Dean had also tasted her food and hated him for getting her raw talent.
“I’ve also baked a chocolate cake to keep you going until the end of the day.”
He stared at the beauty before him.
“What else did you do, or is that it, food shopping?”
“I like food shopping. I cut some roses out of the garden for the table. I thought the house was looking a little bland and decided to add a splash of color.” She did him a plate then herself one.
Nick kept his gaze on her. She was so sweet. Thinking about his need to claim her, he opened his mouth about to talk when a knock sounded on his door. His personal assistant would have buzzed him if it had been her.
Irritated that he’d been interrupted before he began, he got to his feet toward the door. He unlocked and opened it, seeing Dean looking concerned. “What is it?” Nick asked.
Dean looked into the room seeing Clara. “You need to get rid of her.”
“What? Why?”
“The collective of alphas are here. Mark has been arrested along with many of the men selling women for money. Shit is about to hit the fan.”
Clara was already cleaning away their lunch. Cursing, he watched her pack everything as the men of the collective alphas walked off the elevator. He counted five men. They were not all there. In fact, he saw at least one missing. Riley was the name, the one who had forced the issue of Nick’s outlawed status.
“Too late.”
“Dean, I see you’ve already informed Nick of our visit.”
Nick recognized the man who spoke as Charles, one of the oldest men of the group. He didn’t look a day over forty, but Nick knew he was close to seventy years of age.
“What warning? Dean was arranging to come to my house for dinner tonight. Clara’s an amazing cook, and he is always looking for an excuse to visit.” He gave Dean a pointed look, entering the office. Clara stood by his desk with a smile plastered to her face.
The five men entered his office as Dean took a seat.
“I’ll see you at home tonight. I’ll do my famous chicken curry,” Clara said. She was nervous. Reaching out, he held her face, slamming his lips down on hers. Nick kissed the life out of her smelling her arousal when he was finished
“Baby, everything about you is famous.”
“Who is this?” Charles asked.
“I’m his girlfriend. It’s a pleasure to have met you all.”
Clara made her excuses. Charles wasn’t having any of it. “You’re a female wolf who hasn’t been outlawed. Why are you with Nick?”
She turned her gaze to his before looking back at the large man. He watched her tug her arm out of his hold.
“I’m in love with him. You have no right to insult him in his own building. Even the collective of alphas are not above showing respect.” She turned back to him.
He saw the truth in her eyes. In front a room full of men who could take her away she’d told him she loved him.
“I’ll see you tonight with only Dean?” she asked.
“You will, baby.”
She left without another backward glance. Shit, he should have told her how he felt. Feeling like a bastard, he pushed it aside and concentrated on why the collective of alphas were in his office.
****
Great, Nick was probably laughing at her right now. Clara walked down the street swinging her basket from side to side. She’d made a complete fool of herself admitting her feelings. The moment Charles touched her, she’d sensed his power. There was a reason why the collective of alphas were needed. They were far stronger than all wolves.
She walked through the city park basking in the sunlight. Her body was still alive from their harsh f**king in his office.
Running fingers through her hair, she took one last look around the city before going home. The large house no longer looked dominating. Every day that passed she added a little touch of her own. Letting herself inside, she went straight to the kitchen to put the slaw and potato salad in the fridge. She’d not been kidding about the curry. The chicken was marinating in the fridge in plenty of spices.
Once everything was put away, she took a shower leaving her dress in the bedroom to make her way downstairs to the pool. For the next hour she tried to collect her thoughts as she took a long swim. Why was the collection of alpha in the offices?
Dean’s words had been muffled. What did they want with Nick?
She’d seen the tension in Nick’s whole body. Being honest in the room had been essential.
When she could put it off no longer, she went back to wash the pool from her body, changed into another summer dress, then went into the kitchen. She started making her curry, humming as the process soothed her.
Clara tensed when she heard the door open. Dean and Nick talking invaded her calmness.
Seconds later Nick entered the room. He looked tired, worn out.
“Did you mean what you said in my office?”
She dropped her head, not wanting to meet his gaze.
“Don’t do that,” he said. “Look at me and tell me the truth.”
“Yes, I meant every word I said. I’ve fallen in love with you. I tried not to, and it’s insane. I’ve not known you all that long, but I know how I feel and I love you.” She pressed a hand to her lips, wishing the ground would open up and stop her from talking.
“For f**k’s sake, Nick, go to her and tell her how you feel,” Dean said. He was leaning against the doorframe watching them. She’d been so concerned about Nick she hadn’t heard him enter.
“Get out of here. Go to the dining room or something, but give us some much needed privacy,” Nick said, glaring at his friend.
Dean held his hands up. “I’m just trying to help a friend out. Don’t let him get away with shit, Clara.” He winked at her before leaving.
“Blasted man doesn’t know when to stay out of other people’s business.”
“He cares about you.” She picked up her wooden spoon to start stirring the sauce.
“The first night you were here I sneaked into your room,” he said, taking her completely by surprise.
“What?”
“I saw you taking a shower. I left you my shirt, but when you were asleep I came back. We slept together that night. I held you in my arms leaving you before you woke.”
“Your scent wasn’t only on the shirt?”
“No, I was there all night.”
“Why are you sharing all this with me?” she asked.
“You have a right to know. I shouldn’t have kept you in the dark, but I did. The first day I took you, I was ready to mate with you, but I held myself back out of fear. I didn’t want you to be afraid of me. I’ve wanted to mate with you for a while now, Clara.” He held his hand up stopping her from talking when she would have. “I don’t just want to mate with you because you’re the only available female wolf to me. I love you, Clara.”