Unbound (Shifter Night Book 2) Read online

  Another bald-faced lie. What was one more?

  Un-fucking-believable!

  That hadn’t just happened.

  “Did the big grumpy bear scare away the little human?” Hunter chuckled.

  Ash shrugged. “She was too timid for the likes of me.” It wasn’t true though, he had scented how much she wanted him. How much his words affected her. The female had been all in, at least, her body had been. He’d also bet that there wasn’t a timid bone in her body. Not when he was inside her at any rate.

  “I don’t blame her. Have you seen yourself?” The asshole grinned, looking Ash up and down.

  “I’ll take you both home.” The blonde on Hunter’s arm bobbed her eyebrows.

  “I’m not into sharing.” Hunter shook his head. “Besides, I’m probably more than you can handle, sweet cheeks.” He pulled her flush against his side. Hunter looked back up at Ash. “I’m heading out. The night is still young.” His friend eyeballed a couple of females who were standing in a group to the right of them. “You won’t have to leave alone.” The females in the group soon realized that they were talking about them and began tittering and giggling.

  “Yeah, you’re right.” Ash nodded.

  “I’ll see you at noon tomorrow, then?”

  Ash nodded. Noon. They’d head back to their village for another whole month. Ash watched as Hunter left with his prize. A night of rutting ahead. Lucky fuck! Hunter was right. The night was still young. He allowed his gaze to roam around the still crowded bar. A whole horde of hungry stares tried to lock onto him.

  Nope.

  No.

  Nah.

  Forget it.

  No.

  No.

  Not happening.

  “Hi.” It was mostly whispered. He looked down at the female who had approached him. Her hair was dark with lighter strands. Her eyes were blue and wide. Her cheeks were flushed in a bright red. It had taken some courage for her to approach him.

  “Hello.” She was pretty and curvy and definitely shy, despite coming onto him.

  She took her plump bottom lip between her teeth for a moment. “I’m Ruth.” She held out her hand.

  He shook it, feeling her tremble beneath his touch. “Ash.”

  She smiled, releasing him. “So, you’re a shifter?”

  Ash nodded. “Yeah, last time I checked.”

  She giggled. “How exciting. I’ve never met a shifter.”

  “What brings you to Shifter Night?”

  “I came for the weekend. Took a package with Full Moon Tours.”

  “What’s Full Moon Tours?” He frowned.

  “A tour operator. They organize trips into Sweetwater at the weekends especially for Shifter Night.”

  Sounded kind of crazy. “Where are you from then?”

  She answered. Ash had never heard of it. She must have seen his confusion because she quickly added. “It’s a sixteen-hour trip by bus. We left early yesterday morning and arrived late last night. We leave on Monday.”

  “You came all the way out here to—”

  “To meet one of you.” She nodded, her face animated. “Absolutely.” Her smile was wide. Definitely nuts!

  “Well, Ruth, was it worth the trip?”

  “Oh yes, most definitely.” More nodding. She wore a denim skirt and a top that showed a sliver of midriff, showcasing ample breasts. In short, she was sexy.

  “How’s about we cut the pre-amble and get straight to the point?” He came here to fuck and fuck he would.

  Her eyes flared with excitement. His cock didn’t so much as stir though, which irritated him. He leaned in and sniffed at her. She giggled. Not an unpleasant scent. She was sweet, very sweet, only more like sugar than honey. He preferred sticky, preferred golden. He glanced down at her breasts. There was more than a hint of cleavage visible. They were seriously fucking plump. If it had been able, his cock would have yawned just then, in much the same way the tiny human had before running out on him.

  “Are you okay?” Ruth touched the side of his arm, a look of concern on her face. “You were about to cut the pre-amble.” Her eyes were wide. Her heart raced. He could scent her arousal. Nothing! Not a thing. His dick remained flaccid in his pants. Not interested in the least. Now, when he’d scented the dark-haired female’s arousal, his cock had done hand-fucking-stands in his pants. Why had she turned him down when she wanted him so badly? He couldn’t understand it.

  “I need to go,” Ash growled under his breath.

  Ruth frowned. “What?”

  “I need to go.” Louder this time.

  “Why?”

  “I’m sorry! There is something I need to take care of.”

  “Oh! Okay. I guess.”

  Ash turned and left. There would be no finding release in the tight confines of a female tonight. Not tonight, but tomorrow was another story.

  4

  Hair and Nails

  It was a bright pink sign. Certainly the right kind of business. Was it hers though?

  He pushed the door open and entered. The chatter instantly died down and the only sound that could be heard was a hairdryer blowing. All eyes turned to him. A few mouths dropped open. The female holding the dryer finally shut it off. One of the females had silver foil in her hair. Another had half her hair up and half down. A third had vile-smelling cream all over her head. Two females were having their nails done.

  Ash sniffed, trying to catch her scent but the chemicals caused his nose to burn. He sneezed, which seemed to snap them out of it.

  “Hello,” a female holding a pair of scissors said as she approached him. She had a big head of curly hair. “We don’t normally cater to men. Her eyes went to his hair.” She smiled, her gaze moved back to his. “But for you, we’ll make an exception.”

  “I’m looking for a female.”

  Her eyes lit up.

  Oh shit! Not what he meant. “A specific female. Who owns this place?” He looked around the room.

  She clutched a hand to her chest. “Why, I do of course? How can I be of service? Do you need a cut? A blow?” She winked suggestively. One of the other females in the back giggled.

  “No, sorry. I made a mistake. Thank you for your time.” Not hers then.

  “But—” Ash didn’t wait to hear what she had to say. Her voice rose in both volume and pitch as he turned and walked out, heading straight for the SUV. Ash climbed in and programmed the next address into his phone. He sighed, starting up the vehicle. This was a wild goose chase. He scrubbed a hand over his face. This was the sixth salon he had been to today. He checked the time on the dash. Not much left. For just a second, he contemplated ditching the whole thing and heading for the forest meeting place now.

  Fuck it!

  He was a male on a mission. A certain curvy female was his mission. There was nothing, barring running out of time altogether, that would keep him from finding her. There were eight salons in the small town of Sweetwater that operated from a premises rather than someone's home. The female had specifically stated that she was staying home and not going to work, so he had hoped that meant she operated out of an actual business address. He'd already been to six similar places.

  Ash backed up and pulled into the road. He followed the directions, pulling up to a building on a busy side street. He choked out a laugh. This was the place. He could feel it in his bones. It had to be. He couldn’t help the grin that was still plastered in place as he took in the sign close up. It was black and white.

  TEASE

  Hair & Nails

  Ash shook his head as he walked towards the front door. He pushed it open, instantly recognizing one of the females even though her back was to him. The place was busy, every chair was taken, everyone hard at work. A couple of females gaped at him while the others hadn't noticed his presence yet.

  Ash walked over to the female whose eyes flashed with shock as she caught sight of him in the mirror. “Oh my …” She covered her mouth with her hand for a second, there was a hair-brush in her o
ther hand. “You’re here.” She shook her head like she was dreaming and a good head shake would somehow make him disappear.

  “I’m looking for your friend.” There was no time for small-talk.

  The female smiled. “Alice? You’re looking for Alice?”

  Ash nodded once. It was good to finally know her name. “Please, can you tell me where I can find her?”

  The female frowned. “Um,” she shook her head, “I’m not sure if it’s a good idea that you know where she lives. She decided …” The female looked around the room. By now everyone had stopped what they were doing. All eyes were on them. She sucked in a breath. “Maybe we should take this outside.”

  Ash gestured to the front door. “Sure.”

  The female walked ahead of him. She held onto the door, closing it behind them as he stepped outside. “Alice decided against going home with you. She’s home right now,” she raised her eyes in thought, “at least, I think she is. Thing is, I don’t think she would be comfortable with me giving out her personal information.”

  “Alice would be unhappy if you didn’t.”

  She chewed on her bottom lip. “Yeah.” She shrugged. “She might be. You might be a crazy stalker type and then she’d be pissed off though.”

  What was it with human females and stalkers? Were human males that desperate? “Do I look like a crazy stalker type to you?” He hooked his thumbs into his jean pockets.

  She gave him the once-over. He wore a plain t-shirt and faded jeans. She swallowed thickly as her eyes locked back with his. “I guess not.”

  “Please tell me where she lives.” Begging. Fuck! He had resorted to begging. Over this female. Really? “Look, never mind.” He shook his head. “I need to get back soon anyhow. I—” He stepped back as he spoke, preparing to turn.

  “Wait.” She narrowed her eyes and then huffed out a breath. “You promise you’re not a stalker?”

  He frowned and narrowed his eyes.

  “Okay, okay.” She put up her hands. “You’re not a stalker. Just promise me you’ll be sweet and kind to her though. Alice has been through a lot.”

  For a second there he wanted to ask what she had been through. Several other questions popped into his mind as well, but he pushed them all down. “Sweet?” He smiled. “Kind?” His smile widened. “I can make no such promises.”

  Alice put down the phone to Giovanni’s. The best pizza place in town. Not only that, they delivered as well. Her mouth watered at the thought of a slice.

  She pushed play and the next episode of Game of Thrones started. There were one or two guys who reminded her of Ash. So big and built.

  Not going there.

  She had made her decision and that was that. Did she regret not taking him up on his offer? Yes.

  Was she going to dwell on it? No.

  Okay, maybe just for a few days. Okay, fine! She’d dwell on it for a few weeks, but it was no biggie. It was her own fault for turning him down. She deserved to feel disappointment and regret.

  Alice tried to concentrate on the program as she made herself comfy on the sofa, spreading herself out. This was the life. Hanging out in a pair of sweats and an old t-shirt. Pizza on the way. Hours of Netflix at her fingertips, she clutched the remote a little tighter. How could this get any better?

  It couldn’t.

  Not possible.

  The doorbell rang. No way! That was quick. She glanced at the clock. Five minutes since she had called Giovanni’s. No way! As in, that couldn’t be the pizza. Fifteen minutes was possible. Twenty to twenty-five more likely. Anything less wasn’t happening.

  The last thing she felt like doing was dealing with something, or speaking to someone. This was her one day off. There wouldn’t be another for a long, long time.

  They knocked again, this time with more urgency. It might be something important. She couldn’t just ignore whomever it was. They might be able to hear the television. They’d know she was home.

  With a soft sigh, she hauled herself off of the sofa and crept down the hall to the door. Then she leaned in, her eye to the peephole.

  Holy shit.

  She may have made a squeaking noise. It was entirely possible she had. He was here. Him. The shifter. It was Ash. Shit! She took two steps back. He knocked again. She crept back up to the door, hardly breathing and looked through the peephole again.

  Ash frowned. He put a hand on the door and leaned in as well, his nostrils flared. “Are you going to let me in?” He didn’t shout. It was like he knew she was there.

  She sucked in a breath and pulled back.

  “I know you’re there. Right on the other side of this door.” His voice was muffled by the wood.

  Shit.

  Shit.

  Shit.

  That’s what she looked like. Shit. Old stretched sweats and a faded t-shirt. She’d thrown her hair into a haphazard ponytail. She wasn’t wearing make-up. Thank god she’d showered. It had been a toss-up that morning though. She’d almost skipped the shower part of her day since she wasn’t planning on going anywhere.

  She looked back through the peephole, he’d taken a step back. It seemed like he might leave at any second. Alice scrambled to turn the lock and opened the door. “I knew it!” She shook her head. “You’re a crazy-stalker-maniac.” She pointed at him. Feeling like an idiot even as she said it. This guy was no stalker. Anyone who fit into a pair of jeans like that did not need to stalk women. All he needed to do was crook a finger and that would be all, done.

  He gave her that half-smile. The same one from last night. The one that had her squeezing her legs together. Oh hell, her lady bits took note all over again. “Hello, Alice.” He knew her name. She loved the way it rolled from his lips. Loved!

  “What are you doing here?” She raised her brows. Stay cool! Keep calm! He’s an arrogant player and not for you.

  “Are you going to let me in?”

  She folded her arms. “I don’t think I should.”

  “Come on. You and I both know I’m not a crazy-stalker-maniac or you wouldn’t have opened the door in the first place.”

  She huffed out a breath. “I know you’re not a stalker, well, not really even if you are acting a little like one. That’s not the reason why I shouldn’t let you in though.” Having him in her space would turn things on their head.

  Oh lord! The way Ash gave her the once over had her heart beating faster. Despite the ratty clothing, he seemed to like what he saw. “You don’t want to let me in because you’re afraid of what will happen if you do.” His voice was impossibly deep. Every dirty thing he had said the night before came flooding back. Her breathing hitched. Her nipples tightened. His dark eyes seemed to darken up a whole lot more, making the lighter golden color pop. His jaw tightened. The light grey shirt he was wearing pulled tight as he leaned against the jamb. “You’re aroused.” He didn’t wait for her to confirm or to deny it. He’d stated a fact. “You were aroused last night as well. Why did you turn me down?” He frowned, looking confused. “What puzzled me, even more, is that I could scent you were disappointed when you left. Why? I don’t get it.”

  In a way, it was refreshing how black and white this was for him. “I don’t know,” she finally answered. “How did you know how to find me?”

  “I went to every salon in Sweetwater. Almost every salon.”

  “That desperate huh?” She smiled, even though she groaned inside. That meant that Meredith and the rest of her staff would know that he was there. They’d know if she took him up on his offer.

  His eyes narrowed for a second or two. “Desperate?” He seemed to think about it for a second or two. “No.” He pushed out a heavy breath. “Okay, maybe a little. It’s new for me. One thing I can say is that I know what I want. When I want something, I go after it and what I want is you. Bottom line. Ultimately, desperation has nothing to do with it.” He pulled in a breath, chest expanding, shirt stretching. “Question is, are you game? Look, I’m not going to beg. I can scent your need. I’m hopin
g you admit to wanting me back so that we can use the limited time we have … put it to good use. Otherwise, I’m walking away and this time, I’m not coming back.”

  “In the bath?” She raised her brows. “The shower?” Her nipples tightened up even more as his throat worked, Adam’s apple bobbing. “Do you plan on bending me over my desk?” His eyes flared with lust as she used his own words on him. “Or …”

  Ash grinned, the smile didn’t last though. “There’s no time for all that. I wish. Would love to, but that was yesterday when we had all night. Right now, it would be hard and fast.” She could see his chest expanding and contracting in quick succession. “Up against this door.” He ran a hand over the wood. She watched his fingers trace the grain, could imagine how they would feel on her. “But I can promise it would be good … real good. I left the bar straight after you,” he paused, “I left alone. I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind, Alice.”

  She smiled. “Classic stalker behavior.” Something in her eased at his words. It made her feel special, which was stupid since he was here for sex. Quick sex at that. It would be good though.

  He laughed. “What do you say? Your only real reason for leaving was that I didn’t know your name. I know it now and I swear I’ll use it.” He brushed a wayward strand of hair from her face, tucking it behind her ear. The gesture was intimate somehow.

  Alice was breathing fast but still struggled to take in air all the same. The small space between them seemed charged.

  “Let me in. This needs to happen. You know it and I know it.”

  She really should send him away ‒ nothing had changed since last night ‒ but she was powerless to do so. A woman only had so much willpower. Hers was gone. She’d used it all up leaving last night. Alice would have to face the music tomorrow. Meredith wouldn’t believe her if she told her she’d sent Ash away a second time, so she may as well make the most of this. At least, that’s how she justified it to herself.

  Excitement coursed through her. This was so very wrong on all levels, and yet it felt so very right. She huffed out a pent-up breath and stood to the side, inviting him in.