Five
Cole
I’m tempted to track her parents down and demand that they be there for her and acknowledge what an amazing daughter they have. The only reason I don’t is that I can hear the truth in her words. She really is happy now.
I check the time on the over, and it reads seven forty-five. Damn, I need to get dinner cooking before it’s too late. “I was thinking of asparagus and baked potatoes with the steak. Does that sound good to you?”
“Why don’t you go grab a quick shower, and I’ll do the sides. When you get out, you can cook the steaks?”
“You sure you don’t mind?”
“Of course not, it gives me a chance to try out this kitchen. Plus, you haven’t had a chance to unwind since you were finished with work. I feel like that’s partly my fault.”
I lift her chin to meet my stare. “That was all Ruby being a sneaky sister. I still owe her one though because I’ve found you.” I place a chaste kiss on her lips and pull back far too quickly. I could spend days memorizing her lips but now isn’t the time. “Give me ten minutes gorgeous, and I’ll be out to cook the steaks.”
“Take twenty, so I have time make something good.” She grins and turns toward the fridge.
I leave her in my kitchen, and I head to my shower. I start stripping as soon as I get to my room and leave the door open in case she needs me, or heaven bless me, wants to join me. Once the hot water hits my back, any tension that was left fades away. I can’t help but wonder if my bear was preparing me for her. Ruby is going to be so excited to learn that I have found my mate, I bet Gabe has told her by now. Slate is such a hypocrite. He’s been searching for his mate for months now. I don’t understand why he’s so upset that I’ve found mine. He wasn’t jealous, it was something else.
Once I’m dressed in jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt, I walk back out to find my mate has pulled her dark hair into a bun on the top of her head and is listening to some country song while sautéing mushrooms and onions at my stove. She looks completely edible, and I need another taste. Coming up behind her, I help her set the spoon down and then turn her around slowly in my arms. I lead her in the only dance I know, a two-step I memorized when Ruby made me practice with her for a dance she was going to in high school.
When I slide my hand around her back and dip her backward, I pull her back up slowly then kiss her enticing lips. Pushing her up against the counter, I devour her mouth, tasting every ounce of sweetness she’ll let me have. This time it’s Aubree’s turn to pull back. I rest my forehead against hers knowing if that went on any longer, I’d have her spread out on my kitchen counter tasting her everywhere, dinner forgotten.
Aubree turns around and stirs the food. “Thank you for the dance, Cole.”
“Never thank me for loving on you sweet girl. I’m finding it hard to keep my hands away from you.”
I can tell she’s smiling when I get a look at her from the side when I grab the steaks, I’d set out earlier today. “How do you like your steak?”
“Medium rare to rare. But I’m not picky, I’ll take it however you make yours.”
I can’t help the smile that takes over my face. How did I get so lucky to have her as a mate?
“What?” She asks.
“You are making this a perfect night.”
She rolls her eyes at me. “Go cook the steaks.”
Holding the steaks in one hand, I sault her with the other. I fire up the grill and wait for it to be ready to put on the meat. While I wait I start going through the email, I didn’t have a chance to go through earlier. I see an email from Mathias, the alpha of a bear clan out in North Dakota. We’ve met on a few occasions, and I’d consider him an ally. His email is warning me to be careful. Someone has been causing his clan trouble, and one of his bears were seriously hurt. I’m going to need to call him and find out what happened. Maybe he needs some help, although now would be the worst time to go after finally meeting Aubree.
By the time I’m done cooking the steaks and bringing them into the house, Aubree has the table set for two, and the sides prepared. She’s sitting at the table drinking one of the hard ciders I keep in the fridge for Ruby when she’s here. She’s staring down at her phone with a giant smile on her face, her fingers flying across the phone.
“Steaks are done,” I say gruffly setting them on the table.
She slides her phone into her pocket, but I can’t help but wonder who it was that made her smile.
“I didn’t know what you wanted to drink.”
“Hmm?” I ask placing a steak on her plate.
“What do you want to drink?” She asks laughing.
“Oh, I’ll get it,” I say distractedly. I get up and grab a beer from the fridge then pop the top before sitting down with her again. She’s in the middle of cutting up her steak when I can’t take it anymore. “Who were you talking to?”
She stops and puts her knife down to look at me. “When?”
“Just now, on your phone when I came in.”
Her forehead crinkles when her eyebrows draw together. “I wasn’t talking to anyone.”
“So, you weren’t texting anyone before I walked in? Because it sure looked like you were. I’m not going to share you with anyone Aubree. Don’t sit at my table texting another man!”
She sits back in her chair and levels me with her best ‘eat shit and die’ glare then crosses her arms across her chest. “And if I were texting someone else, would I need to tell you? Is it your business who I talk to? Do you want the password to my cell phone, so you can check it whenever you’d like? Better yet, here check for yourself.” She says unlocking her phone and sliding it across the table toward me.
I grab it and look down. I’m torn between needing to know who she was talking to and giving her the privacy that she deserves. I shove the phone across the table angry she just won’t tell me what I want to know. I’m too old to be playing these games.
Throwing her napkin on the table, she stands abruptly. “This was obviously a mistake. Please take me home Cole.”
I push back from the table and grab my keys. Fine, if she wants to leave, I’ll take her. We’re both silent as I help her into my truck. She doesn’t bother making any conversation, and neither do I for the twenty-minute drive back to her grandmother’s house. By the time I pull up to the house, it’s almost nine o’clock. She’s upset, and I swear I can smell her tears. My bear and I are at odds. He wants me to comfort our mate, but I’m still angry. She doesn’t wait for me to get her door once I park, and I’m left trailing after her as she makes her way up the walkway. Ms. Molly is waiting at the door and is looking at both of us in confusion.
“I thought you said you would be home late and not to wait up.”
“Change of plans Gram,” Aubree says before slipping inside, not giving me a backward glance.
“Well, what on earth happened from the time she messaged me a half hour ago until now?” Ms. Molly asks with her hands on her hips.
“It appears that I made a mess of things.”
“You better make this right Cole Major.” She says pointing at me. “Your Daddy raised you kids better than that.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I sigh and watch as she closes and locks the door behind her.
Jesus, what the hell did I just do?