Chapter Five
Emelise
Eme woke the next morning with her head hurting a bit from all the crying she’d done the night before but her heart felt a little lighter. She’d kept her grief so bottled up but she now realized doing so had been the wrong thing to do. If nothing else, Caine had at least helped her to let some of it go.
A smile flitted across her face when she remembered the gentleness and strength in him when he’d held her on his lap and let her cry herself out. A shiver worked it’s way down her spine when she recalled the heat in his eyes when he’d turned with her suitcase in hand to find her standing there in bra and panties. She knew it was a big temptation for him and part of her had wanted him to give in.
Still, when he kept his word and helped her to get dressed then tucked her into bed, she’d been grateful. She might have enjoyed the sex, which was debatable since she’d not really enjoyed sex up to now, but she would have had morning-after regrets because it wouldn’t have been a direct result of the attraction between them but more her raw emotions. Somehow he’d known that and he’d left without even a real kiss goodnight.
Emelise spent the day unpacking boxes and putting things away. Anything that would go on the walls would wait until she’d had the chance to paint but everything else could be put where it belonged. Despite spending the day unpacking, there were still unopened boxes cluttering up her living room. She knew it was going to take more than one day to get her new place organized but by the time she stopped so she could shower and decide what to wear to dinner she’d made a big dent in things.
She’d gotten all of her clothes put away and standing there looking in her closet, she was torn. Did she want to wear a dress, a skirt, or pants? Each had their own pros and cons. She finally settled on a boho style dress that looked like different types of lace sewn together in strips. The skirt of it dipped down to a point in front and back and rose up on the sides in a V almost to her knees. The bodice hugged her breasts and thin straps held it on her shoulders.
The hardest thing to decide on was what to wear on her feet. Her Mama used to tease her about her shoe collection. It was almost an addiction, her need for so many shoes. It took fifteen minutes of trying on different pairs before she finally settled on a pair of black boots that stopped just below the knees. The leather boots were a combination of lace up and three buckle design and a front view revealed a bee broach and sprocket details. It was sexy and stylish, with a little bit of a funky look thanks to the boots being more Steampunk than sexy chic. Even with the four inch heel Caine was still going to be several inches taller than her.
After applying a little makeup she stared at herself in the mirror. Now for her hair. What to do, what to do? Put it up or let it hang down? She thought about all the times she’d seen Caine and realized that he’d never seen her hair down. Any time he saw her she’d had it pulled up. She left it hanging loose down her back where it reached just below her shoulder blades, added a little mousse to it to smooth it out, and called it done. She didn’t stop to question why she wanted to look good for him when she kept telling herself she didn’t want or need a man in her life. “Here goes nothing,” she said under her breath and headed out to meet Remy at the docks for her ride to the compound. She really did need to get her own damn boat.
Caine
Walking out of Emelise’s apartment that night had been one of the hardest things he’d ever done. Every single protective instinct he’d had was screaming at him to stay there, wrap her in his arms, and hold her throughout the night in case she needed him. He’d left because he wasn’t sure he could have stayed and not press for more than just holding her in his arms. He craved her the way a junkie craved their next fix. Every time he saw her his hands itched to strip her and caress her skin, his mouth watered at the thought of tasting her sweet nectar, and his cock hardened and throbbed with the need to be buried deep inside her. No, he wasn’t so sure he could have held her in his arms and not pushed for something more. So he’d left, letting her know that it was the only reprieve she had because come morning, he was going to really begin pursuing his mate.
Awaking with renewed resolve, Caine got his morning started while the sky still had that pre-dawn darkness to it. His first order of business, after fixing a quick breakfast, was to make sure his home was as inviting as possible. As a single male, he admitted that his home had an over abundance of masculine influences and almost no feminine ones. What would make Emelise feel comfortable and relaxed? He didn’t have the answer to his question so he did the only thing he could think of; he enlisted the aid of both Lily, via text, and Sabine. Why Sabine and not Eliza, when Eliza was related to Emelise? Because Sabine, despite being born and raised with the Pard, had gone away for college so she had more experience with what women away from the bayou were interested in. He thought someone with more outside influences might have better ideas.
Lily, apologies for the early morning text but I am in need of some advice. I want things to be perfect when Emelise comes to dinner tonight and you know her best. Any advice you can offer will be welcome.
He sent the text after reading it a few times then went in search of Sabine. He knew it might be a bit before he heard back from Lily.
Caine knew Sabine would already be awake. She’d always been an early riser, even when she was a child, she was awake early enough to watch the sun come up. This morning found her curled up on the swing she’d recently added to the small cottage next to her childhood home,with a cup of coffee in one hand and a muffin in the other. “Good mornin’, Sabine.”
“Good mornin’, Caine. What brings you by dis early in da day?”
Caine rubbed his brow a moment. “I am in need of some...assistance. My mate is coming to dinner tonight and I am not too proud to admit that my home is less than inviting to the feminine eye.”
Sabine arched a brow at him. “You come to me and not her kin?” Her dark eyes studied her Alpha with curiosity.
“Dat, I do. Dey may be her kin but dey haven’t lived away from da bayou da way you have. My mate is...eccentric. Growing up away from here, she’s experienced tings most here haven’t.” He knew that in some ways his Pard was isolated from the world beyond New Orleans.
“Ah, dey don’t have da worldly experiences she does, but I do. Now I understand.” Sabine laughed softly. “Let me see what I have to work wit'.” She got up to follow him to his home.
On the way to his home his phone vibrated and Caine took it out to see Lily had responded to his text. She must have to work the morning shift if she was up this early. Good morning, Caine. Don’t sweat the early text, it’s all good. As for insight on Eme, her favorite colors are red, black, gold, and turquoise, which I’m sure you’ve probably figured out. Unlike me, her favorite flower is roses, I know, so common but it’s about the only ‘common’ thing about Eme. Don’t be overbearing because she’ll tell you to fuck off. Let’s see, she loves blues and jazz, which is a given considering the club she’s opening, but she also really enjoys classical music and don’t tell her I said anything, but she loves to dance. She took dance growing up and she’s really good at it. Her favorite sweet treat is cheesecake, with any kind of fruit topping. She’s been raised to believe that you can’t depend on others, romantically, to stick by you. When she was four her mother fell in love, he moved in with them, and both Eme and her mom thought he’d be there forever. He was the only father Eme ever knew. He left when she was ten, it devastated both of them, and it jaded Emelise about relationships with men. You’ve got your work cut out for you, Caine. She’ll be pissed when she realizes I told you about Sean Scotsdale abandoning them when they believed he was in it for the long haul, but I felt you deserved to know why she’s fighting the attraction she feels for you so hard. Good luck!
Caine read over the long text several times. Emelise and her mother were abandoned by the man they believed loved them. That explained her resistance to getting involved. He needed to change Emelise’s perception, but he had a feeling it wasn’t going to be easy. Thanks for the information, cher. I forgive you for taking off to Phoenix without an escort when it was so risky going through the Red Moon Clan’s territory. He couldn’t very well stay angry when she was trying to help him win over his mate.
That done he turned his attention to Sabine. He watched as she moved through his home while shaking her head. “Just tell me whatever it is you’re tinkin’.”
“It’s easy to see you’re a bachelor. Dis entire house is one big man cave. Do you trust me to make some changes wit’out makin' it feel like someone else’s home?”
“What do you need to do?”
“Go shoppin’.”
Caine groaned but handed over his credit card. He wanted the house to be welcoming for Emelise and if that meant a little change in décor, so be it.
Sabine chuckled. “Don’t look so scared, I won’t do too much damage,” she teased and left.
Caine decided to focus on work until she returned. Regardless of his desire to make things perfect for his dinner with Emelise, he still had work to do. There were bills to be paid, he had a Pard to look after, and he’d offered to send monetary aid to the Red Moon Clan now that they were allies. Shit, he still needed to talk with Declan, to formally thank him and his team for their assistance with the jaguars, and present him with the offer he’d come up with as proper thanks. When you have some free time, I need to speak with you. Let me know when you can come out to the compound and I’ll have Remy bring you.
Declan’s response came almost immediately after Caine’s was sent. I can come out this afternoon. Be there at 2.
See you at 2, then. With that piece of business done, he spent the next two hours working until Sabine returned from her shopping trip.
When she got back, Sabine had several bags with her. She handed Caine his card back and went to work. She changed out the lamps in the living room because they were dark and rather bland, to something that helped to brighten things up. She’d also gotten some colorful throw pillows for his leather sofa and an area rug to put on the hardwood floor. A few changes to decorations on the walls, including a couple of paintings, and she was done.
Caine watched her work and when she was done he had to admit the house felt a bit brighter. “Thank you, cher.”
“So you approve?”
Caine chuckled. “You were right, it needed some changes.”
Sabine patted his arm. “Good luck in wooin’ your mate, Alpha.”
It was Caine’s turn to head out and do a little shopping. He had a dinner to prepare and he needed to be back at the compound before Declan’s arrival at two.
Declan
Declan had spent the night making good on his word to Lily about how she wouldn’t be getting out of bed any time soon once she’d gotten back from Phoenix. When they’d both awakened that morning, the passion hadn’t eased any and he’d spent another hour pleasuring her very responsive body. Now with the sun hovering overhead in the sky before it started it’s slow descent towards the western horizon, he headed to the Pard’s compound to see what Caine wanted.
“You and Lily seem to be getting’ along better,” Remy said as he headed the boat toward the compound.
“That’s because we are. That doesn’t mean she isn’t making me work for it though. The woman is still stubborn as hell, but that’s one of the many things I like about her.” Like, hell, he was in love with the she-wolf but he wasn’t ready to admit it out loud.
Remy laughed. “Dat’s a good ting, considerin’ she’s your mate.”
“True. Listen, since we have a few minutes, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about. I know you have a carpentry business with your brother, and you’re free to decline the offer I’m about to make, but I want to make it anyway. I’ve decided to start my own private security company, doing things similar to what we did when the jaguars came after the Pard, along with other things like offering bodyguards to people when needed. I wanted to offer you a position. You’re a damn good fighter, you’re fast on your feet, you know how to move in silence, and you’ve got an integrity that I respect. Don’t give me an answer right now. Just think on it,” he said before Remy could respond one way or the other. He didn’t want the man to make a quick decision and regret it later.
“Dat’s a mighty fine offer,” Remy said with a nod. “I’ll tink on it and get back to you.” When they reached the dock at the compound he tied off and hopped out. “Lemme know when you’re ready to go back,” he said and headed to his home.
“Will do,” Declan said before he hopped off the boat and made a beeline for Caine’s house.
“I see you’re right on time,” Caine said when he met Declan at the door. “Can I get you a drink before we talk?”
“Some of that sweet tea that seems to be so popular here in the South would be great. I had no idea tea could taste that good.”
Caine chuckled. “Dat it can, when it’s sweetened just right.” He got two glasses, complete with ice, handed Declan’s to him, and headed to his study. “Sit,” he said once he was behind his desk.
Declan got comfortable and took a drink of the tea before he cocked a brow at the leopard across from him. “What’s on your mind, Caine?”
“I’ve been tinkin’. You and your team were a great asset during da trouble wit’ da jaguars. I wanted to thank you for your help by offerin’ part of Black Water Pard territory to you, as your own territory.”
Declan blinked. “Come again?” Had he heard Caine right?
“You heard me right,” Caine said. “Dis is Lily’s home, you’re an Alpha in your own right, you should have your own territory. New Orleans, as well as the surrounding area, will be split between the Black Water Pard and your Pack. Ever’ting east and nor’east of da eight hundred block of da French Quarter will be yours. Da Pard’s territory will continue nor’west to Baton Rouge.”
“That’s...quite the thank you, Caine. I’d be a damned fool to turn down such a generous offer. Looks like the Black Water Pard has gained another ally. The Ghostpoint Pack. It just seems to be a fitting name now that we're going to officially be a Pack.” He knew there were other ‘misfits’ out there, shifters who wanted to belong to a pack, a group, but for whatever reason weren’t welcome among their own. He’d reach out to them, give them an option to join, under a few conditions, of course.
“I agree, it is a fittin' name. I tink dis is da beginnin’ of a very long friendship,” Caine said as he walked Declan out.
“I think you’re right,” Declan agreed. He couldn’t wait to share the news with Lily and his team. No, not team, his Pack.