Black Gold (10 page)

Guilt smacked him like an avalanche. Yeah, he kinda sounded as if he’d made a list of everything he thought was fucked up and simply complained about them one after another. “It’s not what I expected to be dealing with this week.”

TJ shrugged as he rose to his feet. “That’s reality. If everything ran according to a plan, life would be pretty boring. Finding your mate is an incredible gift. But even though we’ve got the freaky wolf genes making the decision for us, it’s our human side that lets us work out the details. Just take it one step at a time, okay?”

Shaun stared at the younger man in shock. “When the hell did you grow up? You’ve never lectured anyone before.” He’d certainly never been on the receiving end.

His friend’s grin got wider. “Self-defense. My mate is a very stubborn woman. I’ve learned over the past nine months if I want something, I either need to sweet-talk her into seeing things my way or turn the logic way up.”

Everything in him wanted to laugh at the thought of TJ using logic, but Shaun figured he was far more screwed at this point than TJ, so who was he to argue? “Fine. I get the message.” Already a couple steps away, TJ turned back. He winked at Shaun. “For what it’s worth, I think you can handle this.”

There was no time to throw anything at him before TJ waved and ducked out through the restaurant doors.

Shaun sat back down, slumping in his chair. Logic? He’d been using none of it, simply reacting. With his dick. His mouth, his attitude.

He had done the deed with his mate, and he couldn’t freaking remember. Why in the hell had that happened? Then there was the whole overreacting thing. Memories flashed of being a teenager and deliberately picking fights with his parents.

His stomach grumbled, and he checked his watch again. If Gem didn’t show up soon he was going back to the room to haul her ass out for breakfast even if he had to remove the hinges—

Shock hit upside the head.

Shame.

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55

Vivian Arend

Holy shit.
He couldn’t turn it off. Even sitting here he was thinking like a Neanderthal. As if that was the way to get the princess to do anything. She was his
mate
. He might not have marked her, but he was damn well not going to give her up.

He dropped his head into his hands, plotting as hard as he could. Okay, if he’d recited a list to TJ

about everything wrong between him and Gem, maybe he needed to make that list again, and use some of
his
sweet-talking ability and keen logic to improve the situation. There were a lot of ways to accomplish goals, and one sure way was for the other person to offer you exactly what you wanted.

Well, maybe somewhere in the next day or two he’d figure out what exactly it was that he wanted.

Because right now, he had absolutely no idea, other than his plans had to include her.

The doors to the restaurant opened again, and this time instead of TJ’s ugly mug it was
her
. Pristine and perfect, dressed in a suit jacket with a matching knee-length skirt. Small heels on her shoes, dark hair pulled back to lie in immaculate sweeps over her shoulders. Shaun rose to his feet instinctively, and the frown on her face smoothed away.

Gem stepped slowly toward him, and he held out his hand.

“Ready for breakfast?” he asked. Polite. Almost formal. Shaun grit his teeth at how weird it felt to try and impress a female this way.

“Starving.” He held her chair, then waved down the waitress. Gem adjusted her place setting before looking up from under lowered eyelashes to smile hesitantly at him. “I seemed to have burned off a few extra calories last night.”

Sweet mercy.
He licked his lips and discarded the first half-dozen responses that shot to mind—all of them far too dirty to voice.

Gem accepted a menu and examined it closely, giving him more time to stare in fascination at what fate had laid in his path. Mentally, he scrambled to organize the list—the
winning Gem over
list.

Number one. She was from the south, he loved the north. That was the biggest and most obvious barrier between them. Somehow he had to convince her that where she wanted to be was here. The beauty of the north was unlike anywhere else in the world, especially for wolves. Being able to enjoy the freedom of running through wide open spaces—he bet she’d never gotten to experience anything like that down south—not with the freaky “no wolves in Georgia” deterrent.

The waitress came by to take their orders and top up his coffee. Gem lifted her cup and took a long appreciative sniff. “Smells delicious.”

“Midnight Sun brewing company. Locally owned, and they roast the beans right here in Whitehorse.

We’ve also got one of the pack who is a gourmet chef working the Moonshine Inn. You won’t find better in the fanciest restaurant elsewhere.”

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Black Gold

“Really? How wonderful.” Gem took a slow sip and Shaun looked around helplessly for puppies to pet or something equally awe-inspiring. Five minutes into the meal, and he was reduced to boasting about the social graces of the north?
Gag
.

Still, desperate times, desperate measures.

While they waited for their order to arrive, Gem shared about her trip north the previous day. Even as she spoke, Shaun nodded absently and mentally scrambled through his foggy memory banks. She had mentioned something vital this morning. Something about…spreading her wings and trying new things.

She’d been protected—really,
really
sheltered up to this point in her life. Although the fact concerned him and made all his own protective instincts rev up to high, her wanting to experience a freer life could work right into his game plan. He would show her around, but allow her space. He totally understood that need.

Gem continued to examine the restaurant as if fascinated. It allowed him time to add
give Gem
breathing room
to his list.

The biggest worry he had right now was her crazy trip to the North Country.

Over the years, most of the bookings he’d flown that had turned out disastrous involved members of the research community. What they thought was adequate preparation in the lab had been nowhere near what was needed in the bush. The only way Gem could get her information would involve a lot more hands-on activity than helicopter fly-bys. They would have to hike and camp on the actual terrain.

Their breakfast arrived, and Gem smiled sweetly at the waitress before dipping into her food. Shaun tried to picture her in the middle of his usual going-back-to-the-land-to-relax situation, and couldn’t.

Simply couldn’t. The delicate aura surrounding her turned him on, then wrapped him in knots of fear. What if she hated the trip? He came out of his intense concentration to catch her staring.

She reached across the table to touch his hand. “Is everything all right?” Shaun nodded rapidly. “Fine, just fine. Wonderful.”

“You’re frowning.”

Because he’d imagined her taking one look at the primitive campsite they’d be living in for days and running as fast as her pretty little shoes could take her, as far away from him as possible.

He scrambled for some logical excuse. “Too much coffee. I should switch to decaf. Orange juice?” He offered his glass and her expression smoothed again.

Somehow he had to convince her there was another way to finish her project without subjecting her to full-out wilderness in her first days up north. It really would be better for them all if she decided to cancel the trip. He didn’t need her to get so discouraged she turned and ran south before she’d had time to truly fall in love.

With both him and the land.

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57

Chapter Seven

Gem made sure the breakfast conversation stuck to light, non-
them
related issues. They might have far too many details to figure out, but based on how fabulous their earlier discussion had gone, she didn’t want to be fighting indigestion as well as anger for the rest of the day.

Instead she played the ultimate diplomat. If there was one thing her years acting as her father’s hostess had taught her, it was how to talk about absolutely anything, with anyone, and say nothing.

If only she didn’t keep losing her concentration every time their elbows bumped. Or when their fingers touched as he passed her the salt. When he’d offered her a taste of his fresh-squeezed orange juice, she’d nearly had heart palpitations. Even sharing a glass with him was far too intimate.

Finally, Shaun stared at her over his empty plate. “Had enough?” She dabbed her mouth with her napkin and nodded. “That was delicious, thank you.” He led her back toward their rooms. She paused in the foyer. “I know the official sightseeing wasn’t suppose to begin until we leave Whitehorse, but would you be interested in showing me around?” His grin was mesmerizing. “I would love to be your guide. Put yourself entirely into my hands.”
Into his hands.
The coals in her belly fanned to high heat, and she forced herself to ignore them. Not now. They had already established they could have sex. Hot sex. Melt-the-sheets sex.

Could they go for a walk without starting another argument?

“I’d like that.” She paused again. “I should change.”

He eyed her, admiration clear. “I don’t want you to change a thing.” That wasn’t what it had sounded like before, but she’d take the statement at face value. “Thank you.” Shaun offered his hand and she accepted it, her fingers tingling where they made contact. He led her out the front doors to where the sun was already high overhead. A lingering coolness hung in the air as the breeze flowed over the river.

It was peaceful and serene—walking quiet streets with hints of brilliant green showing everywhere.

Considering it was June and she’d seen Savannah bloom back in March and April, to realize it was only spring here was another reminder of just how far away from home she was. He squeezed her hand and pointed to a nest, the white head of a bald eagle peeking over the edge.

She was loath to break their companionable silence, but they had to begin the discussions sometime.

“Do you live right in Whitehorse?”

Black Gold

Shaun laughed. “That’s a tough question. When I’m not working tourist flights or shipping supplies, yes, I live here in town in the pack house. I also have an apartment in Haines Junction—that’s where we store the planes.”

“Two places?”

“Yeah, means less time on the road. In the summer, my partner and I fly most of the bookings for Maximum Exposure Wilderness Expeditions. Tad’s Alpha and brother-in-law owns that company. Then in the dead of winter, I chopper medical and emergency supplies to Old Crow and other people in remote areas who get isolated in the cold season.”

They’d arrived at a walkway that paralleled the river. With a gentle pressure on her hand, he held her back for a moment, pointing across to where a section of lingering ice had just broken loose from the bank.

The minute iceberg drifted past them, slowly spiraling on the lazy current of the wide river.

Her mate wasn’t simply a shiftless bum after all. Something inside warmed that had nothing to do with her wolf and the way it kept nudging her to touch him. “That sounds like a very noble occupation.” The mischievous grin was back, the dark centers of his eyes like magnets, catching her and refusing to let her go. “Yeah. And the pay is good too. Additional benefits because of the danger, you know.” One word nabbed her attention. “Danger?”

He grunted lightly. “If you have a mechanical breakdown that far back in the bush, and you don’t find shelter quick, you can pretty much kiss your ass goodbye.”

Gem deliberately ignored his swearing. “But you’re a wolf, so that reduces some of the risk.”

“Even wolves can freeze when it’s minus sixty, love.”

In spite of the sun’s warmth, Gem shivered. “The estate stays above freezing all winter, and for much of the year, flowers bloom everywhere over the grounds. There’s a pool for the hot summer days as well, but my favourite thing has always been going to the beach.”

“Really?” His surprise was genuine. “You…”

She waited.

He stopped at the base of a bridge. “I was going to say you don’t strike me as the beach type.” Gem had to give him that one. “I don’t enjoy getting sand everywhere, but there’s something about the waves I love. And how big and free the ocean is—it moves me.”

“Hmm.” Shaun stared at her for a moment, then gestured over the bridge. “Want to see the fish ladder?”

“I’d love to.” She’d read about it. Checked the online information. Getting to see it in person—even better. That’s what she needed more of. To expand what she’d only witnessed in books and research into life experiences.

Shaun caught her hand again and tugged her across the gently curved footbridge. “Building the hydro-dam caused Miles Canyon to flood and back up to form Schwatka Lake. Of course the dam not only

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Vivian Arend

stopped the water, it blocked the salmon from their traditional spawning grounds, and so the city installed the ladder.”

He took her to the viewing house, and they peered through the glass at the running water. The slope of the wooden trough appeared gentle enough the fish would be able to fight the current and swim the extension waterway all the way from the base of the falls to the top of the dam.

“There’s nothing here now, but in the fall the salmon arrive by the thousands, and the fish and wildlife dudes count them as they go up the chute.” Shaun hopped over the security fence to dig in a wooden box.

He picked up a plastic salmon and displayed it to her. “They’re about this size by the time they get here.” Gem glanced around, hoping she wouldn’t spot anyone official coming to clap them in irons. “Put it down. Oh, dear.”

“You want to touch it?”

She must have looked like Spock. She felt her one brow rise way, way up in the air. “Why?” He dropped the plastic prop back in the box, grinning the entire time.