by Dahlia Rose
Tondi allowed him to serve her two cups of his finest coffee before she approached the obvious. When no human stood nearby, and the line had died down for the time being, she said, “You’re like me, right?”
“A shifter,” he admitted, a secret he had held all his life. The only reason Fane knew was because he had been there the first time Sam changed. Not even Sam’s sister knew. “A snowy owl.”
Tondi’s eyes rounded. “I’d love to see that.”
There were many things Sam would like to see. He waited for her to volunteer her secret.
“I’m a bird shifter as well, a jaeger.” She rolled her eyes. “We’re the only ones in existence. By that I mean my family. Talk about pretentious, taking on the same last name.”
“You aren’t local to North Carolina?”
She hesitated for the first time. “No.”
So she didn’t want to share that much. “Tell me where you’re staying, so I can pick you up for dinner tonight.”
Pleasure suffused her beautiful face. “Oh, we’re confident, aren’t we?”
He reached for her hand resting on the counter, and stroked the pad of his thumb over her soft skin. Longing made him ache and discard the social niceties. “I want to know you.”
She put a hand on her hip. “Why don’t we skip all that and jump straight to the interesting part?” Sam raised an eyebrow and stilled. She burst out laughing. “So kidding, but you can definitely take me to dinner. I hadn’t intended to stop here. Any suggestions on a hotel?”
“Dixie Ann,” Sam called to the waitress. She spun to face him, happy expectancy in her expression. “Take the counter.”
As Dixie Ann approached, her gaze slipped from him to Tondi and back again. She frowned. “Where are you going, Sam?”
He didn’t bother telling her his movements were not her business. When he held out a hand, Tondi laid hers in his palm, and he noted how small her hand was compared to his. Tondi exuded strength, but it radiated from a tiny package that gave him a sense of wanting to protect her. At just over six feet, he dwarfed her and guessed she couldn’t be above five-five even with the heels.
Soon he had her checked into the local bed and breakfast since there was no hotel in town. The absence of luggage other than a small duffel bag made him wonder again about her situation. Was she running from something or someone? Rather than ask, he decided to let her open up when and if she chose. He had every intention of enticing her to stay longer than she planned.
At the door to her room, she rested her hands on his chest and smiled up at him. Like before, the ability to breathe normally left him. He could only stare at her and drink her in. Her aroma teased his nose, something flowery but subtle. He resisted the temptation to lean down and nuzzle her slender neck.
“Whoa, where are you going, big boy?” She gave him a light push, and he let it make him take a step back. “You said dinner. I think I’m going to take a nap and then freshen up. I’ve had a long drive. Seven?”
“Seven,” he repeated, and raised her hand to lips. He flipped it palm up and pressed his lips to the center. Her tremor promised good things later, and he left before he did more than either of them was ready for. Soon. Very soon.
Chapter Two
“I can’t get over how friendly everyone is,” Tondi said. “In the CVS down the street, they actually welcomed me as I came in, and called me sweetheart as I left. All without the attitude. It blew me away.”
Tondi realized she’d been running off at the lips for half the night, and Sam watched her as if she were the main course and he hadn’t eaten in years. She didn’t mind, of course, because she had always enjoyed the attention of men, especially sexy men like Sam. His white-blond hair and blue eyes gave her ideas of running her fingers through the first and staring into the latter while he pleasured her body in many ways. A woman didn’t have to be a shifter with acute senses not to recognize desire in a man. Sam wanted her, and the feeling was mutual. The only concern she had was keeping her legs closed for tonight.
No giving in on the first date. Her personal rule was no earlier than the fourth or fifth, which was probably crazy, but she liked to take what she wanted and not have regrets. At least not in her personal life. Professionally was a whole other story, but that’s why she was in Aves, to make it right. Leaving home and the world she grew up in was the first step.
“People are unfriendly where you’re from?” Sam asked, and Tondi smiled. His frown said he would battle whoever came against her. She got that a lot. People thought because she was small, she couldn’t handle herself. They were wrong, but sometimes, truth be told, she did wish she could trust enough to let go, and that the person she let go for was strong enough to support her.
Okay, Tondi, you’re getting maudlin. Get a grip.
“Let’s just say in my city, the patience runs thin sometimes.” She realized her words spelled out New York too well and rushed to turn the conversation. “So, tell me about you. Are you married, got a girlfriend? I know you work at a coffee shop.”
Amusement lit his sexy eyes, and she suppressed a sigh. “No. I would not be here if I were with someone.”
“Good answer.”
“I’m part owner of the shop.”
“Mm, an entrepreneur. I like that.”
They chatted a little about Sam, his best friend, and his sister. She couldn’t believe she got him talking so easily. When they finished dinner, he walked with her along the street. At eight in the evening, there were no crowds and not much noise, except a jazz band playing in the distance. The few people strolling in the summer breeze thinned to the point that they had walked two blocks without seeing a soul.
Sam led her to a park area, and they sat on a bench beneath an old-fashioned street lamp. Tondi kicked her feet out and threw her head back. She shut her eyes and let a breeze cool her face. “This is nice. You get to enjoy it like this all the time?”
“In a couple weeks, the tourists arrive. The noise increases, and the trash, but business also picks up.”
She sat forward, eyes widening. “Do you have summer festivals?”
“We do.”
“Maybe I should stick around for one.”
His gaze locked on her face. “Stay longer.”
Tondi bit her bottom lip and reached out to play with his top button. She twirled it between her fingers and then smoothed the material of his shirt against his chest. Sam’s heartbeat pounded, and the warmth from his body seemed to burn her. “Why?” she asked.
“Because I want you. I want you around long enough so I can have you.”
“Wow, you don’t beat around the bush at all.”
“You want me as well.”
“Maybe.” She stood up and made to move off, but he caught her wrist and drew her back. She sat down, and her thigh brushed his. The hardened muscle sent her belly into somersaults.
“Is tonight too soon to kiss you?”
“Shouldn’t that be at the end?”
He pressed her back against the bench with hands on her shoulders and followed with his body. A light touch of his chest on hers set her on fire. He captured her lips and parted them without preamble. This was no good night kiss. This was raw hunger and the intent to devour her. Tondi panted against his mouth, which gave him further access. He darted his tongue between her lips and swept it along the interior. Tondi crept her hand up around his neck and drew him closer. She arched her back, pushing her breasts into his chest, and was rewarded with his moan.
Sam drew back, his nose brushing hers. They stayed that way a couple minutes, breathing hard, taking small tastes of each other’s mouths. He ran fingers along the side of her face, along her nose, and then over her lips. She lowered her lashes and turned her head a little, playing coy. He grasped her chin to turn her to face him again and reclaimed her lips. He was killing her, making her wet and driving her to rethink her rules. When she opened her mouth to tell him to come back to her room with her, he stood up and retreated a step.
“If I don’t stop…” He shoved hands into his hair. “I don’t want to rush you.”
Rush me!
“You’re right.” She stood and moved away from him because the man tempted her way too much. “Maybe we should call it a night.”
“Were you bored?”
She let her gaze sweep his body, staggering on hard thighs and a crotch poking out farther than it had been before he kissed her. “If I get bored, will you entertain me?”
“Whatever you like.”
“The jazz sounded good. Is it live?”
“There’s a concert in the park tomorrow.”
She smiled, and she thought he seemed dazed a little by it. “We’re there.”
“Then I will see you back to your room and see you tomorrow night?”
“Buy me coffee tomorrow?” she offered.
He agreed, and against her desire, she let him leave her at her room. Tondi unlocked the door and strode inside before kicking it shut. She fell on the bed and buried her face, moaning. Sam Belle. Who would have thought she’d meet a man like him, one who saw her weakness and didn’t take advantage of it. He wanted her too. She had seen it in his erection and the way he kissed her. She’d have stripped naked on the bench if he had suggested it.
Sighing, she stretched over the side of the bed and unzipped her duffle bag. The bills crammed into the interior left little room for changes of clothing. One dress had been all she could manage, the one she wore for her date. Hopefully, the local clothing store would have something she liked with reasonable prices. The money wouldn’t last forever, but for now, she needed to avoid using credit to cut down on the likelihood of being found.
On impulse, she held down the power button on her cell phone and waited for it to turn on. As expected, missed calls, voicemails, and text messages cluttered the display. One in particular caught her attention—I’m coming for you. She threw the phone across the room. Pieces of the shattered cell littered the carpet after it hit the wall, and she groaned. Another expense, but it was just as well. The device had outlived its usefulness. Tomorrow, she intended to enjoy every minute she could with Sam because who knew when she would have to move on and leave him behind too.
* * * *
Tondi held up the dress before her mirrored reflection. The deep V neckline that tied around her neck and the empire waist with a draping front panel would fit her shape nicely while showing off her legs. Even the peach color complimented her skin tone. Oh yes, this was the one, and if she had her way, Sam wouldn’t be able to take his eyes off her all night. For the last hour and a half, she had stood in what she considered the town’s best women’s clothing shop, picking over their selections. Now, the frazzled shop owner stood next to a small pile of clothes Tondi intended to purchase. To give the woman credit, she had never lost her smile.
“You would look great in that,” the woman said. “Would you like to try it on?”
Tondi took in her pale face and knew, despite the question, the woman hoped she wouldn’t. Tondi had mercy on her. Besides, she had a particular talent for knowing what would look good and what wouldn’t. Often, she purchased clothes without trying them on and found they worked out great. Her sense of style and knowing her body was a point of pride.
“Nope, I’ll take it,” she said, and added it to the pile.
When all the purchases were rung up, Tondi moved on to a shoe store and oohed and ahhed over cute heels. She lamented that none were as high as she liked, but she bought a few, including flats. Once she stepped from the store, she realized there was no way she could get back to her room with everything on her own, and a quick scan of the street revealed no taxis. Did everyone drive their own vehicles or walk?
A big red truck pulled up to the curb, and a man with a familiar handsome face sat behind the wheel. Tondi set her bags down and jogged over to tap on his window. He looked her way, eyebrows raised, and lowered the window. A blast of cool air swept from the interior, making her want to climb inside whether he liked it or not.
“Can you give me a ride, um…?” She bit her lip, trying to remember his name.
The man smirked. “I’ve never had that happen before.”
She tilted her head to the side. “What?”
“A woman who doesn’t remember me. I’m Fane Valentine.”
She chuckled and waved her hand. “I know your face and that you’re Sam’s best friend, right? Fane is an unusual name.”
“Ah,” he teased. “So it’s my buddy Sam that’s got all your attention. I like that. So, where are you headed, beautiful lady?”
She told him, and he helped her gather her bags and place them beneath the tarp in the back of his truck. Tondi frowned. “Are you sure they’ll be okay?”
“Positive. Zuria forces me to keep the bed clean and the tarp secure for when she goes on a shopping spree.”
“Your girlfriend, Sam’s sister?”
“Correct. We’ve been together a year now.”
Tondi climbed into the truck, and he slid behind the steering wheel. “And you’re still crazy in love with her.”
Color suffused his handsome face, and she smiled. Fane definitely had the look of a man used to women fawning over him, but from the warmth in his tone and his expression, no one could hold a candle to Zuria. She wanted that kind of powerful love, but not just for her man to love her with such intensity. She also wanted to feel the same, so crazy about him it hurt to be apart, and waking up at his side fulfilled all her fantasies.
“Sam is taking me to a jazz concert tonight at the park. You and Zuria should come along.”
“We plan on it,” he said, keeping his gaze on the road. “Tondi?”
“Yes?”
He hesitated and rubbed the back of his neck. “Sam is…special.”
She laughed. “Wait, are you warning me not to hurt your friend?”
“No. I’m warning you that he can hurt you.”
Her stomach muscles tightened. “Meaning he’s abusive?”
“Of course not!” He pulled to a stop at a red light and twisted to face her. “Look, he’s weird. Most women get that right off when they try to have a conversation with the man and he barely says two words. His parents were killed when he was a kid, and he’s not close with the rest of his people. It affected him, and makes him close himself off from others. I can’t go into any more detail than that.”
“He has people?”
Fane looked at her as if she’d missed the entire point of his conversation. For some reason, she had assumed Sam was alone in the world, or at least in the area. She didn’t know why she had come to the conclusion, except that she knew she was alone now. The thought was ridiculous. Most other bird shifters hated jaegers because of their nature of taking what was not theirs. Would Sam’s people try to run her off? Wait, Fane had said Sam wasn’t close with his people. Well, it didn’t matter either way. They weren’t at the point of anything serious, but she appreciated the warning before emotions became involved.
Tondi patted Fane’s arm. “Don’t worry. I’m a big girl, and I can take care of myself.” She did not need to tell Fane that as a jaeger shifter, she might be small, but her strength far exceeded those of human women. “Plus, I had no trouble talking to Sam on our first date.”
Curiosity appeared in the man’s expression, but she didn’t elaborate. After he dropped her off and helped her carry the bags to her room, she thanked him and hurried to go through her goodies. After trying on everything twice, she tucked the clothes away and prepared to visit Sam at the coffee shop.
Chapter Three
A saxophone being tuned, people laughing, and a warm summer breeze met Tondi when she and Sam turned from the street into the park. The circle of stone bleachers with a wide open space in the middle was already filling up, and the jazz band readied to share their music with the eager listeners.
“Now I see why you suggested I bring a pillow to sit on,” Tondi said to Sam. “But look. Out that way, people are sitting on blankets.�
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“Would you rather do that? I can go back home to get you a blanket.”
She squeezed his arm. “Thanks. You’re sweet, but I’m good.”
They found a spot, pressing past other listeners, and as soon as Tondi had arranged her pillow, someone shouted to Sam. She glanced up to see the waitress from the coffee shop, blonde hair glorious, probably with an entire can of hairspray, and a dress so sleazy she might as well be naked. Someone was trying too hard.
“Hey, Sam,” Dixie Ann gushed. “You look good tonight. Mind if I join you?”
Tondi leaned around Sam. “I’m not sure how much fun you’ll have with us, Dix.”
Even in the low lighting, Tondi caught her blanch, but she was pretty sure Dixie Ann had known Sam wasn’t alone. She had slighted Tondi on purpose, and Tondi had no problem giving as much as she got.
“It’s Dixie Ann,” the woman emphasized. Tondi blinked at her and shrugged. Dixie Ann’s face burned this time.
Before she or Sam could say anything, more people arrived, this time Fane and Zuria. “Hey, we found you,” Fane said.
“As if it was hard. This place isn’t that big.” Zuria rolled her eyes. She extended a hand to Tondi. “I’m sorry, we didn’t get a chance to meet. I’m Zuria.”
Tondi took the offered hand, but when she went to pull away, Zuria held on. They had approached Sam and Tondi from Sam’s side of the bleacher, so she had to lean across Sam to reach Tondi. Zuria bent close to Tondi’s ear.
“Play games with my little brother, and I’ll kick your ass,” Zuria warned.
Tondi drew back, eyes wide. She didn’t attempt to lower her voice as Zuria had. After all, Sam would hear whether she did so or not. They both would. “This is the second date. Chill.” She looked at Sam, who found no need to reprimand his sister. “Are you so delicate your loved ones have to defend you against all potential hurt?”
He narrowed his eyes. “What do you mean?”
She opened her mouth, but Fane cut her off. “I warned her this morning.”
