The Alpha's Temporary Mate (Fated Match) (4 page)

“Still, maybe I should research glamours,” she muttered. The simple spell would act as the perfect mask, hiding her rosy blushes from the world.

Staring at her ghostly reflection in the glass, she lifted her chin. She wouldn’t let Kieran down, and when this was all over, she’d have both her business, and her heart, safely secured.

“D
inner.”

Chloe glanced at the door as the shout echoed through the house. She’d spent the last two hours unpacking before turning to her laptop for a refresher course in pack culture. Night had fallen over the city and she’d barely noticed.

“Coming,” she shouted back. Ignoring her shoes, she raced from the room in her polka-dotted socks. It hadn’t taken her very long to change from her formal pencil skirt and gray blazer to her comfiest jeans and a light purple sweater. She was halfway down the stairs when it occurred to her she could have changed into something more stylish for dinner.

Pausing, Chloe eyed the upper landing from whence she’d come. Kieran was no doubt surrounded by impeccably dressed females during his usual life. While she didn’t think she looked like a train wreck, she was certain she didn’t match her predecessors’ elegance. Shrugging, she continued down the stairs. If they were going to live together for weeks he’d better get used to the fact that she was a jeans and a T-shirt sort of girl.

Stepping off the black spiral stairs, she followed her nose through one of the large archways. The kitchen came into view, complete with all the latest stainless steel appliances and what looked like a living wall of herbs.

“Hope you’re hungry,” Kieran said, glancing at her over his shoulder from his position by the stove.

“Starved,” she replied, and meant it. Too nervous about how this day would play out, she’d only snacked on a power bar for lunch.

Hopping into one of the high chairs pulled up to the large marble island, she rested her chin in her hand while she watched Kieran shake some spices into a pot of spaghetti sauce.

“I didn’t realize you could cook,” she said.

“Love it,” he replied. “Prepare to be spoiled this month.”

“Between the balcony’s view, and the way that sauce smells, I think it will be an easy task to accomplish.”

“So simply? Where have you been all my life, Chloe?”

She huffed a laugh. “I think I’ve made my view on your usual type of women pretty clear. You’ve just been dating the wrong people.”

He looked away from his sauce to pin his dark gaze on her. “Perhaps.”

A shiver ran down her spine, and she reached for the plate of sliced baguette on the island to give herself something to do.

“So where did you learn to cook,” she asked, trying to change the track of the conversation.

“I did quite a lot of traveling in my younger years,” he replied. “My pasta skills come from the time I spent in a small Italian village south of Rome.”

“Wow,” she breathed.

“I can also whip up a red curry so good you’d swear you were sitting in Bangkok.”

“That sounds amazing.”

He glanced her way as he strained the spaghetti. “Haven’t you traveled?”

She shook her head, knowing it was an unusual response for an immortal being. Most supernaturals tended to move around the globe on a whim. For one thing, it was safer never to stay in one place too long. Humans might notice their neighbor never seemed to age. For another, the older a supernatural creature became, the more easily they became bored. Traveling was often a quest for a new experience or flavor to drive away the monotony that developed with age.

“Why not?” Kieran asked, pouring the sauce into the pasta.

She shrugged. “I was born just before the Great Depression. Much of my first decade or two was simply trying to survive.”

“I thought witches had covens the way my people have packs?” He brought the pasta over to the table and set it before her before taking the seat to her side.

“Most do,” she acknowledged as she spooned some spaghetti onto her plate. “I didn’t.”

He paused, reaching for the wineglass at his place setting.

She understood why he hesitated. Few supernaturals enjoyed talking about their pasts, especially those who had been originally born human and later turned, like the vampires. Though witches didn’t fall into that category, it was a good rule of thumb not to ask about another’s past without first being invited.

“Do you want me to change the subject?” he asked.

She thought about it before shrugging. “I’m not touchy about my history. Probably not old enough to care yet. I was in my early twenties when World War II ended. You know as well as I that those years were not ideal for anyone.”

“Particularly a young immortal still growing into her powers,” he guessed. “Where were your people?”

“Don’t know.” She took a bite of her food and made appreciative sounds. “I was raised an orphan. Tried to track them when the technological age exploded but never had much luck. Besides, by then I had a good life. I was working with Vivian and loved New York City. I didn’t have much reason to go questing off after random witch covens. I always figured if I actually had blood-kin they’d have been looking for me with far more success.”

Kieran tipped his head in acknowledgement. It was well known witches tended to take blood bonds very seriously. If she’d had family left, they would not have given up on her easily.

“Still, figuring out everything on my own meant I didn’t always have the capabilities to travel.”

Because unlike many of their kind, she didn’t have anyone looking out for her. Added to her troubles was her species. Some types of supernaturals could live in rivers or go for months without food. Witches, on the other hand, were painfully human in too many ways. Though they could tap into ancient magic, they still needed food, water, and shelter to live, just as any mortal would. During her early years she’d had trouble finding all three.

“I’ve seen most of North America though,” she added. Traveling from town to town in search of work and safety counted, right?

The unexpected feel of his fingers tracing over her cheek made her freeze in her seat. “Incredible,” he murmured. “You have not had an easy time of it.”

She glanced at him before leaning away from his touch. “Made me into the woman I am today. Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“For a were, being cut off from one’s pack would be unimaginable.”

She nodded, understanding the bonds weres formed, especially wolves. As arguably the strongest of the shifter supernaturals, they were far more susceptible to some of the largest weaknesses. Isolation could be used as physical torture on their kind. Being incredibly tactile creatures they needed constant contact with others. One of the reasons wolves had earned their reputation as playful seducers was their driving need to touch. And it didn’t have to be just in a romantic setting. Platonic touch could be just as important to them as a sexual caress.

“Lucky I’m not a wolf then,” she said, saluting him with her wineglass.

Still, her flippant words did not erase the pity in his eyes. Taking a large swallow of wine, Chloe decided this was the reason people didn’t talk about their pasts. If their stories involved any bumps in the road they were met with unwanted sympathy.

“Keep looking at me like that and I will turn your spaghetti into worms,” she warned as she twirled some pasta around her fork.

He hesitated with his fork halfway to his mouth. “You wouldn’t.”

She leveled a bland stare his way. “Care to try me, big bad wolf?”

That drove the pity from his eyes. Unfortunately it was replaced by a hunger that had nothing to do with food.

“Darling,” he purred, “if only you meant those words another way.”

She swallowed, looking away from him. “Well, I didn’t. So behave.”

He gave a mock shudder. “Never.”

“Focus. Is there anything I need to know about tomorrow night?” she asked as she shoveled more of the tasty pasta into her mouth.

“We’re heading to the Draven gallery,” he replied. “I’d expect as least three of my senior pack members to be there.”

“Senior?”

He nodded. “Wolves have a hierarchy, and I’m at the top.”

“Thanks, but I’m not that much of a simpleton. Did figure out that part on my own.”

“Hush,” he teased. “Werewolves 101. I’m at the top, then next comes a group of dominant wolves that help me rule, and ensure the stability of the pack. Many of them are older, have more life experience. It is rare that a young wolf would be dominant enough to break into the senior ranks of a pack.”

“So in other words, tomorrow I’ll be meeting people who have known and worked with you for years.”

“Decades.”

“Decades,” she amended. “And we’re supposed to fool people who know you so well on our first night out?”

He leaned closer. “Yes.”

“What if we slip?” she asked, anxiety rising. “What if I do something stupid like flinch or blush or stumble on my words?”

A breathtaking smile curved his lips. “I have to admit, I’m becoming partial to that blush of yours.”

Good, because she could feel her cheeks heating. “You know what I mean.”

“They’ll think you’re charming,” he breathed. “And what’s more, they’ll love that you have a good head on your shoulders. I don’t tend to date women so…”

She arched a brow. “Normal? Practical? Boring?”

“Wholesome.” His fingers trailed over her hand in a light touch.

A shadow flitted over her growing interest. Wholesome. Was that what she brought to a relationship? Simple Chloe. The witch men settled for when they tired of sexy, sophisticated partners.

A deep, secret part of her wished she were the kind of woman who could drive a man mad. Someone who was the opposite of wholesome and predictable. One that Kieran’s packmates would look at and think,
here comes trouble
, rather than that their alpha was finally ready to cast aside his wild ways.

But that was obviously not her. Kieran wouldn’t have picked her for this assignment if it were.

“Hey,” he said. “Why the long face?”

“Nothing,” she replied, forcing a smile to her lips. “Nothing at all.”

His chocolate-colored eyes held hers for a long minute. “Did you know,” he said, “that wolves can detect changes of emotion in your scent? Yours just grew…sad.”

For a moment she had the overwhelming urge to tell him. Secrecy had never been part of her nature. She was more of a speak first, regret later girl. But self-preservation held her back. She didn’t want to share with him, bond with him. This was a job, and if nothing else, she’d learned how to be an excellent professional.

“Stop sniffing me,” she replied, pulling her cool business facade around her like armor. “You have the right to my presence by your side. Not to my thoughts.”

Pointedly looking away from him, she reached for her wineglass and finished the last sip.

“Dinner was wonderful,” she complimented as she pushed her empty plate away. “Do you need help with the washing up?”

“No.”

“All right. Then I think I’ll say good night and head to bed. There are a few cases I need to go over before work tomorrow.”

“I understand.”

“I’ll be back around dinnertime tomorrow, so don’t worry about cooking. I’ll grab something on my way.”

Again he inclined his head.

He’s up to something,
her instincts whispered.
He’s being far too nice about being brushed off.

Nonsense,
the practical side of her replied.
He’s merely seeing reason.

“Good night, Kieran,” she said as she hopped down from the chair.

“Just one problem,” he said.

She froze, her back to him. Knowing she’d regret the decision, she slowly turned to face him. “And what would that be?”

“Tomorrow, in front of my pack members, I’m going to kiss you.”

Fire licked through her veins. Her heartbeat kicked into high gear, pounding in her ears as she looked at the smugly satisfied smile on her partner’s face.

“You’ve already warned me of my role,” she said, unwilling to let him rattle her. “I’ll be ready.”

He slipped from his own seat with grace, prowling a step toward her. “Yes, but as we established, you are not a born actress. If our first kiss is before prying eyes you will give us away.”

She frowned, wishing she could dispute his words but knowing he was probably right. “Then what exactly do you suggest I do?” she snapped. “Visualize our ruse going well?”

A wolfish grin curved his lips, which had nothing to do with his inner animal. Knowing she’d just made a huge tactical error, she waited for the trap to snap shut on her.

“You know as well as I do, darling,” he said, leaning in until she felt the heat of his skin against her own. “Practice makes perfect.”

Chapter Four

V
ivian’s nails clicked against the metal top of her desk. “Forgive me, Chloe, but you appear distracted.”

“Nothing of the sort,” Chloe replied.

“I asked you how things went with Kieran last night.”

Chloe shrugged. “This is just a job.”

Fingers tangled in her hair, lips pressing against hers, hot and demanding…

“We’re both sensible adults able to keep our personal and professional lives separate.”

His hands around her hips as he ground her back against the island…

“I have no hesitation whatsoever staying with Kieran.”

Amusement shone from her boss’s eyes. “So you have no intention of mixing business and pleasure?”

Chloe tried to focus on the question. She really did. But her mind flung her back to the night before. Kieran hadn’t listened to any of her protests that practice was unnecessary. No, the wolf had crowded her up against the island until every inch of his hard body had pressed against her.

“I will remain professional at all times,” she assured the siren.

Of course, she’d been unable to stop the gasp of pleasure when Kieran had slipped one leg between hers, pulling her up until she’d been riding his firm thigh. The wolf hadn’t had any problem taking advantage of her parted lips.

“I only ask because I know how easy it is to get caught up in a game like this,” Vivian said. “I don’t want you hurt when this ends.” Her blue eyes flicked up to Chloe. “And make no mistake, darling, it will end.”

“Worked out for Abbey,” she said before she could call the revealing words back.

Vivian’s eyes narrowed dangerously. Abbey, the only mortal on the Fated Match team, had once received similar advice from their boss about the powerful vampire elder she’d been dating. The elders were the supernatural version of an overseeing council. Representing every key race, the council members were both ancient and powerful.

“You know as well as I do Abbey was a one in a million case,” Vivian said. “Who could have predicted the strongest vamp in the city would fall for our little human?”

“I know,” Chloe said. “I’m not expecting anything of the sort to happen here. I don’t want it to. I was just making the argument.”

“Abbey was Lucian’s mate,” the siren continued. “Bonds like that mean far more than blood or station. But wolves rarely take mates outside of their species.”

Just like vampires never fall for humans.
She bit back the reply before she could voice it. The last thing she wanted was for Vivian to think she’d let her emotions get entangled with Kieran’s plan.

After all, lust didn’t really count. Right?

She curled her hands around her black pencil skirt to numb the tactile memory of her palms sliding over his chest. Even through the dark sweater he’d worn, the heat of his body had enveloped her hands. She’d run them over the rock hard muscles, wondering what he would taste like if she ran her tongue along those same contours.

“Will you be able to carry on your regular duties during this time or shall I pass some of your clients over to Tasha?”

“I can’t see why it would be a problem,” Chloe replied. “Kieran works much the same hours I do. There’d be no point in me sitting in his apartment twiddling my thumbs.”

“Excellent. I’ve booked you off for the week of the mating moon, of course,” Vivian said. “Should anything arise unexpectedly, just call me directly. This enterprise takes priority. If you can’t make it in for a day here or there, I’ll take over your duties.”

Chloe arched a brow. Vivian was always busy, which made the offer unexpectedly generous.

“I appreciate it,” she replied. “Though as I said, I don’t foresee it being a problem.”

Vivian slid over a black debit card. “I’ve had an expense account set up for you,” she said. “Funds are available through that card.”

Chloe blinked. “I have money.”

“Not like the women dating Kieran usually do. I’m not saying you have to use it, but just in case you need an appropriate wardrobe update or something, it’s better to be safe than sorry. This ruse needs to be perfect.”

Chloe turned the card over between her fingers. “Will Kieran end up getting the bill for whatever is missing from this account by the end of the contract?”

A cool smile twisted the siren’s lips. “I run a business, Chloe,” she replied.

Which meant yes.

Chloe tossed the card she’d never use into her purse. “Anything else?”

The smile slipped from Vivian’s face as her icy blue eyes grew serious. “A word of warning,” she replied. “I know how tempting power can be. It’s easy to lose yourself in a fantasy.”

Chloe blinked. Vivian never shared personal details about herself.

“Don’t let this month go to your head,” the siren advised. “Enjoy yourself. Hell, enjoy your wolf if you want to. But protect your heart at all costs.”

“I know how this story ends,” Chloe said.

A sad smile graced Vivian’s face. “Thousands of women have said those words and ended up heartbroken all the same.”

Like you?
It was the first time she’d ever considered Vivian’s life before Fated Match. What had the siren experienced before dedicating her life to finding mates for supernaturals?

“I’ll be fine, Vivian.”

“Of course you will be,” she replied. “Now, I have a troll coming in for an intake interview in ten minutes. You can show yourself out.”

Chloe gave her a mock salute before pushing to her feet. That was the boss she knew—brusque, single-minded, and utterly focused on the job.

Leaving the silver wonderland of Vivian’s office behind her, Chloe ducked into the washroom next door. She made a beeline for the sink and turned the cold water on.

“Get a hold of yourself,” she told her reflection as she splashed some water on her face. She was at work. She needed to focus.

And not to think about how Kieran had threaded his fingers through her hair, unraveling her bun. How he’d twisted the locks and used them to pull her face up to his.

She closed her eyes, her fingers touching her lips.

His mouth had been hot, demanding. A dominant wolf ready to take advantage of any opportunity she offered.

Her fingertips brushed against her lower lip as she remembered how he’d caught it between his teeth, nibbling gently. His tongue had invaded her mouth, taking utter control as one hand on her lower back had forced her close.

There’d been no escape, no hiding. She couldn’t pretend he didn’t want her, not when she’d felt his rock hard erection pressing against her body.

If he kissed her like that in public they might set fire to the gallery—and scar any children in the audience for life.

Never before had she experienced such explosive heat. Wrapping her arms around his shoulders to hold him close while she’d rocked against his thigh had seemed like the most natural thing in the world. When his fingers had brushed under her shirt to trace along her naked skin she’d thought she would drag him to the ground and take him right there in the kitchen.

Chloe wasn’t a one-night stand girl. She preferred committed relationships where chemistry developed slowly as she grew closer to her partner. Now Kieran was making her rethink her standards. Maybe there was something to be said for animalistic attraction. Once this was all over, perhaps she’d revamp her dating profile to target weres. If the rest of them were anything like Kieran, she’d be one happy girl.

Looking up into the mirror, she remembered Kieran’s parting words. He’d run his lips over hers once more before pulling back and allowing her to slip down his body.

“Just like that,”
he’d whispered in her ear.
“Always react to me just like that.”

She adjusted her bun, smoothing back pieces of hair that didn’t need attention. “I’m new,” she told herself. “I’m just a change of pace. That’s why he pursued me. Tonight it will be out of his system and we’ll be able to go to the gallery far more comfortable with one another.”

Lies.
The idea of being comfortable on Kieran’s arm seemed like a fool’s dream. All he had to do was enter the room and her body was pulled as taut as a bowstring.

“You’re not one in a million,” she told herself. “Remember Vivian’s warning.”

Once the mating moon was over, Kieran would be gone so fast her head would spin.

And he wasn’t taking any piece, no matter how small, of her heart with him.

C
hloe was ready to get back to a day filled with work, but fate had other plans. When she entered her office, she saw a woman waiting for her with an expression that was anything but welcoming.

“You’ve got some explaining to do.”

Sighing, Chloe closed the door and crossed over to her desk. “Who told you, Jessica?”

“I was trying to locate you yesterday when Vivian told me you’d probably be at your boyfriend’s place. Boyfriend, Chloe? Since when are you dating? And more importantly, since when are you dating without telling me?”

Chloe drew a very careful breath. So it had begun. Only she and Vivian knew the details of her arrangement with Kieran. To the rest of her coworkers, it would appear like a sudden, and startling, shift in her usual routine. A shift she needed to normalize as soon as possible before tongues wagged.

“I wanted to tell you,” she began.

“Yeah?” Jessica arched a brow. “That’s because when you make life altering decisions, you want to fill in your best friends. What the hell, Chloe?”

“We had to keep things hush hush,” she tried. “I couldn’t tell anyone. Not even you.”

Jessica tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Why not? You tell me everything.”

Chloe flinched at the hurt she read in the succubus’s eyes. Jessica had started working at Fated Match a few years ago, but despite the relatively short time frame—to an immortal’s view—she’d become a fast friend. For the first time Chloe forced herself to consider the toll this ruse would take on her own relationships. She’d only ever thought of this game as lies told to Kieran’s people, not her own.

“He’s not my usual sort of guy,” she started. “And because of his position, we had to keep things quiet until we were sure we had a future.”

“But you never even hinted that you were seeing someone. How did you guys keep it so completely secret? You usually blurt out whatever passing thought crosses your mind.”

“Thanks,” she drawled.

Jessica shrugged. “You know I’m right.”

“Look, we were able to keep it so quiet because”—
I didn’t know Kieran existed—
“I knew this time it mattered. I didn’t want to mess this up—unlike my last few failed attempts into the dating world.”

“You think I’d mess up your chances with Prince Charming?”

“No.” She shot forward and gripped her friend’s hand. “I trust you to keep a secret. But I also…” She paused, trying to think of something Jessica would believe. “I knew you’d talk me out of it,” she said at last. “And just this once, I didn’t want to listen to reason.”

Jessica’s eyes narrowed. “Who, exactly, are you dating?”

“Well,” Chloe hedged. “He’s a wolf.”

“Tasha already told me that,” she replied, referring to their werewolf colleague.

“How did she know?” she demanded.

Her friend shrugged. “You know the wolves. Absolutely nothing is secret. But she said he wasn’t from her pack so she didn’t know much.”

“No, he’s from the Clearwater pack.”

Jessica’s brows shot up. “No wonder Vivian’s been whistling around the office. A link to a pack that powerful must be like Christmas coming early for her. Is that why you kept things quiet? So she wouldn’t badger you to make him sign up all his kin?”

“Partially,” she lied.

“Do I get a name?”

“No judging.”

Jessica tossed her chocolate-colored hair over one shoulder. “I make no promises.”

“Kieran,” Chloe said, fighting the urge to hold her breath. “I’m dating Kieran.”

The succubus blinked. Silence stretched.

“Jessica?”

“You—sunny, loyal,
monogamous
Chloe Donovan—are dating one of the top playboys in the state?”

“Playboy until he met me,” she stressed.

“You are the least materialistic person I know. What could you possibly have in common with someone like Kieran?”

“He’s more than his pocket book,” she snapped.

“What do you talk about?” Jessica asked. “Or is he not a fan of conversation?” A knowing brow arched in a question.

“You see,” Chloe said, pointing at her, “this is why I didn’t want to tell you.”

She held up her hands in peace. “I’m sorry, he just doesn’t seem like your type. The two of you are from different worlds.”

A stab of pain she had no business feeling shot through her. “You mean different leagues. As in, he’s out of mine.”

“No.” The word was said softly. Serious blue eyes met hers. “Any man would be blessed to have you. And in terms of morality you’re probably way out of
his
league.”

“You don’t even know him,” she said, unsure why she felt such a need to defend Kieran.

It’s part of the game,
she reasoned.
If he were really my boyfriend, I’d fight tooth and nail for him. This is just keeping in character.

“Hey, I read those articles in the Magical Times and Witch Weekly just like anyone else. He’s never been one to fly under the radar has he?”

“Look, just reserve your judgment until you meet him.” The words were out before she could think better of them. Had Kieran been her real lover, she would have wanted her friends to meet him as soon as possible. As it stood, the less he had to do with them the easier it would be when the time came to separate.

“Fine,” Jessica said before she could call the offer back. “I can do dinner any time this week.”

“This week,” she repeated, mentally kicking herself.

“I’ll start trying to think up neutral topics of conversation,” the succubus said. “Not that an evening talking about playboy antics or brilliant investments doesn’t sound like fun.”

“Investments?”

Jessica arched a brow. “It’s what he does, right? I read he was the go-to investment guru for the supernatural elite. Word on the street says he’s able to predict the next big cash cows with uncanny accuracy.” She shook her head. “I wonder if he has some oracle in his bloodline. How else would you explain investing in both Apple and Google? Devil’s own luck.” She leaned forward with a grin. “Think he’ll give me some stock tips?”