“I’m not sure why we bother. My feet ache every night but here I am, wearing them again.” Ruby didn’t exhibit her knock-off Jimmy Choo’s.
The witch leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand. “I’m sure you didn’t travel all this way just to chat about fashion. Not that I mind.”
Ruby folded her hands in her lap and straightened her shoulders. “A friend of mine told me that you sold love potions.” She had spotted the bottles on the shelves.
“Which friend?” the witch asked whip quick.
“What?” Ruby’s mind raced. “Why?” She hadn’t expected Nikita to want details.
“I pride myself in getting to know my customers first. Don’t want to give magic to the wrong person, you know?” She gestured slowly to her full shelves with her manicured fingers. “I also have a referral program so your friend will receive a discount the next time she shops.”
Tiny muscles inside Ruby’s chest trembled and she struggled to breathe normal. Who did she know that could afford to shop here? She suspected Nikita would kick her out if she caught Ruby in a lie. She didn’t bother going over any of her acquaintances in the neighborhood. Involving her sister was out of the question and she wouldn’t involve their only real friend, Betty. It was Betty who had given Ruby her first taste of the normal life when she’d had invited Ruby to a barbecue a few weeks ago. Ruby had met many of Betty’s pack mates, including their fashion wise omega. “Beth. She’s an omega in the werewolf pack. She works close by at the back scratching parlor.”
Nikita’s face brightened. “I know Beth. She’s full of questions, that one. A witch want-to-be.” She relaxed into her chair and scanned Ruby from head to toe. “You’re such a pretty girl. Why would you need a love potion?”
She grimaced. “I tend to attract the wrong kind of guy. I’m tired of it.” Sticking to the truth was the best tactic. It meant she didn’t need to struggle remembering every lie.
The witch snorted. “You need to learn to say no.”
“Easier said than done. I’m ready to settle down, fall in love, have a family.” The confession flowed straight from her heart. Did the witch have an honesty spell over the sitting area? Ruby found her very easy to talk to. “I never had a real family. I don’t want to screw up like my parents by picking someone who doesn’t really love me.”
“Ruby, a love potion doesn’t work that way. It doesn’t last forever. That kind of magic is a one-night sort of thing. I’d be doing you a disservice by selling you one.” She leaned forward, resting her elbow on her knee. “Let me give you a small piece of advice. Nobody will ever truly love you until you learn to love yourself.”
Nick stared at the time on the smart phone until the allotted moment before picking the lock on the back door of the witch’s shop. Ruby was supposed to stand in the entrance for as long as she could to give him enough time.
The tumbler fell into place with precise coaxing from his lock picking tools. Expensive hardware was predictable; it was the old, worn ones that liked to stick that gave him trouble. He slipped inside the back area. The tinkle of bells still rang in the air then they suddenly faded.
Just in time.
The back area was much larger than the storefront. Industrial shelves reached to the ceiling with rollaway ladders leaning on the sides. He couldn’t resist glancing at the contents and regretted it instantly. Eyeballs floated in jars, plastic containers labeled with dragon scale and spider legs were neatly stacked. And let’s not forget the large feathered wing pinned to the wall. Griffin? Angel? He backed away with his wings tucked close to his back and shuddered.
On tiptoe, he passed what looked like a kitchen, except he would hesitate before eating anything Nikita prepared after seeing her pantry items. Leaning next to the door that led to the front, he listened as Ruby engrossed the witch in conversation. They were discussing love potions.
He cracked the door open and peeked. Good, Nikita’s back was to him. He sucked in a breath and squeezed past the door without making a noise. Gargoyles were not magical creatures like dragons and fairies but they did have the ability to not be noticed. Nick thought it was an evolved survival trait, like their ability to camouflage to stone.
On his knees, he hid behind the display counter where the witch had locked away the charm. He didn’t have any time to waste. The lock on the case was easy to pick and he slid it open. Nick scanned the charms for the one he wanted. He spotted it right away because of the tiny bones. He pulled out the replacement that Ruby had made from a dollar store dream catcher, an old leather necklace she owned, and mouse bones she had coaxed from the owl shifter who lived in the basement. Having only his memory to depend on, they had done their best to recreate the item.
Nick compared the charms. It wasn’t an exact match, but it would do. Nikita had such a variety of items on display she shouldn’t notice the theft right away. They only needed enough time to escape. Tracking spells on magical items were illegal and she didn’t know where he lived or that Ruby was his—his friend. She might be able to locate him with other means, but it was a risk worth taking.
Pocketing the charm, he couldn’t help but listen to Ruby’s confession about family. He paused as he closed the display case. Everyone deserved to be loved. He didn’t agree with the witch’s advice though. His heart was large enough to support Ruby’s need for affection. In his opinion, she had no reason not to like herself. He locked the case and slipped back past the door.
“What was that?” The witch’s voice carried.
He moved to the darkest corner of the room and crouched, cupping his wings around his body and willing himself to meld to the shadows.
“I didn’t hear anything,” said Ruby.
“I didn’t hear it—I sensed it. Wait here while I check the back room.”
Dammit, he’d thought she wouldn’t be able to feel the charm move.
“How do you sense something?” asked Ruby.
“It’s a witch thing.”
“Are you connected to your magical items?” Ruby was smooth in her attempt to distract the witch but it wasn’t enough.
“No.” The click of heels drew closer. “It’s illegal for me to place tracking spells on objects.” The door leading to the back area swung open and light streamed into the area, casting the witch’s shadow over the small kitchen. She stood there surveying the room. He felt her gaze slide over his still form. She shook her head. “Maybe it was a mouse,” she whispered.
“It was nice meeting you, Nikita,” called Ruby from the public area of the shop.
The witch spun around and returned to her customer.
“Thank you for your advice and I’ll give it more thought,” said Ruby. She was giving him time to escape and he took it. He slipped out the back door as he heard the witch respond.
“Come back when you’re ready to curse someone. I’ll give you a buy one get one free deal.”
The back door closed behind him and he locked it. The flight to the rooftop was short. He traveled over the shops on foot, not wanting to attract any attention. The witch wasn’t stupid. If there was a gargoyle sighting around her shop today, she might think to check on the charm.
Six blocks of leaping from rooftop to rooftop was exhausting. By the time he reached their meeting spot, he was out of breath.
Nick was glad to spread his wings and drift to the sidewalk, landing next to Ruby. He dangled the charm in front of her.
“Try it on. I’m anxious to see what you look like.”
He chuckled. “Public nudity is frowned upon.”
She gave him a slow blink as realization dawned in her eyes. “But you’re wearing shorts.”
“They’re too big for my human form.” He scooped her into his arms. “We’ll do this in private at the apartment.” He launched into the sky, pleased with Ruby’s delighted cry. It was too bad he had to fly low to keep out of sight of any lurking dragons.
“I’ve never flown before.” She grasped his shoulders and leaned to watch the city belo
w them. “This is fantastic, Nick. If I was a gargoyle, I would fly everywhere.”
“It’s definitely a perk.” With a heavy heart, he spiraled down to the apartment building and the fire escape. He wished he could give her the proper tour of the city from his perspective, but he wouldn’t risk Ruby’s life when he was being hunted by Eoin.
They entered the apartment through the window. “You’ll need some clothes.” She scratched her nose adorably. “Do you mind wearing secondhand? They’re clean.”
He shrugged. “Doesn’t bother me.” Clothes were clothes. He didn’t understand the human and shifter obsession with the stuff. It was meant to cover your body and keep you warm. Period.
Ruby went into her bedroom and returned with the box of men’s attire he’d seen under her bed. “These are things that…” She cleared her throat. “Friends had left behind and never bothered coming back for.” She almost growled out those last words. She dropped the box on the couch and started pulling things out. “I think this is where you put on the charm so I can figure out your size.”
The charm felt light in his hand. It was made of such delicate things yet held so much power. He flipped it over his head and the sensation of being compressed stole his breath. Nick groaned as his wings shrank into his back. It burned. He clenched his hands as the muscles in his neck corded. Finally, the discomfort ended and he gasped for air.
Ruby stood still, mouth open as she ran her gaze over him from head to toe. She paused at his hips and a blush coated her cheeks. “Big boy.” She winked.
Nick glanced down and snagged the shorts pooled around his ankles back to his waist. He had intended to hold them in place but the weird sensations of his metamorphosis had distracted him. “The show is over.”
She walked a slow circle around him, trailing her fingertips over his back. “You’re smaller than your gargoyle form.” She made an appreciative noise. “But for a man, you’re huge.”
His chest swelled.
She gasped and stroked her hands over his skin.
“So, you approve?” he asked.
“Baby, I approved before you had the charm.”
His mouth tipped up at one corner into a sultry smile. The kind that made women drop their panties. The kind that turned Ruby’s knees into jelly. “Really?” he asked as he strode forward. He looked like an animal, sleek and sensuous. Shoulders rolling as he moved.
She might have ovulated. Her back hit the wall and only then did she realize her retreat. When had she backed down to a man? Sexual control was her super power. The only one she’d owned. Nick changed everything.
He didn’t stop his advance until they were almost touching, and then he braced a hand against the wall by her head. She wouldn’t have minded if he blocked her in. His shorts would drop to the floor again, but hey, sacrifices could be made.
“I want to taste you.” His voice caused a rush of heat over her skin. He waited for her to make the first move.
Her every breath jagged, her heart out of sync, she rested her hands on his shoulders. Strong and muscled and dangerous. The hunger in her veins no longer an empty desperation for human contact, but a hotter, deeper ache. Her lips parted under the hard demand of his mouth.
Even in his human form, Nick loomed over her. There was no doubting his power, but he didn’t trigger any fear. Not like some of her former partners. Until Nick, she hadn’t understood how a woman would want to possess a man. Now the rage of it was an inferno in her blood.
Too much of an inferno.
She broke off and slid out of his hold. Smoothing her skirt back over her thighs. When had it been raised to her hips? She returned to the box on the couch on unsteady legs. “If I let out the hem of these khaki pants, they should fit you well.” She set them aside and tossed him a pair of jeans. “Try these on.” She threw him a T-shirt. Like clothes could hide his sexual magnetism.
“Was I misbehaving?” He pulled on the clothes. It was ridiculous that she turned her back to him—she’d already seen him naked once, but the taste of him was still on her tongue.
“No, no.” She shook her finger in the air. “I decided a few weeks ago no more flings.” Pressing her lips together, she twisted around to face him, arms crossed. “I’ll be straightforward with you, Nick. I want more from you than just sex.” It would have sounded more powerful if her voice hadn’t shaken on the last part.
He closed the distance between them and caressed her face. “Good, because I plan on giving you everything.”
She gave him one sharp nod. “Then you won’t mind if we take this slower.” Make sure he really meant it and not disappear on her the next day. She marched to her bedroom, closed the door behind her, and leaned against it.
That was one of the hardest things she’d ever done.
Chapter Nine
The apartment was quiet. Nick blinked the sleep clear of his eyes and sat up on the edge of his bed. His room had a very small window and he owned no clock. Scratching his stomach, he wandered into the living room. The clock on the stove read nine AM. He had overslept.
There was a note on the counter from Ruby. She had already gone to work. He had missed her. Her handwriting was neat and clear. Food in fridge is for you. Eat before it goes bad. See you tonight. XOXO
He peered at the note closer and couldn’t figure out what that last word meant. ZooZoo? Maybe she’d misspelled it, having meant ox ox? Was she calling him an ox? Nick would have to ask her.
He glanced at the fridge with a small smirk. She was feeding him. That was the first step in courtship, except it was usually the male who started. Ruby was an independent, modern woman though. Maybe she didn’t think that rule applied to her.
Inside the fridge, he found a bag containing a Styrofoam box filled with cold fries and a massive burger. He balanced his huge form on a tiny stool and consumed the meal within minutes. It was the best thing he had ever eaten.
Nick didn’t want to waste any more time. He had a job to find and he decided to start with the convenience store that he hadn’t gone to yesterday. Returning to his room, he slipped the charm over his head—the odd compressed feeling—and he was human, the leather circle resting against his bare chest.
He sniffed his armpits and gagged. Shower stat before the paint started peeling.
He hadn’t grown up with indoor plumbing, but he wasn’t a complete barbarian. He’d stayed in a few places with bathrooms. Even the dragons had them. He washed using Ruby’s array of soaps.
The familiar scent reminded him of her. The lushness of her lips as she’d run her tongue over them after a sip of beer. Her sultry laugh at his jokes. The swell of her breasts peeking from the low cut of her dress. He gripped his hard cock and stroked. Hot water scalding his human skin. The mix of pleasure and pain something new and intoxicating.
It had taken all his willpower not to storm into her bedroom. Claim what was his. She did belong to him. She’d said so last night. Well, not in so many words, but she wanted him…He groaned, picking up the pace, picturing her on his bed wearing nothing but beaded sweat and him. His breaths came in gasps now. She’d make that low moaning noise from the back of her throat. The one she had when he’d found the sweet spot on her foot. Oh yeah…he’d—he’d…
He came. Hard jets of pleasure pulsed through his veins. He threw back his head, ignoring the torrent of water trying to drown him. His knees buckled and his soapy hand slipped over the tile. No claws. He had no claws to grip with or wings to steady his balance. His knees hit the hard tile, jarring his teeth together. He rested his forehead against the slick wall and caught his breath.
Note to self. No sex in the shower until he figured out how to work this new body.
Using a fluffy white towel, he discovered under the sink, Nick dried. The skin on his knees welted and turned a deep red. Interesting. He poked at them and grimaced. Human flesh was more delicate than gargoyle. He’d have to be careful not to be maimed on his first day as a human.
His new bureau held an assortment
of clothes Ruby had given him, from jeans to a pair of beige slacks. Nick dressed in the nicer pair and a white short-sleeved shirt. The sleeves were tight around his biceps and doing the buttons was not as easy as it looked. He kept mismatching the holes. Once dressed, he used the full-length mirror in Ruby’s room to inspect the end result. There was only one pair of shoes—a set of black running shoes that thankfully fit his feet.
A light coating of stubble had grown on his face. How was that possible? He hadn’t slept with it on. He combed his messy black hair back with his fingers until it was out of his eyes. The buttons strained a little when he lifted his arms. Ugh, at least the pants fit well if he let them hang around his hips. It would have to do. He stroked his rough chin and grimaced. Magic was weird. He’d have to learn how to shave. Who knew being human was so complicated?
He found an empty backpack in his closet and stuffed his gargoyle clothes inside. Just in case. Living on the run most of his life had taught him to be prepared for the unexpected. Nick climbed out the window onto the fire escape and balanced precariously on the railings. He grasped the ladder that led to the next floor. Shoes were no match for clawed feet.
“What the fuck are you doing, man?” a guy in a hoodie shouted from the street.
Nick stared down at the human. He had called him man. Nick glanced at his pink skinned fingers, clutching the rusty metal ladder. Well fuck, he had almost tried to fly. It was such a habit he hadn’t thought twice when he’d climbed through the window. Wow, the joke would have been on him. What would Ruby have thought?
Okay, he had to pull his shit together. Think human. Think human.
Carefully climbing from the railing, he paused to take a deep breath before reentering the apartment. He found the key that Ruby had given him and stuffed it in his pocket. Nick would leave the apartment building like a human. Nobody would point and scream or try to take pictures. He was just another tenant.
Outside the building, he looked both ways along the sidewalk then scanned the sky. The city looked different for some reason. Sure, he had landed and walked among the citizens of New Port, but he had always traveled by wing. He knew his way around by land marking certain rooftops so now on the ground he wasn’t sure where to go.
Not Her Gargoyle: Shifter Romance (Not This Series Book 4) Page 6