Kendall's Mates Read online

  Sax shook his head. “You didn’t have to mine for her tonsils.”

  “I didn’t.” Ran’s voice held smugness. “I’m skilled at kissing.”

  “You practice enough.” Sax attempted a scowl but found his lips refusing to do anything except grin at his brother’s arrogance.

  “Well, I scored the first kiss and secured a date,” Tate said.

  “Are we sure this is a good idea?” Sax asked. “I don’t want to hurt her. She seems vulnerable now. I’d hate to add to her problems.”

  “How was it kissing her?” Ran asked.

  Sax considered her softness, her scent. The quick press of her generous breasts against his chest. The brief taste of her. “I like her a lot. No one else has tempted me for months. Other women look at me—at all of us—and see dollar signs. Kendall hasn’t shown the slightest interest in our money.”

  “She might be playing a long game,” Tate offered.

  Ran made a scoffing sound. “Are we so jaded we can’t look past our trust issues? All I’m saying is we should give this a chance. We’re having drinks and dinner, that’s all. We should use this opportunity to get to know her better.”

  “There is one thing neither of you have mentioned,” Sax said after considering Ran’s words. “Kendall is intending to stay for at least a few months. She’s our new tenant. We’re here for a short time and have our crew to consider. It isn’t sensible to have them lazing around while we romance Kendall.”

  “We have three weeks to determine what we’re doing next.” Tate tapped his lips with his forefinger as if he was already pondering their options. “By that time, we’ll decide what we want to do about Kendall.”

  Ran nodded. “Makes sense.”

  “I gave Kendall and Fiona a tour of the house. I scented polar bear in one bedroom. Did either of you detect anything when we walked in this morning?” Tate asked.

  “Which room?” Sax demanded.

  “Your room,” Tate said.

  “I didn’t notice any scent yesterday. Nothing apart from human.” Sax studied each corner of the room. “Did you? Your sense of smell is better than mine.”

  Ran and Tate trailed Sax as he strode down the passage to the compact bedroom right at the end. On reaching the doorway, memories assailed him—both good and bad. He’d been happy in this room. His mother might have been a single parent, but he’d never lacked for the basics. He’d never lacked love.

  He stepped over the threshold, more at ease with his half polar bear status now. Then, he’d resented his absent father. Hell, he’d resented Ran and Tate for a time because they’d had a father.

  His father.

  “I get polar bear.” Sax dragged his mind from the past. “But it’s not familiar.” He stood aside and allowed his brothers better access to the bedroom. He watched Tate draw in a huge draft of air and ease it from his lungs.

  “It’s familiar,” Tate said. “But I can’t attach a name.”

  Ran walked around the room and scented the air. “There’s a tinge of something…” He dragged in another breath. “It’s a medical scent. Almost herbal.”

  “A sick shifter?” Sax asked.

  Ran gave a decisive nod. “That is my best guess.”

  Which meant a sick shifter had taken refuge in the house the previous night. He’d never met a more gifted reader of scents than Ran. His brother could sniff out dry rot or wet rot or other building ailments. He was seldom wrong.

  “And he visited in polar bear form because otherwise, we wouldn’t have scented him as easily. We would’ve assumed it was one of the human friends.” Sax’s brows drew together while he considered possibilities. None of them appeased his need for answers.

  “The human might have polar bear friends. The local-born residents know there are shifters living amongst them. Most of the time our different races get along fine,” Tate said.

  Sax rubbed his chin and absently noted he needed to shave before they met with Kendall and Fiona this evening. “The local authorities—the RCMP—frown on shifters roaming around the town in bear form. I understood they have a shoot first and ask questions later policy. At least that’s what the official line was during our childhood. Remember that meeting we had with all the polar bear shifters. They included me because at the time they didn’t realize I couldn’t shift. Remember?”

  “Yeah. The matriarchs of each family scared us kids silly with their threats.” Tate leaned his weight against the wall. “We were well-behaved for at least a week.”

  “So why is this guy moving around town in polar bear form?” Ran said.

  “Maybe he’s not and shifted to bear because he was cold,” Sax suggested. “And I wonder if he might return tonight.”

  They shared a look, almost a mind-meld since Ran’s and Tate’s expressions told him they’d leaped to the same idea.

  “Later tonight, around midnight, perhaps we should reconnoiter. Check out the security here at the house,” Sax suggested.

  “This trip is turning more interesting by the hour,” Tate said. “And here I worried we’d get bored.”

  “Give it time.” Sax stretched and yawned. “We’ve only been here a day.”

  “It’s a plan. If it’s quiet around town, and it should be because it’s mid-week, Tate and I could shift outside and search for tracks. Even if we don’t catch our trespasser, we might backtrack and learn where he is spending the day.”

  “Works for me,” Tate said. “Now, we’d better get this house fixed so Sax’s tenant can move in soon. It shouldn’t take me much longer to demolish the dining room wall.”

  Sax worked alongside his brothers, enjoying the normal banter and chatter as they used their construction skills. While he fixed a window, he let his mind go to Kendall. The woman lived in his head way more than she should. She was attractive with her cool blond hauteur, yet her curves were enticing and ripe. Those aloof blue eyes of hers saw everything yet gave nothing away. She held secrets. And there was that vulnerability he’d mentioned to his brothers. Someone had hurt her, and he wanted to fix her pain.

  Then there was the friendly kiss he’d allowed himself.

  Yes, he was interested in Kendall Essex.

  The thing was though—could he share her with his two brothers? And if not, could he walk away?

  Kendall was dangerous and had the power to wreck their working and private relationships. Sax wasn’t certain if he was brave enough to risk everything.

  6 The Surprise Encounter

  Fiona and Kendall met the Hallsten brothers at the pub, which wasn’t far from the Tundra Inn where Fiona told her they were staying.

  After hesitating on what to wear, Kendall had consulted with Fiona and decided on black jeans, boots, a smart T-shirt and her favorite pink jumper with contrasting black lacing as a feature of the sleeves.

  The brothers sat at a corner table with glasses of beer before them, and they appeared in deep conversation. Even so, they noticed their arrival, and all three stood. The other customers drinking in the sparsely furnished pub followed their progress, the males’ boisterous banter ceasing for long seconds. Kendall squirmed inside, self-conscious at the attention from strangers who ogled her as if she were a piece of juicy Kobe beef. At Kendall’s side, Fiona never faltered in her progress across the worn gray carpet to join the Hallsten brothers.

  The local hangout wasn’t much in the looks department—a rectangle room with battered wooden tables and mismatched chairs. Previous customers had left their mark with footpaths trodden into the carpet pile and scattered initials carved into tabletops. Grimy black and white prints of Marilyn Monroe plastered the wall. Classy, it was not.

  “Hi,” Fiona chirped.

  “Hello.” Kendall pushed away her discomfort and emulated Fiona.

  Sax spoke first after she and Fiona grabbed a seat. “Kendall, how did the job hunting go?”

  “I have a job as a chef at the Lanky Moose Cafe. It was the second place I stopped at this morning.”

  “Is it
what you wanted?” Tate asked.

  “The menu is set in stone, but I’m pleased to have a job.”

  “When do you start?” Ran asked.

  “Tomorrow. Evidently, their chef walked out without warning. They wanted me to start today, but I told them no. The owner checked my references and told me to start tomorrow,” Kendall said.

  “I told you a café would snap you up.” Fiona sounded not-so-quietly smug.

  “What would you like to drink?” Sax asked.

  Fiona beamed at him. “They have decent wine here. I’ll have a glass of red, please.”

  “Same for me, please.” Kendall smiled, quietly impressed by his polite manners. Some of the men in her life could do with a lesson from Sax. “How did the repairs go?”

  “We made excellent progress. We purchased the materials we required with no need to order anything in,” Tate said. “You won’t recognize the main room. Removal of the internal wall has lightened up the place. It will be warmer too, the heating more efficient.”

  Kendall nodded and tried not to compare her younger brother with the Hallsten siblings. It was obvious these men weren’t afraid of hard work. Her gaze darted to the bar where Sax was buying their drinks. Each of the brothers was fit and easy on the eye and they bore little resemblance to her brother and his friends. The type of man her family wanted her to marry.

  She ground her teeth, attempting to shove her anger to the back of her mind.

  Ran placed his hand over hers and squeezed. “Something wrong?”

  Nothing he could help her with. “No, I’m a little tired.” Say something. Change the subject. “Ah, how long will the repairs take?”

  “You could move in tomorrow,” Tate said. “Sooner than we thought, although you’d need to put up with us banging and thumping on walls for a few more days.”

  “We want to paint the rooms,” Ran told her. “You’re better to move in next week once the paint fumes fade.”

  “My men are away for at least a week,” Fiona reminded her. “I’m glad of the company.”

  Sax arrived back with two glasses of red wine. “Can you shift around, Kendall? I’m expecting a phone call. The connection is sometimes bad, so I’ll go outside in the quiet.”

  Everyone shuffled around, and Kendall found herself squeezed between Tate and Sax, their muscular thighs and broad shoulders taking up way too much space. She reached for her glass of wine and concentrated on staying her trembling hand. Please don’t spill the wine.

  “What do you like to do in your spare time, Fiona?” Ran asked.

  “I’ve taken up knitting again and I enjoy photography. I’m hoping Kendall will let me have a go at taking photos for her recipe book.”

  “Do you make scarves?” Kendall asked, interested since Fiona had never mentioned knitting.

  “I have a pile of finished scarves at home. You can take your pick.” She wrinkled her nose. “The boys tease me about the scarves I’ve made. They tell me I should start a shop.”

  “I might be in the market for a scarf.” Sax blinked, an intriguing dimple digging into his cheek. “Do you have one to match my eyes?”

  Kendall relaxed with the chatter and teasing…until Tate focused on her.

  “What about your hobbies, Kendall?” he asked.

  “I…I…don’t have much s-spare time,” she stuttered.

  “Why not? What did you do at home?” Sax asked.

  “I worked for the family company. I’m sure I told you that.” Kendall avoided his thoughtful scrutiny because whenever she met his gaze head-on, she suspected he glimpsed her inner thoughts. Her insecurities. Her sense of betrayal. “What with work and my recipe book I didn’t have much time to do anything else.”

  “But what would you do if you had the time?” Ran pushed but added a charming smile to negate his nosiness. “I’ll go first. I enjoy running, and we play football or basketball with the crew if we have downtime. Now it’s your turn.”

  “I’d like to do more walking, and I’ve always wanted a dog.”

  Tate picked up her hand and threaded their fingers together. “Why don’t you have one already?”

  “My brother and mother both have allergies.” Or so they informed everyone. The disloyal thoughts had her backtracking. “I work such long hours it wouldn’t be fair to a dog.”

  “A pet is difficult for us too,” Sax said. “We travel so often. What else apart from walking?”

  Kendall hesitated. “Well, I love music and singing, but I’m a terrible singer.”

  Fiona giggled. “We could form a band. I can’t carry a tune either.”

  “What sort of music?” Ran asked.

  “Tunes from shows and musicals. They’re my favorites.” The truth, although Kendall couldn’t recall the last time she’d played any music or sat back to watch a show. “But anything that is upbeat or has a catchy rhythm.”

  “Did you want to order dinner here?” Tate asked.

  Kendall exchanged a questioning glance with Fiona. “I have an early start in the morning, and I don’t seem to have caught up after my flight.” Or the many sleepless nights before she’d left Devon, but she didn’t add this excuse since it invited questions. “Is that okay, Fiona? Sorry, guys. I’m trying hard not to be rude and yawn.”

  “Let’s have another quick drink before we leave.” Ran flashed a mischievous smile. “Tate and I will make sure you stay awake. We can poke you in the ribs or something.”

  “Kisses will work better,” Tate murmured. “One for every yawn.”

  “You’re whispering about kisses,” Fiona trilled. “I can’t wait to share the gossip with my men. You’re hitting on Kendall.”

  Kendall groaned. “Fiona!”

  “You’re safe. That wasn’t a yawn,” Tate said without shame.

  One drink became two, and they spent almost two hours chatting and getting acquainted. Kendall relaxed in the casual atmosphere and the laughter. She headed off more personal interrogation by asking questions of her own. Sax, Ran, and Tate told her and Fiona funny stories regarding their crew and the adventures they’d had in different parts of the world.

  “We’d better go,” Fiona said to Kendall. “The boys will check on me, and they’ll panic if I’m not at home. And we need to get Cinderella home before she turns into a pumpkin.”

  “I’ll walk you out to your car.” Sax rose. “Hey, Ran. We might as well eat here. Will you order me a steak?”

  “Sure. See you tomorrow, Kendall.” Ran stood too.

  “What time are you heading to work? I can pick you and drop you at the café. We’ll paint the big room, and since you’re living there, we’ll buy a color you’d like,” Tate said.

  “I start at six.” Kendall slid off her seat. “That’s too early to drag you out of a warm bed.”

  “No, it’s not.” Tate stood and closed the distance between them. “I’m an early riser. We can discuss paint colors on the drive to the café.” He clasped her shoulders and gave her an unhurried kiss. When he pulled away, he ran his fingers down her cheek, tenderness in his caress. “I’ll look forward to it.”

  “I-um… Okay.” Sensible words failed Kendall.

  “What time does your shift finish?” Ran asked.

  “Two,” she said.

  Ran tapped her nose with his forefinger, grabbing her attention. “I’ll pick you up. You can come and check on our progress and work out what you need in the way of furniture.”

  “I-I hadn’t considered how I was getting to Fiona’s place.” She frowned. “I need a vehicle.”

  “You won’t once you move to Sax’s place,” Ran pointed out. “Let us get to know you during the rides to and from work.” Sincerity shone from him, and when she checked on Sax and Tate, they held similar expressions.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes,” Sax said.

  “Good. I’ll see you at two. I’ll come earlier and grab us a late lunch.” Ran took the opportunity to kiss her, then handed her off to Sax.

  Bemused,
Kendall stared, her befuddlement only passing once Fiona chortled. Forcing herself not to touch her lips, she followed Fiona outside, conscious of Sax’s presence at her back.

  Once outside, Fiona studied their surroundings, scanning the street outside before heading for her vehicle. She slipped behind the driver’s seat and waited for Kendall. Sax opened the door for her.

  “Wait,” he murmured.

  As she glanced askance, he grinned. The smile wiped the sternness from his features and made her heart beat a little faster. It made him look younger and more like his twin brothers.

  “I want my kiss.”

  Aware Fiona was waiting and eavesdropping, Kendall lifted her head and pursed her lips. Sax chuckled and seconds later, his arms came around her and he kissed her with a passion that pushed every topic from her mind except him. She tasted hops as his mouth teased hers open, and he danced his tongue across hers. When he parted their lips, she glimpsed his eyes. His irises flashed a weird gold until she blinked. Once she refocused, his familiar blue eyes gazed at her with warmth and affection.

  “We’ll see you tomorrow. Sweet dreams.” Sax brushed his hand over her cheek, waited until Kendall had seated herself and closed the door. He stepped back and waved as Fiona drove away.

  “Don’t people lock their vehicles around here?” Kendall asked, trying to get ahead of Fiona’s teasing.

  “No. Very few of the people in Churchill lock their homes either. It’s in case a polar bear wanders into town and someone needs a place of safety.”

  “Oh! I didn’t think of that.”

  “You’re not getting away from my nosy questions, miss.”

  Kendall groaned. “I have no idea what is going on with those brothers or why they’re paying attention to me. I know nothing.”

  Fiona’s right hand left the wheel briefly to squeeze Kendall’s arm. “Do you need to work to a plan? If you’re enjoying spending time with Sax, Ran, and Tate, does it matter?”

  “But three…”

  “I have five men, and it’s not always easy juggling our time together, but they treat me like a princess. I’m never left alone, not like I was during my marriage. They encourage me to do things I’d never have considered. If we have problems, we discuss them.”