Chapter 71: Unspoken Truths
Trishelle’s POV
Four days had passed. Four days since her shameful behavior - though shame eluded her entirely. Instead, every recollection of James’s kiss sent shivers of desire coursing through her body. The memory clung to her consciousness like morning fog, refusing to dissipate whether she was awake or asleep. Each accidental encounter with him in the hallways ignited the same visceral response, her pulse quickening, her skin flushing warm. Once, she caught him staring - his hooded eyes blazing with unmistakable hunger as his gaze traveled from her lips to her breasts, then down the length of her body. The intensity stole her breath. When Bradley entered moments later, she practically dragged him to their room, where she made him beg for mercy. Yet no matter how many times they came together, an unsettling hollowness remained, as if something essential was missing.
Bradley sensed the shift in his mate’s behavior. His work sat neglected on his desk, abandoned in favor of her insatiable demands. At first, the attention delighted him - what man wouldn’t strut like a peacock when his mate desired him so aggressively? But beneath her passion lurked something troubling. Sometimes she looked at him with what he could only interpret as apology, or worse, guilt. The expression haunted him. What could she possibly feel guilty about? Perhaps she worried about being too demanding? Lorenzo had assured him that heightened desire was perfectly normal for pregnant females, yet this felt different somehow.
Mid-afternoon sunlight filtered through the curtains as Bradley held his naked, exhausted mate against his chest. They hadn’t ventured beyond their room since the previous night, opting instead to have a late brunch delivered. His fingers traced lazy patterns down her spine, and he felt her legs shift slightly, her body arching into his touch like a cat seeking warmth.
"Hmm... James..."
Bradley’s hand froze mid-stroke. Had he imagined that sleepy mumble? No - he’d heard it clearly. James. His brother’s name on his mate’s lips. Why would she say it? Why now, in this intimate moment? Questions bombarded his mind like hailstones. Thinking back over recent days, he realized James had been keeping his distance - strange behavior considering how close he’d grown to Trishelle over the past weeks. Had something happened between them? Was James upset about the incident at the store? Bradley dragged his hands over his face, frustration building in his chest. If he wanted answers, he’d have to confront one or both of them, regardless of how uncomfortable the conversation might be.
Carefully, he eased himself from beneath his pregnant mate. She reached instinctively for his pillow, hugging it close and snuggling under the thin cover he’d draped over her curves. A tender smile crossed his face despite his troubled thoughts. Quietly, he headed to the shower, letting the hot water wash away some of his tension before dressing and heading downstairs. He’d nearly reached James’s office when his phone rang.
The screen displayed his secretary’s name. Martha was an older werewolf, nearly old enough to be his mother, yet she remained the most competent person he’d ever worked with. Sharp as a tack and fiercely loyal - he thanked the Moon Goddess regularly that she was on his side.
He answered, and Martha dispensed with pleasantries. "Sir, I know you requested that we handle as much work remotely as possible, but I’m afraid your presence is mandatory in this situation."
As Bradley listened to her explanation, he knew she was right. The new factory under construction had attracted opposition from a competitor who’d filed complaints alleging worker rights violations, dangerous conditions, inadequate insurance and compensation - the list stretched on. Bradley sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose while a headache began to form.
"Alright, Martha, email me everything you have. I’ll head to the main office before we visit the site."
He could picture the older woman nodding while she pushed her glasses up her nose with one efficient finger. "Already done, sir," came her curt reply, and Bradley chuckled despite his frustration. "Martha, my love, I could kiss you."
A sharp inhale spun him around. Trishelle stood at the top of the stairs, wrapped in the thin blanket he’d covered her with earlier. Tears filled her eyes, and she looked as though he’d driven a knife straight through her heart. The raw pain on her face made his stomach drop.
"Trish, honey, it’s not what you think."
She huffed, spinning on her heel and stomping toward their room. The door slammed with enough force to rattle the frame. Bradley sighed heavily, pocketing his phone as he headed upstairs. He knew calming his emotional, pregnant mate would take considerable time and patience.
He paused outside their door and knocked gently. Silence greeted him. Slowly, he opened the door, half-expecting a well-aimed projectile to come flying at his head. When nothing materialized, he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. Trishelle sat on the bed, shoulders slumped in defeat, hugging her pillow as though it might anchor her to reality.
"Baby, it’s not what you think. Martha is..."
Trishelle flew to her feet, rage and hurt blazing in her eyes as angry tears streaked down her flushed cheeks. "Martha is just the woman you want to kiss, not even a minute after leaving your pregnant mate," she yelled, hurling the pillow at him with surprising force.
Bradley ducked, raising his hands in surrender, his heart aching at her distress.
"Just admit it, Bradley. You don’t want me anymore. I’ve gotten too... big. I’m no longer the pretty thing you wanted to be with. Now you’re just fed up with me, my needy, clingy ways." Her voice cracked on the last words, vulnerability bleeding through her anger.
The fight drained from her body like water from a broken vessel, and she crumpled to the floor, a sob racking through her frame. Shit, this wasn’t good. Pregnancy hormones combined with her guilt over James had created a perfect storm. Bradley rushed to her side and scooped her up, cradling her against his chest. Trishelle tried to push away from him, her fists beating against his hard chest when that failed. Bradley simply held her tighter and sat on the bed with her in his lap, gently shushing her while rocking side to side, the same motion one would use to comfort a distressed child.
Soon her sobs softened to sniffles, then to hiccups as she calmed in his arms. Bradley released a relieved breath, grateful the worst had passed.
Placing a hand on her tear-stained cheek, he gently tilted her face toward his, needing her to see the truth in his eyes. "My love, listen to me. I love you and you alone. I want you and ONLY you. I love your needy and clingy ways." He smiled, a wicked glint sparking in his eyes. "In fact, sometimes I wish to wrap you naked around me like a little koala bear - the only difference being that my cock would be buried deep inside you."
Trishelle’s face flushed crimson at his boldness, and Bradley chuckled, pleased to see color returning to her cheeks. "The only problem I have with that fantasy is that I’d hate for anyone else to glimpse that luscious ass of yours."
Bradley thought she might spontaneously combust from the way her entire body turned scarlet.
"But..." she mumbled, still uncertain.
Bradley eased his hand into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He performed a quick search, navigating to his company’s website and the page listing key board members. He clicked on a specific profile and handed the phone to Trishelle. She took it, staring at the screen with confusion creasing her brow. Bradley simply raised an eyebrow, waiting.
Trishelle wiped at her eyes and looked again. The photo showed an older woman with elegantly greying hair, stylish glasses, and an air of refined professionalism. She read the name beside the picture: Martha Sawyer, Secretary to the CEO.
"Um... so she is your secretary?" Trishelle asked, her voice small.
Bradley nodded patiently. "So you didn’t really want to kiss her?"
Bradley smiled warmly, "I did, but as a son would kiss a mother. I tell you, she certainly scolds me like one when I step out of line."
Trishelle smiled, the painful knot in her heart finally loosening. Bradley felt her body relax against him, tension melting away, and he planted a tender kiss on her hair, breathing in her familiar scent. He explained the basics of the factory situation and informed her that he’d need to leave immediately for the airport.
Trishelle nodded, understanding dawning in her eyes, and kissed him before climbing off his lap to help him pack a small suitcase. The domestic gesture warmed him despite the circumstances. He called Sam to bring the car around, and soon Bradley was kissing her a breathless farewell that left them both wanting more.
Rubbing her belly protectively, Trishelle stood at the window until she could no longer see or hear the car’s engine. Only then did she turn, heading toward the backyard, needing fresh air and solitude to wrap her head around the revelation that her mate was the CEO of a massive company. What else didn’t she know about the man she’d bonded with? And more pressingly, what was she going to do about these dangerous feelings for James that refused to fade?