“Andi.”
“I have to clean up,” she called.
“The prospect can do it tonight,” Ridge replied. Now, let’s go.”
He watched her roll her eyes. He made a mental note to talk with her about that. As club VP, Ridge demanded respect. Mate or not.
He waited while she walked around the counter and grabbed a large bag, tossing the strap over her shoulder. When she passed by him, Ridge inhaled her scent.
She smelled like…
Vanilla, his leopard said. And cinnamon.
It almost reminded Ridge of French toast. He smiled to himself as he let the door close behind them. What were the odds that his mate would smell like his favorite food?
He walked across the yard and climbed on the back of his bike. He turned to see Andi open the door of a sexy, sleek Corvette and Ridge let out a loud whistle.
“Nice car,” he called.
“Thanks.” She smiled.
He fired up his bike at the same time she started her car. As she pulled out of her spot, Ridge swerved around her and got in the front so that she could follow him back to his place. Tonight, he would let her rest, but tomorrow would be a new day. A day of intense work, and endless struggles. He just hoped his training would be enough. If not, Lux would make her leave – and Ridge would have no choice but to follow his mate. If she couldn’t learn to control the animal, then she was a liability for all of those around her.
14
Andi
This was not how she thought her evening would go. Driving through town, Andi couldn’t get her mind around the fact that her panther had forced its way out. That wasn’t something that had ever happened to her before.
It’s my job to protect us, her panther said lazily.
There is a time and place, Andi replied.
Mentally, her panther shrugged.
As she put on her blinker and made the right turn to head to her tiny studio apartment, Andi’s mind flashed back to the past. She thought about the night of her first change. She’d been twelve, living in a new foster home, with parents that were there for the monetary benefits rather than the need to help unwanted children. Andi remembered the tingle that spread across her skin. It had felt as if millions of ants had been crawling on her. Her muscles had felt tight like they were about to rip in half. Little did she know, that was exactly what was about to happen. She’d cried out in pain, waking up the other kids that shared the room with her. She remembered the looks of horror on their faces when suddenly a small black cat took over her body. She could still hear their screams of fright as everyone raced from the room.
Scared, Andi had crawled under the bed to hide. She’d heard footsteps rushing into the room as her new foster parents busted through the door. Under her small, twin-sized bed, Andi shivered. Her heart raced. She had no idea what had just happened to her, but she knew she couldn’t allow them to find her. Somehow, she had known that wasn’t allowed. After they had left the room, she slowly crept out from her hiding spot. Andi remembered looking down to see the small, black paws that used to be her hands. She recalled her own screams as she tried to fix whatever had just happened to her. And then suddenly, as fast as she had turned into an animal, she was human again. In all the chaos, Andi had run to the bathroom and slammed the door closed. And that is where her foster parents had found her.
After that, the other kids wouldn’t come near her. They wouldn’t talk to her anymore or play with her. They avoided her out of fear. So, the next week Andi’s foster parents had contacted the social worker and simply told him that things just weren’t working out. Soon, she’d found herself being shipped off to another home. From that moment on, everything had changed for her. Andi had refused to get close to anyone. She wouldn’t make friends and hid away as much as possible.
At least she had until she’d met Emily.
Pulling into the small drive that led behind the storefront, Andi parked her car and sat there for a moment. The memories of her childhood were rough and left her feeling rundown and tired. Reaching up, she wiped away the tears that she hadn’t even realized were falling. Taking a deep breath, she turned off her car and opened the door. Grabbing her bag, Andi climbed out just as the sound of a motorcycle started to echo off the building.
Ridge pulled up beside her and cut off his bike. “What are you doing?” he asked.
“I live here.” Andi pointed towards the building.
“Well go grab some clothes.” Ridge jerked his head toward her home. “And then let’s go.”
“Go?”
He sighed. “You’re going back to my place.”
“I’m sorry.” Her brows dropped. “Why?”
“Because I said so.”
This time, her brows shot to her hairline and she closed her eyes, exhaling heavily. If Ridge thought she was going to fall in line simply because he was her mate, then the man had another thing coming.
We can go be with our mate.
Andi could see her panther almost prancing in her head. The cat loved the idea of being near Ridge. But not Andi. She understood the concept of mates. She got it. But that didn’t change the fact that Andi didn’t date bikers. She didn’t trust them. Therefore, she wasn’t going home with Ridge. Mate or not, she’d just met the man.
Who the hell does he think I am?
His mate.
And?
Her panther rolled its eyes.
“Andi?” Ridge called her name. “Clothes.”
“Listen.” Andi held up a hand. “I get we’re mates, but I’m not going anywhere with you. I don’t date bikers. Hell, I
