Afflicted (4 page)

“Sorry for disrespecting your business Rick but these two fellas have been terrorizing Victoria Lane and I am putting an end to it,” Kaden directed at Rick before addressing the other two again. “I think you two get the idea. If it happens again just know I will ban your ass from this pack. Get out and go home.”

The two men scrambled out the door. Rick shook his head and went back behind the counter. Kaden glanced down at the floor and looked at the broken glass that came from the bottle.

Damn it Kaden. You were out of line. That was a bit excessive,
Kaden thought as he stood there silently berating himself as he stared at the floor.

“That mess isn’t going to clean itself. I am going to get a broom and a dust pan. You are cleaning it up not me. I got a bad back.”

“I got it just bring it old man.”

Kaden didn’t move an inch as he waited on Rick to retrieve the broom and dust pan. He suddenly felt like his father. He wasn’t Morgan and prided himself on not turning just as mean and hateful. No, he was the opposite of his father. He would never hurt anyone the way his father did for no damned reason whatsoever. Morgan always inflicted pain for the hell of it. Kaden didn’t lack self-control.

I am not him.

“Damn boy you got it bad and you haven’t even made her yours,” Rick said as he hurried back over to Kaden.

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“Well you were over here knocking those two heads in for a human. You didn’t have to kick anyone’s ass but you did. I can only guess why and it’s because of your mate. Victoria right,” Rick said as he handed Kaden a broom to sweep up the broken glass on the ground.

“No, I was just stopping those two from bringing unwanted attention that’s all.”

“You must think I was born last night. Hell, she’s a looker.”

Rick snickered as he nudged Kaden.

“Rick not now man. I think my mom is on a mission to destroy this pack. I’m going to have to stop her and I get the feeling it’s going to be ugly.”

I can’t allow her do whatever she has been planning.

As Kaden cleaned up the floor he explained what happened when he went to the bank earlier this morning, skipping over details about Victoria that didn’t needed to be said, and repeated everything his mother had told him. And from the looks of it his mother wanted the pack riled up. A bunch of shifters mad was a bad thing, add a human in the mix that was deemed a threat, and shit was bound to get dangerous.

Chapter Four

V
ictoria woke up the next morning tangled up in sheets. She’d spent half the night surfing the net trying to keep herself from having negative thoughts and scaring herself any further. After lying on her bed for a good fifteen minutes,Victoria forced herself to get up to take a shower, then whip up a quick breakfast, along with a cup of coffee. Since she didn’t have to be at the bank until ten, Victoria called around for places that might be available. If she wasn’t capable of finding somewhere else to move then it might mean she would have to move out of town. Victoria wanted to feel safe again because right now she wasn’t feeling so secure after it seemed as if she was being watched.

There is no way I am going to be able to find a place. I could just go back home. Viviane’s been asking for me to come back.

Her half-sister had been asking for months that Victoria come back to civilization in North Carolina. It wasn’t like Victoria was upset or broken hearted anymore by the betrayal from her ex and best friend. Collins had been a nice retreat while she mended her broken heart. North Carolina at this point seemed like her best option.  It was time to pack up and go back to the real world.

Knocking at her door forced her to stuff the last piece of her toast in her mouth. She headed for the door.

“Coming,” she said as she placed her glasses on her face.

She opened the door an inch and poked her head out the door. Victoria assumed it was going to be no other than Kellie Wright standing at the door at seven in the morning. For a second she believed her eyes were playing tricks on her. An eyebrow quirked up as she noticed his hair was nicely tucked away in a ponytail at the nape of his neck.

“Good morning.”

Stop drooling Vic.

“Oh yeah um hello….good morning to you,” Victoria stammered as she ran a hand through her hair to comb any loose strands into place. She stopped as soon as she realized what she’d been doing.

“I didn’t wake you did I,” he asked.

“No. Not all. I was just finishing up breakfast.”

Hmmm, nice biceps! Can that shirt get any tighter? Now is not the time to get hot and bothered.

Victoria cleared her throat. She ceased staring at his muscled upper arms.

“So what are you doing here?”

“I am here to fix this door and to apologize for the actions of the individuals who’ve been nothing but a nuisance to you. They won’t be doing it again. I made sure of it,” he said firmly.

His hand went over her head, touching the door, his fingers traced over the painted offensive word. Victoria ducked to move out of his way but didn’t really need to do so due to her five foot six height. Kaden towered over her completely. 

Why would he even care? Oh but it’s sweet of him regardless.

“You made sure of what,” Victoria said as she folded her arms to hide her pebbled nipples. She wasn’t even cold or near horny. Her nipples seemed to have a mind of their own this morning. It didn’t help that Victoria was braless.

“No one will be bothering you and doing obscene crap like this,” Kaden replied as his arm dropped back down to his side.

“And how is it you came to know who is responsible for spraying the word bitch on my door?”

“I did some snooping around. Don’t worry you can trust me. They won’t...anyone won’t bother you again.”

“You did some snooping around. I didn’t ask you to do that but thanks I guess but it doesn’t matter. I’m packing up and heading back to North Carolina. My sister has been trying to get me back there for some time now. Now seems like the best time to go.”

“When are you leaving?”

“I haven’t decided yet. There is lot I have to do prepping wise. I can be very lazy when it comes to doing anything regarding moving.”

“Well I am going to get started on this door.”

“Do you really have to replace it?”

She wanted it to be replaced but didn’t know if it was a good idea for Kaden to be the one doing it. Victoria wasn’t going to complain too much. It’s just that she had an extremely strong attraction to Kaden and Victoria wasn’t exactly sure what to do about it.

“It won’t take long. It needs to be replaced. It should be replaced.”

“You are not my knight in shining armour buddy. You don’t have to do that.”

“I know but I want to.”

You are more than welcome to other things. It’s a beautiful thing you can’t read my mind.

Victoria fought back a smile as her mind headed straight for the gutter. She ran over every porno scene she’d ever watched that involved a handy man coming over to fix something but things led down a very proactive path. And it was one she started to visualize containing her and Kaden.

Stop going there Vic! Gosh I have a dirty mind.

“Sorry my mother isn’t here at the moment.”

Victoria exhaled as she snapped away from her fantasy.

“Where is Mrs. Wright? I sent her a text message last night. I’m sure she told you about this,” Victoria said as she nodded at the door.

“Yeah we discussed this when I went home last night. She is handling some family matters at the moment.”

“I wished she would have texted me back to let me know she wasn’t going to be here. I’ve been expecting her. We have to talk about me breaking my lease.”

“Right, because you are moving. I hope you aren’t letting someone’s actions make you run.”

Victoria frowned at Kaden. She didn’t know what to make of the way he said run in such an excited tone. As if he found pleasure in the fact that she was leaving.

Don’t let your imagination run wild,
Victoria thought as she shook her head.

“If you want I can come back later to get started.”

“No, you are here now. Go ahead and do what you came here to do. I’m just going to be in the back on my laptop surfing the net. Just call me if you need anything.”

“It won’t take long. I’m just replacing the door and it’ll be a piece of cake. I grew up building houses. I’ll be done in no time.”

“Do you still do that?”

“Do what?”

“Build houses?”

You look like you do on top of other things.

“No not like I used to.”

“Why don’t you?”

“It’s long story.”

“What and complicated too?” Victoria asked as she playfully rolled her eyes.

“Well something like that.”

Her breath hitched a little as she met his gaze. She shook her head and broke contact. There was no way in hell he was looking at her in that way. Kaden was staring down at Victoria with such an intensity that was nothing short of pure blatant desire. Victoria chose to ignore it. The man didn’t even know her and they’d only met yesterday. Suddenly Victoria actually wanted Kaden to want her but not just for something that was restricted to the bedroom. She wanted a man to possess her, love her, and cherish her as if she was the woman that was made for him. Victoria pegged Kaden as the type of man who knew what he wanted and it was clear he desired her but Victoria just didn’t understand why when he’d only met her freaking yesterday.

Maybe he is just as much sex deprived as I am. I doubt it not with his fucking looks. I bet women drop their panties at the snap of his fingers like magic. Mr. Panty Dropper.

“I guess I will leave you to it. I have to go apartment hunting and stuff,” Victoria said while turning around to retreat. “Just call me if you need anything.”

***

Kaden snapped out the trance he was in when Victoria disappeared around a corner out of sight. A growl rumbled at the back of his throat. He fucked up big time by coming over here. Her scent seemed to get more distinct and had Kaden more captivated. Never would he have stood there just talking like that. He wasn’t much of a talker when it came to the opposite sex. For a second he started to believe that Rick was right.

I’m in control not you damn it
, Kaden tossed at the wolf part of him.

“Shit this was a bad idea. I just had to bring my ass over here,” Kaden complained as he made his way over to his cherry red pickup truck.

He’d been close to taking her lips. If she hadn’t disappeared he would’ve had her up against the door teasing and tasting.

No that’s what the wolf wants. I don’t want shit.

Kaden strapped on his tool belt. He had to hurry up and get the front door down and the new one up. As soon it was done he could get the heck out of dodge before he did something he regretted.

A part of him had been devastated to learn she was moving away and Kaden had to resist telling her to stay. He fought the urge to tell Victoria she belonged here with him, in his arms, in his heart, and in his bed every single damned night. And Kaden had never wanted that before from any female. He’d played around with the opposite sex from time to time in the bedroom. It was nothing more than a quick fuck nothing extra just pure raw sex. Victoria seemed to give off this essence that he’d be in for the treat of his life and he’d be getting more than just a fuck. A mate meant love, passion, and more than words could describe.

She’d think I was one crazy son of a bitch if I had said that.

He focused on taking down the door, doing so caused him not to turn his attention to Victoria, and how she seemed to be just his type all of a sudden. He could still smell the weak scents of the two assholes that were responsible for the spray painted door that lingered in the air. Suddenly he no longer felt guilty for the ass kicking he delivered last night at Rick’s.

The sun seemed to beam down on nothing but him. Kaden wiped sweat off of his face as he finally got the door down. He tossed it onto the grass. Without giving it much thought Kaden took off his drenched V-neck shirt.

Damn it’s hot. Nice time to go swimming.

Kaden retrieved the new door from his truck. Upon making his way back to the cabin he caught Victoria standing in the doorway staring at him.

She wants you too.
Kaden didn’t believe that but the animal part of him drew that conclusion.

She cleared her throat and looked down at the glass she held in her hand. Kaden caught sight of her cheeks turning bright pink.

“So you look like you could use a cold drink,” Victoria said as she held the drink out as if Kaden had some catchable disease and she needed to keep her distance to avoid contracting it.

“What did you bring me?”

He placed everything down, wiped his hands on pants, and then proceeded to walk over to her to retrieve the cup.

“I hmm..I.. uh brought you… some w-water,” Victoria staggered over her words as she eyed Kaden under hooded eyes.

“Thank you,” Kaden said as he took the glass from Victoria.

“Yeah you were starting to look like you were one step away from having a heat stroke.”

Kaden watched as she licked her lips and began to fidget as she watched him drink his water. He noticed she’d taken off her glasses. His brow furrowed as he wondered if she could see at the moment.

“What happened to your glasses?”

Her hand shot up to the side of her face.

“Oh I put in my contacts.”

“Seems a bit weird not seeing you wearing them. They look sexy on you.”

Fuck Kaden did you have to say that but either way she’s fucking hot with or without them.

Kaden noticed a slight tremor run down her body. He couldn’t mistake it for what it was or the look on her face. Desire was written on her face but she quickly made a neutral expression. Like a light switch being turned on her scent became ten times stronger. Kaden inhaled deeply and damn near moaned in pleasure.

“Do you want me? Don’t hide it or fight it,” Kaden said as he took a step toward Victoria.

“Excuse me?” Victoria said while taking a step back.

He followed Victoria like a predator on the hunt as if it was the last hunt. Kaden forgot about fighting the forces that were pulling him in her direction. He became aware of her shallow breathing. This was becoming intense by the second. He didn’t want to leave. Before he knew it his arms were wrapped around her waist. Her scent called to him. She was his mate. No matter what he did there was nothing he could do to change it.

“Can I kiss you,” Kaden asked his voice dripping with an unexplainable need.

I’m screwed.

Victoria’s mouth opened to answer him but nothing came out. Her eyes held the answer and Kaden took it as all the conformation he needed to taste her lips. At first it was gentle but quickly the kiss turned into heated passion with Kaden in full control. He was aware of her fingers gliding though his hair till she grabbed a handful while returning his kisses just as feverish.

Damn this feels so right. Mmmm, it really fucking does.

It certainly did feel right to Kaden. Doubts still lingered in the back of his mind but he paid them no mind, tossing every bit of caution out the window as he coaxing her lips to open for him. He groaned as every moan that came from her vibrated against his own tongue.