Valentine's Surprise Read online

  “I have no doubts that Cash will be able to anticipate every need of his mate.” Cage assured Wyatt.

  “Yeah, what he said,” Cash returned, his eyes squinting at Wyatt.

  “Sorry big guy, not trying to rain on your parade. Just don’t mention if her ankles start getting puffy. You will never hear the end of that,” Wyatt said sagely.

  “I’d never mention any change in her body period, moron. You haven’t learned that one yet?” Cash was shocked at his cousin’s inability to be tactful.

  “No, he hasn’t,” Cage answered instead.

  Wyatt flipped them both the finger. “Fine, pick on me, see if I care. I’m going to go to work. You know, that thing we’re all supposed to be doing?”

  “You do that. Cash and I can talk adult stuff when you leave,” Cage said.

  “Whatever.” Wyatt snarked as he left the office.

  “Jinger not have a good pregnancy?” Cash asked once Wyatt had left.

  “She tried to do too much. Didn’t want to quit work, got gestational diabetes which sucked but luckily Eddie managed it with her. It wasn’t the easiest. Wyatt panicked instead of buckling down and dealing with things. I’m sure next time will be easier,” Cage offered.

  “So, you think Cassie is just waiting to tell me?”

  “Maybe, but I’d go ahead with your gesture. Big gestures are never a bad idea. Show her that you are happy and on board. It’s probably all the reassurance she needs.”

  Cash rubbed his chin. “Big gesture. I can do that.” He smiled at his Alpha with appreciation.

  Chapter 3

  Cassie plated up a sliced apple with a giant glob of peanut butter and a massive spoonful of honey on top of that and took it to the couch.

  Settling herself in, she texted her shop to see if any of the tattooists needed anything. As usual, her shop was running like a finely tuned machine. It turned out that Cassie had a knack for managing, especially when it was her own business. In the past, she’d just liked working the front desk. She found she liked it even more when she got to boss people around and make decisions that improved the profitability of her company.

  Deciding that Effie probably didn’t have her phone on her, she decided to try a sneak attack and call her on her computer. The computer connected and rang a few times. Cassie pushed herself down so she was laying on the couch her head propped up by a pillow and shoved a gooey apple into her mouth.

  The screen clicked over, and Effie’s perfect face appeared. Her hair was in a chignon with a side roll on the temple. Her makeup was done to the nines, although Cassie knew she was probably just sitting at home.

  Well, technically she was taking care of her daughter Trixie and running a successful web design business. She still did logos and advertising but had hooked up with a kickass IT girl from the local college, and they were now designing websites. Effie’s art, which was evolving as she grew into herself, was stunning.

  Dax had encouraged her to expand her artistic horizons. It helped that money bought really nice oils and brushes. Effie took her ability to design and paint on computers and learned to paint on canvas. Her portraits of the family were amazing.

  She’d gone through a nature phase when she was pregnant with Trixie, lots of scenery and mountains. Now she had an eye that could tell what any client wanted or—more importantly—what they needed, whether modern or classic. Websites or business cards, it was Effie’s art with a high-tech twist.

  “Dude, you have like three chins,” Effie greeted.

  “Uh, I’m lying down, bitch,” Cassie returned.

  “Doesn’t change the fact you look like your smuggling baloney rolls under your chin.” Effie paused and looked behind herself, then came back to the computer.

  “Shut up. You haven’t returned any of my phone calls. I’ve left you messages. Many of them. What if I was stuck in the bathroom or had fallen down a flight of stairs?”

  “First, I don’t know how you would get stuck in a bathroom. Second, you don’t have stairs in your house. And third, Cash checks up on you like eighteen times a day. The longest you would be stuck is thirty minutes,” Effie scoffed.

  Cassie couldn’t deny that. Her man did check up on her either in person or at least with a phone call.

  “So what do you want? I’m very important and busy,” Effie said with a sniff.

  “Hah, you probably have baby doody under your fingernails, miss fancy pants,” Cassie mocked her.

  She watched as Effie glanced down and examined her nails with a frown on her face.

  “Sick! You had to check.” Cassie had to laugh at her friend.

  “Whatever, just you wait. Baby shit gets everywhere.”

  Biting her lip, Cassie replied, “Looks like I won’t have that long to wait.”

  She watched for the light to come on over Effie’s head. When it did, her best friend’s eyes went wide, her mouth dropped open, and she replied exactly as Cassie expected.

  “Shut the fuck up, you lying ho.”

  “Nope, not lying. Who would lie about something like that? It’s not like a lie you could get away with for long unless you were one of those crazy stalker ladies I saw on TV that started walking around with fake baby dolls after nine months. Those bitches be crazy.”

  “Holy shit.” Effie shook her head. “Cash must be nuts.”

  “I haven’t told him yet. I don’t know how,” Cassie said quietly.

  Effie frowned, her eyes bunching together. “What do you mean you haven’t told him yet?”

  “Well, he wanted to wait until I was healthier. Then we waited, and I got better, and then he didn’t really mention it again. After the trial, I figured he’d be all about the babies. But then nothing. I missed my period and wasn’t sure what was going on. Then I started wanting fruit, which freaked me the fuck out, so I got a test. What if he doesn’t want the baby now?” Cassie asked, her worry showing through.

  Effie was still looking at her with a seriously confused look on her face. “So Cash doesn’t know, and you haven’t said anything?”

  “Dude, yes. What did I stutter? I need to tell him, and I don’t know how,” Cassie knew she was whining, but felt stuck and desperately needed her friend’s advice.

  Effie was racking her brain on where to go with the conversation. Surely Cash knew about the pregnancy. Her mate Dax knew pretty much the day after she conceived. All shifters could smell it. The scent that shifter males were so drawn to changed significantly when a woman was carrying a baby. Cash had to know, but why wasn’t he saying anything?

  Right now her friend needed guidance. It would not be the right time to tell her that her mate already knew. That would just send her into a serious crazy spiral trying to figure out why he hadn’t told her. Cassie, although a thousand times more confident since her accident, was still fragile, and no one wanted her to fall back into a depressed state like before.

  “Well, you need to figure out a way to tell him. Something to surprise him. Guys love that shit,” Effie offered.

  “Ho, I have been all over Pinterest trying to figure something out. There is nothing that works, nothing that is us,” Cassie explained, reaching for another apple slice and crunching on it.

  “Did you just eat an apple?” Effie gasped.

  “Bitch, focus,” Cassie said with her mouth full.

  “Right, focus. You could start on a nursery. Maybe decorate a room, then show it to him. Maybe after a nice dinner and before the hanky-panky starts.”

  “Why would there be hanky-panky?” Cassie wasn’t sure how a nursery plus dinner led to the bedroom.

  “You are going to light candles, have someone else cook a meal that he likes, and wear matching bra and panties. He’s not stupid. He’ll know you are up for a little boot knockin’.”

  “I can cook!” Cassie said in mock anger.

  “Don’t microwave something. Try a restaurant or pick up something already cooked. It’s safer for you. Then candles, matching panties, and show him the room. He’ll love
it, I promise.”

  “He always talked about wanting a family. What if now he thinks I won’t be a good mother?”

  “Does he still worship the ground you walk on? Make love to you every night? Worry and coddle you every second he’s with you?” Effie asked.

  “Well, yeah.”

  “Then yes, the big shifter bear wants little baby bears with you. I’m guessing he just backed off on the baby talk so he wouldn’t feel like he was pressuring you during your recovery.” Effie really hoped that was the reason and not something else. She needed to call her pseudo-brother-in-law as soon as she hung up with Cassie to find out what the hell was going on.

  “So just surprise him,” Cassie said pursing her lips.

  “Hey, do it on Valentine’s Day. I know you hate it, but a fancy dinner won’t be a huge tip off. Tell him you are ordering in for the big day and he will be there with bells on. Then show him and have crazy monkey sex for the rest of the night.”

  “Dude, crazy bear sex is plenty for me,” Cassie scoffed.

  As soon as she said that, a tiny baby mountain lion jumped up on the desk on her screen and proceeded to push the buttons with her little paws. Cassie got a close up of the adorable kitty’s face as she leaned over to lick the screen.

  “Trixie, stop that. Bad kitty,” Effie tsked. She picked up the offending little creature and cuddled it to her chest.

  “Don’t call my niece a bad kitty. You should be grateful, you got a kid and a pet all in one!” Cassie said with a giggle.

  “Yeah, well my pet isn’t going to be nearly as big as your pet, remember that. Kittens are nimble; baby bears are like tiny bulldozers.”

  “Dude, I have a bear inside me. That’s crackers,” Cassie said in awe.

  “Yup, your whole world is about to change. All in good ways, I can promise you. I’ll come out for a visit soon. When do you want me?”

  “Uh, after the big reveal?” Cassie said.

  “Okay, February sixteenth it is.” Effie made a point of writing something into the calendar on her desk.

  “I wasn’t being literal.” Cassie rolled her eyes at her crazy best friend.

  “There is a lot of planning to do. We need to go shopping before other people are kind enough to buy you things you’ll feel obligated to use. Just tell anyone that asks that you want babysitting coupons or diapers. You can’t go wrong with either of those,” Effie wisely said.

  “What do you think of skulls for a nursery? Too much?” Cassie pondered her future baby’s room.

  “For most people, yes, too much. You? I’m not sure. I bet you can pull it off, just don’t do something like Winnie the Pooh or something. I’m pretty sure that won’t be as cute to bear shifters as it would be to you. They probably have some anti-Hundred Acre Wood society or something. I was under strict orders to not use Lion King or zoo animals. I’m guessing you will have to be a little creative. And don’t cook! The last thing you need is a house fire before the baby is born.” Effie warned again.

  “Will you be here?” Cassie asked her quietly, her mood shifting.

  “Girl, I will be camped out on your doorstep. I’ll have Dax break out the RV if we need to. You are not having that little teddy bear without me,” Effie said softly.

  “Thanks, babe.” Cassie smiled and then waved to get Trixie’s attention before she had to say goodbye.

  “Anytime. You call me the second you have a question or are just being a hormonal crazy ass. I’m here for you,” Effie said.

  “’Kay, bye.” Cassie signed off and closed her video window, then pulled back up her search engine. She knew she could order from the new Thai restaurant in town for Valentine’s Day. Cash loved that place. He said finally he found something as spicy as he was. This, of course, made her bust out laughing anytime he said it.

  Cassie gave the restaurant a call and asked if they were going to be open and set up her to-go order. Sure it was two weeks away, but Cassie had a tendency to forget things when she wasn’t full of baby hormones. She wasn’t taking any chances of forgetting and having to boil hot dogs for her romantic Valentine’s Day dinner.

  Once that was done, she got to work researching nurseries. She could have things delivered when Cash was at work. She would enlist the help of the guys from the shop so none of the family would give away the surprise. Now she just had to figure out what kind of room she wanted Cash’s baby to grow up in.

  Chapter 4

  Cash came in through the garage door and hit the button to close the door. He stepped into the mud room and kicked off his shoes. Walking into the kitchen, he saw there was just one table lamp on in the living room. He crept toward the couch and found his mate sleeping under a pile of blankets and pillows. She had made herself a cozy little nest. He saw the remains of her snack with now-brown apples on it.

  Shaking his head at the insanity of his little junk food junkie willingly eating apples, he took the plate to the kitchen. Taking the opportunity, he went to their master bedroom to shower. As he walked down the hall, he passed the door that held his office. Then he passed the door that was the spare bedroom for guests. The double master bedroom doors were straight ahead, and there were closed doors to the left and right before them.

  These were the empty rooms that he’d never gotten around to using. He’d planned on filling them with his children. Now his mate was carrying their first child. His dreams were coming true. Opening the door on the left, he stepped into the carpeted room. This one looked over the river that the front of the house faced. There were trees, lots of shade, but the windows let plenty of light in during the day. It had a huge walk-in closet and would be perfect for the nursery.

  Turning around, he walked out and closed the door behind him. He’d called Cage’s wife Sophie earlier in the day and asked her help in doing up the room. She was more than happy to help after Cash explained that Cassie didn’t know he knew about the pregnancy.

  Sophie was shocked that it had never come up in conversation. She also scolded Cash that humans did not have a manual on shifters and to remember that when something else came up in the future that he assumed she should know. Cash promised to remember and thanked her for her help. He gave her Cassie’s work schedule so they could plan out how to get it done.

  Stepping into the shower, Cash let the water pour over him as he thought about how lucky he was. He had a beautiful, feisty mate that was going to make beautiful, feisty children. His future was going to be full to bursting, and he couldn’t help but smile.

  Finishing up with his shower, he changed into a pair of workout pants and a black tank top. He left his feet bare and padded back out to the living room. Leaning over the couch, he placed a kiss on the top of his mate’s head.

  He watched her stir and her eyes blink open at him.

  “You’re home,” she said, her mouth curving into a smile.

  “I’m home. Did you have a good nap?” He leaned over and scooped her into his arms. His bear chuffed loudly in his head as her arms wrapped around his neck and she pushed her face into his chest, breathing in his scent. Her spicy candy smell had changed; it had softened as her pregnancy went on. It was just as amazing as her normal scent, but so much more with the knowledge of what it meant.

  “I missed you,” she mumbled into his chest.

  “Missed you too, sprite. Did you have a good day?” He carried her into the kitchen and gently sat her on the counter and stood between her legs, brushing her hair behind her ear. When he’d met her, it had been very short, now it was in a bob that was just jaw length. Today it was two shades of green. Dark at her roots and then faded into a light, almost neon green at the ends. He’d have to ask her if the dye was safe for the baby.

  “Yeah, hung out a bit. Video chatted with Effie. She was calling our goddaughter bad kitty. I think it’s time for another Trixie special delivery,” Cassie said with a gleam in her eye.

  “What else could you possibly think of to torment your best friend with? Don’t you think the balls with the b
ells were enough torture? Poor Dax.” Cash leaned over to put his forehead on hers. He loved being in her space; his bear needed these physical recharging sessions after being away from her for so many hours.

  “Dax thinks it’s funny, he just doesn’t tell Effie that he does. Besides, my little niece needs to be entertained. I saw the coolest thing online, they were kitty tunnels. Long fabric tunnels that you can hook all together so your cats can run through them. I think it would be perfect for her.” Cassie’s eyes lit with glee at the thought.

  “I’m sure she’ll love it. So, what do you want for dinner?” He asked, then kissed her gently on the lips.

  “Pizza,” she immediately responded.

  “Surprise. What kind?” He continued his petting. He was running his thumbs over her cheekbones. Cassie was used to this by now. She was a little confused when they first started living together. Now she got that his bear was re-staking his territory in a subtle way.

  “Um, meat,” she said, pretending to ponder her answer.

  “What kind of meat?”

  Tapping her finger on her chin, she pursed her lips and said, “All of them?”

  Cash let out a deep rumbling chuckle. “As you wish. I’m guessing you want extra cheese on top?”

  “Of course. Hand it to me, and I’ll grate it here while my booty is on the counter.” She scooched back on the huge island to cross her legs.

  “That’s not very hygienic, having feet near the food.” Cash headed to the fridge to get the cheese and pizza out of the freezer.

  “You suck my toes! You’re worried about a little feet near the pizza? Pssh, there are much worse things I could do to a pizza,” Cassie warned.

  “I shudder to think. You know I should totally tell on you to Sophie. I’m sure she would agree that adding cheddar cheese to a mozzarella pizza is blasphemy.” Cash handed her the block of orange cheese and the grater. He grabbed a pie plate out for her to start shredding into. He knew from experience the mound she could create could not be contained any other way.