Deceived by the Shifter

by Juniper Hart

  They didn’t really have a choice; their fathers were closer than brothers, and both women were only children. Their eyes met, and they shared a tentative smile.

  “Are we good?” Hollie asked as they parted, and Amberlyn nodded.

  “Of course we are,” she replied in an almost exasperated tone. “Do you want to talk about what’s going on?”

  “Not now, if that’s okay,” Hollie responded. “I just want to focus on having fun. I promise, I will change my attitude.”

  “Me too,” Amberlyn said with a wide, beautiful grin. “Let’s make this trip unforgettable!”

  Hollie felt a slight sense of relief, the first one since booking the trip. This isn’t a waste of effort. The old Amberlyn is resurfacing slowly. Hollie had almost forgotten what the old Amberlyn was like.

  “Okay, let’s start over,” Amberlyn said, sighing as she turned toward the elevators. “The vacation starts now—Oh my God!”

  Hollie stared at her. “What?”

  Amberlyn pointed at her reflection in the metallic elevator doors. “You were going to let me go out like this?” she yelled, her face turning crimson. “I look like a seal stuffed in a tutu!”

  Hollie opened her mouth to debate the assessment, but Amberlyn had already spun on her heel back down the hall toward their room, muttering about Hollie’s lack of loyalty.

  The old Amberlyn is resurfacing slowly, Hollie reminded herself. Very, very slowly. Just laugh it off.

  They settled on dinner at a small bistro in the Arts District, but Hollie could tell that Amberlyn was discontent with their choice.

  “We could be eating with celebrities at Wolfgang Puck’s,” Amberlyn complained. “You know Snoop Dogg has a house here?”

  Hollie eyed her over the menu and choked back a smile. “Yeah? No, I didn’t know.”

  Amberlyn sighed and glanced around. “Although I guess there’s still a chance we could see someone famous around here.”

  “Sure,” Hollie agreed, not one to ever care about celebrities or celebrity gossip. She had finally come to the realization that there was only one way to deal with her friend: unadulterated placation.

  “Are you ready to order?” the pert waitress asked brightly as she approached their table.

  “Drinks,” Hollie heard herself say. “A glass of chardonnay, please.”

  Amberlyn’s head jerked up. “Don’t get drunk,” she warned Hollie. “We still have tables to hit tonight.”

  Hollie stared the server with pleading eyes. “Please. Bring me a bottle of any white wine with a significant alcohol content.”

  The girl grinned understandingly. “Yes ma’am,” she replied sweetly. “Two glasses?”

  “I guess so,” Amberlyn sighed. “I can’t really let her drink alone, can I?”

  Hollie would have been happy to down the entire bottle in one sitting, but she made no comment as she kept herself from glaring at Amberlyn by studying her hands with unnecessary interest.

  It could be worse, she thought. I could be at work dealing with the dying man. I can’t keep his secret hidden forever. I wonder if he’ll still be there when I get back.

  She sincerely hoped so, but she did not have a lot of faith in her own wishes.

  I hope he’s at least still alive, she thought, shaking her head. She was going to need a lot more than one bottle of wine to see her through the night.

  Chapter Two

  “Vegas, baby!” Lance screamed, and the others hooted like a pack of hyenas, causing onlookers to cast them reproving looks.

  It seemed they could not walk ten feet without one of the wedding party howling the two words randomly into the air.

  After a weekend, it was beginning to lose its initial vigor, but none of the men let on. They wanted to ensure that Lance remembered his experience, even if it meant faking their enthusiasm.

  “I can’t believe we’re here!” Aaron laughed as he looked down the strip in awe. It was the first time he had been to the magical city, and he wanted to relish every minute as their time grew to a close.

  Back to reality tomorrow, he thought, cringing slightly.

  “I can’t believe I’m getting married,” Lance groaned. “I am not nearly drunk enough to come to terms with this.”

  The group chortled and clapped him on the back comfortingly.

  “The night is still young,” Aaron reassured the groom-to-be. “It’s our last one here, and we’ll make the best of it.”

  “You damn well better. That’s the job of the best man.”

  Aaron grinned at the sound of the title. He had been honored when Lance had asked him, especially when there were at least three others who were in competition for the privilege, his older brother the forerunner.

  “You’re my best friend, Aaron,” Lance had told him. “You’ve always been like a brother to me, despite some of the shit I’ve dragged you into, and you’ve always kept your mouth shut to everyone. I don’t know where I’d be without you. Would you be my best man?”

  Aaron had laughed and jumped on him, hugging his buddy tightly. “Of course! Of course I will, but aren’t you worried about the backlash? Especially from Jay?”

  Lance grimaced, but Aaron thought perhaps his expression did not meet his eyes as the groom-to-be stared at the ground. “I’ve spent too much of my life bowing down. No, I am getting married, and it is my choice who I want for my best man. Anyway…” he trailed off and glanced back to ensure they weren’t being overheard. “You’re the only one that Adriana can stand. Jason included.”

  Aaron guffawed. “I’m flattered but not surprised. Those buffoons can’t keep their mouths shut in the presence of a woman. I might be the only one in this group who knows how to show respect to a woman. Present company excluded, of course.”

  Lance avoided his gaze and shrugged indifferently. “They’ll get their stupidity out of their systems soon enough—Bachelor party is in Vegas, baby!”

  Just like that, the subject was abruptly changed.

  The wedding was the following weekend, and Aaron found he was looking forward to it. I wonder if my wedding will be as big as Lance and Adriana’s.

  Aaron was inherently glad that no one could read his thoughts for there was no doubt he would be mercilessly mocked for them. Their crowd was a rowdy, carefree bunch who generally mocked the idea of commitment, but Aaron had always wanted to get married.

  Perhaps it was the idea of starting a family or maybe he just wanted to feel united with someone on that level.

  Aaron had been ready for marriage for longer than he could remember. He loved all the elements of planning the wedding, the vows, and the flowers. He even found himself looking at bridal magazines on occasion to scope out the latest fashions.

  If anyone ever knew about my guilty pleasure, I would be mocked until the end of days, he thought wryly. Not that anyone would suspect that he had such romantic notions.

  There was nothing effeminate about Aaron Gherring.

  He stood a towering six feet, three inches tall and weighed one hundred and eighty pounds. His eyes were a steely blue, which rivaled the clearest summer days, and he wore his dark hair in a militant crew cut, giving him an almost distinguished look.

  “Hey! Are you coming?” Lance yelled, and Aaron looked over, realizing that the group had continued on without him.

  The afternoon dusk had given way to an early evening, and blessedly, a slight breeze started to stir on the otherwise arid Nevada horizon.

  How do people live here year-round? Aaron wondered as he quickened his stride to meet the others. He couldn’t fathom living in a place where there wasn’t snow.

  The wedding party paused at the entrance of the Mirage and waited for Aaron to join them.

  “Again with the Mirage?” he groaned. “What is your fascination with this place?”

  The groom chuckled. “It’s not me; it’s Ben. He likes the dolphins.”

  Ben nodded in agreement. “When do we get to see a dolphin habitat at home?” Ben demanded, and A
aron could not argue with the short man’s logic.

  Ben was barely over five feet, and he possessed a childlike disposition to match his height.

  Aaron laughed and shrugged. Why do I care which establishment takes my money? It’s all going back into the same place, and that place is not my wallet, he thought. He grinned wryly as they continued through the doors, Ben hurrying toward his newfound loves while the others made their way into the casino.

  “Blackjack?” Aaron suggested, but Lance shook his head.

  “I’m all about no-limit Hold ‘Em tonight, my friend,” he replied. “But I know you hate poker, so feel free to leave my side.”

  Aaron eyed him skeptically. “I don’t want to do that,” he protested. “This is your weekend.”

  “You have been a dutiful companion,” Lance announced gallantly, and the others laughed.

  “We won’t lose him. Aaron,” Jason snapped. “You can leave him with us. We managed to keep him alive before you came around.”

  Aaron scowled, but he bit his tongue in response. He didn’t want to face the consequences of instigating a fight with Lance’s older brother. You can’t even find your own ass with both hands, Jason, he thought bitterly. You couldn’t keep a goldfish alive.

  “I trust Kevan,” Aaron replied lightly, winking at Jason.

  The older man’s hazel eyes flashed dangerously, but he did not speak.

  Kevan snorted and nodded. “That makes one of us,” he laughed. “We’ll catch up with you later. Leave your cell on so we can find you.”

  Reluctantly, Aaron watched the two groomsmen sweep Lance toward the world-renowned poker room, and he turned to look around the casino.

  The noise was already assaulting his ears, but if Aaron had learned anything in the past two days, it was that he would get used to it. Especially if he continued to drink the complimentary beverages flowing so freely around the tables.

  He ambled around for a bit, pausing to place a dollar in the slot machines and checking out the ostentatious and sometimes bizarre passerby.

  Ben was right about one thing; we certainly don’t get any of this at home. He checked his pockets for money and ambled toward the blackjack tables.

  Logically, Aaron knew it didn’t matter which table he played. He didn’t have high hopes of winning anything, but he couldn’t resist being swept up in the feeling of charged excitement in his midst.

  Ah, go big or go home, he thought, grinning as he sat beside an attractive blonde.

  She glanced at him through her peripheral vision, her dark blue eyes slightly bloodshot. “You sure you want to play here?” she asked, her words slurring slightly. “I’m losing my shirt.”

  Aaron shrugged and grinned at her. “Then I guess I should try to win it back for you,” he laughed.

  She snorted, and the dealer set him up.

  A server came by, and he ordered a gin and tonic.

  “You have some catching up to do,” the blonde commented as they commenced the game. “I would make it a double.”

  “I’m the designated walker,” Aaron replied, and she chortled again, but as she went to respond, a voice interrupted their brief conversation.

  “Amber, I’m going back to the hotel.”

  A tall, pixie-faced brunette appeared at the girl’s side, and Aaron found himself studying the sweet features of her face.

  She wore her hair in medium layers, carelessly across her shoulders in a perpetual “sexy bedhead” fashion. Her skin seemed flawless in the intense lighting of the room, and her dark eyes glimmered.

  She’s beautiful, Aaron thought as he watched the interaction.

  “It’s like ten o’clock, Hol. Sit down and play with us. I made a new friend,” she replied loudly, patting the seat to her right. Using her arm as support, the blonde called Amber leaned across the chair to leer at him.

  “Hollie, this is…what did you say your name was, honey?” she asked coyly.

  Aaron realized then that she was drunker than he had initially realized.

  “Aaron.”

  “See! This is Aaron. Aaron, this is my best friend, Hollie Oliver.”

  Aaron smiled at the brunette, and she gazed at him, seeming unsure of what to do.

  “Are you in or out, miss?” the dealer called impatiently. “Take a seat if you’re in.”

  Hollie glanced back down at the duo and sighed. “I’m in,” she muttered, sitting between him and the blonde.

  A spark of excitement passed through Aaron, and he didn’t know why exactly. She reminds me of Valerie, he thought suddenly, the smile on his face faltering slightly. He chided himself angrily at the thought. She did not resemble his ex-girlfriend in the least.

  And definitely not the way she looks now, he thought, smirking slightly. Still, he could not shake the slightly uncomfortable feeling in his gut.

  “Are you staying on the Strip, Hollie?” he asked pleasantly as they peered at their cards.

  “Circus Circus,” she replied, tapping the table for another.

  “Oh, I hear that place is a lot of fun,” he replied.

  “I wouldn’t know,” Hollie sighed. “Amberlyn is a casino junky.”

  They gazed over at the blonde who seemed like she was having a difficult time keeping her head from swaying as she tried to focus on her hand.

  “How long are you in Vegas?” Aaron asked, sensing that if he didn’t keep the conversation going, she would dismiss him, and he wanted to get to know this girl. There was something about her.

  “We’re leaving on Tuesday.”

  Aaron nodded, his heart racing slightly.

  That means we have tonight at least, he thought, and he was instantly surprised by the words in his mind.

  It wasn’t in his nature to hit on random women, but there was obviously something special about Hollie.

  “Where are you from?” Aaron asked, but before Hollie could respond, her friend jumped in to interrupt.

  “I’m Amberlyn by the way,” the blonde slurred. “In case you were interested. You know, the woman who was here first?”

  Suddenly, Amberlyn seemed annoyed that she had asked Hollie to stay, but Aaron didn’t care. He was enthralled by the woman at his side, the fine structure of her face, the movement of her lips. He sensed that she didn’t want to be there, which somehow made him want to keep her there.

  “Hi, Amberlyn,” Aaron said, cordially. “Of course I’m interested. It’s not every day that I get two beautiful women to myself.”

  “Listen to him, Hol! He thinks we’re beau-ti-ful,” Amberlyn chirped happily, but Aaron noticed the brunette only rolled her eyes.

  She thinks she’s too good for me, Aaron thought with some anger, but he maintained his pleasant disposition.

  The waitress placed his drink at his side as they flipped their cards up. The dealer stood at twenty.

  “Nineteen,” the dealer called, declaring Aaron’s hand.

  “Blackjack!”

  Aaron peered at Hollie approvingly, and Amberlyn scowled, realizing that she only showed eighteen.

  “I’m going to need another double rum and coke,” she called to the server as she tried to slip away from the table.

  “Yeah, I think I am too,” Hollie sighed, staring at her friend.

  Aaron could see that Amberlyn was beginning to lose a sense of reality in her surroundings.

  “I’m done here,” Hollie announced, rising, but it was Aaron who stopped her.

  “One more game, right, Amberlyn?” he called beseechingly, knowing that Hollie would stay if her friend chimed in. “You both drinks coming, and you can’t leave me here to lose my own shirt, can you?”

  “Come on, Hol,” Amberlyn said. “Don’t be such a party pooper.”

  Aaron looked over to Hollie his guileless blue eyes and noticed her cheek twitched.

  She’s trying not to smile at me! Aaron felt like he had won a small victory as she sat back down and nodded at the dealer.

  “One more hand,” Hollie said, but Aaron knew tha
t she was trying to convince herself more than she was trying to convince him.

  One hand turned into six with the drinks accompanying them as Aaron and Hollie chatted pleasantly. The more they spoke, the more Aaron’s attraction to her grew. He didn’t know if it was the hazy feeling brought about by the double gins he had started ordering or the way her voice seemed to hypnotize him, but he knew he was smitten with a perfect stranger.

  And as the night wore on, she no longer reminded him of Valerie Vernon. No, she is very much her own beautiful person, he thought, wondering what she would do if he tried to kiss her.

  “What are you doing in Vegas?” Hollie asked, turning her head to him, her brown eyes bright with interest.

  “My best friend, Lance, is marrying the love of his life, Adriana. I’m the best man, and we are here for his bachelor party,” he replied. “Apparently, I’m the only one of Lance’s friends whom Adriana can stand.”

  She laughed and shrugged her shoulders. “Women tend to be decent judges of character,” she volunteered. “Are you looking forward to it?”

  “Yes…” he trailed off, not wanting to finish his thought.

  “Always a groomsman, never a groom?” Hollie teased, and Aaron felt a strange pang in his heart.

  Is it that obvious? Aaron wondered, sitting back on his high back stool to study her face.

  She did not seem to notice the impact her words had on him.

  “Why have you and the lovely Amberlyn come to Sin City?”

  “Well to sin of course,” Hollie replied teasingly as she giggled, winking at him. “Isn’t that right, Amber?” She turned her head to address her friend, and a groan escaped her lips. “Oh, dammit!” Hollie muttered.

  He glanced up from his cards to look at what had upset her. Amberlyn was slumped over on the table, and the dealer did not seem impressed.

  “Kindly remove your friend from here,” he said tersely, his mouth a fine line of disapproval. “I would recommend you find her a bed.”

  “We’ll do that,” Aaron reassured him, jumping from his seat to assist Hollie in rousing her passed out companion.