by Jane Jamison
“We don’t think, we know.” And yet, Ford could feel that something was missing. Where was the surge of lust he’d felt while looking at her photo?
“You’re my mates.” Her expression remained neutral.
“Sorry, we didn’t mean to dump it on you.” John stood up and offered her his hand. “We threw you for a loop, huh?”
She took his hand. Ford watched his friend’s face and saw a flicker of surprise.
John’s not feeling the connection, either.
Was it the circumstances? Were they too tired? Did the connection fade after the first overwhelming blast of need? He stood up and studied her expression. If she felt the bond pulling them together, she wasn’t letting on.
“I’m Ford Hiller and this is my friend, John McCaffrey.” He tried to make her feel more at ease. Maybe then, they’d get the right feeling. “And you’re Eden Provost.”
Her mouth parted and a strange look came to her eyes. “Right. I’m Eden Provost.”
He laughed. That had to be it. They’d given her a surprise that had zapped not only the connection, but rocked her to the core. “Yes, you are.”
“Come on, darlin’, give me a hug.” John took her arms and pulled her against him.
Ford half expected her to push him away, but she didn’t. At least that was something. She just needed more time. Once she got over the initial shock, the connection would roar between the three of them.
Part of him, however, didn’t believe it.
John’s gaze came to him again. And again, he could see his friend was as confused as he was.
When they finally ended the hug, Ford opened his arms, giving her the option of hugging him. She shot him a big sexy smile and wrapped her arms around him.
He closed his eyes and waited for the feeling to wash over him.
Nothing.
Not a damn thing.
At least not anything more than the normal reaction any man would have hugging a great-looking woman. By the time he released her, he was ready to ask her point blank if she felt anything.
“It’s great meeting you. Both of you.” She tossed her golden hair over her shoulders and gave them a smile any man would’ve killed for.
Still, she sounded like she’d just met a friend of a friend. Not at all the way a woman should’ve sounded after meeting her mates.
“Would you like to place an order?” She went into waitress mode, her pad and pencil at the ready.
He and John exchanged yet another questioning look. Why was she treating them like they were just any other two guys ordering lunch?
“Maybe this is a bad time,” offered John. “We’re not really hungry and we sure as hell didn’t mean to rattle you. We just couldn’t wait to meet you.”
“Oh. Of course.” Suddenly, as though what they’d been trying to tell her had finally sunk in, her demeanor changed. She visibly relaxed and put a hand on John’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. I think you’re right. You threw me.”
“Sure, we understand,” answered Ford.
Had they been as shell-shocked when they’d first seen her photo and realized she existed? He didn’t think so, but who knew? Whatever the reason, they had to make up for the awkward meeting. “How about we take you out tonight? You’ll have to name the place since we just got into town, but wherever you want to go is fine with us.”
“Yeah.” John seemed relieved and ready to go for any idea that might help. “What about it, Eden? Where would you like to go?”
She lifted her nose and sniffed. Until then, he’d resisted the urge to check her out. But if she could sniff, then so could he.
Yep. She’s a tigress.
She was different now. More accepting? Definitely more confident. Had she found her footing?
“Instead of going to dinner”—she shrugged—“because this place is the only place in town, why don’t we go for run? I love running under a bright moon, don’t you?”
She’d only just met them and she was willing to strip off her clothes, shift, and go running with them. Her offer had to mean she felt drawn to them.
“Sure. Where should we meet you?”
“I can come to you. Are you staying at Lena’s place?”
“Yeah. How’d you know?” Ford felt more at ease with her now. The connection would come back once they got used to each other.
She laughed and the sound of it was musical. “Unless you’re staying in Crosston or another town, Lena’s the only place in Twisted.”
“Then it’ll make it easy for you to find us,” added John.
“It would, but I’d rather meet you farther out. Besides, if Lena sees us together, she’ll talk our ears off.”
“Just say where, darlin’.”
“Head straight out the back of Lena’s place. Get far enough from the house that she won’t see you. I’ll meet you there.”
She leaned closer to Ford, giving him a good whiff of her perfume. It reminded him of the roses his mother used to grow.
“Just to be sure, you are weretigers, aren’t you? Like me?”
“Damn straight.”
“Good. Anyway, I’ll see you around ten, okay?”
Ford wanted to hug her again, to see if he’d picked up any other sensation, but saw what had to be her boss giving her a hard stare. “We’ll let you get back to work.”
“See you later, Eden.” John slid his hand along her waist as he eased past her.
Ford was outside before he turned to his friend. “Did you get anything?”
John took his passenger seat again. “Not a damn thing.”
“Me neither. I’ve never heard of it happening that way before. I thought once a shifter meets his mate, the bond between them is supposed to get stronger.”
“Yeah. But then again, we’ve never had the feeling before and there are a whole lot of myths out there. Let’s not jump to conclusions.”
“Could it be a woman thing? Like maybe her hormones are throwing it off?”
“I don’t know, but I’m sure as hell not going to be the one who asks her.”
Ford wasn’t any fool, either. “I never said I’d ask her. Just wondering, is all.”
They sat in the parking lot and watched the diner for several minutes. Every so often they’d see her pass by the window.
“At least she’s smokin’ hot. Even better than her photo.”
Ford couldn’t disagree with John. “She is hot. And she seems pleasant enough.”
“Although her looks and her personality don’t matter one way or another if the connection’s there.” John let out a frustrated sigh.
“So we’re back to square one. What happened to the connection?”
“Let’s hope tonight answers that question.” John strapped his seat belt on. “Until then, I say we keep quiet. No telling Lena anything. We wouldn’t want Eden hearing that we didn’t feel anything for her.”
If she’d felt something for them and they hadn’t, she’d be hurt. “Good thinking.” Ford revved the motor. “In the meantime, we need to find temporary employment. I saw a place called Roar down the road. For small towns, a bar’s one of the best places to find jobs.”
* * * *
“Eden, did you see the two hotties Mariah’s talking to?” Lilly carefully picked up the platter topped with several burgers and fries.
Eden had just hurried into the diner through the back entrance and checked the schedule posted on Roberta’s office door. She’d made it on time, but just barely. If Mrs. Hodgens hadn’t waylaid her in the parking lot to chat, she would’ve gotten there ten minutes earlier like her sister had. “Really? Who are they?”
“Beats me. They must be new in town.”
“That’s exciting.” Any new person in town caused a stir, but two sexy men would cause an even bigger stir. Especially among the waitresses at Roberta’s.
“Go on. Check them out.” Lilly hefted the tray onto her right arm, steadied it with her left hand, and pushed through the swinging doors. “They’re seated in your se
ction.”
“In my section?” It wouldn’t be the first time her sister had poached her customers. For the most part, she didn’t mind since they shared expenses. Still, her sister had cost her tips. Tips she wanted to put into savings and not spend on a wild evening out like her sister would.
She tied the apron around her waitress uniform and went to the swinging doors. Each door had a small window in it just big enough to see into the dining room. At her height of five-feet, five-inches, she had to stand on her tiptoes to see through them. She was getting ready to peek when Mariah burst into the kitchen, almost knocking her down in her rush.
“Mariah, you came in the out door again.” Not that scolding her sister would do any good. As far as Mariah was concerned, all swinging doors went both ways.
“Did you see the schedule?”
“I did.” It irritated her that Roberta changed the schedule often without warning. “Looks like I’m covering for Lilly tonight.”
“So you’re going to be here until midnight?”
“Yeah. I have to close up.” Eden hated that she was suspicious of her sister, but hadn’t she been given enough reasons through their lifetime?
Like the time Mariah had taken her toys and given them away to charity. She’d told their mother that Eden had told her to do it. Which, of course, was a flat-out lie.
Or like the time Mariah had gone to their teacher, a wily old werefox, and pretended to be Eden. She’d taken a make-up test in her place and had failed miserably.
Or like the time Mariah had flirted with a boy Eden liked. She’d claimed she was only trying to save Eden from going out with a boy who “only wanted one thing,” but then she’d seen the two of them together at the dance.
“Why do you care how late I’m working?” Eden could imagine her green eyes glistening with suspicion and immediately felt guilty.
As usual, Mariah played it cool. “I don’t.”
“Then why the interest?” She’d push her and hoped to get the truth.
“For pity’s sake, Eden, I’m just concerned that you’re working too hard. I mean, going from noon to midnight? You’ll wear yourself out.” Mariah hugged her. “I’m only trying to look out for you, sis.”
Guilt swamped her. She shouldn’t be wary of her sister. After all, it’d been a long time since Mariah had pranked her. “I know and thanks. But what do you have planned? I know you’re not going to sit at home all alone.”
“Not much. I might go out with some friends. They said there’s a new band playing over in Crosston tonight.”
“Are these old friends or new friends?”
Mariah arched an eyebrow. “I see Lilly’s been flapping her gums again.” She rolled her eyes. “Yes, it’s a couple of new friends. And yes, they’re guys.”
“You’re going out with two men at the same time?” Female weretigers rarely dated, but when they did, it wasn’t with more than one man at a time. Unless… She sucked in a breath. “Did you meet your intended mates?”
“No, no. They’re a couple of friends of Candy’s. Nothing special.”
Urgh. Eden didn’t like the flirtatious young waitress. She got into more trouble than Mariah did. Yet telling her sister to stay away from Candy would only bring up Mariah’s stubborn side, making her more eager to hang with Candy. “Just be careful, okay?”
Mariah pushed through the swinging doors again. “Yeah, yeah, Mom. But shoot. Who’s the older sister here?”
As though two minutes makes a difference.
“Damn it, Mariah. You went out the in door this time.” Eden followed her, using the correct door.
* * * *
John couldn’t wait to get close to Eden. After discussing it at length with Ford, he was sure the attraction would come roaring back. She was sexy with curves in all the right places and big green eyes that could suck a man’s soul out of him and have him thanking her for doing so. Her long, blonde hair framed her oval face perfectly. It would, no doubt, be softer than a puppy’s fur. Better still, she had a fire in her spirit that radiated out of her.
And yet, there was something missing. Something necessary for him to love her.
He should’ve already fallen for her. At least, that was the way he’d always heard the connection would be. Was it him? Or was it different for everyone?
“We’ll find out soon enough.”
He nodded, acknowledging Ford’s guess of what he’d been thinking. He glanced at his friend who stood in the small clearing, waiting. No matter what Ford said, he could see that his friend was as anxious as he was.
“I hope so.” He kicked a stone. “But what if it’s like it was at the diner? What then? Did we fuck up without knowing it?”
“No way. It’ll be okay. I’ve thought about it and I remember what I felt when I first saw her photo. She’s definitely the one.”
“Then how do you explain it?” He’d asked the question so many times he was sure Ford was about to punch his lights out for asking yet again.
“I don’t know.”
They turned toward the sound of someone walking toward them. The moon was high in the sky and gave them some light, but it wasn’t enough to make out the approaching figure. John sniffed and picked up the fragrance of roses.
“Eden?” he asked.
“I’m here.”
She came out of the bushes and into the small clearing. She was as beautiful as he remembered and was even sexier in a tight T-shirt and shorts. Her long legs were strong and her hair flowed around her shoulders. Any sane man would fall in love with her.
Which means I must be crazy. He shook off the feeling as she drew closer, only a few inches from him.
“Hi, John.” Her green gaze shifted to Ford who hadn’t moved. “Hi, Ford.”
John listened to his body, expecting a surge of lust. Of love. Yet all he felt was an attraction. The same kind of attraction he’d felt toward lots of other sexy women. But nothing more than that.
Maybe all they needed was to touch. He had to find out.
Startling her, he grabbed her behind the neck and tugged her to him. His mouth crushed hers as he planted his other hand on her firm, round ass. At first, she didn’t respond, but when he deepened his kiss, thrusting his tongue inside to taste her flavors, she responded. Moaning, she pressed her breasts against his chest and rubbed them enticingly.
Come on. She’s the one. She’s got to be.
He was turned on. His cock had started growing. After all, he was a man.
And yet, he didn’t really care when Ford pulled her away.
Ford kissed her hard. John saw the effort his friend put behind the kiss.
He doesn’t feel it, either.
Fuckin’ A. What the hell is wrong?
Ford slid his hand down her back then worked it around her hips. His hand was almost to her mons when she jerked away. She narrowed her gaze at Ford, her mouth going into a thin line.
She doesn’t feel it, either.
He was more confused than ever, but he’d be damned if he was going to give up. One way or another, the lust-filled, gotta-have-her emotions he’d felt while staring at her photo would come back. Until then, he wouldn’t let her or Ford give up.
“Are we going to run or not?”
Eden stepped away, crossed her arms, and brought her shirt over her head. Her breasts were full teardrop shapes. She undid the button at the top of her shorts then pushed the flaps apart, sending the zipper down. Kicking off her running shoes, she let the shorts fall to the ground.
“Holy shit. You’re amazing.”
Ford was right. Whether or not they were intended mates, there was no denying she was a gorgeous woman.
“Thanks.” She lifted her eyebrows. “Your turn.”
She started shifting before they could get their boots off. If he didn’t know better, he would’ve said it was as though she didn’t want to see them naked. But he had to be misreading things. She was just in a hurry to get moving.
At least, that’s what he told
himself.
He shifted, matching Ford’s speed as their human bones broke and reformed. The transformation hurt as it always did, but it no longer took more than a minute. Fur skimmed over his flesh while the world around them lost its color and became filled with amber. Fangs and claws replaced teeth and fingernails.
Eden was already down on all fours by the time John finished shifting. She swished her tail back and forth, her purr floating on the air. As soon as Ford had changed, she whirled around and dashed into the bushes.
John didn’t wait for his friend. He sprang forward, pushing through the foliage. Soon enough, he was on her heels. Since she knew the area, he’d let her lead.
Stretching out his legs, he loped after her. Running soothed his nerves. His confusion drifted away as the wind whipped through his fur. He sucked in the clean night air and dug his paws deeper into the ground. If there was anything better than running under a moonlit sky, he didn’t know what it was.
They ran on and on. At times, he and Ford would run with her between them. At other times, each of them would take the lead for a short while. His tongue lolled out of his mouth as the night went on, miles flowing into more miles. They made a circle around Twisted until, just as the moon had risen to its highest peak, they returned to their starting point.
His chest heaved and his heart pounded. Whether Ford wanted to or not, John couldn’t give up hope that Eden was their mate. Pain seared into him as he shifted back into his human body. The blood coursing through his veins shouted for him to claim his mate. Adrenaline pumped, giving him encouragement.
Now’s the time. Now I’ll feel it again.
Sex after running would be exhilarating.
John, his body sweating, made a move toward Eden. Instead of coming toward him as he’d hoped, hell, as he’d expected, she snatched up her clothes and began pulling them on.
Surprised, he stopped, unable to keep from frowning. He had to know what she was thinking. “Eden—”
She held up her hands as though she had to protect herself. “I know you want sex, but it’s too soon for me. What can I say? I’m old-fashioned.”
“You are?” asked Ford.