by Olivia Gayle
Why the hell was she so invested in what he thought of her?
She turned her eyes back to the screen and watched the struggle. For a moment, her sister was obscured by the van, then a white dog appeared and took off across the street. Ever didn’t remember seeing her sister with a pet, but the men gave chase and, moments later, appeared with the wriggling dog in their arms.
Beside her, Marshall and Aidan exchanged glances, but Ever’s eyes were glued to the screen. “What happened to her?” she demanded, tears rising in her eyes as the van drove off and out of frame. “Where is she?”
Marshall sighed. “I’m afraid, my dear, that your sister’s been kidnapped.”
Chapter 7
Ever had raged, she had cried, she’d threaten to sue the entire town and the state if it would bring her sister back.
Now, she slept, but it wasn’t a restful slumber.
The hotel room hadn’t been her choice. She’d wanted to hit the streets running, sniff out her sister’s trail if necessary, do something. Aidan’s suggestion that she get some rest had been met with anger, and she’d stormed out, calling him a rat bastard for abandoning her sister.
He’d just followed after her, and tried not to take her words personally.
His father had promised to have answers by the morning, and Aidan knew enough to trust that. Still, it was cold comfort for Ever, who in obvious pain from having to watch her sister’s kidnapping. She refused to be comforted, and hadn’t been willing to listen to anything that wasn’t directed toward her sister’s rescue.
Aidan’s idea of staying in a hotel room had been met with derision, even though he knew it meant safety. On this, however, he hadn’t balked. She’d yelled at him, telling him he’d have to arrest her to keep her in one place, how horrible he was for holding her back. In the end, she’d gone into the hotel room, bitching the whole way. The moment she finally quieted and laid down in the bed, she was out like a light.
Never once, however, did she tell him to get out.
It was the little things that he latched onto.
Watching her sleep in that bed, his hands itched to hold her. Even now, her face was still wet with tears. What he wouldn’t give to take her in his arms, kiss them away, tell her everything would be all right.
Drawing in a raggedy breath, he pulled out his cellphone and retreated to the opposite side of the room, every inch from her a tug on his heart.
“Hey bossman.” The familiar voice of Mackenzie Wallace, his second in command, filled the phone. She seemed chipper for it being close to the middle of the night. “What’s up?”
"Mac, I need you to cover me for the next couple of days."
"Uh, yeah sure boss," she said, obviously curious but knowing better than to ask for details, "no problem. Everything okay?"
"Something came up." Lord, he needed to tell somebody. "I may have found my mate."
Ever would have probably heard the loud whoop that came over the phone if she hadn't been asleep. "You're serious? Oh man, congrats! So, how's the sex?"
He coughed, glancing at Ever still asleep. “It’s not like that,” he said softly, careful not to wake her, “not yet anyway.”
Mac just snorted. “Marcus and I were boinking like bunnies within half an hour after meeting each other,” she said, and he could almost see the smirk on the deputy’s face. “Not that anything’s changed, mind you.”
Aidan rolled his eyes. Sex wasn’t such a taboo subject amongst the Arcadian shifters. When you saw folks naked after a shift fairly regularly, you learned not to sweat the small stuff. Now however, he had the image in his brain and couldn’t wash it out fast enough.
As if she knew what Aidan was thinking, Mac laughed. “But seriously, what’s holding you back from doing the dirty? It’s awesome, you know.”
“Her sister’s been kidnapped. That’s what brought her to Arcadia.”
That shut Mac up. “Jesus.”
“The Brahm’s doing everything he can to find the girl. Apparently, he was never notified that she’d even entered the town.” Aidan looked back at Ever. “I need to handle this one personally.”
“No problem, man. You tell us what you need and we’re there.”
“See if there’s anything you can dig up on a work history for Sonya Jackson. I know my father’s handling it but I’d like as many eyes on this as possible.” Another thought came to him. “And take a look for any large dark vans in the area, possibly dark green, blue or black.”
“You got any deets? License plate or make?”
He gave her what little information he could, then murmured his goodbyes and hung up the phone. Between his father and his office, he hoped he’d have something concrete for his little fighter when she woke up in the morning.
Aidan walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge, just staring at her. Ever’s dark hair was splayed across the pillow, her brow furrowed with worry. Even in sleep, she was distressed. He reached out and ran his finger lightly across her forehead, tracing the lines there and pushing back a stray lock of hair.
She shifted under his touch, and a soft snore wheezed out her open mouth.
Damn him, if Aidan didn’t think it was adorable.
Against his better judgment, Aidan laid down beside Ever, careful not to move too quickly. She’d probably raise hell if she woke up with him this close. He’d seen her reaction to his touch in his father’s house, but he couldn’t help himself. The pull of her was too intense to stay away. He’d waited so very long to find his mate, and even if she was human he couldn’t resist being as close to her as possible.
Ever shifted, releasing a small sigh. She turned in her sleep, rolling over towards Aidan and cuddling up to him. He put his arm around her unconsciously, pulling her tight against his body, and she sighed again.
Right under his nose like this, she smelled fantastic. He lowered his head, closing his eyes and just experiencing her, the feel of her finally in his arms. His hands stayed still, not wanting to wake her and end this.
Shifters lived a long time, making it difficult to go out into the world and find their mates. As a result, many never found the one made for them, the one that was theirs and no one else’s. That didn’t stop them from carrying on with their lives however; many shifters settled into relationships with friends, even had children.
Always above that however was the knowledge that, if one parent found their partner, it might break up an otherwise happy home forever.
Aidan had waited a long time, longer than he cared to admit. While he’d been tempted to settle, maybe even with the farmer’s daughter, Samantha, he’d kept himself busy to take the edge off. Keeping the peace amongst the shifters in Arcadia wasn’t without its interesting moments, but there was a lot of down time as well. Fortunately, he had his hobbies, and there was always something that needed to be repaired after a rampage or two.
But all of it paled in comparison to the woman in his arms. Aidan hadn’t realized he’d given up on ever finding her until that moment, that he’d resigned himself to a mundane existence without love. His father had done it, his brothers as well.
Ever nuzzled his chest through the shirt fabric, and Aidan’s grip on her tightened. That she was human was immaterial. Perhaps it had startled him in the beginning, but now he just worried about how helpless she was in his world. Shifters had various weapons in their arsenals, including faster healing, increased strength, and the ability to call on their animal in a fight.
Humans, by contrast, were so fragile, so achingly mortal.
As tempting as it was to simply Change her, she needed to know the truth first. To do that, she needed to trust him. He’d done a bang-up job so far, cuffing her and throwing her in the back of his car.
God, he’d been an idiot. He just hoped it didn’t bite him in the ass any more than he expected.
Settling onto the pillow beneath him, he pulled the blanket up over both of them and switched off the light. Even in the darkness, Aidan could see the furrows tha
t had lined Ever’s forehead were gone. He rubbed his cheek against her hair, pulling her back against him, and closed his eyes.
Chapter 8
Something was beating near Ever’s head, thumping softly like a slow clock.
The pillow was warm, and harder than she remembered, but comfortable. Super comfortable. She snuggled up to it, burying her face to block out the nearby light. That soft thump was hypnotizing, lulling her back into slumber.
Her bed shifted, the pillow rocking slightly. Annoyed, she sleepily clung to it, not wanting to get up just yet. The movement stopped and Ever sighed with contentment, settling back. The thumping in her ear grew quicker, and a delicious smell reached her nose. It wasn’t food or cologne, but drew her like a moth to a flame.
Touches, feather-soft, moved down the side of her face then across her lips. A burning started in her belly, her sex aching, as the movement was repeated. Belatedly, Ever realized the pillow beneath her wasn’t fabric, but flesh. That discovery didn’t even faze her however; she took it in stride, moving her hand under the thin fabric and across the soft skin. It quivered beneath her fingers, muscles working beneath her palm at her delicate ministrations.
Sleepily, Ever moved down the body beneath her, pushing up the shirt and straddling a wide thigh. She ground herself down on it, giving a sharp sigh as her swollen clit rubbed against the thin cotton of her panties, sending shivers through her body. Her hands pushed at the shirt, trying to tear it up and away, then it was gone and she had free rein.
Her eyes peeked open, first one, then the other. Ridges of muscle lay before her, and she set her mouth to the skin, running her tongue lightly between the creases. She gave a little “Mmmm” as she made her way higher, enjoying the taste and feel of the body beneath her. The muscles trembled, hands grabbing at her upper arms, but nobody was making her do anything. That just made her bolder, and she latched onto one dark nipple with her lips and teeth.
Above her, someone hissed, a sharp jet of breath. Ever ground herself down on the thick thigh, the sensations making her squirm, but it wasn’t enough. She looked up to see amber eyes watching her, the familiar (beloved?) face staring back at her, and she didn’t think. She just crawled up Aidan’s body and latched her lips onto his.
The touch was like lightning, and suddenly Ever couldn’t get enough. She darted her tongue inside his mouth, desperate for a taste. Hands pulled her leg across narrow hips and Ever ground down, moaning at the thick pole she felt there. It had been too long, and she needed everything, all at once. She clawed at his shoulders, wanting to melt into him, and moaned again as her partner pulled her tight against him, his mouth going to her neck.
She gave a cry as one hand wedged itself between them, pressing up and toward her core. It massaged her clit, making her tremble and moan, and suddenly she needed more, more. Almost as if he’d read her mind, her pants were unfastened with nimble hands, and fingers slipped inside, gliding across the moist folds of her sex.
Ever shuddered, clutching at wide shoulders, as those fingers slid in and out of her. She didn’t protest as her pants were pushed down and off her hips, down her knees and off her ankles. She helped as best she could, and when the fabric was gone she again straddled his hips, riding the tight bulge there.
The kisses, oh, she’d never tasted anyone so wonderful. Hands tangled in her hair as his hips surged upwards, nearly propelling her into the air. Ever clung to wide shoulders, raining kisses over Aidan’s face as he repeated the movement once, twice.
Beside them a cellphone rang.
Both of them froze, Ever with her hands on the buttons of Aidan’s pants, Aidan with his around the globes of her ass. She stared down at him in shock, and saw his eyes were glowing amber in the low light. The need in her body wouldn’t relent, but her brain was finally shouting What the fuck are you doing?
They stayed that way, staring at one another, unmoving, as the phone rang and rang, then grew quiet.
And started again.
Aidan slid a hand up Ever’s back, his fingers dancing against the skin, but he didn’t seem surprised when she pushed against his chest with both hands. Ever crawled backwards, almost falling off the bed before catching herself against his knee. She let him go as if he burned her, levering herself up onto trembling legs. Turning her back to him, she searched for her jeans, struggling to regain control of her senses.
She heard Aidan’s low voice as he answered the phone but ignored it, her thoughts too scrambled up to process anything effectively. What had she been thinking, climbing up a man she barely knew? Okay, sure, so there was some chemistry; that much was blatantly obvious. But to jump his bones before they’d both even woken up fully? And anyway, wasn’t he supposed to be sleeping on the couch or floor or something?
Oh no, Ms. McHussypants, you don’t get to shift blame that easily. She’d been the aggressor here, and while he hadn’t kept his hands to himself, he’d let her go the minute she’d pushed away.
Not all men in her experience did that.
“We have a lead on your sister.”
That got her immediate attention. Aidan was watching her, his face blank. “Marshall’s sending me the coordinates now.”
“You know,” Ever said, grabbing her shirt and pulling it back down over her body, “you told me yesterday we were going to see your father. So why is your brother the one sending us information?”
He didn’t answer for a moment, then sighed. “My family situation is complicated.”
“Isn’t everyone’s?”
His lips tipped up in one corner, although his face lacked any real humor. “Mine’s a little weirder than most.”
Ever hitched her shoulder, pulling on her shoes hurriedly. Being in the same room as him was temptation incarnate. Her heart had melted at the tiny smile, and she’d wanted to jump his bones all over again.
Seriously, what was wrong with her?
“Meet you out in the car,” she said over her shoulder, pulling open the door and stepping outside without waiting to hear his reply.
Their hotel room was on the far side of town from her house. She still wasn’t sure how he’d convinced her that this was a safer place than her house. Probably because she’d completely nixed his suggestion of staying at his place, despite his assertion he’d be a perfect gentleman. One simply didn’t go into another man’s home territory, especially a stranger’s; she’d learned that the hard way before, but the lesson stuck with her.
The hotel had seemed an acceptable compromise, but now in the light of day the similar stupidity struck her like a smack to the face. She wasn’t thinking clearly, that had to be it; her sister’s disappearance was playing havoc with her sense of safety. That’s the only reason she’d share a hotel room with a man she’d met the day before—Ever knew better than that.
Their room was on the first floor, the Sheriff’s car parked nearby. On the other side of the lot was a small forest of evergreens, likely marking the northern edge of town. A metal playground stood nearby, with the swimming pool attached, but she couldn’t see anyone around.
Ever had gone maybe three steps toward the car when something small and furry came ambling out from around their vehicle. She froze, staring wide-eyed, as the bear cub sniffed something on the ground, caught sight of Ever, and galloped toward her almost happily.
She turned tail and ran back inside the hotel room, slamming the door closed and leaning against it.
Inside, Aidan was on alert. He’d put his pants on but not the shirt yet, and his hand was on the gun at his hip. “What’s wrong?”
Ever jerked a thumb toward the door at her back. “There’s a bear outside!”
Contrary to everything she would have expected, the infuriating man actually relaxed, pulling his hand away from the gun. “Did you see what kind of bear?”
What the hell kind of question was that? A bear was a bear, right? “A baby bear, but you know the mama has to be around someplace!”
“True enough.” He shrugged on his
shirt, not bothering with the buttons, and then moved toward her. “Let me look.”
Protests died on her lips. If he wanted to ignore her advice and look for himself, fine. Maybe he didn’t believe her. Oh look, the little woman thinks she sees forest critters. Isn’t that adorable?
That thought got her pissed enough that she hoped the mama bear did eat him. “By all means.”
Her change in tone made him frown at her, but he eased the door and poked his head outside. He looked around, then leaned back to look at Ever. “I don’t see anything.”
“What?” She pulled the door open and peered out, looking both ways. “It was just here, I swear!”
Nearby, a child giggled, and Ever looked over by a nearby truck to see a little girl, no more than two or three, grinning up at them. She was naked as could be and didn’t seem at all concerned about an audience.
“Amanda Lynn Priestly, you get your sorry buns over here this instant!”
A frazzled-looking woman came hurrying down the parking lot, heading straight for the little girl. Ever saw disappointment at being caught flash across the child’s face before she was swept up in her mother’s arms. “You do not go running away like that, you hear me?”
“Morning, Carly,” Aidan said, sounding amused and relieved at the same time.
“Hi, Sheriff.” The other woman puffed out a breath. “I swear, this one is an escape artist. Sneaky little thing too, especially when she shif—”
“Carly,” Aidan interrupted her firmly, “this is Ever Jackson. She’s in town for a while looking for her sister.”
The other woman cut off whatever she was saying, looking over at Ever. Suspicion clouded the mother’s eyes almost immediately, and she clutched her daughter closer. Confusion overtook Ever.
What did I freaking do to these people? The collective reaction from the town’s occupants was starting to annoy the hell out of her.
“I’ll leave you to it then,” Carly said, licking her lips nervously and hurrying away.
