Hidden Park: Freeing Londyn (Hidden Park Series Book 1) Read online

  The pack is running smoothly. Minor pack issues are handled. The last call of the day I need to make is the one I have been dreading all day. Robert, Paulina’s father, and my head chef. He and his wife were my parents’ best friends. He lost his wife a few years ago to a drunk driver, just like my parents. He was like a second dad to me; I know he hoped Paulina, and I would mate, but I never felt anything but a passing attraction for her. She was beautiful in a conventional way, always pushing me for more, but she was just there to scratch an itch, and I thought she knew that was all she was going to get from me. I should have never messed around with her. Hopefully, he just wants a quick check up about the restaurant, and he isn't looking to start trouble.

  “Hey Robert, how’s it going? I got a message you called earlier?” I wanted to start friendly hoping this call would go quick. “Tristan, yes I wanted to schedule a sit down with you to discuss some important items. Are you available tonight?” Great, important items usually had something to do with his devious daughter. “Sorry, no I am not available tonight. I could maybe meet you tomorrow afternoon, say 1ish?" I was hoping to have a late night with Londyn tonight, not sex yet, but I wanted as much time with her as I could.

  “It’s important Tristan. I have some concerns.” Really, what is so serious it can’t wait until tomorrow? “Well, then tell me now.” If it’s that serious, he can just get it out. “Fine. Tristan, you have always been like a son to be and I feel it would best for you and our pack if you and Paulina united and bonded. You need a strong Luna by your side and you two have dated recently, this brings my point, you belong together. I hear you have a human staying with you, and you are welcoming her into the pack? That isn’t right. Your wayward bachelorhood needs to come to an end. Your parents would be disappointed you haven’t mated yet.”

  Oh hell no. “Robert,” I say firmly, bringing out my alpha voice. “I have always respected you in this pack and have thought of you as a father figure. However, this, is way out of line. No, my parents would not be disappointed in me. They would be disappointed in you. The human, you so rudely called her is my life-mate. I am not and will never be interested in Paulina. I do have actual important pack issues to take care of other than discussing your spoiled daughter. Unless you have something to say that is actually related to the pack or my restaurant then this conversation is done.” I don’t hang up like I want to because I want to hear what he has to say, he has no right to question me.

  “Tristan, I…I didn’t know she was your life-mate. Paulina is my life. I want her happy. She truly believes she is in love with you and you with her, she feels you are destined mates. I always felt you two belonged together. I know how strong a life-mate bond is. Nothing is more sacred. I apologize for over stepping, and I will make sure Paulina backs off as well.” Good, he understands. I knew he would, it just infuriates me that Paulina always plays the poor me act with him; she is the master manipulator. “Thank you, Robert, I do need to go. We will talk soon.” I don’t wait for him to say anything back before I hang up.

  That hurdle is done now, and it is time to get ready for my date, I shower quickly dress casually in a royal blue long sleeve button up, dark wash jeans and my best boots. I grab the flowers I got for Londyn and head out the back door. I am about 10 minutes early, but I can’t wait anymore. I head to the front door and ring the door bell and wait.

  Less than two minutes later, Xavier and Cole open the door. What the heck? “Come in.” Cole says very serious. “Where is Londyn? Is she ok?” They both ignore me and walk to the living room, and I follow behind them. There standing next to the fire place is Londyn, she is dressed in a form fitted green dress showing off all her sweet curves, she’s in short heels that show off her sexy legs and my mouth dries instantly, she looks so beautiful. I go to walk towards her and the twins both stop me and put a hand on each arm, and I look at them like they are crazy. Why are they stopping me? “What are your intentions with our Londyn?” Xavier says entirely serious. I am going to kill them.

  Chapter 21

  Londyn

  After a thoroughly rough and confusing morning. I spent the day with Aria. I wasn’t sure if I was still drunk when Tristan asked me on a date and confessed having feelings for me. I was reeling, but if he was going to be my first date. I wanted to be picked up at the door. I spilled everything that was said to Aria, who was ecstatic. She immediately called Sophia and told her. Sophia demanded another girl day but at the spa. I have been massaged, waxed, and groomed within an inch of my life. I hated to admit it, but it was fun, and my hair, nails, and body looked and felt fantastic. We talked again about everything Tristan had said and even some of the women that were working on us chimed in. Once they all learned it was my first date, Sophia called the twins and demanded they be my guardians before I was allowed to leave the house with Tristan.

  Once I was ready and I heard him ring the doorbell, I was ushered to the living room which I had only been in briefly once before and was positioned in front of the enormous fireplace. When Tristan walked in, my knees literally weakened. I knew the twins were going to be my mock fathers, but I didn’t realize they took their roles so seriously.

  “What are your intentions with our Londyn?” one of the twins asked. Still I couldn’t tell them apart. I was floored; I wanted to rescue Tristan, but I was too curious on what he would say. So, I waited for his answer. His face was comical. It went from eager, when he saw me, then shocked, when the question was presented to him, to angry. But, when he looked at me, his face softened to acceptance.

  He cleared his throat, “I would like to take Londyn out on a date tonight. I would like this to be the first of many dates. I will be nothing but respectful to her and will do nothing to hurt or insult her, tonight and every day from here on out. I swear it.” He said it confidently, looking straight at me, so I understood he was just as serious about what he spoke.

  Twin one said, “Good, we expect you to have her home at a decent hour. Whether you stay the night with her is up to her, but you will be considerate of her wishes and not push.” Good lord, I’m sure I was beet red. Okay this interrogation needed to be over. Tristan walked up to me and grabbed my chin and lifted so I could meet his eyes, “I would NEVER force you into anything. I swear.” He looked so sincere and open, as if here were laying his heart out to me. I couldn’t help but place my hand on his cheek and respond, “I know. I trust you.”

  With that he pulled me into his arms, and I wrapped my arms around his waist. This is where I belonged. “Thank you for giving me your trust, I will do all I can to be worthy of it.” He pulled away and gazed at me like I was the only one in his world. Until a throat cleared loudly, “Well then, our work here is done.” The twins broke our spell and left us alone, finally.

  Tristan seems to recover first, “Come on; I've been looking forward to this all day.” He links his fingers with mine pulling me towards the front door. “You look stunning by the way.” He says to me. I look at him smiling, “Thank you. You look handsome, as always.” I tell him honestly. I doubt this man ever looks bad.

  We went to a charming Italian restaurant that had the mostly delicious food. We talked about everything and nothing. Afterwards, we walked into town hand in hand. He pointed out different places he liked to go to, and introduced me to some of his pack members, as his girlfriend, that shocked the hell out of me, but I loved the way it felt. I belonged to him, which meant he belonged to me.

  After our walk, we drove up to the lookout he showed me before, which he now called our lookout. This man was turning me to a pile of goo, with all his sweetness. “Will you sit on my lap Londyn?” He asks holding his hand out as he sits on a rock. Heck yeah, I will, what sane woman wouldn’t. I sit down trying not to put too much weight on him, but he puts his arms around my waist and pulls me in taking all my weight at once. “I told you before, but you were a little inebriated. You weigh nothing, so let me hold you please. I want to tell you something important.” I give into the warmth of his arm
s and leaned into him.

  “Do you remember the last time we were up here, what you asked me?” I try to think back on our conversation that we had. Then I remember I asked him about his life-mate. Well shit. I just nod my head. This was going to hurt. “I should have told you then.” Great he actually had one. Well, this sucks, this date when downhill fast. I take a deep breath, to steel my nerves for the news. “I knew the moment I met you; you were mine. I just didn’t want to scare you away.” What? Me, I was his? I’m not a shifter. I tense and turn around and look at him with wide eyes.

  “What?!" I squeak out. “Please don’t be mad, I wanted to tell you the first day, but you were already going through so much.” Mad, he thought I was mad? Was I mad, no? I don’t think so? I don’t know what I am, shocked, confused, really fucking happy. “But…but, I'm not a shifter. I can’t make you stronger.” I stumble out. I don’t know what else to say. I was lucky to get those words out.

  “Londyn,” I can’t even focus, “look at me baby, please.” I’m about to pass out, I think. “It’s ok; I'm sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.” He’s rubbing my arms and hugging me. I need to get my head on straight, so I can talk, why is he apologize to me? I should be apologizing to him. He’s the one getting stuck with a crappy human for a life-mate. He didn’t even want a mate.

  “Tristan,” I pull away and put my arms on his shoulders, “why are you apologizing? I know this isn’t want you wanted, shouldn’t I be apologizing to you?” I say firmly, there I can function now; we can talk this out. I will be strong. “Are you kidding me? I have never been so happy in my life Londyn. I never wanted a mate before because I never met you. You are everything I never knew I wanted and needed. I want you to be with me always. I’m apologizing because I feel like I’m not giving you a choice, once again.” He’s serious; he is more worried about my feelings; he seems actually nervous that I don’t want him. He can’t be insecure; this man is the epitome of perfection.

  “Tristan,” how do I even ask, “are you nervous about something?” He looks at me confused, good I’m not the only one. “Uh, yeah. Well…you, I, um…”, he must be nervous if he can’t even formulate a sentence. I almost feel bad, but I can’t stop myself, I start laughing. This man seriously thinks I wouldn’t want him? That I would reject him? I was ready for him to reject me for his life-mate, someone I didn’t know was me, and I wanted to rip her eyes out on principle alone. Good thing it is me, it makes more sense now my strong feelings for him. My trust in him. How, whenever I’m with him, he feels like home. I laugh until my stomach hurts, and I’m crying.

  “Umm…Londyn, that isn’t helping my confidence any.” He says almost sadly, but I can see he is partially amused. I take a breath and wipe my eyes. I turn and look at him with my hands on his shoulders. “Tristan, I’m sorry for laughing, but the idea that you would think I wouldn’t want to be with you, that I wouldn’t be happy. That was hilarious. I told you before being with you feels like home. It makes so much sense now, my feelings, how I have been drawn to you from day one. No, I’m not mad. I’m not upset or hurt. I am nothing but absolutely fucking ecstatic.” I say confidently into his eyes. “Really?” He says almost sounding like a child who is getting to meet Santa.

  “Really.” I say back to him. He clears his throat, runs a hand up my hip then pulls closer, putting his other hand on my cheek; he whispers, “Can I please have the honor of your first kiss?” He says as if it would be bestowing a gift to him, how could I refuse? I’ve wanted to kiss him the moment I locked eyes on him, when he was in another woman’s arms. I just nod my head yes and we both lean in the last two inches between us.

  The moment his lips touch mine, I am lost. His kiss is soft and sweet. He lightly licks my top lip, and I instinctively open my mouth slighting to lick his back, and that is all the invitation he needs. The moment his tongue touches mine I swear I see fireworks. Both of us moan and lean into each other further. He puts both hands on the side of my face tilting me where he wants me and takes over. He is still soft and sweet, but with more passion, he plunges his tongue in my mouth caressing my tongue with his in the most erotic way, that has me squirming against him. I need more, but I don’t know what more I need of, but my body knows it needs to be closer. My wiggling causes him to groan loudly. He pulls back both of us out of breath, and I let out a small embarrassing whimper at the loss.

  “Trust me, I don’t want to stop, at all.” He says, and he attempts to adjust us and accidentally moves me against his erection that is HUGELY noticeable. He grunts again. “Umm, can we go back to the house?” He says gruffly. “I just want to kiss you more; nothing else has to happen okay. I just love tasting your lips and holding you.” I smile at him, ever the gentleman. I doubt I could tell him no, but I love that he doesn’t try to pressure me for anything else. It’s like he knows me better than I know myself. “I would like that, very much.” I tell him. I may not be ready for sex, but I am more than ready for kissing Tristan.

  Chapter 22

  Tristan

  I absolutely meant what I said. There was no way I was pushing for more. She has been through too much. However, I was selfish enough that I wanted to feel her against me and kiss her more. Her mouth tasted even better than I ever imagined, and I wanted more, every day for the rest of our lives. I got her back into my truck and drove to the house with her hand in mine. She knew everything. She was in this as deep as I was, and we were both happy. I knew we still had a long road ahead, but I knew together we were unstoppable.

  “Thank you Londyn for a wonderful evening, this was my first date too. I look forward to our next date.” I say with absolutely honesty. Hell, I look forward to any time with her. Luckily, I get more time right now, as we arrive at the house quickly and head inside. “Will you stay the night with me? All clothed, I…I really want to just hold you all night.” I don’t want to push, but I genuinely would just like her close. “Actually, I would like that. Can I get changed into something comfortable to sleep in?” Good, I get her all night. “Absolutely, I will get changed as well; I will pick you up from your room in 10 minutes.” I say squeezing her hand. “I’ll miss you.” I tell her as I kiss her forehead like I usually do when we go our separate ways. I rush to my room, make sure it’s clean and no dirty clothes are lying around. I change into some sleep pants and a tank top. I don’t like sleeping with clothes on but for her, I will. I’ll wear a damn onesie if it makes her happy.

  In less than 10 minutes, I am at her door, unashamedly excited to spend the night with her. I knock on her door and almost immediately she opens it, dressed in a tight tank top and tiny sleep shorts. She is going to kill me. “Ready sweetheart?” I ask her, holding out my hand. She smiles and grabs my hand as we head over to my room. I know she is nervous and truthfully so am I. I’ve never felt like this for anyone. I know we won’t be having sex, but it means so much more to me. “If I do anything that makes you uncomfortable please tell me immediately baby, okay. I won’t be upset or disappointed. Just being near you makes me happy.” I want her to know I don’t need to be physical with her to be pleased. “I know Tristan; I trust you. I just want to be close to you too.” She says as she squeezes my hand.

  We enter my room and head over to the bed; she's fidgeting already. I pull the covers back and lay down on my back, “Come here baby.” I want her comfortable, and I can tell she doesn’t know what she should or shouldn’t do. She relaxes and crawls over to me and lays her head on my arm as I hold her close. “This is all I want sweetheart.” I reassure her.

  She scoots up on her elbow and looks down at me. She clears her throat, “If I want to kiss more?” She asks me, and I turn on my side, and she moves with me so that we are both on our sides facing each other. “Then I will kiss you as long as you want, love.” I would never get tired of kissing her. I lean closer to her, “Can I kiss you again?” I ask. She smiles, “Tristan,” She puts her hands on my face, and she turns serious. “You don’t have to ask me permission anymore to kiss me. It
will take time for me to be confident enough to kiss you whenever I want, but I have no objections to you kissing me anytime, anywhere. More than likely, I will be wanting to kiss you any ways, so you are just answering my unspoken wishes.” I laugh at that because, yeah, I needed to hear that, and I’m glad she trusts me to be able to be openly affectionate with her.

  “Thank you, baby, but be forewarned you may get tired of me mauling your lips because I can tell your right now, I will want to kiss you a lot.” That’s a fact. “Doubtful sexy. I can’t imagine not wanting your kisses.” She called me sexy; that's it no more talking. I pull her into me quickly and make good on my promise and maul her lips. She moans into my mouth, and I pull her close, needing to feel her against me. I alternate between nibbling her lips and stroking her tongue with mine, and she feels so good. My erection is digging into her stomach, but I can’t help it; my wolf is begging for more as well, wanting her as much as I do. When she lifts her leg over my hip putting my cock right against her core, I swear I almost come right then.

  “Tristan, I need…I need more.” She breathes against my mouth, and I feel the same need. “Do you trust me?” I whisper to her; I'm not going to go too far, but I need her closer and she needs me too. I pull away to pull off my shirt and take off my sleep pants. I leave my boxer briefs on that are tented, without shame. I move back over to her facing her, “Do you have a bra and panties on baby?” I whisper. After a second, she answers. “I have panties on, no bra.” I just nod my understanding, and I pull her tank top slowly up so it’s just under her breasts but keeps them covered. Then I run my hands down her body to her sleep shorts and peel them down her legs. She is nervous and shivers a bit, so I pull the covers over us.