~ EXCERPT BELOW ~
Check prices before you buy.
Chris Michaels trotted across the meadow behind Woodhaven, the name Margaret christened the old inn with. It was a good name. The inn was impressive after all the work they had put into it. It had a huge main living area downstairs, a smaller commons area on the second floor, a dining room that could seat about sixty-five, a kitchen that could feed an army, and thirty-six guest rooms spread between the second and third floor. It also had a hidden entrance to a huge basement area through the pantry in the kitchen.
He darted down the narrow walk between the inn and the work shed to avoid any prying eyes that might be peering out their windows. The dew-covered grass between his paws was invigorating and even nicer on bare feet, he noted, shifting quickly. Much more inviting than Vegas sand, though the nightlife in Vegas was fabulous. This place was like living under a rock —literally.
A pair of sweatpants lay exactly where he’d left them by the door. He slipped them on and ducked inside.
He’d taken the Demakis girls out to see a movie last week at the one and only theater in Logan. They didn’t serve alcohol, and he’d suffered through an emotional chick flick without a single drink in his system. Then Nicole had told him he wasn’t her mate. He already knew, but it was sweet that she’d tried to let him down easily. When he’d arrived at Woodhaven a month ago, he’d already been told she’d turned twenty-five. A little harmless flirting never hurt anyone, but he wanted the same thing she did —a true mate.
He strolled barefoot down the main hall and walked into the empty dining room, his mind totally focused on raiding the fridge for leftovers from last night’s wedding feast.
“Hi,” a feminine voice squeaked from the corner, surprising him and eliciting an under-the-breath curse. No one ever surprised him. Where the hell had she come from?
“Morning,” he forced out. He hadn’t thought anyone would be up yet.
“Sorry, if I startled you.” Her voice was soft and silky. “I saw a wolf walk across the lawn. Did you see it? I didn’t think wildlife would come so close to the building. It was so beautiful.”
Chris grinned at the unknowingly bestowed compliment to his wolf. Maybe Sarah McLain wouldn’t be too against finding out she was a wolf as well.
Her burgundy red hair was twisted up on her head in a messy bun, and her green eyes sparkled. It was the most excitement he’d seen from her the entire weekend. She’d been severely depressed when she first arrived and very reserved, but now… He couldn’t stop staring at her creamy white skin. The little tank top and athletic shorts didn’t leave much to the imagination, but he wouldn’t mind peeling them off to see the rest of her delicious body. How did I not notice those curves before now? Gods, and her scent. She smelled like the morning glories outside near the deck.
“Because you were still thinking about Nicole.”
I’ve moved on.
“I noticed.” His wolf chuckled.
His gaze trailed back to her angelic face, and his grin widened. He wasn’t the only one window-shopping. Her stare was fixated on his bare torso. His cock twitched with interest. Shit. He better move it along, or he’d be standing in front of her with a hard-on.
“Oh, there are several wolves living around here,” he answered with a wink.
She blushed a beautiful bright pink and met his gaze, no doubt realizing he’d caught her appreciating the scenery.
“I’ll have to keep my eye out for them.” She smiled and took a sip of her coffee.
“They are beautiful creatures,” he added, staring at her again, wondering what her wolf would look like.
He turned abruptly and hurried from the room before his dick could embarrass him. A sigh escaped his mouth before he realized the kitchen wasn’t empty either. Bonnie McLain was cooking up a storm. It was like Joe’s Diner had come to the inn for a visit.
Bonnie looked up at him and narrowed her eyes. Suddenly he felt very underdressed.
“Go put a shirt on, young man, and I’ll fix you a plate.”
It wasn’t a request. The little woman was ordering him around as if she were his mother.
“You heard her, Chris,” a much more familiar voice snapped from the other side of the kitchen.
“Shi— Mom!” What’s wrong with me today? I’m off my game. “I’m going.” He held up his hands in surrender and whirled, ducking back through the doorway and into the dining room.
Sarah was still at her table, staring out the window. She didn’t seem to notice him at first, but then she turned her head, and her gaze followed him across the room.
“No shirt, no service?”
He stopped, a laugh rolled up from his chest. “Yes.”
A grin spread across her face, and he was sure his heart stopped at least for a few seconds. He wanted to join her at the table, but fear of the mothers in the kitchen kept his feet planted firmly where they were.
“I’ll be back in a minute. Will you still be here? I’d like to eat with you.”
She held up her coffee cup. “Not going anywhere.”
“Good.”
He hurried from the room and up the main set of stairs at the front of the inn.
“You shouldn’t be pursuing her,” his wolf growled. “She’s human.”
Not for long.
“You can’t tell if she’s a mate match until after she turns.”
Sometimes even humans have instincts. Plus, a little flirting never hurt anyone.
“She’s masking her pain. You need to be mindful,” his wolf warned.
I will.
His wolf snorted but didn’t respond.
He swung a left at the top of the stairs and slipped through the door into his room. The girls had deemed the east wing of the second floor for boys, claiming the west wing for themselves. The middle rooms served as a buffer and were for couples. At least that’s what Nicole had told him when he arrived. Like it mattered to him what side of the inn he stayed on. He did appreciate the new bed and upgraded en suite bathroom. O’Hearn hadn’t skimped on the remodel.
The third floor remained untouched and was being used for storage since the space wasn’t needed yet. He’d gone up and poked around a little. They’d had to go up to get to the roof and install the satellite. Nobody could live without cell service and Internet.
He grabbed a T-shirt and pulled it on, also swapping his sweatpants for a pair of loose jeans. Then he made his way back down to the dining room. Sarah waved him on to the kitchen to grab a plate. He walked in quietly. His mom wasn’t there anymore, but Bonnie gave him an approving once-over.
“Where are your shoes?”
“Bonnie, I don’t like shoes. Can I have some breakfast, or should I just go rummage in the fridge?”
“I don’t understand you and your friends. Never met people who hated being dressed so much. I think you would all just walk around naked if you could.” She snorted out a laugh and handed him a plate heaped with scrambled eggs, toast, and bacon.
He bit his lip, trying hard not to reply to her comment. It was true. They walked around semi-dressed a lot. Especially if they were going out for a run. He never thought about what it looked like to the humans around them. I guess they did look a little like slobs that never got out of bed.
“Don’t laugh!” She waved a spatula at him in the air. “You know I’m right.”
“Yes, ma’am, you are. Our secret desire is to join a nudist colony.”
The spatula dropped to the floor, and a look of horror passed over Bonnie’s face. He instantly felt sorry for teasing her, but the nude comment wasn’t that outlandish. Shifters learned at an early age not to be ashamed of being nude. It was just a part of life. They couldn’t shift with clothing on.
“I’m kidding, Bonnie. I promise.” He put his plate down on the counter and gave the older woman a quick hug.
“You just said it so easily. Like it really was...”
He chuckled, and she pushed him away.
“I just can’t help teasing. I’m sorry.”
“Apology accepted. Are you going out there to keep my daughter company?”
A chill ran through his blood, and he paused at the door. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Good, but no talking about nudist colonies,” she added, giggling at the last bit.
He sighed and nodded in agreement. He’d been worried she would tell him to leave her daughter alone. That would have been awkward.