Chapter 12 - Laila
Laila stirred awake, her eyes fluttering open. Sunlight peeped through the curtains, and she blinked against the brightness. She was engulfed in warmth—that was almost too hot, considering she hadn’t turned up the thermostat last night. Shifters didn’t need too much supplemental heat with their natural skill to regulate their body temperature. She tried to move but was held in place by something heavy draped across her stomach.
Blinking out of her drowsy haze, she realized it was a muscular arm—Tolliver’s arms wrapped protectively around her. For a moment, she basked in their closeness. It felt like old times, waking up in the morning wrapped in love, feeling safe. However, as she came fully awake and reality seeped in, she realized what a dangerous game she was playing.
The memories she had shoved aside to enjoy a night of bliss came rushing back: Tolliver’s abrupt departure, her disappointment and confusion, the pain... the hollow ache in her heart for years. Her chest tightened as panic clawed its way up her chest. Suddenly, Tolliver’s warmth and weight were suffocating.
She squirmed to get out of his hold, but the more she moved, the closer he pulled her to him and the tighter he held on. She found herself on top of him with her breasts crushed against his hard chest. She peered up at him, watching his eyes flutter open. The emerald pools instantly drew her in. She felt like she was drowning and didn’t want to be saved. Tolliver’s eyes were mesmerizing and lethal. She had to blink to stop herself from being hypnotized.
He gave her a sleepy smile that once melted her… Admittedly, it still did, much to her chagrin. She had to harden her resolve against kissing him and indulging in his body again. Tolliver stirred fully awake, his eyes becoming clear and alert. His smile brightened as he cupped her cheek to run his fingers reverently over her skin. She couldn’t even bask in his touch because she was too busy trying to quell the rising panic wreaking havoc on her mind.
Tolliver’s eyes searched hers, and his smile gradually faded. It was as if he could see her fear. He let out a soft breath that resonated with disappointment and let her go. Laila scrambled away from him to sit up, pulling the sheets with her to cover her nakedness. Tolliver sat up, rested his elbows on his knees, and scrubbed his face.
When he looked at her, his expression was twisted in agony. “Please don’t tell me you regret last night.”
Laila swallowed. “Tolliver…” Her voice wavered, laced with a plea. This was the last thing she wanted to deal with right now—the awkward morning after. Unfortunately, Tolliver was insistent that they talk about it.
“Come on, Laila. Talk to me. Tell me what’s on your mind.”
“Last night was… It was amazing, but…”
“But you’re scared,” he murmured, watching her closely.
Her shoulders sagged with defeat. “Can you blame me?”
A muscle ticked in his jaw. “I guess not.”
“I’m sorry.” Her gaze skated away from his. “I just can’t do this again.” Getting close to him, finding comfort in his arms, loving him… only for him to up and walk away again. She didn’t want to deal with the perpetual coldness she felt inside for another five years. Actually, that hadn’t gone away over the years. She’d just learned to ignore it.
“You don’t have to apologize,” Tolliver said quietly.
She nibbled her lower, considering what else to say. Was she the only one stewing in the awkwardness of sitting in bed naked with her ex while they discussed their… issues? Yes, she was probably the only one feeling weird. Tolliver was blessed with the skill of not giving too many shits. He was likely comfortable in his nakedness and with the whole conversation.
She blew out a breath as her unease mounted. “So… I should… um…” She eased out of bed, eying him with uncertainty. Still clutching the sheet around her for dear life, she began backing toward the door, her gaze darting anywhere but at Tolliver. Her heart was racing for a hundred reasons. For one, he was staring at her steadily with his intense eyes. A part of her wanted to go back to him and melt into his embrace again, but a louder, more stubborn part reminded her why that was a terrible idea.
Lost in the discomfort of the situation, she wasn’t paying attention, and somehow, her feet got tangled in the sheet. With a loud gasp, she stumbled backward but didn’t hit the floor as she expected. Tolliver was at her side in an instant. He’d moved with such blurring speed, so she didn’t even realize he’d moved until his arms wrapped around her, and he set her back on her feet.
“Some things never change,” he said, amusement dancing in his eyes. “Still adorably clumsy after all these years.”
Her face heated up a thousand degrees. “I’m not clumsy,” she muttered as she tried to untangle herself. She had always been self-conscious about her penchant for being accident-prone. Wolf shifters were agile, and there was Laila… The most ungraceful shifter to walk the earth, in her opinion. “I’m just… spatially unfortunate.”
Tolliver folded his lips, and laughter shone in his eyes. “Sure, let’s go with that.”
Laila wanted to sink into the floor. Why couldn’t she pull off a sophisticated and cool walk away after hot sex for once in her life? She sniffed and squared her shoulders to hold on to at least a shred of dignity. “Anyway, I’m going to leave. I’ll… see you at breakfast, I guess.”
Tolliver lifted an eyebrow. “You do remember this is your room, right? So, I think I’m the one who should leave.”
Her blush deepened, and she looked away, clutching the sheet tighter around herself. “Right… well… you do that, then.”
One corner of Tolliver’s mouth twitched as if he was barely holding back laughter. Nodding, he snatched his clothes from the floor and headed to the door. He paused with his hand on the doorknob.
Turning back to her, he said, “I understand your fear, Laila. I know the way I left before was wrong, but I’m not going anywhere this time.” He gave her one of those hot once-overs that almost turned her into a useless puddle. “And I’m a patient man when it comes to getting what I want.” Then he was gone.
Laila stared at the door for a long while, her heart and mind working overtime. Her heart yearned for the connection she once had with her mate, but her brain kept reminding her of her sorrow when he walked away. Pulling in a deep breath to regain her composure, she headed into the bathroom. There was no time to wallow in the past or the uncertainty of the future. She had to get ready for the day, throw on her emotional armor, make breakfast, and somehow convince Tolliver to get her to go to Cedar Ridge.
When she got to the kitchen, Tolliver wasn’t there. He wasn’t anywhere in the cabin. She figured he was running. He liked to let his wolf out for a good run when he was on edge, and she figured he was after she shut him down this morning.
“Gods, what was I thinking sleeping with my ex?” she whispered as she vigorously stirred ingredients into a batter to make croissants. Tolliver loved her homemade croissants. At that thought, Laila sighed heavily. Why was she still catering to him as if they were still a thing? She kept subconsciously slipping back into girlfriend mode, doing things she used to do when they were a couple.
“I’m digging myself deep here. You need to be careful, Laila,” she grumbled.
“Talking to yourself… This is new.”
She yelped and whirled around to see Tolliver standing in the archway. He leaned on the wall with his arms folded, watching her through hooded eyes. He was in a T-shirt and sweatpants. The shirt was soaked with sweat, and his hair was damp. So, he had gone for a run after all.
He arched his eyebrows. “Do you talk to yourself often? Should I be worried?”
Laila rolled her eyes. “No. I was just… I’m not crazy…”
His lips lifted in a slight smirk. “Okay…”
“I have a request,” she announced.
“Shoot.”
“I’d like to go to Cedar Ridge today. I need to check on Cora and the bakery. Plus, there are some things I need to get from my apartment. I know it’s dangerous, but—”
“Sure.”
“We can be very careful and…” She paused. “Wait, did you just agree?”
“Uh-huh.”
Her eyes narrowed to suspicious slits. Why was he so amenable? What was he up to? “Why…?”
Tolliver chuckled. “No need to look so suspicious. We talked about this last night. You need your freedom. Your business is important to you, so I’m willing to work with you. As you said, we’ll be careful. Besides, I’m shamelessly trying to win you over.” He shrugged. “I’m willing to give you what you want in hopes that it will get me what I want.”
His drop in octave and the intensity of his gaze sent a jolt through her. There was a heat in his eyes—a raw, open desire that was both thrilling and terrifying. Laila’s pulse rate sped up, and a rush of warmth flooded her cheeks, but mixed with it was an unsettling twist in her stomach. They had been here before. The flirting, his charm… until she was so weak to him, she was putty in his capable hands. She once lived for his form of seduction—how it made her feel pretty and desirable. Once again, she had to remind herself she couldn’t go there with him.
She went back to her task of stirring as her gaze hardened on him. “Don’t get your hopes up, Sterling. You’re a long way from getting what you want.”
“Really?” He quirked an eyebrow. “Then what was last night?”
Her face got hotter than it had ever been. “Last night was a lapse in judgment.”
His eyes locked onto her and narrowed to slits. “ Hmmm ,” he hummed. “We’ll leave after breakfast.”
When he walked away, Laila stared at the spot he had vacated. “ Hmmm . That’s it?” Apparently, she still hated it when he went into unreadable mode with his hums and grunts. What did that hmmm mean? Was he hurt, annoyed, angry? Was she a bitch for wanting to hurt him even a fraction of the way he’d hurt her? She covered her face with both hands as she let out a long groan. Her emotional turmoil only got worse being in Tolliver’s presence every day.
By the time breakfast was ready and Tolliver resurfaced, her emotions were under control. Breakfast was silent and awkward—typical. But she got through it, and they were out the door and heading to Cedar Ridge before she knew it.
Tolliver was quiet during the drive, but he’d never been all that chatty to begin with. Laila was content with the silence because she wasn’t in the mood to talk anyway. They didn’t make any stops, which she supposed was less risky. Tolliver seemed relaxed, but she knew better. He was on high alert, taking in everything around them. She didn’t want to feel safe with her ex-boyfriend, but she did and gave him an appreciative glance.
“Thank you for this,” she said. “Coming with me. I know it’s a risk, and I hate to put you out, so… thanks.”
His eyes shifted to her and back to the road. “You’re welcome,” was all he said, and then the silence resumed until they reached Cedar Ridge.
Tolliver parked his car in a secluded corner beside the bakery and turned to Laila. “Don’t get up in arms because I’m not trying to be a bossy asshole here.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Okay…”
“For this to work, I need you to be willing to move if I say so. If I detect danger, we’re out of here… no argument.”
She sighed. “Of course. I understand the risk of coming here, and I will work with you. I’ll be on alert, too. You’re not the only shifter here, remember?”
He studied her for a moment, wearing a small frown. Laila hoped he wasn’t having second thoughts about them coming to Cedar Ridge because she was glad to come home to check on things.
Eventually, his frown faded, and his shoulders relaxed. “All right, let’s do this.”
Laila stepped outside and inhaled deeply, taking in the familiar scents that surrounded her bakery—sugar, flour, and a hint of cinnamon. They went in through the back door and found Cora and another employee. When Cora spotted Laila, she gasped and abandoned the dough she’d been handling. Her tiny body flew toward Laila.
Laughing, Laila caught her in an embrace.
“You’re back!” Cora chirped. “Finally.”
“Welcome back, boss,” Ryan, the new employee, said with a smile. “I heard you were on a romantic getaway, getting engaged and all. Congratulations.”
There was an awkward silence as Laila and Tolliver exchanged glances. “Erm… Thanks,” Laila muttered. “Cora, how are things here?”
“Great! Melanie is at the front. It’s been a busy morning so far.”
Laila walked to the door to peep through the window. Her other employee was at the counter, effortlessly handling orders with her usual warmth and ease, her laughter ringing out as she chatted with customers. That was why Laila had hired the young human. She was sweet. As Laila took in the satisfied customers, the kitchen, and the various delicious scents coming from the ovens, relief filled her.
She gave Cora a grateful look. “You seem to have everything under control.”
“Of course.” Cora pressed her flour-covered hands to her chest. “I told you I’d take care of things. I’d never let you down.”
“I know.” Laila was impressed with the nineteen-year-old’s ability to keep a business in order for days without direction. Some teenagers couldn’t even sit still for five minutes. “Thank you.” Laila glanced at Tolliver. “I’d like to speak with Cora alone. Maybe we can go upstairs to my apartment.”
Tolliver opened his mouth to protest, but the beseeching look in Laila’s eyes stopped him. “Fine. I’ll be outside.”
Checking for suspicious persons, no doubt. Laila nodded. “I’ll be fine.” She grabbed Cora’s hand. “Ryan, you can handle things alone for a few minutes, right?”
The young man nodded. “Sure. The breakfast rush is over.”
As Laila practically dragged Cora out of the kitchen and through the backdoor to the stairs that led to the apartment, Cora giggled. “Sheesh, Laila, where’s the fire?”
“No fire,” Laila grumbled. “I just need to tell you the truth about what’s going on.”
“What?”
Laila waited until they were in her apartment before she responded. Closing the door, she turned to Cora. “I need you to block us.”
“What?” Cora’s eyebrows wrinkled with confusion.
“So Tolliver doesn’t hear us. He’s got acute hearing, so make this room soundproof… in a witchy way.”
Cora snorted. “You know I’m not good with magic like that. I was raised like a normal human, for goodness’s sake. I don’t know how to… block .”
Laila’s eyes narrowed to suspicious slits. “Oh, please. I know you’ve been practicing magic in secret. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have been able to pull that stunt you did the night Tolliver showed up.”
Cora pursed her lips, and guilt flickered in her eyes. “All right, the jig is up. Of course, I can put up a sound block.”
Laila rolled her eyes as Cora grinned sheepishly.
“Okay, it’s done. Tolliver won’t be able to hear us from outside.”
“Good. There’s something I need to tell you, and if he knows I’m blabbing, he’ll be pissed.”
“So we’re keeping secrets from your fiancé?” Cora tutted. “I don’t like it.”
“He’s not my fiancé, Cora.”
“So, the proposal was a bust? What happened? You didn’t turn him down, did you?”
Laila scoffed at her accusatory tone. “There was no proposal.”
Cora’s dramatic gasp rivaled all dramatic gasps. “But Tolliver said…”
“He didn’t really whisk me away for romance, Cora. He just wanted your help to get me out of the bakery—out of Cedar Ridge, really.
“Ugh. He’s such a liar… but he’s still so good-looking. You at least hooked up with him, right?”
“ Cora . Focus.” Laila’s face almost caught fire because she did indeed hook up with her ex. But Cora didn’t need to know that.
She shook her head. “I’m sorry. What’s going on? Why did he need to get you away?”
Laila walked to the window to peep outside. Tolliver was nowhere in sight. He was probably at the front of the shop, checking for mysterious shifters. “I was in danger… I still am.”
Cora blinked and then started to rub her flour-dusted hands down her thighs. It was a nervous gesture of hers that Laila had picked up on. “Danger? Goodness, Laila, are you okay? What do you mean—”
“Cora, calm down.” Laila could hear the girls’ increasing heart rate. She knew Cora had latched on to her in a way. The only family the younger woman had was her father, who didn’t treat her very well. She was Cora’s only other family, which was why Laila insisted on coming back. She really wanted to check on her bakery and apartment, but her main intent was to make sure Cora was okay and tell her what was happening.
Cora took a deep breath. “What kind of danger are you in?”
By the time Laila finished the story about rouge wolf shifters, kidnapping, and breeding rings, Cora’s mouth practically touched the hardwood floor. “You have got to be freaking kidding me! How does that even happen?”
Laila shrugged. “People are sick, and they do messed-up things. Tolliver and his crew still don’t know the true intent of the criminals—why they’re taking specific female shifters. Tolliver said you’re not a target so you should be okay, but I wasn’t satisfied with that. I wouldn’t be comfortable leaving you here alone without you at least knowing what’s going on. I just want you to watch your back, okay?”
“Of course.” Cora wrapped her arms around herself. “As much as I miss you, you need to leave Laila. What if those people are watching the bakery, waiting for the moment you show up? You could be in danger right now.”
Laila released her breath and walked over to Cora. Her wolf could sniff out Cora’s anxiety from a mile away. “Thanks for your concern, but I don’t want you to get worked up.”
“That’s easier said than done. You know I love you.”
Laila’s heart melted. “I know, kiddo. But I’ve got Tolliver on my ass every minute of the day. He’s made himself my bodyguard.”
“Why do you sound annoyed by that?” Cora asked. “I’d be happy to have a handsome bodyguard.”
Laila rolled her eyes. She probably would, too, if said handsome bodyguard hadn’t broken her heart years before. “It’s just hard being around him sometimes, that’s all.”
Cora nodded. “I get it.”
Just as Laila was about to share that things with Tolliver had gotten complicated, the door burst open. The women gasped and turned to the door hanging on its hinges. Tolliver stood there with his face twisted into a scowl as he assessed the room. His eyes glowed amber with his wolf ready to surface. Seeing that Laila was fine, his shoulders relaxed.
“What the hell, Tolliver? You broke my door.” Laila stared at him in disbelief.
“You disappeared,” he growled.
“I told you I was coming up to speak with Cora.”
“I couldn’t hear or feel you. I knew some kind of magical block was being used. I feared the worst.”
“I asked Cora to soundproof the room,” Laila confessed.
Tolliver’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Why?”
“Girl talk?” Laila’s sheepish look didn’t amuse him one bit. “All right, fine. I wanted to tell her what was going on without you going postal.”
Tolliver ground his molars. “I would have preferred you kept the information to yourself.”
“I know, but I didn’t feel comfortable keeping her in the dark. One of those shifters could show up here one day. She needed to know.”
Cora held up a finger. “First of all, I’m hurt you wouldn’t trust me with this Tolliver.”
“I only met you a few days ago,” he said, exasperated.
“It doesn’t matter now.” Cora shrugged. “I’m in on the secret. By the way, how did you sense a magical block?”
“My sister is a witch,” he explained. “I know all your little secrets.”
Cora rolled her eyes. “Fair enough. Laila is right. I have a right to know what’s going on. I’m kinda involved, after all. Don’t think I haven’t noticed my tail the last few days.”
Tolliver frowned. “Apparently, I need to teach some of our operatives about being inconspicuous.”
“I don’t care who you have watching over her,” Laila said. “I feel better now that she knows what’s going on and to be careful.”
“So, you lied to me about why you wanted to come here,” Tolliver said.
“Not at all. I’m more comfortable knowing my bakery is doing okay, thanks to Cora.”
Cora beamed.
“And since we’re here and there’s no immediate danger, I’m heading downstairs to help in the kitchen,” Laila announced, giving Tolliver a pointed look, “while you fix my door… please and thanks.”
Tolliver glanced at the shattered chunk of wood and sighed.