Page 5 of Nanny's Mate

“You’re kidding!” Beatriz tossed back her second shot of tequila and laughed loudly as Karla finished telling a hilarious story about Nate and the first time he changed a diaper. It had been years since she’d had this kind of fun, and she was grateful that Karla, her employer, had allowed her to enjoy time out with her new friends.

Ellie handed her another shot, and Beatriz tossed it back like water. While alcohol couldn’t get shifters drunk, it sure could make them happy and giggly. She couldn’t remember a time she had so much fun.

The front doors opened, and Caleb, Aric, Nate, and a man Beatriz didn’t recognize walked in. In that second, it felt like everything in life had led up to this one moment. Her eyes found his, this man she didn’t know, and something otherworldly came over her.

Beatriz froze. Never in her life had she felt anything like this. He was a beautiful man, tall, strong, and sexy, but that wasn’t the attraction. It was something innate, something primal.

That’s our mate.

Her wolf’s voice sounded throughout her head, and Beatriz’s eyes found his once more. Despite not knowing him, despite never meeting him, she longed to reach out and touch him. She wanted to hold his hand and feel the warmth of his skin under her fingers.

What would he smell like? Better yet, what would he taste like?

These thoughts ran rampant through her mind, and not once did her gaze falter. She kept her eyes planted firmly on his, even when her friends rose from the table to prevent their mates from crashing their festivities.

“You guys can’t be here!” Karla shrieked.

Her voice brought Beatriz back to the present, and Beatriz shook her head to clear it. She realized suddenly that she was sitting alone at the table. She watched Jordan pretend to be angry and refuse the men entry.

Caleb swooped in and picked up his very pregnant wife, spinning her around and planting a kiss on her lips. “Ellie, Mike wanted to see the bar. You can’t deny him this one simple pleasure after all he’s done for us.”

With a dramatic sigh, Ellie turned her doe eyes to Mike. Beatriz, hearing the sound of his name, felt a thrill deep inside. Mike …

Her mate.

“Well, I suppose if Mike wants to see my new bar, he can.” Ellie giggled as Caleb swooped down again to kiss her. “Go away, you big oaf,” she said affectionately. “Come in, Mike. I’ll give you a tour. Do you want to try some wine? I’ve got some great years here.”

Mike’s eyes darted from Ellie to Beatriz and back again. “Sure. What are my options?”

Thrilled to show yet another person around her bar, Ellie ushered Mike around the building, offering him various wines to sample.

“Here, try this one.”

Beatriz watched Ellie offer Mike a wine glass that she repeatedly poured small amounts of different types of wine into.

“This one is my favorite. It’s locally made, but I love the hint of blackberries and vanilla.”

“It is good,” Mike agreed.

Even the sound of his voice lured Beatriz in. She longed to hear more of it, and every time he spoke, she leaned closer, hoping to hear another word fall from his lips. The draw to him was irrevocable, and she could tell that Mike was equally as tantalized by her as she was by him.

Regularly, she caught his eyes flickering in her direction. Every time she met his gaze, her stomach jumped. The excitement in her gut was building to an unbearable crescendo that made her want to shift and run to release all the pent-up energy.

She was vaguely aware of Aria speaking to her. It wasn’t until she felt a sharp poke in her ribs that she returned her attention once more to what was going on around her. Aria was going on about how Trevan had set up their nursery, but when she realized the object of Beatriz’s attention, she surmised the situation quickly.

“He’s quite a catch, Bea. You’re very lucky.”

Dumbfounded, Beatriz shook her head. This couldn’t possibly be happening. She felt strange, not in a bad way, but everything felt different now.

Aria smiled. Her red lips were a sharp contrast against her pale face. “Be grateful. There is nothing better in the world than finding your mate.” Her voice was low, and she leaned in even closer. “He’ll do anything for you. In and out of bed.”

Beatriz’s cheeks flamed with color, and Barbara, who sat across the table, overheard despite Aria’s whispered words.

“Mike, eh? He is one good-looking man, I must say. Oh, look. Ellie is bringing him over here to introduce you.” Barbara grinned widely, but Beatriz felt waylaid.

Ellie, having no idea what was transpiring, moved as quickly as her advanced pregnancy would allow. In one hand, she held a napkin with cheese. With the other, she pulled Mike merrily along behind her.

“Mike, this is Karla’s nanny, Beatriz. She is an absolute marvel when it comes to children. I’m a little jealous that I didn’t find her first.” Ellie laughed and patted her bulging belly.