Already Freakn' Mated Read Free

frown marred Sheng’s face, a look she caught when he briefly glanced back at her. “I expected someone older.”
    Someone married, Jiao thought with a sigh. Sheng seemed determined to keep her away from men, all men. Single, married, young or old, fat and even human, he did his best to keep her secluded. Protecting her, he claimed. Keeping them both from discovery. He didn’t seem to understand they couldn’t live in hiding forever. Lies could only carry them so far.
    Eventually – sooner rather than later if Jiao got a say – things would have to change. For six years they’d run and hidden from those who would take them back to their cloistered life. Frantic years spent looking over their shoulder, not trusting anyone. Relying only on each other without a friend, other than Patricia, an RCMP officer and shifter they’d befriended during their escape. Jiao tired of the subterfuge. Tired of living under the radar, in the shadows, never experiencing life.
    But Sheng knew best. He’d gotten them this far after all.
    Chris didn’t seem daunted by Sheng’s skepticism in his skills. “I’ve got years of experience. And references too, if you want them.”
    “You did come highly recommended,” Sheng admitted, but grudgingly.
    “What do you say you show me the space? Tell me what you need. I’ll do up a quote and then we can go from there.”
    Sheng appeared torn, something about Chris setting off his radar, but then again, everybody set off his paranoia meter. Placing a hand on Sheng’s arm, Jiao said, “He’s one of us and Patricia approved him.” Sheng trusted Patricia. After all, she was the one who gave them a new life, new identity, and more.
    Lips tight, Sheng shook his head. “Sorry. But I don’t think you’ll do at all.”
    Then, her husband slammed the door in the contractor’s face.

Chapter Two
    What the hell?
    Chris stared at the closed door, his jaw dropping as disbelief froze him. What was buddy’s problem? Did he somehow sense Chris’s interest in his wife? An interest Chris now felt sure was mistaken. He’d specifically requested, in his mind at least, to have a mate all to himself. Surely Fate heard him? Given his adamant stance on the whole subject of ménages – not for me! – it stood to reason, the female – hot and delectable as she smelled – didn’t belong to him. Nope. She was taken. Off the menu. Not his concern.
    If he knew that, then why did his feet refuse to move? Because he had unfinished business, that was why. And no, it wasn’t his wolf’s demand to sniff her again that had him raising his fist to knock. Then pound as no one answered the door.
    I deserve an explanation. Or a valid reason, at any rate, for the dude’s rejection of his services. Services, he might add, buddy asked for. But it seemed Chris wouldn’t get an answer because the door remained shut.
    Stepping back, Chris flipped a bird in the direction of a twitching curtain. What an asshat. He pitied the guy’s wife. It must suck to live with such a jerk. He also thanked his lucky stars he’d gotten the shaft because given his attitude, working for the dude would have probably sucked large.
    On a happier note, he’d make the lacrosse game after all. Jumping into his truck, tool box tossed onto the passenger seat, Chris started the engine, the heavy rumble caused less by the dying diesel motor than the exhaust with its fist sized hole. As he shifted into gear, Chris turned his head to look one last time at the house where he’d gotten the rude treatment. A more hotheaded guy would have kicked down the door and beat the crap out of the little prick inside. Chris, though, preferred to think he could handle things in a more mature fashion. Holding the brake pedal down, he hit the gas, revving his engine and spinning his tires. The noise and smoke show, not to mention the probable tire marks, would hopefully annoy the Asian dude.
    Keeping his eyes on the living room window, he hoped buddy would peek out