Protected Hearts Read online

  “Unavailable,” said Wes. He didn’t even look at the woman. He stared at Emma.

  “Unavailable?” The woman frowned.

  Ignoring her, Wes walked over to Emma. “Hey beautiful. I missed you.” He took her hand and kissed her knuckles and then turned her hand over and kissed her palm.

  “I missed you too.” Emma felt her cheeks grow warm. The jingle of the bell floated through the air. “And that was my last customer. I need to lock the door.”

  “What else do you need to do?” asked Wes.

  “I have to close out the register and do the bookkeeping, straighten shelves. I swept and picked up trash earlier. I just need to make a quick run through the store to make sure I didn’t miss any trash and then take the bag out when we leave.”

  “I’ll lock the door and take care of the shelves and the trash while you take care of the bookkeeping,” said Wes.

  “You don’t have to do that. It won’t take me that long.” Emma wasn’t used to people offering to help her.

  “I know I don’t have to, but I want to do it.” Wes caressed her cheek. “Now go take care of the register.”

  Emma nodded and turned her attention to the register.

  Wes locked the front door and flipped the sign on the door to CLOSED. He walked down the first aisle making sure the books were neatly tucked on the shelves.

  Feed mate. Keep mate safe. Take mate home. His beast made its presence known.

  When Wes left Emma earlier, his bear growled and fought to stay with her. It didn’t like her cousin or some of the fading scents that were in the building. That’s the plan, said Wes to his bear. He knew literally nothing about his mate, but like his bear, he wanted to keep her safe. And that scared him.

  Cubs. Lots of cubs.

  Wes didn’t say anything. He wanted a family, but would he be able to keep them safe? One hunter from the past had almost destroyed his brother’s new life with his mate. He pushed the thoughts aside and finished checking the aisles.

  *****

  Fifteen minutes later, Emma sat back and slowly rolled her head to stretch the stiff muscles. For a Monday, the sales weren’t too shabby, but it still wasn’t enough for her to be able to hire even part-time help. She closed out of the bookkeeping program and shut down the computer. Standing up, she picked up the money bag and the stack of receipts she had clipped together and put them into the small safe. Once it was closed she whispered a simple protection spell.

  With a quick look around the small office to make sure she didn’t forget anything, Emma picked up her handbag. A look inside it reassured her that her keys and wallet were in the bag. Emma turned the lock on the doorknob. She turned off the lights and closed the door.

  “Are you ready?” asked Wes.

  “I’m ready. Do you want me to follow you?” Suddenly nervous, Emma chewed on her bottom lip.

  “I’ll drive. Do you want to take your car home?”

  She shook her head. It’s parked in the lot across the street. It will be okay.” She pulled her the keys to the building out of her pocket. “I just need to turn off the lights and set the alarm.” Without waiting for him to answer, she disappeared down one of the aisles. The lights went out. “I’m ready,” said Emma as she walked back up the aisle.

  “We need to upgrade your alarm to one that you can control through and app on your cell phone.” Wes watched his mate lock the double locks on the door.

  “I looked into them when I first opened the store, but they weren’t something I could afford. Even now, I can’t afford to change out the system. I’m hoping I’ll be able to hire someone part-time in the next six months.” Emma took the hand he held out to her. “So where are you taking me?” she asked as Wes led her to his truck.

  “I’m taking you to get the best steak you’ve ever had.” He helped her into his truck. “Buckle up.” He closed the door.

  Emma nibbled on her bottom lip as she waited for Wes to get into the truck. “The bet steak ever? And where are we going to find that?” she asked.

  He looked at her and grinned. “My place.”

  “Your place? You’re cooking for me?” A smile spread across her face making her eyes shine. The thought of him cooking for her made her feel special. It was the first time since her parents died that someone had done that for her and it was even more special because it was her mate doing it.

  “You’re okay with that?” Wes cleared his throat.

  She heard the worry in his voice and she realized he was just as nervous as she was with this first date even though they were mates. “I’m more than okay. That is the sweetest most caring gesture anyone has ever done for me.” Emma lost another piece of her heart to him. She reached over and took his hand. “Thank you.”

  He laced his fingers through hers and gave her hand a light squeeze. He had worried about his decision to cook for her. He hoped she wouldn’t think he was ashamed to be seen with her. He was driven by the need to show her he could provide for her and the drive to have her in his den where he could protect her.

  *****

  Emma stared at the huge two-story house. The huge wrap-around porch called invitingly to her. She could see herself sitting out there in the early morning or late evening drinking her coffee. “This is your house? It’s beautiful. I love the soft gray and cream with the dark wood accent of the front door.”

  Wes parked the truck in the driveway in front of the house. “If there’s anything you want to change…inside or out…”

  “The only thing I would do outside is add several small sitting areas, flower boxes that hang on the rails and maybe a few hanging plants.” Her hand flew to her mouth. She looked at Wes with wide eyes. “I’m sorry.”

  Wes shook his head. “You have nothing to be sorry about. This is your home too.” He got out and went around the truck. Opening the door, he helped her out of the vehicle. “Welcome home.”

  Emma blinked to keep the tears from falling. It had been a long time since she had had a place to call home. Sure she had grown up in her aunt’s house but it was never really home. It was just a place where she lived. Her apartment had been the closest thing to a home until now.

  Wes led her up the porch steps, through the front door and directly into the foyer. He then took her into the living room.

  Emma noticed that the theme of gray and cream continued into the house. The living room also had browns and greens add to the color palette.

  “This is your home now.” Wes caressed her cheek with the back of his hand.

  Emma leaned into his touch. Her pulse quickened. She put her hand on his. “I have to know something.”

  Wes stared into her eyes. He saw a hint of pain and uncertainty there. “What do you want to know?”

  Emma nervously licked her lips. “Do my scars bother you?”

  “No they don’t. I have scars too. Some are physical but most of them are mental. Your scars are a part of who you are.”

  Emma stared into his face. She didn’t see any deception. She saw admiration and something else.

  Wes pulled her into his arms. He leaned down and captured her lips with his. Gently he teased and caressed her lips.

  With each caress, Emma felt an electrical jolt zip through her body causing her nerves to tingle. She moved closer to him wanting more…needing more.

  He pulled her tight against his body. Wes deepened the kiss, demanding more from her…needing her submission to him. His bear pushed close to the surface. It wanted to taste their mate. It urged the man to mark her as theirs though the man didn’t need the urging. He wanted to mark her and keep her in his bed. Visions of his cub growing inside her body filled his brain. He hadn’t thought much about cubs but having Emma in his arms made him want to see her heavy with his cub.

  Emma was glad Wes was holding onto her. His kiss left her weak in the knees. She was absolutely sure she would have slid to the floor when he ended the kiss if he hadn’t had his arm wrapped around her. She rested her head on his chest and listened to h
is heartbeat. She wanted to stay wrapped in his arms. For the first time she truly felt she belonged.

  “You smell delicious,” said Wes. He rested his chin on top of her head.

  Emma smiled. Her lips still tingled from his kiss. “Why did you stop?” Part of her was glad he had because she needed to catch her breath but the other part of her wanted to continue.

  “I want you, but I need to feed you first. I don’t want you passing out from low blood sugar or something like that.”

  Emma nodded. She didn’t trust her voice. The way her stomach was fluttering because of her emotions, she knew her voice would tremble and possibly break.

  “Let’s go to the kitchen.” He released her and took a step back.

  Emma immediately missed having his arms wrapped around her and the feel of his warm.

  Wes held out his hand to her. “I did promise you the best steak dinner.”

  Emma laughed. “Yes, you did.” She took his hand. The connection and warmth she felt earlier rushed through her. “What can I do to help you?”

  “Just keep me company while I cook for you.”

  “I can do that, but I don’t mind helping.”

  *****

  Emma wiped the corner of her mouth with her napkin. “That was the best steak I’ve ever eaten. My compliments to the chef.”

  “I’m glad liked it.” Wes picked up their plates.

  “Let me take those. It’s only fair since you cooked.” Emma stood up to help him.

  “I’ve got this. I’m just going to put the dishes in the sink. I’ll deal with them later. Would you like a cup of coffee?” he asked.

  Emma chewed on her bottom lip as she slowly nodded. She felt bad about not helping Wes with the meal or the dishes. It wasn’t part of her nature to sit back and do nothing.

  “Black or cream and sugar?”

  “Cream and sugar preferably but black is fine too,” said Emma.

  “Have a seat in the living room. I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.” Wes smiled at her before he disappeared into the kitchen.

  Slowly she walked to the living room. Looking around she noticed there weren’t any personal items in the room. She didn’t even see one family picture. Emma frowned as she sat down on the edge of one of the overstuffed chairs. Looking at the sofa, she got up and moved over to it, hoping she wouldn’t seem to presumptuous or overly eager. She looked back at the overstuffed chair. Maybe she should have just stayed there.

  “One coffee with cream and sugar for you and a black coffee for me.” Wes handed Emma one of the coffee mugs he carried into the living room.

  She took a sip. “Perfect.” She took another sip before setting the cup on the coffee table. Emma watched Wes sit down on the other end of the sofa and sip his coffee. “I noticed there aren’t any pictures of your family in here.”

  Wes set his cup on the coffee table. “Nothing survived the fires.” She saw a haunted look in his eyes before he looked away from her. For several minutes an awkward silence filled the room while he stared at the far wall. “You know about what happened to Audrey?” he asked when he turned back to her.

  Emma nodded. “Ivy told me there was a hunter involved.”

  “The problem with the hunters is something my family is very familiar with. In fact, it goes back to when I was a teenager.”

  She nodded but didn’t say anything. She had a feeling he was going to tell her more about the problem.

  “I’m the middle brother. Hank is my older brother and Forrest is my younger brother. At the end summer, just after my seventeenth birthday, Hank took Forrest and me camping. It was the first time our parents let us go alone, but Hank was twenty-one and technically an adult. We spent the days exploring the forest in our human forms and our bear forms. We went swimming, fishing and hiking…all the usual stuff that boys like to do. We had a lot of fun and then there was the freedom without our parents.”

  “How old was Forrest?” asked Emma.

  “He was eleven. Our parents trusted we would take care of him and make sure he stayed safe.”

  “So y’all have always been close.

  “Yeah we were, and even more so after that trip.” Wes took a deep breath and let it out. “We were about a mile from home when we saw the smoke. As we got to the edge of the area where the den was located, the odors of charred wood, burnt flesh, and blood hit us.” Wes closed his eyes. “The charred remains of our home and the other houses were still smoldering. Everyone…our parents, aunts, uncles, and cousins…they were all gone. There was nothing left but the three of us.”

  Emma felt the tears run down her cheeks. She understood what it was like to lose your family.

  “Hank shielded Forrest and me from the worse of the horrors. I didn’t realize how much until years later when Hank couldn’t hide his nightmares anymore.”

  Emma scooted closer to Wes and slipped her hand in to his.

  “The hunters didn’t just kill everyone because they were shifters. They tortured and brutalized some of the females before they gutted them like animals.” He squeezed her hand. “Everything changed that day. We changed, but Hank most of all. He’s haunted by what he saw and his guilt for not being there to help protect the family. I feel guilty for not being there.”

  Emma shook her head. “You have nothing to feel guilty about. I’m sure your parents were happy that you weren’t there because if you had been, you would be dead too.”

  “What if I can’t protect you from the hunters?” asked Wes.

  Emma realized this was his biggest fear. “We do what we can to guard each other. You said you weren’t going to ask about my scars; that you would wait until I was ready to tell you.”

  “And I meant it,” said Wes.

  “I was ten when it happened. My parents and I were returning from spending Christmas at one of my dad’s friend’s cabins. It was the first time and last time I ever had a white Christmas. It was icy and we were about halfway home when something hit the car. I remember Dad struggling to keep control of it, and Mom was whispering. Whatever hit us, hit us again. I woke up sometime later in the hospital asking for my parents. It wasn’t until Aunt Susan arrived that I was told my parents were dead.”

  Wes pulled her into his arms.

  Emma snuggled against him. “I had been thrown from the car as it rolled off the road and burst into flames. Mom had been trying to cast some sort of protection spell around me. It wasn’t strong, but it was enough to keep me alive. It was over a day before the wreck was discovered.”

  “At least you had an aunt to take care of you.”

  Emma looked up at Wes. “You have met my cousin, haven’t you?” She raised an eyebrow.

  “You mean the overly aggressive female who couldn’t grasp the concept of no and who was rude to you even after she knew you were my mate?” He grinned at her.

  “That’s the one. April is a bit self-centered.”

  “Just a bit?” Wes raised an eyebrow.

  “Okay. Okay. She’s extremely self-centered. Unfortunately, she takes after her mother,” said Emma.

  “So your cousin and your aunt are both self-centered people.”

  Emma leaned back and looked up at Wes. “Actually, my aunt is worse.”

  “How can someone be worse than your cousin?” Wes sounded surprised.

  Emma sighed. “Instead of putting the money from my parents into a trust fund or using it to take care of me, she spent it on herself and April. By the time I was in high school, everything my parents left me was gone.”

  Wes brought her hand up to his lips. “We are a pair.”

  “Maybe that’s why the Fates put us together.” Emma smiled. She had a feeling it was more Miss Martha’s doing than anything else. She touched his cheek with her fingertips. “Kiss me.” Emma turned her face up.

  “My pleasure.” Wes captured her lips with his. He gently teased and caressed her lips. His hands slid over her curves. He was definitely going to enjoy exploring each and every curve she had.

>   Emma sighed and tried moving closer to her mate.

  The doorbell rang.

  Wes abruptly ended the kiss. He leaned his head against Emma’s. “The house had better be on fire,” he muttered.

  The doorbell rang again.

  He shook his head. “It had better be important because if it isn’t, I’m going to rip off their limbs and beat them,” he growled as he got up and went to the door.

  Emma giggled before she could stop herself. “You know who’s at the door?”

  Wes glanced at her. “It’s probably Forrest being nosy. When we bought this land, we all built our houses on this section.”

  “So it’s like a large extended den, but without living in the same house,” said Emma. She actually like the idea of her neighbors being family. It would make it easier to protect Wes and the others. She would have to talk to Ivy about casting a protection spell around the perimeter of the property. Emma could cast simple protections spells, but the property was large and she would need some help.

  “That about describes it but with a few additions.” Wes reached for the door knob.

  “A few additions? Exactly what kind of additions?” asked Emma. The house looked normal to her. She couldn’t imagine what kind of additions Wes and his brothers could have made.

  The doorbell rang again as Wes opened the front door. “What are you doing here?” he growled when he saw his little brother.

  “And hello to you too. We’re here to meet the lady you brought home from the bookstore.” Forrest shouldered his way past his brother. Audrey, his mate, followed him into the house.

  “And why don’t you just come in and make yourselves at home.” Wes slowly closed the door and glared at his brother. The last thing he wanted was an interruption while he was spending his first night with his mate. Even his bear grumbled.

  “Ignore tall dark and grumpy.” Forrest smiled at Emma. “I’m Forrest, the younger and more handsome brother, and this is my beautiful mate, Audrey. She is the one to whom you sent the poultices.”

  “Hi. I’m Emma Starr.” She stood up and shook hands with Audrey and then held out her hand to Forrest.