Chapter Six
Idris
Rook was the alpha of my dreams. I’d known him less than two hours and little of my attraction to him had to do with his physical attributes.
Not that they were bad by any stretch of the imagination. Rook was gorgeous. A sharp jawline. Kissable, full lips. A tan that told me he liked outdoor activities.
I picked at my jeans. I’d severely underdressed and was feeling uncomfortable about it.
Rook wore a maroon button-down shirt underneath a sweater that looked to be knitted just for his frame.
A few silver hairs in his hair suggested he was older, but in these times of high stress, there was no telling.
I had so many questions.
He was funny, making both Franklin and I laugh out loud several times. He asked questions and actually listened to the answers.
Not to mention, my animal was smitten. He’d melted into some kind of teddy bear inside me.
“Franklin, is it okay if I look at your library this weekend?” I asked, not wanting to presume all of the alpha’s time would be occupied by me. I hoped it would.
“Of course. But in this house, we read and we don’t judge.”
I put up my hands. “Hey, I work at a used bookstore. I learned a long time ago not to judge a book by its cover or a genre by the reader. I used to have two jobs but I was let go.”
“Jobs?” Rook asked.
“Yes. I have one job that paid the bills and one that was the start of building a career. At least, that was what I’d hoped.”
He nodded, but the furrow above his brow told me he was concerned. “You’re a hard worker. I admire that in a person.”
“I try.”
Conversation dwindled while we ate a delicious pumpkin bundt cake for dessert.
Franklin stood and we did as well. “Let us help,” I offered, picking up my own dishes first. It was clear that Franklin was young at heart, but we had all eaten and he had cooked.
We should all be responsible for cleaning up as well. Bed-and-breakfast or not.
“Not a chance. I have a way that I like to do the dishes and my method only includes two hands. Besides, this is a vacation for you both. I would suggest a walk in the forest tonight. The moon is full and when the wind blows from the east, you can smell the cinnamon apples from the orchard across the way.”
I didn’t doubt it. It was prime apple season. We picked up some things despite Franklin’s protests then I went to the back door and looked out.
“Would you like to take a walk with me, Idris?” He went on before I could answer. “It’s a beautiful night.” His warm breath tickled my ear and neck. I shuddered, making him chuckle. “I promise, I won’t bite.”
I wished he would.
My bear wished for it even more. From his scent, I knew he was some type of feline, though I couldn’t put my finger on which kind. I hadn’t been around a lot of feline shifters. They tended to keep to themselves, in my experience. I hoped that wasn’t true with Rook.
“That sounds nice,” I responded, pushing the screen door open.
The back of the inn had a huge porch with rocking chairs and more of the landscaping marking the season.
Beyond the steps was a large grassy area.
I could see a fire pit and some chairs around it.
A hammock hung between two trees in the distance.
We walked down the stairs, and I paused at the bottom. “Which way?”
Instead of answering, the tall alpha took my hand and I gasped at the power of the contact.
Skin to skin. Nothing more than our palms and fingers meeting and yet, the new bond pushed through me, stronger than anything I’d ever known.
My knees melted and before I knew it, his hands were wrapped around my waist. “Are you okay?” he asked, smiling. This man. He knew what was going on.
“Knees went weak for a second. Must be all the travel.”
He pursed those smooth lips. “Right. Either that or something…magical.”
This man was dangerous. Good dangerous. Sexy dangerous. I was in trouble. The best kind of trouble.
I finally caught my breath. “I’m good now. Thank you.”
He pulled his hands back. “Let’s walk.”
We went into the woods. Not possible without a flashlight for humans but, with our shifter sight, it was no problem.
“May I ask what kind of shifter you are?”
“Of course. You can ask me anything. I keep my life private for the most part but not with you.” Hearing him say that warmed every single inch of me. “I’m a panther shifter.”
“Oh!” I said and almost tripped over a root. I didn’t, thank goodness. “I’ve never met a panther shifter.”
“Now you have. And you’re a bear.”
“I am.” We came to a clearing and the moon seemed to be bigger in this spot. I lifted my head and true to Franklin’s words, the smells of cinnamon, apples, and crisp fall air pushed toward me. While my eyes were closed, Rook laced his fingers through mine once again.
“What a perfect night.”
“You’ve got that right.”
I opened my eyes and saw the alpha staring at me. I shivered, but it had nothing to do with the chill in the air. It was the effect he had on me. My bear was roaring at me. Mate. Mate. Mate.
He was right.
Rook was my fated mate. I had no doubt in my mind.