KADE LEFT THE door slightly open in case she needed him and then made his way to his office down the hall. He sat down at his laptop and pulled up his mail. As he scrolled through his messages, his cell phone buzzed. His mother’s number popped up on the screen.
“Mother? Is everything all right?”
“I believe it’s time you and I had an in-depth conversation,” she said.
“What did Fiona tell you?”
“Och, Kadie, she didn’t have to tell me anything. But on that note, you should have told me. It’s been weeks.”
“I didn’t really know what to tell you.”
“I know.” He heard her sigh. “There are things that your father made me promise not to tell you until you’d found your mate, and now you have, haven’t you?”
“Aye.”
“Right. I’m sorry I’ve waited this long to speak with you, but I had no idea your mate would be human. As chieftain, you’ll also need answers to a few questions.”
“What questions?”
“Why don’t you come up this weekend and we’ll sit down and have a long chat?”
Kade sat up straighter. “I think that can be arranged.”
“Excellent,” she said. “I’ll see you soon.”
She hung up before Kade could say anything further, and he wondered what she could possibly tell him that had been a secret up until then. His cell phone buzzed again, and this time it was his head of security. “Alasdair? What did you find?”
“We found out who attacked Dr. Moore.”
Kade sat back. “Who?”
“He was Cauld Ane. However, what’s more disturbing is that there’s some evidence that Shannon Fraser may have been involved.”
“She should have been long gone by now.”
“I know. We’re looking into it.”
Kade pinched the bridge of his nose. “Whoever was supposed to be watching Samantha this morning better be in my office first thing tomorrow morning.”
“It was me.”
“Excuse me?” Kade snapped.
“I was on deck to watch her.”
“I told you to put someone else on her.”
“I understand, but I chose to watch her and have Simon watch the area. She was my responsibility. But I was so caught up watching that Cole fellow, I missed the bigger threat. The attacker was trying to get to you.”
“Bloody hell, Ali.”
“I know, I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
“You’re right. It won’t. I’ll talk to Hamish about his sister. We’ll need to organize the Council earlier than I thought. You and Duncan get on hiring more men.”
“All right. How many?”
“A hundred. I don’t know.” Kade sighed. “Enough to keep her safe.”
“Kade?”
Kade turned to see Samantha standing in the doorway. “Ali, I’ll call you back.” He hung up and rose to his feet. “Are you all right?”
“I had a bad dream and then felt your stress.”
“Come here, love.” He reached out and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m sorry.”
“Who do you need to keep safe?”
“You,” he said as he stroked her hair.
“Me? Why?”
Kade took her hand and led her to the living room. “Have a seat. I’ll get you some tea.”
She lowered herself onto the sofa and frowned. “I don’t want tea. I want you to answer my question.”
He sat down next to her and took a deep breath. “The man who attacked you is someone who was trying to get to me.”
“Why attack me, then?”
“Because you are the best way to get to me.”
She pursed her lips. “Um, how?”
“As soon as my people saw us together, they knew you were my mate.”
“How?”
“That’s not something I can put into words. It’s just something they knew.”
Sam groaned and dropped her head in her hands. “I don’t understand.”
“I know. And I don’t know that I can explain everything here.”
“Why not?”
“Because I think you need to see everything. Me telling you something isn’t going to convince you.”
Sam cocked her head. “You think you’re clever, don’t you? Figuring me out so quickly.”
Kade smiled. “If that’s what you need to tell yourself to feel better, I won’t argue.”
“Okay, so then how are you going to “show” me the truth?”
“I’m going to take you home.”
“What? When?”
“Tomorrow.”
“Kade, I have plans with Cole tomorrow.” She narrowed her eyes in suspicion. “Which you very well know.”
He shrugged. “Cancel them.”
“No.” She felt his irritation and laid her hand on his leg, calming him. She grinned. “I kind of like this power.”
“Doesn’t change the fact you’re going to cancel your date with Colton Drake, Samantha. If you want to simplify things and put it down to you and I dating exclusively, then do that. But you’ll not spend time alone with another man.”
“It’s not a date. It’s two friends getting together for a drink and to watch some foot—” Sam cut herself off. “Wait.”
Kade stood and headed toward the kitchen.
“Kade?” Sam followed.
“Ready for that tea?”
“How did you know Cole’s last name?”
Kade shrugged. “You told me.”
“I did not.” Sam glared at him. “What did you do?”
“What would you like for dinner?”
“Nice try.” She laid her hand on his arm and closed her eyes, opening them again with a gasp. “You had him checked out. Is that how Alasdair got there so quickly?”
“What did you just do?”
“I got into your head, so to speak,” she said. “You talk a lot.”
Kade stared at her, confusion flooding his mind. He knew she was an empath, or she wouldn’t be able to feel his emotions, but she shouldn’t be able to read his mind so easily, at least, not until they were bound.
She raised an eyebrow. “But I can.”
“Really?”
She nodded. “Yes. What does that mean?”
“Honestly, sweetheart, I have no idea. I think I need to call Fi.”
“After you answer my question.”
He smiled. “Which question was that? There were so many falling from your beautiful lips.”
“Flattery will get you… well, nowhere today.” She squeezed his arm again. “The fact you knew his name was Colton was more of a giveaway. F.Y.I., I didn’t even know that little tidbit. Now, was Alasdair watching Cole?”
“No.”
She narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
“He was supposed to be watching you,” he admitted.
Sam gasped. “Why?”
“To keep you safe.”
“That worked out well, didn’t it?” she retorted. “In case you forgot to notice, it was Cole who came to my rescue.”
He scowled. “I know.”
She widened her eyes. “Ah, I get it. You’re jealous.”
“He’s not who you think he is, Sam.”
“I don’t know him well enough to have formed that much of an opinion, Kade. We’ve been out twice—”
“When?” he interrupted.
“Once when I just arrived, and the night you and Connall met with the guy from Pfizer.”
He dragged his hands over his scalp. “Why didn’t you tell me that’s what you were doing?”
“Um, gee, I don’t know. Maybe ’cause it really wasn’t any of your business.”
“Sam,” he admonished.
“Kade,” she mimicked. “Look, what I do know is that he used to be a cop, but is now working for some security firm and lecturing at the university for a few weeks. He was extremely kind to me on the plane and kept me from panicking in the air. Granted, he doesn’t have the same effect on me that you do, and I figured out that night over football and beer that I could only ever be friends with him, which is why I bowed out early and ended up at your place. But I do happen to like him, and I’m not going to not spend time with him just because you order me to.”
“He’s dangerous.”
“You’re dangerous,” she snapped. “By your own admission, the simple fact you’ve decided we’re supposed to be together forever has put me in harm’s way. It was a good thing Cole was there this morning, or I may have something worse than a concussion.”
“Don’t say that.” Kade grasped her arms. “I couldn’t bear it.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be cruel.”
“I just want you safe.”
“I know. I will be. Cole knows what he’s doing… obviously.” She settled her hands on his waist. “He’s a friend, Kade. If you want me to agree to “date” you exclusively and make some grand statement about my faithfulness to you, I will, but I think you already know my opinion on that.”
He studied her and then rolled his eyes and leaned down to kiss her. “You’ll be home by ten.”
“I’ll be home when I darn well want to be home.”
“Eleven.”
Sam laughed. “No.”
Kade rubbed her arms. “We’ll leave Friday, so I want you rested.”
“What about work?”
“Work can wait,” he said.
“But you’ve just given me important information that I can use!”
“Like?”
“Um, like the fact we aren’t the same,” she pointed out. “I’d really like to draw my own blood and compare it to the samples you’ve given me. That blue sheen is fascinating. It must be there because of your preference to the cold. You have to be a little curious.”
He shook his head. “Taking you home with me is more important.”
“I must say, you’re the easiest boss I’ve ever had in my life.” Samantha grinned. “You force me to rest, order me to ignore my “work,” and now you’re going to whisk me away to some exotic location for a vacation.”
“It will be a working holiday.”
“What about the lab?”
“I’ll put Angus back in charge.”
“Will he have a problem with that?”
“You let me worry about Angus,” Kade said.
“What will the rest of the staff think about me being whisked away by the big Kahuna? This isn’t going to endear me to anyone or foster respect.”
“You’ll be my wife; they’ll respect you.”
Samantha sighed. “You throw that around as though it’s a done deal.”
“I’m simply stating a fact. Whether it happens tomorrow or in ten years, we’ll be bound and married.”
“Kade,” she said in exasperation.
“What?” he snapped. “I can’t make you understand all of this in the course of an evening. I don’t even know how to describe to you what this is like for me. I’m trying to go slowly, rather than giving in to my nature and binding you here and now. The truth is, I don’t have to marry you in the way of your people to bind you.”
“The way of my people?” His unease was rising and Samantha sighed. She laid her palm on his chest and waited for him to calm. “What do you mean you don’t have to marry me to bind me?”
Kade groaned. “I shouldn’t have said that. I don’t want to scare you.”
“Because saying that puts me at ease?” Sam’s stomach roiled and she put distance between them. “Are you trying to tell me this binding process is going to scare me?”
“No, not at all.” Kade frowned. “You’re twisting my words.”
“They’re your words!”
He rubbed his forehead. “I’m bloody well mucking this up, aren’t I?”
Sam took a few deep breaths. “Yes, you are.”
“You don’t candy-coat things, do you?”
“According to you, we don’t have time for me to candy-coat things.”
Kade chuckled without humor. “You’re right. I’m a little on edge at the moment. That seems to be happening a lot lately. Come here.”
“Not until you tell me about this binding thing.”
He gave her a cocky smile. “I’d rather show you.”
“I bet you would. Now, tell me.”
“The binding will happen on our mating night. There are vows and then when we make love. That’s what I meant when I said I don’t have to marry you to bind you.”
“Really? That’s all you meant?”
“Essentially, yes.”
“Essentially?” she squeaked.
“Sweetheart, there’s nothing unpleasant about any of it. I promise. I’m not ready to tell you everything yet. Will you trust me?”
She bit her lip.
“Come here.”
“I don’t know if I trust you just yet.”
“I know you don’t.” Kade closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms. “Listen.”
She closed her eyes. She knew he was telling her the truth, and although she wasn’t fully convinced he was telling her the whole story, she wasn’t afraid anymore. “You totally freaked me out.”
“I know. I’m sorry.” He lifted her chin and kissed her.
She pursed her lips. “So I guess we’re going to the Highlands on Friday?”
“Excellent decision.”
Sam snorted. “Like I had a choice.”
He kissed her again. “I’ll make it all worth your while.”
“You really need to quit kissing me every time you want your way,” she admonished.
“I kiss you because I can’t stop myself.” He gave her an evil grin. “Getting my way is a bonus.”
* * *
Samantha woke Thursday morning and decided against a run. She still had a bit of a headache and was tired from getting to bed so late. She was just about ready to walk out the door when her cell phone rang. She knew it was Kade calling before she answered it.
“Good morning.”
“Góðan dag, fallegur,” Kade said.
“Which means?”
“Hello, beautiful.”
“You haven’t seen me yet, how would you know?”
Kade chuckled. “You’re always beautiful.”
“With that attitude, I think I’ll keep you around.”
“How did you sleep?” he asked. “I can feel your headache.”
“I slept well, despite your attempts to keep me up all night. And yes, I have a bit of headache, but it’ll pass.”
He chuckled. “Open your door and I’ll take it away for you.”
She did as he asked and found herself pushed against the wall and kissed senseless. When he broke the kiss, it took a few seconds to catch her breath and realize she’d dropped her phone.
“Now how’s your headache?” he asked as he retrieved her phone from the floor.
She grinned and slid the phone into her purse. “Gone of course, except you’ve made it difficult for me to concentrate on anything today.”
“You’re going to be with me most of it, so you don’t have to.”
“Don’t you have meetings?”
“A few. But none that you have to be excluded from.”
“Kade, please don’t make me go to meetings if I don’t have to be there. I hate them. I’d rather have my eyeballs plucked out by crows.”
He laughed. “That’s quite the visual.”
“Well, it’s true. If my headache isn’t bad now, it will be if I’m forced to sit around a table and listen to people jabber about stuff I don’t really care about. Just let me hide in the lab and get some work done.”
He crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“I can’t imagine why not. I can wrap things up for our adventure and you can focus on what you need to do.”
“And if I need you for some reason?”
She rolled her eyes. “You know that thing they invented years ago? The telephone?”
“All right.”
“Thank you, oh, big and wise dictator.” She pulled her coat on. “Now that I know a few of your secrets, does that mean you can tell me more about what you’re looking for in the research?”
“I don’t know what to tell you, honestly. I think a lot will be revealed this weekend… which reminds me.” He veered off subject. “We have to push our trip to Saturday.”
“How come?”
“The shareholders’ dinner is on Friday night. In my eagerness to get you out of town, I completely forgot.”
“That’s okay. It’ll give me an extra day to do some work… and a night off from you,” she joked.
“Not if you don’t want one.”
“What do you mean?” She paused in gathering her keys and faced him.
He gave her his sexy smile… the one she could never say no to. “I was hoping you’d be my date.”
“At a shareholders’ meeting?”
“Well, it’s more of a dinner than a meeting, but yes.”
She frowned. “Is it a dinner with shareholders and their significant others?”
“Uh…” He shrugged. “Not specifically.”
“Uh… then, no.”
“What if I make it a dinner for shareholders and their significant others?”
Sam frowned. “You want me to come with you that bad?”
“I’m already having panic attacks about the fact I won’t see you tonight, so yes, I want you to come with me that bad.”
Sam laughed. “If you were truly that affected about me hanging out with Cole, I’d know it, but you’re cute for saying it.”
Kade pulled her keys from her hand and dropped them on the table. “Cute?”
“What are you doing?” she asked.
He covered her mouth with his and lifted her to his height.
Ég vil að þú manst þetta þegar þú ert með honum.
The words floated into her mind and then his thoughts, heavy with emotion, followed. Sam slid her hands into his hair and matched his passion to a dangerous level. The images flashing in her mind were lowering her guard. Snippets of what looked like individual frames to a movie flickered in her psyche. She and Kade were making love and her appearance was very different from what she saw in the mirror. She was beautiful.
Samantha quickly realized that if they didn’t stop, they’d never make it to work.
It was Kade who finally broke the kiss and groaned as he lowered her back to the ground. “That was different.”
“What was that?” Sam tried to catch her breath. “Is that how you see us? Me?”
“Aye. Does that scare you?”
“No. It’s sexy as hell.”
He laughed. “Well, you are. I don’t understand why you don’t believe me.”
“Because I’ve always been the geeky girl who hid behind her gorgeous best friend. Pepper’s the one who got the hot guys. Not me.”
“Och, love. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” He stroked her cheek. “Worlds apart from even Pepper.”
“Charmer.”
He kissed her nose. “I’m simply stating the truth.”
“Thank you.” She patted his chest. “Now, are you going to tell me what your little warning meant?”
“What warning?”
“Nice try. Your tone wasn’t one of endearment.”
“I just want you to be careful,” he said. “That’s all. We should probably get going. I have a meeting in less than an hour.”
Sam let him escape… for now.
“What are you scheming?”
“Me?” she said innocently. “Nothing. I was just thinking I’d continue where I left off in the lab.” She wrapped her scarf around her neck. “I noticed something strange in the samples yesterday.”
“What do you mean, strange?” Kade asked.
Sam leaned against the back of the couch. “You know how you have the vials numbered?”
“Yes.”
“The notes from Angus state that they’re all from women within the same race, but not family, correct?”
“Aye.”
“But the blood for one of the women is really different than the others.”
Kade frowned. “How?”
“I suppose the easiest way to describe the inconsistency is that it doesn’t have the power to fight off a few of the viruses the other samples can. The immunity isn’t quite as… complete.”
He cocked his head. “Why are you sitting behind a microscope, love?”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“The way you simplify everything. You’d be an incredible comfort to a parent who can’t understand the medical verbiage.”
“I have a hard enough time talking to people, let alone a parent whose child is sick. No thank you.”
“You talk to me without a problem,” he pointed out.
She wrinkled her nose. “Yeah, still trying to figure out how that works.”
“Because you knew me the moment you met me.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
“Still, you have a gift.”
“Because I sound simple?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what I was trying to say,” he deadpanned.
Sam grinned. “I can’t take any credit for it. You can thank Dr. Bean. She was this hippie dippy professor who forced us to take every medical finding and break it down in layman’s terms. I always thought it was a waste of time, since I knew my destiny was for the lab, but she insisted, and now I have a tough time using the proper terminology.”
“Well, I like it.”
Sam rolled her eyes. “That’s because we’re in the honeymoon stage of our relationship. I can’t do anything wrong just yet.”
“That is true.” She narrowed her eyes and Kade laughed as he reached out and pulled her close. “What I meant to say is that even when we’ve been together for fifty years, you still won’t ever do anything wrong.”
“Good save.”
He leaned down and kissed her. “I love you.”
“I love you too. Can we go to work now?”
“One more kiss.”
She obliged.