Shift Out of Luck(20)

“Have a good time in the woods?”

“Um, yes?” Adelaide says.

“Shut up, asshole,” I answer, and gently prod Adelaide up the stairs. I don’t think now is the time to tell her that while the pine trees might have provided plenty of visual cover, the sounds and smells of our mating wouldn’t have escaped any bear within a five-mile radius.

“Just wanting to make sure you had a good time,” Leo lies cheerfully. He knows we had a good time. He’s just needling me, but I can’t get real angry because after three years of waiting, I finally have Adelaide. And now I was going to make sure I could keep her.

“Better time than you’ve had with anyone but Rosy Palm,” I mutter as I pass him.

“The right hand is a regular and reliable date,” Leo grins. “Plus she knows exactly how I like it.”

“You need to get out more. Maybe go for a walk in the woods. Worked for me,” I offer magnanimously.

“Maybe I do.”

Inside the Lodge’s cool lobby, Adelaide raises her perfect eyebrows. “Rosy Palm? Did you just tell Leo that all he does is masturbate?”

I flush a little, like a schoolboy caught passing dirty notes by the teacher. “Depends on if it makes you mad.”

She laughs. “No. It reminds me of some friends back home. They are always joking with each other.”

“Okay, then, yeah. But it was all in fun.”

“I’m glad, because Leo seems like a nice guy.” Nice guy? I don’t like that. I frown at her and don’t even try to stop the unhappy growl that rumbles in the back of my throat.

Adelaide pats me on the arm. “Don’t worry, big guy. I’m only hot after you. Leo came and told me not to give up on you when you were being a poopy head the other day.”

Well, shit. Now I have to be nice to Leo. “That was decent of him,” I admit grudgingly.

“It was, wasn’t it?” She smiles as if it doesn’t bother her at all that she’s asking me to be nice to Leo.

I mumble something to myself about how being nice to Leo would ruin my day. She just pats my shoulder, and to tell the truth, as long as she’s handing out these little caresses, I’ll probably do whatever it is she wants.

Her happy demeanor disappears when we reach the Lodge office. At my knock, Eli’s booming voice tells us to come in.

“Don’t worry,” I whisper against her ear. “He doesn’t bite.”

“Eli, I wanted you to meet Adelaide. I told you about her the other day. Adelaide owns the spa in town. You probably know each other.”

Eli rounds his desk in about three giant strides. “Nice to see you again, Adelaide. We’re getting a lot more couples now that you’ve opened up your business.” He shakes his head at her outstretched hand. “I can’t touch you or this old man here will have my head.”

I give Adelaide an ‘I’m sorry’ look, but Eli’s right. My need to make sure that it’s my scent all over her body, undiluted by any other males, will abate over time, but right now it’s pretty danged high. No need for an unnecessary domination fight.

Eli waves his hand toward a chair, but I’m in a hurry to get home. Adelaide and I both have to open our stores in two hours, which barely gives us enough time to go home, have shower sex, and return to town.

I throw an arm around Adelaide’s shoulders. “Adelaide is my mate now. I told her I’m a bear and that most of Pine Falls are shifters.”

She squeaks at the rough embrace, but doesn’t move away. “I’m not going to tell anyone. I swear it!” She holds up her hand as if making an oath on a non-existent bible.

Eli leans his ass against the front of his desk and crosses his arms. “It took you long enough,” he says to me.

Adelaide coughs into her hand to disguise a laugh. His lips quirk up at her response. He likes her and will have no problem letting her in the clan. My heart swells with satisfaction.

“Adelaide is worth the wait,” I tell them both. She sighs.

Eli turns to her. “We aren't ashamed of our nature, Adelaide. But there are some out there who might not be as accepting as you. Which is why we’re careful about how and when and why we share this information.”

“I understand.” She slips an arm around me, and I’m deeply touched by her show of support. “And I would never do anything that would jeopardize Cole or his family. And you are his family.”

Eli nods. “We are. And we’re your family too. Violet made another batch of those honey cookies. You should get a few on your way out.”

That’s Eli’s way of telling us that the meeting is over and he wants us to leave.