Shifting the Night Away (11 page)

Mia was so moved by the beauty of this creature passing through the trees, she almost forgot to follow him.
 
Lucky for Peter, her clandestine skills were severely lacking and he made it to Charles in the tunnel while she was still working her way from tree to tree.
 

"She tried to follow me."

Charles disappeared for a few moments to survey the area.
 
"She’s gone now.
 
How’d it go?"

"She talks to me.
 
It is so fucking adorable.
 
I just wish I could answer."

"You didn’t scratch your paw to spell the alphabet?"

"I may have released a low howl when she asked if she should pose in lingerie."

"I would have licked her face and tried to mate right there."

Peter laughed and said, "I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t have appreciated that very much.
 
At least she’s not afraid of me.
 
And for the record, those peanut butter cookies were delicious."

Chapter Four

The next two weeks brought them together for several basketball games.
 
Her team had no chance of winning, but gave it their all and smiled through each missed basket and double dribble.
 
The new uniforms gave a noticeable energy boost, filling them with pride as they unzipped their matching warm-up gear.
 
Principal Johnson also walked with his chest out and head held high as he showed off the letterman’s jacket Peter had designed for him.
 
He was a proud peacock supporting his school with swagger.
 
The only revision Peter desired was changing the mascot from the Westwood Tigers to the Westwood Wolves.
 
That was a little out of his power, but he was sure he’d have an ally if he asked Mia.
 
Just the mere mention of the animal would light up her face and cause an avalanche of wolf facts to surge out of her mouth with unstoppable force.

The two of them had engaged in a few meetings of their own, both over dinner and in the thicket.
 
They had progressed from a hug and kiss on the cheek to a hot make out session pressed against the door to her apartment building.
 
Peter thought he would finally have the chance to explore her body the way he normally did in his mind.

"Can I come up?" he asked between kisses.

"What time is it?" she whispered against his lips.

"Why?
 
Will you turn into a pumpkin when it gets late?"

She sank into his chest and wrapped her arms around him.
 
"I have to feed my friend’s dog again."
 
Her desire to get to her friend in the thicket was thwarting the momentum of her human relationship.
 

"Boy, your friend sure goes out of town a lot."

"You can come up another time."

"The dog can wait an hour."

"School night.
 
I have to get up early."
 
She kissed him again before pulling away.
 
"Another time.
 
Soon, I promise."

Peter shook his head in disbelief as he made his way back to the car parked a few blocks away.
 
He had never been left on a date just so the woman could go on another date … with him in wolf form.
 
He had already promised Charles he would tell her by the end of the month, especially after a recent close call with participants from an evening scavenger hunt.
 
Now here he was, wanting to rush into the park again.

"I’m not letting you go this time," Charles said.
 

"First you tell me to find my balls, then you tell me to go slow, and now we’re back to rushing."

"All it takes is one phone call and you’ve got cops searching the grounds with a tranquilizer gun."

"I know, I know."

"Do you really?
 
It’s one thing to take a little stroll at midnight or 2AM, but you’re out when the park is still crowded.
 
We’re getting sloppy."

"She’s more open with me there.
 
She tells me her hopes and fears.
 
That hasn’t happened yet over dinner.
 
She wants children, worries about her students, her parents…"

"That’s a little unfair."

"How so?"

"She thinks she’s sharing her secrets with a wild animal, not a shifter who actually understands what she’s saying."

"That hadn’t dawned on me.
 
I let her touch my coat the other night.
 
I thought she was going to faint.
 
You should have seen it.
 
Her eyes got so big and she held her breath…"

"Focus!
 
You need to stay out of the park."

"Where should I take her?"

"You’re not understanding me.
 
No more shifting in the park.
 
Period.
 
You have to wean her off eventually.
 
Let her fall in love with human Peter now."

"By the end of the month, I will…"

"No, it’s done.
 
I can’t help you if you’re trapped in a zoo or…"
 
He shuddered.
 
"Or even worse."

Peter stared down at his feet.
 
"You’re right.
 
Let’s just make sure she’s safe."

They waited near the park and saw her enter carrying the usual bag of treats.
 
Mia was practically skipping as she rushed to the thicket.
 
Nearly two hours later, she made her return.
 
Her gait was now slow and labored.
 
She wiped a tear as she looked around her, hoping she would catch a glimpse of his white coat.
 
The scene repeated over the next few nights until she finally threw the bag of treats into the garbage as she exited.

"I feel like a jerk.
 
She looks so sad," Peter said as he slumped down in his seat

"It’s for the best," Charles reassured him.

"I know you’re right, but it doesn’t feel like
the best
right now."

At the end of the week, they met up again for kebabs.
 
It had become their human hangout.
 
He waited until she started on her second glass of wine before reaching across the table and gently clasping both her hands.

"You’ve seemed sad lately.
 
What’s up?"

"I’m fine."

"Really?
 
That first glass of wine went down pretty fast.
 
You know you can tell me anything."

"All is well."

"Any dog sitting lately?"

She winced at his question.
 
"She found someone else to watch him."

"Oh, I’m sorry."

"No, it’s for the best," she said with a shrug.

Interesting choice of words.
 
Charles would get a kick out of that.
 
"So, if you don’t have to rush off tonight … how about a test shoot?"

"For what?"

"Oh come on, you know what I’m talking about.
 
I haven’t bugged you about it for weeks, but you agreed that night in the car."

"We just ate dinner.
 
I have a food baby right now," she said, pulling one hand free and patting it on her belly.

"You look beautiful.
 
This line means a lot to me and I want you to be a part of it."

She tilted her head from side to side and scrunched her eyebrows.

"What is it?"

"Your eyes," she said as she studied him.
 
"They reminded me of a friend.
 
Must be the wine."

"Somebody’s a little tip-say," he joked.
 
"You’ll be nice and relaxed for the shoot.
 
Let’s do this."

She only hesitated for a moment.
 
"I did agree to it, although it was under duress and probably wouldn’t hold up in court…"

"I don’t think withholding dog bones counts as duress."

"But, I am your friend and I will do this."
 
She stood up and knocked back the rest of her wine and motioned for him to follow her out the door.
 
"Quick, before I change my mind."

Peter held her hand once they entered the car and didn’t release it until they reached his office.
 
He was prepared, having selected the outfits and set out his camera and lights before dinner.

"I’ve only pulled the more conservative stuff.
 
I know you don’t want to wear anything too revealing."

"How about you just use me for the bathrobe section?"
 
Mia was wishing she had enjoyed at least one more glass of wine.

"Nope.
 
Just look at what I’ve selected.
 
I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised."

She made her way to the rack and ran her hand along the clothing.
 
"Will anyone be doing my makeup?
 
Who’s the photographer?"

"You don’t need any makeup, but we will have someone in the main studio during the official shoot.
 
For this test shoot, I will be taking the pictures."

"You?
 
Is this one of those scams where the guy admits there was never any film in the camera to begin with, but he’d be happy to start over and make her a star if she’d just blow him?"

"Someone has watched too much bad porn," he said with a smirk.
 
"I’m telling you from the jump that this camera has no film … because it’s digital."

"Duh!"
 
She smacked herself on the forehead.

"But feel free to blow me anyway."
 
He tried to keep a straight face, but failed miserably.
 
"Trust me, I’ve been doing this a long time."

"Just make me look pretty."

"Too late."
 
He smiled and held up a blue dress with a ruffle around the edge.
 
"This is what I want you to put on first."
 
He turned it around, revealing a yellow and red "M" that resembled the Superman logo.

"The M is for Mia."

"I figured as much," she laughed.
 
"That’s really adorable.
 
It’s perfect for summer."

"They can order any letter and choose their own color combination."

"Color me impressed.
 
I’ll be right back."

Mia slipped into the small bathroom to change and took a moment to study her reflection in the mirror.
 
I don’t look half bad.
 
Her cheeks seemed to glow around Peter.
 
She noticed the glow after each dinner date and basketball game.
 
He made a dress for me.
 
She held it up, stroking the soft cotton and running her finger along the M.
 
So thoughtful.
 
Her day clothes soon hit the floor as she slid the blue fabric over her head.
 
It fit perfectly, accentuating her curves while still leaving something to the imagination.

Mia checked her reflection one more time and tousled her hair before running out barefoot.
 
"I love it!"

He looked up from the light he was adjusting and grinned at her.
 
"I knew it would be perfect.
 
Stand over by the window."

The camera clicked as she walked, taking in her every move.
 
"I’m not even in position."

"I just like taking your picture.
 
I’m like your own personal paparazzi."

She shook her head and laughed.
 
"How do you want me?"

I can think of a million ways.
 
"Umm … place your hands against the glass and look back over your shoulder."
 
He loved the way her curls fell down her back and imagined them brushing against his chest.