Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
E zra woke Lucky with kisses up and down her spine.
If he knew his mate, he had three days to convince her of her place beside him and he had plans to do just that.
Instead of getting dressed to go to church, Ezra had their whole day planned out.
He sucked on her caramel skin, raising a mark right next to all the others he’d left last night.
Lucky turned to him with a sleepy smile on her face that clenched his chest. She was so beautiful, and he was ready to start their life together.
He would focus on what he could do to speed her along.
“Good morning.” Lucky’s husky, sleep-laden voice raised goosebumps along his skin.
“Good morning, princess.” He kissed her softly.
She turned her body and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Today is Sunday. Are we going to church?”
“I would rather spend the time with you. Who knows how long I have? You’re a busy woman.”
She rolled her eyes and chuckled. “Cut it out, I like my job.”
He nodded. “Up and at ‘em.”
“Where are we going?”
“I want to take you shopping.”
“I don’t need you to spend money on me, Ezra. Mind you, I’m gonna let you do it, I’m just saying it’s not necessary.” Her impish smile had him returning her amusement.
“It’s not about spending money, it’s more about showing you around town. How am I gonna convince you to start our life together if you don’t know the town you’re moving to?”
She nodded and kissed his lips before moving to get out of bed. “Clever tiger.”
A smirk was his answer to that. “I’ll let you get dressed. Breakfast is in the kitchenette.”
He left their bedroom and got to work setting up his island with their breakfast. Kaine inhaled deeply when she entered half an hour later. Her scent was filling his space and his tiger was very happy about that.
She kissed his cheek and settled at the table. “This looks good. Will your siblings be home this weekend?”
He shook his head. “From what they’ve told me, they’re both off on a job.”
“I want to meet them.”
“I need to meet your family as well,” he reminded her, and she closed her mouth.
“You’re right. I’m looking forward to sightseeing today.” She changed the subject.
They finished eating, and headed to their closet to get dressed.
Lucky stepped into a sleeveless bodysuit that showcased every one of her curves, even as the fabric covered her down to her ankles.
He paused and licked his lips. She turned and smiled, the playful one that made him want to give her anything she asked of him.
Winking, she slipped one of his dress shirts on top and smitten wasn’t even the word.
He threw on a comfortable short set to match her casual, excited to spend the day with her.
Lucky clipped a designer purse around her waist and they headed downstairs. Griff was already waiting at the SUV, opening the door to let them in.
“Lucky, this is my head of security, Griff. Griff, my baby, Lucky.” It was past time for them to officially meet. “I’ll give you his number in case you have a hard time reaching me for whatever reason.”
She nodded and settled into her seat, watching the scenery past their window.
Kaine watched her, cataloging all the little mannerisms she had when she thought herself unobserved.
The way her fingers played with the ends of her ponytail, the humming she did when she was thinking.
He took it all in as signs that his mate was in a happy state.
Just the way he wanted her.
It took them twenty minutes to reach the historic district of Oakridge.
The driver parked at the end of the street and Griff opened the door for them.
Kaine tried to look at the small section of town with fresh eyes.
What would his mate think of the squat square buildings and colorful awnings?
It used to be his grandfather’s favorite part of town.
Some of the brick buildings were more than one hundred years old.
They’d survived riots and hurricanes alike.
“This is beautiful,” Lucky said, grabbing his hand.
Griff followed behind them as Kaine walked Lucky down the cobblestone sidewalk. The streets were crowded as tourist season was in full swing. His tiger was on edge with the number of people in the area.
“This isn’t downtown main,” he explained to his mate. “This is what we call Old Downtown. It’s where the old town used to sit. If you look down toward the end of the street, you’ll see the plantation that originally started the town.”
Lucky stood on her toes to get a better look.
“My family used to work there. My great grandfather was a cook who turned into a caterer. It’s how my family made their fortune initially.
My grandmother helped him parlay the family business into becoming an intermediary between the freed Blacks in the town and the white families that found themselves having to pay for work they’d previously gotten for free.
It’s how we got into the ‘brokerage’ business. ”
Her eyes widened. “That’s actually fascinating. When did it turn into darker pursuits?”
“Oakridge’s shifter community is very insular. A lot of marrying between families and segregation from the rest of the world. It came to a point where the families that didn’t adapt were eventually bought out by new, louder money. My grandfather refused to let our family be one of those.”
“So, he looked for ways to keep your family on top?” she asked, studying her surroundings.
“Exactly so.” He lifted their joined hands and kissed her knuckles.
“Eastfield has its beaches and rivers, but I swear it feels like y’all live right on the ocean. I love it.”
“Excellent, then my master plan is working,” he teased.
She laughed and bumped his shoulder. Kaine walked her to the store that was one of the reasons he brought her to Old Downtown first. The jewelry store was cool and quiet as they entered. The old lion that ran it came from the back, his smile wide at Kaine’s appearance.
“Mr. Kaine! Come to pick up your winnings?” the old male asked.
“I did. Mr. Temple, my mate, Lucky.”
“Ah, an apt name.” Mr. Temple chuckled and turned to open the small safe.
He pulled out the jewelry that his mate had bid on the first night they’d met.
Lucky’s gasp made him smile. He was sure she’d forgotten about them.
The intricate necklace and matching cuff were laid on the counter, the dark velvet making the jewels shine in the light.
The earrings sparkled as Mr. Temple laid them out.
“Rah,” Lucky breathed out. She touched the jewels in the tiger’s eye before turning to him. “You really bought them?”
“What part of princess treatment aren’t you understanding?” he asked, wrapping his arms around her waist.
He picked up the necklace and draped it across her chest, snapping it into place. She released a shuddering breath, her hand trembling as she settled it against her skin. Rushing toward the small mirror on the counter, her smile widened.
“This is beautiful,” she told him, cupping his cheeks before kissing him softly.
Kaine nodded at Mr. Temple to wrap up the cuff and earrings, handing the bag off to Griff.
“Come, my love. There are other places we need to visit.”
Lucky grabbed his hand, a giddy smile on her face as they walked out.
They spent the rest of the day in and out of stores.
Kaine kept track of all the things his mate liked to use in his arsenal.
The next time she came to Oakridge, he would make sure that it was to stay.
By the time they made it to the restaurant for lunch, Ezra had already formulated a plan in his head.
They were guided to an enclosed patio area, the view of the ocean visible through the glass.
His mate sighed as she settled into the booth facing the water. “I’m starving and tired. You’ll have to carry me back to the truck.”
He chuckled, sliding in next to her. “It’ll be pulled up to the front when we’re done here. Did you enjoy yourself?”
“I did.” She leaned her head on his shoulder. “If this was your plan to lure me to Oakridge, it’s working.”
Kissing the top of her head, Kaine breathed her in. “Are you amenable to a conversation about moving here?”
She turned in her seat to face him. “I understand that end game is us together. I’m not denying that. I’m excited for our mating. But despite Sin spoiling me, I’ve been independent since I left home.”
“And that doesn’t have to change,” he assured her. “Hell, I’ll put your yearly salary in your account right now if that’s what it takes to convince you.”
“Ezra.” She chuckled. “You think we’re ready to live together?
“I’m ready for whatever comes with you, Lucinda.”
She smiled. “Let me settle things on my end and we’ll see what that timeline is.”
“Fair,” he conceded.
He would drop it for now, but there were still plans brewing in his head to get his mate to move at his pace.