Shifters & Bad Boys Bundle (Shifters & Bad Boys. Man love, bdsm, and rockstar romance. Book 1)

by Anita Lawless

  “To what do I owe this pleasure?” Juanita said as she climbed out of her pickup. “My daughter-in-law and son both come and visit me before noon. Are you proposing to her again?” Juanita looked overjoyed at the prospect.

  Bekka blushed as she came up beside Juanita to face Corey. She knew he’d followed after her, and she still wanted those answers about Gwen, but right now her traitorous libido and heart were too focused on how delicious he looked.

  “Is this about that chick named Gwen?” His gaze darted between Bekka and Juanita.

  Before she could answer, Bekka said, “We’ve talked about it. I know your mom didn’t do it. No worries.”

  Juanita held out her hands. “I have no idea who she could be.”

  “I already told you that.” Corey gave Bekka a hard, cold stare. “And neither do I.”

  Bekka turned to her ex-mother-in-law. “I’ll take a rain check on that mocha.” She hugged the woman tight and gave Molly a final pet. “Corey and I need to talk.”

  “No problem, darling.” Juanita glanced between the two. “I hate to see you leave so soon, but I understand.”

  That was definitely a change for Juanita. At one time, she’d have pushed for them to both come in, sit down, talk it out in front of her. Though she would’ve meant well, she’d had a hard time getting that the two needed their privacy in the past. Now, it seemed she was changing. A flutter of hope stirred in Bekka’s heart.

  She motioned for Corey to follow her to her car, but he stood stubbornly beside his bike.

  “We can talk right here,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest.

  She rolled her eyes as she walked over, and he glared.

  “I don’t know who she is,” he said again, and at least this time he met her gaze when he spoke the words.

  “You’ve got no idea?”

  He let out a slow exhale, adjusted his feet. “Maybe she came into the old shop after I sold it to Sarah. Sarah could’ve given her my number. I helped her out for a couple weeks before I moved my place to Moncton.”

  Sarah was another local tattoo artist who had been Corey’s apprentice at one time, and she’d bought the shop in Rexton from him. She was a great gal Bekka got along with, but she hadn’t seen much of her since she left the small town. Sarah was married to a local mechanic who also detailed cars and bikes.

  “Let’s go ask her if she knows a Gwen.” Bekka hopped into her car and drove toward Corey’s old tattoo shop. She didn’t miss the look of surprise on her ex-husband’s face before she backed out of the parking area.

  Sarah’s shop was only a two minute drive down Main Street. Corey followed after Bekka, and he parked in a slot beside her moments after she shut off the car. They entered the place together.

  Old memories came flooding back when she walked across the threshold. Sarah had changed up the décor a bit, but for the most part the shop looked the same as when Corey had owned it. There was a leopard print couch in the waiting area that made her smirk. Her ex-husband always did have a thing for leopard print.

  Sarah was in-between clients, and she sat in front of an art table that was tilted up as she worked on a tattoo stencil. She beamed at them when she finally realized they were in the place.

  “Hey guys!” Her pencil dropped to the tiny ledge at the base of the table’s surface and she jumped off her stool. “I haven’t seen you in ages, Bekka.” She wrapped Bekka in a big hug. “What brings you in?”

  “How’s business?” Bekka wanted to make small talk first, ease into the question. She hadn’t seen Sarah in a while, after all, and she didn’t want to jump her friend with an accusation.

  Corey said nothing. He stood beside her, glowering and silent.

  “Good,” Sarah said, her hoop earring glinting as her confused gaze darted between the two of them. “Real good. Corey sold me a goldmine.”

  “That’s great!” Bekka was genuinely happy to hear that. She knew Sarah and Paul, her husband, had a new son, barely a year old, to take care of.

  Sarah scratched her head over her bandana, then the side of her nose near a silver hoop that pierced her right nostril. A sign she was picking up on the tense energy vibrating between Bekka and Corey. So Bekka decided to just spill it.

  “Do you remembering tattooing someone named Gwen?” She realized it was a shot in the dark, since few tattooist remembered the names of all their clients, unless they were regulars. “She might’ve asked you for Corey’s phone number.”

  Sarah tapped her labret piercing and thought. “Don’t think I do …” Then her blue eyes widened with a memory. “Oh, right! Wasn’t that the chick who you went out with that one time, Corey? She kept bugging you to have a beer with her or something.”

  Corey shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot as Bekka frowned at him and raised an eyebrow.

  Sarah slapped her bandana and wrinkled her nose. “I am such a dumbass.”

  “No, no, it’s okay, Sarah.” Bekka gave her a smile. “Thanks.” After another quick hug, Bekka stalked out of the shop.

  Great seeing you again!” she called after Bekka. Then to Corey, she said, “I’m so sorry, big guy.” Sarah’s eyes widened and glimmered with apology.

  Why had he lied to Bekka about the one date with Gwen? He’d been the dumbass! But he’d been worried she wouldn’t understand, that she’d be suspicious and it would make her keep her distance. Well, he’d made things worse by lying. Now she was pissed, and he’d have a lot of explaining to do. He’d just have to hope it didn’t drive a wedge through their rekindled relationship. But the fuck up was on his head, not Sarah. He’d thought Sarah would’ve forgotten about Gwen. What a stupid move it had been to tell Bekka Sarah might’ve given Gwen the number. More stupid to lie to her.

  “Did you give Gwen my number?”

  Sarah shook her head. “Nope. She did ask me where you’d gone, how she could get a hold of you, but I knew you went to Moncton to patch things up with Bekka. I told Gwen that.”

  So who had given Gwen the number? She could’ve looked it up, that was true, but Corey was listed as C. Varkov in the phone book, so it wasn’t a dead giveaway. Mind you, there weren’t many Varkovs in Rexton or Moncton.

  “Thanks, Sarah.” He gave his former apprentice a big hug. “And don’t worry. I’ll fix this with Bekka.”

  “I feel like such a dick.” She sounded defeated.

  “No, it was my mistake. No yours.” Corey made for the door. “Tell Paul I said hi.”

  “Will do!” Sarah called after him. “Don’t be such a stranger. You and Bekka should come out again soon. We’ll all go for drinks or something.”

  He gave her a nod and a wave, then rushed out the door when he saw Bekka was about to pull away.

  Corey grabbed at the driver’s door handle and shouted. “Wait! We need to talk.”

  Bekka shot him a glare through the closed window, but she pointed to the passenger’s side and shut the car off. That was a relief. He needed to come clean with her and hope for the best.

  “So you knew Gwen.” Bekka’s words were laced with icy anger. “Why’d you lie to me?”

  Corey gut tightened and he prepared for the worst. “It was stupid.” He laid a hand on her leg but she tensed and flinched away, so he removed it. “I’m so sorry, babe. I didn’t want to upset you—”

  “I’m upset now.” Her hands tightened on the steering wheel until her knuckles went white.

  “I went on one date with her. Nothing happened.” She met his eyes and he stared deep into them, assuring her that he spoke the truth. “She had a thing for me and kept coming into the shop. Wouldn’t leave me alone. I wasn’t with you and I was feeling low, so I figured one beer at Taffy’s wouldn’t hurt. But she was annoying as hell. I finally had to tell her to fuck off.”

  “Doesn’t seem like she got the message,” Bekka said.

  “If she texts me again, I’ll tell her I’m back with my wife and to fuck off.” Corey touched Bekka’s leg again, but she just gave his hand a scathing look an
d then turned the glare on his face.

  Shit, he’d really fucked up this time.

  “Why don’t you let me take you home?” He nodded toward his bike. “You used to love the Harley, and I haven’t taken you for a ride in a while.”

  Well, at least not on a motorcycle, he thought, but bit his lips to stop the words from coming out. Now would not be a good time for sexual humor.

  “I just…” She shook her head and flexed her hands around the steering wheel. “I need some time to think, Corey. I’m going to go for a drive.”

  “Okay.” He slipped his hand off her leg and his heart fell to his stomach. Dread settled there like a cold lump of coal. “Let’s talk later.”

  She just nodded, but she wouldn’t meet his eyes as he left the car.

  ***

  Chapter 11

  Corey headed over to Bekka’s store the next day when he closed the tattoo shop up for lunch. The store was dark, and the sign read CLOSED. Beneath that was a note that read: GONE FOR VACATION. BACK IN 1 WK.

  His stomach soured. “Fuck!” A string of curses followed. Bekka had returned and slipped out sometime last night without him knowing. He should’ve gone with his gut and come over right after he closed up, but he’d wanted to give her some space, some time.

  Where the hell could she have gone?

  He’d find out, but, first, he wanted to get this Gwen thing settled. So he headed into the shop to let Jamie know he was back and ask the kid if he minded taking over for the rest of the day. Then he headed upstairs to his apartment.

  Corey checked out the text from Gwen that had come in earlier that day. He sat on his bed and typed a message back.

  Corey: Hey, Gwen. Nice to hear from you. Mind if I stop by? Where you at?

  Within minutes, a ping indicated her return text.

  Gwen: Corey! Sure, I’m at 852 Botsford Street. Just off Main. Duplex with brown siding.

  Corey: Great. See you in ten.

  And that was all it took. She texted back something about looking forward to it. Corey shoved his smartphone in his jean pocket, slipped on his leather jacket, grabbed his helmet, and headed downstairs to his bike.

  It took his under ten minutes to get to Gwen’s place on Botsford. He knew the area well, as he had a few clients and friends living on the street. A petite blonde woman answered after he rang the doorbell. She was cute—a plain face with little makeup and light brown eyes—but he had his sights set on only one woman these days. Obviously she’d dressed for his visit, and wore tight, short white shorts and a pale yellow tank top that clung to her braless breasts, making her nipples poke out. But Corey’s gaze didn’t linger.

  “Hey, Corey, come on in.” She tilted her head coquettishly, thrust her chest out. “Glad you came by.”

  He smiled wide, still keeping up the friendly ruse. She led him to the living room and told him to have a seat, asked if he wanted anything to drink. He said an iced tea would be nice, and when she brought it, she made sure to bend down as low as she could so he got an eyeful of nipple. At one time, he wouldn’t have hesitated to accept her blatant invitation. But, now, it just annoyed him.

  She sat across from him and crossed her leg, which pulled her shorts up even higher, exposing a generous amount of creamy thigh. They chatted for a bit and Corey played nice, all the while digging for information. He learned she wanted to get into body piercing and was looking for an apprenticeship here in Moncton.

  Then Corey decided to get right to it. He sipped his iced tea then said, “I need you to stop calling me, Gwen. Pretend you never met me. I’m sure you’re a great gal, but I’m not interested.”

  Her tiny lips drew down in a pout. “But I thought we had fun that night.”

  He sighed, rubbed his tired eyes. “One date that lasted, what, forty-five minutes? We didn’t even fuck. Have I returned your texts? Nope. That’s a sure sign it’s time to move on.” He hated being an asshole, but right now that was exactly what he needed to be for her to get the message.

  She looked down at her feet, nodded. “I thought we could have some fun. I’ve heard the stories about you in Rexton, even here in Moncton. You were quite a guy before you got married.”

  Before Corey married Bekka, he was a player. There was no denying he had gotten around. Love and leave was his way back then, though there had been some brief relationships. He’d always been upfront with women about that, letting them know the affair wouldn’t last long. Bekka changed all of that. She got into his heart and made his playing ways seem old and tiresome. Ultimately, he had wanted love. He’d just needed to meet the right woman for it.

  “I’m not that guy anymore, sweetheart. Haven’t been in a long, long time.”

  Corey pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and took a picture of Bekka out. One from their first trip together. They’d stayed at cabin for the weekend, near the Bay of Fundy. He’d know then he loved her.

  “That’s my ex-wife.” He showed the photo to Gwen. “The only woman I’ve ever loved. We’re trying to work things out, and that’s all that matters to me. Got it?”

  “Sure.” Gwen’s amorous interest appeared to have cooled and she went all aloof.

  “Good. Now, how’d you get my number, and why’d you say my step-mom gave it to you?”

  Gwen glared. “What are you, the fuckin’ police?” She stared him down and he returned the gesture, until she broke eye contact and continued. “Since our date … I’ve kind of been keeping tabs on you. I knew you were trying to get back with your ex-wife.” She shrugged. “Guess I hoped she’d read my texts and get pissed.”

  “Do you even know my step-mom?”

  She gazed at her shoes again, picked some lint off her tank top, showing how nervous he made her. “I’ve been in her coffee shop a couple times. I asked Sarah if she was related to you, and she told me she was your step-mom, told me her name.”

  He didn’t blame Sarah for the information she’d given. She’d probably thought it was all innocent small talk and no big deal. Corey’s blood boiled. This woman was stalking him! Not to mention trying to sabotage the only relationship that meant anything to him. He clenched his hands into tight fists.

  “Well, you got what you wanted. She isn’t too happy about you. So you’re going to set the record straight.”

  She gave a confused frown.

  “I’m going to bring my wife here—”

  “Ex-wife.”

  He glared. “Not for long. Anyway, I’m bringing her here so you can tell her the truth. Now, who did give you that number?”

  Gwen muttered something about a fucking interrogation then said, “The guy who works for you. I called, hoping to get a hold of you, but he answered. I pretended to be your insurance agent. Said I had something important to discuss with you. He gave me your number.”

  Corey shook his head. This woman was creeping him out. She’d gone to way too much effort. There were plenty more guys out there, so why him? Because of his prior reputation? That was the only thing he could figure.

  He got up from his chair. “I’ll be back, with Bekka, and I expect you to tell her everything you’ve told me.”

  She tossed her head, flashed him a defiant look. “What if I don’t? You can’t make me.”

  Rage rushed through his veins once more. He knelt down in front of her and gave her a steely glare. “I know everyone in tattooing and piercing from here to Ontario. You want an apprenticeship? Then you will tell Bekka the truth, because all I have to do is make some calls, and I’ll make sure you never work in this business.”

  She glared back. Her cheeks reddened with anger.

  “Do we have a deal?” His words were cold and clipped.

  “Deal,” she said, and she remained in her chair as Corey stalked out of the duplex.

  ***

  Bekka knew she had overreacted. She could’ve given Corey the chance to explain, should have, but her anger over the betrayal guided her thoughts and she panicked. Took off. But how fair was that? She’d been on a
blind date since the breakup, so didn’t that make her a hypocrite. And he didn’t even know about it, so he wasn’t the only one keeping secrets. She hated herself in that moment.

  Thankfully her cousin Angie had been more than happy to let her stay with her for a week. Angie was easygoing and didn’t ask questions. This was one of the reasons Bekka loved her, and thought of her as a sister more so than a cousin.

  Why had she overreacted so badly? Yes, he had lied to her, but she knew it went deeper than that. Thoughts of Corey’s past, before he met her and before the accident, had reared their ugly head and taunted her. That was what sent her into this spiral. Deep down, she’d feared he’d slept with this woman and was hiding it, but Corey had always been faithful during their short marriage. She should have trusted him.

  Corey had gotten around at one time. He’d been known as that guy who had a new girl in his bed every week, if not every night. This had made Bekka hesitant to even start a relationship with him back then, and she’d kept her distance for a long time before she’d trusted him. They’d been friends for over a year before they started dating. She’d told him up front she knew he wasn’t a relationship guy, and if he just wanted a fuck buddy, that was fine. She just wanted the truth about his intentions.

  Much to her surprise, he had shocked her by saying he was ready for commitment. The accident made him reevaluate his life, and though he’d never been interested in being a one woman man before, he was now. Sure, he still wanted to experiment sexually and have erotic adventures with her. He said that was just his way, and he understood if she wasn’t into that, but he’d like to take the journey with her.

  She’d been hooked that night. They’d talked for hours often, and she lost her heart despite her reservations. So she gave a relationship with him a try, and six months later they were married in a small civil ceremony with just his mom, Sarah, Paul, and Jamie attending, and Bekka’s cousin Angie.

  Her smartphone let out a musical ring, bringing her out of her musings, and Bekka wiped the tears from her eyes. She’d been a fool taking off like this.