Page 25 of Misbehaving With Minotaurs (Haven Ever After #8)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CATHERINE

I ’m a sopping mess by the time the train stops in downtown Pine Gulch. Manorin’s a hard, tense presence at my back. I’ve been quietly teasing him with pheromones for the entire ride, and as excited as he is to show me Pine Gulch, I think he’s most excited to get to a bed.

As he should be.

Friends with benefits is turning out to be a lot of fun. While Annabelle has my heart, there are needs she isn’t meant to fulfill. Manorin does that and more. I’m already dreading this trip being over because I’m having such a good time.

Before we disembark, he finds the pixie attendant to give her a tip and a quick thanks for being such an excellent hostess. Or maybe for looking the other way while he gave me a half-dozen soul-shattering orgasms.

Gods. It might have either been my best or worst idea to come here with him. He was always up for anything as a younger male, and that doesn’t seem to have changed with age.

But all that worry evaporates when we step off the train onto a cobblestone street, a long row of two-story buildings in front of us. The train takes off with a steamy hiss .

“That’s downtown’s only BnB.” Manorin points at a sign that reads The Welcome Inn. “We’ll be there for the weekend, my brother got the family place when our folks died and I don’t wanna subject you to him. Welcome’s got a cute little saloon-style bar inside.”

He jerks his head to the building next to that.

“The Whiskey Business is your best spot for a really good drink, and the food’s not half bad.

There are a half dozen other good restaurants in downtown, and then, of course, the wraith hotel situated on the opposite side of the haven is its own property with a series of restaurants and shops.

Great place to go for a little upscale shopping.

” He tucks a stray lock of hair away from my eyes.

“I’d love to take you lingerie shopping there sometime, maybe on this trip if we’ve got time. Would you like that?”

It’s hard not to shout yes and leap into his arms. Everything about Manorin is so…

romantic. Thoughtful, well-planned, considerate.

I didn’t even have that with Wesley. Maybe a little when we first dated.

But we were never partners the way I thought we were.

I always gave more than I received, in every possible way.

But Manorin’s not like that, and if I’m honest with myself, I’m enjoying it.

“I’d love to,” I manage, reaching up to stroke his forearm.

He bends down, bringing his snout to me. “Good, I wanna find out how many businesses I can fuck you in before I get a slap on the wrist from Sheriff Rygold for public indecency.”

“That’ll be kinda difficult to do, on account of him currently stone sleeping away his troubles, so he’ll be a statue for a few days at least.”

I snap my eyes up to see who just heard that.

A handsome, tall dark elf with white hair in a high bun stands there wearing a tan uniform with a name badge reading F.

Zayle, Fish & Wildlife. He stands with lazy ease, thumbs tucked into a black leather belt secured by a giant silver belt buckle.

Silver tattoos in the shape of various animals curve around both muscular forearms.

“Err, hello.” I’m certain I’m blushing, but thankfully Manorin comes to my rescue, stepping forward to reach for the elf’s hand, which he shakes vigorously.

“Furyon, good to see you, friend. What’s this about Rygold?”

Furyon smiles lazily, black lips splitting to reveal sharp, white teeth.

His pale blue eyes move from Manorin to me and back again.

“Sicka dealing with you-know-who. Told me to pass along a message though.” He winks at me, blue eyes crinkling at the corners.

“Clean up your nephew’s bullshit, or he’ll do it when he wakes, and you ain’t gonna like what happens.

” He shrugs and glances off into the distance.

“I’m guessing he might feel ready to drop Alarion into the deepest part of the Gulch on account of the nonstop tomfoolery.

Lotta places around here to hide a body. ”

Manorin laughs, honest to gods, as I stand horrified by the exchange.

The sheriff here would kill Manorin’s nephew?

“Noted,” Manorin finally says when laughter subsides to a chuckle. “Honestly, it might do that dumbass some good to get dangled over the Gulch for a bit. I might just ignore him this weekend and let Rygold take it from there.”

Furyon shakes his head, rolling a toothpick between his teeth. “I mightn’t do that if I was you, old friend. Bishop’s in a right foul mood these days. Sidewinders got his tail all in a knot.”

Manorin’s smile falls. “I thought that mostly went away when Rezeth died?”

“Not hardly.” Furyon’s easy smile falls. “They got a new ophiotaurii in charge, and he’s really somethin’. Most monsters don’t even venture to the far west now. They’ve attempted to raid Mabel a time or two, if you can believe it. ”

Manorin chuffs. “And what’s Bishop doing about this if he’s stone sleeping for days at a time?”

“Honestly, Manorin, I think he’s gearing up to bring a heap o’ trouble to their doorstep.

That old injury bothers him from time to time, but it’s better if he gets in a couple solid days’ rest. I suspect we’re about to see shit go down next week.

After the barn dance, of course, because what self-respecting monsters would fuck with that?

” He scoffs, as if it’s unimaginable for someone to interfere.

Furyon smiles at me. “And you must be Catherine. Manorin mentioned you’d be joining him. I’ve heard tell of the Annabelle Inn’s beautiful owner a time or two over the years.” He winks at Manorin. “This big lug finally got you back here, huh?”

I’m missing something, but I just smile and nod. “That’s right.”

Furyon sighs. “Well, have fun. I’ll see y’all at the dance later?”

“See you there, friend.” Manorin slides a hand up my back, resting it at the base of my neck. “Gotta get my woman settled in first.”

Furyon grins, black brows sliding into two wicked curves. “Bet you do, you rascal.” He dips his head at me. “Ma’am.” With an easy spin on his heel, he heads toward the Whiskey Business and disappears inside.

“Well, shit,” Manorin grumbles, starting us toward The Welcome Inn. “I wasn’t planning to deal with Alarion until tomorrow, but I guess I oughta have a little chat with him today.”

“Whatever you need,” I confirm. “Family first, okay?”

He halts me in place, spinning and crushing me to his body. A finger beneath my chin tilts my focus up to glittering crimson eyes. “You first. Extended family second. Everything else third, including my job, Catherine. We clear on that?”

Something inside me unfurls and warms at his words .

“I’ve never been anyone’s first,” I admit, staring at twin pools of intensity.

“You were first for me, all those years ago,” he says gruffly. “You’re first now as well, and if that ain’t obvious in the way I’ve treated you, then I’m doin’ a shitty job.” He gives me a wry look. “Even with our arrangement .”

“I love how you’ve developed a country accent here,” I say with a wink, trying to defuse a situation that’s getting dangerously close to Real Feelings, trademark pending.

“Don’t deflect.” He slides his fingers down the front of my throat. “Wesley hurt you, and if he wasn’t already dead, I’d put him under for that, Sunshine.”

I place both hands on his big chest, grounding myself on the way it rises steadily with huge, deep breaths. Curling my fingers against him, I force myself to confront what I’m feeling and thinking, not to run from it.

Calling Manorin a hookup doesn’t feel right. Nothing about the way he treats me is a no-strings-attached vibe. I can’t seem to find my footing with that, because I crave more.

“He crushed my soul,” I admit, looking up into crimson, sparkling eyes. “I didn’t see what was wrong with him, but Annabelle did. She hated him from day one.”

Nor says nothing but pulls me closer. “I’m sorry, Cath. I’m?—”

I press my fingertips to his muzzle to quiet him. “It was a while ago, although his death was more recent, of course. I’ve put him behind me, but my point in sharing that was he never put me first, either. Not like you do. Even though this is just a short-term arrangement.”

The words feel simultaneously important and hollow. The word “arrangement” barely encompasses what’s happening between us. Does he feel that too?

“Need to feed you,” Manorin says quietly.

“Get you settled in our room. Maybe give you a nice little massage. And if you wanna keep talkin’ about this, we can.

Shit, maybe we’ll head over to the tattoo studio, and I’ll get my first one.

A nice little typography tat over my heart that says ‘Always her first.’ Whaddya think? ”

I smile up at his handsome face. “I think I’ll need a box of tissues if you do that, because it might be the sweetest thing anyone’s ever done for me.”

He grins, the edges of his mouth curling up.

It makes him all that much more handsome to me.

“Consider it a date.” He waves between us.

“We talk about this arrangement a lot, Cath, but let me make this clear—even if this job doesn’t work out, and we part as friends, I will always be there if you need me.

One call, and I’m running to you. Are we clear? ”

I push hard to keep tears from filling my eyes. The idea of having Nor in my corner warms me in a way nothing has since I first met and fell in love with Wesley. I thought he was in my corner, but, looking back, there were signs he wasn’t.

Nor hauls my bag higher over his shoulder and takes my hand, walking us toward the front door. “C’mon, Sunshine.”

The Welcome Inn soars up four stories of rustic dark wood, chunky red support beams punctuating the building's front. It’s by turns rustic and elegant as the inn’s emerald-green front doors swing wide for us.

“Thank you, beautiful girl,” I whisper as we step through. The inside of the inn’s as gorgeous as the outside. Everything has a lodge feel, all rustic wood and exposed beams. The two-story foyer is somehow cozy despite that. Huge antler chandeliers punctuate the ceiling and cast light down on us.

“Welcome in to the Welcome Inn!” a chirpy voice greets us from the right.

Turning toward the voice, I find a lanky black-haired woman standing behind a long check-in desk, wearing a big smile. She appears human, although with some monsters, it’s hard to tell .

She beams at me. “Catherine, I take it? I’ve got you on a reservation with our resident celebrity.” She winks up at Manorin.

I laugh at how people recognize him everywhere. That’s new for me. That didn’t happen quite so much when we were younger.

“That’s me.”

The woman pushes a small basket across the check-in table.

“He pre-checked in, but please take this welcome basket as a thank you from us for picking The Welcome Inn. If you need anything at all during your stay, there’s an attendant on call twenty-four hours a day.

To my right, there’s a great little bar.

” She points behind us. “Back there, we’ve got a coffee shop that’s perfect for grabbing something quick.

” She leans in as if to tell a secret. “Although, if you want a really stellar latte, I recommend Brewhaha Beans across the street.”

The inn creaks around us, expressing her dislike of the woman’s suggestion.

She rolls her eyes with a little chuckle. “I’m going to be in trouble if I say any more, but please enjoy yourselves. I’m Kerriann, and I’m here, shit…well, I’m here a lot.”

“Thank you, Kerriann,” Manorin says easily. “See you at the barn dance?”

She grimaces. “I’m working, so no. But, honestly, a crowd of people being loud ain’t really my rodeo, ya know?”

He laughs, and I grab the basket off the countertop, loving the idea of it. I don’t do anything like that at the Annabelle, other than provide a haven welcome packet to those who are fully new to town.

“Do you have a welcome packet by chance?”

She sighs. “I’m fresh out, and I was told not to order more because they’re being redone.

So, we should wait for the new ones, I guess, but honestly, what a pain.

So, I’m sorry to say I don’t have any just now.

” She waves at Manorin. “Good thing he’s an excellent tour guide, though.

And definitely call down here with any questions!

” She hands me a sheet of paper. “Here’s a temporary map although I’m told the new welcome books will be much cooler.

Sorry I can’t offer more at the moment.”

The inn creaks loudly around us and she laughs.

“I know, Welcome! You’re just gonna have to share the name with the book…I can’t do nothin’ about it and if you have an issue you can take it up with Rygold.”

The inn produces an unhappy sounding series of squeaks and squeals and I have to hold back a laugh. Her personality is as tangible as my Annabelle’s, and it feels like home even though this building isn’t mine.

I thank the attendant again, tucking my arm through the basket’s handle. We ascend a set of wide, overlarge stairs meant for the bigger-bodied monster breeds. When I seem to note it, Manorin chuckles.

“Lotsa big boys out this way. We need a little more space sometimes.” He points at his hooves.

I frown up at him. “Is it difficult for you at the Annabelle?”

He shakes his head. “Not difficult, per se, but I do pay a bit more attention.”

When the Annabelle appeared for me in Ever, I didn’t question her design. She felt perfect for me. But when I think about Manorin having to be extra careful to make it up my stairs, I don’t feel comfortable with that, and Annabelle probably doesn’t either.

“If we expand the Annabelle, we’re changing that.” I stare up at him, resolved to make Manorin and any other guests more comfortable where possible.

By the time we make it to our room, I’m in awe of the Welcome Inn. It’s charming yet beautiful, with elegant little touches that speak to the brilliance of her design.

Manorin opens the door and strides in, setting my bag down on an entryway table.

I stare in awe at the beautiful room, all powder blue and dark red.

A large bed is covered in buffalo-check pillows, sheets and blankets piled sumptuously high.

The back wall is all windows with a beautiful view of empty rolling fields behind the inn.

“These details are exquisite, Manorin,” I whisper, spinning slowly to take it all in.

Which is when I focus on the singular bed.

Of course that’s what it is. I knew that. And part of me relishes that fact, even as the part of me in charge of feelings worries over it. But he was right… I should lean into his desire to romance me during our arrangement. I should have a little faith that things will be fine.

Except, I thought that before, and all it ever brought me was a heap of trouble.