Vivian Arend - Wolf Nip Split

“Seems that way. Yes.”

“Well, hell.”

They both sighed at the same time.

“That’s why I called.” There had to be something he could do to speed things along. “Maybe it would help if Pam had a heart-to-heart with her, because you two hit it off pretty fast, and all.”

“I’ll ask her. Hate to say it, my big bro is your best bet. Or Robyn. They know all kinds of things. And if you’re serious, and you’re going to bring her to visit the pack, you’d better talk to them anyway. I don’t think tossing a cat into the mix is a good idea without checking with the Alphas first. Humans aren’t cats. Like…whoa, your mate is a cat. Not saying I’d be too worried about… Well, you should just call them.”

If there was an indication this situation was not normal, it was TJ warning him about how dangerous things could get. “Great. My one competitor for the ‘picks the most awkward mate ever’ award, and you’re not very reassuring.”

TJ laughed. “Don’t worry. It’ll all be worth it in the end. She’s your mate, dude. There’s nothing like a mate, no matter how hairy the trip is to get to the point you’re both one hundred percent in line. Trust me on that one.”

It was all he had to go on. “Thanks, anyway.”

“Dude?” TJ cut in one last time. “She’s a cat. Think about it. This might not be as bad as you expect.”

Mark had no idea what TJ was implying. He clicked off the phone and tried not to stare as Tessa wandered through his bedroom, expression of rapt adoration on her face as she peered at the woodwork.

At least she liked his house.

Standing outside staring in at her, his wolf demanding he go in and jump her bones, Mark came to a startling conclusion. Maybe TJ hadn’t given him any long-term solutions to their problem, but one thing he had mentioned in passing was absolute truth.

It was going to be worth it in the end. She wanted him to fall in love with her? He was already over halfway there. Instinct wouldn’t let him do anything but want her, and want the best for her.

If finding out all about her was what she required, then he was more than willing to become the most attentive student ever. Everything she longed for, everything she’d done. He would go back to school, and the only thing he’d concentrate on was her.

He was going to get a graduate degree in Tessa Williams, and he was all for fast-tracking the course of study. Even his wolf approved of his plans, and for the first time in the past hour the two sides of his psyche were in agreement.

School was in, starting now.

Tessa lowered her fork to the table and sighed contentedly. “That was delicious. Thank you.”

Across from her Mark nodded, reaching for her plate. “Thirds?”

Tempting. Very tempting. Mark had managed to whip up a seafood lasagna in the matter of an hour while she’d explored the paddle wheeler inside and out. But even a good thing could be too much. “I can’t eat another bite without exploding. Let me help with the dishes.”

Gramps waved at them from his position at the head of the table. “You two go do your talking. I’m going to earn my keep and be chore boy tonight.”

“Thanks, Gramps.” Mark carried the dirty plates to the counter for him then nodded toward the office. “We do need to make a few decisions.”

Tessa followed him, pleased to see the comfortable relationship between the two of them. “Your grampa is a lovely man.”

Mark pulled out a chair for her. “He’s stubborn, bossy and impulsive. I figured you’d like him.”

She laughed. “Oh, you’re learning about me that quickly, are you?”

The heat in his eyes was enough to raise the temperature in the room by several degrees. “I have a very good reason to want to know everything about you.”

Well now. Tessa worked hard to stop from fidgeting in her chair, the heat between her legs somewhat unexpected, but nice to experience. He was turning her on without touching her. Interesting revelation.

Professional concerns first. “I know we have another issue to deal with, but can we step back and discuss the business side of things first?”

Mark nodded. “No problem. It’s simpler now than it would have been. You want to buy the house—correct?”

“Yes, for the B&B and to offer eco-tours.”

“I can’t sell. Not unless you want to build an entire new building on this site.”

What? “I want the paddle wheeler as the base. It’s what makes the setting so spectacular.”

“I agree. You’ve got a great idea, and I think it’s going to work out well. Fact is, though, I literally can’t sell you the place. The paddle wheeler is grandfathered—as long as the title remains with my family, it can stay. Once ownership passes to a new family, the boat has to be torn down, and any new buildings need to meet the building specs for the area.”

Tessa’s heart fell. “Oh no. You didn’t mention that in your letter.”

He smiled. “Stop looking so glum. That’s what I said would happen. To avoid that option, I had proposed we go into business together. I remain owner of the house, you rent from me, together we run the place.”

The idea had merit. But wait. “You said ‘had’. Are you proposing something else?”

Mark turned toward her, lifting her hand in his. “You said you need me to go slower. That you won’t accept we’re mates right here and right now. I hate the idea, but fine, I see your point. In the meantime there’s no reason we have to slow down on other plans.”

Tessa stared at their linked hands. He rubbed his thumb over the back of her knuckles, the caress making lovely little hormones come to life and her body tingle. “What other plans?”

“Do you think there’s a reason why we won’t be mates eventually? I can’t think of any. So I’m going to go ahead with that assumption and follow it to its logical conclusion. This is now your home. We can work together to make the B&B a reality. I’m a great builder and caretaker—all the renovations we need to do I’ll complete over the winter.”

The tingling edge of excitement was more from his touch than from his suggestion. “Not a business deal?”

“We’ll write it up legally, of course. That’s best for us in the long run anyway. I’ll put up the paddle wheeler as my contribution to our partnership. You put up the money for the face-lift.”

She was catching his vision. “Partners. I like the sound of that.”

Only there were still some kinks to be worked out.

Mark stroked her arm, his touch making goose bumps rise. “It’s a good way to begin our life together.”

“Smooth talker.” Tessa squirmed. Fine, she might have shut down the mate, mate, mate thingy, but that didn’t mean the contact between them wasn’t turning her on. “Couple questions. I had planned… Oh boy. Stop that.”

Mark looked up from where he’d switched from petting her arm to stroking her leg. “Stop what?”

“That. You’re touching me.” Not that she minded, but…

“Sorry.” He pulled his hands back and crossed his arms over his chest. “Not touching you is going to take some work on my part. I don’t want to stop. Now, what did you have in mind?”

Tessa swallowed hard. He was doing something weird to her hormones. “I had planned on living in the house while renovations were going on.”

He nodded. “Of course you’ll live here. You’ve seen the upstairs is livable. If you draw up plans for what you want done on the other levels, I can get to work on them this week.”

“I’ll live here? You’re okay with that?”

Mark’s eyes flashed dark. “I wouldn’t dream of you living anywhere else.”

Suspicion snuck in. “And where are you going to live?”