by Milly Taiden
“What?”
She sat down at the dining room table and tried to think about how she felt. Things with Gavin had been so strange. His move had been a good thing for her. It had allowed her to realize dating him wasn’t going anywhere. But this…his note. No man had ever quit his job and returned for her. That had to mean something, no?
“You look so confused, darling.” Her mom sighed. “Let me make tea and we can chat.”
“I already made tea. I had just turned the kettle off when the doorbell rang.”
“Okay. I’ll get it.” It was a few moments before she was back with a tray with tea and mini scones and pastries. She poured Isa a cup and then one for herself before sitting. “So, why do you look so sad that Gavin sent you flowers?”
“It’s just…I don’t know, Mom. Gavin and I were never all that special. We went on four dates. Who moves for someone they went out with four times?”
“How was the sex?”
“Mom!” She gaped at her mom who was adding sugar to her tea like she’d said nothing wrong.
Her mom raised her brows and stirred her tea. “That bad, huh?”
Heat crowded her cheeks. God.
“We never got around to having sex. I just didn’t feel that kind of chemistry for him. Besides, not everything is about sex,” she fired back.
“True. But that’s the start. If your sex life sucks, then the rest better be fucking spectacular or what’s the point of even calling it a relationship?”
And that was her problem. Nothing had been spectacular. Nothing had been out of this world. His constant calling and showing up at the bakery had started to bug her, so when he mentioned moving, she’d sighed in relief that she wouldn’t have to be mean about breaking things off. He’d asked about long distance, but she’d suggested he find someone new. So why had Gavin come back for her?
“Okay. I just don’t understand why he’d leave his job to come back to be with me. I just don’t get it. We were casual at best. I mean, it’s been almost four months since he left. I’m confused. Four dates, Mom.”
She sipped on her tea and sighed. The sweet berry flavors along with lavender helped soothe her frustrations.
“Don’t be confused. He might think you want more than you do. You’ve had some time apart. What do you feel for Gavin?”
Nothing. Gavin had been a great friend who also volunteered. When they worked together, he’d been fun, and things had never been complicated. They’d had a good time, which was why she’d finally agreed to go on a date with him, but that had been a mistake. His move had been a lifesaver. It allowed them to remain friends without an awkward breakup. But now he wanted to resume things and she didn’t see that happening.
“I guess I’ll just have to speak to him,” she told her mom. “I’m not interested in dating him. He was way too clingy. I want a relationship that will bring me more.”
“Speaking of more,” her mother stared at her over the rim of her tea cup, “how was the bakery today?”
She frowned. “Why? What did you hear?”
“I heard a tall, handsome man showed and riled you up.”
She rolled her eyes. “People in this town gossip too much.”
“So you’re saying he wasn’t handsome?”
She licked her bottom lip. “I never said that.”
Her mom laughed. “Then what are you saying?”
“That people in this town talk too much.”
“Oh, stop.” Her mother refilled her tea cup. “Tell me about the annoying stranger.”
“Mom, he walked in and expected me to stop serving customer because he is whoever he is. I don’t care how rich the guy is, there was a line and he wasn’t going to skip.”
Her mother giggled harder. “You said that to him?”
“Sort of. I told him there was a line and he had to get to the back and no skipping.”
“It’s not like you to let something bother you this long. Is it still annoying you?”
“I guess it was just how entitled he seemed. Like he was the only person whose needs mattered. I almost slapped him with a slice of cake.”
Her mother gasped. “You’ve never lost your cool like that.”
“Yeah, well, he just ticked me off. He was too sexy for his own good. Anyway, he apologized after.”
“He did? So then you’re over that?”
She shrugged. “I guess. I mean, it’s not like I have to deal with the guy again.”
6
Isaline popped out of the kitchens to place a chocolate cake in the display. She almost tripped over her own feet when she saw Mr. Sexy sitting at one of the tables, drinking coffee and having a piece of her cake.
Why did she have to feel all nervous just looking at him? He wasn’t her type. The way he carried himself and how everyone moved out of his way told her he wasn’t her type of man. This guy was used to ordering people around. Isaline wasn’t a fan of that.
“Look who’s here,” Becky whispered. “I heard he was here yesterday, too. Mrs. Wilhollow was very particular about describing him when she showed up earlier. She got him down to his expensive haircut and that fallen angel face that could be the stuff of wet dreams.”
Isaline frowned hard. She didn’t like the idea of other women fantasizing about the sexy stranger. Really? What in the world was wrong with her? Her mind had been busy all night conjuring possible scenarios where she’d see him again. This was not one of them.
“What’s he doing here?”
Becky opened her eyes wide and blinked. “He’s been waiting for you.”
The air in her lungs evaporated and she choked trying to catch her breath. “What? Me?”
Becky nodded. Her lips curved into a smile. “Yeah. You. I was waiting for you to be done back there so you could talk to him.”
She tore off the apron and smoothed her sweater over her black leggings. Today was not a good hair day. She’d worn her blonde hair up in a messy bun. She hoped she didn’t look like a twelve-year-old.
Nope. She wouldn’t care what he thought. Yeah, right. Her hands were already sweating and the thought of his eyes roaming over her like a decadent piece of chocolate gave her goose bumps. Men didn’t have that effect on her. Of course, it would be some random stranger from the city that would mess with her hormones and make her feel like a gawky teenager.
“Stop procrastinating,” Becky chastised. “Go see what he wants. I’ve got bets with Mrs. Wilhollow on him wanting to ask you out or him wanting to hire you to bake for him.”
She huffed out a growl, curled her hands into fists, and started to walk over to the table Mr. Sexy had set up with his laptop and turned into his office. She had barely taken two steps before he glanced up and stared at her marching toward him. No pressure. None at all. His gaze bore into hers as she closed the distance between them. God. If she survived this man staring at her, she should win a prize. He really was hell on her nervous system.
“Hi. Becky said you wanted to see me?”
“Isaline?”
She nodded. “Yes, Mr…”
“Beast. Harte.”
She raised her brows in surprise. “Your name is Beast? Like Beauty and the Beast?”
A slow grin spread over his lips and her breath caught in her throat. God. The man was devastatingly gorgeous. Not even because of the suit or the expensive haircut. He had that rough and rugged look that no suit could hide. She’d bet her entire month’s salary he really was a beast in the sheets.
“Yeah. My father said after I was born, I roared like a beast when it came feeding time, so he chose my name. Much to my mother’s dismay.”
She grinned. “I can imagine. It’s a great name. I’m sure nobody messes with you.”
His eyes flashed a bright gold. “People don’t mess with me, but it has nothing to do with my name.”
No. She knew that glow well enough. He was a shifter. The fact he was as big as her brothers-in-law and just as deadly sparked excitement inside her. Death wish. That should be h
er middle name. Seriously, she was getting hot and bothered because a shifter that was hotter than the sun was staring at her like she was his midday snack. Boy, she’d love to let him nibble on her. “What can I do for you, Mr. Harte?”
“Beast. Please, call me Beast,” he said the words in a gravelly voice that made her palms sweat.
She licked her lips. “Beast. What can I do for you?”
“Are you very busy?”
“Not really. Do you need help with something?” She’d stop fantasizing about him and focus on being a humanitarian and help the man out. And then go back to fantasizing about him naked. She wondered if he had any tattoos under all that expensive material.
“I’m not from around here. Would you mind showing me around?”
She cocked her head. “You mean like a guide or a date?”
His perfectly white teeth appeared with his wide smile. Lord have mercy, he was smiling. She almost fanned her face then and there. That smile, and those eyes on her, feeding every dirty thought she had was bad for business. Or at least bad for her to keep her panties on.
“I was hoping if I didn’t call it a date, you’d be more willing to agree.”
“So you want to go on a non-date with me? And what exactly do you want me to show you? This is a small town. We don’t have much to do. Well, we have some stuff, but I don’t know if a city person like you would enjoy it. Some of my favorite parts of town are unique to Full Moon Bay.”
“I’d offer to take you to dinner, but I’m afraid you’ll refuse, so how about you show me around and then we can grab a bite somewhere you like?”
She should say no. This man was way out of her league. But the word no was not coming out of her mouth. “Take your clothes off” were the words she had to fight to keep behind her teeth. Clearly, she had a pervert living inside. “Okay. If you don’t mind waiting a few minutes, I’m going to get my bag and we can go.”
Becky followed her into the kitchen. “Where are you going?”
“I’m showing him around town,” she said, slipping on her wool coat and twining her scarf around her neck. “Wish me luck that I can keep my hands to myself.”
Becky snorted. “You’re the last person I’d believe would throw herself at a man.”
“This guy has something that’s making my hormones crazy. I want to tell him to leave and I want to tear at his clothes. It’s driving me bananas!”
“I’ll say. You’ve never sounded so frustrated. When was the last time you got laid?”
“God,” she groaned. “Not you, too! You’re turning into my mother.”
“She’s a good woman and knows what she’s talking about. Maybe this sexy city man will be the meal ticket for your hungry girl bits.”
“Oh, ew, Becky!” She made a face. “You make it sound so weird.”
“It’d be weirder if you didn’t find him attractive. He’s hot enough to melt the snow falling outside that window.”
Isaline rolled her eyes and chuckled. “You need more lessons with your poetry. He’s a sexy man. Big deal. I’ll control myself and show him around. Besides, I bet he is just trying to be polite to get me to forgive him for being a jerk yesterday.”
Becky raised her brows. “Yeah, right. Girl, he’s been looking at you like he wants to make your clothes disappear. If he were Superman, you’d be running around naked.”
7
Isa smiled at the idea of the big, sexy man in tights. “If he was Superman, I’d be looking to find out if the super extends to all areas.”
“This is better, Isa. He’s a shifter. I bet he’s got a killer dick.”
A loud giggle left her lips. “You do realize that doesn’t sound sexy at all. I’m not trying to get fucked to death.”
“Just go with me here. Get him naked. I bet you’ll be happy with what you find.”
Picking up her cross-body bag, she shook her head. “I’m going to show the sexy stranger around and I will not be getting him naked, you pervert!”
“Don’t go to the shelter this time.”
Isaline smiled wickedly. “Yes. I may. I think it would be nice for Beast to feed the homeless, too.”
Becky gasped. “You are so evil. That guy is gonna get that gorgeous suit dirty in there.”
She shrugged and slipped the bag over her head. “Oh well. He’ll survive.”
“Evil. Pure evil!” Becky yelled as she walked out.
Beast was outside, waiting next to a luxury car. He opened the door for her and she had to admit it was sweet that he did.
She gave him directions to the shelter she went to every Tuesday. She’d already sent one of the bakers over with several of her cakes to be cut up for dessert.
“So, what is Mercy’s House?” Beast asked as they drove down Main Street.
“It’s a shelter for the homeless.” She watched him for a reaction, but he had an amazing poker face.
“What do you do there?”
She leaned back into the warm leather chair. Leather heated under her butt. She couldn’t believe she was in a car that had heated seats. Her Jeep used to belong to her mother before she and her sisters had bought Mirabel a new car and Isa had taken over the old one.
“Feed the homeless.”
“Are there many homeless in this small town?”
She shrugged. “They come from neighboring towns. This is the only homeless shelter within thirty miles. A lot of them just need a hot meal.”
There was silence the rest of the way. Once they arrived, she watched him remove his tie and suit jacket. When they entered Mercy’s House, he rolled up his sleeves and turned to her.
“What do you need me to do?”
“Isaline!” her mother called out. “Who’s your guest?”
“Mom, this is Beast Harte. Beast, this is my mom—”
“Honey, don’t worry about introductions, we’re swamped. Beast,” her mom interrupted, “come with me. I have something I need your help with.”
She watched her mother walk away, pulling Beast by the arm and chatting animatedly with him.
“Who is that?” Zuri asked, coming up behind her.
“What are you doing here?” She hugged her sister and studied her face to make sure Zuri wasn’t overdoing it.
“Mom told me she’d be here, and I wanted to come and help. Savage dropped me off and will be back to get me in a bit. He wanted to get me out of the house since Poppy was taking Savannah so I had a few hours.”
“Shouldn’t you be resting?” she asked, putting on an apron and hairnet and heading out to the food line.
Zuri did the same but shook her head. “Nah, I feel pretty good today. Not as tired. So I need to take advantage and do things before all I want to do is hibernate.” Zuri glanced at the other side of the room where their mother had Beast moving heavy boxes full of canned goods. “You didn’t answer my question. Who’s the sexy beast?”
Isaline burst into giggles. “His name is Beast.”
Zuri opened her eyes wide. “You’re kidding! And I thought Savage was a weird name. What is it with shifters and these growly names?”
“You’re right. The name alone gives away the fact he’s a shifter.”
“That and his scent. Dragon.”
Isaline gasped, eyes wide and jaw hanging. “His scent? Oh my god. You can scent he’s a dragon? Wait, dragon? He’s a dragon!”
Zuri grinned. “Yeah. He’s a dragon. And yes, I can scent it. Only while pregnant it seems. I never took to the shift, and neither did Sage, but it seems like when I’m pregnant, I have some of their abilities thanks to the baby.”
“Wow. That’s so cool. Can you tell anything else?” She wanted to know so much more about Beast. He had that quiet, standoffish demeanor but she knew he was interested in her.
“I can tell he wants to get you naked,” Zuri scrunched her nose. “You know, that’s one I didn’t need to scent.”
“What do you mean he wants to get me naked?” God, what if he did want to get her naked? Should she let him
? She sure as hell had been debating with keeping her thoughts out of the gutter, not that it had been working. But damn, she’d been trying.
Him naked had been the only thing on her mind since last night. She peeked to where he stood listening to her mother give him orders. He was watching her with his face clear of all emotion. Her heart thudded hard in her chest. That look gave her goose bumps. It was full of pure possession.
“Oh, honey,” Zuri curled an arm around her shoulder. “You want him. He wants you. What’s the problem? I can tell there’s an issue even without the fear coming off you in waves.”
“He’s out of my league. Look at him, Zuri. He looks like he walked off the cover of GQ magazine. I’ve never even looked at a man that hot. My goodness. One look from him and my knees are ready to buckle. I can’t handle that kind of good looking. I’ve dated nice guys, but they’ve never been that smoking hot. It is intimidating.”
“Let me tell you something about him. He might be dressed like the epitome of professional, controlled human male that is all about material things, maybe even all about making money and being in the highest of social circles, but he’s a shifter. At the end of the day, that man is ruled by his basic desires.
“The need to find a mate and to love her for the rest of his life. The need to breed and continue his line. He might be a billionaire with expensive tastes and fantastic toys, but he is still a shifter. One who will do anything for the woman he loves.” Zuri met her gaze and gripped her shoulders. “If you’re that mate, there will never be another woman for him. You’re his kryptonite. His weakness and his strength.”
His kryptonite? But was he her Superman? “But how do I know? I mean, he’s a man. He could be interested in me for a little while. I refuse to get into another dead-end relationship. I need to find a forever love. I want that all-consuming love you and Sage have. I won’t settle for anything less.”
Zuri smiled and nodded. The understanding in her eyes made Isaline feel less silly for her desire to find a happily ever after. “He may or may not be. But like everything in life, you won’t know unless you give it a chance.”