Found And Lost Page 9

  “Maybe I should skip work today and keep you company. I’m sure Dad would understand.”

  “CJ, I’m surprised at you. You’d let your dad do your share of the work just to hang with me?”

  “In a heartbeat,” I answered, grinning.

  “I’m ashamed of you,” Mia admonished, pretending to be mad.

  “Let me get this straight. You’re not ashamed of me for stalking you or for lusting after you or even for falling for a sixteen-year-old girl. Only for not wanting to go to work? Have I got that right?”

  Mia nodded. “Yup, that’s about right. Now get going and help your dad.”

  “Your wish is my command, Mi’amore.”

  I picked her up in my arms, kissed her soundly, then set her back on her feet. I could feel her desire for me was just as strong as mine was for her by the way she clung to me, her heart pounding in her chest and her breath coming faster. Not to mention the scent of her arousal. I wondered if I would ever be able to touch her without wanting to do more. It was just about driving me crazy.

  “I hope not. I love knowing I can drive you crazy.”

  “You did it again?”

  “What?”

  “Read my mind,” I answered. “I just thought about you driving me crazy, and you said it.”

  Mia frowned. “I can sense some of your feelings, CJ, but I can’t read minds. Are you sure you didn’t say that out loud? I heard it clear as day.”

  “I’m sure.”

  “Guess you better be careful what you think about then,” Mia told me with a mischievous grin.

  Leaning up on her tiptoes, she nibbled on my ear lobe, sending the sensation straight to my groin. Every touch was like fire in my blood. I groaned out loud. “You best go! Before I get you to do something you’ll regret.” Mia was laughing at my discomfort.

  “Your evil,” I stated as I walked away, adjusting my crotch. I was beginning to wonder how long my will power would hold out. Only three months, I told myself, then we could make it official.

  I’d never been this happy in my entire life. We had one small hiccup. Mia had snuck up behind me that night when I was unsaddling my horse after work. She reached her hands in my pockets as she kissed the back of my neck. I yelped before turning around to grab her. When she pulled her hand back, she had a condom in her it. “CJ, what’s this?”

  I hadn’t worn these jeans since I’d been with my ex. a few months back. Therefore I’d forgotten it was in there. “Oh my God, Mia, I’m sorry.”

  She frowned. “Why would you be sorry? What’s it for?”

  “Um, it’s hard to explain. It’s used during sex to keep a girl from getting pregnant.”

  Mia giggled. “Were you planning ahead?”

  “Mia, I would never presume…”

  Her face fell. “Is it for someone else?”

  “No! Well, it was. That was before I met you.” Mia laid the small package in my hand before walking away. “Mia, wait.” She just kept walking. After I finished cooling down and brushing my horse, I put him in the corral then I went to look for her.

  I found her in the loft. She was sitting in a pile of hay with her knees pulled up, head down, hiding her face in her arms. I noticed she did this whenever she was unhappy or trying not to be noticed.

  I knelt in front of her. “Mia, that condom was from a long time ago. I dated a girl for about two years. When she graduated from high school, she left me to move to the big city. She didn’t care enough about me to share this life, and I guess I didn’t care enough for her to leave it behind.

  It was never like this with her. I never felt for Penny what I feel for you. Please don’t be sad. I love you with my whole being; you know that, right?”

  Without lifting her head, she replied, “I guess. But if you had sex with your other girlfriends, why not me?”

  “Because I’m the first guy you’ve ever been involved with, and I want to take things slow, show you, you mean more to me than just somebody I wanna have sex with. I’m trying to do the right thing. Maybe wait until we’re married or at least engaged, or you’re not jail bate.”

  I knew I was just digging myself a bigger hole. Somehow I couldn’t seem to make Mia understand I wanted her to have a normal life before binding it to mine. Mia didn’t understand how much the bond of being my mate would change everything.

  I’d seen it with my parents. Their world revolved around each other and me. Mia had been alone for a long time. I wanted her to have a chance to expand her world, live a little, make friends, and do the things normal teenagers did before it revolved completely around me.

  “I’m almost seventeen. I’m not a little kid you need to protect. While I might be lacking in experience when it comes to relationships, I’m not mentally deficient. I’m perfectly capable of deciding what I want to do with the rest of my life.

  Besides, I’m emancipated now, CJ, I know what that means. I’m considered legally an adult, capable of caring for myself, which I have been doing for a long time now. Consequently, I’m a free agent, not jail bate. But whatever.” Mia finally looked up at me with tears sparkling in her eyes.

  “Mia, I’m twenty and didn’t grow up alone. I did the whole high school scene. I’ve had girlfriends before you. I can’t change that, but you’re the one I love. The one I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

  “Did you make love to all of them.”

  “Well, ya, eventually, I guess.”

  “You loved them enough to have sex with them but not me. I think that makes things pretty clear.”

  “Mia, sex isn’t always about love. Teenagers experiment a lot. Hell, Mia, most girls feel used if you want to have sex with them right off.”

  “Did you love any of them?”

  “I thought I loved them all at the time. I didn’t understand what real love was until I met you.”

  “How do you know this is real?”

  “Because I can’t stand being away from you. When I was away from my other girlfriends, they rarely even crossed my mind, yet I think about you all day. The minute I see you, my whole world brightens. When we’re apart, I feel lost without you. Because your slightest touch drives me crazy with desire. Because the thought of losing you scares the shit out of me. Because I want to make love to you, only I won’t let myself because I’m putting what’s right for you before my own selfish desires.”

  Mia grinned at me. “So you feel the same way I do. Except I’d rather be selfish.” Crisis averted.

  “God, I love you,” I told her before I kissed her.

  After dinner, Mia took my hand and pulled me outside to watch the sunset. We laid on the grass with her head on my shoulder. “Look at all the white, fluffy clouds in the sky today. Aren’t they amazing? Look at the shapes. There’s a castle on a cliff looking out over an ocean of blue.”

  I hadn’t looked at the shapes in the clouds since I was a little boy with my sister. I used to love doing it. “I’m sorry, CJ, I made you sad again.”

  “No, you brought back a good memory. Look, see, over there, the Prince and Princess are dancing. He’s thinking she is the most beautiful girl in the world. His name must be CJ, and hers must be Mia.”

  Mia laughed. “Then, she is the luckiest princess in the world.”

  I rolled over and kissed her. “Thank you.”

  “For what?” Mia asked.

  “For reminding me how full of wonder the world is.”

  Mia gave me a brilliant smile. “You’re welcome.”

  We sat up cuddled together and watched the sunset in all its colorful splendor. It had been a long time since I’d taken the time to appreciate all the beauty the world held, never mind watch a sunset. I vowed to never take it for granted again.

  Come Friday night; I took Mia to her first movie since she was a child. The movie was called Divergent. Mia sat there, wide-eyed, totally mesmerized. She cried, got angry, clapped, and cried again. I loved watching her enjoy the movie. We stopped for ice cream before going home.

&n
bsp; As we walked down the sidewalk eating our cones, hand in hand, I asked, “What did you think of the movie?”

  “It was fantastic. Movies have changed a great deal since I went with my parents. They seem so real. Trish shouldn’t be afraid to love Four, though, giving into to love is incredible. When do we get to see the next part?”

  “Next year.”

  “Next year? I have to wait for a year? That’s so not fair.” Mia stomped her foot; she was so angry.

  I laughed. “I have the books on my Kindle. I’ll let you read them.”

  “What’s a kindle?”

  I laughed again. Despite everything Mia had been through, she’d been sheltered from so much of the world. “An electronic gadget you can read books on.”

  “I’ve read a lot of books and magazines. Outside of swimming and messing with the local wildlife, there wasn’t a lot to do living on my own besides read. However, electronics don’t work in the woods. I’d like to see this thingy that you can put a whole book on.”

  “I’ll show you when we get home. Are you enjoying your first date?”

  “Absolutely! I love the movies. They’re like magic. I felt like I was Trish. Are you enjoying our date?”

  “Sure am. Watching you watch the movie was very entertaining. Even if you did get so caught up in the movie, you forgot I was there.”

  “I did not.”

  I kissed her, then flicked her nose. “Yes, you did. Next time I’m gonna take you to a horror flick so you’ll get scared and cling to me.”

  Mia giggled. “My best friends for the past four years were mountain lions, wolves, and bears. I don’t get scared easily.”

  “Really, mountain lions?”

  Mia shrugged, like being friends with a mountain lion was an everyday occurrence. “Yeah, I told you animals like me.”

  “Wow, that’s impressive. Anyway, I plan on taking you on a lot more of dates. I want you to experience all the things you’ve missed out on. I want to spoil you rotten, so you never want to be with anyone besides me.”

  “You don’t have to spoil me for that, CJ.”

  Competition

  CJ

  Sunday’s are a busy on the ranch. Dad and I get the chores done early, so we all can make it to church on time. After we get home, we have our weekly gathering. We put out a huge meal. All the ranch hands, pack members, and their families come. This week was no different.

  Although Mia had met most of the pack, my uncle and cousin had been away the past week on a hunting trip. They were both very intrigued when I introduced them to Mia.

  My cousin, Pete, a high school senior, is about my height and weight, with sandy blonde hair and blue eyes. After Pete’s mom was killed, my mom took him under her wing. Pete spent so much time at our place growing up he’s more like a brother than a cousin, right down to the sibling rivalry and bickering.

  We are almost the same age as Pete, about to turn nineteen. He’d missed a lot of school after his mom passed away, leaving him a grade behind where he should have been. His mom and mine were twins, and Pete’s dad was my dad’s best friend, as well as the pack beta.

  Despite losing his mom when he was eleven, Pete is a very friendly, charming, popular kid with an easy way about him. His sense of humor always keeps everyone entertained and at ease. Mia was no exception. She seemed to take to Pete immediately. Then again, there wasn’t anyone she’d met she didn’t like, and all my friends thought Mia was the best.

  We sat at a table with Dan, Charlie, Charlie’s latest companion, Sara, and Pete. I have to admit my hackles were up at the way Pete had Mia giggling. It was a weird reaction because Charlie flirted with Mia shamelessly. I even knew he was half-serious. He really liked her. She got on great with both my best friends, yet I only felt jealous of Pete.

  I chalked it up to our usual rivalry. Pete told Mia since he drove by the ranch to school, he’d pick her up. I wasn’t thrilled at the idea, then again, I felt better about that than with the idea of her on the bus with the other guys from town.

  There aren’t very many girls in town this time of year, and none that looked like Mia. I was beginning to hate the idea of Mia going to school. Maybe marrying her now was a good idea, after all. It was taking every ounce of willpower I had to stick to the plan. Sheer determination was the only thing stopping me from making our relationship official.

  Dan’s fiancé Claire showed up late. Dan introduced Claire to Mia. Though Claire had been on our pack run with us, they hadn’t met formally. Mia had hit it off with both girls right away. Unlike most of the girls in town, Claire and Sara were both laid back, down to earth girls who weren’t the least bit threatened by how beautiful Mia was. They both made Mia feel like she’d always been part of our group. I was very grateful.

  Mia almost freaked out when my mom brought out a cake for her. It was a huge sheet cake with the image of a copper-colored wolf, walking in a forest under a full moon. “What’s this for?” Mia gasped.

  “To celebrate your first shift. We always have a celebration when a young wolf shifts for the first time and joins the pack. So congratulations and welcome.”

  Mom had no sooner set the cake on the picnic table in front of Mia than Mia leaped into her arms. “Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me. For opening your home and heart to me and giving me a family. I love you so much, Beth.”

  Just like that, Mom was in tears hugging Mia back. “I think I owe you the thanks, Sweetheart. You’ve already made our lives fuller in the short time you’ve been here. We love you too, very much.”

  People were clapping when Mia went to cut the cake. Mia laughed, bounced up and down, and clapped while her eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “Thank you all so much for welcoming me.”

  As she blew out the candles, I said, “Make a wish Mi’amore.”

  Mia looked up at me with such love; it made my heart beat faster. “All my wishes have already come true.”

  Charlie called out, “Did you wish I’d take you out, cuz I’m free on Friday.”

  Mia laughed. “Charlie, from what I hear, I’d have to take a number, the line is so long.”

  “I’d put you in the front of the line, Mia.” I could tell from the wistful tone of his voice Charlie was only half fooling.

  I handed Mia a small box. She looked up at me wide-eyed. “A present? I haven’t received a present since I was twelve.”

  She opened the box and threw herself into my arms. “It’s beautiful; thank you.”

  I lifted up the gold charm bracelet, putting it on her wrist for her. “Mom picked out the bracelet. I picked the charm. I got it sized, so it won’t fall off even when you shift.” The charm was two wolves walking side by side. Mia’s hands shook as she lifted the charm.

  “It incorporates all of my best memories.”

  “We’ll add a memory to it each holiday.”

  “Thank you, CJ, it’s perfect. Thank you, Chase and Beth, for everything.”

  After we ate cake, Mia had all the kids and most of the adults playing tag. Everyone was having the best time ever. It was the by far the best Sunday afternoon gathering we’d ever had. I saw my father and my uncle watching Mia intently as she ran from Charlie, who was trying to tag her. “Why the serious looks?” I asked.

  My Uncle Paul answered, “She is quite something, CJ. She captivates everyone around her. It’s like just being in her presence lifts their spirits. Her mother was like that. Hanna, despite being Jackson’s daughter, was so full of love and laughter, she made everyone around her happy like Mia is doing know.”

  “She sure lifts mine,” I stated as I watched Charlie and Dan trying to tag team her. Just when they got close, Mia scooted between their legs, leaving them to crash into each other. She was laughing hysterically as they fell to the ground.

  “You two clods will never catch me! I’ve wrestled with bears and mountain lions faster than you. You need to be fast for that. Even with a lion’s claws retracted, they hurt. I could take either of you down in a mi
nute.”

  Charlie got up, brushing the dirt off himself. “No holds barred?”

  “No holds barred,” Mia answered.

  “You’re on.” Charlie moved in for the kill. Mia was gone before he took a step. He was grasping at air when her arm went across his neck. She bent low, flipping him over her onto his back. She spun around, leaped, and circled her legs around his neck in a chokehold in a second. He tapped out.

  “Wow!” Dan said, “My turn.” He started to circle Mia, feinting left, then right. She looked like she was about to go for his legs, so he bent down lower. Just as he did, Mia leaped at his chest while latching her legs around his neck. In the blink of an eye, she had him on his back in a chokehold, same as Charlie.

  Peter challenged Mia next. He was almost as quick as me. The first time she went for him, she missed. After that, she watched him carefully. I could almost feel her adrenalin rising. Peter was a challenge, and Mia loved it. They danced around each other, feinting back and forth.

  Finally, Peter made a mistake. He thought he had figured out her pattern, which was exactly what she wanted him to think. When he made his move, she was on him in a blink. When she dragged his leg forward, he landed on his back. Mia leaped on him, straddling his chest before he could move, her arm went across his throat, pressing down gently.

  Mia was inches from his face laughing with glee. I saw Peter stare into her eyes very intently. I didn’t like the way he was looking at her. I had started to stalk towards them when Mia looked up at me in surprise. As soon as she did, Peter tapped out, laughing.

  Mia had just taken down three of our strongest fighters in minutes. “Well now that we’ve all had our asses handed to us by this pretty, little girl, anybody else want a shot at some humiliation? No?” Peter grabbed Mia’s hand, raising it above her head. “The winner and champion, Mia Hathaway!” Laughing Mia, crossed one leg over the other, bending at the waist to take a bow while everyone started clapping.

  I stopped my approach, letting my anger subside. Mia jogged up to me, taking my hand. “CJ, are you mad at me? Did I do something wrong?”