“He’s essential.”
“Then we go to work like usual. Try not to raise any suspicion.”
He nodded.
“We still have a few hours before work. It seems a shame to waste it on sleep.” She curled her fingers around the collar of his shirt.
“It does.” Hands on her hips, he maneuvered her away from the sidewalk. “Did you dress like this for me, Ruby?”
She jerked her head down, inspecting her old, loose T-shirt and shorts. “Is that supposed to be a joke?”
He caressed her bottom. “I like this wild and natural look.” The alley he’d maneuvered her into was deserted.
Ruby blushed and broke eye contact. She nudged him with an elbow. “I’m not even wearing makeup, silly.”
“I noticed. You hide yourself behind it.” With a finger under her chin, he traced her face and memorized every detail she’d hidden from the world. “Tonight, I really see you.” He maneuvered her deeper into the shadows until her back was against the wall. Part of him expected her to pull away, but she met his gaze with her own challenge.
Before she could change her mind, he pulled her shirt over her head and set it aside on a cardboard box. Underneath she wore a sheer, white lace bra that was made of pure sin and no regrets. “Woman, I’m your slave tonight.”
“Only tonight?” She worried her bottom lip.
When was the last time he’d had a lover? Too long to recall. Females of his race didn’t understand his sense of humor, and most left in a flurry of wings. However, sweet Ruby hadn’t given up on him.
She’d offered him shelter, helped him steal from a dangerous witch, and given him her most prized possession. Her heart. After all that, he’d screwed up and she still wanted to place her life on the line for him. There were no words for how much he loved her. He could tell her every minute of every day for the next ten years and it wouldn’t be enough.
Gazing at her eager, beautiful face, he caught his breath. He had much better things to do than worry about his feelings, like convincing a certain human female she never wanted to leave his side.
With a sharp tug, he snapped the latch on the front of her bra open and let her rounded, firm breasts tumble loose. They were even better than he remembered, and he had a pretty good memory. He swept her into his arms and brought those perfect globes closer for a better examination.
She gave a small cry of surprise at the sudden motion. Her chest rose faster. “You’re still very strong as a human.”
He licked one hard bud.
Gasping, she buried her fingers in his hair and clung to him.
Tender skin caressed his taste buds. So soft and bitable. He sucked on her nipple until she writhed in his arms, then he moved to the other. The human flesh was just a shell. Inside, he was all gargoyle.
“Nick.”
He growled low in his throat and nipped her sensitive bud. She gasped.
Spreading his hand over her spine, he had an excellent hold. Ruby could fight all she wanted, but there’d be no escape. He grasped her breast in his free hand, molding it, enjoying the weight. Cream and silk slid over his tongue. How could a creature be so soft?
Smooth thighs slid against his flank as she straddled him. Words like oh God and please kept slipping from between her lips.
He blew over the damp skin of her nipple and watched it harden even more.
She went silent as a shiver ran through her body.
Watching her lean form captured within his arms in a moment of ecstasy, he couldn’t pry his stare away. The way she lost herself to the passion threatened to sweep him in her wake. Like a storm, she’d rolled over his life. He undid the fastenings of her shorts and slid them off her.
Pink lace covered the apex of her thighs. A noise close to a purr rolled in his throat. The entrance to tantalizing flesh and the doorway to hours of pleasure, all wrapped in a pretty package. He bent between her legs, resting one of her legs upon his shoulder, giving him better access.
Tracing the edge of delicate material with his tongue, he slipped inside long enough to steal a sweet taste of his Ruby. His gaze swept from between her thighs and along her heaving breasts until it met hers.
The desire within her eyes flared.
Very much his. Her panties didn’t have a chance. He hooked his finger under the crotch and tore them from her hips with a sharp jerk. His balls ached as they clenched at the sight of her fragile flesh. He leaned closer and licked, searching for her sweet spot.
She ran her fingertips through his hair, allowing his locks to slide between them.
The intimate gesture curled around his heart. How could she expect him to place her in harm’s way? His stomach curdled. He wanted her to remain safe at home. Was it so terrible that he needed her? There was something to be said about love, as evidenced by the charm around his throat.
Latching on to her clit, he fondled it with teeth and tongue. He loved the little nonsensical noises she made.
She squirmed and pulled at his shirt.
“Take me,” she whispered, her voice hoarse. Her moans turned into sharp gasps. Pumping her hips, she struggled for breath while repeating, “Yes” over and over. She gripped his hair.
Before her orgasm dissipated, he lifted her so she sat straddling his hips. He leaned his back against the wall and undid his zipper.
She blinked at him, a little dazed.
“Ride me.” From below, he drove his cock into her.
Tight, silken flesh gripped his rod as she convulsed around it. She threw back her head, sweat gleaming on her skin from the distant streetlights.
He pushed deeper, in time with her strokes. Breathing became difficult. She tightened around him as she drew closer to the edge. The sight of her naked and uninhibited as she arched back undid him. He grasped her hips and let her take them both over.
As if kicked from behind, he thrust hard and spilled his seed while she cried his name.
Slowing, she slumped in his arms, her chest heaving.
He stroked and cradled Ruby against his drumming heart. What if things went to shit tomorrow night? What if he didn’t come back? Who would take care of Ruby? He had to make arrangements with his brothers. He doubted all four of them would perish. They would have to promise to watch over her if anything bad happened.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The alarm on Ruby’s phone drilled into Nick’s weary head. He groaned and slapped the coffee table repeatedly in search of the obnoxious noise. They had fallen asleep on the couch together.
On his chest, Ruby stretched like a cat. “What day is it?”
He found her cell phone and resisted the urge to crush it in his fist. Instead, he set it on her chest. “Make it stop.” Sweet silence followed. He pressed the heels of his palms to his eyes and rubbed the exhaustion away. It didn’t work. “I change my mind. We’re calling in sick.”
Ruby crawled out of his arms. “We have to be seen in public as an alibi.”
“We don’t need an alibi. Why would anyone suspect us?” He pulled the decorative throw pillow from under his head and covered his face.
“Because I doubt any of your brothers will be capable of avoiding being seen in Riverbend. Gargoyles are rare around here, remember? If they’re seen, it won’t take a genius to figure out a gargoyle was involved in the theft. When we’re at the coffee shop today, make sure to mention to Peter something about the curse. In human form, there is no way we could travel back and forth to Riverbend after we finished our shift. It’s all about timing.”
He lowered the pillow and peeked over the edge. “You have a point. We can’t let anyone link my brothers to this crime. Inevitably, it will still come back to me.” Not to mention it was bad enough they had to hide from the dragons. He didn’t want to add the wolf shifters and human police as well. It would be nice to have his brothers stay in the city.
Ruby headed for the shower. “Make sure they know to stay out of sight then.”
If he hadn’t needed fast transport to Riverb
end, he wouldn’t have asked his brothers to help. They would have tried anyway though. He followed Ruby to the shower. “Would you like me to scrub your back?”
She peeked around the shower curtain. “Not unless you want to be late for work.”
He made a pot of coffee instead and downed two cups before he took his turn washing. The hot water made him sleepy again and he had to resort to self-torture by switching the water to cold.
Half-frozen and half-asleep, he followed Ruby onto the bus. He would have rather walked normally, but his feet were still healing from his hike to the lighthouse. In this form, he did not heal as quickly. Being human was turning out to have more disadvantages than he’d imagined.
They made it to work on time and without incident. Peter was behind the counter with Nancy. He waved. “Nick, don’t get comfortable. I’m sending you to the diner to cross-train with the cook.”
Nick closed his mouth with a click. “Alone?” The extent of his cooking experience consisted of roasting hotdogs over an open fire and making toast. Nate was the cook.
Peter quirked an eyebrow and came around the counter. “Is there a problem?” His gaze traveled to Ruby and back.
He shook his head then changed his mind and nodded. “Can I speak with you in private for a minute?”
Peter followed Nick to the office and closed the door. “It’s not a good idea to mix sex and coworkers, Nick.”
He stared at his boss. His brain still foggy from lack of sleep. He should’ve kept the whole pot of coffee for himself. “What?”
“That’s why you want to speak to me, right? I can smell you all over Ruby. I thought I caught a whiff of it the other day but this morning it’s undeniable.” He crossed his arms, blocking the exit. “I know you’re still getting used to human society but if you break her heart, I’ll be forced to make a choice between the two of you and your odds aren’t that great. She’s experienced and has excellent customer service skills that I need.”
“Ruby and I live together.” Nick took a seat by the desk.
“Why didn’t you mention this before?”
“There never seemed to be a right time. We didn’t do it intentionally. The fact that we’re both working here is just a weird coincidence.”
“Huh. I didn’t see that coming. Then what the hell did you want to speak to me about?”
“It’s about my gargoyle form.” This was all for building their alibi, but he couldn’t tell Peter the truth without revealing the whole story. Lying to shifters was tricky business. Whatever he said had to contain enough truth to make Peter doubt his lie detector skills. “There’s a problem with the charm. I’m stuck as a human.”
Peter dropped his arms to his sides. “You can’t change shape? Oh—shit, I’m sorry hear that Nick.” A shifter could understand his dilemma better than anyone. “I’d be going nuts if I couldn’t be in my natural form. Do you need the day off?”
The tense muscles in his shoulders relaxed at the kind gesture. “There’s nothing I can do at home. The witch is working on the problem and I have faith that she’ll fix it. In the meantime, I’d rather be distracted.” He rose to his feet. “I just wanted you to know in case anything weird happens.”
Peter slapped his shoulder. “I appreciate that and don’t worry. I have plenty to keep you busy.” He opened the office door for him. “Do you know where the diner is?”
Nick shook his head.
Peter gave him directions and Ruby told him which bus to take. “I’d drive you there myself but I have to take care of some things here first,” said Peter. “But I will be by later.”
Nick waved goodbye to Ruby and headed to the diner. It wasn’t a long trip and the bus let him off directly in front. The squat white building was under assault by contractors. He wove his way through the vehicles and workers to the front door.
Inside, the dining area was empty. A carpenter was working on what looked like a new counter.
“Hello?” he shouted toward the kitchen.
A middle-aged woman with blonde hair piled high on her head in big curls popped up at the order window. “Come on back here, hot stuff.” She vanished.
He stepped over a discarded pile of cut four by eights and entered the kitchen. There were two women. The blonde and a white-haired older woman with an apron clutched in her hand.
“Ladies.” He nodded. “I’m Nick.”
“I’m Linda and this nervous wreck is Myrtle.” Linda slung her purse over her shoulder. “Peter called this morning to let us know you were coming to train with Myrtle. I’m heading over to the coffee shop to learn how to make fancy coffee.” She rolled her eyes. As she strolled past him, she paused and whispered, “Be nice to Myrtle or I’ll cut you.” Without waiting for a response, she left.
“D—don’t take her too seriously.” Myrtle pointed at the direction that Linda exited. “She’s not a stabber. She’s more of a shooter.”
Like that was supposed to make him feel better.
Myrtle held a pack of papers. “Peter’s changed the menu and I’m supposed to figure out how to cook all this shit.” She shoved the menu in his hands.
Nick flipped through the pages of handwritten recipes that contained crossed out words and notes in red ink. “Where did these come from?”
“His mother.” Myrtle tossed him a grease-stained apron. “If you want to look over the recipes that aren’t marked and give some feedback, that would be helpful.”
He sat at the huge kitchen island and went through the recipes, slower this time. “What’s garam masala?”
“Beats me. I’m just a fry cook, not a chef. I don’t think Peter understands that there’s a difference.”
“I’m not even a fry cook.” He set the recipes aside. “I can burn toast.”
Myrtle stared at him long and quiet. “He sent me someone who can’t cook.” She tossed her hands in the air and went to the fridge for ingredients. “Can you chop vegetables?”
“You bet.” He searched through the knives for the best one.
“Well, at least you don’t have any bad habits to break.” She sorted through the pages. “The ones he marked I’ve already made and have been approved by his highness.” She pulled an unmarked sheet from the pile. “We’ll try this one. I’ll have you work on the fruit chutney.” She handed him a can of fruit cocktail.
Nick read the instructions and didn’t see fruit cocktail anywhere in the ingredients. He said as much to Myrtle.
“The fruit cocktail has all of them fruits in one and they’re already peeled and pitted so it will save you time.”
“Makes sense.” He nodded. Myrtle was a wise woman. He wouldn’t have considered that option. The soft fruit was easy to dice and he spent the morning following Myrtle’s quiet instructions. She didn’t say much and kept to herself by the stove. Every once in a while, he heard her mutter under her breath.
It left him time to think about tonight. Too much time. What if they didn’t have time to return to New Port before sunrise? Would Armand’s plan work? What if it took him too long to find the book? He pictured himself wandering the pack house aiming the stone and trying to gauge the temperature. Shaking his head, he cleared it of those thoughts. He needed to distract himself. “Have you told Peter how you feel about the new menu?” he asked to fill the heavy silence in the kitchen.
“Of course not.” She pointed at him with a soup ladle. “I can’t afford to lose this job. My son is halfway done through college and my other job isn’t any more secure than this one.”
“You work two jobs?”
She sighed. “After I’m done here, I do an evening shift at the fish cannery.” She stared at the mess surrounding him. “You better start cleaning if you ever plan on going home.”
He pulled the trash close to his work area. “What is your son studying?” And how did Myrtle get enough sleep?
“Medicine. I’m helping pay for his undergraduate but after that he is on his own.” She gave him a weary smile. “I’m not rich, you know.”
Nick grinned. “Why don’t you take a break and I’ll finish whatever you are doing?”
She gave him a hairy eyeball. “I could use some fresh air. Can you manage making some fries for lunch?”
“Sure.”
She wiped her hands on a dishtowel and exited the back alley with a pack of cigarettes. “I’ll just be a few minutes.”
He hovered his hand over the oil and sensed the heat rising. Good, it was already hot. He grabbed the potatoes that he had cut earlier and recalled he had never rinsed them clean. He poured cold water on the uncooked fries and drained them quickly by pressing his hand on the top of the bowl and tipping it to allow the liquid to escape. Not wanting to dirty a strainer.
He’d eaten at enough fast food places and witnessed how they made fries. They used the metal baskets, which he found under the fryer. He set the baskets in the hot oil and proceeded to pour the clean potatoes directly into the oil.
Some water hadn’t drained from the bowl and popped as it met the heated oil. Some splashed on his wrist. He yelped and dropped the bowl into the fryer. Quickly, he wiped his wrist clean with a dishtowel on the counter and heard the sizzle of oil.
When he dropped the bowl, more oil had splattered and landed on the hot plate next to the fryer. He rushed over to wipe it clean but hadn’t realized Myrtle had left it on. His dish towel caught fire. “Fuck.”
The kitchen door leading from the dining area swung open.
Nick dropped the flaming mess on the tiled floor and stomped the flames out. He breathed out a sigh of relief.
“Where’s Myrtle?” An angry voice.
He glanced up and found Peter and Ruby. “I sent her for a break.”
The back door flung open and Myrtle charged inside. “I heard a shout.”
Peter crossed his arms. “He almost set the kitchen on fire.”
Myrtle snorted. “If you don’t set the kitchen on fire once in a while, then you’re not cooking right.” She grabbed some plates and began spooning out today’s recipe. “Nick, pull out those fries before you make charcoal out of them.”
Not Her Gargoyle_Shifter Romance Page 17
