A Mate's Wish(23)
She turned to watch him over her shoulder as his hand slipped up to cup her breast. It was hot and rough and oh so perfect. She bit off a moan.
“What time is it?” she asked as a distraction.
“Ten til nine.”
“Damn it, I’m late. Magic’s going to kill me.”
Renner dropped a kiss to her cheek. “Pretty sure it’s me he’s going to kill. You’ll make it out of this alive.”
“Because you can’t work on the Christmas celebration now?”
He raised a dark eyebrow. “That’s one reason.” He sighed. “I suppose we’ll have to cancel this year. There’s too much to do in the next several days and I’m only partially healed.”
Turning on her side to face him, she decided now would be a good time to spill her plan. “I might be able to save you from Magic’s wrath.” She grinned, and his thumb traced it.
“I love your smile.”
She recalled the picture she’d found in his closet of her beaming, and her heart warmed. He’d kept that picture for this reason.
“I called Ryan. He’s going to come help get the lodge ready for Christmas.”
His smile faded. “What?”
“He owns a construction company, and when I told him about you and what had happened, he offered to come help. He wants to see you, Ren.”
Renner winced as he sat up. “You told him I got shot?”
She nodded, feeling uneasy.
“You told him what I am?”
Bethany frowned, pulling the blanket around her top. “No. I wouldn’t do that without asking you.”
The relief on his face was heartbreaking.
“He just wants to see you. We don’t have to tell him anything.”
Renner stared at her. “What about us? Will you tell him about us?”
Beth pressed her lips together. This was it. He was going to break her with this.
“Is… is it a secret? Because if you want to hide me away like you’re embarrassed to be with me—”
“Are you kidding? I want to shout it from the fucking mountaintops. I wanted to mark you last night so everyone would know you’re taken. For shifters, it doesn’t get any more public than that. As for your brother, I’ll tell him myself if you don’t.”
Beth let out the breath she’d been holding. “You’re serious? About this, us?” she asked quietly.
He clasped her neck, pulling her forward and pressing his forehead to hers. “Yes, Bethy. Dead. Fucking. Serious. And I’ll wait for you to be sure, but I am going to have you as my own. And everyone will know it.”
A knock on the door broke the moment. Layna entered without waiting for the okay. Beth pulled the blankets tighter and covered her face as a horrifying blush took over. Shit.
Renner sank back on the bed, unruffled. “I think you’re supposed to wait until I say ‘come in.’”
“Yep. That’s usually how it works.”
Beth peeked at Layna.
“So this is serious.”
“You heard all that?”
Layna nodded, crossing her arms over her chest. “Shifter hearing. It’s the best.”
Oh. Of course Layna was also a cat.
Layna’s gaze went to Renner. “What about the code?”
“What code?” Beth asked.
He glared at his sister. “Do you think I give a shit about the code?”
“Yes. Yes, I do.”
“What code?”
“I’m going to talk to Magic. I have a plan.” They went on like she wasn’t there. “It doesn’t have to be like it was before, Layna. We can be different than our ancestors. Have a family. Be faithful. I know it can be done, and I’m going to convince Magic to give it a try.”
Layna’s expression had changed. Normally tough and hard to break, now she looked stricken. “Do you really think it’s possible, Ren?”
He nodded solemnly. “I do. The way I feel with Bethy… if you can find that, it will be different. You won’t end up like our mother.”
Layna was quiet for so long, staring thoughtfully. Glancing at Bethany, she nodded. “I hope you’re right.” She turned and opened the door to leave. “Oh, Christina covered for you with Magic, but you need to get to the spa ASAP. And, I told him about your brother. He’ll cover any expenses.” She cocked her head to one side, squinting. “And… he said thank you. I’m not sure when I last heard those words from his mouth. This is an interesting development for sure.”
With that, she left, the door banging shut behind her.
“What’s the code?” Beth asked one more time.
“It’s a cat thing. You don’t need to worry about it. Come here,” he said, pulling her down for a kiss.