But we don’t get to choose. You can’t deny what fate has brought you. Trust me. I suggest you get over it—quick-like—and make nice with the woman before she decides you are a lunatic and dumps your ass before you even get to first base.”

  With those parting words, Serg left the room, shutting the door behind him. Micah stared at the door, alone with his thoughts.

  He slumped back into the cushions of the little sofa and adjusted his throbbing cock.

  His jeans were suddenly smaller than they had been an hour ago. Kaitlyn had done that to him. She’d made his dick grow hard and his mouth water. Watching her speak with the mare, her gentle loving voice, her soft delicate hands, her pert button nose, her creamy white skin with cheeks pinkened by the chilly weather… It all combined to make him groan in frustration.

  He wanted her. No, he needed her. The pull to take her—claim her—made his heart pound so hard his ears rang. His hand still tingled where he’d touched her.

  Why now?

  Serg was right. As Micah had left Kaitlyn in the barn, he’d known on some level he couldn’t simply waltz away and be done with her.

  But he’d hoped.

  Maybe she hadn’t been as attracted to him as he had been to her. Maybe his harsh words and warning had scared her off.

  Right. As dainty as the woman was, she’d held her head high and firm. She wasn’t a woman to let the strange actions of one man deter her from her path.

  Nope. Kaitlyn Winston had come to this farm to stay, and no one would be able to stop her. Especially not the ridiculous off-the-cuff actions of her less-than-articulate mate.

  Micah paced his room, striding back and forth from one end to the other for the thousandth time. Thank God he’d grabbed a sandwich earlier on the road, because he hadn’t had the balls to join the others for dinner.

  He hadn’t been ready to face Kaitlyn yet. And he sure as hell didn’t want to confront her in front of everyone else’s smirking faces. By now, the entire clan would be privy to his dilemma. If one could even call it a dilemma.

  He glanced at his watch. It was only eight o’clock. The noises coming from the great room had died down. Everyone would have dispersed from the kitchen by now and headed their separate ways. Kaitlyn in her room, filling his wing of the house with her scent.

  The only way to know for sure was to pull himself up by the balls and go to her. He headed toward the door to his suite and paused, running his hands through his hair. Shit. Shit shit shit. In all this pacing, he hadn’t formulated a single thing to say to her.

  He tried to recall how his brothers had first confronted their mates and let them in on their fates. Fuck. That did no good. Both relationships had started under extreme circumstances. Sergius had met Juliana when she’d been a missing hiker lost in the forest. Jaxon had also rescued his mate, Brianna, when she’d become trapped in a cave during a forest fire. Micah still wasn’t altogether sure who rescued whom in that event, since Brianna was a firefighter.

  Nevertheless, Kaitlyn Winston was in for a rude awakening. Even though they weren’t currently experiencing some sort of life-threatening event, she might disagree after he told her about him and his brothers.

  One thing was for certain—the first item on his list of things to do tonight would be to introduce his mate to the way of wolves. No way could he claim her without first informing her completely about the Durhams’ shifting abilities.

  With a long inhale, Micah jerked the door to his room open and stepped into the hall. He regretted the inhale immediately. Yep, his entire end of the house smelled like Kaitlyn.

  As though headed toward the guillotine, Micah dragged himself to the door next to his.

  Hand shaking, he knocked lightly.

  “Come in.” Her response was quick.

  Micah turned the knob and opened the door. She sat curled up in the window seat with a book in her lap. Her glorious long black hair hung around her face like a curtain as she lifted her head and smiled at him. In one instant she was soft and sweet. In the next she uncurled her legs, jumped from her perch and stood next to the window. Her book fell to the floor.

  “I’m sorry. I thought you were Juliana or Brianna.” She wiped her palms on her jeans, and her gaze met his for a few seconds before she looked down and away.

  Why did she seem so uncomfortable? Oh yeah. That’s right, doofus. You acted like a dolt earlier in the barn. She probably fears you’ll fire her and send her away.

  Man, how he wished he could. If he could put her on a plane to anywhere but here, she’d remain safe. Unfortunately, fate didn’t work that way. He’d needed a few hours to wrap his mind around it.

  “Sorry—about earlier,” Kaitlyn said in a halting manner. “I know you weren’t expecting me to be there…in the barn, I mean. And I know you aren’t too thrilled about your family hiring me, but I assure you if you give me a chance, you’ll see that—”

  Micah held up a hand to stop her and shook his head. He needed to set her straight, but his tongue was stuck to the roof of his mouth. Plus, it was hard for him to concentrate because she looked so fantastic. Her jeans hugged her to perfection. He wanted her to turn around so he could see her ass. He hadn’t had the opportunity earlier. The snug fit from the front left little to the imagination. His jeans suddenly felt too tight…again.

  He took a deep breath. He could smell her arousal. It gave him the confidence to say what needed to be said. “Kaitlyn—”

  She interrupted him. “Sir, I promise I’m qualified to train your horses. More than qualified actually. And—”

  He shook his head again and her shoulders fell in dismay.

  What was this “sir” business? He winced. She was totally misunderstanding his intentions.

  “I didn’t come here to fire you, Kaitlyn.” He shut the door behind him with a quiet snick, stepped farther into the room and took a seat on one of the winged chairs by the television.

  The proximity to his mate stiffened his cock even more. She smelled so damn good. She hadn’t showered yet tonight and he was glad. Her personal musk still stood out and combined with her expensive perfume. The two seemed incongruent—a woman who worked with horses for a living wearing some designer perfume—but he never wanted her to stop because he would forever know her by the scent. It burned itself into his brain.

  Kaitlyn didn’t move an inch. She stood rigid by the window, staring at him with her brow furrowed. “Oh,” she muttered. “Well, okay.”

  He needed to expound on the reason for his presence in her space, but words escaped him—again—as he stared at her.

  He cleared his throat. “Sit.” He nodded to the other chair across from him. It might not have been the best idea, since she would have to get even closer and he could barely concentrate as it was, but he needed to look her in the eye and tell her a dozen things.

&nb
sp; Stiff, like a robot, his woman approached. She perched on the edge of the seat and set her palms on her knees, rubbing them again. He knew he made her very nervous.

  “Relax. You aren’t in trouble. You’re staying.” He smiled at her; at least he hoped he did. It was hard to get his facial muscles to do what he commanded. Perhaps it had been more of a half grin.

  Her shoulders relaxed infinitesimally. “Okay. Good. You won’t be sorry. I promise.”

  “I’m sure I won’t. I just hope you won’t be.” Now he smiled for sure. He was about to turn her life upside down. “You can’t imagine what you’ve stepped into here.”

  Her eyebrows rose as she flinched. “Huh?” She shook her head. “No, I’m sure I’ll love it here. Horses are my passion and I have wanted to return to the Smokies for many years and find a job doing what I love most—horse training. This is the most perfect place on earth.”

  Now Micah was shocked. If she only knew how not perfect the Appalachians were right now… But she was human. She had no knowledge of vampires. He hoped to keep that tidbit to himself for a while too. He had enough information to share right now as it was. Vampires did not make the short list for this evening. Wolves. Mating. Claiming. Fucking. That was the short list. Vampires could wait for tomorrow…or another day when he and his mate came up for air.

  “Your farm is gorgeous. I’ve been introducing myself to your horses all day. They are clearly loved and have always been well taken care of. I hope you’ll be pleased with what I can add—”

  “Kaitlyn…” he interrupted.

  She sucked her bottom lip into her mouth and chewed on it.

  Micah had a hard time dragging his gaze back to her eyes. He wanted to suck that lip into his mouth and bite it himself. “I’m not here to discuss the job.” He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. It brought him within a foot of her face. He didn’t release the lock on her gaze.

  Chapter Four

  Kaitlyn sucked in a deep breath and clenched her legs together. While she’d been rambling incessantly about her job, she’d been undeniably aware of the man in front of her. He was so fucking hot. No one should be that sexy. Her body reacted to him against her will.

  The chemistry between them was stronger than it had been only hours ago in the barn. She glanced at his full lips and wanted to lean the last few inches and taste him. After an exchange of so few words and only a short number of minutes, she ached to be touched by him. Her body hummed and the moisture gathering between her legs increased. He was like a drug. A sex drug. One that controlled her and made her want in a way she’d never experienced.

  He’s your boss. Get a grip.

  She narrowed her gaze as he stared her down. His dark brown eyes glowed with an unusual light and that’s when it dawned on her… Oh. My. God.

  She’d seen that look before…from the wolf shifters on her grandmother’s farm.

  It was distinct. Predatory. Nothing like what humans did when they stared at each other. She shook her head. Oh, she was so screwed.

  How had she not seen this? She’d been here over twenty-four hours and hadn’t noticed the Durhams were…well, not completely human.

  She gasped and spoke without thinking. “You’re a shifter.”

  Kaitlyn covered her mouth with a trembling hand as if she could stuff the words back inside.

  Geez, nice. Way to go, Kait.

  Micah’s eyes grew enormous. His mouth dropped open and then closed. He repeated the gesture two more times. Speechless. And she remembered how he’d reacted to her earlier today.

  “How did you…?” His words trailed off. “You know about us?”

  Kaitlyn nodded. She was as shocked as he was. After all, she’d never met other wolf shifters besides the ones she considered family. She knew there were more packs in the world, but she’d never considered she might run into them.

  “Well, that makes my job easier.” Something that looked like relief washed over Micah’s face. He smiled and relaxed into the chair. “How do you know about shifters?”

  “My family’s farm is run largely by shifters.”

  “Where?”

  “California. They live near Lake Tahoe in the Sierra Nevadas. I just moved here from there.”

  “Your family is human, but shifters run the place?” He shook his head. “I’ve never heard of such a thing. Shifters don’t usually share their secrets with anyone.”

  “I didn’t say my family knows about it. I said we owned the farm.” She smiled at his astonishment. “We is a relatively loose term, actually. It’s really my grandmother who owns it. She’s a lonely, bitter old woman who wouldn’t know a wolf shifter if he bit her on the face.”

  “Why do you know?”

  “It’s a very long story. I spent a lot of time in the barn growing up. I know.”

  Micah gazed into her eyes without moving. “You…you caught me off guard this afternoon.” He glanced down. “I’ve spent the last several hours pacing, wondering how I would tell you…”

  “Tell me what?”

  Her legs shook, and she gripped them both with her hands to hold them still. What more was there to tell her after confirming he was a shifter?

  More than anything she wanted him to stop talking and kiss her. But that was asking for trouble she wasn’t sure she wanted. She needed to get a grip.

  “How much do you know?” he asked. “About shifters?”

  “Why?” She licked her lips. They were suddenly so dry. Whatever he had to say, she instinctively knew was going to be huge. Her hands trembled where she used them to hold her thighs. She was losing the battle to remain distant. She needed him to touch her. Ground her.

  Hell, she was so confused. How could she want him and not want him at the same time? For twenty-two years no man had ever tempted her. Now here she was trapped by fate in a funnel of temptation, slipping farther and farther down the neck where she was sure to fall through. She would have no recourse but to surrender to the draw of him.

  “You’re my mate.”

  His words startled her so much she jumped from the chair and backed away from him a few steps.

  “Do you have to be so…blunt?” She rubbed her palms together as she wandered toward the window seat. Five minutes ago the window seat had been a place of peace and relaxation. Now her whole world had turned upside down.

  Why had she not realized this man had been her mate in the barn? Sure, she’d reacted to him, but…

  No. No. No. She sat on the window seat—well, more like fell onto the seat when her knees buckled.

  Micah approached slowly. “Kaitlyn? I know you’re shocked.”

  Shocked? That didn’t even begin to describe what she felt.

  He kneeled in front of her, but didn’t touch her. Thank God. She knew she couldn’t handle his touch. He would melt her insides and destroy her resolve. Her heart thumped so hard her ears pounded.

  “I don’t want a mate. I’m not cut out for that sort of thing.” I don’t want any man. I don’t even know how to love someone properly. Years of living with her grandmother, who’d shown her not an ounce of compassion, had hardened her.

  “Me neither.”

  What? Kaitlyn pulled her knees up onto the seat and tucked them against her chest. She couldn’t become more of a ball if she tried. His response was unexpected. Why the hell not? Was she not good enough for him? Hurt planted an ache in her chest.

  “Don’t get me wrong. You’re gorgeous and sexy. I couldn’t ask for fate to have arranged anyone better. Except the timing.”

  Timing? Timing was the least of her concerns. No time was ever going to be right. And what did timing have to do with anything? And then the answer came to her. “What? You have another woman you’ve been seeing, and my arrival inconveniences you?” She stopped abruptly, realizing she sounded jealous. Way to send mixed messages.

  Micah chuckled. “Hardly. It’s just not the right time for me to take a mate.”

  Interesting. Two people destined to be together
and neither of us wants this. “Good. So you agree this won’t work.” Why did that idea not sit well with her either?

  “I didn’t say that. I said the timing was bad.” He leaned closer as he spoke, his voice dropping in pitch and volume. The deep sound resonated through her. Only inches separated them. “What makes you think this won’t work?”

  “I’ve seen too many failed relationships in my life. Every generation it seems. I don’t want that,” she replied.

  “Wolves don’t fail in their relationships.” He narrowed his gaze. “I don’t think you have to worry.”

  Now he was sending mixed messages. It almost sounded as if he wanted to mate with her. What was his problem?

  “I’ll worry about what I want. You never answered my question…what’s wrong with the timing?”

  “It’s not safe here. I hate telling you this, but it’s a fact. I was pissed when I found out they’d hired you even before we met. My family knows better. And you being my mate makes it even worse.”

  “’Kay, I’m gonna point out that whatever you just said made no sense. What the hell are you talking about?”

  “There is a…predator…on the loose. And he’s not above murder. I don’t want anyone in harm’s way. And certainly not my mate. If you had any sense at all, you’d leave here and never look back.”

  “Are you crazy? What kind of predator? Do you know how perfect this job is for me?” She shook her head. Plus, a part of her deep down knew she couldn’t leave now if she wanted to. She could resist all she wanted, but she knew how matings worked and Micah’s pheromones had already done a number on her. Besides the way she reacted to him sexually, she knew a lot about wolf mates. She’d seen several claimings in the last decade. Mated wolves adored each other. She’d give anything to have someone love her the way she knew wolf mates did. Nope. It wasn’t just the sexual draw. Kaitlyn knew this man would take care of her for life.