Falling for Shifters: A Limited Edition Autumn Shifters Collection

by Lacey Carter Andersen

  She shuffled to her purse and got down on her hands and knees to retrieve it. Damn, the thing had flown far. She scooted forward, laying on her side as she stretched her arm. Grasping her purse, she yanked it free. “Enjoy your meal.” She rushed out, intent on getting to her car, and glanced down at her purse for her keys.

  Headlights pierced her vision and squealing tires brought the stench of burning rubber to her nostrils.

  Something hard and furry plowed into her side and knocked her out of the path of the ambulance. She gasped from the impact of hitting the asphalt. Snarling next to her was the biggest white wolf she'd ever seen. But there were no wolves in New Zealand. Had it escaped from a zoo?

  Her heart strangled her throat.

  The van skidded to a stop a few feet from her, then the driver jumped out. “Miss? Everything all right?”

  “Y-yes.” Her voice shook.

  “I’m so sorry. I didn’t see you until the last second.” He scratched the hollow of his cheek. “You’ve got good reflexes, and you’re damn lucky.”

  “Well, if it wasn’t for this wolf, I’d have been hit.” She turned back to the animal, but the wolf was gone.

  “Are you on something?” The man frowned. “There are no wolves in this part of the world. Maybe it was someone’s husky you saw.”

  “No, I know what wolves look like and can tell the difference between one and a dog.”

  “Suit yourself.” He shrugged. “Maybe you should get checked out, just in case.”

  Behind him, male nurses took out the patient he had been transporting and wheeled the gurney through the Authorized-Personnel-Only doors.

  Her hands shook from lack of food and the encounter. She had to sit down before she passed out. Where was Ryan?

  Waving to the security guard and janitor, she forced her legs to get to her car. She’d wait for Ryan there. Catch her breath and wait for her heart to stop beating like a jackhammer inside her chest. That creature had saved her life. Why? Cause she tried to feed it? That didn’t make sense, it didn’t even know her. What animal or pet would risk its life for a stranger? It didn’t make sense.

  Her stomach growled and nausea rolled through her from not eating enough.

  Maybe she still had that protein bar stashed in her glove compartment.

  Flopping back into the seat, she panted. Her hands slipped three times before she got the compartment open. Despite digging through the jumbled papers stuffed inside, she didn’t find anything to eat.

  She could go back inside the hospital and raid the vending machine, but she couldn’t keep her eyes open.

  Darkness wavered around the edges of her vision. Sleep. If she just slept for a few minutes, then she’d be better. Then she could get herself something to eat. She blinked long and hard, shaking her head to try and stay awake, but the weariness settled into her bones.

  There was a loud thump on the hood of her car, startling her awake.

  What the hel—

  The white wolf was back and peering at her through her front windshield. Its lips were pulled back over its teeth and it growled at her like she was Red Riding Hood and it was going to gobble her up.

  Untitled

  Chapter Nine

  Ryan

  Ryan’s hackles rose as he stood on Jessica’s hood in his wolf form. Her eyes widened as she stared at him through her car windshield. Sweat beaded across her brow, and her hands were white-knuckled on the steering wheel, her arms shaking. Then her eyes rolled up in the back of her head and she slumped to the side.

  Had she fainted? A low whine slid out of his throat. His claws scratched at the front window, but she didn’t respond. Was she okay?

  She had said she had to eat something or she’d get shaky. Was she a diabetic and needed insulin? If so, she should have medicine in her purse or car. He couldn’t help her in his wolf form. But shifting back now would leave him naked in his human form. The hospital might have him arrested for indecent exposure, or think he was faking her illness considering they’d just snuck in there earlier to see his brother.

  He leapt down and ran to the bush he landed in earlier, retrieving his underwear before racing to the back of the car. The cameras shouldn’t pick him up here. Forcefully, he put away the wolf, his muscles and bones twisted, and he gasped from the pain eating like acid through his body. White fur disappeared under his skin, and he knelt on all fours, panting. His fangs, always the first to transform and the last to go, pushed back through his gums.

  Naked, he pulled on his briefs and dashed to Jessica. He opened the passenger door, whispering a prayer of thanks that she hadn’t locked it. Snatching up her purse, he dumped the contents out on the seat. No syringes, no vials. Fuck! He punched open the glovebox and yanked everything out. Just papers. After a quick glance through the documents, there was no medical card of diabetes.

  “Jessica.” He reached over and shook her shoulder. “Do you need insulin?”

  “Hmmm?” Her voice came out a whisper and slurred. “No, j-just sleep and food.”

  The closest food was the hospital’s vending machines, but again, how would he go back inside after what he’d done, and without clothes?

  “Can you make it a few more minutes until I get us somewhere?” A late-night burger joint was up the road a couple of miles and, bonus, it had a drive-thru.

  “Mmmm…’kay.” Her sweet smile had him shaking his head.

  He wiped everything out of the passenger seat. “I’ll drive.” Carefully, he pulled her from the rental car and set her in the empty seat. Then he climbed inside. The vinyl seat stuck to his legs and buttocks and he started the vehicle and raced out of the parking lot.

  Taking a curb too sharp, she banged against the passenger door and grunted.

  “Sorry.” They’d already be at the restaurant if he was in his stingray, but her hatchback putted along.

  A giggle burst from her lips. “Arrre youuu…naked?”

  “No.” If he didn’t know about her needing food, he’d think she’d been drinking, as slurred as her speech was. From her staring at him with half-open bedroom eyes, his dick was getting hard. Hell! He reached down for something to cover himself more and pulled up her purse, putting it over his groin.

  “Hmmm,” she said breathlessly. “I kinda like the idea of you buff and bare in my car.”

  He swerved when she reached out to touch his leg. “Let’s get some food in you before we do something you might regret later.” Against his insides, his wolf whined in sexual frustration. He needed to eat soon as well. Shifting took up a ton of calories and usually he fed his wolf with a hunt and food before transforming back into a human.

  “Are you diabetic? Is that why you’re having this reaction?” And where the hell was her insulin?

  “No.” She closed her eyes, breathing shallowly. “Hypoglycemic.”

  Partial relief shot through him, lessening a tightness in his chest he couldn’t explain. At a red light, he touched her cheek. Her skin felt clammy and cool. Should he have taken his chances and carried her into the hospital? He clenched his fist and punched his leg, gunning the car when the light changed. It fishtailed down the road.

  A mile ahead, the Marvin’s Marvelous Burger sign illuminated against the night sky. Ryan’s shoulders relaxed until police sirens echoed behind him.

  He slapped the steering wheel with the palm of his hand, the metal giving slightly. What more could go wrong? He slowed his speed and pulled over on the side of the road. He hoped the officer wouldn’t ask him to step out of the car.

  When the policeman tapped on the window, Ryan lowered it down halfway.

  “License and registration, please.”

  “Is there a problem officer?” He kept his voice light.

  “You were speeding back there and weaving on the road.”

  “Sorry.” Not moving Jessica’s purse from his lap, he shuffled through it. Where was her insurance?

  Beside him, Jessica giggled. Definitely not helping, sweetheart.


  Ryan grinned and shrugged at the officer. “Guess I’ve lost my wallet and registration. This is my girlfriend’s car and I was just taking her to get some food.”

  The officer clicked on his flashlight and shined it into Ryan’s face, then Jessica’s.

  “Ouch. Is it morning already?” she grumbled.

  “Miss, is this guy your boyfriend?”

  Crimson colored her cheeks, but she nodded.

  “Have you got your license or registration?”

  “Sure, just a sec.” She bent over, digging through the rubble littering the car floor.

  Light from the officer followed her movements, his free hand resting on his radio strapped to his waist.

  “Here it-t isss.” Her hand trembled when she handed it to him.

  “Have you be drinking, Miss?”

  She shook her head. “No. I jussst need to eat.”

  Scowling, the officer looked over the information she gave him. “You’ll need to take a breathalyzer, or do you want me to take you down to the station?”

  “I’ll take the breathing test.” She waved an arm out. “Don’t think I’ve got any blood left to give.”

  The officer went to his vehicle and returned a moment later with the device. Jessica breathed into it, then returned it.

  “All right. Everything looks in order, but I’m going to issue you a ticket for driving without a license.” The policeman nodded to Ryan and handed her back the items. “And for public nudity. Unless you’ve got a valid reason for being out with only a purse to cover yourself?” His eyebrow rose.

  Lying was the best option. “No mate, I was pranked by my team, but I’ve got underwear on.” He moved the purse and hoped the officer would give him a break.

  “What team?” The officer scrutinized his face.

  “The Hellions.”

  “Wait, are you Ryan Taylor?”

  “Yup.” He held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.”

  “The same. I’m still going to write you a ticket, but can I get your autograph?”

  Second time tonight his celebrity status had gotten him nowhere. “Sure.”

  After a selfie photo with the cop and signing his ticket book, Ryan drove away, carefully watching his speed.

  He tucked the officer’s citation paper beside the cup holder. “Now for food for you.”

  Beside him, Jessica smiled. Her eyes drifted closed again. She needed nourishment, fast, and probably sugar.

  Hopefully, the drive-thru wouldn't notice Ryan hadn’t got a shirt or pants.

  He pulled up to the menu and ordered a cheeseburger, fries, chocolate shake and a soda for her and two burgers, large fries, and a large soda for himself. “Sorry, I left my wallet at the hospital.” Jessica didn’t answer him, but he found her credit card in her purse and handed it to the lady at the window.

  The young girl’s eyes went huge at seeing him, but she didn’t say anything when she took the card, just smiled a lot.

  “I’ll pay you back,” Ryan said and adjusted their food between them. Driving to a secluded spot in the back of the parking lot, he pushed the edge of the straw of her drink between her lips. “Drink.”

  After she took a few sips, her coloring returned a bit and she sat up straighter. Her eyes fluttered open. “That’s delicious.”

  “Best place around.” He handed her the cheeseburger. “Eat.”

  “Thanks.”

  For a few minutes, she devoured her burger and then popped fries into her mouth, chewing.

  He tore into his fries and then his burgers, finishing both before she ate all of hers. “Are you feeling better?”

  “Yes. Much. Thank you.” She sipped on her shake.

  If this meal didn’t work, he was going to take her right back to the hospital. She’d done everything she could to help him see his brother. The least he could do was make sure she was taken care of. Where was she staying? At a hotel?

  “It’s a bit of a drive back to my place. I’d rather you not drive so late… especially with you fainting earlier.”

  She waved a fry at him. “I’m fine now. If I wait too long between meals, I get shaky and sick.”

  “What’s that?” He stopped her movement by grabbing her wrist and tugging on her arm to straighten it.

  “Oh, they did some blood work on me. You know,” she winked, “the whole brain injury thing.”

  Right, she’d mentioned blood earlier. So not only had it been a little while since they’d eaten and he had to leave before their meal was through to come to the hospital but given blood for tests. Again, so he could be selfish and see his brother instead of waiting until morning. And he’d planned on biting his brother, and healing him. Not only had he put her health at risk for him, but even after breaking into his brother’s room, Ryan couldn’t go through with it. No one should have to carry this curse without consent.

  “Listen, I’ve got plenty of rooms at my place. Spend the night and you can leave in the morning after breakfast.” When she shook her head, he rambled on. “It’ll help me sleep better knowing you’re okay. Or I can follow you. Besides, I make the best omelets.” Why was he rambling? And why was she still shaking her head? Women didn’t turn him down. They fell over themselves to please him.

  “I’ll pass. And really, I’m fine.”

  “It’s late.” Would the stubborn woman just give in to him?

  “Nah. I stay up much later than this. Thanks for the thought, though.”

  He nodded, his insides twisting. His wolf whimpered, wanting her closer. Wanting her to sleep in his house. Hell, in his bed.

  Her straw gurgled as she reached the bottom of her shake. “So, did you get to visit your brother? Did he wake up?”

  “Yes and no.” He flicked on the high beams on a deserted stretch of the road. “But he was still unconscious. Tomorrow, I’m going to visit him again.”

  “The doctors will help him and—” She squeezed his shoulder, her mouth opened and closed rapidly as her gaze drifted down his body. “Um…” She cocked her head to the side, and he was glad her paleness had lessened. “By the way, what happened to your clothes?”

  Untitled

  Chapter Ten

  Jessica

  She snapped her gaze back up to his sapphire eyes rimmed with gold, heat burning her face at his lack of clothing. Was he an exhibitionist or something? She squirmed in her seat, looking anywhere but at his crotch.

  Sure, she'd seen plenty of naked guys before. But none with that amount of lean muscles and the cocky grin that Ryan had.

  “Thought it was a bit hot today.”

  Did he think she was easy? Crap, had he tried something after she blacked out? “That’s not a reason.”

  “If you stay at my place tonight, I can not only make you the best breakfast you've ever eaten, but give you a front seat to one of our practices.”

  Why hadn’t he answered her question about his disappearing clothing? She wasn’t going to let that go. First, get him more comfortable with easy questions. Then circle around to the one she really needed to ask. “Isn't it off-season?”

  He winked and patted his abs with a hand. “Which is why we got so far in the playoffs this year. We don't sit around.”

  “Of course not.” No way could she imagine Ryan lounging around and doing nothing. “Just most players take a break during the holidays and spend time with their loved ones.”

  A shadow crossed his features. “Kevin’s my family.”

  Nodding, she took another sip of her coke. It would be good to observe a practice session. She could add a bit of that into her featured story. Maybe find something noteworthy that would get her the permanent job as a reporter with Mr. Casey. If she was brash, she’d include Ryan driving naked. Heat flooded her again. Okay, she’d leave that part out as people would want an explanation, and it would include her helping to break him into his brother’s room and faking an illness. No, it didn’t seem right. Too personal. She had to find something else to wow Casey with.

  Still
, her curiosity wouldn’t let go as to why he was naked. “So,” she tilted her cup slightly so that the straw pointed in his direction. “Gonna tell me about your clothes or do you want me to make up a racy story?”

  He shifted and the vinyl car seat squeaked. “Just some chemical got spilled on them while I was hiding in a janitor’s closet. It was worse than rotten meat. I couldn’t stand it and had to strip.”

  “So you waltzed through the ICU naked?” The image of that refused to leave her mind.

  “Not exactly.” He adjusted his seatbelt and changed lanes. “I found a doctor’s coat and wore that.”

  She turned in her seat. “Then why didn’t you keep it? Ya know? To have something to wear.”

  “I don’t steal.” He gave her a sideways glance. “Besides, it had bloodstains on it. I left it in my brother’s room before I left.”

  “And your underwear?” Surely he’d have left those on at least. If he turned out to be a perve, she was bailing. Her hand rested on the door handle, ready to bolt despite them driving down the roadway.

  “Still on.” He moved the purse slightly to reveal briefs.

  “Wait. You left the hospital nearly naked and no one stopped you?” Or took pictures while they drooled?

  He shrugged. “I can… blend in when I need to. Besides, it was after hours and their staff was reduced. Often, I just waited a bit in an alcove until the nurses were busy talking or on the phone or seeing to patients.”

  There was more to what had happened. Her instinct for a story was buzzing in the back of her mind. Maybe it was a good idea to spend the night at Ryan’s home. She could do a bit of snooping and digging. Get him comfortable with her and open up more. Use whatever means possible to get inside information and take the reporter job.

  They pulled into Ryan’s driveway. The mansion was dark with ivy clinging to one side.

  “Thanks for your help earlier… with the food.” Jessica smiled.

  “No problem.” As if an afterthought, he added, “You too, at the hospital. Sorry if they poked you too much.”