Already Freakn' Mated by Eve Langlais Page B

male.
    Either way, Jiao wouldn’t let life and this opportunity pass her by. She just hoped – and she crossed her fingers tight – that she didn’t end up inadvertently alerting Kaleb, the very thing Sheng feared. She’d hate to have to listen to his ‘I told you so’ for the rest of her – possibly short – life.

Chapter Seven
    Chris got the phone call late in the afternoon telling him he got the job and to show up the next day at nine a.m. Letting out a whoop of victory, Chris grabbed his mother and swung her around.
    Sighing, she tsked him when he set her on her feet. “Calm down. What did I tell you about taking it easy? And what happened to showing a girl a good time first before chasing after the married one?”
    “You want me to cheat on my mate?” He drew himself up with an indignant huff.
    “You’re sure she’s your mate?”
    “Absolutely. I can’t stop thinking about her, ma. It’s all I can do to stop myself from marching over there and claiming her.”
    “My baby boy is in lust.”
    “Love.”
    “It’s too soon to call it that,” his mother admonished. “You don’t even know this girl. She could be a right bitch for all you know. Just because fate wants to tie you together doesn’t mean it’s a match made in heaven.”
    “Pessimist.” Her words of caution couldn’t penetrate his bubble of excitement.
    “Realist. While it’s rare, not all matings work out. Yes, our heritage ensures the sexual spark and need to claim the other person is there, but sometimes, despite the attraction, personalities just don’t mesh.”
    “Not in this case. Wait until you meet her.” Sure, he’d only exchanged the barest of greetings, but his gut – and his wolf – told him this girl would exceed his expectations.
    “Why wait? I want to meet this girl who’s got you in such a tizzy. Invite them over for Thanksgiving dinner on Sunday. I’ve got more than enough turkey for a few extra mouths.”
    “Them?” Chris frowned.
    “I can’t exactly invite her without her husband. Despite what you hope, there’s a strong chance he’ll be a part of your life if you claim this girl. We can’t leave him out.”
    “How am I supposed to get to know her, like you said I should, if he’s hanging around? Dude is a serious stick in the mud.”
    “ Dude is her husband. She must have seen something redeeming in him or she wouldn’t have married him.”
    Actually, Chris preferred to think she’d not had a choice in the matter. While uncommon, some shifter groups still believed in arranged marriages, and also, how many childhood sweethearts got together young only to realize later what a mistake they made? Jack and Jill as a couple were a mistake, an unfortunate pairing he intended to split up. Damn, that sounded cold even when not spoken aloud. But still, what else could he do? Jill was his mate. Once his mother saw that, maybe she’d think of a way to help him claim her.
    “Fine. You win. I’ll invite them both to dinner on Sunday.”
    “No. I will. If the husband already dislikes you, then it’s best if I do it. Besides, I’d like to meet this paragon who’s managed to snare your interest.”
    “No baby pictures,” Chris warned.
    “Aw. No fun, my son. And here I had a whole slide presentation ready of your most embarrassing moments.”
    “You’re kidding? Right?”
    Her serene smile didn’t reassure.
     
    *
     
    Jack let Chris into the house when he returned the Friday before Thanksgiving. Not catching sight of Jill, Chris couldn’t help asking, “Where’s the wife?”
    “Work. You won’t be running into her much. I got a key made for you. I want you to restrict your work hours to between nine and four thirty when we’re both at work.”
    How devious of Jack. Did he suspect Chris’s interest? “It will take a lot longer to get the job done,” Chris warned. “I don’t mind staring early and finishing late.”
    Baring his teeth in a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, Jack replied.