Acacia Read online

  Mate, mate, his bear suddenly shouted.

  You don’t need to remind me.

  Bet you jump her bones the moment you see her.

  While that might be what would happen, especially if Acacia were receptive, Will wanted to believe he had more control than that.

  He pushed back his chair, needing to tell Lucas he’d be gone for a bit to check out her store. Before he could reach his door, Lucas pushed it open.

  “You’ve got to see this.”

  “What?”

  “Just come on.”

  Lucas always did love to show him things. Will followed his friend, uncertain if Lucas’ comment held more concern or excitement. They stepped into the room where they monitored surveillance.

  “What did you find?” Will asked. He hadn’t believed Lucas was right about something happening.

  “Just watch. You won’t believe who it is.”

  Lucas replayed yesterday’s data. He stopped and turned around. “Look who came to visit you.”

  Will stared, not believing he was seeing Acacia and some other woman in the background. “What are they doing here? Acacia had to know we wouldn’t be here at…” He glanced at the time stamp, “nine thirty at night.”

  Lucas smiled. “Listen.”

  “Hi, Will and Lucas. I just wanted to let you know I’m back in town. I hope you have a wonderful vacation.” She waved and then walked up to the storefront window. The rest of the conversation between Acacia and her friend was about their store. Will was proud to hear how impressed she was with what he and Lucas had built.

  “She doesn’t sound mad,” Will said.

  “No, and that’s a good thing. This is your chance.”

  “I know. I was coming to tell you I plan on driving over to her shop and see if she’s there.”

  “Sounds like a plan. I won’t wait up for you.” His friend winked.

  “I wish.” Will wanted to take another day to figure out his move, but Acacia had reached out to him.

  “I’m going to hop in the shower and then head on out.”

  Lucas laughed. “Good idea. Try shaving too.”

  Will gave him the finger then rushed upstairs to his second-floor apartment. The comfortable furniture helped reduce his stress level. As much as he loved camping, there was nothing better than being home with modern conveniences.

  After he cleaned up, Will hopped in the car and drove out of town toward Acacia’s shop. He wondered how she and her sisters ever made a go of it since they were so far from the hustle and bustle of the city. Maybe magic played a role in it.

  Chapter Eleven

  Acacia had been watching Dalia work all day, making glazes and packaging the clay. It had been instructive and fun to be with someone who loved art as much as she did.

  While she wanted to stay and chat until dinnertime, she had to go out for a bit. She tapped her friend on the shoulder. “Before I take you out to dinner as a thank you for letting me stay here, I need to run home. I could use some toiletries and fresh clothes.”

  “I thought you didn’t want to run into Magnolia.”

  “I don’t. I’m hoping she’s not home. In theory, she is on vacation too, but I wouldn’t put it past her to be in the back room creating something grand. At the moment, I’m not ready to explain why I cut short my vacation. Even I’m still in shock that I might have a mate.”

  Dalia came over to her and rubbed her arm. “You deserve to be happy, Acacia. You do so much for others. I’m sure that’s why Fate gave you a boyfriend.”

  “It’s possible.” If that was true, then why was Fate making it so hard for her to get together with Will?

  “If you need fresh clothes, you’re welcome to use my washer and dryer.”

  Acacia shook her head. “These aren’t exactly what I wear out in public.”

  Dalia laughed. “In that case, you can borrow my car if you want. Cabs are expensive.”

  Teleporting cost her nothing but that would raise questions. Acacia hugged her friend. “You’re the best.”

  Happy she could grab a week’s worth of decent looking clothes, she headed out. When Acacia approached the Four Sisters Pottery shop, the car that the four of them shared wasn’t parked in front, but that didn’t mean Magnolia hadn’t stored it in the garage around back. So far so good.

  Acacia parked by the front door. With no one in sight, she teleported to the back entrance of their house. She couldn’t believe how nervous she was to go inside. She couldn’t even remember the last time she’d had to sneak into her own home.

  Under normal circumstances, she could sense when any of her sisters were close by, but Acacia didn’t trust herself—not after Will had walked into her life. After looking in each of the back windows and believing no one was there, she teleported into her room. Even if her sister was somewhere, Acacia should be able to get in and out quickly.

  As quietly as she could, she packed some jeans, one long skirt that went well with her white dressy top, some sexy underwear, a few tops, two pair of cute shoes, and toiletries. Just as she spun around to teleport out, she knocked over the case. Shit. The sound reverberated in the room, causing Acacia’s pulse to shoot sky high.

  Please don’t let Magnolia be home.

  When no shouts or footsteps sounded, Acacia relaxed a bit. Not chancing another mishap, she grabbed her case and teleported to her car. Just as she’d stashed her stuff in the backseat, a car drove into the lot. Damn. She prayed it wasn’t one of her regulars who would surely tell Magnolia that Acacia hadn’t been on vacation the whole time.

  She spun around to go. Acacia might not have recognized the vehicle, but the heat soaring through her body, along with the flutters beating against her stomach told her who it was—Will. She was surprised he’d returned from Hearndon so soon.

  Was she even ready to see him though? Had he come to tell her not to try to find him, or that he was sorry for acting so upset?

  Will cut the engine to his black van and slid out. Whoa. He sure cleaned up well. Wearing dark jeans and a button-down white shirt, he’d clearly showered and shaved. My, he was even more handsome than she remembered, if that was possible.

  “Acacia?” He strode toward her. “I can’t believe I found you here.”

  “Actually, I’m staying with a friend. I just stopped by for a second, because I needed to pick up a few things.”

  “Can we talk?”

  She wanted to do more than just talk, but she’d be happy being near him. “Sure. I’d invite you in, but I don’t want to explain what’s going on should Magnolia show up.”

  “The tough older sister, right?”

  She smiled. “You have no idea.”

  “How about you follow me back to the store then?”

  “That would be great.” At least there, with no bed nearby, she wouldn’t be tempted to suggest they continue where they left off.

  “Is that your car?” he asked as he nodded to the brown sedan.

  At the campsite, she’d mentioned the four of them shared a vehicle. “No. I borrowed this one from a friend who lives in town. I’m staying with her while I wait for my vacation to finish.”

  He chuckled. “Smart.”

  Her heart skipped a beat. That wasn’t good. She’d hoped that by getting away from him for a day or two she’d develop some kind of immunity. Apparently, she’d been wrong.

  “Let’s go before anyone finds you then,” he said in a cheerful, conspiratorial kind of tone.

  She held up a hand. “Why are you back in Edendale? Not that I’m not glad, but is Lucas here too?”

  “He is. We can catch up when we get you someplace safe.”

  Good, because one minute more and she might have done something dumb, like throw herself into Will’s arms and drag him back to her bedroom. Not trusting herself, Acacia jumped into her car.

  Her hands were shaking so much that starting the engine took effort. It was stupid to be nervous. This was Will King, the man Fate had assigned her to be with. The fact he
came looking for her was a good thing. In fact, from the way his brown eyes had turned a deep amber color, he wanted her as much as she wanted him. Or so she hoped.

  Acacia couldn’t wait to find out what had changed his mind. He pulled back onto the road, and she followed. On the way to Will’s store, she called Dalia.

  “Everything go okay?” her friend asked.

  Acacia wasn’t even sure how to answer. “Magnolia wasn’t home, which was a good thing, but as I was pulling out, Will drove in.”

  “No shit! What did he do? Or better yet, what did you do?”

  “I have to admit I was a little stunned.”

  “Stunned in a good way, right?”

  Dalia was such a romantic. “Yes, in a good heart pounding, stomach fluttering way.”

  “Did he ask you out? I need the details.”

  Acacia chuckled. “I’m on my way to his store right now, so we can chat.”

  “Don’t worry about our date. Stay out all night if you want. I don’t need the car back either since I have a ton of food here.”

  Acacia blew out a breath. “You are the best.”

  “Just have fun!” Dalia laughed and then disconnected.

  Have fun? They were just going to his office—his safe and public office.

  It didn’t take long to reach King and Deland Home Automation store. Will pulled around to the back of the building and Acacia was right behind. She’d just turned off the engine and dropped the key in her purse when Will opened her door.

  While she appreciated his gentlemanly attitude, being this close to him messed with her head. It didn’t seem to matter that she was a goddess. When it came to Will, she was quite ordinary.

  “Come on in where we can talk. But before we do, let me first say that I apologize for my reaction to your announcement. I was surprised, that’s all. I’d never met a goddess before, and it threw me.”

  She hadn’t expected a confession. “That’s okay. I probably would have freaked too if you’d told me you were some kind of god. Though from the looks of you, you could be.” Her laugh came out way too loud and sounded uncomfortable.

  He smiled, as if he could see this wasn’t any easier for her. “Let’s go inside.”

  His hand on her back sent heat to all the wrong places. When they reached the store’s rear entrance, he pulled open the door for her. She wasn’t used to being around such a gentleman, though that might be her fault for not going out on a lot of dates.

  The hall lit up the moment they stepped inside, illuminating a corridor slightly to the left, a set of stairs angled to the right, and an elevator directly to the right. He pressed the elevator button.

  “Are your offices upstairs?” She thought she’d spotted them downstairs.

  “No. I live on the second floor, and Lucas lives on the third. It makes commuting easy.”

  “I bet.” They were going to his house—a place that had a bedroom! The fact they’d already slept together should have made this less uncomfortable, but it didn’t.

  Will escorted her inside his apartment that spanned the entire floor. Nice! The wall on the west side was made of brick, while the north side was covered in windows. The floors were wood, and the decorations were modern male—cream-colored leather sofas with bright pillows and a glass top dining room table.

  “Wow. Did you have a decorator?”

  He laughed. “I did. Even I wouldn’t want to live in a home I had styled. Being artistic is not my forte. Have a seat. Wine?”

  “Sure.” So what if it wasn’t dark outside yet.

  She studied Will as he made quick work of opening a bottle of red wine and then pouring two glasses. Since he’d invited her, she figured he’d want to be the one to explain what really happened.

  Will handed her a glass and sat on the chair across from her. “As I said, I need to apologize for reacting rather negatively to your announcement. Before you say anything, I need to tell you why. Do I believe we are mates? Absolutely, so why did I react the way I did?” He inhaled deeply and then held out his hands. His nails had sharpened. Even his freshly shaved face had a darker growth on it.

  He was turned on. Well, so was she. “Because I didn’t tell you sooner?”

  He stilled. “Can you read minds too?”

  Acacia shook her head. “Hardly. Anyone would know that two people fated to be together need to be totally honest with each other. And I know I wasn’t—at least in the beginning. I didn’t mention my goddess status sooner because I wasn’t sure how you would respond.”

  “You were right not to tell me the moment we met, but it took me a bit to realize that.” He tossed back half his wine and then set the glass on the coffee table that sat between them. “It was why I didn’t tell you I was a bear shifter right away either. I didn’t want you to judge me.”

  “I never would have, but just so you know, I knew you were a bear shifter from the moment I met you. It’s one of my talents to be able to tell.”

  “I’ll be damned. Can I ask what your other talents are exactly?”

  He’d asked her before, but other questions had distracted them. “Regardless of where I am or who I’m with, I can teleport and communicate mentally with my sisters and mother—but not with anyone else, other than my mate. Oh, and I can also do simple spells and chores.”

  “What? Like clean up the dishes or sweep the floor?”

  “I could, I guess, but we work hard not to use our powers unless it’s for the good of others—like when I need to save a mate.”

  “I see. You help mates because you are the goddess of Fate.”

  Acacia sipped her wine. “One of them, yes. I know this is hard to understand, but other than being immortal, I’m kind of like everyone else. I work hard in our pottery shop to run a successful business, and I usually don’t use my magic except when it involves saving someone. I probably would teleport more, but I don’t want to freak others out when I just appear out of thin air. In truth, you are one of the few people in this realm who know what I am.”

  Will shoved his fingers through his hair, igniting her libido once more. “Thank you for telling me. Are we good then? Or do I need to grovel more? I’m willing to do anything to make it up to you.”

  She laughed. “No groveling needed. We’re good.”

  He slapped his thighs. “Now that we’ve gotten that awkward apology out of the way, what do you say to going out on a date tonight to get to know each other better?” He looked at his watch. “It’s close to dinnertime, and I for one am starving.”

  Acacia would have said yes to anything he asked. She looked down at her shorts and T-shirt. “I would love to, but would you mind if I change? I went to my house to pick up a few things. My suitcase is in the car.”

  “No problem. I’ll run down and get it.” Will stood and held out his hand for her keys.

  Once she located them she dropped them in his palm. “Thank you.”

  “Be right back.”

  As soon as he closed the door, she exhaled deeply. Acacia hadn’t realized how hard it was to breathe around him. Her fingers itched to run her hands down his delicious chest and kiss his pillow-soft lips. Ever since that first night in the tent, she’d wanted to taste him. Since both of them had cleaned up, she couldn’t wait to make love with him again.

  She couldn’t believe he’d invited her to dinner instead of booting her out. Clearly, he was willing to see where this relationship could go, and she pumped her fist in victory.

  Even though Acacia wanted to walk around his apartment to learn more about him, he might not appreciate her snooping.

  Will entered a moment later with her stuff in hand. “You can change in the bedroom.” He pointed to the door behind the living room sofa on the opposite end of the room from the open kitchen and brick wall.

  “Thanks. Where are we going?” She wanted to dress appropriately.

  “I’ve had a big hankering for a steak. How about Highlander’s?”

  She’d only been once before and had really enj
oyed it, but the prices were too steep for her. “That would be wonderful.”

  Acacia ducked into his room and immediately noticed the unmade bed and chuckled. Will was a typical guy. The whole room smelled of him—woodsy, rich, and sensual, assuming there was such a thing as a sensual scent. Whatever the combination, it was enticing, like Will.

  Acacia opened her suitcase and pawed through her clothes for her white stretchy top. She also grabbed the long, flowing flowered skirt that went with it. The top showed a bit of cleavage, but if they were to mate, this would be perfect. In all honesty, she didn’t know why she’d packed it. Maybe she had hoped she’d end up here.

  After undressing, she folded her shorts and top and then placed them in the suitcase. She’d put on her black lace panties and was about to slip on her fancy bra when the door opened.

  Chapter Twelve

  Even though Will could hear Acacia unlatch the suitcase and was most likely still dressing, he couldn’t stop himself from entering the room. It was as if she had put a spell on him, urging him to make love with her once more.

  Acacia spun around and immediately clasped her hands over her naked breasts. His breath hitched at her beauty. Her wide eyes made him say something. “You were in here a while, and I wanted to make sure you were okay.”

  That was totally lame, his bear said.

  I know, but I couldn’t help myself.

  His bear stretched and roared. I’m very happy you couldn’t.

  “I’m fine.” Acacia lowered her arms, causing his teeth to sharpen.

  His pulse soared as he eased closer to her. “Acacia,” he whispered. “You are stunning.”

  As if a force pushed them together, they both moved toward each other until her breasts were against his chest, and her lips were on his. The air evaporated from the room as his hands explored her back and then her delicious rear. Acacia might have opened her mouth first to invite him in, but Will was right behind. The moment their tongues touched, he lost it. His facial hair thickened, his eyes probably turned amber, and his teeth sure had sharpened. Trying to be careful not to hurt her, he delved his tongue into her mouth as she met his every thrust with her own, igniting his cock even more.