I Dated a Mob Wolf, page 14
He set the cup down, put the second cup on the table, and kissed her. She tasted the coffee, the cream, and Etgar. With a hint of bacon. The kiss went on and on, and when she leaned back, she was shaking slightly.
Etgar smiled. “Could you taste the coffee?”
“I am not sure; let me check again.”
She pressed her lips to his and held his head as the kiss built in intensity until his mother cleared her throat. They paused and turned to stare at her.
Lady Daycross said, “That isn’t appropriate for the breakfast table.”
Etgar smiled. “I have found a mate after years of searching, she is already carrying my child, and she’s agreed to marry me. You are lucky we aren’t fucking on the breakfast table.”
Lady Daycross got up and left.
Etgar snorted. “If you will stay with me, she will be relegated to the dower house or one of the other buildings on the property.”
“Okay. She might mellow once we get less handsy with each other. It is still very new.”
“Speak for yourself. I want to be handsy with you into my dotage.”
She smiled and stroked his jaw. “Well, I have to arrange my mani-pedi and explore a bit of the island. Are Olim, Rejik, and Darvo available?”
“They are. And if they aren’t happy to escort you after today, I will find some others who will suit you.”
“Well, whoever whines has to carry the bags.”
He nodded, and they got up. He finished his coffee, and they went to get her honour guard.
The guys were at the kitchen table, and when they arrived, the group of them got up.
“Olim, Rejik, and Darvo, you are with Vallu today. She wants to explore the town and walk around, so you are going to have your work cut out for you.”
The three smiled.
She smiled. “So, car or walk?”
Darvo nodded. “Car, please. Just tell us what you want to do, and we will bring you there.”
She kissed Etgar goodbye and followed the bodyguards out into the morning sunlight.
“Well, first, I am trying to get a mani-pedi for sir’s foot fetish, so I am going to call Yadril.”
Rejik cleared his throat. “May I make the call? She doesn’t like new clients.”
“Sure.”
Rejik walked away and made the call. When he came back, he looked relieved. “You can go right in.”
They got into a silver vehicle and drove off. She tried to take in the street structure and the overall design, but they were just getting into the commercial sector when they slowed down. Rejik smiled. “We get out first, make sure it is clear, and then, you step out. We then surround you and escort you where you need to go.”
“Okay. So, mani-pedi then maternity wear, sneakers, and heels. If there is any time, I want to know if there are craft or fabric stores around. If not, I am going to need to go to the capitol.”
They nodded. Darvo said, “There are seven craft and fabric shops within four blocks of our current location.”
She didn’t squeal, didn’t applaud, but she smiled quietly. Maybe this could work after all.
Yadril looked at her dismissively through the pedicure until Vallu was soaking her fingers in preparation for the manicure.
“That is quite the ring.” Yadril was a blonde woman with ice-blue eyes and a no-nonsense look.
“Etgar was very happy that he was able to follow my niece’s directions for it.” She smiled. “The proposal was nice, too.”
Yadril paused. “Proposal?”
Rejik turned his head from the corner. “I did mention on the phone that this is Etgar’s fiancée. She is his fiancée.”
Yadril got up and got a fresh pack of tools. “I am sorry, Miss, I thought you were...”
“A mistress? I sort of am, but I am the permanent kind. Tied forever.”
“Tied?”
Rejik filled in, “Parent bonds, Yadril.”
The woman’s face beamed. “Really?”
“Uh. Yeah.”
“Thank goodness. I thought he was obsessed with a fancy whore.”
Rejik paused, but Vallu spoke up. “That would be me as well. I am multifaceted. Well, I have retired from the whoring. Still fancy, though.”
Yadril froze. “You are joking.”
“Nope. Until four months ago, I was an escort. I planned the pregnancy and got Etgar to participate but didn’t tell him. He knows now, so we are engaged.”
“You trapped him?” Yadril went to work on smoothing her nails.
“Oh, yeah. He was trapped. I wasn’t hauled off to Daycross or anything.” She snorted. “Yeah, he was helpless when I told him he could visit as much as he wanted. He was pinned when he insisted on meeting my family, and he was helpless when he introduced me to his mother. That did not go over well.”
Yadril smiled. “The lady has had her son to herself for a while.”
“Well, she’s had his day face. I have been a regular interference in his life for a while. It was why I chose him as my baby’s father.” She smiled softly.
“You... you really are... you are in love with him.”
Vallu went beet red. “Intermittently. Guys, you didn’t hear anything.”
Darvo chuckled. “Not a thing, Ma’am.”
Olim shook his head. “It has been silent.”
Rejik grinned. “I am telling.”
Vallu glared at him. “Squealer.”
Darvo chuckled. “Shall we convince him to keep his mouth shut?”
Vallu looked over at Rejik. Her eyes got hot, and her teeth extended. “You thaid whath now?” She glared at him and cursed her lisp.
Yadril blinked. “You’re a drinker?”
She let her teeth resume normal proportions. “It came with the pregnancy. I wasn’t before.”
“Where are you going after this?”
“Clothes, maternity stuff, sneakers, heels for Etgar’s fetish, and craft stores. I like quilting.”
“For clothing, you can go to Hethen Wells. Maternity wear, Lavoric. Running shoes can be from anywhere. Heels, also Hethen Wells. Craft stores... if you quilt, I would go to Fablicious. They have an excellent selection if you are serious about the craft.”
“Thank you. I am rather serious about it. I brought some handwork over until I find out if there is a place for my longarm machine.”
Rejik blinked. “That huge frame thing?”
“Yup.”
“Yeah, there is room for that. There is a solarium that no one uses. It would fit in there rather nicely.” He smiled. “You might have to wrest it from Lady Daycross, but you are up for the fight.”
She groaned as her nails were buffed smooth. “I am tired of fighting. I just want to get this baby into the safe zone. I am not picking any more fights until the baby is out. After that point, I will pick a fight over napkin colour.” She had a thought. “Do you think Etgar wants to get married before the baby is born?”
Vallu winced as everyone around her said, “Yes!”
“Fine. I might want to find a nice dress for that as well.”
Olim cleared his throat. “The boss told us that he was taking care of that for you.”
“Oh, so the wedding is soon.”
Yadril smiled. “I will put a rhinestone on the ring finger.”
“Thanks. I don’t like much fuss.”
The woman massaged Vallu’s hands. “Fuss all you like. You sound fun. Rejik, I am sorry for cursing you out this morning. Ms. Vallu, I would be honoured if you would give me your business.”
Vallu grinned. “Let’s see how you manage a French tip.”
Yadril winked and set to work.
Half an hour later, Vallu gingerly slipped her feet into her heels.
“You should have worn something without toes for this.”
“I would have, but Etgar bought all my shoes, and this is what he picks.”
She looked at her nails and smiled. “It’s a really good job. So, what would you have said if I called this morning?”
“I would have told you that name dropping wouldn’t work and that I would check with Etgar to see if his slut had called me for a mani-pedi.” Yadril winced at her own words. “And then, I would have had to deal with the consequences of that.”
“Yeah, he’s not happy when folks insult me. It is even worse when it is in front of me. Apparently, my feelings are delicate.”
She had explained how the Blind Date Corporation worked, and she explained that she was able to manage Etgar’s very specific needs.
Rejik grinned. “He had his first contact with her on his twenty-first birthday. After that, he started marking the calendar and holding spaces open for her.”
“Please, find a way to rephrase that.” She smiled.
The guys laughed, and Yadril’s eyes went wide.
She went to pay, and Rejik got between her and the terminal. “I have to pay the nice lady who opened her shop up two hours early for me.”
Darvo nodded. “It is going on Etgar’s bill. He wants you to dress up; he’s going to pay.”
“That’s...”
“What would you be wearing if you had your choice to run around Daycross?”
“Jeans and a tee, or a sundress and sandals.” She smiled. “And my hair in a messy ponytail.”
“Right, so consider your position as his fiancée as a job. You have to do it for set hours a day, and when you get home, you can do what you like.”
She chuckled. “So, I am shopping for a job that I didn’t apply for? Or rather, I applied so long ago that I forgot about it?”
He nodded. “Yes.”
“Fine. Let’s go to the next stop. Dresses and shoes?”
Her entourage surrounded her, and they left.
The designer kept wanting to put her in trousers, and Vallu had to take the man aside and explain the facts of mating with a wolf to him. He grew pale, and the skirts that he showed her could be flipped up and out of the way but looked graceful and draped when they were being worn for normal people.
The rest of her shopping just had her scrapping twice with attendants who wanted to put her in something unsuitable for her lifestyle. She ended up with one set of workout gear and sneakers. That was the most satisfying purchase so far, and she had paid for them both herself. She went to the nearby sports shop and got some boxing gloves; after calling them fighting mittens, she straightened herself out and got a set for her and one for Lii. The hand wraps came next.
She handed the parcels off to Darvo, and he looked delighted to be carrying something that didn’t come from somewhere that sold lingerie.
“Right. Well, that is enough damage clothing-wise. I just want to head into that fabric shop for a few minutes and see what they have.”
Olim whispered to the guys. “My sister sews. Stay close. She could run mad at any moment.”
She flipped him off and looked at Rejik. “Where was that shop again?”
He sighed, and they walked to the car so Darvo could drop off the bags.
They got in the car and drove five blocks, then their procession hit the fabric store.
She managed to fend them off for ninety minutes, but she got her new fabrics and was delighted with them.
Darvo grunted as he carried the bag of fabric and supplies. Scissors, rotary cutter, mat, all the essentials. The fifteen pounds of fabric was just so she could keep busy while Etgar did whatever he did. It should last her two months without her machines, or one month with them.
“Okay. I am done. We can go back to the house now.”
They were relieved. It was after two, they hadn’t eaten, and she was a little tired. Her afternoon nap was trying to insist that she pay attention. She felt herself sliding sideways, and Rejik caught her.
She dozed in and out, but when she was lifted from the car, she recognized the hands. She forced her eyes open. “Hey, Etgar. I went shopping.”
“Yes, I know. Feel free to get some rest. You are done for the day.”
“Hooray.” She leaned against him and let the nap win.
Chapter Fourteen
She yawned and stretched, and the couch underneath her moved.
“Was your shopping trip successful?”
She looked at her seat, and it had soft fur and golden eyes. “I think so, but they were right to do the fabric shop last. I would have been in there all day.”
“The solarium is being cleared for your use. Whatever you want to put in it, you are welcome to do so.”
“Hooray. It is going to take a while before I can get my machines packed up and moved.”
He smiled. “Did they have something here that would work?”
“Uh, yeah, but it’s twenty-five thousand dollars.” She blinked and rubbed her eyes. “I don’t want you to bleed money.”
“Would it help you settle to have someplace to work?”
“Well, yeah. But...”
“Would it make you happy not to have to move your machine from home?”
“Yeah, but...” She flapped her hands helplessly. “I guess if anything happens, you can donate it somewhere for a tax deduction.”
“What would happen?”
“The world is an unsure place; last night brought that home decidedly.”
“You mentioned having your will made up. You are really preparing for anything?”
“Sure. Even a living will. If anything happens, I want folks to know how I want things done. I don’t want any guessing or stress on my family. So, I have chosen everything and update it every few years. It had nothing to do with the pregnancy. We all did it while Liina was ill. We went in as a family. Even Liironia has her own advanced directives.”
“You didn’t find it morbid?” He kept working with one hand while the other was around her waist.
“Liina didn’t make her choices alone. We made suggestions as a family.” She chuckled. “What is morbid about taking a burden off your family’s shoulders? About choosing things that make you smile slightly, knowing that your family doesn’t have to make hard choices when they are vulnerable and hurting. As for courting death, I did it four years ago when Liina first got ill, and I am still alive.”
He nodded. “I should set mine out, too. I wouldn’t want you and our little creation here to go wanting.”
“We would be fine. I made sure of it before I even thought of the last date.” She smiled. “I wouldn’t have started something I couldn’t finish.”
“But you were planning to die.”
“No, I was planning to live. Everything I have done is to keep me stronger, monitored by doctors, and healthy. But I also know that no matter what I did, there was a chance, so I made sure that that chance was covered.” She twisted her lips. “I didn’t plan for you.”
He chuckled. “No one does. A giant talking wolf is disconcerting. You handle me well.”
“You like to be handled.”
He grinned. “By you, anytime. Where did you stop for lunch?”
She froze. “Uh... the fabric shop?”
He got up and carried her like a sleepy child out of his office on the main floor and into the kitchen. He set her on a stool, and the chef looked at her in surprise. “Can I have a sandwich? Chicken if you have it?”
He blinked. “Of course. Coming right up.”
Etgar crouched next to her, and he growled. “No matter how much fun you are having, stop to eat.”
“Crafting is the one thing that will stop me from eating. Even the possibility of it. I had a plan for the fabric that I picked up today. I think it will be fun.”
“What do you have planned?”
“One embroidered square for every date we had.” She blushed. “The different colours of fabric denote the type of date it was. A walk, dinner, or just sex.”
“There is no just when we have sex.” He grinned. “I look forward to seeing it when it’s done.”
“You are going to be seeing it every time I am sitting still. So, did you talk to Denner?”
“Yes. Rejik and Darvo will pick Lii up tomorrow and bring her here. Her father will bring her to the ferry. Why isn’t she going to be in school?”
“Her therapist ordered one day every two weeks with me for Lii’s mental health after her mom died. Denner asked, and the school lets us keep it up as long as she does a half-day.”
He nodded. “Good, then you can sleep in tomorrow.”
“With all that fabric in the house? No freaking way.”
The sandwich appeared in front of her, and a glass of water and another of juice showed up.
She looked at the chef, and he grinned. “I did a course on prenatal nutrition when my sister was pregnant. Now that I know what I am dealing with, I’ve got you. Given your needs, the breads are low carb, the proteins are lean, and the greens are high in calcium. Tomatoes... well, we have pretty nice tomatoes, and the cheese is local.”
She paused with her cheeks full. “Do you have a biography for the chicken, or should I attend a service later in the day and prep a tiny headstone for her sacrifice?”
He laughed. “A simple nod to the coops on your way out is acceptable.”
“I will send grain to her family.”
Etgar snorted. “Well, the sandwich is gone, so you have destroyed evidence.”
She smiled at the chef. “Thank you. When is dinner?”
He grinned. “Four hours from now.”
“Did the chicken have a drumstick?” She looked at him hopefully.
He glanced at Etgar. “Uh, that is Mr. Etgar’s favourite.”
Etgar snorted and pulled a chair up next to her, rubbing her back. “What he is saying is that I ate both legs for lunch.”
Her stomach growled. “Chef, are you emotionally attached to what’s left of the chicken?”
“No, Miss.”
She tapped the counter in front of her. The carcass arrived, and she turned to Etgar. “Don’t watch this if you want to sleep at night.”
He blinked, and she picked up the carcass with both hands and sank her teeth into it, tearing every piece of meat off the chicken from the keel to the spine. It took her three minutes. “Sorry. You probably won’t want to use that for stock now, either.”
