No Quarter Read Online Free Page A

underwear and bra, quickly pulling on the tan pants. Colin had always dressed well and it was a dinner. His mate shouldn’t sport jeans and a tank top while accompanying him to a family meeting. Tossing the jacket and flats on the bed as she crossed the room to the bathroom, she worked quickly to get her long dark hair into a French twist and applied a little mascara.
    “How do you do that?” Colin asked from the bedroom, staring in at her as she smoothed a tinted lip balm across her bottom lip.
    “Do what?”
    “Transform, that’s what. You look like a different woman, entirely.” He shook his head. “This is how I saw you the very first time. I distinctly remember my jaw hitting the floor.”
    She felt the smile spreading across her face. “All I remember was you could hardly put two words together.”
    He leaned his forearm against the door jamb. “Well yeah, I was speechless. You truly are a vision, Nala. Don’t think for one moment I don’t find you absolutely stunning just because our union was arranged.” He winked before abruptly turning and walking into his own large closet.
    And there it was. He was flirting again. The ride home was quiet. Why didn’t he choose then to flirt? Why not over lunch? Why now after a long awkward drive home? He left her standing, speechless, at the bathroom mirror.
    “Because we spend too much time protecting ourselves. We don’t notice it all of the time.” Her wolf, which had been entirely too absent finally spoke to her. “We must learn to relax. He is a good wolf.”
    It was now or never. He had flirted, complimented, and assured her of his physical attraction. After a deep, cleansing breath, she put her head forward and marched into his closet.
    He was tucking in his dress shirt when he froze, surprised to see her in his space. She took three slow steps closing the distance between them. Easing her hand up, she placed her palm on his cheek and leaned in, hopeful. He didn’t miss his cue, closing the one solitary inch between them, locking their lips in their first kiss. It was brief and respectful…tender, yet full of need.
    Her heart raced and she wasn’t sure if it were nerves or butterflies tying her stomach into knots.
    “Thank you for the compliment. It feels really nice.” She leaned back on her heels easing back from him, releasing his face. “I’m looking forward to dinner.”
    Maybe the ride to the school would be more pleasant than the ride home from shopping. She gave him a quick smile before hurrying out of the closet to let him finish dressing. Silently, she chastised herself for not paying more attention, of noting his reaction. It wasn’t easy when she was so focused on being brave enough to take the first important step.
    Her head snapped at a tiny knock on their bedroom door. She began walking toward it to answer when Colin rushed in front of her. “No you don’t!” When he opened the door, Thomas one of the Gnomes stood holding a small black box in his hand.
    “Mr. Baker, here is your order. I do hope they are to your liking.” He lifted the box up and Colin scooped it out of his hand.
    “I’m sure it’s perfect, Thomas. Thank you.”
    “Mrs. Baker,” the tiny man bobbed his head, “have a great evening.”
    “What was that about?” she asked as he shut the door.
    He closed the distance between them and held the black box in his palm, which was stretched out toward her. “A gift for my wife.”
    Her mouth fell slack and her heart throbbed in her chest. He’d procured a gift for her. She could not remember the last time anyone gave her a gift, especially for no reason. She lifted the small box from his hand and opened it, finding two pink garnet earrings, hand carved by the Gnomes. A matching garnet studded bracelet rested at the bottom.
    “Colin!” she gasped holding the box away from her. “This is too much.”
    With gentle pressure, and a smile plastered on his face, he pushed it back toward her. “No. It isn’t. You