Janet scratched her head, trying to find a funny line to that. "Vampire?" she said between giggles. The rest of the guys laughed as well.
"J, nice try, but the look on Mike's face says it's more than that," Connor intervened. "Steakhouse?" he continued, adding to Janet's line.
Becket finally stopped playing with the toothpick he seemed to have a never-ending stack of, "I think we might be getting somewhere with that, guys," he added smugly. He'd probably heard it before.
"A taxi," Michael finally answered. He let that sink in a few seconds for dramatic effect and added, "Clearly, he's had too much booze and is being a nuisance," then he burst into laughter again. Louder this time. Janet's cheeks hurt from all the fun they were having. Thanks to them it didn't feel like work. It was exactly why she loved working at Shifting Impulse.
Still laughing like a drain, not necessarily because the joke had been hilarious, more like thanks to the late hour and how tired she was, she wiped her eyes for the millionth time that night. She probably looked like she had just come back from a run from her ragged breaths. At least she was enjoying herself. For some minutes she almost forgot about the shifter she'd been fantasizing all day about. Now she kind of regretted not asking him to stay. And he was gone. What could she have said? She hadn't confirmed that she was single. He probably thought she wasn't, that's why he had left. You're screwed, Janet! Next time grow some and speak your mind! Going with the flow was her thing. She always did crazy, spontaneous things that Celine ended up scolding her about. What could she do? She had a soft spot for people and she enjoyed being with them most of the time. In the three years she had been friends with Celine, her friend had to rescued her from all sorts of strange situations Janet found herself in because she couldn't say no. Celine had told her to pick her friends better or else she would end up in prison some day, but Janet simply couldn't help herself and there had been times when her feelings got hurt. Like her catastrophic failed relationship with Adler, the lion shifter who thought he could roar the bed of every woman in town and get away with it. Ever since she'd caught him kissing his way into a woman's cleavage four months ago, she'd sworn not to be so trusting. When it came to men and shifters, anyway.
The guys were still cracking jokes and she didn't want to ruin the atmosphere with her low spirits, so she turned her attention back to them, sipping orange juice from her red glass. Even though it was Saturday night, the club wasn't packed at this late hour. It was about two hours before closing time. Her eyes fell back on the guys who were now making plans about heading home. Suddenly her temperature rose and the room felt crammed. It got hotter by the minute. Had the air-con died? Turning her head to the left to ask Nell about the air-con, she got the scare of her life and the words never got past her lips. Her pulse quickened and all she could see was bright blue eyes, the shade of the summer sky, thick, curved eyebrows, mysterious eyelashes and kissable, full lips and a stubble she wanted to brush her palms on.
He. Was. Back.
Her eyes lingered on him, not willing to look elsewhere for fear of him being just a figment of her imagination. White t-shirt, dark-blue jeans and sturdy hiking brown boots covered his deliciously alluring physique. His tense muscles didn't even falter as he made his way to the bar. He had this whole mountain-man look that neither Adam nor Ryan managed to pull off. But he did. He seemed every bit the mountain man she was imagining. How good he must be in bed. She struggled to keep her nerves in check, but probably every emotion was on her face because as he sat down on the bar stool on her left, right next to Connor, the "Ha-ha Trio" turned their heads to look in the direction of her eyes. Busted!
She cleared her throat. She had to act cool. He was on her territory. "What can I get you?"
"Whatever you gave me last night. I couldn't stop thinking about it, so I had to come back," he confessed.
Was it possible for this room to get any hotter? "Yeah, coming right up," Janet hurried as she averted her eyes. She went to where Nell was and whispered, "Is the air-con broken or something? It's boiling in here!"
Nell eyed the hot new guy sitting at the bar and returned her gaze over to Janet, "With a view like that, I'd say the wind's blowing from the Sahara, but no, the air-con works just fine. I'm actually freezing," she chuckled and moved to her end of the bar where a woman was waiting for her cocktail. "Good luck," she said as she winked.
I'm so in trouble.
"Here you go," Janet said as she returned with his beer. The guys were watching her. They were waiting to see if she needed help getting rid of him or not.
"Thanks, I'm so glad I found this place. This beer is amazing. It's very close to Austrian beer. To the traditional recipe anyway. I'd never thought I would find something like this here. The Austrians guard the recipe with their life," he said as he cracked a charming smile her way.
"Just a second," she pointed a finger at Sean. The guys were preparing to leave, so she turned her attention to them. "It was great seeing you guys tonight. I really had fun. I'm counting on new jokes next week, Michael. The new batch was really good."
"You can count on it, J," he winked as they all stood and headed for the door. She slowly took the money off the counter, counted it and put it in the cash register. She was almost afraid to look back at Sean. His wicked gaze was turning her into a human torch.
She gathered her courage, reminded herself she was a people-person so she could do this as professionally as possible and turned towards him. He took a swig of his beer and put it down, cradling it with both hands as if he was cold and was hoping to get warm, when in fact it was the other way around.
"So you've been to Europe?" she asked, trying to keep the conversation casual. He was her only customer now.
"Yeah, I go about three times a year, in winter, summer and late autumn and I visit several countries. The landscape is breathtaking and I get some of the best shots there. Speaking of which..." he hesitated. She now realized he was holding a yellow envelope in his calloused hands, looking reluctant to share the contents of it. "I have something for you. I know I shouldn't have done it, but you are so intriguing that I just couldn't stop myself," Sean said as he stared straight into her eyes.
The look in Janet's eyes must have said a thousand words because he reached out for her hand. The second their hands touched, she couldn't say no anymore. His immense calloused hand was quite cold on hers, but it seemed to balance both their temperatures as she didn't feel as feverish as she had just seconds before. It was like their union had restored the balance. And it was peaceful. In that moment nothing else existed. She couldn't hear any music, she couldn't see other people. The only other person in the room was Sean who was looking at her as stunned as she was.
A low humming sound broke the silence. Soothing sound. She wondered if it was his animal who was purring like that. She'd heard Adam and Ryan's bears making that sound when they were enjoying each other's company. Bonding while building both their chalets or simply watching a rugby match. Adam and Ryan were wonderful friends and shifters. She loved them. She was beginning to like Sean too. Wait. WHAT?
You like him alright. And his bear is very comfortable with you. He seems loyal.
He broke their eye contact as he lowered his gaze to the envelope in his hand. He took his hand away and she felt cold inside. "This is for you. I hope you like it," he said as he handed her the envelope.
She took it with shaky hands. What she found inside were two photos the size of postcards. Both were photos of her. As she looked at them she wondered if it was really her. In one of them she was talking to someone and was tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. It was taken from the left side, probably somewhere close to the door and in the other she was looking straight at the camera and smiling the most seductive grin she had ever seen on her face. There was something written in the lower part of each picture "North Bloom Lake - Shifting Impulse, 13 July 2015." She couldn't find the right words. She wanted to crack a joke about how chubby her cheeks were or about her hair,
but she couldn't. This was how she looked to him. Young. Beautiful. Confident. Sexy.
She didn't want to spoil the moment talking about her insecurities. "I don't know what to say," she confessed as low as a whisper.
" They're yours. If you don't like them, just throw them away. I'm keeping mine, though," he grinned and restored the balance to her world once again.
"No, don't get me wrong. I like them. It's just... they're so different. I look like someone else. Did you photoshop them?"
"Just the light, they were a bit dark. The rest is all you, gorgeous, but like I said... you can just dispose of them if they'll get you in trouble with your boyfriend."
She scoffed. "I don't have a boyfriend. It's not like I'm model material. Just look at me."
"I'm looking all right and unfortunately I like everything I see. That bright smile especially."
Her expression turned serious, "Why unfortunately?"
He looked like he was pondering whether to tell her or not. Pondering intensely. "I'm not good for women. I have to keep my distance or else someone's going to get hurt."
"We're just talking, you realize that, don't you?" Janet asked, despite knowing he was right.
"I should go," he said as he prepared to take out his money and pay.
"Wait. Stay. Please," her eyes pleaded too.
"I can't. You are too good for me."
"Well, how would you know that? We've only talked for what... like ten minutes in two nights? That barely counts," she tried to sound casual, like she wasn't in too deep in whatever this was. "Also, I was hoping to hear more about that exhibition you went to. I've never been to one and I would like to see a fresh perspective of this town."
He stopped whatever he was doing and gave her his full attention, suddenly cheerful that she asked. He seemed to lighten up when it came to his job. "It's tomorrow... well... tonight, I guess. It's mostly wildlife and landscape photography. Do you like that kind of thing?"
"I take snapshots mostly of people when I go on holiday, but I might want to give non-human photography a chance. If he has as good of an eye as you do, then he might win a fan. Invite me to go with you."
Oh, no... you didn't just invite yourself. But she did. She was really interested in this exhibition now and it meant more time spent with him. Of course she wasn't going to tell him that. Baby steps, Janet. If you don't get too attached you can still walk away.
Sean looked unsure of what to do or say, but spoke nevertheless. He didn't seem like a shy guy. "Look Janet... in a couple of days I'll be gone. I can't do this."
"I know. I'm not asking for a kidney. You seem different and I need different in my life right now. I'm not looking for a boyfriend. Hell, the last thing I need right now is one. Not after my last boyfriend. You keep complimenting me, but I know it's just you being polite, so don't worry about it."
Sean opened his mouth to say something, probably contradict her, but her tirade wasn't over. "Have you found a guide yet? To show you around."
"Wait. What did your ex do?" he almost shouted.
"Oh, that. You caught that. It's not important. I haven't seen his sorry ass for four months now," Janet clarified.
"It's important to me. Tell me," he pleaded through clenched teeth.
Now that she was really going to say it out loud, it felt a bit more difficult. "He cheated. A lot. Didn't even bother to hide it. It hurt like hell, but I'm glad he's gone."
His murderous look spoke volumes and Janet didn't know what to do or say now
"How long were you together?"
She sighed in defeat. "Let's not talk about him anymore. It wasn't a very pleasant experience and I want to forget about it."
"The bastard! You don't deserve to be treated like that, baby."
"Stop calling me that. And I know. I deserve better. But that's not going to happen. Look at me, I weigh at least twice the average girl, I'm just a bartender and I haven't even been to another state. Let's not kid ourselves," she laughed in an attempt to calm her nerves. She'd said too much. Again. "Sorry, just ignore my rant. It's late and I'm tired."
He just looked at her without saying anything. "It's funny how all I can think about right now is kissing you," he contemplated.
Keeping her anger in check, she said plainly, "I don't need your pity. Keep it. I have work to do."
She grabbed a washcloth and a tray and headed for the tables behind Sean. All of them were littered with glasses, mugs, half-empty bottles, plastic plates and food. The orange couches had been moved and needed to be rearranged. She didn't look back at the bar. She abandoned the tray and cloth on one of the glass tables and grabbed one of the couches to move it where it belonged. Away from him she felt cold. The air-con was certainly on and chills ran all over her body. As she finished adjusting the first one, she felt a massive warm hand on her shoulder. She didn't have to turn to know that wasn't Nell. It was Sean.
"I'm sorry if I did something to offend you. Let me help. Do you need all of them to be rearranged?" he spun her to face him and she almost got lost in his blue eyes. It was like looking at the dark starry night.
She shrugged to get his hand off her shoulder when in fact she hoped he wouldn't stop touching her. "I don't need help. I can manage on my own. I've been doing this for a long time."
"I know you don't need help. I want to help. There's a difference. Now, can you tell me what to do?" he held his ground and his hand lingered on her shoulder.
She laughed. "Okay. You're too good with words for your own good. Just do what I did with the rest of them. Each table on the left should have three couches, while the ones on the right should have only two on opposite sides," she said as she piled things on her tray. "Sean..."
"Yeah?" he said as he pulled one of the couches with minimum effort.
"Thanks for your help."
They finished fixing up the two rooms that Janet was in charge of, but she still had to clean everything behind the bar. Sean helped with that too. She washed glasses of different shapes and handed them to Sean who wiped them with a soft orange cloth. They worked in silence, none of them wanting to ruin the moment with something inappropriate.
"Why are you still here doing this with me?" Janet took a chance and broke the awkward silence.
He continued his task, rubbing the glasses absentmindedly. "Honestly?"
"I'd rather hear that."
"I can't stay away from you. You feel familiar and I've never felt so at ease with someone I've just met."
She just listened without interrupting him. "I don't know what is happening or how this is going to go, but I'm taking it one decision at a time. Plus, you're the only other person I know in this town. Why haven't you asked me to leave?"
She didn't dare look at him. "Nobody's ever offered to help me like this. I think I'm in denial. That you're actually not real and I'm going crazy." It sounded funny, but it was as real as it could be at three thirty in the morning. Janet was too exhausted to play mind games. "And you feel safe. Not safe in the sense you won't hurt me because I never know how you mountain men act when you get angry or drunk, but in the sense that I feel I can conquer the world because you'll be there to lift me when I'm down," she paused, thinking about what had just come out of her mouth. "That doesn't make any sense. Sorry."
"It does actually. I wouldn't do anything to hurt you. I would keep you safe if you were mine. Even if I had to pay with my life."
And with those words he turned to look at her. "But you aren't mine."
"And I'm not looking for that. I'm my own person. I'm not a man's property. This is the twenty-first century in case you haven't noticed."
He scoffed. "I respect women. I don't think they're anybody's property. It's just this possessiveness I feel for those close to me runs bone deep, but I'll be leaving soon and I can't ask you to get involved with me even if I can barely keep my hands to myself around you," he said as the growl in his throat continued.
"Then give in. Let's spend some great days together, make some
great memories and then go our separate ways."
"What are you suggesting?" he gave her the most evil grin he was capable of in that moment.
"That you take me to the exhibition and let me show you our mountains. You were thinking dirty there, old man, weren't you?"
He chuckled. "Well, I'm a guy, so yeah, I was picturing you naked, but I'm also realistic because the last thing you need is to be naked around me," only to get serious once again.
She didn't say it out loud, but secretly she'd been imagining his naked body ever since she'd met him the previous night. "What about catching the sunrise up there?"
He gave her a stunned look. "That would be fantastic, but I don't have my gear with me. I left everything at the hotel."
Almost buzzing with excitement at the prospect of spending time with him and being a tour guide for the hottest guy she'd ever laid eyes on, Janet said "That won't be a problem. It's still early. I have a car, I know a shortcut and a stunning place. We should get going."
CHAPTER FIVE
"Why do you still work in that club if you're unhappy with being a bartender?" Sean asked right after Janet got settled behind the wheel and turned on the engine.
"I never said I was unhappy. I love the place and the job. My parents are the ones who absolutely despise the place. When they hear I’ve returned to my job at Shifting Impulse they go crazy. I've changed my job a few times now. I've worked as a PA, a waitress at a friend's restaurant, a sales assistant at the mall and a kids’ entertainer. They were okay for a while, but I thought about Shifting Impulse all the time. This was where I felt most like myself. It's illogical, but that's how it feels for me. I'm not known for my outstanding left-sided brain," she chuckled and continued. "If you asked my best friend, Celine, the birthday girl, she would surely tell you I have an allergic reaction to logic and that she doesn't know how I managed to get to this age."
"And do you? I mean... have an allergic reaction to logic?" he asked amused by the question.
Shifting Impulse: A BBW Bear-Shifter Romance (Complete Edition - Books 1-3) Page 20
