Free Checkmate by Annmarie McKenna Page A

hand around the back of her neck, soothing her with his thumb along her rapid pulse point.
    “I’m just shocked I guess.”
    “Why? You live with your brother, why does it shock you that I choose to live with mine?”
    “I wouldn’t live with my brother if I didn’t have to, and you are talking about raising your families together, not sharing an apartment.”
    Eli sighed and dropped his chin to his chest, thinking about the best way to broach the subject. How easy it would be to just come out and say, That’s the way a pack works. We like to be close to our families, to keep our young within reach and share in the responsibilities of raising the offspring that would one day be an active part of a shifter community.
    Damn it sounded so good in his head. Reality wouldn’t quite work out the same way. At least he’d give her something tangible to be truly shocked about.
    Lifting his face to hers again, he changed the subject. “Over there,” he said pointing to the right side, “is our wing, and that side is Caelan and Tieran’s. There’s a kitchen, living room, dining room and den along the back, but each wing has its own private area for eating or whatever, if you don’t feel like socializing. We made it that way so we still have our privacy when we need it.”

Chapter Seven
     
    Our wing? Nikki swallowed. With every word she was getting closer and closer to believing he wanted a relationship with her despite everything that had happened. Not just every word. Every kiss, every look. Simply put, she believed the man wanted her. And she more than wanted him.
    The front door flew open and an obviously way pregnant woman waddled out. Nikki’s stomach churned. This was not a good idea. No matter what Caelan said, she was putting his family in danger. She stared at the pretty woman who rubbed idly at the small of her back. Caelan’s wife. Had to be.
    To her right, a horse whinnied softly, the sound carrying on the breeze. The mixed scents of horse, hay, leather and pine wafted across her nose. Nikki closed her eyes and sucked in a deep breath. She was home.
    Her eyes flew open. Where in the hell had that come from? A bird called from far away, a testimony to the peaceful silence surrounding her. Eli’s hard chest pressed against her back and she sagged into him.
    “I know you can feel it, Nikki-Raine. Let it all go and relax. Nothing can hurt you here,” Eli whispered against her ear. The words sent a shiver down her spine.
    He was right. Nothing could hurt her here on this land. It would help rid her of her determination to hide from the world because it had gone to shit on her.
    His arm wrapped around her midsection, adding strength and keeping her from sloughing to the floor. How she’d slept most of the way here and now felt tired enough to sleep for days, she didn’t know. She wanted a pillow and a warm blanket and she’d be good to go.
    “You’re wilting, sweetheart. Let’s get you inside.”
    Unable to speak, she nodded. Eli bent behind her and scooped her into his arms. She squeaked in protest but a second later sank into his unyielding hold and laid her hand above his heart. Incredibly she felt his heartbeat stutter.
    “You’re mine,” he growled not for the first time and she wondered about it.
    For years Nikki had loved him from afar. She’d been getting close to telling him how she really felt when he’d had to leave on his trip, and she hadn’t gotten the chance. Then she’d been attacked, and it had seemed at the time she had no option but to let him go. Not so anymore. He didn’t care about her face being scarred so why should she?
    If being with him now meant losing her heart to him later when he moved on to someone else, she’d take whatever she could get.
    Nikki knew Eli. Knew how many beautiful women flitted in and out of his life. Her hand fisted in his shirt. She didn’t want to know the details of those hags. Eli was hers now and she’d keep him for as long as he let