“I wasn’t sure if you’d be here. I know after this big guy,” she points over her shoulder to X, “got his paws on me, he wouldn’t let me up to breathe. Anyways, I just wanted to make sure someone was here to open this place up. I don’t trust those stepsisters of yours to do shit.”
I glance up at Stone, wanting to see his reaction to Gwen’s words, but he just has a big smile across his face, too. It’s then I realize I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile like that before. It reaches all the way to his eyes.
He glances down at me, the smile dropping a little. “Are Tamara and Trish not doing their share at the bakery? I can have a word with them.”
I hear Gwen huff.
“No, don’t,” I quickly rebuff. One, I don’t want him anywhere near my stepsisters, and two, I have a feeling if Stone finds out how miserable I was living there, it will eat him up inside. I want that smile he just had to light up his face again. He would be devastated to know that I wasn’t treated right, and there’s no way for him to go back and change it. I want to move forward and see him smile like that for the rest of our lives.
“You sure?” His other hand comes up to cup my face as he bends down to rub his nose against mine. God, I love when he does that. It’s such a silly, sweet thing for this big alpha to do.
“Positive.” I lean in a little, pressing my mouth to his.
“All right.” He pulls me flush against his body, rubbing against me.
“Stone, I promise your smell is all over me.”
“I know. I want to make sure I’m covered in yours, too.”
His words make me smile. He lets me go, and we both look over at Gwen and X, having forgotten about them for a moment. Gwen is still rocking the giant smile.
“I need a word with you,” Stone says, his eyes locking on X.
X nods. “I smelt it, too.”
Cupping my face, Stone rests his forehead against mine. “Promise me you won’t leave this bakery.”
He pulls back and looks over at Gwen. “You staying?”
“Oh yeah, I can’t wait for you boys to leave because there’s going to be some serious girl talk going down.”
Stone just shakes his head, pulling his eyes back to me.
“I promise,” I confirm, before he can ask again. I see some tension drain from his shoulders, and I know he’s going to be like this until they find the shifter that seems to be roaming around. Besides, where am I going to go? I want him to go do what he needs to do and not worry about me. The sooner the shifter is found, the sooner Stone can loosen up.
“Kiss me,” I tell him. His lips instantly come to mine in a soft, sweet kiss.
“I’ll be back before you close,” he says, then places a kiss on my mate mark before finally letting me go.
“Wait.” I grab a box from under the counter and place a few treats in it. The cinnamon rolls are still nice and warm. “A real breakfast.”
He takes the box from me, leaning in to whisper in my ear even though everyone in the room is a shifter and can hear him. “They won’t be as sweet as the breakfast you already gave me.”
With that, he’s gone, and I watch X give Gwen a kiss before following him out.
“I’ve never seen him so happy!” Gwen looks like she’s about to burst. “Give me all the details. Well, maybe not the sex. Just the stuff where Stone is eating out of your hand. I want those details.”
I can’t help but laugh.
“Fine, but help me get this stuff out front so we can open. Then I’ll give you all the non-sex details.”
“Deal.”
12
Stone
It’s almost noon when I make my way back to the bakery. I’ve been anxious to get back to Winnie, but knowing she’s safe with Gwen makes it a bit easier to handle.
Xavier and I scouted around our land today, trying to track the scent, but neither of us could pin it down. I had to go door to door and check on the pack, making sure everyone knew the situation and to be extra careful, to always travel together and report anything suspicious right away.
When I walk into the bakery, I smell my mate, and my mouth begins to water. It’s been too long since I’ve had her taste.
“I thought I smelled you. Where’s my big guy?” Gwen says, coming out from the back, wiping her hands on a towel.
“He’s waiting out front. Said something about not liking the mating scent on me and Winnie. Careful, I think he might be a bit more aggressive because of it.”
“Ooh, just the way I like him!” Gwen winks at me as she walks past and out the front door to her mate.
I turn around in time to see X pick her up and carry her away from the store. With as pregnant as Gwen is, I’m surprised he lets her feet touch the floor. I know I won’t when Winnie is bred.
The thought has my cock throbbing. My need is getting crazy strong, and I’ve got to be inside her. After flipping the lock behind me, I stalk to the back, seeking out my mate.
When I push open the door, I see Winnie coming from the back room and carrying an empty tray. When she sees me, she stops in her tracks and slowly places the tray down.
I take a step towards her, and I can feel my wolf at the surface. I’ve gone too many hours during mating heat without touching her, and he’s agitated.
Winnie lets out a little growl, and I see her eyes start to glow. Once again, her bear is showing signs of wanting me, and it makes pride swell in my chest. Her animal deems me a worthy mate, and that’s the biggest boost to my ego. It makes me feel ten feet tall and like I could lift a mountain.