Shifting Destinies: A Paranormal Interracial Story (HIdden Hills Shifters Book 3) (13 page)

“Yes, Wade.”

He must’ve been waiting for her plea, because his fingers notched into her skin, and he pounded into her as if he could no longer control his movements. He crisscrossed his arms and captured her breasts while sinking his teeth into her shoulder. The impending storm inside her descended, and the dam broke—the maelstrom of pleasure detonating as her orgasm exploded. His cock went off, and heat seared her insides. His grunts came out loud, and her world seemed to tilt. As she absorbed his animal scent, they became one in every way.

Minutes passed, and except for their rapid breaths, silence surrounded them. It took a few minutes for her heartbeat to calm enough for her to drop onto her elbows to rest.

Wade finally withdrew and picked up his briefs. He then turned her around and wiped her clean. “I hope you don’t think that I only came here to have sex with you.”

“No.” That was the truth. She believed his intentions had been good, but they seemed to have trouble keeping apart, slowly convincing her that they were mates after all.

*     *     *

Wade was covered
in sweat. “You want to take a shower?”

“Have you seen my bathroom?” Her voice rose.

“It’s a little small, but maybe we can fit.”

She ran a hand down his arm. “How about if you get settled in while I shower? Then you can take one.”

Being the guest in her house, he wouldn’t argue. He’d never lived with anyone before, so he really wasn’t sure how this was going to pan out. “Works for me.”

Emmaline gathered her sweats and shirt and walked bare-assed down the hallway. God, she was a beautiful woman. Wade stepped into his pants, picked up his other clothes, and gathered his two suitcases. He’d not been to her bedroom before, but he hoped it held at least a queen-sized bed.

As soon as he entered, he could see things would be a tight squeeze. The bed was of acceptable size and she had a dresser, but not much else. That was okay. He could handle it. Wade wanted to be with Emmaline, and if it meant a little inconvenience, he’d deal.

For the time being, he’d leave most of his clothes in his suitcases, but he did need to hang up his one suit and three dress shirts that he brought for when he had a meeting with a client. Most times he could get away with casual attire at work, but not always.

Once he gathered his good clothes, he opened her closet. Well, shit. Her stuff was jammed in there with no room for any of his gear, though he managed to snag three hangers to put his shirts on. He ended up hanging one shirt on the doorknob, another on the closet handle, and the last he hooked on the dresser. Possibly not the best solution, but it would have to do.

Gathering his toiletries, he headed to the bathroom. The shower was still running, so he opened the door and stepped in. Steam billowed around the room, heating him even more.

“I’m not done yet,” Emmaline said from behind the opaque shower curtain that was covered in howling wolves. Once his child was born, things might have to change—like having a curtain covered with pictures of cute little bears.

“I’m just here to put up my toiletries.” Wade had to shove some of her things to the side to make room for his razor, electric toothbrush, toothpaste, and deodorant. Having run out of space, he stacked what was left on top of the toilet tank. He stepped back, pleased with how he was able to fit.

She shut off the water, and a towel disappeared from over the top of the bar. A few seconds later, a hand wiggled out of the side. “Can you hand me the pink towel?”

“Sure.” He took it off the rack, gave it to her, and then chuckled at her modesty.

Since it was now his turn to shower, he ditched his pants and waited for her to get out. When she did, one towel was wrapped around her head and the other surrounded her body. She glanced between the top of the toilet and the counter. “You moved my things.”

Wade was uncertain how to respond. He thought it obvious that he’d done the best he could given the space. “What would you have liked me to have done?” He was rather pleased with his calm reaction.

Her lips firm. “I don’t know. I’ve never lived with anyone before. Actually, that’s not true. I’ve lived with three sisters and we had to share a bathroom, but it was always neat.”

Ouch. He could see why she was so concerned. He quickly straightened his junk. “Maybe I can get one of those storage units that go around the toilet so I can put all my gear in there.” Emmaline didn’t answer at first. She picked up her clothes and hugged them to her chest. “That might be good.”

She stepped past him, opened the door, and slipped out. Well that didn’t go as well as he’d hoped. He could find solutions to people’s investment problems, yet he didn’t seem to be able to work his magic with Emmaline. Perhaps his good friend, Burke, could give him some pointers. After all, he’d recently moved in with Tasha, and they seemed to manage quite well. Then again, Tasha wasn’t pregnant.

Chapter Twelve

T
he next week
had to have been the worst in Emmaline’s life. What started out odd but okay, ended in tragedy. For starters, Wade wasn’t acting normally. No matter how frustrated, sick, or testy she became, he always had a smile on his face. That was the odd part. She should have been thrilled that he was so easy to live with, but she knew it wouldn’t last.

Then the little things started to bother her, like how toothpaste rings would appear on her bathroom counter under his electric toothbrush, and how the bar of soap never made it to the dish. Even though she had a bin for the toilet paper, never once did the roll get on the holder. The toilet seat being left up honestly didn’t bother her as much.

True to his word, he’d purchased an over-the-toilet cabinet to store his things, but that only temporarily solved the problem as the items began to migrate to the counter. Then there was the issue of the towels. Wade often forgot to hang his up, leaving it on the floor instead.

The bedroom was a total catastrophe. Sure her room was small, but he left his clothes strewn everywhere. At least the sex had been great in there, though that meant she went to bed every night exhausted. She could have handled that, but her morning sickness wasn’t getting any better. She’d made an appointment with Dr. Samuels for next week, hoping he could give her something for the nausea.

Work went downhill, too. By the end of the week, she found it increasingly more difficult to concentrate since her hormones were messing with her brain. Each day she’d reminded herself that Wade had an appointment with a very important client at noon on Friday, and that her only job was to order in sandwiches for them. No sooner had the man arrived than she’d received a phone call from her mother, which had distracted her.

“I wanted to remind you about Millicent’s birthday tomorrow.”

“I remember, Mom.”
Now that you’ve told me
. “What time would you like me there?”

“Everyone is showing up around three o’clock.”

“Can I bring anything?” She didn’t know why she bothered asking, as her mother would have everything and then some.

“Just yourself, dear.” It was understood that she’d bring a present.

Just as she hung up, Wade came out of his office, his body stiff. “Are the sandwiches here yet?”

Blood drained from her brain. She glanced at the clock. Oh, shit. It was quarter past one. “I forgot. I’m sorry. I know how important this meeting was to you.” Her chin trembled and her eyes teared. “I even wrote it down.” Emmaline fumbled through the papers on her desk and actually located the sticky note with the information on it—not that it did her any good hidden under a folder. “I can call them now.”

“Please do.” He spun on his heels and charged back into his office. Crap. She’d messed up big time. Everything suddenly seemed so hard. Being pregnant probably had something to do with it, or else living together was getting to both of them.

She placed the order and promised the delivery boy an extra big tip—that she’d spring for—if he could get the meal there in under fifteen minutes. As soon as she hung up, she realized she had yet to get her sister a present. Emmaline had no doubt that she was slowly spiraling out of control and prayed she could stop the descent before she hit rock bottom.

*     *     *

Millicent shook the
box. “I wonder what’s inside?” She turned it over. “Oh. This one’s from Emmaline.”

Em had been at a loss as to what to buy her sister, as Millicent seemed to have everything. She was an elementary school teacher and didn’t wear anything too fancy to work, so jewelry was a no go.

Her sister ripped open the box and picked up the silk scarf. “How sweet.” Her smile appeared gracious but when she stuffed her present back in the box, Emmaline had the impression it would never be worn.

Both of her older sisters had flown in for the birthday celebration. Elizabeth, the wealthiest of the three, gave Millicent a very classy looking blue silk coat that must have set her back a few hundred dollars.

Millicent glowed. “This is amazing. Oh, Elizabeth, you shouldn’t have.”

“Nothing’s too good for my little sister.”

Emmaline remembered what Elizabeth had sent her on her birthday. It was a one-month membership to the local gym that she’d yet to use. Frederica’s present was a new iPad, and her parents had said they’d buy her a new sofa for her apartment—any one she wanted.

Millicent had squealed as if it was the best thing she’d ever received. Emmaline had to admit it was a pretty terrific gift. Now she felt bad that her scarf wasn’t nearly as good as the rest of the presents.

“Emmaline, will you help me get the glasses and the wine,” her mom asked.

She jumped up to help. In the kitchen, her mother set six wine glasses on the tray and filled them. “I’d rather have water,” Em said.

“Darling, this is your sister’s birthday celebration. We always have wine.”

“I’m not feeling very well.”

Her mother’s chin lifted. “Suit yourself.”

Thanks for asking what’s wrong
.

Mom left the kitchen empty-handed, meaning that Emmaline had to carry the tray. Growing up, she often felt like Cinderella. Her three sisters were treated well, but somehow she never was. Not wanting to think of herself as a victim, she’d taken her life and her career into her own hands by finding her own apartment and getting a job her father hadn’t helped set up. When her dad had offered to help with one month’s rent on her first apartment, she’d turned him down. Owing them anything wasn’t her style.

She set the tray on the large, wooden coffee table, passed out the glasses, and then raised hers. “Happy birthday, Millicent.”

The others drank, but she only took a tiny sip before setting her glass down.

Her mother lit the one candle on top of the cake and everyone sang happy birthday, which Em admitted was really nice. When the pieces were cut and passed out, Emmaline tried to make the best of the situation. Unfortunately, after eating half of her slice, her stomach decided it couldn’t handle the rich chocolate. She put down her plate and stood. “Excuse me.”

She rushed down the hallway into the guest bathroom and made it just in time to vomit. Shit, shit, shit. When she felt better, she rinsed out her mouth and went back to the party, hoping no one even cared that she was gone for a few minutes. It wasn’t to be though. All eyes were on her.

Her mother straightened. “Are you all right, dear?”

“Yes.” Emmaline wanted to tell them about the baby, but with them staring at her, she lost her nerve.

Mom’s lips turned down. “You stained your shirt.”

She looked down and heat flushed her face. Emmaline picked up her napkin and blotted the cake residue. When she looked up, her father was scowling, and her sisters were glaring. She let out a sigh, knowing she’d have to tell them. “If you must know, I was sick because I’m pregnant.”

Emmaline expected them to be upset, but she hadn’t anticipated the ugly stares. Her mother’s lips were so thin they disappeared. “Who’s the father?” Mom asked with layers of bitterness and disappointment. Clearly, the blot on the family name would never be forgiven.

“His name is Wade Black. He’s a bear shifter, if you must know.” Her stomach almost heaved again waiting for their response.