Your Wolfish Heart (Shifting Hearts Dating App Book 2)
Page 6
“I want to look at you.” His eyes raked over her body and she squirmed beneath his observation.
“Thomas…”
He leaned forward and took the tip of one of her breasts into his mouth and sucked. Liv writhed beneath him as he switched from one to the other, the rock like points glistening in the half light. Every stroke of his tongue shot bolts of heat into her core and she was about to explode.
Easing his finger along the slick folds of Liv’s heat, he slid a digit inside of her hot, wet sheath. His hand cupped Liv’s sex, rubbing lightly against her clit, and she watched him smile as another orgasm had her twisting against the quilt.
“More…”
“Mmmm. Soon.”
“No. I need to touch you.” Liv reached out and it was her turn to lower him to the bed.
She slid her hand around his cock and placed tender kisses down his chest, nipping at his flesh. Delving deeper, she gripped his length and began to stroke, her movements making Thomas buck forward, a cry on his lips. Liv trailed kisses down Thomas’ stomach, placing a final kiss just above his member as she released her fingers.
“So beautiful.”
She urged Thomas’ legs wider. Liv slipped to the floor, giving her the perfect view of Thomas’ thick cock, hard with the evidence of his desire. She slid her palms up the outsides of his thighs and he shivered. Leaning in, she placed a kiss on the soft flesh traveling inward until she reached her destination.
Her tongue slipped over the head and Liv lapped at the length of Thomas’ cock. She slipped him inside her mouth and heard his groan as her fingers slipped beneath his balls and gave them a light squeeze. Thomas bucked against her as she began to suck in earnest.
He thrust forward and his body tensed. Sheathing him inside of her as far as she could go, she drove him higher with each lap of her tongue. As the first tremor of orgasm wracked his body, she gripped his ass to keep him from moving as he exploded inside of her.
“Oh God!” Thomas bucked against her and she held him close as the shivers subsided.
Liv released him and joined him on the bed, enveloping her mate in her arms. Her body pulsed with need but she was content. Her eyelids began to drift closed when she felt Thomas’ fingers slide between her thighs.
“Are you falling asleep on me?”
Her eyes flew open, senses hyper aware. “Not on your life.”
“Good,” Thomas smiled, his face still flushed from his own passion, his eyes luminous. “Because I have plans to make you scream all night.”
Her mate. Her wolf.
She could get used to this.
Liv grinned. The patter of rain against the glass and the scent of roses in the air lulled her into the spirals of her own passion as Thomas began to map her flesh. The evening had just begun, her body awakening to her mate’s lips. The future was theirs, but first there was the night.
Chapter Nine
It was midway through the party and here she was with no freaking app to show at her launch. Sylvia was up front charming the pants off of all the attendees with her goddess mojo and keeping them distracted.
They had so many local businesses showing off their wares, so it wasn’t hard, but an hour? It was getting uncomfortable. Fast. There were only so many things you could say about the flower arrangements, chocolate goodies, and the rest of the food before people started wondering what the hell they’d been invited for.
It was a damned launch party…without a damned launch.
She wanted to sink into the gravel of the parking lot and let the earth swallow her whole. Because if Rafe didn’t produce something, she wasn’t going to be able to show her face. Like, ever.
Even Sylvia was starting to look at her with that pinched expression she got when things went sideways.
She hated that look.
Then she saw headlights pulling into the parking lot and her stomach clenched.
Was it him?
It was.
Thank fucking God.
An hour late. And that didn’t even count getting here early to set up and give her a quick run through on things. Looking stupid in front of clients she was trying to impress was not the way this was supposed to go.
She was ready to go claws out on his sorry ass. Their reputation was on the line, big time, and just…oh…she was going to absolutely lose her ever loving shit.
“You are so dead right now.” Paige growled at her brother, Rafe, as he slunk through the parking lot toward the back door of Blue Willow House.
“Paige…” Rafe set the black leather bag on the ground and held up his hands.
“Is it live?” She waved her phone in his face, her voice getting louder with each syllable. “It better be live.”
“It is.” He ran his hand through his already mussed hair. “We ran into a last minute snag.”
“No shit.” She poked her finger into his chest. “And there better be a PowerPoint presentation in there. Cause I have a big ass screen sitting up there looking three shades of stupid with nothing on it.”
He pointed wordlessly to the bag.
“Fine. But you’re setting it up, flyboy.” She turned on the ball of her foot, the gravel crunching beneath her heels as she teetered. A face plant would be the ultimate shit way to end an already shitty night.
Rafe moved past her and held open the door, the leather jacket and jeans he sported making her grimace. Launch party meant dress up. Not that she could ever seem to relay that pertinent little detail.
But still…he was here.
She wasn’t going to thank him. Not this time. Not when she was about to cry from sheer frustration.
Stomping past him, she set her face into what she hoped was a smile as he continued on toward the projector cart.
“Hello, everyone!” Rafe called out. “Just putting some finishing touches on our app. How is everyone doing?”
The crowd started clapping and making hooting noises, their eyes following his every move.
Good.
“It’s good to see you here tonight. I’m Rafe, Paige’s brother, for those of you I haven’t met. I head up the technical team and right now I’m supposed to impress you with my latest creation.”
Laughter peppered the room and Paige smiled.
Rafe gave the audience a lopsided grin, his gaze running over the side tables laden with treats and wares from the local businesses.
“So, I’m a little late. But judging by the goodies over there, that might have been in your favor. Did you all get to sample all that chocolate? Now that’s what I call a Valentine’s Day launch party.”
More hoots and clapping echoed through the room.
His tousled bad boy looks held the interest of the female half of the crowd and a smidgen of pride worked its way in between the urge to throat punch him.
“How many of you use apps?” His hands worked, flying through the setup as he talked.
Laughter met the question, but also a show of hands from the glittering throng.
Paige glanced at Sylvia and noticed a small smile playing at the corner of her mouth. She met Paige’s eyes and gave her a wink.
She wasn’t mad.
Whew.
A few moments later and the projector flickered on, the logo of the Shifting Hearts Dating Agency filling the screen at the front of the room.
Rafe reached for the clicker and moved into the crowd.
“When Paige first approached me with the idea for this app, I thought it was a little overkill. I mean, we already had a website with a pretty good algorithm, if I don’t say so myself.”
Laughter rippled through the room once more.
“But then I started thinking about the projects I was already working on for other companies and how a streamlined app could really make a difference. An app on your phone where you could potentially meet someone who could be your mate…your future. And it would be faster than the website…easier to use, and more accessible.”
He aimed the clicker and the screen changed. A
picture of the app home page was there for everyone to see.
“Pretty good, right?”
“Does it work?” Someone called out from the center of the room.
Rafe chuckled good naturedly. “That’s what you’re here to tell me. So, I’d like everyone to take out their phones. If you already have an account with us, just log in with your email and password. If you don’t, just input the information and signup.”
Paige observed the women in the audience riffling through their purses in search of their phones. The men were already in, jabbing at their screens.
“Good. Now, some of you have filled out interests, requirements…hard limits.” Laughter burst from several places in the room. Rafe motioned for Paige to join him.
“Good evening, everyone. Thank you again for coming out tonight. Most of you know me, but for those who don’t, I’m Paige, part owner of Shifting Hearts. My partner, Sylvia is over there. Wave hi, Syl.”
Sylvia chortled, a bite of brownie in her mouth, and waved, holding a hand over her face while she chewed.
“Take your time. Play with the app. Tell us what you like. What you don’t. What you wish was there. You can do it now or you can send it later. There are comment cards on the table with our email address and the e-vite I sent each of you has a survey where you can be as honest as you like.”
People began to play with their phones, and Paige breathed a sigh of relief as she watched their faces.
Rafe clicked through some more slides, and began to highlight some of the features. But she was more interested in their faces. She watched the range of expressions that passed over the crowd, her breath held tightly in her chest.
And what she saw gave the butterflies in her stomach wings instead of bricks for feet.
They were smiling.
They were clicking.
And for the first time that night, Paige took a deep breath and knew that it was going to be all right.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading Your Wolfish Heart: Shifting Hearts Dating App series, Book Two. If you enjoyed the book, please consider leaving a review on the retailer website where you made your purchase and perhaps check out the Shifting Hearts Dating Agency series, where all this dating app business began.
If you would like more information about my other titles or would like to sign up for my newsletter and receive a free copy of Map of Bones, please follow the link:
http://erzabetwrites.wix.com/erzabetbishop
All the very best to you and yours,
XOXO
Erzabet Bishop
Turn the page for a taste from Chocolate Moon Café, Book Three in the Shifting Hearts Dating App series.
A Taste From Chocolate Moon Café
Chocolate and a breath of magic…
Emma Arden is the owner of The Chocolate Moon Café, where love and chocolate go hand-in-hand. She runs the enchanted café with her assistant, Ruby, and together they help lovers tie the knot with the assistance of a few spells and some delectable chocolate recipes. Anyone that is, except a certain Douglass wolf.
A wolf with something to prove just might find the love that sets him free…
Ben Douglass doesn’t believe in love at first bite. Quite the contrary. When he runs a scathing critique of The Chocolate Moon Cafe in his magazine, hell hath no fury like a witch scorned. When he visits the café at the insistence of his editor to prove his theory once and for all, will he end up wanting far more than what’s on the menu? Can a Douglass wolf and an Arden witch truly be fated to love each other for all eternity?
Prologue
“Would you look at that.” Paige thumped a copy of Hot Restaurants down on the desk and rolled her eyes. “What a total ass.”
“Huh?” Sylvia looked up from her paperwork, her eyes questioning.
“This article about chocolate not being connected to love. What a load of horse poop.”
“You’ve got to be kidding. Who wrote that?” She held her hand out.
Paige slid out of her chair to walk the magazine over. “This foodie reporter who has no damned idea what he’s talking about, that’s who.”
Sylvia scanned the page, her eyes growing large and round. “I’ve heard of this place. The Chocolate Moon Café. They are supposed to have cake that will curl your toes.”
“That’s what I’m saying.” Things were a little quieter since the app had taken off. Revenue had been pouring in, and their success numbers had been going up in droves.
Goddess, but she loved being right. She was still going to kill Rafe for cutting it so close on the launch, but she also wanted to hug him for helping make the Shifting Hearts Dating App in the top five dating apps for this quarter.
Sylvia scanned the page and Paige watched as her lips tightened. Yup. She’d gotten to the doubting Thomas part.
Abruptly, Sylvia stood, the magazine abandoned.
“I feel the need for some chocolate cake, don’t you?”
“We don’t have any appointments today.” Paige grinned.
Sylvia picked up her purse and strolled toward the door. “It’s on me. Come on.”
“Now we’re talking.” Scooping up her bag, she sent out a quick text to her mate letting him know they were on a field trip, and then one to her brother to listen for visitors in case anyone stopped by.
Chocolate cake was in their near future, and if she knew her partner, so was a little goddess power in the making. She almost felt sorry for the bastard.
Almost.
Chapter One
“She’s beautiful, Reese. I’m so proud of you.” Ben Douglass’ mother beamed down at the infant in his brother’s arms and Ben tried to summon up an appropriate response.
All babies looked the same. Bald. Squinty, and more often than not, smelled funny.
His wolf chortled at the uncharitable thought, but reluctantly agreed.
As if she could read his mind, his mother frowned. “Ben. Look at your niece.”
He smiled, reaching out to smooth the infant’s hair off her forehead. Grace Alora Douglass. She was kind of cute. For a baby. “Congrats, you two.”
His brother, Reese, and his mate, Melinda, looked on like the proud parents they were, while his other brother, Marcus, stood by with his very pregnant mate, Sandy.
It was moments like these where he really wished his father was here. He was all too familiar with this hospital. They all were. But at least being here this time was for a good reason.
“You all make me so proud.” His mother smiled, then swatted Ben on the arm. “Now, you. Get busy. I want more grandchildren.”
Ben rubbed at the spot, the pained expression flitting over his features not quite a ruse.
“Mom…”
He was so tired of everyone trying to fix him up with the nearest female just so he could fall in line and produce the next line of Douglass wolves. He wanted to live. His work took him all over the country and he wasn’t going to lock himself down with a woman who expected him to be home for dinner and mow the grass on the weekends. He’d tried it before. It wasn’t for him. Pack life was fine. At a distance.
“Come on, old sport. It’s time you stop with the nose in the computer long enough to find yourself a woman.” Reese grinned. “There’s a write up on one of the blogs I follow about a new shifter dating app. It’s gotten great reviews. I’ll send you the link later.”
Great. That was all he needed. Links to dating sites. Awesome.
“Thanks, Reese. I’ll check it out.”
Not.
Marcus snorted. “Wow, bro. If that face is any indication, I just won my bet.”
“What bet?”
“The bet that said you’d rather drink poison than let yourself get tied down.” He laughed, then flinched as Sandy pinched him hard on the arm.
He drew back, startled. “Ouch! Why’d you do that?”
“Tied down? Really?” Sandy raised an eyebrow, her wolf shining in her gaze.
“Um… That’s not what I meant. I m
ean…for him…not for me.” Marcus stuttered, raising his hands in mock self-defense.
“Keep talking and you’ll find yourself sleeping on the couch tonight, buddy.” Sandy gave him a narrow-eyed look and poked him in the arm again when he opened his mouth to start in again.
God. His brother really was an idiot.
“You seem to forget I’ve been down that road before, bro. Didn’t work then and I’m not in any hurry to repeat the past.”
He thought he’d found a female he could live with. But when he got back to their apartment and found another man in their bed, it sort of ruined whatever plans he’d had in mind for their future.
She wasn’t our mate, his wolf interjected.
Ben ignored him and prayed for the text for his next assignment. It was due today and he was ready to get some air. Now.
“Not everyone is like Rachel, son.” His mother gave him an encouraging squeeze on the arm.”
“I know, Mom.”
And he did know. But he wasn’t in any hurry to throw himself back out into the dating pool either.
His phone buzzed and he slid it from his holster, thankful for something to break the tension that had slid through the room.
A relieved smile turned up the corners of his lips as he scanned the text.
Got a new line on a story for you. Can you get to your laptop? Need to Skype.
On my way. Got one stop first.
Thank God.
“Sorry, folks. Duty calls.” He kissed his mother and said his goodbyes to his brothers and their mates. A few moments later, he let out a deep breath he hadn’t realized he was holding as he stepped out into the stark white corridor.