Shadowing the Teacher (Perfect Pairs Book 3)

  EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ®

  www.evernightpublishing.com

  Copyright© 2016 Tamsin Baker

  ISBN: 978-1-77233-980-2

  Cover Artist: Sour Cherry Designs

  Editor: Karyn White

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  DEDICATION

  To my caveman, my big mush and my best friend. I love loving you- it has been my honor. Thank you for all your inspiration and support through everything we've been through. I couldn't ask for more from a husband.

  SHADOWING THE TEACHER

  Perfect Pairs, 3

  Tamsin Baker

  Copyright © 2016

  Chapter One

  “Breathe, Reid, just breathe. There has to be an explanation for this.”

  Kane reached over and squeezed his twin brother’s forearm, as much for Reid’s benefit as his own. He sucked some much needed oxygen into his lungs as his heart hammered hard enough against his ribs to make his stomach lurch with the need to vomit. Streams of adrenaline were pumping through his weakened body, making lights dance at the edge of his vision.

  “But … she can’t be, Kane, you know she can’t. What the hell is this?”

  I have no bloody idea.

  He didn’t want to admit to his huge twin that he was at a loss, too, and since Reid was freaking out, it looked like it had fallen on him to find out what was going on.

  He tried one more time. “Seriously, Reid, there has to be an explanation for this. Just calm down.” He squeezed his twin’s forearm and stood up.

  This tingling, excited feeling that was infiltrating both him and his Perfect Pair brother was scary. It was the opposite of what they had expected to find when they’d come to visit their family for Jack and Scott’s wedding. Their purpose was to say goodbye to everyone. They’d waited out the first year of their grief, expecting a sickness or something similar to set in. The legends had foretold their deaths, but not the how or why.

  “Hey, guys. Enjoying the party?”

  Kane turned towards the sound of Jack’s voice, one of the grooms and their first cousin on their mother’s side.

  “Yes, we are, thanks for the invitation, Jack. And congratulations again. You seem very happy.”

  Reid had stood and now loomed silent beside him. Kane straightened his spine against the cold wave that wafted towards him. Reid had lost all warmth and sensibilities in the past year, and it was creepy to barely recognize his twin.

  Jack grinned and slapped him on the arm, the strength of the blow enough to make Kane’s shoes slip on the grass.

  Jack steadied him with a wink. It was strange to think Reid had once been as big as the mountain that Jack was. “Sorry, mate. Yeah, we’re rapt. It was great that you were able to make it.”

  Kane smiled at his cousin’s happy demeanor, but he was still very aware of his brother being too silent beside him.

  “We were glad to make it. Reid and I have both taken leaves of absence from work and haven’t given a date to go back.”

  Which was mostly because they’d expected to be dead by now.

  Thirteen months, twenty-one days. But who’s counting?

  Jack’s twin, Scott, walked up and shook both of their hands. “So glad you both made it.”

  Reid cleared his throat with painful, rough purring sounds. “Kane, I think we should go.”

  Kane squashed the growl that rose in response to his brother’s suggestion that they leave without finding out about the woman on the dance floor.

  Wow, that’s amazing.

  He hadn’t shifted in over a year, and hadn’t sensed his lion anywhere near him. One disagreement with his twin and his shifter was back? Or was it the woman calling to them?

  He tilted his head toward the siren call. “Could either of you tell us who the woman dancing with your wife is?”

  As a group, they all turned to look over at the stage where Ashleigh waved her arms, wiggled her bum, and danced with a group of women. She had been talking earlier to the brunette that both he and Reid felt a connection to, and now they were laughing and hugging each other.

  Scott’s voice moved closer. “Why do you ask, Kane? Are you feeling something?”

  Kane weighed up his options, and lying was one of them. He opened his mouth, and the only answer that was possible came out. “Yeah, we both do. Not sure what it is, but we’d like to find out before we head home.”

  “You might.” Reid’s gruff voice said next to him, and Kane turned and glared up at his twin. They were both in hell anyway. What difference did it make if they turned the heat up a notch?

  “I’ll go get her.”

  Jack brushed past Kane as he moved towards the dance floor, embracing his beautiful bride as he got within arm’s length. Ashleigh absolutely glowed with happiness as Jack kissed her and talked to her with a love that was obviously returned. Tendrils of envy and stabbing sadness wove through Kane as he watched them, piercing his heart. His shoulders were aching with tension, and his throat was too rough to swallow. His eyes wandered away from the lovebirds to where the brunette was chatting and dancing, his belly clenching in strange waves of unease. She was very, very beautiful. There was no other word for the aura of light and happiness she emitted.

  Finally, the big footballer pulled his bride away from the stage and joined them once again. “Ash, these are our cousins from up north, Kane and Reid. This is our wife and mate, Ashleigh.”

  He smiled at Jack and Scott’s wife, her skin glowing in the well lit area.

  “It’s lovely to meet you both.” She smiled back at them, and Kane stumbled to greet her.

  “Hi.”

  Reid coughed and nodded his head. “Yes, you, too.”

  Ashleigh stepped a little closer to Jack and Scott, who both moved to comfort her, kissing her bare shoulders in a soothing move. She seemed skittish now, and it pained Kane to see it. They really must present worse than he thought if this beautiful woman showed signs of discomfort in their presence. But then again, when was the last time he’d looked in a mirror?

  Scott spoke to his wife with gentle tones. “Sweetheart, can you tell us about the little brunette you were talking to just now?”

  Ashleigh stared up at Scott as he asked her the question, then looked at Kane and Reid with her eyebrows raised.

  “You mean Samantha?” Ashleigh turned her head, and they all followed suit, watching the group of women on the dance floor. They were all lovely, young and gorgeous, but the woman Kane was asking about kept drawing his gaze like a moth to the flame.

  “Yeah, the shorter, curvy one.” Jack grinned at Ashleigh and Kane frowned. Was she? He had another good look at the woman his cousin’s wife called Samantha. She was shorter and more voluptuous than the women around her. He hadn’t really noticed initially.

  Ashleigh bumped Jack with her hip and smiled back at him.

  “Sam’s great. She’s twenty-eight or nine, a schoolteacher, who lives about two hours from here. Single, fun, opinionated, and has the biggest heart in the world. Why?”

  She was younger than he’d thought, but the rest all sounded good. Not that he was interested in anything other than finding out what the strange feeling he and his twin was experiencing, of course.

  �
�Kane and Reid feel a connection to her, and we were wondering about her, that’s all.”

  Scott added, “Actually, honey, I think it might be a good idea to introduce them.”

  Scott turned to wink at Kane, and horror flooded through him like a sudden storm, drenching him in adrenaline and sweat. His cousin couldn’t be thinking that they were interested in Sam for anything more than knowledge?

  “I hope you’re not implying what I think you are, Scott. Our mate died. We don’t need to meet another woman.”

  Scott stepped towards him, his face full of concern and worry. He was so sick of those expressions. “But you shouldn’t still be alive. Kane, it doesn’t make sense. Perhaps you were … mistaken.”

  Kane stumbled away as pain made his muscles tremble and weaken so he could barely stand. Reid stepped back even further, pulling at Kane’s shoulder as though to get him away from Scott. “No! Amanda was perfect for us.”

  The tension of the group was making Jack growl and grab Ashleigh, pulling her behind him. Kane’s own body began to ripple with the warmth of transformation, and he took a deep breath to calm his heart. He couldn’t possibly shift in his grief. It was impossible.

  Scott stepped forward again, his hands up and out as though he was offering a peaceful entreaty. “I’m not saying she wasn’t. Maybe fate designed you two mates, knowing you’d lose Amanda early on? I don’t know, but if you are still alive and feeling the connection again, why wouldn’t you chase it? Jack and I did, despite all the shit we went through, and it was the best decision of our lives.”

  Kane shook his head and continued to move backwards. Away from the painful promise his cousin’s words evoked, and the fear that consumed his every thought.

  “I hope you never know how this feels, Scott. It’s…” Kane’s voice broke, and he turned away, pulling his brother with him. He’d tried to be the strong and calm one, but today he’d failed miserably.

  They moved through the crowd and finally stepped into clean air, the path to their car now a clear one.

  Today had been a mistake. Why had they thought that coming to another Perfect Pair wedding was a good idea? Jack and Scott were just as happy as he and Reid had been on their wedding day. Seeing them all together and glowing with love was enough to make his heart ache. But to feel tendrils of life again on seeing Samantha had been too much to bear.

  “Let’s go back to the motel.” Reid took out his car keys, opened their rental and jumped in.

  Kane grabbed at the door handle and let his eyes lift up to see the lights still flickering through the trees surrounding the reception and its guests.

  “I wish it were true, Scott. But it’s just not possible.”

  He let his voice drift towards his cousin, where he stood out of earshot, still at the party. He got into the car and let Reid drive him away. From their family, from the bridal party and the woman who’d made him feel more alive than he had in more than a year.

  ****

  “I can’t believe you’re married to two men, Ash!” Sam playfully pushed at her beautiful cousin, shaking her head at the whole unusual situation. “And Laura, too!”

  There was obviously something strange going on around here, and it looked contagious.

  Ashleigh laughed and fluttered her eyelashes at Sam, her sparkling eyes a testament to how happy she was. “Well, I can tell you, it works ten times better than any other relationship I’ve ever had.”

  Sam giggled, noting, not for the first time, the healthy glow to her cousin’s face. “I’m sure they keep you very well satisfied.”

  Ashleigh burst out laughing and linked their arms, pulling her so that they could walk away from the group. “We’re heading off on our honeymoon on Monday, as otherwise I would have loved to spend more time with you. You need to come back for a longer visit next time.”

  Sam smiled and nodded. “Totally agree. I managed to take the week off, so I’m going to do some sightseeing and relaxing while I’m here. Catch up with Laura, too.”

  Sam needed a holiday more than anything, and catching up with her cousins had been a great excuse. She was very much looking forward to seeing how Laura was coping with being pregnant and working fulltime still. Though Sam was pretty sure that having two husbands on hand would make a pretty big difference.

  Ash squeezed her arm tight. “Oh, that’s great! Maybe you could stay at our place for the week? Have you organized accommodation yet?”

  Sam smiled at her generous cousin. “I’ve booked it for the week, but haven’t paid yet.”

  “Brilliant! Then you can house-sit for us! Are you coming to the barbecue tomorrow? We’re having all the family over for lunch.”

  Sam smiled and grabbed Ashleigh’s hands in her own, her cousin squeezing tight.

  “I’ll be there with bells on, but are you sure, Ash? I’d hate to put you out like that.”

  Ash shook her head. “Not at all. I don’t want you cooped up in a hotel room when you could have the run of our new place. Do you know how to get there?”

  “I think someone gave me the address. It should be in my phone.” She hoped it was anyway. She wasn’t the most organized person in the world and knowing her she’d be lost all day.

  “Great. Jack and Scott used to live separately, and they’ve kept those houses and rented them out. We bought a new home over near Laura actually. It’s got a huge back yard, perfect for entertaining.”

  Sam pulled Ashleigh in for a tight hug, love for her cousin pouring through her like hot lava. “I am so happy for you, sweetheart. You deserve to be happy after everything you’ve been through.”

  Even if it is to two, older, hunky men, which is just plain weird.

  Sam had never liked Ashleigh’s ex-husband. She’d tried for the sake of her cousin to get along with him, but every time she saw him, he just gave her the creeps. The stories of his emotional abuse had made Sam’s hair stand on end.

  Ashleigh pulled back and gave her a contented smile. “No more than you deserve to be happy, Sam. I hope you find the man, or men, for you very soon.”

  Sam burst out laughing. “Men? Me? Why? Does your pair have another set of brothers I should meet?”

  That’d be the day! She could barely hold the interest of one man, let alone two.

  “No, not brothers exactly, but they’ve got some cousins I’d love you to meet.”

  Sam let her hands drop away from Ashleigh’s, her smile falling from her face.

  She hadn’t thought about the possibility of her family trying to set her up with anyone. No one knew about her boyfriend of almost a year. She hadn’t introduced Bill to anyone yet, but that was her choice. She didn’t need everyone knowing her personal business. But it would have stopped this happening.

  “No, I don’t need a fix up. Please don’t.”

  “What do you mean? You’re so gorgeous any guy would be ecstatic to have you!”

  Sam groaned and rolled her eyes. “Ash, really. I’m fine just the way I am.”

  Ashleigh’s gaze fell away in obvious disappointment, and Sam pulled back her patience. “Look, I understand that you’re just trying to help, but I’m happy.”

  Ashleigh smiled kindly and cocked her head. “Well, come to the lunch tomorrow anyway, and I’ll introduce you to Jack and Scott’s family. They’re all lovely. You’ll have a good time no matter what, I’m sure.”

  Yeah, I know I will.

  She’d have Laura and Ash to talk to, and there were a few other cousins she was looking forward to seeing, too. Sam turned as people began approaching the bride and decided to make her exit. A song she loved had just come over the speakers, and she began bouncing on the spot in time with the music.

  “I better get back to your party, sweetheart. Congratulations again! You really are the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”

  Ashleigh flushed pink and gave her a coy smile. “Thanks, Sam.”

  A couple of her in-laws grabbed Ashleigh, so Sam turned and danced her way back to the dance floor. She was
happy as she was, loud, big-assed, and proud of it. Well, mostly she was. She was a good person, and she had a lot to offer someone. She had a boyfriend, but she knew he wasn’t the one. She hoped one day she’d find a man who could love her for all her faults as well.

  Chapter Two

  Sam straightened up her blousy white top and tugged at the denim shorts that were rising up her thighs. They were far too tight. She’d put on a bit more weight, and her boobs were threatening to overflow the cups of her bra. “Shit, seriously gotta get onto a diet.”

  She laughed at herself as she walked up the path of the spectacular, new home that was now Ashleigh’s. A diet? Her? Ha! They never worked. She loved her food far too much, and if she was really honest, she kinda liked being different from everyone else. Well, the women at her job or in her community. Here, in amongst her family she was almost an average size.

  Ha! Average, normal. Her? She was insulting herself now.

  She stopped just outside the front door and stared up at the home before her. The house itself was a double storey with a huge wraparound porch on the ground floor. It was practically brand new, with a carved wooden door that became clearer now that she was closer.

  “It’s a mountain lion. Wow. Beautiful.” She rang the doorbell, then ran her fingers along the mane of the animal carved into the wood, the warm, natural fiber smooth beneath her hand. It was a spectacular piece of artwork.

  The door swung open, and Jack stood on the other side of the threshold, all six foot four inches of him. She craned her neck to look up at him. He had a big grin plastered on his face.

  “Samantha right? So glad you could make it.”

  Sam felt her eyebrows rise in surprise and tried not to let it show too much on the rest of her face. How did Jack remember her after all the family he’d met for the first time yesterday?