Southern Shifters: Stick Shifter (Kindle Worlds Novella) (6 page)

S
leep was not
easy coming for Delaney. She’d sat on the futon in her apartment above the garage and blindly flipped channels. Her evening with William Klein was not at all what she had expected. Her normally secure shields against tourist advances were now full of holes. When he had mentioned that she felt something for him, he had been right. He was handsome sure; he looked like a model or a movie star. But that wasn’t what she found so attractive. It was something else.

The man smelled good. Like expensive body products, not the kind she bought at Wal-Mart. Not that she felt bad about shopping at Wal-Mart; they had a decent selection. But you could tell from the top of his head to the bottom of his probably perfectly manicured feet, he had top of the line stuff. That mixed with his manly smell was beyond appealing.

There was something else that she couldn’t explain. She felt incredibly drawn to him. Like a magnet was pulling her towards him. She wasn’t nervous around him, which she really should be considering who he was. But she’d talked her head off with him tonight. In fact, as she sat in front of the TV, she replayed how much she jabbered to him. He didn’t seem put out at all; rather he’d kept asking her questions which kept her talking.

She had to admit she was a little embarrassed as she recalled how much she shared with him. Hell, she even told him her favorite color and her obsession with My Little Pony dolls. Okay, not just the dolls, but the TV shows, the lunchboxes, and a few shirts she might own. But he smiled like he thought it was cute.

His eyes, man his eyes. She could barely keep eye contact with him. They were so stunning with the golden brown color searing into her when he watched her. And he watched her constantly. She knew every time her eyes flitted away from his that his were still glued to her. It should have made her skin crawl. Instead, it felt like he was protecting her. Although that was a ridiculous thought. He had probably just been staring at her ass. That region of her body along with her boobs seemed to get hotter around him.

Tomorrow he wanted to ride the Dragon with her. She was confident in her skills, and she had to assume he wasn’t lying that he knew how to ride. After their trip, she knew that he wasn’t just going to give her a “see ya” and leave. No, his intent towards her was hard to deny. She could deny all she wanted by saying that he was looking for a fling. But there was no reason for him to play her. As he said, he had a list of women, probably stunningly beautiful women who were just a phone call away.

So knowing that there was an actual chance that he liked her and wanted to spend time with her, that thought had her up for longer than she would have liked before she fell asleep dreaming about the curves of tomorrow. The road and the maneuvering with William Klein.

* * *

W
ill was
glad when he returned to the cabin and had the chance to replay every moment from the seconds before he found his mate to the supreme joy of finding her. He wanted to talk to someone. He knew some of his brother-in-law’s family had mated to humans, but that wasn’t a phone call he wanted to make. He already knew what they were going to say. Take it slow, and the mating call will win out.

There was always option B. It was the one that he was leaning towards right now, and his cougar was thrilled.

Will was never the sit back and let things happen kind of man. He was a take charge man. The Platinum was one of the most successful hotels and casinos on the strip. When he saw what he wanted, whether it was a designer or a band to headline a show, he made it happen. He wanted Delaney in his arms, in his home, and in his bed, not months from now, but tomorrow. So he was going to do what it took to get her there.

After their ride, he was going to lay it out for her and show her his animal. She wouldn’t be scared when he told her how much his cougar liked her and that they were fated mates. How many women could resist that? A declaration of love and devotion from a man to make all their dreams come true.

Today was the last day that he would have to sleep alone. The last day he would be without his mate at his side.

Will’s cougar woke him up earlier than he would have liked. He was eager to get back to their mate. Will convinced him coffee and breakfast was an imperative if they were going to be spending the day proving to Delaney that she had no choice but to be theirs.

While he was making his breakfast, there was a knock at the door. A delivery service dropped off his bike and his riding gear. He signed for it and gave a cursory look at his Ducati to see if it made the trip just fine. It was red and black and looked fast even when it was parked.

His riding leathers were all black, and he was looking forward to being able to wear it and not feel like he was riding through an oven. Back in Las Vegas, he tended to only ride at night, which although cooler, was way more dangerous in a city that encouraged drinking and debauchery.

Will finished his breakfast and took a shower, the whole time watching the clock knowing he couldn’t rush over to the garage. The more time that ticked by, the less patience he had. His cat was roaring in his head, and he was ready to go.

Pulling on his smooth leather pants, Will was happy his physique never varied given that he was so active when he was in cat form. He pulled on a white long-sleeve Henley and tucked it into his pants. He pulled on his black motorcycle boots and grabbed his jacket and helmet before walking outside into the bright sunlight.

It was a perfect day; the temperature was going to be not too hot and not too cold. His plan after telling her about his love, his cougar, and his future plans was to take her back to the cabin. He had steaks marinating in the fridge he’d cook for dinner and then he’d spend the night making love to her. His plan didn’t include bonding with her tonight. The mating bite that would link them together forever was something she would have to be fully aware of and agree to. He would give her a day or two to come to that decision.

It couldn’t be delayed too long as the chance she could become pregnant was very possible. The mating bite would allow his DNA to change her physically ensuring she could carry their children. She’d also age slower so they would be able to have a long and happy life together.

Oddly, in the light of day his cougar was encouraging caution. Yesterday, the animal wanted nothing more than to have Will jump her. Now he’d had a small change of heart. He was urging patience. Too bad once Will made a plan he executed it with a laser focus. His cat was telling him they knew where their mate was, there was no rush. Will thought every second away was too long.

Sliding on his jacket, helmet, and gloves, he straddled his bike and started it. The vibration and rumbling purr soothed his cat. They liked the power of the bike; it was like running and thrilled both man and animal. Better than the anticipation of the ride was the fact he was going to get his mate.

* * *

D
elaney had braided
and re-braided her hair twice and debated makeup or no makeup. She had been too nervous to eat once she woke up. Sipping a glass of water was the best she could do along with a few antacids. She stood in front of a full-length mirror, turning one way then the other, checking for lumps in her white leather jumpsuit.

The suit had been an impulse purchase when she’d saved up enough money for her Ninja. The bike was white and perfect and the motorcycle she’d always wanted. The kid that had talked his parents into buying it originally had only ridden it once before he scared the shit out of himself attempting Highway 129 for his first ride. Amateur. Delaney had gotten a sweet deal on it and had christened her new ride Lilly when she got her home. She’d saved so much money on the bike that she’d splurged on the all white jumpsuit with matching white helmet. The helmet had two green racing stripes to match the green pinstripe on the tank of her bike. It was subtle and just a tiny bit feminine.

Delaney knew that she could do anything a man could do; hell she was the best mechanic around. That didn’t mean she couldn’t look pretty doing it. Now she was feeling a tad self-conscious in her jumpsuit. What would Will think? Would he like it? White was a daring choice. Granted she had been feeling very saucy when she bought it. Now she wished it was black. Black could hide the wide hips and the little bump on her belly that was completely due to her love of jelly donuts. She refused to give them up, therefore living with her Buddha belly was something she had come to terms with.

“Delaney Jane, you have no other option. Go downstairs, wait for him, have your ride and enjoy the day. Maybe there will be a little making out to look forward to,” she said out loud, trying to cheer herself up.

She decided after a night of fitful sleep that was full of sexy dreams about William Klein, a little fun wouldn’t hurt. There was a great spot they could look out over Fontana Dam and if she gave him the “look,” she was sure to get a kiss. If she played her cards right, she might get a little nookie before the gorgeous man drove off into the sunset.

“Into the fray, Delaney Jane.”

One last look at her butt and she shook her head knowing there was no way to ride without her suit. Closing the door, she turned her face up to the sun, letting the rays soak into her skin. One of her favorite things about living in the mountains was that with all the tree cover near the shop, the sun filtered through the leaves providing a pleasant bit of shade. She could feel the breeze trading with the heat of the sun. It made her soul lighten whenever she took a moment to appreciate where she lived.

Giving up the moment, she skipped down the steps and came around the front of the building. She half expected to see William already waiting for her, but the front drive was empty.

Heading into the office, she found her dad sitting with his feet propped on the desk reading a newspaper.

“Dad, what are you doing here?”

The paper dropped a few inches and her father stared over the top. His eyes scanned up and down her frame.

“I’m manning the shop. It appears you aren’t going to be here today. Going for a ride?”

“Yes, that guy with the Mini? William Klein? He’s taking me out.” Delaney felt a funny sense of guilt that made no sense as she told her dad she had sort of a date.

Ray folded the paper on the desk and looked at her with one of those hard fatherly looks. “I don’t want you to see him. He’s not the right man for you. There are things about him that would make a relationship with him more trouble than its worth.”

Delaney scoffed, “How would you know? You met him once.”

“Trust me; I know this type of guy. He’s complicated and he could put you in danger. There are lots of boys around here that have shown interest. Why not one of them?”

Delaney could see part of her father’s dislike of Will was the fact that he lived so far away. The other reason for not liking him she didn’t get.

“Because none of them have ever made me feel the way he did the first time I met him. I like him, Dad. He’s nice to me, he listens to me, like really listens. He doesn’t think my job is weird and we have tons in common. Granted, we haven’t gotten to all possible topics, but we still get along really well. I appreciate your concern and your fatherly warning, but I’m going for a ride with Will and that’s all we have planned today. No reason to get your undies in a twist.”

“Don’t wear undies and you know it. Just be careful and don’t leap before you look. Promise?”

“Scout’s honor,” Delaney said, throwing up her salute.

“Girls can’t be scouts,” her father grumbled while he picked his paper up and shook it out.

Shaking her head, she opened the door to the bay and walked to the back. Her bike was under a cover in one of the storage rooms off the back. Pulling off the cover, she unveiled her beauty.

As she wheeled her baby out into the sunlight, she saw someone from the corner of her eye. A woman, tall, brash, wearing the highest heels she’d ever seen. The woman was dressed more for a nightclub than for her garage.

Dropping the kickstand, Delaney turned to the woman and shielded her eyes. “Can I help you?”