Chosen Mate: Lion Shifter Romance (Cybermates Book 5), Candace Ayers [big screen ebook reader .TXT] 📗

and tuck her in when my cell rang. I had placed it on the dining room table while I was cleaning and jumped up to get it before it woke Elin.

The screen flashed “Jake James.”

“What’s going on Jake? Tell me my house is still standing.”

“Better than standing, the waterlines have been replaced and tested. Plumbing’s done. You have hot water, and except for a couple days’ worth of cosmetic stuff, the place is ready for you. It’s livable, man.”

I glanced up at Elin. She was no longer asleep. When her eyes met mine, it was obvious she’d heard Jake’s voice reverberating through the phone and around the otherwise quiet room.

“That was quick. You sure you don’t need a couple more days? It’s fine if you do—”

“Not at all. We’ve been working practically around the clock per your instructions. It’s ready. You can move back tonight.”

Fuck. I knew Elin heard that!

It was going to be a lot harder to come up with excuses to see her when we weren’t under the same roof.

“Thanks, Jake.” I ended the call.

Elin sat up, swung her legs off the couch, and placed her feet on the floor. “Great. Your place is done. That means you’re out of here tonight, right?”

“Well, unless you need—"

“Dylan, I don’t need anything except for you to leave. Go.”

“You sure? I could—”

“Yes! I’m sure.”

“Right. Okay.” Why had I told them to rush the construction? I’d like to kick my own ass for that.

Three hours later, I had all my stuff moved back to my place, and my eyes trained on the second story, south-facing, corner window. I watched Elin’s bedroom light go out.

Leaning back against the palm tree, my legs crossed at the ankle, I listened to the gulf waters as they gently rolled over the sand before receding.

I’d call Elin in the morning, just to check on her, but until the early rays broke the horizon, I’d stay right there keeping watch over her.

16

Dylan

I was sitting on my back porch, watching the ocean when Parker found me. I heard her knocking and yelling through the door, but I was on the third floor balcony and didn’t feel like going down just for her to give me attitude.

Parker Pettit wasn’t one to take being ignored lightly, though. When I heard her screaming from under me, I looked over the edge of the railing and saw her glaring up at me. “Hey, dickhead, we need to talk.”

I sighted loudly, so I was sure she’d hear me.

“It’s about you know who… a certain someone with blue eyes and blonde hair and a cute little baby bump. And if that’s not enough of a hint, her name’s Elin and you’re baby bump’s daddy.”

The neighbor to my right, Mrs. Glanville, stepped out onto her porch with a tall glass of sweet tea and a folding paper fan, and perched on her lawn chair. She unfolded her paper fan, and flapped it in front of her as she stared first at Parker and then at me as though she was watching her daytime soaps. Shameless.

I sighed. “Want to come in?”

Parker glared. “That’s why I was knocking.” As she headed around the side of the house to the front door, I heard her shout, “Stay tuned, neighbor lady, this could prove to be quite the show.”

Sighing, I went inside and hurried down the stairs to let her in through the back patio.

Parker stomped inside and then waked around whistling. “Nice digs. This is snazzy. You must come from money or something.”

I shrugged. “Or something.” I was having a hard time appreciating any of it.

“Anyway. Back to why I came over here. You are a raging asshole, Dylan Lion-King. I didn’t think it was possible with you. You’ve been nothing but kind, and smart, and charming since I met you. Everyone who knows you sings your praises. Yet, you were a raging, seething dumbass with Elin. What gives?”

I sank onto the couch and groaned. “I screwed up.”

“No shit.” She sat across from me and crossed her arms. “Elin is amazing. And beautiful and carrying your cub.”

I winced. “I know all that. I know. She’s all that and more.”

Parker was nodding. “She is a catch. Any man would be thrilled to bring her home. Yet you tossed her out like yesterday’s trash.”

“It’s not like that!”

“I’m betting you it is to her.”

I growled, frustrated beyond frustrated. “Well, it doesn’t exactly matter now. We’re no longer under the same roof, and I don’t know if she’ll ever forgive me. Cut me a break. I may have to live the rest of my life following her from a distance.” I scrubbed my hands down my face.

“Doubtful. You’re mates. She’ll forgive you eventually. But you’re the one who fucked up so the onus is on you to fix it.” She leaned forward. “So? How are you going to do that?”

I thought of the hurt and anger on Elin’s face, and how walking around hurt and angry for the next seven months might affect both her and Nugget. I didn’t know if I was going to be able to make up for the pain I’d caused her or make her see why I did what I did.

“Oh, you stupid kitty. You’re not going to do anything?” Parker stood up and stomped a foot so hard I was surprised it didn’t go through the floor.

I growled and leapt to my feet. “What the fuck am I supposed to do? Lions aren’t supposed to mate humans. I have no idea how to go about this. Fate fucked up.”

“I researched that, and guess what? It’s not unheard of. It’s happened before.”

“I know it’s happened before. I’ve seen it. The results are disastrous!” I let out a raging roar and grabbed a pillow from the couch, easily ripping it in half. Pillow stuffing shot into the air and rained down like snowfall.

“Alrighty then.” Parker watched as I moved to the next pillow and shredded that too. She didn’t seem the least bit