Happy Howlidays: Shifters in Love Romance Collection (Shifter in Love Book 1)

by V. Vaughn

  “A week.”

  Good. I squeeze hair between my fingers, and my scissors are firm in my grip as I snip. He’s probably still single. “You’re brand new here.” His scent is caressing me, and my cat begins to purr. “How are you settling in?”

  Luke’s mouth turns up in a cocky grin as if he heard my animal. Most likely he can smell my arousal instead. “So far so good.”

  I twist his chair so that he’s facing me, and I lean in close to cut his bangs. I ask, “Finding everything okay?”

  He leans in even closer, and his breath is hot on my chest as he says, “I’m good with the basics.”

  I’ll bet. “Besides the bars along the ski area access road there’s the Gawky Moose. It’s a bit of a dive but most locals like it. If you’re looking for something to do.”

  I step back, and his gaze lifts to my face as he asks, “I’m trying to stay away from bars, so what else is there around here?”

  I’ve got a few ideas. I wonder if he has a problem with the bottle. While I like a drink or two, getting drunk has never been my thing. I fluff his hair to remove any stray bits left from my scissors. Most of the tourists stay on the mountain so there’s not a lot to do around here for them. “There’s a small movie theater and a few restaurants. But that’s about it.”

  The pump on the hair gel container clicks as I place a dollop on my palm. I rub my hands together as Luke’s voice lowers to a sexy tone. “So people make their own fun.”

  He might as well have dragged his finger along the junction between my legs, because the effect is almost the same. I inhale in a controlled manner to catch my breath as I rub product through his hair. Once I’ve regained my composure, I answer, “Yes. Yes, they do.”

  I grab a mirror for Luke and notice I’m trembling when I hand it to him. He grasps it over my fingers and says, “I’m going to need your card.”

  I reach over, and the thick paper is slick in my hand when I grab my business card. I manage to drop it, and it flutters to the floor. When I retrieve it, I bend over with straight legs to present my finest asset to him. I blame that move on my cat. There’s no mistaking the low growl that comes from him when I do.

  When I hand Luke the card, his touch makes me want to drop to my knees. I can’t remember the last time I was this attracted to a man, and I breathe through my nose to calm myself. I detect that his scent is laced with the desire I feel. Opal is going to be thrilled that I plan to give this guy a chance. I gaze at his plump lower lip and bite mine as I imagine what he’d taste like. And I’m not thinking about just his mouth.

  “I’ll need to see you again, Holly.”

  We need him too, says my cat. “Sure.” Sure? That’s all you’ve got?

  Luke releases my fingers and glances in the mirror to inspect my handiwork. I remove the cape, and it snaps as I shake it.

  “Nice,” he says. He scans me with his gaze. “Very nice.”

  He stands, and I stare into eyes that appear even deeper in color than when I first noticed them. His cat wants me. I think his human does too.

  He asks, “What time are you done tonight? Maybe we could get dinner.”

  Rawrr! “Seven thirty.”

  “Then I’ll be back at seven thirty.”

  I clench my fists to hold back my cougar before I start to rub up against Luke. “I look forward to it.”

  I watch him walk toward the reception desk to pay and will my legs to keep me standing. I turn to go to the back room and discover Gigi’s jaw hanging. She grabs my arm so hard that I think I might be bruised. My heels scrape along the floor as I scurry to keep up with her as she drags me to the back room.

  When we get there, she hisses, “Holy crap! Does he have a brother? Because I want one too.”

  I shrug. “I have no idea.” What I do know is that our attraction is off-the-charts hot, and I think I’ve found my mate. I waggle my eyebrows at her. “But if things go well, I’ll ask.”

  2

  Turning Heads closes at seven on Mondays. Opal was full of unwanted advice on how not to blow my date as I cleaned my station, but I manage to shoo her out before Luke arrives. Gigi might have wanted to stay too, but she has her book club and left five minutes ago. I’m glad, because my cat is the jealous type, and we have no intention of sharing Luke Robichaux’s attention.

  At seven thirty on the nose, Luke is at the door, and the lock clicks open as I let him in.

  He says, “Hey.”

  I manage to get a “Hi” out before his masculine scent accosts me. I don’t know what it is about Luke, but his sex appeal seems to be ten times that of the men I’m used to. Now that his hair is short, the strong cheekbones on his face are more prominent. “I’ll just be a minute to get my coat.”

  He follows me, and I feel like I’m playing a game of cat and mouse, with me as the willing rodent. I glance over my shoulder to discover he’s still following with his gaze on my bottom. My insides quiver.

  I turn my head forward again as my body hums for this man. When I get to the back room, I stop to grab my pocketbook from the counter.

  Luke steps close behind me, and a tiny shiver runs through my body when he lifts the hair off my neck and leans down to whisper in my ear, “Your scent is driving me wild.”

  I’m mesmerized by the sound of his voice, and my bottom brushes against his crotch as he wraps an arm around my waist to pull me closer.

  I lean against him willingly as he says, “Just a taste before we go.” Luke nibbles on my neck, and I let out a small noise as my cat purrs. His erection is hard between my butt cheeks as his kisses continue.

  I reach back to place my hand on the back of his neck, and I let out a small moan. His newly shaven nape is rough on my fingers as I slide them up to caress his scalp. I drag my nails along it as I scratch lightly. He moves his mouth toward my shoulder. For such a simple gesture, it’s incredibly hot, and moisture is warm between my legs as I lose myself in his touch.

  He breaks away to say, “We’re going to be good, Holly.”

  I can’t speak, so I turn to him and clear my throat. “There’s a great diner down the street.” I brush past Luke and grab my coat as I hurry for the door before my cat makes me lay on my desk to beg for a different kind of meal.

  The walk to the restaurant is short, but the bitter cold air is enough to tamp down my desire. I notice that the discomfort I’ve been feeling with my surroundings lately isn’t present, and I bet it’s hidden because of the lust coursing through my veins. Luke impresses me when he opens the diner door for me and then places his hand at the small of my back as I walk in. It’s a seat-yourself establishment, so I take us to a booth in the back.

  He helps me with my coat and hangs it with his on the hook on the seat post. The vinyl cushion is cool on my bottom as I slide into my seat. “I know this place doesn’t look like much, but the food is really good.”

  “It’s fine.” Luke glances at me over his menu. “Simple and direct is what I want.”

  A man who doesn’t play games. Nice. Because I have plans for this guy, and I’m going to flirt with the intention of taking him home. I glance at Jenny, the waitress, as she sets down two glasses of water.

  She gasps when Luke gazes at her too, and she hits the cup with her hand, making it splash water on the table. Jenny lets out a nervous giggle before she says, “I’m so sorry. Be right back.”

  Luke winks at me. He clearly knows his effect on women, and I’m not sure what to do with it. Hissss. Let me at her. Does he like his females to be jealous? I shrug and go with honest. “I make no promises about the service.”

  I’m startled when Luke places his hand on my knee. He says, “I’m not concerned about that either.” He lowers his palm to lift my leg, and the zipper of my boot hums as he tugs it down. He caresses my calf as he slides his fingers down to my ankle ramps up my temperature all over again. Now my foot is in his lap, and he removes my boot completely. “I imagine you’ve had a long day standing.”

  Strong fingers massag
e my toes, and I let out a small sigh as Jenny returns. This time Luke doesn’t break my gaze as she speaks. We place our order, and I think Jenny might actually huff before she leaves. I can’t be sure, because I’m melting from the power of Luke’s massage as I’m trapped in his stare.

  He says, “Lean back and feel it, Holly.”

  I feel it just fine, but the seat is hard against my shoulder blades when I sit back with a sigh. I repeat what he said to me earlier today. “You’ve got an incredible touch. This feels wonderful.”

  “So I’m told.” He leans forward as his hand slides up my leg well past my knee, and whispers, “I can’t wait to touch more.”

  Oh goodness. A thump on our table makes me jump, and I turn to Jenny.

  She squints at me. “Sodas.”

  Luke chuckles as she walks away, and my boot is cool on my sole when he replaces it. He zips it up slowly making me wish he’d keep moving up my leg once he’s done. “Give me the other foot, and maybe she’ll catch us again.”

  I shake my head at him as I do as he asks. Purrr, he’s a bad boy. “You’re going to get people talking about us.”

  “That implies there is an us.” Luke tilts his head at me as he presses hard along my arch. “I’m going to take that as a good sign.”

  I smile. “Me too.”

  When Jenny returns with our dinner, Luke charms her with a smile and says, “Thank you.”

  I watch as he digs into his meatloaf, and my knife clashes on my plate as I cut my chicken. I ask, “What made you decide to teach snowboarding? Is that what you did before you moved here?”

  Luke takes a moment to finish chewing, and when he swallows, he answers, “No. I was in law actually. But I needed a change of pace.”

  Now I’m sure he’s got a past. “That’s quite a change.”

  He nods and fills his mouth with another bite of food.

  I say, “I’ve never lived anywhere but here. Do you miss your family?” Luke’s eyes cloud over with an emotion I can’t detect. Sorrow? Pain? “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to bring up bad memories.”

  “No. It’s fine.” He sets his fork down, and it clinks on his plate. “I left behind a wonderful family, but somehow I got off track with my life and was chasing after something that wasn’t mine.” Luke holds out his hand, and I put my silverware down to take it. His warm fingers wrap around mine. “I think you might be what I’m supposed to find.”

  Whoa. My cat is stunned into silence. I notice how Luke’s grasp is more than warm. We have a connection, and I wonder if he’s my mate. I should be excited about that prospect, but my stomach roils with my food instead. Scaredy cat. Am I? I spent the last two decades searching for the one. I’m not sure what I expected all this time, because Luke makes my heart and body sing. Perhaps I’m so used to disappointment I don’t know a good thing when it’s staring me in my face. Can it really be this easy?

  I smile at Luke. “Maybe I am.”

  3

  As we leave the restaurant, we walk by a group of guys I’ve seen around. And one of them, Zander, is a werecougar I’ve dated off and on throughout the years. He expressed an interest in mating the last time we were together, but I told him no and have done my best to avoid him to make my point clear. About a month ago, he moved a block away from me, claiming he was looking for a change. But I think he wanted to be sure to bump into me. Zander glares at me with Luke, and I smile back at him when Luke grabs my mitten-covered hand and tucks his arm in mine. Zander lets out low growl, and I pretend I didn’t hear as Luke and I walk away.

  After a few steps, I turn to Luke and say, “Thanks for paying, but I don’t think snowboard instructors make much more than I do, so don’t think it has to be a usual thing.”

  “Did I mention I used to have a pretty good job?”

  “That’s right. Did you say you were a lawyer?”

  Luke stops and stares down at me for a moment. Instead of answering, he tugs me against his chest, but he’s so much taller than I am that my face is at his armpits. He chuckles before he says, “If you weren’t wearing that skirt, I’d hike you up and make you wrap your legs around my waist.”

  He places his hands on my hips and leans down to kiss me. The moment I taste him, I’m swept away with emotions stronger than any I’ve ever felt.

  When I begin to sway, Luke breaks away, and his voice rumbles from his chest. “Holly, come home with me.”

  My cat hisses, Yesss. I’m in agreement. My apartment is a short walk from my salon in the opposite direction of the diner, and I ask, “Who’s closer? I’m just down the street.”

  “I live over the pharmacy,” he says.

  I grab his hand. “My place.”

  We walk as quickly as my outfit will allow, and when the street-level door slams shut behind us, it’s apparent I have the only apartment the hallway accesses. Luke throws me over his shoulder, and I squeal in surprise.

  But I begin to purr when he slides his large palm over my bottom. “I’ve been dying to touch this ass since the first time you presented it to me.”

  “I did—”

  Luke’s voice is stern when he interrupts me. “Don’t play games with me, Holly. You wanted me the moment you smelled me too.”

  His footsteps echo as he climbs the stairs, and he sets me down when we get to my door. The lock clicks as I let us in, and when the door is shut, Luke offers me an evil smile. I have one of my own, because my need to taste more than his mouth is strong, and I can’t fight it. We both strip off our coats and let them fall to the floor before I grab the waistband of his jeans as he grips my hips. Our gazes lock as I tug. The warm button on his pants pops open, and I continue to stare as his eyelids droop with lust. I make quick work of unzipping him to slide my hand into his briefs. The largest cock I’ve ever felt throbs hot against my fingers as he inhales sharply. I think maybe I’ve got the king of the jungle in the palm of my hand.

  My cat is salivating now, and I might be too. I push Luke against the wall as I purr, “I need a taste.”

  My pencil skirt gives me no choice but to drop to my knees, and the impact of the hard floor radiates through my thighs when I do. The pain is fleeting, because the heady scent of Luke has flooded my senses. I lick him from the base of his shaft all the way to the moist tip before I glance up.

  Now his eyes are barely open, and I wrap my lips around the head of his dick to slide down and take as much of him as I can. His flavor ignites my desire, and I squirm a bit. Luke groans, and his hands slap against the wall as he falls back. He’s helpless under my ministrations, and I work this man over until he’s a quaking mess.

  When he’s close to his climax, he grabs my head lightly as he says, “I’m going to come.”

  I have his balls in my hand, and I squeeze gently in response before I grab his butt and pull him farther into my mouth. Give it to me, mate. Let me have it all. He rumbles with a growl as hot seed explodes in my mouth. I swallow, and the contraction of my throat teases the tip of his cock. I’m willing to bet this is the first time he’s experienced the sensation, because now claws poke at my head as he struggles to control his shift.

  He sinks as his knees buckle, and he rasps out, “Jesus.”

  I remove my mouth and ask, “Good?”

  I take his groan as a yes and stand up. As I tug my skirt down, Luke shakes his head slowly and crowds me in a stalking motion. I step back and notice he’s kicked off his shoes and has stepped out of his jeans. His cock appears to be thickening again as it jiggles with his movement. My heart skips a beat in reaction to his aggressive move. I stumble back against my desk.

  The edge of it digs into my bottom, and his voice is low when he says, “Turn around.”

  Rawrr! My cat wants what he’s about to dish out, and every nerve in my body hums as I do as he asks. Luke’s fingers are rough against my thighs as he drags my skirt up and over my ass. He yanks my stockings down before I splay out on the desktop, and papers rustle under my breasts. I’m wearing just a thong, and Luke’s s
lap on my expanse of naked flesh stings.

  I yelp when Luke tears my panties off of me. He places a hand on my shoulder as if he’s making sure I’ll stay put as he drags a finger along my slit. I moan in response when he shoves three fingers into me quickly as if he’s testing me for fit.

  His growl sounds as he grips my hips and thrusts into me hard. I gasp at the intrusion of his cock because it stretches me wide. But his vigorous pumping is just what my cat craves, and we’re both purring within seconds as he drives into me. The edge of the desk is hard against my fingers as I grip it. The legs thump against the floor loudly as items crash to the floor.

  His balls slap against my clit, and the touch is fleeting, so I press back to get more. Luke must sense what I need, because he slides a hand around my mound to rub my sensitive nub. My moans are beyond my control as my orgasm threatens to explode. My channel flexes around his cock as he begins to grunt. When my ecstasy peaks, my cry is mixed with a yowl as I shatter beneath Luke.

  He continues to pound and says, “You’re not done yet.”

  Luke pinches and tugs at my clit in a way that does make me want more. I think he might have a few tricks of his own, and I find my hips begin to rock of their own accord as pleasure surges in me again. He somehow slides his finger in with his dick, because now pressure is on my g-spot and I’m about to lose control. My claws extend as something thuds to the ground. I dig them into the wood of the desk as my pleasure reaches for new heights. Luke shudders behind me with his release, and when he yanks my head back by my hair, I scream with my explosion.

  I soar for longer than I expect as he continues to torture me with his hand. It’s only when I whimper that he allows me to come down to earth.

  Luke flutters light kisses on my neck as my chest heaves with my attempt to get more oxygen, and I say, “My god. That was amazing.”