by Lauren Wood
“Micah? Earth to Micah.”
Micah shook his head in an effort to pull himself from her invisible grasp. Brent Jenson, the pack security, snapped his fingers. “Sorry,” he muttered.
“The view is nice,” Brent said with an easy smile.
Brent wasn’t kidding. Micah’s penthouse condo stood twenty floors up and overlooked the expansive mountains in the background. It was beautiful, but Micah hated to be so high up in the air. He’d much rather be in the woods. But this was where the alpha lived: in the grotesquely expensive condo that looked down on everyone else. “What were you saying?”
“There has been a coup in the vampire clan. The new leader, Andre de’Massier wants to meet with you next week.”
Micah raised his eyebrows and leaned back. “Did we know that there was trouble in the clan?” The vampires were a secretive group, and while they mostly kept to themselves, the alliance between the vampires and the shifters were uneasy at best. Neither trusted the other.
“No. And all of my sources are equally surprised, but the rumors are that de’Massier wants a solid peace. He’s supposedly less tempered and more logical than the last leader.”
Micah nodded his head slowly. “If true, that would certainly be good news. What do you think?”
Brent hesitated. “I think that we need to be careful. Until we have more information, I’d like to double your security detail.”
Micah waved his hand. “No. That won’t be necessary. I’m rarely alone, anyways. Schedule the meeting with de’Massier. Make sure it’s as close to the full moon as possible, and provide a gift from us as a congratulations for his promotion. And dig deeper. If the vampire clan is divided, I want to know why.”
His friend nodded. “Micah, are you okay? You’ve been quiet these past few days.”
“Just thinking,” Micah replied with a tight smile. Brent nodded and exited the room.
Even in his own home, Micah was never alone. Jackson lived just below him, and Brent had an office on the top floor. And if one of them didn’t need anything, security guards roamed the place. There was never any chance for solitude.
And he craved solitude. If nothing else, he wanted to be alone with his thoughts of the alluring nurse, Stacey.
Chapter Four
The silk sheets twisted around her body as Stacey moaned. He hovered over her, gliding his hands over her body, delving into her secret places. Tension mounted inside her, but that release was just out of reach. She raked her nails over his toned body and cried out of more. She needed him. She needed him deep inside her. Nothing else would satisfy the desperate ache that haunted her.
Beep. Beep. Beep. Beep.
Stacey’s eyes flew open as the alarm brought her back to the rude reality. Her white sheets were drenched in sweat and wrapped around her. She must have tossed and turned all night, and after that dream, it was no wonder.
Three of her four glorious days off had passed, but she’d been plagued by dreams and daydreams of the sexy man from the hospital.
But there was no point in dreaming. Chances were slim that she’d ever run into him again, and even if she did, he’d never look twice at her. She was a plump, overworked, nobody. People like her didn’t bag men like him.
But God, the things that he did to her in his dreams. At least a girl could fantasize.
She hauled herself out of bed and tried to focus on the day ahead of her. She’d spent the last three days recuperating, but today she needed to clean and get a few things done around town. Elizabeth, her best friend, was celebrating her birthday this weekend, and Stacey still needed to get her a gift. Not to mention that even though she lived in scrubs, her laundry had piled up.
With a sigh, she did a few stretches before starting a pot of coffee. Nothing happened without caffeine.
Two hours later, she found herself roaming the second sporting goods store. Elizabeth was an adrenaline junkie, and Stacey wanted to get her something new to try. Her friend had mentioned that she’d always wanted to do some zip lining, and the other store had recommended G&S Industries. Apparently they had excellent guides for that sort of thing.
She wandered around for the store for a bit before she made her way to customer service. A young pretty brunette smiled at her. “Can I help you?” she asked in that fake customer service tone.
“I hope so. I was told that you offer zip lining packages through the Woodland?”
“You enjoy zip lining?”
The familiar voice curled around her, and for a moment, Stacey forgot to breathe.
It couldn’t be.
As she turned her head, her heart started to pound furiously. The patient from the hospital leaned against the counter with a crooked smile on his face.
She swallowed hard. She was no clothing connoisseur, but she knew money when she saw it. The grey suit alone that cut so close to his figure would probably have cost her several month’s worth of paychecks.
“Mr. Gordon,” she said as she struggled to regain her composure.
“Stacey,” he acknowledged. Her name on his lips sent her heart fluttering.
“How’s the hand?” she asked quickly. Her eyes flitted down to the injury, and she frowned. There was no dressing on it. There was no sign of the injury whatsoever.
“Good as new,” he said with a smile as he flexed his hand.
Astonished, she grabbed his hand and studied it. “That’s not possible,” she murmured. His skin was warm under hers, but she ignored it. “The stiches shouldn’t have dissolved for at least another three days.” Her eyes rounded when she realized the implications. “You’re a shifter.”
He cocked his head when she quickly dropped his hand. “Does that bother you?”
“Of course not,” she said hastily. “I just don’t know much about shifters, that’s all. I’d heard the rumors that you heal quickly. Apparently very quickly. But I’ve never seen it in action.”
Should she ask what kind of shifter he was? Is that rude?
Micah read her thoughts. “I’m a bear shifter. And yes, we do heal rather quickly. But sometimes, we need a little bit of help. Like the stitches, for example.”
He stared at her thoughtfully for a moment before looking at the girl behind the counter. She was staring at him with stars in her eyes. “Katya, why don’t you take a break? I’ll finish Ms. Bronson’s transaction.”
“Of course, Mr. Gordon. Thank you,” she said before batting her eyes and scampering away. Stacey watched as he walked around the counter and smiled.
“G&S Industries,” she murmured. “Gordon and… ?”
“Steward.”
Stacey did a mental check in her head. Dangerously sexy. Shifter. Billionaire. Of course he was all these things. There was only one other way he could possibly top that list.
Unless…
“Alpha?” she asked jokingly.
“Yes. Bear clan.”
A burst of laugher escaped her. “Of course. And you’re going to book my friend for her zip lining trip.”
He cocked his head. “Is that funny to you?”
“You don’t exactly look comfortable behind the counter, Mr. Gordon.”
“Call me Micah. And there was a time when I worked behind the counter,” he said, clearly amused. “You did your job to help me. Now I’ll do mine to help you. Your friend wants to go zip lining?”
“For her birthday. I was hoping I could buy a package without setting up a date. It’s a surprise, and I’m not sure about her availability.”
He nodded and bent down to peer at the computer. “That’s not a problem. We can do a voucher that she can cash in whenever she’d like. What’s her name?”
“Elizabeth Morris.”
He entered her name and printed out a piece of paper. She immediately reached for her wallet and checked the receipt for the total. It had a zero balance.
“Oh, I’d actually like to go ahead and pay for it today,” she said as she pushed the sheet of paper back. “It’s a birthday present for her
.”
“It’s already taken care of,” he said in a neutral voice.
For a moment, she was confused. “What do you mean it’s already taken care of?”
“You stitched up my hand. I’m providing you with a service,” he said easily.
Irritation built up inside her. “Dr. Littleston stitched up your hand. I helped because it’s my job. I get paid to do it. You don’t owe me any favors. Don’t think that because I’m not rich like you, I can’t afford to take my friend on a trip. I didn’t come here to get a free trip. I didn’t even know I would find you here.”
His eyes widened in surprise. “That’s not what I mean,” he started quickly.
“Forget,” Stacey snapped. “I’ll find something else to get Elizabeth. Thank you for your time.”
Seething in rage, she turned and stalked down the aisles. He didn’t know her. How dare he think that she needed something for free!
As she pushed open the double doors, a hand pressed against her waist and whirled her around. She shrieked as she stumbled against the wall. He caught her and pushed her gently to the side. Micah loomed over her with anger in his eyes. Her breath caught, but it wasn’t fear that she felt.
She was turned on.
“I didn’t do it because I think you’re a charity case,” he said in a low voice. “I think you’ve misread the situation. And I certainly don’t appreciate you walking out on me like that.”
“I didn’t misread anything. You failed to explain yourself clearly, and I’m not part of your pack. I can go wherever I please,” Stacey said. She winced when she heard the attitude in her voice. It was probably not helping the situation.
Fascinated, she watched as the muscle in his jaw clenched. Clearly she had said something that really pissed him off. “Are you dating the doctor?” he demanded.
“What?” she asked, trying to keep up with the new turn in the conversation.
“The damn doctor who couldn’t keep his eyes off you. Are you dating him?” he asked succinctly.
“Dr. Littleston? No,” she said as she grimaced.
“I’m not treating you like a charity case. I just wanted to get you attention,” he said as he backed up to give her more space. She glanced quickly around to make sure no one was watching. She cleared her throat.
“You definitely have my attention.”
“Have dinner with me tomorrow night,” he said quietly.
“Okay,” she said automatically. “Wait, I can’t. I have to work. I’m working the next four days, but afterwards—“
“Have dinner with me tonight,” he interrupted.
Tonight? Tonight was so soon. She needed to shave. And do something with her hair. Buy a new outfit. Lose ten pounds. “Okay,” she whispered.
He nodded. Satisfaction was written all over his face. “I’ll pick you up at six.” He leaned in close, and for a moment, Stacey thought he was going to kiss her. Instead, he straightened and turned to walk back in the store.
“You don’t know where I live,” she called out to him.
He turned and smiled wickedly. “Actually, I do.”
Her jaw dropped as he entered the store. It should have been creepy, but to know that he’d checked up on her was hot. She felt safe around him.
Chapter Five
“What’s it like being a shifter?”
Micah sat back in his chair and looked thoughtfully at Stacey. They were nearing the end of their meal, and he could tell she’d been dying to ask all night. “I’ve always been a shifter, so I can’t really explain what it’s like to not be a shifter. I do straddle two different societies. My pack has its own set of rules to govern themselves, and the city recognizes that, but at the same time, we have to adhere to the rules set aside by the government. We shift during the full moon, but my humanity still remains. I’m human the rest of the month, but my bear still remains. We’re always one.”
He watched as she hid behind her wine while she contemplated his words. The date was going well. They were both obviously restrained and polite. He knew that he was doing something wrong, but he couldn’t help himself. There was an energy around that woman that he simply couldn’t deny.
Micah also knew that Stacey had never met a shifter. She regarded him carefully. It was clear that she was attracted to him, but she’d already put up a wall. He wasn’t sure which part of him she was keeping out.
He’d told both Jackson and Brent about the date. They’d both told him to put his feelings aside to focus on Bridgette instead. He’d picked up the phone several times to cancel the date, but he simply couldn’t do it. There was something about Stacey, and he needed to discover more.
“I’m not dangerous,” he said softly as he placed his card in the check presenter. The waiter was silent as he came around to pick it up.
She scoffed. “Not dangerous? Clearly you haven’t seen you from an outsider’s perspective. First of all, you just look dangerous. You’ve got that dark brooding look about you. Second of all, you’re beyond wealthy. That much money is already dangerous. And finally, everyone knows that the alliance between shifters and vampires are uneasy at best. You being the leader of one of those clans is downright dangerous.”
He considered her words. She wasn’t wrong of course, but once again, she had misjudged what he meant. “My bear isn’t dangerous. If I shifted in front of your, I wouldn’t hurt you,” he explained.
She reddened. “Sorry,” she muttered.
The waiter brought the check presenter back with a smile, and Micah signed the slip and returned the credit card to his wallet. He didn’t want the evening to end, but they had already been at the restaurant for two hours. And as much as he wanted to continue their date elsewhere, he knew it wasn’t fair for her.
It’s not like this can turn into anything. You can’t keep her.
“Are you ready?” he asked softly.
She nodded and stood. He waited for her to pass before putting his hand lightly around her waist to guide her out the restaurant. He felt the spark fly when he touched her, and she shuddered. But she wasn’t the only one who reacted. His own desire was curling in his belly.
All night, she had looked out of place. She wore a gorgeous black dress that clung in all the right places and set his imagination on fire. He’d picked an impressive restaurant, and it was clear that she felt like she didn’t belong there. Even though she kept a straight face, he could see her discomfort. He wanted nothing more than to lean over and kiss her. She belonged there because she belonged with him.
But of course, she didn’t belong with him. And so he didn’t kiss her, and the ride back to her place was silent. He waged a war with himself. Maybe, if he just had one night with her, he could purge his system. He’d put her out of his mind and that would be that.
Of course, that was no way to treat a lady. He was raised better than that, and he could never treat Stacey that way. She deserved so much more.
So much more than he was allowed to offer her.
***
“You don’t have to walk me to the door,” she said quietly. The closer he got to the house, the more of a chance there was that she’d invite him in. And she didn’t know him. This was there first date. She didn’t invite strange men into her house on the first date.
“I do,” he said as he held the car door open for her.
Of course he did. Everything he did made it that much harder for her to resist him. Her legs were shaky as she stood. He put a hand on the small of her back as he guided her up the path, but it did nothing to support her. She wanted to melt into him.
When they reached the faded brown door, she took a deep breath and faced him. Here is where she told him that no matter what her body was telling her, he was not invited inside. She wasn’t that kind of girl.
“I shouldn’t see you anymore,” he said thickly.
Her eyes flew up to meet his. One date and she was already rejected? Here she was concerned about what looking like a slut, and he’d already written her off.<
br />
“I see,” she said coldly. “Well, thank you for dinner.” She turned to slip the key in the slot, and his hand immediately circled her wrist.
“You don’t see,” he said softly. “I want very much to see you again. But I have to adhere to a different set of rules. You’re not an alpha. You’re not even a shifter. This can’t go anywhere.”
Her whole body reacted at his touch, and she struggled to comprehend what he was saying. “If you can’t be with me, then why did you ask me out?”
Micah bent his head down to hers. “I can’t seem to resist you,” he muttered before capture her mouth. At the first touch of his lips, her knees buckled. She dropped her keys and circled her arms around his neck for support. His kiss was hard, dizzying, and intense. As she eagerly opened her mouth to invite more, someone groaned. Was that her? Him? She couldn’t even tell. As she pressed her body against him, she realized that she’d never felt more at home than she did in his arms. This was right. This was where she was supposed to be.
His hands traveled down to cup her bottom, and he lifted her up to press her against the door. Her legs circled him, and the heat flared between them. Liquid heat pooled between her legs, and she immediately pressed herself against him. Even through their clothes, she could feel his erection. He was ready. She was ready. All they had to do was rid themselves of their clothes.
“Stacey,” he moaned as he slipped a hand under her shirt. She gasped as he touched bare skin. His lips trailed down her throat, and she rolled her head to the side. Every touch was electrified.
As she reached down to undo his belt, her hands pressed against something in his pocket. The horn sounded on the car, and it startled both of them out of their daze. He leaned back and stared at her.
“Good grief,” she said, laughing awkwardly. “We’re about to give my neighbors a show.” He eased her down, and she struggled to find her footing. If she slid boneless to the ground right now, it would be more than embarrassing. “If this can’t happen, then you should probably go.”
She watched the struggle in his eyes before he finally stepped away. “Stacey,” he said softly.
