Unexpectedly Mated

7

On their way to Nic’s car, Barbara twined her arm with Nic’s and leaned in. “I can tell something’s wrong. Let me help you.”

Nic slipped into the open driver’s side of her gold Camry with a wince. Should she be talking about her issues with Barbara? She was Jake’s mother for cripes sakes. She glanced at her dashboard, nervous to even turn to Barbara. She wouldn’t be able to open up if she met the other woman’s very intuitive gaze. “It’s not Jake, honest. I just don’t feel comfortable having a…” A what? They didn’t really have a relationship. That’d been the main argument between Nic and her emotions. He hadn’t even bothered to ask her about a relationship. Sort of assumed they were in one. Meanwhile, she didn’t know how to handle the growing feelings that seemed to take hold inside of her. She wanted it to stop. “I don’t think we’d work out. He’s surrounded by women day in and day out.” She growled the words, fingers tight on the leather of the steering wheel.

“You’re judging him based on the clients that visit his establish-

ment,” Barbara said softly.

It wasn’t that she disliked strippers, especially male strippers? No way. But Jake brought out the insecure side of her. Nic knew she had a pretty face. Her full-figure got her more than a second glance. Enough that she’d modeled for plus-sized magazines and designers when she’d been back home in her late teens. But it was her mother and step-father’s thirst for fame, attention and money that had pushed her out of it. She’d been more than happy to leave the drama and the arguments over her money behind.

So here was Jake, Living La Vida Loca. Something she would not normally care about with any man. Except Jake had changed her. And she was having a hard time adjusting. Jake lived a very carefree life. He hadn’t mentioned a relationship to her once in all the years they’d been quietly flirting and hinting at their mutual attraction. He pretty much goaded her whenever they were together and told her how much he wanted her, but never more than that. s*x sounded great. No, s*x with Jake sounded awesome!

What woman would say no to s*x with one hot as hell shifter? Not Nic, that’s for sure. She wasn’t stupid, but did she want more from Jake? With more came complications, though. There was the fact he seemed to be the only Wolfe brother who wasn’t really interested in settling down lately. Even Mason had the most overprotective streak this side of Blue Creek. Not that Emma seemed to care one way or another. Most of the time she only had complaints about his overbearing ass. So when Nic had finally had s*x with Jake during the scenting ceremony, and he’d been all growly and dominant, she’d put her foot down.

No way in hell was he going to start that s**t now that they’d had s*x when he’d never even asked her out on a date. If he thought she’d be doing what he wanted he could take his furry-ass and go home. Which he had. And now she missed the annoying man-w***e mutt.

The problem was, she had to figure out what she wanted before she allowed him back. Would she let herself listen to the emotions that pushed at her heart, or did she want to keep things strictly s****l?

“I’m not judging him. Okay, maybe a little, which I’m not trying to do. But I can’t stop the feelings of insecurity when it comes to Jake, his whole lifestyle and the business he owns.” She sighed and dropped her forehead to the steering wheel.

“It’s okay, Nic.” Barbara’s soothing tone only added to her misery.

“No it’s not. I’ve never been insecure about anything but it seems with Jake…I can’t help it. I’m so confused. I want to figure it out, but my heart is feeling all these weird new things and they scare me. I don’t understand why one minute I think of him and I want to cry and the next I want to smile. I feel like I’m losing my damn mind!”

Her stomach burned with fear of what happened inside her heart. She finally met Barbara’s gaze.

Barbara’s sympathetic nod didn’t help. “It’s called love. Have you ever worried about any prior boyfriend’s communication with other females?”

Thinking back, she’d never been the slightest bit insecure with any previous relationship. Not that there had been many. Especially once she’d met Jake, but the few boyfriends she’d had were very social and constantly surrounded by women. That never bothered her then. So why now? Why him?

“No. It’s him. This is the first time this has happened to me and I don’t really know what to do. And I don’t like it.”

A knock sounded at her window. The valet made signals to let her know it was okay to go. She slipped on her sunglasses and then drove them toward Barbara’s house.

“You should talk to Jake. He might come off as a guy who doesn’t want any responsibilities but that’s not the case with any of my boys. They all know when it’s time to stop the games and represent for the women they love.”

Did Jake love her? He’d never spoken of love. In fact, she’d never spoken to any man of love either. Nic wasn’t used to open displays of affection. Hell, she wasn’t used to any kind of affection. Her family didn’t do that. When you had money, you were expected to behave in a particular way. Hugs and kisses didn’t go with the cool composure her family was known for.

“Enough about me and my confused personal life,” she mumbled. “When you said you felt Jordan needed a break, you gave me a great idea. I think I know the perfect place.”

“Oh?” The blue in Barbara’s eyes turned bright with excitement.

The only place she could think of for them to relax, have fun and where she could see her sister at the same time. “Vegas, baby.”

“Yes!” Barbara squealed like she’d just won a prize. “That’s perfect! We can have a whole girl’s week away from here and maybe allow her to relax a little. With Ellie arguing with Caleb over wanting to help him, things are a bit tense all around. I think if we all get her to join us for a few days she might lose some of the anger and frustration from his rejection of her help.”

That’s right. Her friend Ellie had mentioned that she wanted to help Caleb.