Rocky hadn’t had the enjoyable weekend he’d hoped for. His beast had been unsettled and so had he, they’d not been in harmony as they’d hunted, and he’d ended up coming home early. His Lion chuffing inside his head the entire journey back, uncharacteristically snarky and grumpy the whole way home.
So he’d done what any guy would: had a few beers and watched TV until he fell asleep. When he woke he still felt out of sorts and when Jilly arrived at the shop on her day off, excited and squealing in a high-pitched voice, it took all his will-power not to yell at her to hush up and a few minutes to realize what she was saying.
“I can’t believe it! I really can’t!”
“What? Tell me again?” he’d asked.
“I told you already.” She shook her head. “Weren’t you listening?”
“Just tell me,” he’d snapped back.
“Gosh, did you get out of bed on the wrong side, or what?” Jilly scowled for a second then her grin returned. “Never mind. I’m too happy to let you upset me this morning. Okay . . . so, as I said, I’ve won an all-expenses paid spa trip! Isn’t that great! Only thing is it’s really short notice, Rocky. But we don’t have anything big on. Do we? I can go. Can’t I?”
“When?” he asked, thinking he’d say yes just to get her out of the shop. His head was thumping and he was in a foul mood, although he had no idea why.
“I need to leave the day after tomorrow and I’ll be gone for four days, but I only work part-time and I’m off today and tomorrow anyway, and we don’t have any big orders in. But I wanted to come in and let you know so I can go and get organized and not worry about work.”
She spoke so fast that his head spun trying to keep up. Her excitement was palpable and as he worked it out in his head it meant he’d be on his own all week. It was doable though, if somewhat undesirable, but he couldn’t say no. Not when she was almost jumping up and down in front of him, and her face was scrunched up waiting on his answer. He gave a brief nod. “Away you go. I’ll manage by myself. I’ll sort out the weekend stuff beforehand so I’m not rushed off my feet.”
Jilly let out a scream, launching herself at him and jumping up to wrap her arms around him. “Thank you! You’re the best boss ever!”
He had no option but to catch her in his arms, patting her back before placing her back on the floor. “Yeah, right. Remember that when you get back and I want to leave early the next Saturday.”
“No problem!” She about turned and ran from the shop, her feet flying over the floor.
Rocky shook his head as she left, thinking that he’d quite like the peace and quiet of having the shop to himself for a few days. And that first day was perfect. With a steady stream of regular customers, but not enough to stop him from nipping into the back of the store to bake, and blissful silence to do it in. That was until the following day when the imposing Alpha, Theron, arrived.
He was friendly enough, and although Theron was a regular customer even though he lived miles away, and had even invited him to his Aunt’s annual Masquerade Ball before, which he’d attended on one occasion. Rocky always felt a little . . . off balance, in his presence. He looked more like the leader of a biker gang than an Alpha. What with the multiple tattoos, long hair, and overall look the Alpha appeared as if he’d walked straight out of that show that Jilly raved about . . . Sons of Anarchy. Albeit Theron was cleaner and far better looking.
Rocky’s lips tugged up. What the hell? He couldn’t stop himself from smirking at the wild route his mind was going as Theron stopped, canting his head to gaze intently at him with eyes that seemed to reach inside his head and read his mind. Damn! That’s what it was that put him on edge. The feeling that the Alpha could read him, but he couldn’t. He was Wolf and Rocky was a Lion. No way could Theron get inside his head. No damn way . . . could he?
Theron’s mouth lifted on one side, just briefly, before he spoke. Setting Rocky’s nerves on edge. “Hey, Rocky, how are things? Where’s that cute assistant of yours? What’s her name . . . Jilly?”
Rocky cracked his neck, refusing to believe that the Wolf could read him. No way, not happening. “It’s her day off, but she’ll be off all week. She’s going away for a few days.”
“Aww dang, that might cause me . . . and possibly you a problem.” Theron frowned, a finger rising to tap his chin.
“How so?” Rocky asked.
“Well, it’s like this, Rocky.” Theron tilted his head and shrugged. “Talia has decided to throw a little get together for her friends and she’s already told them that she’s going to amaze them with the most delicious cupcakes and pastries ever made. That’s the words she used. So, you see the bind I’m in . . . can’t you? I can’t let her down because, well, I just can’t. I need a big order and fast. I need an assortment of cupcakes as well as your Roller things that she loves, and also those, damn what’re they called? Those twist things I get all the time?”
“Heavenly Twists,” Rocky prompted.
“Yeah, those too, and can you throw in an assortment of everything else you do? She wants to make sure they sample everything.” Theron shrugged again. “You know how she loves everything you make, Rocky. That’s why I drive all the way here to get her fix for her.”
“How many do you need and when do you need them?” Rocky asked, knowing he wouldn’t say no to the Alpha, but also realizing he was going to be in a bind. Damn.
“A lot. She’s invited just about every female in the Pack and, well, you know I can’t let her down so I have to come through for her, Rocky. I’m gonna need at least a hundred assorted cupcakes, and a hundred each of those Rollers and Twists, and at least another hundred of your other items, but you can do a mix of your own choice for those.” Theron stopped, looking straight into Rocky’s eyes with a determined stare. “You can do that for me? Can’t you? I’ll drop by on Friday afternoon to pick ‘em up. Say about three?”
Rocky’s head ached as he thought of the hours he’d need to put in to get the order done and run the shop without Jilly. But Theron didn’t seem to notice as he pulled out a thick wad of notes and put them on the counter. “Oh, and Rocky, my Aunt was asking after you the other day. She said to tell you she was thinking of you and she hopes you’re doing well.”
Gerri Wilder. The woman scared the hell out of him. Rocky was sure she could see right into his soul . . . and more. When he’d met her she was friendly enough, but yeah, he was left feeling jittery and wondering if she was trying to set him up the entire evening. He’d left as soon as he could slip away unnoticed and hadn’t gone the following year when Theron invited him again. Rocky had politely refused. Thankfully he hadn’t pressed him for a reason and let it go, although he did send him another invitation, by post, last year, and again Rocky didn’t attend.
“I’m fine, tell her thanks, but I’m just fine,” he managed to reply, wondering why his aunt was taking an interest in him at all.
“I will.” Theron’s eyes twinkled briefly before getting back to business. “So, I’ll see you on Friday . . . right?”
Rocky’s jaw tightened. He hated being backed into a corner, but he didn’t want to lose Theron as a customer either. Talia, his mate, did send a load of business his way through word of mouth. “Sure. I’ll have everything waiting for you, Theron.”
“That’s great. Talia will be pleased.” Theron gave him a big smile before turning to leave, throwing over his shoulder as he opened the door, “And when Talia’s happy . . . I’m happy.”
Rocky let out a huge sigh as the Alpha finally disappeared, running through everything in his head. He’d be running around ragged for the rest of the week instead of the quiet, relaxing one he’d had planned. Dang it.