by Jessica Sims
Austin pulled up a chair across from Ryder, and the twins sat down at Sara’s desk. I didn’t know which ones were Josh’s cousins and which ones were his brothers; they all looked like they were cut from the same mold. Tall. Muscled. Incredibly good-looking. Dark, thick hair. Same rakish smile. The twins had deep dimples, though, and one had a sleeve of tattoos. Jeremiah was quiet and soft spoken, but he didn’t show up around the agency much anymore, now that he was in a relationship with a were-fox. Well, rumor had it that he was in a relationship with a were-fox and another guy, but that was probably just rumor.
“Can I help you boys?” Ryder asked with a slow, sweet drawl. “You dropping by the agency to see me, or were you wanting a date?”
“Always dropping by to see you, of course,” Josh said lazily, giving me that sleepy, sexy look.
I ignored him.
Austin leaned back in his chair and yawned, lacing his fingers behind his head as if he was bored. He fixed his gaze on Josh, who hadn’t moved from where he was parked across from my desk. “We saw the car out front and figured you were in here setting up another date. Since you’re making other plans, Everett wanted to know if that hot little number from the dance was up for grabs.”
Josh shrugged, his gaze on me. “Don’t know. You up for grabs, Marie?”
“Very funny.”
“I’m serious,” he said.
I rolled my eyes at him.
“The hot one,” Everett emphasized. “Were-lynx. With the dress.”
“The blonde?” Ellis asked. “With the rack?”
Austin shook his head. “The redhead. The one with the freckles and the . . . ” He coughed, getting flustered at Ryder’s direct stare. “Uh, sports car.”
“For the record, I went to the dance with Jayde Sommers,” Josh said. “And we’re not seeing each other anymore.”
Oh, I was sure that hot-tempered Jayde loved that. She wasn’t one of my favorite clients. “Gee, that’s a shame,” I said in a voice that implied that I didn’t think it was a shame at all. “I’m crushed you two didn’t work out.”
Josh shrugged.
I pulled my keyboard close. “Well, since you’re here, who did you want to be fixed up with, since you’re no longer seeing Jayde?”
“I was never seeing Jayde,” he pointed out. “She was just a date once or twice. And I’m not here to get set up with anyone.”
“It was the were-tigress,” Ellis announced after a minute. “The tall one. Looks like a supermodel.”
Everett snapped his fingers. “That’s the one.”
“Rebecca,” Josh said with a grin. “Nice girl.”
“Not too nice, I hope,” Everett said with a frown. “I like ’em wild.”
“Nope, not too nice,” Josh said amiably. “Nicer than Marie here, though.”
“Marie would be a lot nicer if you would go away,” I said sweetly. “And if I get you Rebecca’s number, can we make that happen?”
“We can,” Everett said with a grin. “You get me her number and I’m buying everyone in this room wings and beer.”
“How do you know she’ll want to date you? Maybe your brother made her swear off were-cougars forever.”
Everett gave me a smug look. “I can be persuasive, though I’m not as smooth as Josh here.”
I gave him the number and all the men left, laughing and teasing each other.
When Josh looked back and gave me a wink, Ryder grinned and returned to her computer. “Boys will be boys.”
“Those weren’t boys. Those were men in need of a hobby.”
“Or a girlfriend,” Ryder said lightly.
I glanced at the clock. Twenty minutes before my date. I grabbed my purse and headed out the door. “I’m going. Cover for me!”
“Yay, more Red Bull,” Ryder said, twirling her finger in the air.
“I’ll be back soon,” I told her. “Wish me luck.”
• • •
A half hour after my date’s scheduled time, I had to accept the fact that I’d been stood up. I’d sat at a table for two in the small, dark, popular little Greek restaurant, drumming my fingers on the tabletop and waiting.
Câlice.
Why was it so hard to find a damn vampire to date me? I was young. I was single. I was O freaking positive. I’d sent a suggestive picture as Minnie. I was making myself available. What was I doing wrong?
Desperation made me feel suddenly exhausted, and I rubbed my eyes. I hadn’t slept in three days, and it was wearing on me. I wanted a nice, long nap, but that was useless. As soon as I lay down and closed my eyes, I was unable to sleep.
Sleep was torture. I’d lie in bed, exhausted and aching, but sleep never came. It was the most frustrating thing in the world—to know that most people could just turn over and go to sleep while I’d stare at the ceiling for hours, wishing I knew how to shut my brain off so I could get in a few hours of rest.
But I had to keep going. Find a vampire somehow. I got up from the table and dropped a few dollars for the soda I’d downed, ignoring the pitying looks of the waitstaff. I made my way out of the sea of closely crowded tables, pushing through the front door. The parking lot was busy despite the late hour, so I cut around to the back alley. I didn’t want anyone to see me leaving, in case a client spotted me and mentioned it to someone at the agency.
Damn, this stung. Was I truly so unappealing? My pride was starting to feel wounded. More than that, my anxiety was skyrocketing. What if I couldn’t find a vampire to turn me? What if I died before I could accomplish my goal?
My stomach churning, I ducked my head and walked faster. A text buzzed on my phone and I paused, my heart flipping over with hope. Maybe the vampire was just late? Maybe he’d been held up?
It was Ryder. Is everything okay? Text me back.
Sigh. I’m fine, I sent back. He was a no-show. Heading back now.
I repocketed my phone and glanced up just in time to see the hindquarters of a large beast slink into the shadows of the alley. I froze. I’d definitely seen a tail, and I was pretty sure I’d seen a paw, but it had been so quick that I doubted my own eyes. Was I crazy?
I wasn’t scared, since I worked with shapeshifters, but I was annoyed that I was about to be caught in the act. I studied the alley for a long moment. Run away and assume that the shifter wouldn’t report me back? Or be brave and take my lumps? I thought for a moment longer, then sighed, gut-checked myself, and strode forward.
I turned the corner into the dark alley—and ran smack into a naked Joshua. I yelped in surprise, stumbling backward a step even as he reached out to catch me.
“You okay?” His big hand moved to my waist, as if to anchor me against him.
“Fine,” I said sharply, pushing away from him and averting my gaze. The glimpse I’d seen of him was . . . well, it was making me feel flushed. I hadn’t expected him to be quite so . . . impressive . . . naked. His shoulders were broad and thick with muscle, his stomach flat and delicious, so tight that I’d seen a very nice six pack. I cast my gaze to the ground, and that wasn’t any better, because I had a shadowy view of well-muscled thigh and one long, bare foot. I turned and stared at a wall, hating how red my face felt. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m working. Checking out a few scent trails in the area for a client who is convinced he’s being stalked by someone. He’s not, of course, but that doesn’t mean I don’t check things out anyhow. What are you doing here, Marie?”
“Red Bull run,” I told him, falling back on our story line. “Ryder asked for some.”
“Really,” he said in an amused voice. “Then why is it that your hair smells like olives and feta?”
I looked over at him, startled, and touched my dark curls. “What?”
“Olives. Feta. Greek.” He touched his nose and grinned at me, looking tousled and like he’d just gotten out of bed. He gestured back down the front alley. “Were you at the restaurant?”
“No,” I said defensively, clutching my purse to my chest. I kept
my gaze on his handsome face, not daring to look any lower, since his arms were crossed over his chest and that meant the rest of him was, well . . . open for business. “Of course not. I’m just on break.”
“Then why are you slinking away down a dark alley so no one can see you?”
“I like dark alleys,” I said defensively.
“They’re dangerous. You should be careful.”
Getting mugged in an alley was the least of my problems. But I forced out a tight “Fine.” I turned and began to march away. “I’m going now.”
“Wait, Marie,” he said, and I heard him fall into step behind me. Damn it, damn it. “What’s it worth to you for me to keep my mouth shut about you hanging out at a vampire joint when you’re supposed to be working?”
I stopped in my tracks.
He ran into me this time and he chuckled, then moved to the side. I felt his big hand graze my hips, sending a tingle through my body, before he moved away. “Going to make me guess?”
I ignored him, turning to glare at his face. “I wasn’t at a vampire joint.”
“You smell like Greek food. Didn’t you know that Konstantine’s is run by a vampire? It’s well known in the Alliance that it’s a vampire feeding ground.”
It hadn’t been known to me. I thought our clients liked the place because it was dark and private. Why did no one fill me in on these things?
“So.” He rocked on his heels. “What’s it worth to you to keep me quiet?”
“Are you blackmailing me?” I gave him an outraged look.
“Only for information,” he said with an easy grin. “You tell me which vampire you’re in love with and I’ll keep my mouth shut.”
I hesitated.
He crossed his arms over his chest, waiting.
Criss. I kept my eyes locked on his face. He had me. “How do I know I can trust you?”
He laughed. “You found a naked shapeshifter in an alley who’s twice the size of you, standing close enough to rub against you. And you’re worried you can’t trust me?”
Point taken. “You’re not twice my size,” I felt obligated to point out. “More like one and a half times.”
He put a hand to his chest in mock pain. “You wound me, Marie. Never tell a man he’s smaller than he claims.”
His motion made my gaze go to his chest, and I noticed the fuzzy sprinkling of hair across his broad pectorals. Odd how that was so appealing. The pectorals themselves were something close to a work of art—flat, hard, and smooth. Like little bricks of man-muscle—
Josh snapped his fingers at me.
I flushed, realizing I was staring at his naked chest. “Sorry.”
“So what’s his name?”
“I hate you for making me tell,” I said, then dug my phone out of my purse, glancing at the note in my calendar. “Lewis.”
“Boy, it must be love if you can’t remember the guy’s name,” Josh said, and snatched the phone from my hands, beginning to flip through my calendar.
“Hey,” I protested. “Give that back!”
But he began to saunter away, phone in hand. “Let’s see. Two nights ago, it was Bert. And Valjean’s here, too. Why, Marie, you minx you. I had no idea you were a vampire groupie.”
I reached for the phone over his shoulder even though I had to brush up against his naked chest. “Give that back!”
He held it out of reach and turned around, grinning when I lunged against him again. His other arm went to my waist, pulling me close, and I found my mouth inches from his, my body pressed up against his naked chest.
I became instantly aware of his very, very naked flesh. How hard he was all over, how big and strong. He loomed over me, tall, but not overwhelming. Just . . . right. Just delicious. My pulse fluttered in response.
“Why do you want a vampire, Marie?” Josh’s gaze dipped to my mouth, as if he was contemplating kissing me. Then he glanced back up to meet my gaze. His voice dropped to a husky, seductive tone. “If you want to play with your wild side, I’m right here and more than willing.”
I pushed him away. “I’m not looking for a one-night stand.”
He gave me a bemused smile. “Aren’t you? Then what’s with all the vampires?”
I bit the inside of my cheek, instantly regretting saying anything. Humans weren’t supposed to have ongoing relationships with supernaturals. We were okay for a fling here and there, but commitment? Wasn’t allowed.
I reached for my phone again. “Just give that back to me.”
He held it over my head for a moment longer, but when I wouldn’t play this time, he handed it to me.
I glared at him and stalked away. He was far too naked for me to be comfortable, and I’d noticed far too much of his physique for my own good.
“I’m betting Lewis didn’t show up tonight, did he?”
I paused. Gritted my teeth.
“I can help you with that, you know.”
Damn it. Why did he have to keep talking? And how did he seem to know that my vampire date hadn’t shown up? I turned around slowly. He hadn’t followed me this time, and now he stood twenty feet away, which allowed me a full frontal vision of his Adonis-like body.
Naturally, I realized this a moment too late and yelped, raising a hand to cover my eyes.
Too late. The vision of Joshua Russell, male perfection in one arrogant, cocky package, was now burned into my mind. Those tight hips, narrow waist, broad shoulders. That small birthmark on his groin just to the left of some very . . . impressive equipment. Great. Now I was going to be thinking about his birthmark whenever I saw him. “I can’t talk to you unless you put some clothes on,” I snapped.
“Come on now, Marie,” he drawled, a chuckle in his voice. “You know shifters aren’t shy about nudity.”
“This human is!”
“I thought you liked what you were looking at? You were staring earlier.”
“Ostie de tabarnak,” I spat at him.
“Oooh, the French. Now I know I’m getting somewhere.”
“Joshua Russell!”
“Okay, fine, I’ll get decent.”
I paused, waiting a moment, then moved my hand and peeked at him again. He stood there, still facing me, still full frontal, hands on his hips.
And he was getting erect.
I covered my eyes again. “You said you were getting decent!”
“Give me a minute to get excited, and I’ll be plenty decent.” He gave me a sultry look. “You could always take your top off and help things along.”
“That is not what I meant! You are a pig, Joshua Russell.”
“And you’re too shy, Marie Bellavance.” He said my name with the flat drawl of a Southerner. “It’s good for you to look at a man every now and then. Get that stick out of your ass.”
I did not have a stick up my ass. “If you’re not helping me, then I am leaving now,” I announced again.
“I’ll change,” he said. “Give me two minutes, and I’ll finish scouting the area and grab my clothes. Then I’ll follow you back to the agency to make sure no one takes advantage of you.”
“Good idea,” I said, a bite to my voice. “It would be terrible if I was accosted in a dark alley by a naked man.”
He chuckled. “It’s only accosting if you don’t enjoy it. And you enjoyed it.”
“I did not.” Even if I had, I would never, ever tell him that.
“I’m changing now,” he announced.
I could have turned and walked away. He would have let me, I knew. Josh came on strong, but that was because he assumed that everyone found him utterly irresistable.
But for some reason, I stayed. Partially because I did want to find out exactly what he thought of the vampires avoiding me, and partially because this would give me a good chance to look at his naked body undistracted. I peeked, watching him. Just a little. His buttocks had the most amazing dimple that flexed when he changed, and my pulse sped up in response. But then he sprouted fur and began to contort, and I covered my eyes aga
in.
Not the glamorous side of being a shifter. I winced when I heard bones crack, and I kept my eyes covered, waiting. Long moments passed, and when I was just about to open my eyes and ask what was going on, something furry rubbed up against my leg. I opened my eyes to see a massive dun cougar stalking away from me, his tail lashing slowly back and forth. He sniffed the alleyway carefully and moved forward, then glanced back at me.
I relaxed a little. “I like you much better like this. Quiet and not naked.”
He made a chuffing noise that might have been a laugh. And then he began to sniff around again. I paced a few steps behind him as he followed a scent trail, moving along the back alley and turning down another, before doubling back and rechecking the area he’d already gone over.
The back door to Konstantine’s opened, letting out a waft of delicious scents. I stopped just as a man in a dirty apron emerged and headed for the Dumpster. He paused at the sight of me, and then Josh, his eyes widening in alarm.
Shit! I’d just been caught with a shifter in cat-form. The Alliance was going to kill me. I was—
Josh meowed, a sad, pathetic, house-cat meow.
“Bad kitty,” I said automatically, figuring out his plan. Genius! I smiled at the man standing frozen in the alley. “Silly cat refuses to go potty on the grass.”
“That’s your cat?” He took a step backward, uncertain.
“All mine,” I said, and snapped my fingers at my side. Josh immediately came to my hand, rubbing up against my fingers and purring wildly. I scratched at his face, his whiskers, and he began to lick my fingers, and then my palm.
It . . . tickled. And made me a little squirmy, knowing that there was a human brain behind all that licking. What was going through his mind right now?
The man in the apron chatted with me as he tossed bags into the Dumpster, giving side glances at Josh as he made out with my hand while I stood making small talk. The man told me about his pet dog, and how he’d once seen a big cat at the zoo, and asked me where I’d gotten mine. I told him that my cougar was a gift. And Josh was great at obeying. Harmless. Declawed, I added. All this time, Josh kept licking and nuzzling at my hand.
As soon as the man disappeared back into the restaurant, I jerked my hand away from Josh. “Is this the shifter version of first base?”
