Taming His Mate(14)

Stephen’s mouth dropped open. “Kate?”

“Yeah, the last time I checked she’s the only one I have.”

He ignored the smart-assed comment. “Is she alright? Was she hurt?”

If he hadn’t passed out, he more than likely would’ve expired from heart failure when he’d seen her frightened face in the bushes. And he hadn’t been able to do a damn thing to help her.

He grabbed Jace’s arm. “Tell me. Is she okay?”

“Jesus, chill out, Stephen. She’s fine.” Jace spoke in a soothing tone. “I wouldn’t lie to you about that.”

Stephen’s shoulders slumped in relief. “What happened to that asshole? Did the pack get him?”

“Something like that. Kate laid him out with one of his darts. Then she carried you through the woods.” Jace snorted. “Well, more like dragged. Gee came by to check on you at Kate’s insistence. But he said you’re fine. Just needed to sleep off the drugs.”

No wonder his upper body hurt like hell. He lifted his arm, stretched then winced at the twinge of pain. “What about the other two from last night?”

“Kate called me once she made it back here with you. She was pretty shaken up, but she let me know the situation. I called up some of the pack, and we went hunting. We found them trying to flee without their unconscious buddy. Apparently, they didn’t mind leaving him to fend for himself. Damien and Wes gathered up the three and took them to Drew.” Jace slid him a knowing glance. “They won’t be a problem any longer.”

Pride swelled in Stephen’s chest. There was no doubt in his mind Kate had saved him. Despite her inability to shift and their earlier argument, she’d risked her own life for his. Hell, if that didn’t say I love you, he didn’t know what did.

“You said Kate’s downstairs?”

“Yeah, cleaning everything in sight. You know how she gets when she’s agitated.”

“I have to see her.” He jumped to his feet and managed a step toward the door before Jace caught his arm.

“Can I give you a bit of advice first?”

He glanced at his friend in question.

“Take a shower.” Jace waved a hand in front of his face. “You definitely smell like you’ve been dragged through the woods.”





Chapter Eight





Kate wiped the counter for the thousandth time. Though the joints in her arms burned and her body was ready to call it a day, she continued to scrub down every surface in her kitchen.

A portion of her anxiety had evaporated once she’d managed to pull Stephen into her house and bolt the door. Even after Jace assured her all three of the hunters had been dealt with and Gee swore Stephen was unharmed, Kate remained on edge. Restless mess was a more apt description.

The only way to stop her hands from shaking was to clean something. And still, she kept seeing that asshole standing over Stephen with his rifle aimed at his head. What if she had failed to protect him? What if the other hunters had found them before she’d gotten them both to safety? Too many what ifs ran through her mind.

Then there was the matter of what was left unsaid between them. She hadn’t forgotten why he’d been in the woods in the first place. However, her self-pity was miles away from what it had been three hours earlier. In fact, she was pretty sure it was apprehension turning her stomach in knots.

Kate threw the dishcloth in the sink and leaned against the counter. Dropping her head, she rubbed the knot of tension at her nape. A few stiff drinks, a long soak in the tub, and a full night of sleep sounded heavenly at the moment. Suddenly, a warm hand covered hers. Startled, she whirled around and almost smacked into Stephen’s bare chest.

He leaned into her, pressing the small of her back into the countertop. Fresh out of the shower, she inhaled the crisp cleanness of his tanned skin. His short, sandy-blond hair stuck out at angles as though he hadn’t bothered to comb it. She balled her hands into fists to keep from reaching up to smooth it in place.

“Hey, Sunshine.”

The warmth in his voice and lopsided grin he wore drew a shiver from her. She couldn’t make her mouth form a proper sentence to save her soul. Those blue eyes of his captured her and wouldn’t let go.

“Are you two about to get physical or what?”

Jace’s voice shattered the trance. She squeezed from in between Stephen and the counter, her cheeks heating.

“Damn it, Jace. Why do you always have to sneak up on people?” She shoved past him and yanked open the refrigerator.

“Uh-uh, come here.” He snagged her around the middle and pulled her into a tight embrace. “Give me a hug before I take off.”