Chapter 16

EMERICK

Sam was sleeping soundly next to me. I was in awe of the incredible woman sharing my bed and felt grateful she was resting so peacefully.

We had made love twice more before she drifted off. Yet despite my own exhaustion, sleep proved elusive. My mind was filled with worries about Sam’s future as alpha and what it could mean for us.

A car engine rumbled in the distance, and I knew at once it was the security detail returning our belongings and my car.

I carefully extricated myself from the bed, trying not to disturb Sam, and slipped into my discarded sweats. I moved quietly to the front door, opening it as someone approached.

“Hey, Jonathan,” I said from the porch. “I appreciate you bringing everything by.”

He looked at me with suspicion, then inhaled deeply. He could smell what Sam and I had been up to. I narrowed my eyes at him in return.

“You need to watch yourself, Stone.”

“Excuse me?” I retorted.

“You heard me,” he shot back. “I’m sworn to protect her. If this is just another fling for you, back off. She’s got a lot on her plate and has been through enough without you adding to it.”

I wanted to be angry with him. I wanted to lash out. But he was right to question me. I felt a pang of embarrassment that he felt the need to say anything.

“It’s not like that,” I said, looking away.

He studied me for a moment. “It’d better not. There are plenty of wolves who would consider themselves lucky to have her attention.”

I knew Jonathan wasn’t talking about himself. He was happily mated to Micah.

“I know that, Jon.”

“If you’re not serious, give her the chance to find someone who is.” He paused. “And if you hurt her, I will hunt you to the ends of the earth so I can drag you back to watch her kick your ass.”

It was a promise.

“I appreciate your concern. Truly,” I told him. “This isn’t a fling, and I plan to stand by her side as long as she will allow it.”

“Good,” he said. “Then you should probably be honest about your reputation with the other she-wolves before she hears it from someone else.”

I grimaced. “Is it that bad?”

He shrugged. “Worse probably.”

I nodded. “Thank you. I will have that conversation sooner rather than later.”

I watched Jonathan stomp down the porch steps before heading back into the house. I put mine and Sam’s things on the dining table and made my way back to bed.

As I slipped in, Sam stirred slightly. I pulled her against my body, spooning her back to my front, and felt her settle once again.

I listened to her even breathing as I mulled over what Jonathan had said. I guess my penchant for “getting around” was more well known than I had thought.

I hated that someone might use that to warn Sam against a relationship with me, or that it might make her doubt my feelings for her.

Although I’d never tried to lead any of the women I’d been with to believe there was anything serious between us, I knew a few had hoped.

Had I known what it would be like when I found “the one,” I would never have touched another woman in my life. My feelings for Sam were all-consuming.

Knowing I definitely wouldn’t be getting any sleep now, I started planning how I would tell her.

When we showed up at the pack house together in the morning smelling strongly of each other, there wouldn’t be any hiding what was going on.

I had to talk to her before someone else got the opportunity.

***

When the sun started to peek through the curtains, I once again left my beautiful lover and crept out of the room. I started the coffee—I knew I’d need it—and pulled some eggs from the fridge.

Just as I was finishing up at the stove, I heard the bedroom door open. A minute later, Sam wrapped her arms around me from behind.

“Hey, you,” she purred.

I smiled. “Hey, babe.”

“You were up early.”

“I was having trouble sleeping. I had some things on my mind.”

Once breakfast was plated, I twisted in her arms so that I was facing her and wrapped her in an embrace of my own.

I smiled at the fact she was still wearing my T-shirt. It swallowed her petite frame, falling almost to her knees. She looked adorable.

“Oh?”

“I thought we could talk over breakfast.” I nodded at the table.

I could tell she wanted to ask more, but she settled for “Okay.”

She took the seat I pulled out for her and waited for me to sit down as well.

“So, what do you want to talk about?” The stress she was feeling was evident in her frown.

“I think there are some things you should know about me. About my relationship history specifically.”

“Uh oh. You don’t have a wife locked in the basement or something, do you?”

She was joking, but I could tell she was worried about what I would say next.

I chuckled. “No, nothing like that. Maybe the opposite? I’ve never actually been in a serious relationship, I guess.”

“Okay…”

“I have a reputation for sleeping around.” I scratched the back of my head. “I guess I’m considered kind of…”

“Promiscuous?” Sam finished for me.

“That’s one way to put it,” I said.

“Hmm,” she murmured. “Are you a cheater?”

“No, never,” I said.

“Okay. Do you plan on… continuing to sleep around now that we are together?”

I shook my head. “Absolutely not.”

“And is there anyone I need to know about? A jealous ex or secret child?”

~A jealous ex…~

~No, we always agreed we were just having fun.~

I shook my head despite this itch of guilt in the back of my mind.

She took a deep breath. “Well, I guess the optics might not be great considering I’m an alpha nobody really knows.

“But I’m not willing to let what everyone else might ~think~ keep me from pursuing a relationship with you.”

I let out the breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding. “I’m sorry, Sam.”

“For what?” She shrugged. “You were a single guy, sleeping with women. As long as you weren’t leading anybody on or going behind someone’s back, I don’t see what the problem is.”

“I dunno,” I said. “I want to be someone you’re proud to say you’re with. When Jonathan stopped by to drop off our stuff last night and brought it up, I worried my past might embarrass you.”

“First of all, I would never be embarrassed of you. You’re a great man, Emerick. You’re protective and kind and funny. I’m proud to be with you.

“Although, I ~am~ happy you didn’t tell me how much you’ve slept around last night. I would probably have been way more self-conscious. But I do appreciate your honesty!”

“And second, can I ~please~ have my phone? I’ve been dying without being able to keep in touch with Luke.”

She smiled, and I smiled back at her.

I still wasn’t sure how I had gotten so lucky, but I was hoping it would never run out.