The Mechanic's Mate Read Online Free PDF Page B

overwhelming to some people. Not me,” she said with a twinkle in her eye, “but others.

Chapter 5
    Sadie, itchy and on edge, jumped as the door opened, even though she had the warning of the familiar scents and footsteps growing closer. Now that she no longer had the bone deep ache from wounds or gnawing emptiness in her belly, new sensations flowed throughout. Something stirred inside her. The feeling wasn’t just arousal tingling every time she saw Domek. Oh hell, always . Something else crawled under her skin.
    Is that my wolf? Why is the inner beast so restless? Oh please let me not have crazy werewolfism like my sire.
    Splitting into different directions as Kara and Domek entered, the alpha once again sat by her side to ease their fingers together. She stared at their entwined hands, embarrassed by her rough calloused palms. They had been well worn by hard work, wrist to fingertips.
    “My hands are too rough.”
    “What? No, your hands feel perfect. What has you thinking that way?”
    Oh goddess, she said that out loud? I’m losing it! “Oh, um nothing. I just . . .” Her cheeks almost boiled with the blush creeping up her neck.
    “Sadie, I know I’ve warned you, answers like that are unacceptable with your alpha.” Softening stern words with a gentle tone, he continued, “I need all details of your story now and cannot tolerate less than complete disclosure. Understand?”
    “Yes, Alpha.” Bristling over being chastised, she tried to keep the raw emotion out of her voice. “I was just thinking that my hands were as rough as yours which made me feel . . . unattractive.” If heat indicated color, she must be glowing bright beet red.
    I don’t care if he thinks I’m pretty, he’s alpha . . . plus I’m already mated. Oh goddess! Tears, once again, spilled over hot cheeks upon realizing what she had done.
    Kara broke the tension by clearing her throat. “Ahem, I’m running some errands,” she called from the now open front door. “I’ll be back soon, with chocolate. I know you don’t know me yet, Sadie, but you will. I am here for you, okay.” With a small smile she clicked the door shut behind her.
    Sadie heard Domek take a deep breath, and then felt his rough fingers under her chin tilting her head up. Focusing on his mouth, she tracked every minute movement. “The children of Gaia live within this enclave. Every man, woman, and child works with their hands here. You will notice that everyone’s hands appear rough. But let me make clear that, even if they were not, there is nothing about you I find unattractive. Okay?”
    “Okay.” She sighed in relief. Not so bad.
    His hand dropped. “Now, let’s discuss what happened with Eridon.”
    Eridon. His voice in her head saying she lacked even a thread of femininity, or attractiveness. That she was, and always would be less .
    Just like the flip of a switch, relief from moments ago went dark. “Am I going to be crazy when I shift?” She didn’t mean to start there, but recalling Eridon’s behaviors once they’d been linked, such horrendous treatment. Sadie couldn’t live with herself if she became a monster like him.
    “No! Well, I don’t think so. Yes, that wolf always struck me as different, even before he left.” Domek moved his hand onto her knee. “Most likely Eridon had always been unstable. However, I believe the behavior has little to do with his wolf. Since you were willing when changed, but ended up with a partial bond, I don’t know what to expect. I need details. All of them.”
    “Where do I start?”
    “Start at the beginning, Sadie. How about when you first met Eridon.”
    “Okay.” Preparing for a difficult conversation she took time to decide where to start. “About six months ago, he entered my shop needing mecha.”
    Domek gave a questioning look, but it changed into quick realization. “Oh, by mecha, you mean the mechanism he chose to modify his left arm with?”
    Nodding, Sadie added, “Yes, though he