Page 27 of Shifter For Hire (For Hire 2)

She laughed through the tears. “Does it bother you?”

He looked away, so obviously embarrassed. “I don’t want you to cry.”

“And what are you going to do if I keep crying?” She loved challenging him.

Until he wrapped his arms around her.

Her breath caught in her throat. She had just enough time to tilt her head back to look up at him when his mouth covered hers. Her head said pull away and slap the taste out of his mouth. Desire said move in closer and enjoy herself.

Lachelle wasn’t one to deny gratification, so she wound her arms around his neck and curved into his body. So strong and sexy, he turned her on beyond common sense. She forgot about their conversation, which had alarmed her earlier. All she could do was drink in the pleasure he gave her.

She parted her lips and dipped her tongue into his mouth. Her boldness startled him, but he didn’t pull back. He straightened, carrying her with him. Her feet left the ground, but she didn’t have to hold onto him tightly. His strength went beyond any man she had ever dated. He held her firmly without hurting her, and she couldn’t get enough.

Time passed slowly, but too soon he raised his head and set her on her feet. She moaned in disappointment and ran fingers across her lips. They were somewhat swollen, and she had to take a moment to get her breathing under control.

“Are you feeling better?” He gazed into her face, making sure for himself that her tears had dried. How could he not know? She was shook to her core.

“I’m fine.”

She backed up some, trying to get her thoughts together. Doubts rumbled around her head, but with one kiss she wasn’t ready to dismiss him from her life. No, it was more than that. Gerard was cold and seemed heartless. At the same time, his heart was broken. After the story he shared about his family, there was no way she would let him go.

She had an idea. “You’re going to do whatever I want, right?”

“I never said that.”

She moved up to him again and tangled a finger in his shirt, now damp from his skin. “Won’t you?”

“If…it’s within reason.”

She wanted to ask why she was so special, but she wasn’t ready to go down that road. “I want you to go with me to visit Janessa—that’s my sister—and Declan.”

His lips formed the word no, but she covered them with a finger. “Please? After that, you don’t have to see him again if you don’t want to. And we can talk to him about the hunters. I’m sure he would want to be warned.”

He appeared to mull over her words.

“I was there when one of you was murdered the other night. Who knows. Maybe I saw the murderer.”

She had never seen such rage in his eyes.

Chapter 11

Lachelle spotted her sister through the window of her car and pulled to a hurried stop. She jumped out of the car and ran over to Janessa and drew her into a tight hug. “Sis! I’ve missed you so much. I can’t believe you finally came out of hiding to meet me.”

Janessa rolled her eyes. “Stop with the dramatics, crazy. You look good.”

Lachelle primped a little, turning left and right and flipping her braids over her shoulder. “I know, right? Life agrees with me.”

“You’re still over the top.”

“That’s why you love me.”

They laughed together and Lachelle crouched down to greet her sweet nephew. The fair-skinned baby sucked on his thumb as he slept, and Lachelle’s heart melted. Tears filled her eyes as the longing for one of her own almost overcame her. She lifted the baby out of the stroller against her sister’s wishes and cradled him on her shoulder while patting his butt.

“I could eat him up, he’s so sweet.” She paced a bit, and glanced out toward the street. A car she thought she recognized was just passing out of sight. “Let’s get inside the restaurant so we can talk.”

“Sure.”

Lachelle led the way still holding the baby. They found a spot near the rear of the restaurant, and she chose a seat facing the entrance. Janessa sat across from her. While her sister studied the menu, Lachelle had the chance to check Janessa out.

---