Southern Shifters: Stick Shifter (Kindle Worlds Novella)

by Moxie North

  “Are you okay, Mr. Klein? You look unwell,” she said cautiously. For some reason, all of her instincts were on high alert. It wasn’t danger that had her tense; it was something she couldn’t put her finger on. There was a vibe coming off the man in front of her that had her feeling dizzy and off balance.

  “My name is Will. Say it.” Again it came out like an order. The shiver he saw hit her didn’t have him wanting to change his tone.

  “Will,” she said with an audible swallow. “I’m sorry, you’re kinda freaking me out. Is there something wrong? I’ll be done with your car tonight if that’s the problem.”

  Delaney was struggling to figure out that massive mood change that was only feeling more overwhelming as the seconds ticked by.

  “I need a minute,” he growled. He turned to see a stack of tires against a wall and headed towards them. Leaning against them, he crossed his arms over his chest. His eyes were on her, though, not moving from her face.

  Delaney fidgeted but stood still as she watched him take deep breaths, his chest rising under his crossed arms like he was trying to get control of something she didn’t understand. She felt like she should put something sturdy between them but resisted the urge. Finally, his eyes slid closed, and she saw his lips move but couldn’t hear what he was saying.

  Will was talking his cougar down; he needed to focus, and his cat was not helping. He knew that he was speaking too quiet for her to hear, so she wouldn’t be upset at his chant of mine under his breath. “Mine, all mine. Forever mine,” he repeated. It quieted his cat, knowing that man and beast were on the same page.

  The number of things going through Will’s head was like a movie on fast forward. He was thinking of how to get her to fall in love with him. How was he was going to get her to move to Nevada and convince her he wasn’t crazy? How and when was he was going to get her naked, and mark her with his bite so everyone would know she was his? All of these things hit him at once, and he didn’t know where to start.

  Taking a fortifying breath, he opened his eyes and saw his mate with her head tilted to the side. Her forehead scrunched as she kept her wary eyes on him. His last lungful of air took in the garage, her sweet candy scent and the dinner he brought. First things first, he needed to feed his mate.

  “Dinner,” he said gruffly.

  “Oh, yeah. We can eat in the breakroom or out here?” Delaney was willing to do anything that didn’t include the staring contest they were currently having.

  She watched Will look around his surroundings and then turn to look over his shoulder at the door with the large window that was the breakroom. It appeared he didn’t like his options all of a sudden, which made Delaney uncomfortable.

  He pushed away from the tires and reached for the bags he’d set on the counter. As he strode past her, he grabbed her hand and pulled her towards the outside.

  Delaney didn’t have any other option but to follow him. His big warm hand held hers tight, and she practically had to jog to keep up with him.

  “Where are we going?” she managed to ask as he pulled her around the side of the garage that overlooked a ravine and led down to a small creek.

  “Here,” he said, as he stopped in a shady spot that had a decent size patch of grass. He turned and surveyed the area and decided it would do. He set the bags down and then looked at her expectantly.

  Not totally sure what he wanted, she guessed and sank to her bottom on the ground. He followed suit and started unloading the bags.

  “Sorry, this is better, don’t you think?” He tried to cover for his abruptness.

  “Sure, I haven’t had a picnic since I was a kid. I used to love them. I’d tell my mom that food tasted better outside, and she’d make my lunch in a paper bag so I could sit outside on the porch and eat it.” Delaney smiled at the memory. It was a sense memory that she often replayed in her mind. The sun beating down on her face, the condensation on the outside of her juice box. The buzz of bees trying to get to the grape jam in her sandwich. She knew that her mom was watching her from the kitchen window while she ate. Sometimes she would come out and sit with her. They would talk and giggle. It was some of her happiest memories.

  “I’d like to meet your mom,” Will said. He’d paused his unpacking to listen to her; his gaze focused on her.

  “She’s gone. Passed away, I mean. When I was younger.” Delaney hadn’t had to say that in a while. Everyone in town knew her parents and knew her mom had died.

  Shit, he wasn’t expecting that. “I’m sorry. That must have been tough.”

  “It was a long time ago. It’s much easier talking about her now. I can remember all the happy times; that’s what makes it easier.”

  “So it was just you and your dad?” Will kept unloading the food and setting it out. His hands and eyes were on the food, but every cell of him was tuned into her.

  “Yup. I ended up spending most of my time in the garage after school. I was around cars all the time so becoming a gear head was kind of a given. But I do love cars, motorcycles too. Anything with an engine really. I was the only girl in auto shop in school. But since I was head of the class, I didn’t have to put up with too much crap for long,” she said and gave a small laugh.

  Will didn’t like the idea of anyone picking on her just because she was good at something. “Well, it looks like you are well respected around here.”

  “Now, sure. It took a while for people to figure out that my dad has a basic knowledge of car repair. He’s much better sitting around waiting for a tow call. Honestly, since my mom died, he hasn’t really been very motivated. I mean, he took good care of me. Well, the best he could, but we’re a little isolated out here. There weren’t other kids to play with and no neighbors that weren’t a long drive away. So it was just me and him. I think if you look up tomboy in the dictionary, there is a picture of me.”

  “Tomboy or not, you are a beautiful woman, Delaney.” Damn that felt good to say. Will wanted to go on about every detail of what he thought was gorgeous about her, but he tried to hold himself back.

  Delaney blushed, she felt the heat on her cheeks. Ducking her head, she said, “Thank you, but I own a mirror you know. I probably still have grease stains on my cheeks. I always forget and rub my hand across my face.”

  “Doesn’t change the beauty underneath,” he said gruffly.

  Chapter Eight

  “Erm, well thanks.” Delaney didn’t know how to take a compliment like that. Especially coming from a man like him. What was his deal? Was he looking for a vacation hookup? She didn’t know if that was something she was looking to do. Not that it hadn’t been a good long while since she’d had any kind of intimate relationship. Her last boyfriend was two years ago, and he broke up with her right before he moved to the East coast. It didn’t break her heart or anything. She was moderately sad then figured good riddance.

  “Delaney,” he said, getting her attention.

  “Yeah?” she answered, still looking down at her hands, picking at the dark spots on her nails.

  “Eyes.” His voice was low with the sound vibrating through the air.

  Delaney couldn’t help it; her eyes shot up to his. That voice of his did funny things to her. Not only did it make her want to focus in on him, it made parts of her wake up and tingle. The parts that hadn’t seen a lot of action lately unless it was battery powered.

  “You are a beautiful woman. Don’t let anyone ever tell you otherwise. I think you’re amazing.”

  “Why? I’m just a mechanic in the hills of North Carolina. There isn’t a lot to compare me to out here, you know,” she scoffed.

  “I don’t need to. Everyone else needs to be compared to you. You’re talented, gorgeous, and I like you. I can honestly say I’ve never met anyone like you before, and I’m positive I will never meet anyone I find more interesting.”

  “Wow, you need to get out more, Will.”

  “I’ve been all over the world, and I’ve met thousands of people. You top that list, trust me on th
is. I apologize if I’m coming on strong. I really can’t help it. I’m drawn to you in a way that has my brain misfiring and my dick leading the conversation. I don’t mean that to be crude; I just want you to realize how attractive I find you. This is a rare thing. It’s never happened to me. I know you can feel something for me. There is attraction and interest. I want you to know that I am fully open to pursuing this however you want to play it.”

  Delaney thought this was a pretty hard sell just to get into her pants. Most guys just figured she was up for a tussle even though anyone local knew that she wasn’t that kind of girl. Tourists figured she was uneducated and looking for attention. They found out quickly they were wrong.

  “What is this? I mean offering to bring me dinner was nice and all. I just figured you were sucking up to get your car fixed faster. You don’t need to do this you know. Your car can be done in the next hour if you want me to get to it,” she offered. This whole scene was making her uncomfortable; she didn’t know how to handle a man like him.

  “Fuck the car. Keep it. I don’t care if it rots in there. I wanted to spend some time with you. I drove and got dinner hoping that you’d spend some non-mechanic time with me. Not bringing you dinner would have gotten my car fixed faster if that was what I wanted. I would have asked you out on a date, but I didn’t think you’d accept. I would imagine you get a lot of offers from out of towners.”

  “True, I guess I’m not used to the direct approach. I can’t tell if I like it or not.” Delaney figured if he was being honest, she could too.

  “I like honesty. I don’t like when people play games with me. I’ll tell you anything you want to know, just ask. My life is an open book to you. I usually keep my private life under lock and key. For you, it’s wide open.”

  Delaney chewed her bottom lip contemplating this. It was too tempting to delve into the offer he’d just presented.

  “Are you married?” She figured that was a big one to get out of the way.

  “No. Never found the right woman before,” he said, handing her a takeout container and a fork. She was surprised when he flicked out a paper napkin and placed it over her lap like they were in a fancy restaurant. It made her smile at him which he returned. Except his smile was a lot hotter and made those tingly parts heat up.

  “Dating someone?” she asked, flipping open the container finding a huge burrito covered in sauce. It was still a little warm.

  “I have dates for functions that I need to attend. I keep a few business associates that I know can go on short notice on a list.”

  “A list?” she mumbled, having scooped a bite of cheesy goodness in her mouth.

  Will chuckled. “Not like that. I’m on their short list too. It’s always beneficial for business to be seen at the right events. It’s a trade-off.”

  Delaney nodded; that seemed to make sense. She couldn’t help but imagine him with one of those giant old fashioned rolodexes that spun around full of cards with women dying to date him.

  “Illegitimate children?”

  It was Will’s turn to cough around a bite of food. He finished chewing, and his eyes told her she’d get payback for that one.

  “No, no children. Again, I haven’t found the right woman. I’d like three, though, two girls and a boy.”

  “Two girls, huh? You realize that would keep you outnumbered by women the rest of your life.”

  “If any son of mine can learn how to take care of his mom and sisters right, any woman in the future will be very well off when she meets him. I happen to like being surrounded by beautiful women. Life is infinitely more interesting when you have wives and daughters to take care of.” Will knew how he was raised and planned on raising any sons he had the same. The women in your life were meant to be taken care of. You supported them, encouraged them and did everything in your power to remove any obstacles to their happiness.

  “And what if you have three boys?”

  “Well then, their mother will be the most exhausted, but hopefully the happiest woman in the world.”

  Delaney couldn’t scoff at that answer. It was a good one. She’d always been the one to take care of things. Making sure the house was clean, food was in the fridge, and the bills were paid. Not that her dad abandoned her; he just was forgetful for a long time. As an adult, she knew he was so deep in his loss that he hadn’t been aware of his young daughter shouldering the responsibility. He was better now. He wasn’t totally checked out, but then Delaney had been doing it so long, it was easier to just keep doing it.

  Not knowing what to say to his last statement, she took another bite. As she chewed, Will handed her a plastic cup full of cold beer he’d poured from a large growler in an insulated bag.

  “Wow, that’s good,” she said, setting the cup beside her.

  Will took a drink himself. “It is good. I like micro-brews, not that I’d turn my nose up at a bottle of domestic.”

  “You seem like the champagne type to me,” she said, knowing she was probably right.

  “I can’t say I don’t drink my fair share. But I’m more of a vodka man actually. Sometimes a nice scotch to finish out a night, but I tend to stick to the clear liquors during business hours.”

  Delaney raised her eyebrow at him. She wasn’t sure what he meant by that.

  “Just in case I spill,” he said and gave her a wink.

  Shaking her head with laughter, she said, “I doubt very much you are a clumsy man.”

  “No? I could be.”

  “Nope, you could balance a glass on your head I bet. Never spill a drop.”

  “Hmm, I’ll have to try that.”

  Delaney gave him a smile. She took another bite thinking up another question since she had the feeling if she didn’t, he’d start asking about her.

  “So…when do you leave?”

  “Well, I was supposed to leave on Sunday. But I may extend my vacation a bit,” he said cryptically.

  “Oh yeah? Thinking of driving to the coast?”

  “Nope, might just stay around here for a little longer. The scenery has gotten very interesting recently,” he said, his eyes on her.

  Chapter Nine

  Delaney swallowed past the lump of food that had gotten momentarily lodged in her throat. There was no way he meant what it sounded like.

  Looking at her food, she poked it with her fork a few times. “Family?”

  “Mom and dad live in Las Vegas, well outside of the city. We have a large home where two of my three sisters live. My sister Layla is married, and she and her husband live nearby. My two other sisters are nutty, obnoxious, and adorable. They are close in age and are spoiled rotten. I think they just have been playing dress up too long. I have high hopes for them someday.”

  “You live with your parents?” Delaney wasn’t surprised by this. She’d lived with her dad until her recent move to the studio apartment above the garage.

  “Sort of. I keep a suite at the hotel. I work so much and often through the night that I’m more of a nomad. When I need a break from the hotel, I crash at my parents’ house. There is always someone there, and I like getting away from the noise and glare of downtown.”

  “That’s nice that you have such a big family,” she offered.

  Will didn’t know how to explain just how big his family actually was. His pack was the largest in the area. Almost everyone in the Klein cougar pack worked in one of the family’s companies. It was an empire full of shifters, not that he’d be able to explain that to her yet.

  “So, how many more runs do you have planned?” Delaney switched to car talk since it was easier than family.

  “Well, I had dozens planned. But now it all depends,” he said.

  “On what? Your car will be ready to go tomorrow.”

  “On whether or not I have company. I find the thought of hitting the Dragon on my own sounding very lonely all of a sudden. You like driving it?”

  “Sure, although I usually ride it,” she said, not looking at him.

  “Ride it
? You ride?” Will was surprised to hear this, although he really shouldn’t be. Delaney was his perfect mate. Of course, she would love to drive and ride motorcycles. Just like him.

  “I live near a road that has three hundred eighteen turns in eleven miles. Hells yes, I ride. I have a Ninja 300 that I take out on nice days.”

  The image of her stretched over the top of a slick motorcycle had Will shifting to relieve the pressure on the zipper of his jeans. He could just imagine her dressed in black leather with her hair flying behind her. It was a very sexy image.

  “Maybe I can ride with you this week?” Will wanted to make his dreams a reality.

  Delaney would freaking love that. But nobody drove her motorcycle, and she’d be damned if she’d take the bitch seat. Then again, the thought of wrapping around the man sitting next to her as they sped through the mountain had its merits.

  “How about tomorrow? You busy?”

  “After your car, there isn’t much on the schedule. Should be sunny. I’d love to go. It’s been ages.” Delaney knew she should say thanks for dinner and have a nice life. But this man was too hunky to push away. So what was the harm in a few days flirtation? It could be a good time. Something to carry her through the summer of working in a hot garage, breathing in fumes.

  “Excellent, after lunch? I could take you out somewhere. Not that eating on the grass is bad. But somewhere we could eat with metal utensils wouldn’t be bad.”

  “No, although Styrofoam does give the food that extra special taste,” she said with a giggle.

  “You have a nice laugh. It makes your face light up. Did you know that?” Will asked, leaning over as he brushed a stray piece of hair away from her face. His finger just brushed her cheekbone, and his cat roared in his head as her eyes got big from his touch.

  “What am I going to do with you?” he murmured under his breath.

  “Do you need to do something with me?” Delaney asked, her voice a little breathless from the static shock of his touch.