Oh my God. He’s a shape shifter.
The other puppy bounded around the end of her couch and pounced on the dog in front of her as if thrilled to find a friend his size. The two puppies rolled around together until Tally couldn’t tell which was which. They were exact copies of each other. Moving in slow motion, she sank down until she sat on the floor and reached toward the dogs. One of the puppies detached itself from the other and ran to her, immediately licking her hand and trying to crawl onto her.
Oh yeah, this one was Nick. She picked him up and inspected him, holding him close. Deep blue eyes stared back at her. His pink tongue flicked out and lapped her nose.
“Stop that.” He did it again. She laughed. “You are going to be a handful.”
As she spoke the dog began to wriggle like he wanted down. She put him on the ground and he began to change, rising and growing until a very naked Nick crouched before her. He lifted his head and smiled arrogantly at her.
“Somewhat more than a handful, I think,” he said.
She started to respond—to ask how it was done—but he was there, his mouth on hers, his lips moving against hers as if he was hungry for her taste. Despite the amazing revelation she’d just witnessed, he was still Nick, the man who occupied her dreams. The man who’d made love to her three nights ago.
Her confusion at how Richard could have become her dream lover disappeared as she tasted Nick. This was right. She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer, opening her mouth beneath his. His tongue took immediate advantage, sliding gently between her lips. The warm masculine flavor combined with a touch of coffee made her sigh and draw closer.
Heat rose from his body as he curled his arms around her, pulling her closer even as he guided them both to the floor. His hands were slow, almost hesitant, as if he was giving her space to pull away. One concern niggled the edge of her consciousness. Nick had known where she lived—he’d known about Richard, he’d known enough to turn into Richard.
Tally sat up, forcing inches between their bodies.
“Why?”
“What?”
“Why did you turn into Richard in the first place?”
He sat up as well, resting his wrists on his bent knees. He looked at her for a long time before he nodded. “My two brothers, my sister and I run a private investigations firm—Conner Investigations. Edward Branch hired us to find evidence that you were embezzling.”
“What!?”
“He hired me about three weeks ago to prove you were embezzling.”
Energy zapped her body, re-igniting the anger from before. She rolled over and got to her feet, walking away, needing to expend some of the violence surging through her body. Edward thought she was stealing? He’d hired Nick to prove it. And that’s why Nick had slept with her.
“You bastard.”
He didn’t deny the title.
“Did you turn into Richard hoping to search my house? Wait. You did search my house. That’s what the phone call was. That’s why you dialed into the Internet.”
“I was searching for proof.”
A stab of pure betrayal pierced her heart and forced tears into her eyes. “Did you have to fuck me? You couldn’t have found some other way?” She wrapped her arms around her waist, feeling vulnerable. He’d been her dream lover and she’d been part of his job. She gulped down air trying to keep the tears in control.
“I didn’t mean for that to happen.”
She flipped her hair out of the way and glared at him. He’d gotten to his feet and standing within punching distance. “Then why did it?”
He hesitated but there was something in his eyes that told her he wasn’t pausing to come up with a good lie. He looked at her with that turbulent blue gaze. “I was just supposed to keep you busy so Devon could search your office but then I kissed you and…” He shook his head. “I couldn’t help myself,” he confessed. “I knew it was wrong but you were there and you so sexy and sexual and all I could think is—‘I might never have another chance to have her.’” He pressed his lips together. “I am sorry. I’ve never done anything like that before—making love to a woman in another’s form. Devon’s been kicking my ass about it for the past two days.”
Nick probably didn’t realize the way his honest regret eased her soul.
“Then I kept thinking about what an asshole Richard is and I guess I wanted to show you that you could have better.”
“And that would be you?” she asked, unable to keep her smile in check.
A weaker man would have blushed but Nick just shrugged—and his eyes flashed at her with lust and confidence.
“You did say that night was—what was the word you used? Oh, yes, amazing.”
She shook her head. “I’m not sure that kind of arrogance is going to get you back in my bed,” she warned but even she could hear the laughter in her voice. He raised his eyebrows and Tally felt her stomach sink. He might not want back in her bed. Innate insecurity bubbled to the surface. Tally opened her mouth to explain, draw back the offer, change the subject, anything.
Nick held out his hand open palm. “Meeting you started out as a job but from the beginning I looked at you as more than a target. You fascinated me by the way you walked and talked. And nothing I’ve learned since has changed that first impression. I’m more intrigued than ever. I want to know you and I want you to know me.”
Tally had to fight not to melt into a warm puddle of feminine goo. Once again he’d said the right thing. She looked into his eyes. The liquid depths were stormy and a hint of his own insecurity flashed at her through the warm blue haze. His pupils were mere pinpricks and the tops of his cheeks were painted with the merest shade of red. These weren’t reactions he could control.
She looked away, needing to retreat from the power of his stare. She was confused and hurt. She wanted him, liked him, was probably halfway to being in love with him, but still—she glanced down. His cock was thick and hard. Another reaction he couldn’t seem to control. Her pussy warmed in reflected response.
Chapter Eight
The need to forget, to be taken away from everything that had happened and been revealed in the last few hours, overwhelmed her. She moved toward him, craving that moment away from reality.
“Nick—”
He was there, strong and solid, knowing what she needed. Their lips met—and bells rang. Tally jerked back, staring at him for a moment before her mind connected the sound with her doorbell.
“Expecting visitors?” he asked.
“No.”
“I’ll get it.” He moved toward the door. Tally grabbed his arm.
“You’re naked. I’ll get it.”
She passed him, hearing the muffled masculine protests as he dragged on his clothes. She peeked out the front window and saw Devon.
“It’s your brother.”
Nick arrived shirtless and adjusting the top of his pants as she opened the door and let Devon in. Another younger man and a woman who looked vaguely familiar followed him. Tally stepped back to let them in.
“You’re the delivery lady,” she accused.
“Hi, I’m Caitlin, Nick’s sister. And this is Jameson our younger brother.” Caitlin looked at Nick and widened her eyes. “Oooh, did we interrupt something?”
“Yes,” Nick answered.
Caitlin laughed. “Good.”
Nick ignored her. “Why are you here?” he asked, stepping close to Tally, silently announcing his claim to the other males in the room. He knew it was a primitive reaction but didn’t care. He wanted his brothers to know that Tally belonged to him. At least he thought she did. Or she eventually would. She’d handled everything that had been thrown at her today—even seemed willing to forgive him—so he had to believe there was hope.
“I think we need to move on this today,” Devon said. Devon had good instincts.
Nick led them all into the living room, sat down on the couch and pulled Tally down beside him. The puppy bounded around the corner and ran to th
e nearest human, sniffing and inspecting each one in turn until Jameson finally picked him up and held him on his lap.
“What did you find?” Nick asked.
“According to the police, the guard was killed about one a.m. Saturday,” Devon said. “He checked in at twelve-twelve and said he was starting his rounds through Tally’s building. Starts at the top and works his way down. He didn’t check out when he was done. Not unusual. A lot of the guards forget to sign out. The body was in her office on the floor.”
Nick saw Tally’s cheeks turn white and he squeezed her fingers. She flashed him a weak smile but stayed firm.
“The weekend guards just walk the halls occasionally so they didn’t see the body until the cleaning crew came in at midnight last night.”
“While Devon was talking to the police, I went to Tally’s building and had a look at her computer,” Caitlin said.
Tally sat forward. “But—how—they just let you look at my computer?”
Caitlin smiled. “They didn’t know it was me looking. Anyway, it seems that on Friday night-Saturday morning, someone loaded some interesting documents on Tally’s computer. I’d say someone was trying to set her up for embezzling.”
“That’s why they wanted to know when I was going to check out her computer,” Nick said.
“I don’t understand.”
“When Branch hired me, he wanted to know when I was going to look at your work computer. He said it was to allow me access to the building but it was really so he could put the incriminating information on your computer.” It all made sense in a stupid-criminal sort of way. “If he’d put it on weeks ago, you might have noticed.”
“Obviously, whoever did it doesn’t know that a computer tracks when a document is created,” Caitlin added.
“I’m sure they didn’t care,” Nick said, thinking back to his meeting with Branch and Jessup. He’d known something was hinky but hadn’t listened to his instincts. “They probably just wanted to leave a big enough trail to get rid of her. Enough to threaten her with so she’d quit.”
Tally spun on her seat to face him. “Why would they want to get rid of me?” She squinted her eyes and he watched that fascinating mind process the information. “The Georgia plant. I knew something was wrong. They’re inflating profits to make the selling price higher.”
“That would do it,” Nick agreed.
“Martin tried to take me off the audit team shortly after we started it. He gave me a promotion and then said I’d be too busy. I hate leaving in the middle of a project, so I told him I’d make the time.”
“When they couldn’t get rid of you that way, they must have decided to get you fired or make you quit.” Nick scanned the faces of his brothers and sister. They were all ready to go. “Devon’s right. We should probably move on this before Branch and Jessup know Tally’s been cleared.”
Tally’s shoulders slumped a bit.
“What’s wrong?”
“Do you really think they are after me?” She looked up him with liquid eyes. It was just another blow in an already overwhelming day.
“I think they are trying to protect themselves and you’re in their way.” The plan he’d been formulating in his mind changed as he saw the hurt and fury battle for control of her body. She needed to be a part of it. He took her hand and squeezed her fingers in a gentle show of support. “Don’t worry. You and I are going to take them down.”
“What have you got in mind?” Devon asked.
“Jessup is the weaker of the two, right?”
Tally nodded. “He does whatever Edward tells him to, but I can’t believe he’d kill someone if that’s what you’re thinking. Or that Edward would order it.”
“Well, let’s find out what he would do.”
“How?”
Nick smiled, finally able to offer her something that might fix the situation.
“Did you acquire Branch?” Devon asked before Nick could respond.
“Naturally. I think it might be an appropriate time for the police to question Branch. Devon, you’ll handle that?” Devon nodded. He stood and Nick followed suit. “Caitlin, we’ll need a wire.”
“It’s in the car.”
“I just need some clothes and—”
“Everyone stop,” Tally commanded, standing and holding up her hands. She turned until she faced Nick head on. He had to work to hide his smile. She was tired and confused and probably more than a little frightened but she wasn’t backing down. He liked that kind of strength in a woman. “What is ‘acquiring’ and how can Devon make the police do anything?” Tally said.
Devon started toward the door. “While you explain it all to her, we’ll get moving and meet you outside the building in thirty minutes. I’ll have clothes.”
Nick waited until the front door shut behind his siblings and then explained.
“Acquiring is when I collect the shape of a thing or person. I have to touch something to turn into it.”
“So when you met Edward, you ‘acquired’ him?”
“I thought it might come in handy and it has.” He grabbed his shirt and pulled it on, pleased to see a flash of regret on Tally’s face when he closed it. Good. Since he truly enjoyed her body, he hoped she felt the same way about his. “Let’s get going and I’ll explain what I have in mind.”
* * * * *
Tally paced in front of Edward’s desk. Her heart pounded so loud she wouldn’t be surprised if it was picked up on the microphone she wore beneath her shirt.
“Relax,” Nick said, though it came out of Edward’s mouth. Tally looked at the distinguished gentleman behind the desk and had to readjust her mind again to remember that was Nick—just in Edward’s body.
Devon had arrived five minutes ago, looking disturbingly like Detective Two, and had asked Edward to go with him to Tally’s office. Once they’d left, Nick and Tally had slipped into Edward’s office and summoned Martin.
“Is this going to work?”
“Yes. Don’t worry. We’re good at this.” Nick leaned forward, his blue eyes glittering back at her. They seemed to be the only thing that didn’t change on him and gave her some comfort that the “real” Nick was somewhere inside. He winked. “How about giving us a little kiss? For luck.”
“Eww. Not in that body.”
Nick laughed. “When we go home though, baby, I’m going to—”
“Your sister’s listening,” she warned.
She saw a flicker of fear in his eyes and almost laughed. The sound was cut short by the door opening and Martin Jessup walking in. He jolted when he saw Tally standing close to Edward’s desk but after a moment his face cleared and he looked like the passive, wimpy accountant she’d always seen before.
“You wanted to see me, Edward.” He didn’t walk all the way in, hovering at the doorway.
“Yes, get in here and shut the door,” Nick commanded and dang if he didn’t sound just like Edward. Not just in voice but in tone and attitude. “We’ve got a problem.”
Tally knew it was time for her act. She crossed her arms and placed her hip on the edge of the desk, doing her best to look pissed and cocky at the same time.
Nick lifted his chin toward Tally. “She knows.”
Martin swallowed but didn’t flinch. “Knows what?”
Nick looked at Tally and she knew it was her turn to take over. Nick’s voice couldn’t be on this part of the tape.
“Everything,” she answered. “I was willing to overlook that you two were inflating the profits for the Georgia plant. I figured I’d get my cut later, but I’m not willing to take the rap for murder.” She realized she sounded like a bad-action movie but figured Martin was so panicked he wouldn’t notice.
“Murder?”
“You murdered that security guard and then you sent the police to me.” Nick and Caitlin had told her to use the word “murder” often. Martin wasn’t a hardened criminal and a reminder of what he’d done might trigger the guilt and confession. “I’m not taking the blame for a murder.
”
“It wasn’t murder.” Martin looked at Nick, looking for guidance. Nick did an excellent job of looking disgusted and a little afraid at the same time. He waved his hand toward Tally as if indicating Martin should explain. Martin gulped again. “It was an accident. I didn’t want him to see me so I covered my head and ran for the door and I ran into him. He fell against the wall and cracked his head.”
The tears in Martin’s eyes comforted Tally. It hadn’t been intentional and he obviously felt horrible about it.
“Then why send the police my way?”
“We didn’t really—” he started to protest.
“We?” she demanded, needing a name. Needing Edward’s name.
“Edward,” Martin said, nodding toward the man behind the desk. “I called him after it happened.” He glanced toward Nick but he remained silent. “It was just to get you out of the way. I wouldn’t have let you go to jail. I wouldn’t.”
Tally let silence fill the air. They had enough. If not to give to the police, at least to threaten Martin and Edward into talking to the cops.
“You’ve said enough,” Nick said, standing up. He definitely had Edward’s commanding tone down. “Go back to your office. I’ll deal with her.”
Martin hesitated then his shoulders drooped forward and he turned to go, his head down, the energy seemingly sucked from his body.
Tally felt sorry for him—she was still going to turn him in to the police but she felt sorry for him.
“We’ve got to go,” Nick said, taking Tally’s hand and pulling her to the door. “I don’t know how long Devon can keep Branch busy.” Nick stopped beside the door, bent his neck to the side and slowly began to change. His face shrunk back, the lines of his cheekbones once again had definition. His chest expanded, threatening the seams of the suit he wore. She shivered as she watched her lover re-appear. It was almost less disconcerting to see him changing into the puppy.
When he’d finished changing, he hiked up the now too-big trousers and opened the door. They stepped into the hallway, pulled the door shut behind them and had taken two steps when Devon—still in the detective’s form—came around the corner walking with Edward.
Taking Shape Page 9