Dating the Panther: A Shifter Dating Agency Romance

by Ruby Forrest

  Maybe Blake was hot, and he looked good in a silk shirt, but Raelyn wasn’t going to give up too much of her time thinking about him. He was rude, and he was trouble, and Raelyn didn’t need any more of that after her recent breakup.

  “Hi. You giving him the cold shoulder?”

  “What?” Raelyn replied, turning quickly to look at the new person at her side. It was a man with a charming smile that reminded her too much of Blake. He was asking about Blake, she realized, and felt a little embarrassed at having been found out.

  “Blake. Let me guess—he did what he always does and had his way,” the man said, laughing shortly. Raelyn felt annoyed at first. She didn’t like the way the stranger was talking to her and assuming things. He was right, though. Raelyn had been spending her night trying to avoid Blake while simultaneously showing off. She’d told herself he wasn’t on her mind, but he’d been the only person on her mind for hours.

  “No,” Raelyn finally said. She gave the stranger a once-over and considered her choices. The guy was hot, and he obviously thought she was vulnerable to whatever charm he was trying to win her over with. Why not play along? It would be simple to just say yes and benefit both of them. Raelyn would get over her dry spell and the stranger would one-up Blake. “I’ve never even seen his place. But I’m sure it’s impressive.”

  The stranger laughed. He finally introduced himself as Taylor and Raelyn followed him to the bar, letting him buy a few drinks and talk about his impressive job history. Most of it was just noise to Raelyn; she couldn’t care less about his bragging and she knew what his goal was. They were both just in it for sex, and she wasn’t going to pretend it was anything else.

  The drinks started to wear on her, though. Before long, the music and lights were pulsing a little too loudly and Raelyn was fighting the urge to wince. The room was swimming and all she wanted was a breath of fresh air. Raelyn found herself making an excuse she forgot three seconds later before she walked out of the crowded party and onto the balcony. The large area in front of the party room was filled with mingling people, so she turned toward the side of the building and walked down the narrow corridor dotted with air conditioning units and other metal boxes she couldn’t identify.

  The air felt good in Raelyn’s lungs. She inhaled slowly, watching stars blink overhead. There was a sense of peace that she never felt anywhere other than outdoors, especially on a moonlit night. Raelyn missed being outside—going on camping trips and exploring parks had been some of her favorite things to do, before Christian had insisted they do more ‘adult’ things and started losing interest in Raelyn’s more natural diversions.

  Somewhere behind her, Raelyn heard footsteps. She distantly wondered who else had come out for air but didn’t turn around, leaning against the wall of the building. It was nice being outside alone, and she’d enjoy the time as long as she could before being interrupted.

  Chapter Six

  The first thing Blake did when he extricated himself from the drunk woman at his side was curse. He shot a few words into the air, looking around the room in irritation. He was looking for Raelyn, but he found the man she’d been talking to in another corner. Good, Blake thought, he gave up. Or she turned him away. Either option was good. Except now, Blake had no idea where Raelyn was.

  The party didn’t do much to dim Blake’s senses. He still had sharp eyesight—good in the darkness—and he could smell the heady combination of alcohol and body sweat in the air. Almost no one would go home alone tonight. Unless I can’t find Raelyn, he thought grimly. Blake was shouldering his way to the bar and scanning the party floor when he heard something.

  The sound was faint - he almost didn’t hear it at all, but it was accompanied by a lingering smell. It was sour to his nose, but underneath it was Raelyn’s familiar scent. Blake was making his way toward the doors before he could think any more of it. He knew there was shock or fear in the air, but he couldn’t slow down enough to figure out which. All that mattered was that it was there, and Blake had the distinct feeling he knew what was happening.

  Blake burst onto the roof and followed the noise and smell, turning a corner. In the distance, he could see Raelyn arguing with someone—a man bigger than her, who was a bad word away from simply pushing Raelyn. Blake opened his mouth and shouted. “Hey!”

  The man turned, and Blake grabbed his coat, hauling him away from Raelyn and watching him stumble backward. The man glared, and Blake stared him down, itching for a fight. He never went out starting them or looking for them, but he wouldn’t turn down a brawl. Blake liked proving himself against men that thought they were impervious to harm. It was good to watch a giant fall.

  “Mind your own business,” the man spat. Blake rolled his eyes.

  Even as uninterested in the stranger as he was, Blake realized a beat too late that there were other people on the roof. They were familiar, too—thugs he’d seen hanging around high-class offices. They had no place at the party or, in his opinion, the city. Yet the thugs were there, probably in stolen suits and looking to steal a little more from the rich people around them.

  The problem was that there were three men and Raelyn was in danger. Blake’s instinct kicked in without warning. He felt himself shifting fluidly, forgetting all logic in his anger. It didn’t matter that the men probably didn’t know about him and even Raelyn was secondary to the possessive streak that ran through Blake. All he could think was that someone was trying to take something that belonged to him, and he wasn’t going to let them. There were cries of shock and horror from the men, but Blake ignored them, going straight in for the attack.

  Things were a blur. Blake was fast and silent, even if the men knew he was there. Blake was also focused. He had two men on the floor in under a minute, confident that he’d managed to knock them out for the night, and then he rounded on the third man. Even the amount of muscle on the stranger wasn’t enough to even contend with Blake, who was so strong he had to hold back from breaking the man’s neck when he attacked. Once the three men were down, Blake felt the burn of a successful hunt flood his veins. Even if he hadn’t killed, he had done well.

  “Oh my god.” Raelyn’s unsteady words hit Blake all at once, dragging him forcefully into the present. His shift back was jerky - he didn’t want to change, but he knew he had to. He had to talk to Raelyn.

  “Don’t say anything,” was the first thing Blake said. He hadn’t meant to come on so strong, but he did. His mind was on fire and all he could think was that she’s going to tell. Raelyn stared back at him and even though she held herself in a defensive position, there was something defiant in her gaze.

  I remember why I like her, Blake thought. Why he’d flown into action without thinking. Raelyn was a catch besides her obvious attractiveness. She had attitude, and if he could just direct it the right way, it would be sexier than anything else he’d ever seen.

  “What did you think of me when you first met me?” Raelyn asked. Blake opened his mouth, but nothing came out. What?

  “I thought you were hiding,” Blake finally said. He wasn’t sure where Raelyn was going with her question, and part of him wondered if she’d lost her mind. “Especially with those hideous glasses. Can you even see, now?”

  “They weren’t real,” Raelyn shot back. “And you didn’t notice.”

  It was words like those that put fire in Blake’s veins. He wanted to growl back at Raelyn, but he was still too close to the shift that he thought he couldn’t control himself. She has confidence, Blake thought, but it’s misplaced. Raelyn knew nothing about him and what he was. She was pretending to stand up to him, but it wouldn’t do her any good. He had real power.

  “I won’t tell,” Raelyn said suddenly. “I promise.”

  Before Blake could say anything, Raelyn brushed past him. Blake nearly grabbed her arm as she went by, but he was still hearing her words in his head. You didn’t notice. It was a jab at him and he felt it to his core. He hadn’t noticed. He’d thought they were
real, and he’d thought it was part of Raelyn’s persona. She was throwing it in his face.

  Blake knew he’d lost for the night. Raelyn wasn’t going to come around and Blake had no choice but to watch her go. He’d only give her a day before he came calling, though. He couldn’t afford not to. She had seen him how he really was. She was a danger to him, and his brother—and he wasn’t going to let her out of his sight.

  Chapter Seven

  Raelyn showered and climbed into bed before she started laughing. She started with a giggle, and then it became all-out laughter. She was almost in tears as she curled up on her side.

  Nothing made sense. She’d just watched Blake—a man she hadn’t known well and whom she disliked very definitely—take down three men for her. And not as a human. She’d seen a black panther run at three grown men, not mauling but tossing them against concrete and waiting for the thump of heads before rounding on someone new. Raelyn could still see the fight when she closed her eyes.

  This isn’t real, she thought, but her pounding heart said otherwise. Blake was real—whatever he’d done was real—and she wasn’t going to get anywhere by denying it. The only comfort Raelyn had was that she hadn’t been killed for having seen. She’d only been warned by Blake, who had then stood still while Raelyn left. She wasn’t sure what that meant, but she was glad to have her life.

  Raelyn was glad up until three o’clock, when there was a knock on her door. She opened it and was greeted with a familiarly perfect face. “I’m coming in.”

  “You’re not,” Raelyn said immediately. Blake was standing on the other side of her door and he reached in, sliding his arm under the chain lock and letting it drop before pushing into her apartment.

  “Small place,” Blake noted, his words joined by a half-formed sneer. Raelyn ignored the jab and inched toward the wall, feeling for a bat. She wasn’t going to take any chances. Blake had shown interest at the party, but that didn’t mean he was going to let her get away after his stunt.

  “Yeah. I like it,” Raelyn said testily. She couldn’t let her guard down. He was attractive and confident, but he was also a jerk—and, apparently, a literal animal. Not even Blake’s beauty could distract her from the dozens of questions in her mind. He was doing his best, though, gliding down her hallway like he was still a panther.

  “That’s nice. Who did you tell?”

  Blake rounded on her without warning. Raelyn nearly stumbled, her heart catching in her throat. I never noticed how intense his eyes were, she thought, swallowing past her nervousness. She was in close quarters with someone dangerous and she wasn’t sure how to react. Raelyn knew she could defend herself, but she wasn’t sure if Blake could even be hurt. If he was like her in any way.

  “I didn’t tell anyone. I told you, I promised.”

  “That doesn’t mean anything to me.”

  “Well, it does to me,” Raelyn snapped. Her reaction was instinctive, even if it was stupid.

  Raelyn wasn’t concerned with how smart Blake thought she was, though. Her mind was preoccupied by the memory of him turning into something else and the way he’d stared her down. There had been something desperate in Blake’s gaze—a fear Raelyn hadn’t expected to see. She’d thought he was immune to such weak feelings, but on the rooftop, Blake had looked like he had everything to lose. And he probably does.

  “What do you remember?” Blake asked. Raelyn bit her tongue. There were a few ways she could answer—she could pretend not to remember, or that she was so drunk she didn’t trust her memory.

  Something stopped Raelyn from lying. She looked at Blake and wondered—had he ever told anyone before? Raelyn wondered if he’d spent his entire life alone, or if he’d been chased from his home before for being suspected. If Blake felt half-alive, hiding a part of him that was clearly powerful and comfortable to him. Raelyn felt surprisingly guilty and sympathetic. Guilty, because she’d been the one he was trying to help when he’d changed; sympathetic, because she knew what it felt like to hide.

  Instead of lying, Raelyn said, “I remember everything.”

  Blake nodded. His pace changed; instead of slinking along the walls of her apartment, he turned on Raelyn, lowering his eyes a little and rolling his shoulders back. His approach was one she’d seen a hundred times at bars.

  “What did you think? Of me saving you?” Blake leaned closer as he passed her to walk to the window. He had a small smirk on his lips, but there was tension in his shoulders.

  “I think it was nice, but I didn’t need the help,” Raelyn said evenly. She wanted to prove that she wasn’t a threat, but she didn’t know how, or if it would even help.

  Still, Raelyn wasn’t worried about being attacked. She couldn’t imagine Blake hurting her, despite his zealous attack the previous night. It just didn’t fit.

  Blake bit his tongue. His heart was racing and his patience evaporating. Raelyn wasn’t taking any of his hints. He’d half hoped that she would have forgotten the encounter or chalked it up to being too drunk. Instead, Raelyn had looked him in the eye and said I remember everything. He almost couldn’t believe her audacity. Almost.

  In truth, Blake knew what he was dealing with. Who he was dealing with. Raelyn had proved herself stubborn and willful, even if she was missing the class and confidence of the women Blake usually pursued. She was just as he’d anticipated at the party; a rough, unpolished gem waiting for the right direction and care. But he’d done something unforgivable in front of her, and now, Blake had to try and win back her trust.

  “I’m sure you didn’t need help,” Blake said, smiling and leaning against the window. “But I was happy to give it.”

  It was true, even if he wanted it to be part of his act. Charming Raelyn was the easiest way to ensure she wouldn’t tell anyone or push him away. Blake still didn’t understand why he reacted to her the way he did, and he wanted to know. He wanted his control back.

  Raelyn came to the window. “Why?”

  It was an easy answer to deflect. Blake smiled and shoved his hands in his pockets, even if it felt wrong to be standing so casually. So open to attack. “Because I care. More than you know.”

  Raelyn didn’t seem to know how to answer, or if she should. Her eyes roamed over Blake and she worried at her lip. There was something like pity in her gaze that Blake hated. He’d seen something like it before, but that had been when Aaron had reminded Blake that he couldn’t spend his life alone. And what about him? He’s just as alone as I am. Blake and his kind weren’t meant for relationships. Not with their lives at stake. One-night stands were the only things Blake could ever safely enjoy, and that was fine. He didn’t need the drama of a relationship, or the distraction.

  At least, that’s what he told himself. Blake watched Raelyn complicate things for herself and he sighed, pulling away from the window. He made his way to the door, confident that she wasn’t going to say anything yet. Blake would have time to think about his next move later, and maybe even drag Aaron into it. It’s his fault I met her again that night. Blake stopped at Raelyn’s door, turning back and considering her.

  “Don’t come looking for me,” Blake said shortly. He knew it probably wouldn’t help, but he had to say it anyway. He had to know he’d tried. Raelyn was silent, and Blake left, swinging the door shut behind him. He needed time and space—and he needed to shift.

  Raelyn was frustrated. She was sitting at a table with Emily, feeling a sense of déjà vu alongside her heightened aggravation. They were at another place for lunch, but Raelyn felt significantly different. For one thing, her ex problems didn’t seem so pressing. For another, she was sure that Blake was going to show up unannounced again, and she had no clue what he’d want from her.

  He’d been trying to seduce her. That much was obvious—Raelyn had watched the way Blake moved and paid attention to his words. He’d fallen into the act so easily that Raelyn had realized something. His personality and the way he’d acted like a jerk before were all shields. He
was rude not necessarily because he chose to be, but because he’d started to believe it was the only way to stay alive. Because somebody hurt him, and he’s still trying to come back from it.

  “So? What did happen?” Emily’s question brought Raelyn back into the moment.

  “Nothing,” Raelyn shrugged, hoping her face didn’t give anything away.

  Emily frowned, suspicious. “Nothing? He was watching you the entire night. You two already knew each other, he watched you like a hawk, and you’re telling me nothing happened?”

  A hawk, Raelyn thought. She wanted to laugh and sigh. “Nothing happened, Me. He was a jerk on our first date and he didn’t do much better last night.”

  “But?” Emily prompted.

  “But…I might be wrong about him.”

  It wasn’t what Raelyn wanted to admit, but the words were already out in the open. She was very wrong about him; she knew that. The only question was how wrong. It was one thing that Blake wasn’t exactly human; it was another that he might have been hiding behind a persona to keep people away and keep his secret safe.

  “Well, are you into him?” Emily asked. It was the million-dollar question.

  “Obviously, he’s hot,” Raelyn said. Emily gave her an unimpressed look and Raelyn sighed, continuing. “He’s…complicated. Sometimes, he talks, and I want to punch him. He looks at me like my boss looks at spreadsheets. Like I’m something to work on and not a person.”

  “That’s not sexy,” Emily agreed, shaking her head. She seemed disappointed in the failures. Raelyn was, too, but she couldn’t exactly explain that they might be a front or a side effect of the fact that Blake could turn into a panther.

  Raelyn took a breath and plunged on, trying to figure out what to say that would make sense and get the same point across. “I think he’s been hurt before, and he’s using that experience to color everything about him, now. I feel like he’s pretending to be something he’s not to blend in and stay at a safe distance.”