2HotCurvesAhead
Page 10
Until a few months ago. Now the idea of a hook-up left him cold and his balls felt as if they were going to explode. Tyler snarled and smashed his fist so hard into the heavy bag it crashed to the ground, contents leaking from the split. Fuck, he thought in aggravation, that’s the fourth this month. I’ve got to find her.
Ignoring the whispers from the staff, Tyler grabbed the bag and left the gym. His sour mood wasn’t improved by finding Soozie waiting for him outside. He scowled at the office manager. “Lurking around the male showers? You might see something you like.”
Soozie glanced up at him unimpressed. “I think I could cope,” she smirked. “It depends if you could stand the competition when I compare you and Hal.” Soozie’s mate and soon-to-be husband was an ex-Navy Seal who also worked for the company.
Tyler grunted but felt his spirits lift a little at her attitude. “I could take your fiancé with both hands tied behind my back and you know it,” he retorted. “You’re just sorry you’re not my mate.”
The tiger shifter sighed. “Still no luck?” Soozie asked sympathetically.
She and Hal were as close to friends as Tyler felt comfortable having—American mountain lions weren’t known as sociable creatures. In fact he and Hal, a polar bear shifter, had nearly had an all-out fight when Hal was jealous of Tyler’s close relationship with Soozie. Despite Tyler’s joking comments, it would have been a vicious battle. The ex-SEAL was highly trained, six foot eight and had been maddened with lust and a need to own. Fortunately Soozie had put Hal out of his misery by mating with him and now the men were friends. They’d explained to an exasperated Soozie that there was nothing like a bit of violence to help men bond.
Tyler shook his head, feeling all the frustration and need surge back through his body. He needed to fight someone or get laid. Unfortunately his staff were a bunch of fucking cowards and his inner cat hissed at the thought of any other woman but the elusive one. It hadn’t always been so fussy. Like him, a night of fucking a warm, wet and willing woman had made it purr. Not now. Not since he’d woken up one morning with his cat utterly focused on finding its mate. The problem was he could try to blame it all on his animal but Tyler felt exactly the same. They knew she was close, near enough for them to scent, but they hadn’t been able to track her down. And it was driving them fucking nuts.
Tyler was a loner but he’d never felt alone before. He had a few close friends and didn’t feel the need for more. He’d deliberately chosen his branch of Special Forces because it gave him the opportunity to act alone. The idea of being in a team like Hal and his SEAL buddies made him shudder. His American mountain lion wholeheartedly agreed. Sex, food and a chance to shift and run had kept them happy. Tyler missed those simple days. Screw, eat, train, and hunt bad guys. Now he and his mountain lion spent their days and nights searching for the woman they’d spend the rest of their life with.
The shifter community had a good dating network but despite hitting every bar and club in town, they’d had no luck. Tyler rubbed his neck, feeling the tension build as he thought about their failure. All he and his cat knew was she was close. They’d caught a tantalizing whiff of her scent and been all aboard the crazy trainever since. Tyler even signed up for MateMatch, the online service that rated the compatibility of available members of your particular species. Living in California meant there were quite a few mountain lions but none were the right one. Soozie had pointed out that his mate didn’t have to be a mountain lion. After all tigers and polar bears weren’t a regular shifter match but it worked for them. Plus, she’d added, their mate might not be into the clubbing scene. So Tyler went to every cafe and bookstore in the area where they’d scented her. He drank so many cups of coffee he thought he’d burn a hole in his gut. Plus his cat was permanently roaring at the women who tried to pick them up. Who knew a bookstore was such a popular place to hook up?
Tyler sighed. He’d even accepted Soozie’s offer of a blind date with her cousin who was visiting. Anna was stunning, a sexy tiger from Atlanta, and before he’d have been all over her. Now? Nothing.
“Are you still catching her scent?” Soozie’s voice interrupted his painful musings.
“We catch our mate’s scent occasionally but that’s as far as it goes,” he admitted. “My mountain lion’s getting to the point where he’s going to force me to shift and just hunt all day.” Tyler wiped a hand over his tired eyes, ignoring the sympathy on her face. “Anyway,” he changed the subject, “why were you lurking outside the changing rooms, apart from an illicit thrill of maybe seeing me naked?”
He was relieved when Soozie snorted with amusement, accepting his steer. He could only deal with so much emotion. He might be a cat but he wasn’t a pussy.
“New case,” Soozie said. “You know Jake Marshall? Wolf shifter, moved from the cops to work for us six months ago?”
Tyler nodded. “Yeah, good field agent. Bit hot-tempered.” He ignored the muttered “He’s not the only one”and strode up the corridor. “So, Sooze. What’s up? Don’t tell me he’s killed someone,” he teased. “Or worse, not done his paperwork for the week?” Dumping the dead punching bag in the waste container, he turned and followed his office manager into his room. Might as well make some money, he thought. It’s about all I’m good for right now.
To his surprise he found Jake waiting there, standing next to the desk. The younger agent looked less confident than normal. Almost hesitant. Or as hesitant as a wolf shifter would ever manage to be. Tyler nodded to a seat and then sat down himself.
“I have a favor to ask.”
Tyler noted the younger man’s stiff posture and clasped hands. Whatever he was nerving himself to say was important to him. Tyler could probably bet the next words that would come out of his mouth.
“It’s about a woman.”
Ding! Ding! Ding! And we have a winner! “Go on.” Tyler kept his voice level, not letting any of the amusement show.
The younger agent leaned forward. “It’s my aunt,” he said quietly. “She needs our help.”
Tyler raise one eyebrow in surprise. Not the type of female he’d been expecting to hear about but he nodded to encourage Jake to continue. Jake smiled and Tyler could see genuine affection and respect warming his cool blue gaze. “Well, Magda’s not my aunt by blood. She’s not a shifter but she’s Gran’s best friend and has known me since I was a wild pup. I owe her a lot. She encouraged me to stay on at school when all I really wanted to do was run wild with some waster members of the pack.” His smile widened. “Plus there were plenty of times when she made sure Mom and Dad didn’t hear about some of the worst shit I got up to.”
“I’m fascinated to hear about your wild past and family tree, Jake, but what exactly has this to do with my company? Has your aunt got a dispute with her neighbors or something? If so, she’s better going to the cops. You should know that.” The sarcasm was mild but enough for a flash of wolf to appear in Jake’s eyes and the faintest whisper of a challenge to escape. Damn hothead! Tyler allowed his upper lip to curve sneer-like and flash a razor-sharp canine fang in reply. His chest expanded and he leaned forward and gave a low rumble. It was enough.
The gold faded from Jake’s eyes and he immediately dropped his head, presenting his neck in classic submission. Tyler’s inner cat grumbled a rowl. It was pissed off, horny for its mate and a fight would have released tension but it accepted Tyler’s lead…for now. Maybe a case was just what they needed. “So, your aunt needs some help? Isn’t it something you can handle in your own time? Why do you think it needs Alpha Security?”
“My aunt might not be wolf shifter but she’s tough,” Jake replied flatly. “If she says she needs us, then I know it’s serious. She runs one of the top modeling agencies in the business, has done for years. One of her best clients recently accepted a date. She realized almost immediately the guy was no good and refused to see him again. Unfortunately he doesn’t want to hear the word no. He started with flowers, then visits and when she got a restraining order agai
nst him…the threats began. This morning she was shot.” With that, Jake handed him a photo.
Tyler froze for a second as he stared at his future. It didn’t make sense. He’d always thought he wouldn’t know until he met her, touched her, but he knew. My mate. All this time and he’d been handed her like the most perfect gift. Except she was in danger. He shot to his feet, crumpling the photograph and holding back his snarl of fury. Someone had dared to hurt his mate.
“Is she all right?” The words were difficult to force out. His body tensed, waiting for the answer. He could feel his cat, prowling inside his suddenly too tight skin.
“Yes, thanks to the studio manager,” Jake replied. “He was walking Shaz to her car and saw the gun flash. He’s ex-military so he knew what it meant and didn’t hesitate. He managed to shove her to the ground but not before a bullet grazed her shoulder. She was taken to the local hospital but discharged last night. She’ll need cosmetic surgery because of her work but it was only a flesh wound.” Jake shook his head. “But if it hadn’t been for his quick reactions, it could’ve been a lot worse. Aunt Magda phoned me today and asked us to come and talk to them. She’s really pissed and worried. Shaz is a friend as well as a client.”
Tyler took a long, slow, deep breath. Then another, fighting desperately for control. “So what you’re telling me,” he roared, “is she was attacked yesterday. Shot. Yet has been allowed to go home without protection and I’m only hearing about it now?”
“She’s not at home at the moment,” the younger man hurriedly added. “She had a photo shoot for some major client today. Magda tried to persuade her to take some time off but Shaz insisted no asshole stalker was going to stop her working. And she won’t be alone. My aunt went to the studio too.”
“And exactly how is that going to stop an obsessed gunman?” Tyler snapped. His mountain lion pushed to shift at the thought.
He saw Jake’s face whiten as the reality hit home. “Oh fuck.”
“Exactly,” Tyler hissed. “Next time, try thinking.” He grabbed his jacket. There was no time to tell Soozie he’d found his mate. He needed to get to his mate as soon as possible. I have to protect her. “We’ll take my car. Sooze, I want you to find out everything about the shooter…” He raised an eyebrow at Jake.
“Karl Hopkins. He’s a photographer and fashion blogger. Police went to his apartment but it looks like he hasn’t been back there in a while. Problem is he has family money so it’s easier to hide. Plus the cops were only there to question, since no one actually saw him at the scene.”
“You know the drill, Sooze. Previous addresses, record…everything. If the fucker has as much as a parking ticket, I want to know. Then email the information to me.” He yanked open the door and jerked his chin at Jake. “Let’s go.”
Chapter Two
Shaz lowered herself slowly onto the empty chair then carefully placed her arm on the desk in front of her, wincing as even that tiny movement created a flare of pain. It wouldn’t be a problem to Photoshop out the damage but it had still been hell forcing herself to sit still for the makeup artist and hairdresser then pose for hours as if she was relaxed and carefree. For the first time ever she’d been tempted to keep the makeup on at the end of the shoot but she hated the feel of it. It was late and the last of the support staff were gone. Magda was on the phone, spreading the good news about the new contract with Be Unique fashions.
It would be nice to have a more flattering picture in the media than the one of her trending on YouTube this morning, tits popping out of her silk bra like a pair of cantaloupe melons on special offer and the matching thong panties not exactly hiding much of her arse as she was loaded onto the stretcher. The client had been nervous about the attack and negative publicity but the photo shoot had gone incredibly well and they’d left with a big smile. Shaz grimaced. At least someone’s happy. She hadn’t realized just how much yesterday had affected her.
She was tired, sore and—truth be told—freaked the hell out. One date. One bloody date with that idiot Karl and her life had gone to shit. Hell! Shaz thought sourly. He hadn’t even picked up the tab…they’d split the bill. Not that she’d minded. At the time it’d been a relief because she didn’t need to feel guilty when she refused his offer of a coffee and another date.
Unfortunately Karl hadn’t taken no for an answer. She’d sent the first three bouquets to local hospitals and texted him to stop. Instead he started leaving comments on her Beauty is NOT a Number blog. They started out complimentary—she was hot. Sexy—but had quickly descended into ugly insults. It had gotten worse when Shaz blocked him and he began appearing outside her apartment and her work. He even followed if she went out with friends. He never said or did anything—just watched—but it made her feel uncomfortable, then nervous and finally angry. Eventually Magda had persuaded Shaz to go to the cops, who suggested a restraining order.
It seemed to work. The silent calls, gifts and visits stopped. Shaz began to relax…until yesterday. Unfortunately the cops who’d visited her in hospital reported that Karl’s apartment was empty and his neighbors hadn’t seen him in a while. And since no one had actually seen Karl shoot, there wasn’t much more could be done. Except wait for him to try again. Shaz felt a tension headache build at that thought but she couldn’t take her medication until food arrived. A salad and some chicken. Derek had gone to collect it after making Shaz swear she wouldn’t open the door to anyone.
Shaz was touched by the studio manager’s protective behavior—it had certainly saved her yesterday—and grateful for the offer. Her favorite whole-food restaurant was only two blocks away but Shaz knew she’d be spotted and talked about. Usually it was just a part of the job but she couldn’t face the gossip and comments today. She could pretty much guarantee that half the people seeing her order a salad would say it was all for show and she’d eat six burgers later.
Normally she enjoyed sparring with the idiots who thought because she was a plus-size model she ate whatever she liked. On her blog she always stressed the importance of being healthy and loving who you were, whatever size that was. Shaz gave a tiny derisive snort. Not that she didn’t enjoy food. She just looked after herself. She worked damn hard to stay at the top of her game as a model.
It really pissed her off that Karl with his freaky behavior could have potentially lost her the biggest contract she’d ever had. The pictures taken today would start the publicity campaign of Shaz as the new face of Be Unique and officially launch Shaz’s own range oflingerie and swimwear, especially designed for the fuller-figured young woman.Shaz was particularly proud of that.
One of the biggest complaints from young women on her blog was the lack of young, flirty choices for that special date or spring break. It was as if, one comment had said, bigger women shouldn’t be allowed to enjoy being sexy or flirtatious. Or, worst of all, appear in something skimpy and revealing. Shaz had insisted that every piece was designed to be fabulous and flattering and she tested each one personally. She and Magda had worked for months setting up the deal. Her headache grew as she remembered how it could all have fallen apart because of that moron.
She heard the front door open and rummaged in her bag for the painkillers the doctor had provided. “Thank goodness you’re here, Derek. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” She looked up with a grateful welcoming smile that disappeared as she saw the giant who filled the entire space. Shaz felt her mouth drop open as her gaze took in the sexiest man she’d ever seen. He was way over six foot with the hard, toned body of a professional athlete or a successful model.
He was clearly taken aback by her presence, because he breathed in deeply and froze for a moment. His beautiful green eyes widened and he shook his head a little, as if to clear it, before stepping in and firmly closing the door.
“You’re not Jake,” she stammered. Magda had been showing off pictures of her nephew, who was a good-looking boy. This vision before her was no boy. Every inch of delicious, flexing muscle oozed masculine confiden
ce. This was a man used to taking control. Shaz felt her heart stutter and then race as every sense screamed danger.
The holstered gun at his side made her suck in a harsh breath and she instinctively drew back. The man scowled at her action and continued to stalk toward her. His bright-green gaze never left her face, locked on target. Shaz’s hand fluttered instinctively to her throat. He watched the movement and his eyes darkened to jade. He was close enough for her to see the telltale ring of gold around the iris. A shifter. An alpha male.
Every movement was graceful and precise and yet he had powered across the room in no more than a couple of strides. He was so close now she could reach out and touch him…if she dared. Shaz’s breath caught as she imagined what that would be like. His skin, a paler shade of gold than his eyes and short thick hair, was taut over high cheekbones and a jaw so strong you could use it as a ruler. Her eyes flickered over his mouth with its full, sensuous lower lip. A mouth made for kissing, for taking and giving pleasure. She saw him notice her gaze and his eyes blazed, fully golden now with all the green banished by the lust that was clearly affecting him as much as it was her.
Shaz shook her head. Or was that just wishful imagination? This is nuts. Shaz forced herself to focus through the haze of desire shimmering between them. How could she feel like this about a complete stranger? One who was carrying a gun after she’d been shot at the day before, for fuck’s sake! Okay, she knew in her gut that he wasn’t here to attack her. Karl would want the pleasure of seeing her fear and pain for himself but there were different ways to be hurt and this man was dangerous. She should be demanding answers, not imagining what a wicked fantasy he’d be as a lover.