Chapter 20 Message From Home
Message From Home
Suzie giggled while preparing for bed. “A honey trap?”
Niall paused, unbuttoning his shirt, his face impassive, but Suzie was starting to understand this somber bear. A glint shone in his eyes, and she knew he understood the joke and was pretending otherwise.
His brows quirked. “What else would you call it?”
“Angus lightening the mood,” she said, still grinning. “He’s usually serious and stern. I was a little scared of him when we first arrived.”
“He takes pride in his job. He doesn’t need to work but does it because he says the contact with the shifters keeps him young.”
“Angus is scary efficient.”
“I’ll tell you a secret,” Niall said, his fingers at his belt buckle now.
“What?” Suzie’s gaze followed his hand with interest. The intimacy was new but right for her. Now that she’d met Niall and her plans had changed, she understood Edwina’s actions. When a mate came along, one’s choices changed. The goalposts shifted with different priorities.
“Angus scared me at first, too.”
Suzie laughed and reached for a sleep T-shirt before hesitating. Dressing was a wasted effort. Niall always slept naked, and she wanted to feel skin against skin.
“Where have your thoughts gone?”
“I was thinking about sleep and nakedness and deciding not to bother dressing for bed.”
“Great minds think alike.” Niall slid out of his black trousers and underwear. He winked at her before dropping his clothing over the back of an upright chair and padding across the thick woolen carpet to the king-size bed.
Suzie watched his tight butt and barely withheld her sigh of appreciation. He was a huge man with defined muscles. It was no hardship to watch him flex that sexy physique. It was almost as good as touching.
Aware she was wasting time, Suzie undressed and set her discarded clothes beside Niall’s. She could feel him watching her, appreciating her body and tried hard not to blush.
Niall pulled her into his arms, and she breathed in his honied scent. He always smelled so decadent and enticing.
“How are you feeling after my brothers manhandled you?” he asked. “We’ve been discussing our plan and suspicions, but I should’ve been cossetting you instead.”
Suzie kissed his cheek, savoring the slight abrasion of whiskers. She slipped her arms around his neck. “A few bumps and bruises, but they’re not too bad. My shifter side has mostly healed my ouchies.”
“I’m sorry it happened. It’s all my fault.”
“Rubbish. The problem lies with your brothers and the person at the top. Even though I laughed at your honey trap, it’s the perfect idea to flush out the leader. If he wants your honey so much, let him think he has it. What did the investigator say?”
“I haven’t caught up with him yet. He was busy when I rang a few minutes ago.”
“Okay. Enough of this discussion. Let’s come up with more enjoyable activities.”
Niall nuzzled her cheek. “Do tell.”
Suzie stretched up on tiptoes and wound her arms around his neck.
She grinned, and seconds later, he covered her mouth with his, kissing her until her knees went weak and her head spun.
She felt weightless and opened her eyes to find Niall had scooped her up.
He placed her on the bed and followed her down.
His smile was wide and flirtatious, his expression reminding her of a marauding pirate.
“Sir, now that you have me in your clutches, whatever shall I do?”
Niall rolled his eyes. “Do I have to spell it out, lass?”
“Yes,” Suzie said, and a bubble of laughter filled her, aching for freedom. She’d never thought of fun and laughter in conjunction with making love. She loved seeing Niall’s playful side.
“I’m a lucky man.” Niall kissed the side of her neck. “You smell good.”
“It’s your shower gel.”
“Yes,” he said with quiet satisfaction. “I thought having a woman in my life would change everything. It has, but I like the differences. I enjoy having you here to discuss my honey, the gathering, or the weather. My life was lacking before you came along.”
Suzie laughed, her green eyes twinkling.
“You’ve changed everything for me as well.
” She initiated a kiss, and intense yearning crawled through her.
Although sex was new to her, she wanted to touch him and receive touches in return.
As if he could read her mind, his hips pressed into hers, and he took over the kiss.
He nibbled and licked until she gasped and dragged him even closer, surrendering to his greater experience.
She ran her hands over his shoulders, her nails digging into his flesh.
Niall’s mouth shifted into a smile, or at least, it felt that way.
When she opened her eyes to look, she found she was right.
She wriggled and moved her hips against him, her breath hitching at the bulge of his cock.
She wriggled again and laughed at the growl that emerged from him.
Niall sucked lightly on the skin of her neck.
It was enough for her to feel the suction but not enough to bruise for everyone to see later.
Meanwhile, Suzie made free with Niall’s body, touching everywhere she could reach. Her hand smoothed over his butt and lingered. Now that he was naked, it was much easier to appreciate his splendor.
“You keep drifting off,” he murmured against her breasts.
“Nope. Merely thinking about your biteable muscles and how much I’d like to see my teeth marks on your butt.”
Niall blinked, and she glimpsed his bear in his eyes. Suzie laughed, a bark of hilarity that sounded more like a cackle. But heck, Niall’s bear was totally on board with biting and the resulting badges of honor.
Niall stared at her, blinking several more times, his manner uncharacteristically diffident.
Suzie laughed again and was still laughing when her cell phone rang.
She jumped at the burst of familiar music—the upbeat tune about family telling her it was a call from home.
One she wasn’t expecting. Tension slid through her, canceling her merriment.
She wrenched from Niall’s embrace and groped for her phone.
“Suzie?” The surprise in his voice told her he didn’t understand why she wouldn’t let the caller leave a message.
It was late now—close to midnight. The ringing continued, becoming more insistent, and panic rose in her.
Where the devil was her phone? She ran her hand over the bedside cabinet and finally, finally she located it.
The phone thumped to the floor, and she scrambled after it.
A tremble darted through her, settling in her fingers and making her fumble as she attempted to answer the call. “Dad? Mum?”
Instead, it was Charlie, her brother, the sibling closest to her age. “Suzie?” His voice wasn’t more than a whisper.
“What’s wrong?” Her breath burst in and out, audible to her and probably to Niall. She shot a glance at him. He wore a scowl, and she jerked, shocked at this reaction.
“Mum and Dad were in an accident. Gran told me not to ring,” he blurted.
“You’ve done the right thing,” she reassured him, hearing the quiver in his voice. “Mum and Dad—”
“Dad has bad bruises. Mum is worse. She’s still unconscious.”
Suzie heard the unshed tears. The shock. Her family needed her. “I’ll catch the first flight home.”
“I’m sorry, Suzie,” Charlie said.
“Don’t be silly. Give me progress reports via email or text. You mightn’t be able to contact me while I’m on the flight, but I’ll call you before I board the plane.”
“Thanks, Suzie.” An audible swallow sounded. “We’re scared.”
“Where’s Gran?” Suzie asked.
“She’s gone on holiday to Wellington with Grandpa.”
Ah. Well, she couldn’t blame her grandparents. They’d been discussing their holiday for months and had saved to stay at a spa hotel.
“What does Gavin say?” Gavin was the shifter community doctor. If the accident had been local, Gavin would’ve treated her parents.
“He says they’ll be okay. They’re banged up, and Mum will wake soon. The truck hit on the passenger side, but Mum will be okay because she is a shifter.”
Okay. Despite the good news, her desire to go home remained. “Who is staying with you?”
“No one.”
Anger burned away her fear. Had anyone considered her siblings? They shouldn’t be alone.
“Someone is here,” Charlie said, his voice squeaking with alarm. “Should I answer the door?”
Suzie closed her eyes. “Approach the door and sniff to identify the person outside. I’ll be here while you check.”
“Okay,” Charlie said.
When she heard his feet stomping on the floor, she couldn’t help but smile. Despite his feline nature, Charlie was a typical boy who went nowhere quietly unless he was in his leopard form.
“It’s Mr. Saber,” Charlie said. “Should I let him inside?”
The release of tension had her knees quivering, and she sank onto the edge of the mattress. “Yes, ask him if I can speak to him.”
The door creaked, and a sweet ache pierced her heart as she thought of a breakfast table discussion before she left for Scotland. Her mother had been after her dad to oil the hinges. That obviously hadn’t happened yet.
“Suzie,” came the familiar voice.
“Saber, have you heard how Mum and Dad are?”
“I’ve come from Gavin’s surgery. Your mum has regained consciousness, but she has a dislocated shoulder and a broken leg. Your father has bruising around his chest from the seat belt. They’re confused, but Gavin says they’ll recover.”
“Thank goodness. I’ll get a flight home as soon as I can.”
“London and I talked and thought you’d want to do that. London has arranged a flight home for you. Just show up at the airport. She’s emailing the details to you. I told her I’d call you.”
“Thank you, Saber.”
“No problem,” Saber said in his easy way. “Since your grandparents are away, I’ll stay with your brother and sisters tonight. If Gavin wants to keep your mother in for another day, London and I will handle your siblings.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“Not a problem.” Saber laughed. “My daughters are hosting two friends for a sleepover. It is more peaceful in your house.”
“I wouldn’t count on it,” Suzie said, knowing that Saber loved his twin girls and would do anything for his family.
“I’ll see you soon. Sorry you’re cutting your holiday short. If you need anything, contact London or me, okay?”
“I will. Thanks again.” Suzie hung up and blinked hard.
Her parents would be okay, and Saber was with her siblings.
She brushed the moistness from her eyes and stood.
The majority of her possessions were still in the room she’d used for the gathering.
She hurriedly grabbed her clothes and started dressing.
“What are you doing?” Niall asked. His words were cool, with little expression.
“I’m going to pack. My family needs me.”
“But you were going to help me,” Niall said.
Suzie froze, not liking his defensive and slightly surly tone. Surely, he must understand she had to leave. It wasn’t as if he couldn’t cope without her. “I’m sorry, but I must go. You have a plan. It’s a solid one, and I’m positive you’ll catch your honey thief.”
Suzie finished dressing and scanned the room for any other possessions. Ah, her shopping. She scooped up the bags and turned to Niall. “I’m sorry, but I have to leave.”
“Fine,” Niall said, sitting on the edge of the bed now, his large body taut with tension.
Suzie hesitated, wanting to go to him, kiss him goodbye, and wish him good luck. But Niall radiated anger and impatience, so she kept her distance. “Bye, Niall.”
He didn’t reply, and she blinked hard to hold back the burn of tears.
Right then. A blast of anger propelled her to the door.
He was acting like a petulant child—just like he had earlier when he’d jumped to conclusions.
Where was the trust? The understanding? Her family needed her at home, and she wanted to support them.
It wasn’t her fault Niall allowed his childhood to color his reactions.
She lifted her chin, allowing herself one last look at the man who’d come to mean everything to her.
It was apparent he didn’t feel quite the same way, and it hurt, damn it.
Suzie dragged her gaze away and yanked the door open. Her steps were jerky as she walked away, and maintaining composure was one of the toughest challenges she had ever faced.
The snick of the door closing behind her was a final blow because she hadn’t closed it.
Niall had.