Shift Happens

by Christy Gissendaner

  “Never heard of it,” Ellie murmured and focused on not getting her bare toes stuck in the spaces between the metal. Her half-priced wedges had probably been taken as evidence by the police. Why hadn’t she thought to ask for shoes while they’d been in his apartment? Or at least a pair of socks? The March day had turned nippy with the rain and lack of sunshine.

  “Not many have.” Jackson touched her elbow and guided her down the creaky stairs. “I’m sorry. As soon as I can, I’ll get you a pair of shoes.”

  She shrugged. “It’s OK. My fault for wearing sandals on a rainy day. I should’ve known today would be the day I had to flee for my life.”

  He grinned. “You’re really something, Ellie Reynolds.”

  You are too, she agreed silently.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  By late afternoon, the wind and rain had picked up. Ellie huddled in the parka Jackson had purchased for her at a rest area a few miles back and wriggled her toes within the new boots he’d bought her before they’d left Atlanta. The car he’d rented was nondescript and hopefully would evade the eyes of their pursuers.

  “How much longer?” she asked.

  Jackson spared her a quick glance. “About twenty miles. I really am sorry you got dragged into this.”

  “Stop worrying.” She waved her hand. “I was overdue for some excitement anyway. Impromptu road trip with a gazillionaire fits the bill.” She turned to look at the passing road signs, grateful they’d left the heavy traffic behind in Birmingham.

  “Not a gazillionaire,” he said with a laugh.

  “Close enough.” She got a kick out of teasing him. When he was amused by her, which was often, his eyes crinkled at the corners and a sexy smirk made her want to slide across the seat and wrap her arms around him. “What’s our destination?”

  He turned down the volume of the radio, which had been tuned to a country music station. “Ty is probably at the bar. We’ll head there first.”

  She pivoted in her seat. This close to Jackson, trapped in a vehicle for several hours, she’d gotten to know him fairly well. She’d learned he loved salmon but not other fish. He was allergic to bees but had once drunk snake venom on a dare. She was curious to know more about Ty and Greg, his childhood friends, who he said had been like brothers to him. “So he really owns a motorcycle bar?”

  “Sure does. It drove Greg crazy, but Ty poured all his savings into Hog Heaven.”

  “Hog Heaven?” Ellie chuckled. “Cool name. I can’t wait to see it.”

  He cut his gaze toward her. “I’m not really sure it’s the type of place for you. Hog can get a little rough.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Are you kidding me? I may look delicate, but I can handle myself.”

  He arched an eyebrow. “Duly noted. But even shifters experience a bit of risk at Hog. Not all danger is obvious.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He shook his head. “Nothing. It’s just a girl who looks like you do is bound to draw attention.”

  “Like I do?” She flipped down the passenger side visor and fluffed her hair. “I could do with an eyebrow wax and maybe a trim, but surely I’m presentable enough for a biker bar.”

  “That’s not what I meant and you know it, Ellie.” Jackson’s tone tightened.

  She loved teasing him, especially when it resulted in another of the wonderful compliments he seemed bent on giving her.

  The interstate traffic gradually lessened until they turned right onto a graveled exit. A few minutes later, they turned onto a driveway leading toward a nondescript gray building. A sign out front depicted a large pig in a black leather jacket. A shiny black Harley was parked out front, but the remainder of the lot was empty.

  Ellie studied the neon green letters scrawled across the pig’s chest. “Hog Heaven, I presume? Not quite what I envisioned. You had me thinking there would be brawls in the parking lot.”

  Jackson pocketed the keys and opened his door. “Ty tries to keep a low profile, but this is a happening place on the weekends.”

  Ellie stumbled out of the car and stretched. It had been a long drive, made longer by the heavy traffic they’d encountered. She held her arms overhead and moaned at the release of her muscles. She noticed Jackson’s gaze drop, and she blushed and tugged at the hem of her short sweater. She hadn’t meant to bare her tummy to him, but judging from the look in his eyes he didn’t mind the extra pound or ten one bit.

  Jackson came around the car. She stood stock-still and watched him approach. His motion was easy and unhurried, but the sense of purpose in his gaze kept her motionless. He shut her car door and trapped her between his body and the cool glass. He twined his fingers in her hair and tugged her face to his. “Before long, I’m going to kiss you, Ellie Reynolds.”

  She sucked in a gasp of air. Please God, let it be right now.

  He smoothed his palm across her hip and lightly squeezed her side. “But I don’t want it to be rushed.” His breath whispered across her lips like the kiss he’d promised. “Or while we’re standing outside a bar. As soon as we’re alone and you’re out of danger, you’re mine. This is the only warning I’m going to give you because once I have you in my arms, it’s going to be hours before I let you go again.”

  Holy moly. She was on fire. Totally, completely burned to a crisp by the heat his words gave her. Her mouth and brain refused to function. “Uh…”

  He smiled. “Soon.”

  The dark promise roused the beast within her. Her libido awoke and danced the Macarena while wearing a two-piece bikini, and still she couldn’t speak. It wasn’t until he’d led her across the graveled parking lot and into the dim interior of Hog Heaven that her brain waves fired again. Like he’d promised, the bar did look rough. Uneven plank flooring littered with sawdust. A semicircular bar with various arrays of bottles stacked behind the counter. A mechanical bull was shoved into the corner, but with the bright red target painted on its forehead, she doubted it got much use from the clientele. She’d rode one once, but that was many Spring Breaks and shots of Jose Cuervo ago.

  Jackson put his hand on the small of her back and guided her to the counter. “Hey, Ty!”

  Someone appeared between the set of swinging doors located behind the bar, and Ellie got her first good look at Ty. He was tall and lean with dark hair and sinful brown eyes. Tousled hair and a wrinkled shirt made him look as if he’d just rolled out of some lucky woman’s bed. A black T-shirt was tucked into a faded pair of jeans. Intricate black bands encircled his biceps and the bottom half of the Blood Wolves’ tattoo was visible beneath the hem of his short sleeves.

  He noticed her and his handsome face broke into a wide grin. “Welcome to Hog Heaven.”

  Beside her, a low growl emanated from Jackson. “Cool it, Ty. She’s with me.”

  Ty ignored Jackson’s warning and leaned his elbows on the counter to give her another smile. “What’s your name, pretty girl?”

  A blush covered her from head to toe. She wasn’t used to attention from men like Jackson and Ty. Most guys overlooked her, whether from her standoffish attitude, questionable fashion sense, or extra weight in her middle. Whatever made these two shifter males flirt with her, she was on board with the idea, however fleeting it may be. “I’m Ellie. It’s nice to meet you.”

  Ty’s dark gaze held hers. Although he projected a playful attitude, she sensed a quiet loneliness within him. “Do you want a drink?”

  Jackson slid his hand over hers. “She’ll have a diet soda with lemon.”

  A retort jumped to her lips until she realized he’d ordered her favorite drink. He must’ve paid attention when they’d stopped to grab a bite to eat during the drive. “No ice.”

  “A diet soda with lemon and no ice coming right up.” Ty tossed Jackson a beer before preparing Ellie’s drink.

  “Did you get my e-mail?” Jackson asked after his first swallow.

  Ty slid Ellie’s soda across the battered counter. “I did. So the bastards want my firewall? They’re going to have
a hell of a time getting it. They don’t know who they’re dealing with.”

  “They probably have a decent idea,” Jackson murmured. He did that unbelievably sexy thing with the bottle rim across his lips. Ellie doubted he even noticed he had the habit, and how exciting was it that she’d gotten to know him well enough to recognize his tics.

  “You’re probably right.” Ty’s expression didn’t change. “So how is pretty Ellie tied up in all of this? Please say she’s your secretary because I’ve always had a fantasy involving a naughty—”

  “Ty!” Jackson barked his name like a drill sergeant. “We don’t have time for this. The bastards shot up Ellie’s shop with us in it this morning. It wasn’t safe to leave her behind.”

  Ty chuckled. “I’m sure safety was your primary concern and not that fact that she’s hot.”

  Ellie gawked at Jackson’s friend. Hot. Her?

  Jackson set the bottle of beer on the counter. “I’m not blind. I don’t need you pointing out her attractiveness.”

  Ellie turned her head so fast it was a wonder she didn’t get whiplash. “You think I’m hot, too?”

  Jackson frowned. “What did you think I meant when I said you were beautiful?”

  Ellie was conscious of Ty’s intense absorption with their interaction, but she was too curious to care. “I dunno. Maybe I thought you were just being nice.”

  “Nice?” Ty said with a snort. “Jackson is many things. Nice is seldom one of them.”

  She happened to think he was pretty dang nice. Nice-looking. Probably a nice kisser. A nice ass—

  She realized she was staring and jerked her gaze away. The lemon slice slipped from its perch on the rim of her glass and splashed into the soda. She wiped away the drops of liquid with her fingertips before rubbing her hands on her jeans. Good thing they were dark blue so the stains wouldn’t show. Between crawling out of bathroom windows, scaling the sides of condominiums, and leaping onto buildings, she’d amassed quite a bit of grime. She’d kill for a shower.

  Jackson touched her back and leaned in to murmur, “Are you OK?”

  She ignored the way his nearness made her sit up and take notice and instead focused on taking a sip of her drink. “I’m fine. Tired and grungy but fine.”

  “I’ll take you home so you can get cleaned up.” He shot a glance at Ty. “We’ll spend the night in town until we decide on a plan.”

  Spend the night with Jackson? Her pulse kicked it up a notch. If she wasn’t careful, cardiac arrest was in her near future. “You have a home here?”

  Jackson swiveled in the barstool. His legs rested on either side of her thighs. The brush of his knees against hers amplified her already supersonic reaction to him. “It’s not much, just an old cabin I bought so I’d have somewhere to stay when I visited my family.” He tossed another look toward Ty. “Tell Greg to meet us here in the morning. We need to decide what to do about the situation.”

  Ellie was still wrapping her brain around the thought of spending the night with Jackson when he stood and helped her down from the barstool. She waved at the man behind the counter. “See you later, Ty.”

  “Can’t wait.” He smirked at her in a way she was sure drove women crazy. It certainly would’ve driven her had she not already met Jackson. No one else came even close to comparing, not even a hot biker shifter.

  Outside, the wind howled and the air carried the scent of rain. She’d thought they’d left the rain behind, but a quick glance at the sky convinced Ellie another storm was imminent. She flipped the parka’s hood over her hair and hurried to the rental car. Jackson beat her to it and opened the door for her.

  “Thank you.” So gentlemanly.

  “You’re welcome,” he answered with a wink that did crazy things to her insides. And so freaking sexy he took her breath away.

  They drove about five miles until Jackson turned into the drive of a small, tidy cabin. Pine trees encircled the house and if not for the mailbox out front, she wouldn’t have noticed it from the highway. She unfastened her seat belt as he pulled to a stop. “So this is home?”

  Jackson cut the engine and pocketed the keys. “When I need it to be. I don’t get to come here much.”

  “I bet you say that to all the girls,” she said with a laugh.

  “Actually, you’re the first person I’ve brought here.” Jackson climbed out of the car and came around to open her door. “I hate that it’s under such circumstances, but welcome to my humble abode.”

  She left the car and moved toward the picturesque cabin. Cheerful yellow shutters competed with the bright green door. “Colorful. I love it!”

  “Of course you would.” Jackson chuckled and hefted the few bags of clothing they’d bought when he’d stopped to purchase her boots. “Wait until you see the inside.”

  The juxtaposition of heavy wooden furniture and flowery motif in the interior of the cabin forced a giggle from her. “Very…umm…masculine.”

  “Go ahead and laugh.” Jackson brushed past her to set their bags on the floor of the small entryway. “I bought it from an elderly couple when they moved to Florida. I haven’t had time to update it yet.”

  “A bazillionaire like you? Surely you have someone to do that for you.” She toyed with the fringed edge of a lamp that spilled yellow light over the edge of her boots.

  “I’ll decorate it myself. I know what I like and there’s no need to pay someone to push their personal preferences onto me.”

  She nodded in agreement. She’d felt exactly the same way when she’d picked the furnishings for Polished. Then again, she hadn’t had millions at her disposal. “So where do I sleep?”

  A smile cracked across his face. “Funny you should ask.”

  She felt an answering grin tug at the corners of her lips. “Before you say your room, let me remind you I’m not averse to sleeping on the couch.”

  “I can be gentlemanly and take it instead.”

  She deliberately ran her gaze over his six foot plus frame. “Yeah, I’m sure you’d get a good night’s sleep. I’m not going to run you out of your own bed. I’m happy to set up camp in the living room.”

  Another lie, but who was counting?

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Ellie lay awake and stared at the wooden ceiling beams. It was after midnight, but sleep remained elusive. The stress of the day and her nonstop attraction for Jackson kept her eyelids wide open. All through the afternoon and a simple dinner of soup and salad, she’d thought Jackson would make good on his promise to kiss her. Instead, he seemed content to sit and talk with her in between bouts of conversations with Greg. Unlike his brother, Greg didn’t seem to have an aversion to cell phones.

  The temperature dropped when night fell, but the quilts Jackson brought to the guest room kept her warm and snug. She’d been grateful she didn’t really have to sleep on the couch, but it had been too much to hope for that the cabin only had one bedroom. She wouldn’t mind snuggling up next to Jackson for the night.

  And maybe a little bit more than snuggling.

  The way he’d looked earlier that day, when he’d told her she was beautiful, replayed through her mind. The tenderness and concern had touched a part of her that had been missing since Nana’s death. Dreaming of Jackson was a fantasy probably best left alone, but she didn’t stop wishing for more.

  For the first time in a long while, she wanted someone to know her. The real her. With Jackson, there would be no need to hide her shifter side. He’d guessed it existed even when she’d tried to hide it. Maybe he already saw the real her.

  Strange how much she wanted him. She’d like to blame it on some ridiculous myth like he was her true mate, but dragons didn’t believe in fated matings. At least her family hadn’t. From what she’d heard, wolves didn’t particularly pay much mind to the idea of one mate despite the rampant rumors to the contrary. Like the dragon hoarding its gold, there was much about shifters that had been overembellished in popular culture.

  Honestly, Ellie didn’t know much abo
ut wolves. Or dragons really. Only the few tidbits her mother had told her before her death when Ellie had been thirteen. Her mother had been married to the leader of the dragon clan before she’d left Ireland and come to America. She’d found Scott Reynolds and settled down, shoving aside the animal within her and living a normal, human life. So normal in fact that Ellie hadn’t known she was half dragon until her tenth birthday when she’d accidentally smoked up the house after a fit of prepubescent anger over being denied a sleepover.

  She’d learned then she wasn’t like other little girls her age. She was different—special, Nana had said, and when Jackson looked at her, she felt like that ten-year-old girl again, the one who believed in unicorns and leprechauns and all that shit.

  Rain kept up a staccato rhythm on the tin roof, and her supersensitive hearing picked out every drop. She’d never be able to sleep like this, not while her mind was racked by thoughts of Jackson. The situation was laughable. She should be more worried about her safety and instead all she could think about was the fine-looking man in the room across the hall, like the perfect dimples in his cheeks when he smiled really big, or the perfect symmetry of his gorgeous face. And that ass. She could bounce a quarter off that ass.

  She groaned as the familiar heat filled the place between her thighs. She needed something to take her mind off Jackson.

  Milk. That’s what she needed. A nice, cool glass of milk.

  Well, what she really needed was her vibrator, but it was at home, tucked safely away in her drawer under a bundle of handmade scarves that she’d bought and never worn.

  Ellie slid out of bed and tugged the hem of the too-short nightgown. She’d picked out a size eight when she was more like a twelve, so Jackson wouldn’t know her true clothing dimensions. When he’d gone to pay for the items she’d chosen, he’d merely lifted an eyebrow but wisely chosen not to say anything. Could she help it if she’d been born with a fondness for sweets? Blame Nana’s genes, not her own lack of will.

  Speaking of sweets, cookies would be nice too. She wondered if Jackson had any in the cabinets. He seemed to keep the Montevallo home stocked with foodstuffs since they hadn’t had to stop for groceries.