Simon felt better for speaking to Whitney the night before and apologizing for his treatment of her. He didn't feel so much like a bastard anymore. But at the same time, he felt the tension coiling in his body.
He had shifted in the woods around the cottage and gone for a long run before he had ventured into the house to face her. But seeing her in those pyjamas that fitted the line of her body better than his robe had, clinging onto those gorgeous breasts of hers, had sent his arousal to near overdrive.
His cock had been rigid the whole time they had talked and his beast had been impatient, demanding that he pushed her onto the bed, ripped off her clothes and fucked her.
Simon wanted her. He wasn't going to deny that. But he wasn't one to force himself onto women and Whitney hadn't shown any indication now the drug was out of her system of being attracted to him. Simon wasn't going to explore what might be there until he knew for certain.
He didn't want his mate running away screaming because he had scared her.
The door to Grattidge's building opened for the umpteenth time and the man himself stepped out onto the street. He was dressed smartly in a light brown suit, his dark tie loosened and the top two buttons on his shirt undone. He was grinning like the Cheshire cat.
Simon picked up his camera from the passenger seat and raised it to his eyes. He took several pictures as Grattidge walked to the crosswalk and waited with the other commuters to cross the street. Simon could see him eyeing a young woman in front of him hungrily. He hoped she wasn't about to become another victim of his charm or his teeth.
Neither of them had a good conclusion.
The passenger door opened and Simon scented a familiar smell as his visitor slid into the passenger seat, closing the door behind him.
"What's he been up to?"
"Lots of meetings this morning." Simon took another photo of Grattidge behind the woman he was eyeing up and lowered the camera. "He seems to be very busy today."
"Sounds like he's building up to something big."
"I snuck in and saw him in conference with a lot of his pack. They were talking about something to do with the southern pack from what I could gather."
Simon's hearing was enhanced due to his shifter blood but it wasn't easy to eavesdrop in an office where everyone was bustling about. Anyone might have noticed that he was doing something that he shouldn't so he had had to change position around the room several times.
John Chalk grunted.
"I'll get onto Larry and notify them that Grattidge is planning something." He frowned at Simon. "How are you holding up?"
Simon sat back in his seat and looked at his boss. As a bear-shifter, John was one of the few people he couldn't lie to. They were secretive about their statuses and that alone made them close. Simon had figured John was a bear-shifter the minute they met and not because of his scent.
His huge size alone gave him away. Big and beefy, he carried his solid mass with easy grace despite his arms and legs the size of tree trunks.
With his military-style buzz cut to his grey-streaked brown hair and the dusting of a beard to his jaw, he looked intimidating. But Simon knew that John was really a big teddy bear. His mate Sandra knew that as well, which was why she hadn't walked away when she first saw him.
"I'm fine." Simon rubbed at the back of his neck. "Sleeping on the couch isn't too bad but it's a bit small."
Not that he had done much sleeping. After talking to Whitney, Simon had gone on another long run, both as a human and as his beast. Then he had taken a long cold shower before lying down and attempting to sleep.
But his cock hadn't eased and demanded release, something his hand wasn't able to give. Now his hand was sore and his cock felt raw. And it still wanted attention that Simon couldn't give it with his usual ministrations.
Not that he was about to tell John any of that.
"I would've thought you'd be in bed with the girl. From the pictures I saw of her when I did some checking, she's a tasty morsel."
"I'm not going to eat her." Simon winced. "Okay, that was a bad choice of words."
Especially, since it made his cock even harder than it was before. John grinned and waved at Simon's crotch.
"Someone seems to like the idea." He teased. "I'd go for her if I was in your position."
"And Sandra would be glad that you're not." Simon grunted. "But I'm not there to fuck someone who refuses to leave."
Not that he had done much persuading to make her go. He wanted her to stay. His mate wasn't walking away now. Simon just needed to get this business with Bryce Grattidge dealt with and then he could focus his attentions on Whitney.
"Where is she now?" John asked.
"She said she had a few deadlines to work on so she's going to focus on those today. I left her in the kitchen with her laptop."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Of course. She doesn't drive and there isn't a way to leave there unless she's with me. And the place is alarmed so I would know if she did leave." Simon frowned. "Why?"
"Because either she has a twin or she's down the street taking photographs of Grattidge."
John was staring out down the street. Then Simon caught Whitney's scent in his nostrils. It wasn't a twin. It was her.
Snapping his head round, he saw Whitney standing partially behind a tree further down the road, a camera up to her face as Grattidge crossed the street and towards a restaurant that he frequented on a regular basis. Whitney kept taking pictures even when Grattidge walked by her with only metres between them.
His heart sank as fear gripped him.
"Oh, fuck."
#
Whitney ducked behind the tree and waited as Grattidge walked past, merely a few metres away. He didn't seem to notice her; with the crowds around during the lunch hour she would have blended into the throng.
For a moment, she felt guilty for what she was doing. Simon was the one going after Grattidge and was preparing to do something. Whitney guessed he was going to take him out and after what Grattidge's men did to her she was more than prepared to get in line. This was Simon's job, not hers.
But after last night and her research on Bryce Grattidge that morning she knew she had to do something to help. Even if was just following the man and finding out his habits. Simon couldn't be everywhere and Whitney was more than happy to fill in the gaps.
She had dressed hurriedly after Simon left and called her favourite driver at her regular taxi service, asking to be taken into the city. Getting past the alarm system was easier than she thought; all she had to do was step over it instead of walking through the motion sensors.
She made a mental note to tell Simon his system was faulty but then discarded it; she didn't want Simon to know what she had done. It was best to keep this to herself.
Her driver was very surprised at where she was and teased that she had enjoyed her night out at the club more than he anticipated. Whitney had gone along with it, not willing to give away Simon's secret and why she was really there.
But the thought of having sex with Simon brought her out in a hot flush and certain parts of her body throbbing. Glad she had chosen to sit in the back, Whitney had squeezed her thighs together in an attempt to ease the throbbing and focused on watching the scenery go by.
Now she was in the city outside Grattidge's workplace, waiting for him to come out. It was a busy day and nobody seemed to notice her hanging around with a camera. They must have thought she was a tourist. Even with her size Whitney had an ability to blend into the background. She had no idea how it worked but she appreciated it right now.
After Grattidge walked past her, Whitney followed him at a discreet distance, ducking and dodging between commuters to keep him in sight. Towards the end of the block, Grattidge approached a restaurant, where they were setting up tables ready for the lunch rush.
A pretty woman was standing beside the door, wearing a floaty blue blouse and light grey slacks, her feet in high-heeled silver stilettos. Her blonde hair was styled in a fashion
able bun with a delicate amount of makeup to her cheeks and eyes, her lips enhanced by colour that wasn't natural.
Whitney stopped and stared as the woman kissed Grattidge in a loving embrace. She recognized that woman. It had only been a moment but she had her etched into her mind. The woman Grattidge was with was Natalya, Simon's ex-girlfriend.
Evidently Natalya was trying to aim higher than what she had before. While Grattidge was a handsome man even in his forties, he couldn't match Simon in looks. Whitney wondered if Natalya knew her boyfriend was involved in criminal dealings.
She snapped off a couple of pictures and stared at the final one where Natalya was laughing with Grattidge, looking lovingly up at him. A heavy feeling settled in her stomach.
Simon was not going to like this.
Suddenly, she was grabbed from behind and hauled into an alley. Whitney struggled and started to scream but a hand clamped over her mouth and she was pulled up against a very firm body that didn't seem to strain itself as she struggled. She was turned and pushed against the wall, bricks scraping against her back. Firm hands gripped her shoulders and kept her in place.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?"
Simon. Whitney looked up and saw the anger. Simon's eyes were golden and it didn't fade. For a moment, she couldn't take her eyes off them. She had no idea how he was managing to do that but it was beautiful.
"Whitney, answer my question. You haven't gone deaf since I left you."
Whitney blinked, realizing that she had wandered off in her mind. She gathered her thoughts and glared at him.
"You scared me half to death, Simon." She accused.
"Never mind that." Simon growled and lowered his face to hers. "I told you to stay at the cottage."
"You didn't tell me to stay anywhere." Whitney shot back. "You just told me to be good."
Simon shook her, pushing her back against the wall.
"You knew exactly what I was talking about. Don't play stupid with me." He snapped. "How did you get down here, anyway? You can't drive."
"I used the same taxi service I always use to get me anywhere I want to go."
Simon looked down and saw the camera in her hand. He snatched it away and held it up.
"And where did you get this? It's not mine and I didn't pack a camera."
"It was in my laptop case."
Whitney could see the disappointment in Simon's expression and wanted to sink through the floor. She had upset him. That she didn't want to do. But Simon was not happy with her help at all.
Simon looked away and shook his head.
"I can't believe you duped me."
"I was trying to help." Whitney protested. "I can't help being behind a computer all the time!"
"But this is..."
Simon stopped and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. Whitney was surprised when he leant his head further towards her and pressed his forehead against hers. It was almost like an intimate gesture. Simon released his breath.
"This is very dangerous, Whitney. Grattidge could literally rip you to shreds. You're jeopardizing my case by doing this."
Whitney was struggling to think. Having Simon touch her like this was making her hormones go haywire.
She pushed him away. She needed to think clearly and she wasn't going to be accused of jeopardizing anything.
"I think it's going to get jeopardized without my help. It's about to get very personal for you."
"What are you talking about?"
Whitney indicated the camera in his hand.
"Take a look. Last picture."
Simon lifted the camera and scrolled to the pictures Whitney had already shot. She could tell when he got to the ones with Natalya embracing Grattidge because his face went white. But Whitney resisted the urge to reach out and hold him, planting her hands on her hips as she glared at him.
"I think you've something more important to worry about than me jeopardizing your work."
Chapter 5: Love With the Enemy
Simon couldn't believe it. Natalya was engaged with Grattidge? This didn't seem real. But it was there on Whitney's camera - they knew each other and very intimately, judging from the kiss they were sharing.
How had they managed to meet? Natalya worked in human resources but Grattidge wouldn't have needed her professional services. They didn't even go in the same circles. Yet the woman he used to love was now with the man he had been assigned to get rid of.
Whitney was right. This was going to get personal.
If he let it.
After calling John to take Whitney back to the cottage, Simon had virtually dragged Whitney down the street to John's car. Whitney tried to fight him, saying she wanted to stay, but Simon wasn't having any of it. He warned her if she argued with him or did her antics again, she would be going to jail. He considered her lucky that he wasn't going to throw his mate in prison.
The threat of being arrested had shut Whitney up, although she was clearly not happy with the incident. She had got into John's car without arguments and then Simon went back to the restaurant, sitting at one of the outside tables. From there, he could clearly see Grattidge and Natalya in a booth, sitting on the same side and talking intimately between them.
Simon felt the anger grow as he sat there but he bottled it up as a young waitress took his order of coffee and brought it to him, pretending to read the newspaper left on his table while he waited.
Natalya didn't know what he really did for a living and she didn't know he was a shifter. But, nonetheless, this felt like a stab at him to get back at him for ending their relationship. She seemed to be sticking two fingers up at him to goad him.
It was childish and Simon knew it wasn't true but it still swam around in his head. He needed to talk to Natalya. While he didn't love her anymore, some part of him still cared, even after what she did to him. She didn't deserve to be dragged into this.
If only there was a way to talk to her without Grattidge about.
Then he saw his chance. Grattidge stood and kissed Natalya on the cheek before moving to the back of the restaurant, heading down a hall that had a sign pointing to the restrooms. Putting his newspaper down and leaving a hefty tip for the waitress, Simon entered the restaurant and made his way to Natalya's table.
"Hey, Nat."
Natalya looked up. She still looked good, maybe even better than she had been when they were together. Her eyes widened.
"Simon! What are you doing here?"
"I was going to ask you the same thing."
Simon slid into the booth opposite her and waited. He saw Natalya frown and sniff a little. Then her eyes narrowed.
"You lied to me." She accused.
"About what?"
"You're a shifter. You never told me."
How did she know that? Natalya was human. Simon decided not to try and bluff.
"I was going to tell you the night I caught you in George's bed."
"Bullshit." Natalya jabbed a finger at him. "I told you to tell me everything up front and you didn't."
"What would you have done if I'd told you at the start?" Simon shot back. "Walk away? Or run away?" He saw the answer in Natalya's expression and shook his head. "I thought so. That's why I didn't say anything."
"You still lied to me."
"And for good reason." Simon glanced towards the back. Grattidge hadn't appeared. They were clear for now. "What are you doing with Bryce Grattidge?"
"What's it to you?"
"If you know about me, then you know about him and what he is."
Grattidge's group hid their real identity from humans but their group was a part of a bigger community, not lone shifters like Simon's kind. They had bigger corporations, which often turned into bigger crimes. And if humans got involved, it wasn't long before they found out the truth. A lot of humans had disappeared due to being associated with them and threatening to tell authorities.
Despite their grudges, Simon didn't want Natalya to go the same way.
"Of course,
I know what he is." Natalya reached up and started undoing her bun. "He's never lied to me."
"You sure about that?" Simon frowned and leant forward. "And how do you know about me? There are very few people who know I'm a shifter and they would never tell you what I am. So how did...?"
Then Natalya shook her head as she let her tresses fall about her shoulders. The collar of her blouse shifted and Simon saw most of a bite, the teeth marks white against the tanned skin.
He groaned.
"Oh, God. Nat."
Natalya and Grattidge had committed an act that was meant to be a once in a lifetime act, a sacred one.
"Bryce is my mate." Natalya fingered the bite lovingly, giving Simon a smug smile. "We've been together nearly a year now."
"We broke up nearly a year ago." Simon's eyes narrowed. "Were you cheating on me with him as well?"
"Come on, Simon, don't think you were the only one. You were hot in bed but they were far and few between because of your constant work schedule. I wanted more but you weren't prepared to give."
"If you'd waited, then you would've gotten more."
"But would I have been bitten and become your mate? Would you have done that?" Natalya snorted. "I don't think you would've gone through with it. Bryce has given me more than you ever could."
Simon knew she was right. Deep down, he had known she wasn't his mate. While he would have married Natalya, he wouldn't have bitten her. Chances were the marriage would have broken down if his mate had come along but Simon had been prepared to take that chance since he loved Natalya at the time.
But this was all wrong. Grattidge didn't consider the mating act between them to be sacred. He didn't see Natalya as special or any different to other women. The activities he and those two girls had gone through the night before had proven that. They were still imprinted on his mind.
"Bryce Grattidge has never given anything for free, not even with his girls."
"I'm his only girl, Simon." Natalya said proudly.
Simon snorted.
"Well, you certainly weren't one of the two girls I saw grinding on his face and cock last night." He saw her face pale and the smile slowly disappear. "You weren't having your pussy eaten by another girl while he fucked her. In the ass. I remember you saying you never wanted anal and threesomes were for trashy people." Simon shook his head, trying not to feel sorry for his ex.
Bought by the Puma (Studly Shifters Book 1) Page 4
