A Shift in the Air Read Online Free Page A

huddled around the monstrosity. “If ya want
that, we should get out of here.” The challenge rasped from his
throat.
    “ We? You’re full of
yourself, aren’t you?” The woman ran a hand through her curls,
stirring his memories once again. Shite. This dreaded day had
addled his mind—that or the alcohol.
    “ Look, luv, I just wanted
to buy ya a drink. Because ya look like ya need to forget as much
as I do tonight. I didn’t mean to offend ya. Truce?”
    “ Fine.”
    “ I’m—”
    The woman held up her hand. “No. No
names. We’re going to drink. That’s all. I’m not looking for
anything more.”
    ***
    Two hours later, after another four
drinks for him and two for her, they stumbled out of the bar
arm-in-arm, laughing.
    “ Your place or mine?” The
woman, who still hadn’t offered her name, fell against him with a
giggle and spread her fingers against his chest. “You’re
warm.”
    “ I run hot,” he said,
dropping his head so he could take a deep whiff of her hair. He
never understood what women did to make themselves smell so damn
good. His keen senses, sharper than any human’s even when muddled
by alcohol, took all of her in—the freckles sprinkled over pale
cheeks, the steady heartbeat that raced when he leaned closer, the
scent of her soap—something blended with fig blossoms. Fuck. The
day and the drink were clearly getting to him if he thought a dead
woman had somehow found him here, in Seattle of all places, and on
this day of all days. A chuckle escaped him, rough and strained,
and the woman’s kohl-lined eyes danced with sparkles of light in
response.
    For one night, he could pretend. Sex
had been her idea, after all, and though his imagination had
clearly sent rational thought fleeing for the hills, she’d soothe
his beast for a time. “Yours.”
    She pulled back. “You’re not married,
are you?”
    His eyes burned until he squeezed them
shut. “No.”
    “ Then let’s go. I’m just
around the corner.” She tugged on his arm, sliding her fingers down
to link with his.
    He glanced down at the
surprisingly intimate gesture. A whiff of coffee breezed over him,
and granules of sugar danced over her knuckles. No . A blink and they disappeared,
leaving only her small hand clutched in his and a dull ache in his
chest.
    “ Luv, I’m going to kiss ya
now.” He stopped and cupped the back of her neck. His hands
tangling in her hair, he claimed her lips. She molded herself
against his length, and her tight nipples pressed against his
chest. He started with a quick taste, a nip along the corner of her
mouth, and then risked pressing her back to the brick wall of the
building. A gentle current of air stirred his locks, and the scent
of fig blossoms returned, stronger than ever.
    “ More.” She hooked a leg
around his ass, drawing him closer to her. “I want you to fuck
me.”
    “ Not here.” He needed her
alone and naked, quickly, before the memories overwhelmed him
again.
    “ No.” She shoved him back,
far enough so she could meet his gaze. Something changed in her
expression, and her amethyst eyes reflected sadness, need, and
perhaps a bit of tenderness. Her gaze dropped to the bulge in his
jeans. “Can you manage like that?”
    “ Bloody hell, yeah. Lead
the way.”
    They rushed down an alley, turned
left, and then ducked into an old, run-down apartment complex. The
foyer smelled like Chinese food and stale fish, and empty beer cans
overflowed from bins in the corner, but at least the floor was
well-swept, the mailboxes neatly marked. She led him up the stairs
to the third floor, struggled to get her key in the lock, and
cursed viciously. “Fucking bourbon.”
    The cool of the evening had helped
sober him, and he turned her key. “Inside. Now.”
    “ Bedroom’s to the right.
Get naked.” He chuckled and stripped off his leather jacket on the
way, followed by his sweater. Shoes, jeans, and briefs joined them
on the floor, and he flopped down on her bed, giving his cock