20 Shades of Shifters: A Paranormal Romance Collection

by Demelza Carlton

  “Sure.” She looked him over. “Where were you hurt?”

  He pointed to a red puckered spot. “Here. In a day, this wee sign of me puncture wound will be gone too. I willna leave ye here for long. Dinna try ta move.”

  He ran to her luggage, pulled out the silk and wrapped it around him. He used some of the cords to tie his makeshift garment. Folding the material to create a pocket, he filled it with the trout Bear had provided. He wiped his hands in the snow covering the ground to clean them. Knotting her rope around his waist, he tied the end to the handle of her suitcase. He snatched her briefcase.

  Hurrying back to Star, he told her ta slip her case between their bodies after he picked her up again. “I ken of a spot of shelter for us to spend the night. Dinna fret about yer injuries, I’ll take care of ye. Ye’ll be fine, especially with our seafood buffet.”

  Her kissable lips pouted. “I’m not eating any of it raw. I don’t care how many airplanes you toss me out of.”

  Och, he liked her spirit. His gaze drew to her long curly blond hair where his fingers itched to touch and grasp. Her tresses looked like spun silk. How would it feel to have them fall across his naked body?

  “I’ll make a fire and roast a few fish. The rest will keep until morning for breakfast.”

  “I don’t think it’s wise I go anywhere with you. One minute you’re a bear who could eat me alive and then you’re a charming man who wants to take care of me.” Her eyes gazed into his. “Shifters aren’t real. I’ve seen them in movies and it never turns out well. Bad enough you threw me to the ground.”

  Her eyes narrowed, probably in anger. “Now you want me to sleep near you? Will I wake up next to a man or a bear?” Her index finger pointed from him to her and back to him again. “Us lying close to each other? That is so not going to happen.”

  “I’ll tell ye some things about shifters. We never hurt humans unless they’re going to harm those we love.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and he relished her closeness as he carried her to their pine tree lair.

  “First off, we doona shift at will. There has to be a reason for Bear to come out. Danger. Me being injured and needing time to heal. A wrong that needs righted. Full moon and a female bear who wants bred. Or someone who has plans to harm ye.”

  She brushed the snow off her face. “So what if he suddenly sees me as a danger?”

  Gunner smiled. “He willna. He’s chosen ye fer us.” Her chin dropped and her eyes widened. “In our clan, it’s the animal half that chooses a mate fer the human half. I’ve told Bear we’re strangers not likely to see each other once we reach civilization. But he wants us to wed and have bairns. He’ll protect ye. Sensing yer goodness, he picked ye fer me.”

  “You gotta be shittin’ me.” Color returned to her face and lips. Anger was pulling her out of the shock over watching him shift. Such a sight would be hard enough for any normal person to watch. He’d heard of some who’d passed out when one species changed to another, but strong Star hadna. That didna mean she hadna been scared or damned confused. She still trembled even if she was perturbed with his words about Bear’s choice.

  “Nae. ʼTis true. It’s our way. Bear will protect ye as he does me. Ye’ll always be free from harm. He’ll be a bastard to handle when ye leave Scotland, but while yer here, we’ll both take care of ye.” The wind picked up and a shiver went through him.

  He walked faster, dragging her luggage behind him. “I need shoes on me feet and warmer clothes than this. They’re all at the little pine niche Bear found fer us. It’s in his nature to locate safe, somewhat warm shelter. I will tell ye everything about our history later.”

  Chapter 3

  Once they reached a group of pines with low-growing branches, Gunner dumped the fish near a flat rock and untied the rope dragging her luggage. He jerked his whiskered square chin toward the low hanging limbs. “I’ll take ye inside the little pine cave first and come out later fer yer case.”

  Snow showered on them as he crawled through the branches, holding her close. How he’d had the strength to carry her so far was beyond her. A geek with super-human strength. Who’d have thought? Goodness, he wasn’t even breathing heavy.

  “I’ll lay ye on this bed of pine needles.” He handled her as if she was made of fine porcelain; something she’d never experienced from a man before. “Can ye handle yer head on the ground until I roll up a sweatshirt ta cushion it?”

  “Thank you, Gunner. You’ve been very kind and caring. But you need to get dressed before you get sick.” His near nakedness drew her attention. His ripped muscles, bulging veins, and various tattoos. “Forget about me and put your clothes on.” He had to be freezing wrapped in her thin parachute.

  He cupped her cheek with a tender touch she never imagined from such a tall, muscular man. “Ye need taken care of first. Then I’ll get dressed. Can ye swallow aspirins with nae water to wash them down? I do have some whisky.” He winked as he gently laid her down. Pivoting on his bare feet, he opened his backpack and removed a first-aid package.

  “Could you give me twenty pills?” Her hand went to the side of her head. The throbbing and occasional dizziness just wouldn’t quit.

  “Because ye’ve really hurt yer head, I’ll give ye four.” He opened the bottle and shook the promised number into his hand. Then he searched through his backpack and pulled out a flask.

  She wasn’t a big drinker, but she’d take most anything at this point if it took away the polka dance going on in her head and the electric boogaloo in her ankle. How on earth was she going to finish her trip for Goode, Inc. and get home in time to meet her boss’s deadline? More important than the promise of a promotion was her upcoming mammogram and sonogram. Her health hung in the balance and she was stranded in the Scottish Highlands with a half man-half bear. This all had to be some bad dream.

  A deep voice shook her from her second pity party of the day. “Here ye go, Star. Take these while I spread a space blanket fer ye to lay on. ′Tis thin, but will warm ye with the reflection of yer own body heat.”

  “Thank you. For everything. I mean it, I really do.” She popped the pills into her mouth, took a sip of whisky to wash them down, and choked as liquid fire torched her throat and stomach. “Holy hell. Death by canteen.”

  “Take a couple more sips. ′Twill help ease the pain, too.” He removed a sweatshirt from his backpack and folded it into a semblance of a pillow. “I’m going to move ye now. Did ye drink more of the tipple?” He took the flask from her and shoved it back in his bag.

  “Tipple?”

  “Aye. We call any alcoholic drink tipple.” He lifted her and moved her onto the bed he’d tried his best to make given that they were in the wilds of wherever.

  “Gunner, where do you think we are? I was able to get one bar on my cell and called emergency to tell them about Angus. I’m worried about him. He needs found.”

  Dark eyes bore into her and his warm breath washed over her cheek as he gently laid her head on his sweatshirt. Her tummy did strange flip-flops. He certainly was a handsome male. Bigger than life, really.

  He trailed his fingertips down the unhurt side of her face. Such a gentle gesture for a large man. “What ye did was a great kindness, Star. Aye, I’ve been worried, too. I’ve kent Angus fer many years. He’s a good Scot. Would do anything to help another. Now, I need to take off yer boot to see to yer ankle.”

  “Okay.” Her voice was breathy and he leaned closer. God help her, she almost wanted him to kiss her. What kind of person did that make her? They’d only known each other for a few hours. Still, most everything about him was a turn on. She narrowed her eyes—except for his sky diving methods.

  “Yer still broodin’ about me shoving ye out of that plane, aren’t ye? I can see it in yer eyes. Would it help if ye cussed me out?” The twinkling in his dark gazr appealed to her, too. She had to fight her attraction to him.

  “It would help if you got dressed,” she huffed.

  His booming laughter charmed her, dam
mit. There was too much closeness here—and a powerful overdose of testosterone.

  “I will admit me feet feel like blocks o’ ice. Plus I need to get me arse covered. I’ve been keeping me eyes out fer red squirrels to come charging up me legs to pick me nuts.”

  She couldn’t help her own laugh that bubbled out. Must be the pain or the tipple or the fear of never being found.

  “It willna take me long ta get me clothes on.” He pulled out a black turtleneck and undid his parachute wrappings. After tugging on the tight shirt, he stood as best as he could in the small confines. He had his back to her and began wrapping his green and blue kilt around his waist. Damn, what a fine ass he had. Once it was covered, he sat and tugged on two pair of heavy socks before pulling on his boots and lacing them tight. “I canna tell ye how good these wool socks feel.” He slipped a hunter green sweater over his head and shifted it into position. Long fingers ran through his hair to bring some order to it.

  When have I enjoyed a bare-assed sight more?

  He had an Ace bandage in his hand when he crawled back to her. “I’m going to take off yer boot now. I’ll try nae to hurt ye.”

  “What all do you have jammed in that backpack? Clothes, blankets, booze, first-aid kit. How did you fit it all in?”

  He glanced up from untying her laces. “Well, it helps that Bear doesna wear clothes.” Then he gave her a slow wink and she was lost. Lost and in big trouble.

  After removing her boot and stocking, his fingers rubbed over her foot. “Tell me when I hit a tender spot.” His head tilted to the side. “I like this Christmas red toe polish, so I do.”

  “My old boyfriend never liked me to wear polish on my toes. Now that he’s out of my life, I use any color that suits my mood.”

  “Do ye long fer him?”

  “Less and less. Keith hurt me badly, so I’m taking time away from the dating scene to heal.”

  Gunner’s dark head popped up and a low growl slid from his throat. “Did he abuse ye, luv?” A golden glow rimmed his brown eyes.

  “No. He cheated on me and made me feel inadequate. Always putting me down for one thing or another.” And damn if a sob didn’t push its way from her chest. She held a hand over her eyes to hide the tears. Gunner touched a spot on her ankle and she jerked. “There! That hurts.” She sniffled. “Just so you know, I’m not a cry baby.”

  “I ken, luv. ′Tis probably the whiskey talkin’…er cryin’. Does it hurt here, too?” He pressed on another spot and she nodded. “Try moving yer foot up and down fer me.” He nodded. “Good. Now side ta side. Good. Now wiggle yer pretty painted toes.” He scratched his chin. “I’m thinkin’ ′tis a slight sprain. There’s nae swelling. I’ll wrap it and we’ll see if the support doesna give it some relief.” His hands moved rapidly and then he rested her foot on her leather briefcase.

  He shook out another thin blanket and covered her. “Sleep, me Star. I’ll gather firewood and debone the fish before I cook it. Ye need ta eat. The protein will do ye good.” He picked up a cinch bag he’d pulled out of his knapsack earlier.

  “How will you start a fire? Do you have matches?”

  “Aye. Flint and steel, too, and a compass. A couple knives for survival. A collapsible grate to use in the fire. A flashlight and extra batteries. Two canteens of whisky.” He shot her a charming smile that made the breath halt in her chest. “Ye ken, for medicinal purposes like I just used on ye. Although we might have a wee nip at bedtime to help us sleep well.”

  “You had all that crammed into your backpack? Did you only pack one change of clothes?”

  “Och, nae. I carry all me survival essentials in this flat cotton cinch bag. It doesna take up much room. I keep those space blankets in it, too. And I have plenty of clothes rolled in me backpack.”

  “But no underwear.”

  “Och, a pair or two fer when I wear jeans, but never under a kilt. I’ll go gather wood now and cook our supper before it gets dark. If ye hear strange noises, ′tis me spreading our parachutes over the pines to help block out the wind. Have nae fear. I will protect ye.”

  Maybe if he told her that enough times, she’d believe the half man-half bear. Her eyelids grew heavy. He was a caring man with eyes so dark, they were mesmerizing. Keith’s had been an icy blue…or were they green? She couldn’t remember anymore and wasn’t that odd after all the tears she’d shed over him?

  Gunner grabbed their chutes from the corner where both of them lay. Bear must have retrieved his during the shift. He pulled Star’s suitcase inside their pine cave and sat it where the boughs didn’t reach the ground to help block the cold air.

  He spread the silky material over the pines after cutting off a section ta tie the fish in they wouldna eat tonight. Climbing up a maple tree, he hung the trout secured in his hastily made bag.

  Then he gathered several armfuls of twigs and old dead branches for their fire. For safety, he made a stone fire-ring and started the blaze. Using his knife, he cut the bark from one log and placed four fish in it ta debone fer cooking.

  How bad is our mate’s ankle?

  A small sprain, but I’m more worried about her concussion. She really has a knot on the side of her head.

  No mating tonight, then. Bear sighed.

  I dinna think she’s attracted. Besides, ′tis too soon. We just met. And she’s been hurt by another. With a woman like her, feelings need ta develop first. Gunner sliced open the trout and removed the insides.

  Be romantic. Ye’ll win her over. Yer a good man.

  Gunner placed the fish filets on the grate he’d placed in the fire. Ye flatter. ′Tis unusual fer ye.

  Och human, ′tis thinking of yer balls, I am. How many hard-ons has she given ye with nae relief? Yer poor balls have ta be sufferin’.

  Four or five. She’s verra tempting. Besides, the condition of me nuts ′tis nae yer business.

  Gunner added more wood to the fire. He flipped the fish and blew on his burnt fingers.

  While the fish finished cooking, Gunner carried the bark full of scales and bones off in another direction to keep the wild animals from finding Star and him. He didna want to wake to noses sniffing their sleeping spot. On his way back, he gathered more firewood.

  He ate his fish and carried Star’s to her. She was sleeping and he almost hated to waken her, but she needed nourishment. “Star. Star, wake up. I have tasty fish fer ye ta eat.” He waved it under her nose and she groaned. He broke off a piece and held it to her lips. “Open up, luv.”

  Like a hungry baby bird, her mouth opened and he dropped a morsel on her tongue.

  On instinct, she chewed. “Hmm. Good.” Her eyes opened and fingers wrapped around his wrist. “More.” He fed her and she ate it all. “Oh thank you. I didn’t expect to be so hungry. I’m glad your bear caught the fish. That was very thoughtful of him.”

  Bear hummed in pleasure at her compliment.

  “How’s yer head and ankle feel?” Gunner wiped his hands on the uncovered pine needles and shoved his cinch bag into a compartment of his backpack. He kept one of the flasks out for their bedtime drink.

  “My ankle isn’t hurting. I moved the computer bag out of the way. My leg got a little uncomfortable propped on it. As for my head, the pain’s not as bad. The drumming of the big bass drum has lowered to a bongo beat.”

  “Good ta hear.” He set her laptop and suitcase in front of the opening he’d just crawled through. “Our body heat will soon warm this area. Meanwhile, let’s snuggle and talk while we have a wee nip of whisky. I promised ye the tale of me shifters’ clan.” He handed Star the flask first. So they’d have a little light in their private cocoon, Gunner used the flashlight app in his cell phone, placing it behind their heads which would help them see each other’s face.

  When he offered her a second swig ta warm her insides, she took it. Gunner gulped a second drink, too, and propped the canteen against his knapsack. He covered himself with half of the space blanket she wasna using.

  “Lay in me arms with yer h
ead on me shoulder. We’ll share our body heat while I entertain ye with a tale of centuries gone by.”

  “Gee, it’s been years since someone’s told me a bedtime story.” She chuckled and moved her head onto his muscled shoulder and pecs. “Go on. I’m listening.”

  “Wick, the place yer headed fer, faces the North Sea with a rough coastline of many dramatic sea cliffs. On their face toward the sea are narrow slits in the rocks that often lead to caverns. Och, ʼtis a beautiful, jagged sight, so ʼtis. Something in its magic drawls the soul of a Celt to guard its raw beauty in one way or another.”

  She slid a jean clad leg over his and he relished the weight of it. “Men and their need to conquer and protect,” she joked,

  “Aye and ʼtis a good and righteous thing for a Scot to have, especially if he’s descended from the Celts.” He cast her a determined look. “The name Wick is derived from ‘Vik’, which is Old Norse for ‘bay’. The Vikings arrived on Scottish shores in the eighth and ninth centuries, first as raiders and later as settlers. They used Wick’s bay as a harbor for their trading vessels and longships. Aye, they came as if they had every right to the land.”

  She burrowed closer and laid her hand over his heart. “What did the Vikings do? Please keep talking. I love the sound of your voice and the way it rumbles in your chest. I guess I shouldn’t say that. We just met, yet we’re practically wrapped around each other.”

  “Aye. We’re trying to survive on a frigid winter’s night. Solstice night. The longest of the year. It carries its own magic and Scotland is a land of magical, unexplained happenings. I share our history with ye out of trust.” His eyebrows dipped. “What I say is private. Do ye ken, Star?”

  “Yes, I understand. You don’t want me to repeat this to anyone.”

  “Yer a smart lass, so ye are.” He smiled at her. “The cursed Vikings killed the bears for the meat and the fur fer winter clothes. If our human halves hadna taken charge, our sleuth woulda become extinct.”

  “Sleuth?”

  “Aye. A group or band of bears is called a sleuth.” He waved an open hand in expression. “Just like a bunch of wolves run in packs. Or fish swim in schools. We band together in sleuths.”