Prowling for His Mate Read online

  “A little under two weeks, but it’s been almost three since she’s seen her husband.” He took a step toward Kalista then eased back. “This is the longest they’ve been apart.”

  “I see,” she said, but she really didn’t. Sure, three weeks seemed like a long time, but not life-threatening. “Was the absence planned?”

  “Hers was, Leonidas’ was not. Which goes with the territory as our leader.”

  It suddenly occurred to her that everyone treated Kali like a queen. “Is Leonidas royalty?”

  Nikolas cocked his head and finally nodded. “He is our king.”

  She didn’t know enough about small kingdoms in Europe to argue. Geography had never been one of her strong suits. “So, Kali is a queen.”

  “She is,” Nikolas answered with pride.

  “Should I be curtsying or calling her by some title?”

  “Oh gods, no. She’d be uncomfortable. Kali barely deals with us calling her our queen.” He put his face to the sun, and she looked at Jaison to see him doing the same thing. “The island should be coming into sight in a few seconds.”

  She came up to the railing and sure enough, a large island came into view. In a minute, a large building appeared as well. “It’s beautiful.”

  “It’s home,” Jaison said behind her in a low predatory growl. “What you’re seeing is the family estate. You’re staying there for the duration of your visit. The largest of the libraries is located within.”

  Every fiber of her being wished he would put his arms around her so she could lean into his embrace, but she had more self control and if it killed her, she would prove it to herself.

  “Leonidas.” Kalista’s voice lifted on the wind.

  Paighton’s focus drew to the man on the docks. His large frame and golden hair blowing in the wind made for a powerful picture. He paced the boards in a way reminiscent of lions caged in a zoo.

  “Is that your prime?” Sabine asked, sidling up to them.

  “That is Leonidas Karatosis,” Nikolas announced.

  Sabine inched back. “The rumors don’t do his power justice.”

  “That is the way he likes it,” Jaison said. One second he was beside Paighton, the next pulling Kalista back from the railing she climbed in her desperate need to get to Leonidas. “Dammit, Kali, you’re going to get us all killed. You fall. You drown. Leonidas kills us.”

  Jaison lifted Kali by the waist from the railing at the same time Paighton could have sworn she heard a lion roar in the breeze. As they got closer to the island, Nikolas moved to assist Jaison. When the boat moved into the mooring, Leonidas commanded Kali stay put and Paighton, too, remained in place unable to move her feet.

  The man jumped onto the boat before it finished docking and rushed to Kali. She threw herself into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist. Leonidas held her curvy frame as if she weighed no more than a child. Paighton turned away, embarrassed to witness the lovers’ embrace. Not for them, but because she wished it were her and Jaison.

  Jaison leaned in and whispered, “You get used to them eventually.”

  Leonidas spoke words of love to Kalista in Greek before greeting Jaison and Nikolas. “Welcome home, cousins.”

  She turned back to find Kali in the protective embrace of her mate. Leonidas, who was imposing as anyone she’d ever seen close up, shook hands with those on the boat as each came forward. He softened his shoulders and spoke in hushed tones to the woman and her child. “Sabine, you and your daughter are very welcome. I only wish it were under better circumstances.”

  The woman and her daughter curtsied. “Prime.”

  “Please stand.” He released Kali, but only to take her hand and to use the other to help the mother to her feet. “I’ve my best trackers and a foniás ally searching for your mate.”

  “Why would you do so much for someone not of your kind?”

  “It is who we are,” Kalista answered, and was rewarded by her husband with a kiss.

  “Nikolas, please escort our guests to the village. They are to stay in one of the new apartments. Make a list of anything you need and Nikolas will get it to the right people.”

  “I don’t know how to thank you.”

  “No thanks are needed.” He turned his attention to Paighton, and she straightened her back. “Kali love, introduce me to your guest.”

  “Leo, this is Paighton Knight, the librarian.”

  “Pleased to meet you.”

  “Thank you for having me.” Paighton fought the urge to bow.

  Leonidas laughed. “You might want to hold off on thanking me until you see the job in store for you.”

  “I’m up for the challenge—I think.” She accepted Jaison’s help off the boat and choked down a moan when he pulled his hand away.

  She trailed along behind, taking in the sights as Leonidas chatted with Jaison about preparations for the upcoming reunion. She knew that in four weeks his very large extended family would descend on the island and Kalista had lamented that there were no extra rooms. Even her father, who lived in the village, would be heading to Athens for the month. Apparently, the library there was equally in disarray. She couldn’t imagine it was as bad as they kept saying. She had seen Kalista’s love and respect for books. Except for the dog-ear issue, Jaison seemed to love books, too.

  The closer they got to the house, the quicker the steps she had to take to keep up with Leonidas whose hand on his wife’s back, propelling her forward. When they reached the threshold, he growled and lifted her into his arms. “Jaison, please show our guest to the library?”

  His lips firmly on those of the woman in his arms, Leonidas charged up the staircase. Paighton could only stare after them, blinking every so often.

  Jaison bumped her shoulder with his. “As I said, you’ll get used to them. Eventually.”

  “They love each other very much,” she murmured before glancing at Jaison whose eyes were on her. She gulped for fear he might do the same as his boss, scared she wouldn’t fight him. “The library.”

  “This way.”

  They were about to turn from the magnificent entry hall when an older, thin woman came down. “Welcome, Ms. Knight.”

  “Paighton, please.”

  “I’m Diata. Leonidas knew he wouldn’t be able to greet you properly.” She glanced in the direction of the stairs. “So, he asked me to see that you have everything you need. I can show you to your room. Your bags are going to be a bit delayed, but the essentials are provided for you.”

  “I’m to show her the library but I am happy to escort her to her chamber afterward,” Jaison advised. “Which room will she be in?”

  “She is in the Marble Room.”

  “Really.”

  “Apparently.”

  “I’ll make sure she gets there.”

  As they walked down the hall, she couldn’t help but ask, “Is there something about the Marble Room?”

  “No. It’s just right next to Leonidas and Kalista’s suite.” He rolled his eyes before offering her a wink.

  “I see.” The heat started on her cheeks and covered her face in seconds.

  “I thought you might.” He escorted her to a set of closed double doors. “Brace yourself.”

  “It can’t be as bad as everyone is making it out to be—can it?”

  “Might be worse, unfortunately.”

  “Perhaps a kiss for good luck.” Only when his lips claimed hers did she realize she had said the words out loud. Unlike the last kiss, this one swept her off her feet. Strong thick arms held her against him as he expertly drove their kiss deeper. Her brain swirled and butterflies collided in her belly.

  He pulled back and ever so carefully returned her to her feet. “Always here should you need a bit of luck.”

  Brushing her hair behind her ears, she tried to get her wits back. Jaison threw back the two doors and she gasped. It was immense. The room took up one whole side of the building. Bookshelves lining most o
f the walls as well as a second-story landing. Tables and more shelves littered the center of the room. Three thin windows offered some natural light, but not enough to do too much damage to the books. The shelves were in minor disarray compared to the piles and stacks that hid tables from view and took up every chair and sofa. On the landing floor lay more stacks.

  “Oh my.”

  “We did try to warn you.”

  “Not strongly enough.” She stepped in and grabbed a book teetering precariously on the edge of a table. “I’m not sure where to start.”

  “I think Kalista wants to make this one mainly family history, first editions, and historical research books. The one in the village would be more for the everyday things. Cookbooks and I don’t know what else. The old garrison is where most of the visitors come and stay. So, vacation reading.”

  “Okay,” she murmured, overwhelmed.

  “I can bring some boxes in, so you can start moving things like romance novels out of here.” He indicated the pile under the window. “Kali tried to work on the room, but she knew when to throw in the towel.”

  Nodding because really what else could she do, she walked over to an empty shelf and placed the book she held into it. She feared there were more books off the shelves than on. She pointed toward a dusty corner. “Those boxes might be helpful. I’ll need to see the shape of the other libraries, too.”

  “I know Kali hoped to take you on a tour of the island.”

  “When do you think she will be…available?”

  “Not till morning. At the soonest.” He glanced at the doors. “They lock themselves into a room for sometimes days after a long weekend apart. This has been three weeks.”

  Staring at Jaison, she could imagine wanting to spend weeks on end in his arms. She had once thought kisses were a bit on the gross side, thinking of the science of it all. Now, she wanted more than anything to taste him again. “Until I see the other two spaces, I’m not sure what I’m working with.”

  “Then by all means, let’s get started.” He indicated the door. “Shall I grab the romances now or later?”

  “She wants them at the garrison library.”

  He nodded and lifted the stack. “She does. Reading is a huge pastime for most on the island. Putting the books away isn’t.”

  “Then bring them. It will clear up some space for me to organize.” She needed to take a breath before returning to tackle the room. Having some of the books gone might help. She noticed a stack of horror books and grabbed those, too. Her first plan of attack would be to install return carts at the entrances of the libraries immediately.

  As they walked down the hall, Jaison introduced her to a couple of his cousins. Though gorgeous, they lacked the confidence and power Jaison, Nikolas, and Leonidas displayed.

  He flagged down a lean young man—another cousin perhaps? Then he turned to Paighton. “Anything we need so far?”

  “Do you have book carts?”

  “Doubtful. Figure out what you need and I’ll have them ordered this evening. Will anything do in the meanwhile?”

  “A simple box with a Returns label at the entrance will be a start.”

  He nodded. “Aiden, I want no one to go into the libraries without Paighton’s permission.”

  “No one?”

  “With the exception of Kali and Leo, of course.”

  The other man let out a huff of relief as if terrified he might have been tasked with keeping out the royal couple. “I’ll spread the word. If I can help in any other way, please let me know.”

  “I don’t want to bother you.” After all, they were paying her a handsome fee to take on the libraries.

  “Oh, it’s no bother. Leo said I was to be available for anything you might need.”

  “Aiden isn’t great on the lifting and carrying, but he’s an ace with the computer.” She could hear no judgment, only a statement of fact in Jaison’s words. “He is finishing college for programming. Made dean’s list this year.”

  Aiden beamed with pride. “I want to make the family and my fiancée proud.”

  “And you do,” Jaison assured. “One more thing. Kali bought a ton of books…”

  “More books?” Aiden asked in dismay.

  “Yes.” Jaison chuckled. “The boxes of books are labeled by library. Can you see they aren’t opened but taken to the right places?”

  “Of course.”

  Outside, the heat of the day hit her like a wall.

  “You’ll get used to it,” he promised.

  “I hope so.” She reached into her shoulder bag and pulled out some sunglasses. “You do well with your cousin.”

  “Leo has always run the family with the belief we are only as strong as our weakest member. Some families throw out those who are weak. We take care of them and encourage their strengths.” He led them around the side of the villa to what looked like a large gardening shed. Inside sat two of the nicest and most luxurious golf carts she had ever seen. He indicated the keys on the inside wall. “The black one is Kalista’s, but the white one is exclusively for your use while you’re here. There is a fridge with water in it. Make sure to park it just outside the shed. Someone will move it back in to be recharged and make sure there is water in it.”

  She didn’t know such a golf cart existed. “Is the island really so big?”

  “It is. You can easily go between the garrison and the main house on foot. But if you are carrying books, it would be too much. And with the afternoon heat, you might struggle. Kalista was very worried about whomever we hired.”

  “That was considerate.”

  “It is why she is so loved within the immediate family. Leo cares and does his best to make sure we have what we need but is too busy for the little things. Kali sees those things and addresses them.” He helped her into the passenger seat and drove out. “Do you want a quick tour of the island or would you like to go directly to the libraries?”

  “Can we do both?”

  “In a roundabout way, I suppose. I will take you the direct route, so you can find the places first then give you a bit of a tour.”

  “Of your home?”

  He nodded. “The island is my home. My apartment is within the main house.”

  “Do all the family on the island live in the main house?”

  He shook his head and waved to a gardener. “No. Leo’s sister Cosima lives in the village with her husband and son. Kali’s father lives there. Nikolas has a small villa on the other side of the island. But nearly everyone comes together for a meal up at the main house once a day.”

  “How many people live on the island year-round?” She wanted to know everything about his family and his home.

  “Not including those who are away for college? At last count, I think it’s ninety-seven.”

  “And they all work here on the island.”

  “A great many do. Leonidas runs the family shipping company from here. We’re self-contained. We’ve a full kitchen staff, housekeeping, groundskeepers, maintenance. In the village, we’ve a few shops and a movie theater. Then there are the offices and security. Some work remotely from their jobs and others commute to the mainland.”

  As he drove, he pointed out places of historical importance as well as a few small huts they maintained in case someone needed to cool down. She suspected a great many had been built for Kalista. The people seemed unusually protective of the woman.

  He pulled the cart up to a building that made the main villa seem small. This one resembled a fort. “This was once the island’s stronghold.”

  “I can imagine. I take it this is the garrison?”

  “It is.”

  “And what is it used for now?”

  “Next month, all the rooms will be full to bursting. This is where the family will banquet and party.”

  He showed her around, starting with the main ballroom before moving to a large industrial kitchen and common areas until finally coming to a room with a pl
aque that read Library in several languages. He opened the door, turned on the light, and stepped back. Paighton cringed. Half the size of the other library, this one showed no signs anyone really cared. Years’-old magazines were thrown every which way. Paperbacks lay haphazardly tossed on every open space. “I can’t even…”

  “I suggest having Aiden with a few of our teens start sorting the books by genre.”

  “That could help.” Her shoulders bowed, sadness at the state of things sapping her energy.

  He put his arms around her and pulled her back against his chest. “I don’t think anyone has been in here but Kalista since last year. She simply closed the door when she saw it, marched up to Leonidas and demanded someone be brought in. She has a great love of books, but you probably already sensed that.”

  She reveled in the feel of his arms around her, loved how he knew what she needed without her having to ask. His explanation and suggestion, went a long way toward easing her mind. “Is this how they treat it every year?”

  “I think Kali has assigned people to the libraries this year. Most will come in once you’ve finished.” He released her to pick up some magazines on the floor. “Once it’s organized, it’ll stay that way.”

  “I’m not sure I can stomach another such library.”

  “Better to get it over with.” He took her hand in his and led her out, placing the tattered magazines in a recycling bin in the common room on their way. As he drove her in silence down the narrow road, she feared what she might find so much she barely took in the quaint seaside village. They pulled up to a small, old building between the movie theater and the soda shop. A symbol of a lion reading a book was the only sign of what lay inside. “Someone likes lions an awful lot.”

  “It is the symbol of our family.”

  “Gotcha.” She looked up at the sign and took a steadying breath. “Let’s get this over with.”

  To her surprise and relief, this building was well lit and other than boxes with the words Village Library written on them, nothing appeared out of place. Books sat neatly on the shelves, and the tables were clear. The small room seemed larger simply because it was clean. She ran a finger on the dusted bookshelves and worked her way around the large central area. Wide archways leading to smaller rooms on each side and an open door to one in the back.