Savage Hunger: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Savage Shifters Book 3)

by Milly Taiden

  “That’s great,” Isaline said and then gave him a quick, curious glance. “Do you go with her?”

  Fucking hell. She would ask that. “No. I have a massive company to run, but I have a department that focuses on giving back to the community.” And really, it seemed like he was always working. From when he woke, till he went to bed. That wasn’t going to continue if this wonderful woman was to remain in his life. She laid a palm on his hand.

  “It’s not the same,” she sighed, and he wanted to go out and do something to make her believe in him. Right then and there. “If you don’t give your time and get to know those you help, you won’t feel as good about the help you’re giving.”

  “I see.” He really tried to see things her way, but he was a busy man, and his company took almost all his time.

  They stopped at a small Italian restaurant that had the best ravioli he’d had in years. Even going to the best restaurants in New York City, he realized this little town had gems that would make the town shine if only there was more to see.

  “How’s the business you came to town for going?” she asked as they headed back to her car after having lunch.

  For a few hours, he’d almost had project Little Rose out of his mind completely. It was then he realized how dangerous Isaline was. She’d made him forget why he was in Full Moon Bay.

  “It’s slow at the moment. The client refuses to budge and I’m not changing my mind, so I might have to evict her.”

  “What?” she gasped.

  He opened his mouth to calm her fears when a man walked up and interrupted their conversation.

  “Isa?” The man hugged her and Beast growled.

  Isaline pulled out of his arms quickly and took a step back. “Gavin?”

  “Yes! It’s me!” Gavin laughed. “I’m officially back. Did you get my flowers?”

  Another growl vibrated in Beast’s chest. His dragon pulled at the controls, wanting loose. He’d burn the human to a crisp in a matter of seconds.

  Isaline glanced at Beast with a worried frown. “Are you really back? I mean, I didn’t really think—”

  Gavin laughed and went to grab her again, but she pulled farther away from him. His smile dimmed, and he glanced from Isaline to Beast. “I told you I’d come back for you. I love you, Isa. Moving showed me that you were the only woman for me.”

  “I—” she glanced back and forth between Beast and Gavin. “Can we talk later? I’m busy right now, but we need to talk.”

  What did she need to talk to the human about? She should tell him there was no room for him in her life.

  Gavin nodded slowly. “Ah, yeah, sure. I’m about to grab some groceries to fill my fridge. Want to come by for dinner later?”

  She shook her head and glanced at Beast, then at Gavin. “I’ll call you.”

  Something told him she wasn’t going to say no to this man. The urge to tear the human limb from limb for daring to touch his mate almost made him shift on the spot, but he wasn’t a hormonal teenager. Isaline was his.

  14

  Isaline growled as she slammed the kitchen door shut. He’d really returned. Why? What was the point of coming back when they’d never had a relationship that serious? At least not in her eyes.

  “Someone’s in a bad mood,” her mother said cheerfully. “What’s wrong?”

  “Gavin really returned. I saw him just now.”

  Mirabel’s brows rose. “Did a certain tall, sexy beast happen to be with you?”

  She gave her mother an aggravated look. “Yes. I just don’t understand where Gavin got the impression we had such a special relationship. For fuck’s sakes, how could he say he loves me when we went on four dates and never had sex? Four dates.”

  Her mom nodded. “I understand, but maybe you should talk to him about it. I mean, he did come all the way back to be with you.”

  “Why?” She groaned. “I want to shove him back on a plane and send him back to Texas.”

  “Well, now, honey. That’s not really how we solve problems.”

  She glared at her mom. “Really? And lying to people is? Don’t think I don’t know what you’re doing.”

  “Whatever do you mean?” her mom asked innocently.

  “Beast doesn’t know you’re the bakery owner. He met you and he still doesn’t know he’s met Mrs. Primrose.”

  “Bah,” her mom waved dismissively. “A few days here will do him good. Besides, we’re set to have dinner on Sunday. I’ll let him know then that I’m not moving.”

  “Mom,” she growled, “he’s going to evict you. That is his building, you know. I mean he’s offering you an amazing deal. Why won’t you take it?”

  Her mother gave her an unflinching stare. “I have a special contract and he’s not getting my building until I feel the time is right.”

  “It’s not your building, Mom. He’s already emptied out the rest of the lots. All he needs is for you to move and he can demolish and get to work on his new hotel.”

  “And turn this town into some sort of small version of New York City? I don’t think so. His father never wanted that. His father wanted something special for Full Moon Bay and I’m going to make sure that happens.”

  Isaline’s shoulders dropped. “You know what? I can’t get you to see reason. I’m going to talk some reason into Gavin.”

  Her mom gave her an empathic nod. “Good idea. What are we doing for dinner?”

  “I’ll pick up a slice of pizza or something on my way home. Don’t worry about me.”

  “I won’t make tofu,” her mom pouted. “I know you hate it.”

  She grinned and headed for her bedroom. “I know, but I really want pizza.”

  She was in her bedroom, readying to shower when her cell phone rang.

  “Hi, Beast,” she said breathlessly.

  “Hi,” he said in that deep rumbly voice that made her belly flip flop. “Got any dinner plans?”

  “I was thinking of going for some pizza later.”

  “Sounds good. Want me to pick you up?”

  She grinned at the fact he invited himself to join her. Christ. She really did like him if she wasn’t bothered by the idea of spending the evening with him after being together most of the day. “No, I can meet you at the bakery later.”

  After she showered and dressed, she went to see Gavin. This wasn’t going to be easy.

  She knocked on his door and waited. A few moments later, he opened it and smiled at her.

  “I’m so happy you came,” he said, going for a hug again.

  She stopped him before he put his arms around her and shook her head. “Can I come in?”

  He nodded, his brow furrowed with confusion. “Yes, please. I’m glad my cousin stayed at my place. He’s visiting his mother right now, so I’m able to move in quietly.”

  She stopped inside the apartment door and turned to face him. “Why are you back, Gavin?”

  He stared at her, his eyes full of questions. “What do you mean? I told you. I missed you, Isa. I want you back and I knew coming home was the best thing for us.”

  She took a step away from him when he tried to grab her again. “See, that’s the problem I’m having, Gavin. You and I were never in a serious relationship. We were casual friends. We went on four dates. Never got intimate and had two kisses. So where is all this coming from?”

  He gave her a look of disbelief. “Are you kidding? We had so much fun and we were great together, Isa. We are great together. How can you say that?”

  “Because it’s the truth. I don’t know what possessed you to come back, but I hope I wasn’t the only reason.”

  His features turned stony. “What do you mean?”

  She swallowed hard and side-stepped him, moving to closer the door. “I’m not getting back with you. I’m not. You and I had fun as friends. We tried to go further and it didn’t work. It’s over.”

  “But—”

  She shook her head and turned the knob, opening the door and stepping out. “No, Gavin. It’s over
. It’s been over. I’ve moved on.”

  “You can’t move on,” he told her. “I’m not ready to move on!” he yelled. Red splotches appeared on his cheeks and his eyes turned icy. “You and I are meant to be.”

  She gasped at his outburst. That was so unlike him. Gavin didn’t get angry or scream. And he definitely didn’t glare at her as if she were his enemy.

  “No,” she told him firmly. “We’re not.”

  “Don’t do this, Isa. We belong together.” He gave her a renewed pleading look. “No woman in Texas compared to you. They’re all lying whores, but you, you’re the one for me.”

  “Would you listen to yourself? No, I’m not.” She sighed and turned away from him. “Bye, Gavin. I hope you can find someone who truly makes you happy.”

  “You can’t do this, Isa. I came back for you,” he hollered as she walked toward the elevator. “Only for you.”

  “Move on, Gavin,” she yelled over her shoulder.

  15

  She sat in her Jeep for a few minutes, thinking back on Gavin and watching Beast in the bakery. He sat at a table by one of the glass panels, working on his laptop. The suit was gone, replaced with a beige sweater and his hair looked wet from his recent shower.

  For once, it wasn’t perfectly combed. In fact, it looked like he’d finger combed it and had done a bad job at it. It was messy and so sexy. His casual look made her extra hot in the car. Not to mention the wet hair. Her girl parts warmed at the image of him in a shower. Lord have mercy.

  He was so big and so sexy. And those hot glances he gave her only messed with her hormones. He’d been there a few days and the reaction he had on her body was as if she’d known him for years. As if he’d been hers for years.

  She sensed a deep connection with him. Every hungry look he gave her fanned the flames in her blood. The desire that had been building even when she hadn’t wanted it to grow deeper and stronger between them. It had been two days. Two. How could she feel this way in that amount of time? It was surreal.

  How was that possible? This man was a stranger. No. Not a stranger. He’d been sharing himself with her and now all she had to do was find out more until she felt comfortable with him. If she could get him to see how important Full Moon Bay was to her and how badly she wanted to see it grow as a small town, not turn into a city, things could go further for them.

  Do it. Give him a chance. Stop wondering what could be. Live for the now.

  Fuck. She really was hearing her mother talk in her head. She needed to get her shit together. And get laid. Get laid, Isaline. You need it.

  God. Therapy was her next step if her mother’s voice didn’t stop. She left her Jeep and chastised herself for her mental argument. Inside the bakery, she saw the empty chocolate-covered plate on Beast’s table.

  “Hey, I see you have a thing for the chocolate cake, huh?” Joy surged inside her. He liked her cake. It had never meant as much as it did at that moment that someone really enjoyed her baking. Oh, people told her daily about their love for her baked goods, but Beast was…he was different. She wanted him so much, it scared her.

  Why did his opinion matter? Because she’d started caring. Maybe he’d leave after he got her mother out of the building, but for now, he was there. She wanted him to love her cake.

  “I’m tempted to offer Mrs. Primrose’s chocolate cake a spot on the room service menu of all my hotels. It’s that delicious.” He stood and slipped his laptop in its bag.

  “Really?” she asked, her jaw hanging open. “You really think it’s that good?”

  “Good? I’ve had this cake for three days straight and it’s not good, it’s amazing. Decadent, but not overly sweet, silky smooth and moist. I can eat a whole cake,” he told her without blinking. “A whole pan.”

  “You’re being silly, but I think the baker will appreciate your words.” She watched him pick up his bag. “Are you ready?”

  “Yes. If you have pizza that rivals New York City, I may have to rethink my opinion on small towns.”

  She laughed and followed him outside. “You can drive. We’re not going far.”

  He glanced down the street. “Oh, I didn’t realize that. I left my car parked down the street since I didn’t find a spot here when I returned. You have so many rush times in this bakery.”

  “Yes. People here like their sweets. That’s okay, though. I’ll walk with you to the car.”

  He gave a sharp shake of his head. “No. It’s too cold. You stay here and I’ll get the car.”

  She almost debated with him, but he was being a gentleman again, and she liked it. Men didn’t do things like that for her. Instead, she decided to embrace the moment. “Okay.”

  She watched him walk away and stood in front of the bakery, watching the snow fall in thick flakes. A few minutes later, he stopped in front of the bakery. She had taken two steps from the front door, when a loud thud sounded behind her.

  Whirling around, she looked for what could’ve made that sound and saw the big broken brick on the ground where she’d been standing two seconds ago.

  What the hell? A quick glance up showed her nothing. The snow was coming down and the top of the building was covered in snow. She couldn’t see where the brick came from, but the building was old.

  “Are you okay?” Beast asked, his gaze on the brick. “I saw it hit the ground right where you were. If you hadn’t moved—”

  She patted his arm and shook her head. “Don’t even think about it. It’s an old building. I’ll have to get someone to check that out. It looks like one of the bricks lining the edge at the top.” She stared at the place where the brick had landed. “Definitely don’t need more of those coming down.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to go look now?”

  “No. It’s snowing. It’s best to wait for the snow to stop so a professional can look at it.”

  He glanced up again. “If you’re sure.”

  “Yeah, now let’s get some food,” she said, tugging him toward the car.

  “It’s a shame you won’t be driving.”

  She slipped through the door he held open and peeked up at him. “Oh? Why’s that?”

  “Yeah,” he told her, his eyes a gold so bright, she almost had to look away. “I’d get more time to stare at your beautiful face.”

  A nervous laugh escaped her. “You’re really good at that,” she said. “Flirt.”

  “Why did you call me a flirt?” he asked once he got to the driver’s side and sat, readying to start the car.

  “Those unexpected compliments.”

  He shrugged and turned on the car. “It’s the truth.”

  She bit her lip and gave him directions to the pizza place. This was the first time in her life she wasn’t hungry after talking to a man for a while. Food had all but been forgotten now that he’d fired up other desires inside her.

  “The restaurant is on this road. I’ll tell you when to turn. I think you’ll like this place. My mom’s old high school friend married a man she met in Venice and he moved here and opened this pizza place.”

  He gave her a curious look. “Your little town gets more interesting by the second.”

  16

  Isaline grinned. “It has its perks. We have good food. My biggest problem is having too many options on what to eat.”

  “I love your smile,” he said suddenly.

  The words were so unexpected she didn’t know what to do. “My smile?”

  He nodded, his gaze roaming her face. “Yes. It’s full of light and life. I’ve heard of someone being sunshine. Now I know what that means. You’re sunshine, Isa. My sunshine.”

  Keeping her gaze on the road, she managed to think while mentally picking his words apart. They were in a downtown historic district with old structures that had been remodeled to their original styles. Tall gables with square-tooth trim and fancy window displays lined the street.

  “How do you like this area?” she asked, trying to bring back the easy conversation from before. “Inst
ead of seeing the potential of what modern technology could bring, I want you to see past it. See the beauty of the past and duty to remember where roots run deep. This is what I love about this little town.”

  “I’m starting to see what you mean. What these places mean to the people around here—America was built upon the backs of blue collar labor workers who sacrificed for their families and those around them. Their goals in life had been to make the lives of those they loved happier and easier. This little town has it.”

  Her smile returned full bloom. “Yes. That’s exactly right. Here, in Small Town America, that philosophy lives on.”

  He nodded. “I know. You’re the biggest example. Helping others. Volunteering. Caring. Your need to help those around you makes you that much more interesting. That much more beautiful and selfless.”

  “Thanks. I hope you still feel that way after we eat. Turn in here.” She pointed to the parking lot next to a hole-in-the-wall dive with a sign that read “pizza.”

  “I’m not even surprised.” He laughed. “You don’t do things based on looks, do you?”

  She shook her head. “Nope. Some of the best things in life are found in unexpected places. You just have to be open to find the treasure that might be hidden under the rubble. This pizza? It will knock your socks off. Trust me.”

  “I do, Isaline. With everything in me, I trust you.”

  Opening the establishment door, she took a deep breath. “You won’t regret it. Mmm.”

  “Damn, the marinara and garlic smell heavenly.” He groaned. “I love pizza.”

  Staring at him with wide eyes, she led him farther into the restaurant. “Me, too.”

  When the hostess asked where they wanted to sit, they pointed to the same booth across the room. They looked and each other and smiled. “Stop reading my mind,” she laughed.

  “Good thing you can’t read mine or you’d be running out of here a mile a second.”