He heard the sharp intake of breath before she hurriedly went on, “My lord, please. I’m doing the best I can. Things are progressing well, I think.”
“No,” he snapped. “The information you have sent me tells me nothing. We have no ‘in’ yet, and we need an ‘in’!”
“I’ll get you an ‘in’,” she whispered.
“Oh, you will,” he demanded menacingly. “In fact, if you don’t get me the information I need to wage war with this despicable race of … of dogs within the next few months, I am going to have to go in all spells blazing. And if that happens, my dear little spy, you will be the first casualty.”
11 - Trade Off
The intimate run with Lucien had given him a permanent starring role in her dreams. Sometimes the dreams were so real she felt absolutely consumed by them, lost in them, finding it difficult to fight her way through the sleepy fog into reality. The fact that the dreams inevitably ended with Lucien kissing her, however, was the wakeup call that she needed. Kiss. Bam! She was awake, and Lucien-less. Caia was trying to control her fantasies, she really was. She lived with the guy. He was Pack Leader for goddess-sake. But it wasn’t like she could avoid him. When he wasn’t at work, he was usually hanging around the house with Ryder, so that people always knew where to find him. And Ryder and he were always so friendly, welcoming her into their company. They were her friends. It was during these little gatherings that her eyes would drift over Lucien’s face, with its fierce silver eyes and sultry mouth. And then lower, to his strong sinewy forearms and large capable hands. The tug in her lower belly would just get more insistent. She had no clue what was happening to her. She was even day-dreaming in class, and she was not the day-dreaming kind. Caia doubted he was day-dreaming back. She was just a kid to him, right? Ugh, she didn’t even want to think like that. Of course she was just his friend. Didn’t she get that feeling when they playing during their run together - he suddenly pulled back like he didn’t want to cross some line with her. She had been disappointed, but amused at his tentativeness at the time. But in truth it was kind of hard to get over her crush when he acted like such a gentleman.
A week after the infamous run with Lucien, a run that she hadn’t even told Jaeden about, he called to her from the hallway as she was finishing her breakfast. Caia frowned and glanced at the clock. Jaeden was late to pick her up. After Lucien called her again, she took her last bite of toast and curiously strolled out of the kitchen to find him standing at the front door with a big grin on his face. “I want to show you something?”
Caia shook her head, stepping back. “Uh no. I’m not falling for that again. Last time you and Ryder said that to me I had heart failure.”
He had the decency to look sheepish. “How were we to know you were afraid of spiders?”
“Spiders?” Caia spluttered. “It wasn’t just a spider. It was the mother of all spiders.”
Lucien laughed. “This isn’t a spider. Will you please just come?”
Huffing somewhat as she remembered the huge, brown, spindly creature they had thrust in her face about two weeks ago - thinking she’d find the alien monster from Hades as amazing as they did - she walked cautiously after Lucien. She followed him outside and stopped short on the porch as he approached a brand new car.
“I know it’s no sports car.” He slapped the roof of it, like it was an old friend. “But it’s brand new.”
“What is it?”
“The new Ford. You like the color?” He watched her carefully for a reaction.
Caia smiled in confusion. It was gold pistachio; metallic; very pretty. “Yeah? Why?”
He grinned. “Because it’s yours.”
Her jaw must have hit the floor. Was he kidding? Nope, not by the cheesy grin on his face. “Lucien, I can’t accept this.” But she was already gravitating towards the vehicle. She ducked her head inside the passenger window, checking out the color co-ordinated interior, and inhaling that wonderful new car smell. “I really can’t accept this.”
She heard him grunt from the other side of the car. “No can’t about it. It’s yours.”
“Does she like it?”
Caia straightened to see Ella rushing excitedly out of the house. “Huh, what d’ya think, Cy?”
“I think it’s too much,” she said regrettably. It was such a nice car.
Ella’s face fell. “But... Lucien went to a lot of trouble-”
“Mom.” He stopped her, shaking his head in what Caia had come to recognize as irritation. His gaze swept back to her. “You’re taking the car.” It was a demand.
“Bu-”
“No buts. Jaeden’s not picking you up this morning so unless you’re going to change into the wolf suit and run there you’re going to be late.”
They were waiting for her, standing around Mal’s SUV, as she pulled into the parking lot in the Ford. It was a dream to drive. She’d actually forgotten how much she’d missed having a car, although back in her life with Irini it had been a beat up Mustang she’d driven. Caia felt a little self-conscious as she got out of the vehicle and headed towards the pack. Jaeden was smiling devilishly at her.
“You knew about this,” Caia stated grimly, coming to a stop in front of them.
Jaeden nodded impishly.
“Nice ride.” Mal laughed. “Looks like you’re all set to be a Soccer Mom.”