Shifting Life (Skull Shifters MC Book 1)

by Tricia Wagner

  I head back out and leave Brantley a note so he knows I’m ok. “You didn’t have to do that. I have a radio, when he wakes up he’ll call.” He was probably right, “Yeah, but I don’t want him to be mad that I left. It just covers my bases.” He looks at me smiling. “Sounds good.” I stretch right out in front of the house and Jason leads me around what I’m guessing is the clubhouse. “There’s trails back here. It’ll be easier for us to navigate somewhere that I know where everything is.” I give him a nod. Good to know I have a bodyguard. We start out slow to give my lungs a chance to catch up to what’s going on. I run at my own pace and he doesn’t complain. I’m not going to the Olympics, but I can hold my own running. Before I know it I’ve thrown myself into a full workout. I go through the winding path until we come to a hill. It’s not quite a mountain, but it’s a pretty big hill. We start the climb and I’m sure Jason wasn’t planning on coming this far. I make it to the top before he does, but not by much. I find a rock and sit my butt right on it. I even out my breathing, and surprisingly my lungs feel pretty good. I sit there and Jason leaves me to my thoughts. He’s actually a really good running partner. He has literally just left me to it. It isn’t until my breath hitches that I realize I am going to cry. Oh God no. “I’m sorry. I don’t know where this is coming from. I am not a crier. I am completely fine.” I hear him behind me, “It’s ok Mel. You’ve been through a lot.” I put my arm up, “No, I’m fine. I’m good.” Yes, I stutter and whisper my way through that one. I jump up and start running toward the path to go down the hill. “We should head back.” Yep, still whispering. I feel an arm at my back and I look up to Jason. He pulls me in for a hug and I sink into him. “I’m sorry this is all happening to you.” He seemed so sincere, “Thanks, but it’s not your fault. I’m good. Really.” I don’t know if I keep repeating that to convince him or myself. “I just want to get back and shower. Thank you for this. I really needed it.” He gives me a slight nod, but I know he doesn’t believe that I’m ok. He gives me that though because we start to run back towards home. Halfway back he breaks the silence with “Brantley’s up. He doesn’t sound too happy.” I cannot win. “I figured not. But in all fairness I did leave a note.” To this he laughs. I hear Trance say something to Jason into the radio, but I keep running.

  We get back and I can see Brantley standing on his front porch, hands crossed over his chest, sunglasses on, and a tight mouthed look on his face. Shit. “I’m sorry, I really needed that. I know you’re mad, but I took a bodyguard. I need to shower before you yell at me please.” I don’t stop I just keep walking right passed him. I thought it worked when I made it into the bathroom. I strip off my clothes and turn on the shower. I hop in quickly so that Brantley won’t think I’m prolonging our conversation. The water feels amazing though and I just let it fall over top of my head. The tears that are falling aren’t even noticeable with the water on top of them. I bite back soft sobs as I wash away the past two to three days. Everything, but the good stuff. I’m starting to come to terms with the fact that I really do want to be in Brantley’s life. I don’t know how long I stand there, but I hear the door click and I clear the fog to see Brantley coming into the bathroom. I start washing my hair so he doesn’t realize I wasn’t doing anything in here. That is when the shower door opens and I see Brantley standing there in all his glory. “Hey.” Unfortunately, this comes out hitched and weak. “Baby.” He enters the shower and pulls me into his arms. I don’t get to say anything before he starts to kiss me softly. You know those moments where you didn’t realize you needed something until someone is giving it to you. I didn’t even realize how good he made me feel until he pulled me into his arms at one of my lowest times. That is when I meet him stroke for stroke with my tongue. The kiss is not hard, it’s soft and loving. Oh God. I am falling so hard for this man. I could let him kiss me like this forever. I don’t want it to stop. I moan into his mouth and he matched my moan. His hands start moving all over my wet body and I start exploring his. Oh my does this feel nice. He has my back against the wall as he picks me up in the air. My legs automatically wrap around his body. Before I even have time to think about it he’s inside me. One single thrust and he fills me completely. I swear I can feel him in my throat. I let out a moan as he crushes his mouth back over me. “That noise never gets old baby.” I whimper as he starts to move inside me. Unlike his soft gentle kiss, his strokes are unforgiving and unrelenting. I swear I don’t know how he does this. It doesn’t take long before I am moaning out his name and shattering around him. He sets me down and turns me around. My hands go to the wall and he is pounding into me from behind. He leans forward and says “Gimme that mouth babe.” Oh God. Yes. I kiss him as best I can from this angle as the pleasure starts to build again. “Brantley, I can’t it’s too much.” “Just one more baby. Come with me.” That’s all it took. I was over the edge screaming his name. I felt his body shaking around me as he came at the same time as me. He turns me around and finishes my shower. I help clean him and we get out of the shower. “Do you think everyone heard that?” He shakes his head, “Everyone went outside when I saw you come running back to the house in those tiny little shorts and that small sports bra.” Huh? “My workout clothes? Is that what you were mad about?” His face gets hard, “Not too fond of any man, even a brother, following you watching your ass bounce around in those little shorts.” I bite back a smile, “Then I guess I shouldn’t tell you that I wear stuff like that in town every morning while I’m running? A lot of people have seen those outfits. This?” I gesture to my naked body. “This is for your eyes only Brant.” He smiles, “Thank Christ for that.” He gives me another kiss and starts to dry me off. Seriously, I’ll never be able to shower again without thinking about him. “Ruined.” “What baby?” I sigh, “You’ve ruined normal showers for me now.” He pulls me close, “We can always shower together; you’ll never have to take a normal shower ever again.” I sigh and let those words sink in. Do you think he really means that? How could he possible know that? “Don’t make promises you can’t keep Brantley.” He kisses the top of my head, “I will do everything in my power to make it true. I don’t want to lose you. Ever.” I nod a little sheepishly. I know he can’t mean that. It’s just an infatuation. Right?

  I exit the bathroom and go to my bag. “Why is my bag empty?” He shrugs his shoulders, “I hung up your clothes in the closet and folded the others in these drawers over here.” I shake my head. “Thanks.” What else do you say? I go to the drawer and pull out new underwear and a bra. I start to get dressed, but I’m unsure of what my day is bringing. “Am I able to go to work?” “Maybe not a full day? We can get you there this morning though. Will that be enough?” I nod. “I can get a lot done in a full morning of work.” He smiles, “Good, get dressed and I’ll take you in.” I hurry into my work clothes as Brantley walks out of the bedroom. I come out in my black pencil skirt and white frilly top. I have on four inch heels as I make the corner I see that he has a full house. There are a ton of guys in here. I get a few whistles as Brantley smiles and shakes his head at me. My hair is pulled back in a bun and I’m wearing my glasses this morning. I hear someone say “She looks like a naughty librarian” and my cheeks light up. “Hey, respect. You look good baby. I made you breakfast before we go, sit and eat.” I nod and head over to the plate that he set down beside Trance and Jason. Jason who told on me I’m sure. “Hey, did you tell him about my breakdown on the hill?” He looks at me like he wants to laugh. “Is that what we’re callin it?” I ignore that, “Well?” He nods, “Yeah, I reported back. Babe, he’s my best friend. He needed to know. Did he make you feel better?” Ugh. “Well, yeah? But that isn’t the point. I thought we were gonna be friends too.” “We are.” I try to explain, “Not if you go “reporting” to Brantley about every little thing.” Brant jumps in, “He’s just doin his job. I needed to know.” I stick my tongue out at Brantley and I hear a few chuckles. Woops. “Well, I forgive you. Thanks for this morning. I really needed it.” J
ason says, “Anytime.” To this I hear Brantley growl. “Seriously? Are you part Outlaw?” To this he gives me a questioning look. Well, that sounded weird. “I meant the dog. You keep growling.” He nods, “Yeah, well my guys are getting a little too close for comfort here.” Really? “Please, these men all respect you. They wouldn’t dare cross that line. Am I right?” I get a lot of nods and I hear Brant sigh. See I win! He gives me a kiss right before I take my first bite. I shake my head at his possessiveness and dig into my food. By the time I’m done I see a lot of people looking my way. Trance is the first to talk. “Where do you put all of that?” I smile, “Well, I did run what eight to ten miles this morning. I’m a girl who likes to eat.” Everyone shakes their head in disbelief. Pipe says, “My girlfriend wouldn’t even look at a meal like that without thinkin she gained ten pounds.” Ha! “Oh a girlfriend! Can I meet her?” “Hell no!” “Wait why?” “She won’t be around long I’m sure. But, you? I have a feelin you’re gonna be here a while.” These guys were crazy, “What does that have to do with anything?” He explains, “If I introduce her to you she’s gonna think she has stayin power.” I need clarification, “But she doesn’t?” “Nope.” Men. I shake my head in disbelief and turn to Brantley. “Can you take me now? Or do you want me to drive?” His eyebrow goes up, “What are you gonna drive?” “Um, your truck?” To this everyone laughs. “What you think I can’t?” He shocks me by spitting out, “No I think you won’t.” To this my mouth drops open. I would think that even knowing each other only a few days now he would know better than to tell me something I won’t do. “Oh, ok.” I leave it at that, but stand and start formulating a plan in my head. “Bye, gentlemen. Have a great day. Jason thanks again for this morning.” With that I leave the room. “What are you calculatin in your head right now?” I don’t respond because, well, I’m pissed. “You’re pissed.” No shit Sherlock. I don’t say this I just hold it in and don’t respond again.

  My silent treatment can go on for days if he really wants to say shit like that. I walk straight out to his truck and wait for him to boost me up into it. He does and I sit there completely against the door so he can’t pull me to his side of the truck. I stare out the window. He gets in and I’m not sure what he does, but he sits there for a minute before starting the truck. He starts to talk but I throw my hand up letting him know I am not dealing with this right now. He stops talking and lets out a sigh as he puts the truck in drive and pulls down the driveway. He makes the ten minute drive into my office and before he can get the truck stopped I exit the truck. Yes Déjà vu, but I refuse to be in that truck one more minute with him. Besides I handled the situation before, I can do it again if need be. I walk in and see Veronica at her desk looking frazzled. “What’s wrong Veronica?” Her weary eyes look to me, “You just got a really weird call. They said they were looking for you and that it was urgent. Asked for your cell, but I know I don’t give that out under any circumstances. I told him you would be available this afternoon.” I give her a nod thanking God that Brantley hasn’t walked in here yet. “I will be in my office. If you have any issues, just come get me. I have a lot of work to do this morning, I may be out of the office this afternoon though. If you forward your calls to your cell, you’ll be able to head out when I do.” She gives me a nod as I exit the room.

  I head into my office and to say I am surprised Brantley isn’t in here yet is an understatement. Maybe my silent treatment was enough to push him away and convince him I really am not worth the trouble. I hear a knock on the door as I finish my thought. “Come in.” To this I see Brantley opening the door. No such luck then. I don’t say anything because I’m not speaking to him. I sign into my desktop and pull out my laptop. Focused on that I completely ignore the fact that he is in here. “Ok, I get it you’re pissed. Just please tell me what I need to do to fix this.” I still don’t talk because seriously? If I have to tell him how to fix it, then that isn’t really fixing the issue. “All right, you wanna drive my truck you can drive my truck.” It’s not about the damn truck. It’s the principle of the matter. Of course I keep this to myself as well. “Melanie. Do not make me carry your ass out of here and take you right back home. Talk to me here. Silent treatment is not going to get us anywhere.” He was probably right, but it was making me feel better. I see him shaking his head as he comes around the side of my desk. He goes to pick me up and I throw up my arms. “Don’t” That gets him to a complete halt. “Are you going to talk to me like a normal human being?” I shake my head at him. “I don’t know. That depends. Are you going to talk to me like I’m a normal human being?” He looks baffled, “So that’s it. You didn’t like how I told you that you wouldn’t be driving my truck.” I put a finger in the air, “Ding, ding, ding. We have a winner ladies and gentlemen.” He gets to my eye level and says, “Melanie, if you knew me well enough you would know that truck is like my baby.” Well. “Ok, and if you knew me well enough all you would’ve had to say was, no I’ll take you now. Instead, you said some lame ass line about how I wouldn’t be doing something. I hope that made you feel cool in front of your guys. I don’t put up with crap like that Brantley. This you should already know.” He nods, “Yeah, I should. It was stupid and I’m sorry. Please, don’t be mad anymore.” Sigh. “Are you staying here and watching me work?” He nods, “Yeah, I am. I figure you have a couple hours and I’m not letting you out of my sight. I need to go into my office after this.” This made me excited. I wasn’t even fully aware of what Brantley did yet. I don’t show my excitement though I just nod and throw myself into my work. I have some new designs that are being built right now, but not anything I need to be on site for. The Pittsburgh plans are what I need to be working on, so that’s what I’m focusing on right now. The modern look does not fit into an older city so I go with something a little more traditional. This is where it gets fun. The beginning of a plan.

  I start drawing and before I know it I hear Brantley clear his throat. I look up at him and realize it’s already passed lunchtime. “I’m sorry, I went over. I got caught up in this project. I’m going to take it home with me since we have to go. I don’t want to lose my flow.” He smiles, “Bring it with you into my office, you can work while I work.” “Sounds good.” I grab my portfolio carrier and grab my bags. Before I can even get them settled on my shoulders Brantley is taking them from me. He carries them out for me and I stop at Veronica. “I’m heading out for the day. I’m fairly certain I will be here tomorrow; I will let you know either way though. You can go ahead and take an early day just make sure you’re still fielding calls for me.” She nods, “Absolutely Melanie. Thank you.” I nod and walk out the door. She will lock up. For a new assistant she is rather efficient. I walk out the door and see that Brantley is settled in the passenger side of his truck. I shake my head at him and being a person who is not to be proved wrong I walk right over to the driver’s side. He gives me a little smirk as he watches me struggle to get myself up in the truck in this damn skirt Well, I’ll show him. I hike it up so it’s like a mini skirt and hop in. “Never wear that skirt like that.” I shake my head at him and plan a shopping trip to get some shorter skirts and some biker gear. I start the truck and luckily he backed into the spot and I can pull right out. “Where is your office?” “Turn left out of here.” I nod and he guides me to his office. I pull into the spot and he lets out a breath. “You have no idea how hard that was for me.” I give him a weird look, “Why?” He grabs my hand, “Because, I’m a driver. I am always in control. It’s not about you being a woman, or that you can’t do it. I never let someone else have the control over what happens when we’re on the road.” Oh. “So, needless to say you won’t be riding on the back of my bike anytime soon?” To this he laughs. “Well, thanks for trusting me with that. You do realize though if you had just said that this morning none of this would’ve happened.” He nods, “Yeah, I’m gonna need to work on that.” I give him a nod and open the door to get out. He hurries around to help me and the first thing he does i
s pull down my skirt. Oh my. I roll my eyes as I look at the building that we are about to enter. It’s a huge warehouse and I am really curious to see what it is. “I own a construction company babe. My office is across town, but this is our warehouse. I have your stuff here I’ll set you up in a conference room. I have a conference call in five minutes.” He takes me in and sets me up. “I’ll be right next door if you need me. I shouldn’t be more than an hour.” I give him a nod and dive back into my work. I wonder how he came to own this place. The warehouse is running with full crews running around, so they must be building nearby. If this all works out I can recommend his company to a lot of my clients. The housing developments I do are usually fairly local.