Chapter 13
Taryn
This is still happening too fast, but I think my brain is finally beginning to catch up.
My mate is a hot, sexy wolf shifter and he wants to take care of me in every way imaginable.
But every time he spends money on me, I feel more like a charity case.
I’ve felt that way since my grandmother died.
Victor is right: I didn’t truly live. I just breathed between the moments, hoping the next one would be better.
I was grateful for what I had, even the basement, because I understood things could be a lot worse.
Now I’m struggling to accept that things are going to be better. That fate has a plan for me, and that plan is currently sitting next to me. He’s turning my Land Rover into the parking lot of Casa Lusso, the most luxurious hotel in Covington.
“We’re staying here?” I gasp, looking up at the impressive architecture.
I’ve passed by this hotel more times than I can count, always wondering what it looked like on the inside.
I never imagined staying here. Shana, Madison, and I used to joke about living in a place like this once we became rich and famous.
That’s all we used to talk about before we hit our goth phase and stopped caring about all that.
“Saul recommended it,” he replies. “I got us a penthouse suite.”
“Oh jeez, I thought you just meant we were getting a room,” I say.
“Hotel rooms are small. I need enough space to move around without feeling cramped.”
I look at his massive shoulders and then back at the hotel. “Right. Wouldn’t want you to get stuck between the bed and the dresser.”
“Exactly,” he chuckles.
“You know normal people don’t need a penthouse because they’re too large for standard architecture, right?” I ask, still unsure how my mate will react to gentle teasing.
“I’m not like normal people,” he growls. “Not. At. All.”
Nope. He definitely isn’t. My mate is a wolf shifter, and I still haven’t seen his wolf.
I’m sure that is more terrifying than he is as a human.
Human? Is that the right thing to say? Or maybe I’ll think it’s hot.
I’m such a mess right now I’m surprised I know which way is up.
I’m thinking about druids, goddesses, magic, and everything in between while also being excited about a new wardrobe.
The valet steps forward when Victor parks, but he pauses slightly when Victor gets out. I don’t blame him. Victor looks like the kind of man who might hand over the keys or bite through someone’s arm, and it’s probably impossible to know which one until it’s already happening.
“Careful with it,” Victor growls, handing him the keys.
“Um, yes, yessir,” the valet says quickly, glancing at me.
I get out before Victor can come around and open my door, mostly because I’m still trying to prove to myself that my legs work without him controlling every step I take. He notices, of course. His dark gaze moves over me, and I feel like he can see every nervous thought fluttering under my skin.
Maybe he can. I don’t even know what wolf shifters can do other than turn into wolves and lick my womb.
“You don’t have to look so worried,” he says, walking around the SUV.
“I’m not worried,” I say truthfully. Nervous, sure. A little terrified, absolutely. But the worry that has hung around my neck like an albatross is gone. “I’m just still processing everything. It’s a lot to take in. You’re a lot to take in.”
He glances at the apex of my thighs and my core twitches. “Yeah, because you’re so fucking tight.”
“I didn’t mean it like that,” I groan. “I’m standing in front of a hotel where the lobby probably costs more than Frank’s diner. I just got a new wardrobe. I still don’t understand half of what you were talking about with Ingrid and Saul at the restaurant. I’m allowed to look a little overwhelmed.”
Victor’s hand settles at the small of my back, warm and possessive, guiding me toward the entrance. “Let’s go inside, relax, have a drink, and then we can talk. Even though talking is the last thing on my mind after your fashion show. And it’s not over yet.”
“Not over yet? What do you mean?” I glance at him nervously.
“Well, I wasn’t going to let you try on underwear in a store,” he growls, meeting my nervous glance. “I had some delivered. It’s already upstairs.”
I immediately blush. “Victor!”
“Taryn,” he chuckles. “You may be a foolish little girl who plays with magic, but you still need panties to put on when I allow you to hide your pretty little pussy from me.”
The automatic doors slide open and cool air washes over us. I step inside and immediately forget how to breathe for a few seconds. Suddenly, I’m not thinking about his obscene teasing that would have made me want to run, instead of nearly creaming my panties.
The lobby is ridiculous.
Not tacky ridiculous. Not gold-plated toilet ridiculous.
Elegant ridiculous. There are marble floors polished so perfectly I can see the lights reflected in them.
Huge columns. Crystal chandeliers. Tall floral arrangements that look like they belong in a royal wedding instead of a hotel lobby.
The whole place smells like fresh flowers, expensive perfume, and money. So much money.
I suddenly become painfully aware of my jeans. And my shoes. And the fact that my shirt has been washed so many times that whatever used to be printed on the front is now just the ghost of a pattern.
Why didn’t I just wear one of the outfits out of the store? My brain was so frazzled I didn’t even think about that.
“I look like I’m here to clean the rooms,” I laugh awkwardly. “No, I bet they have nice uniforms and a dress code.”
Victor stops walking. I realize my mistake when his hand tightens slightly on my back. Not enough to hurt, but enough to get my attention. Enough to make my body respond before my brain can scold me for being ridiculous.
“Don’t say shit like that about yourself,” he growls.
“I was joking,” I huff, shaking my head.
“You still thought it was true,” he says.
I glance up at him. The golden flame is faint in his eyes, but it’s there. A little warning flicker.
“You’re walking in here with me. That means you belong here.”
I swallow hard. “I’m not sure the other guests will agree. I’m not even sure I agree…”
“I don’t give a fuck,” he growls. “You belong by my side, and that’s where you’re always going to be.”
I want to argue, but the look on his face tells me I won’t win. I’m starting to understand that about Victor. He doesn’t argue like normal people. He just plants his feet and becomes a mountain.
A very sexy mountain. One with a black AmEx and murder eyes.
I used to think Joe was the most dangerous person in my orbit.
Now, I’ve been marked by the wolf who left Joe in pieces.
At least I don’t want to cry and cringe when Victor touches me.
No, I don’t want to cry at all. I just want to scream his name.
This mating bond is like having common sense thrown in a blender, turned to mush, and poured back into my head.
And honestly, I’m hating it less and less.
The woman at the front desk straightens as we approach. Her smile is professional, but it flickers when she gets a good look at Victor. Again, I don’t blame her. He looks like a man who was carved out of violence and then taught just enough manners to be allowed in polite society.
“Welcome to Casa Lusso,” she says brightly. “Checking in?”
“Yes,” Victor says. “Penthouse suite. Victor.”
The woman types something into her computer, then her eyebrows lift for half a second before she catches herself. “Of course, Mr. Victor. We’ve been expecting you.”
Mr. Victor.
I press my lips together to keep from laughing. It slips out anyway. A tiny sound.
Victor looks down at me. “Something funny?”
“No, Mr. Victor,” I snicker.
“Careful, little girl.” His eyes narrow.
My cheeks are hot, but I can’t help smiling. “Sorry… Mr. Victor.”
That does something to him. I feel it in the way his hand flexes at my back. I also feel it in the way my stomach dips and my thighs suddenly remember how much trouble they’ve already gotten me into.
The woman behind the desk clears her throat. “Some things arrived earlier. If there are any other deliveries, they will be sent to the suite when they arrive. We’ve also arranged for private access to the elevator. Your floor requires a keycard.”
“Good,” Victor answers.
Private access to the elevator. Apparently, I’ve wandered into the part where elevators need security clearance. If goth Taryn could see what magic can actually do, she’d never outgrow it. But I’ve outgrown it all. One spell is enough, thank you.
The woman hands Victor two keycards in a little black folder. “If you need anything at all, please dial zero from the room phone. There is twenty-four-hour concierge service, private dining, laundry, and spa services available.”
Laundry. My poor jeans suddenly feel like they’ve been publicly shamed. But I’ve got several new pairs now, so I think these will end up in the trash instead of a washing machine.
Goodbye to my old life, one hand-me-down at a time.
“Thank you,” Victor says, taking the folder.
The woman looks at me with a smile. “Enjoy your stay, ma’am.”
Ma’am? I turn around to see if there’s a properly dressed woman behind me. There isn’t. Just a bellman with a cart filled with expensive-looking luggage. Are those Victor’s things? If they are, it looks like he’s planning to stay a while. Which means I’m staying a while.
Victor guides me toward the elevators before I can embarrass myself. Once we’re inside, he taps the keycard and presses the top button. The doors close, sealing us into a small, mirrored space.
The second we’re alone, I let out a breath.
“Are you alright?” he asks.
“I don’t know,” I admit. “Everything is… a lot.”
His gaze moves over my face. “Good a lot or bad a lot?”
“Both, I think,” answering him as honestly as I can.
“Look, it’s okay. Do you believe in karma?” he asks.
“Um, I guess so?” I say, unsure if I’ve really put much thought into it.