“Who, dear?”
“You know who, mom. Where is she?”
“I’m guessing you mean the mate you don’t want? That she?” Connie replied, standing up to glare at him.
Shit, his mom mad at him was not a good thing. His mom had tricks that would put a medieval torturer to shame. She didn’t need knives to cut deep.
“Yes, is she here?”
“No,” she said, turning back to the stove.
Dropping his head to the counter, he started banging it on the surface. “Mom, seriously, I need to talk to her.”
“Well, she didn’t stay here last night, so her exact whereabouts are a mystery to me.”
Lifting his head off the counter he shouted, “What the fuck do you mean she didn’t stay here last night?”
His mother slowly turned around to face him, her bear shining brightly in her eyes. “Conner Leslie Rochon, did you just swear at me?”
Fuck him. “Mom I’m sorry, this isn’t easy on me. Believe me I wish it was, but I’m trying to figure this out.”
Looking at him and seeing the tired circles under his eyes, his mother decided to take pity on him. “She said she couldn’t stay here last night, it was too close to your cabin and it upset her cat. Your dad and Dax drove her to the motel and checked her in for the night.”
Starting to jump out of his seat, his mom grabbed his hand. “Sit, eat, calm down, and then go to her.”
His mom was always right. Returning to his seat he let out a long sigh.
“Mom, sorry about earlier,” he finally said, chagrined at cursing at his mom.
“I know sweetie, you boys can’t think straight when your pricks are involved,” she muttered, flipping the eggs in the frying pan.
Conner let his head drop back to the counter. His mom, never a dull moment.
* * * * *
After breakfast, Conner forced himself to drive the speed limit to the motel. It was mid-morning and he hoped Mackenzie hadn’t decided to leave. Parking in front of the room number his mom gave him, he took another moment.
What the hell did he want? Was he here to just check on her safety? Yes, that was high up there he thought. He wasn’t there to confess his undying love for her. That thought had his bear growling at him. Conner knew what his animal’s feelings were on the subject. They were overwhelming and shockingly simple.
Get her, keep her, fuck her, love her.
If only it were that simple. What the hell was he doing there? She was going to be pissed he tracked her down again. Without a solution to their situation, he was just tormenting them both. He also couldn’t deny that being away from her was physically painful. His body felt lethargic and sore just in its need for her. His dick hadn’t relaxed after last night either. He’d had a semi-woody since he came last night. Like his cock was preparing for the unlikely possibility his mate was laying somewhere naked, waiting for him.
That thought brought back memories of his mate lying on the ground, spread before him. God, she was beautiful. Perfect, every fucking inch of her. Why again couldn’t he have her? Oh, yeah right, he didn’t like being a shifter and she clearly did. Who would want to be mated to some asshole that was pathetic enough to spend his days whining he didn’t like who he was ‘deep inside’. It was like the first chapter of a self-help book for lonely losers.
His bear was clearly on the deal with your shit, get the girl, and make everyone happy mental track. Conner couldn’t fault him, it did sound easy. Accept what the fates had decreed, everyone else had managed it. Just fucking let it go.
Shaking his head to himself, he realized he couldn’t. There was still something holding him back. Something about his bear that didn’t fit with him. Relying on his animal’s instincts, his strength, made him feel less than a man.
Looking down at the bulge in his pants, he offered out loud, “Thanks, I hear your vote.” His voice was tinged with sarcasm.
Sighing, he made a choice and got out of his Jeep. Walking up to the door, he knocked twice and called out, “Kenzi, it’s me.” He assumed she could figure out who it was.
Conner could hear rustling coming from inside the room. Then the door cracked open, Mackenzie stood peeking around. She looked him up and down, then sighed and stepped back, opening the door for him to enter.
Walking in, Conner saw the curtains were drawn, the TV was on, and the only light coming in was from the open bathroom door.
Turning to watch her close the door, he took in her pajama shorts and spaghetti strap tank top. The top was yellow and the shorts had daisies on them. He also noticed the bed was strewn with junk food wrappers. It looked like a teenage slumber party had just exploded.