Shifted Illusions Read online

  He crawled, or more precisely, stalked across the bed, starting at the footboard and ending with him hovering above me. I took a deep breath, raising my breasts on purpose so my nipples would rub against his chest. His blue eyes flared as a shadowy presence materialized behind him.

  Henri stood next to the bed, his gaze on my lips as I licked them, preparing and hoping he’d lean down for a kiss.

  “Is this what you desire, Beth?” Leo asked.

  “Yes.” My whisper was loud in the dark empty room, reminding me I was alone. And the others in the house had sensitive hearing.

  I smashed my face into the pillows and groaned. My thighs rubbed together as the ache in my center grew. I couldn’t take it anymore.

  I shoved the blankets off my heated body and stood from the bed. The only reasons for keeping my distance seemed silly now. Shifters in my past had treated me like an animal, abused me. But Leo had saved me. And Henri opened up his home. They were nothing like those men.

  I blew my messy hair out of my face and sauntered to the door, prepared to seduce. Something I’d never done before. In fact, I was a complete novice. But I would give it my all.

  The door opened silently, and I tip-toed down the hall before realizing what I was doing. Stopping to take a deep breath, I exhaled and straightened my shoulders once again. You got this, Bethany.

  I followed the dim light from a flickering fire to the living room and stopped at the entrance. A blanket-covered Leo slept on the couch, one arm covering his eyes. Watching his chest rise and fall, I sighed with disappointment. He looked too peaceful to wake up. And there was the unpleasant reminder of only a few hours before he’d confessed to not wanting to date me.

  I had a split-second thought about going upstairs to find Henri but thought better of it. It felt tacky. Like they were interchangeable to me. And they weren’t. Not at all. I just couldn’t decide who I craved more. Fantasies of having two men were fine, perfectly healthy. But this was reality. And if I couldn’t make a solid decision, it was best to not complicate things more by hopping into bed with one while coveting the other as well.

  I made the second decision of the night, to go to bed alone and reflect on something unpleasant, like how I needed to find another job to replace the one I’d lost at The Beanery. Trying to figure out where your next meal would come from was a sure-fire way to diminish arousal.

  “Beth?”

  Hand over my racing heart, I spun around with a gasp.

  Henri stood palms up, the dark kitchen at his back. He wore only a pair of cotton sleep pants, and the light from the fire flickering over his bare chest held my attention as tightly as a cat with his prey.

  My arousal spiked once again.

  “Sorry, I startled you,” he whispered, his gaze running over my naked body. “I was getting some water. What are you doing up? Do you need anything?”

  Oh, I needed something all right.

  He breathed deeply through his nose, no doubt scenting my arousal. His eyelids lowered in a heated expression, making my toes curl. “Beth…” His husky voice held a warning. A warning I ignored.

  Like a switch, something inside me jolted. Something I’d never felt before. Power.

  I launched myself at the hawk shifter. He caught me in his arms as I wrapped myself around him. I thought I’d have to convince him, but when I pressed my lips to his, he didn't hesitate to kiss me back.

  I expected a heated kiss, passionate and rough. What I received instead was a seduction of his lips. He licked gently, teasing my mouth until I was panting for him. His hands slid down my back to palm my ass, swallowing my groan of pleasure as he squeezed.

  The room spun, and I was pressed against the cold wall.

  “God, I’ve wanted to do this for so long,” he whispered in my ear before dragging his lips down my throat.

  My head banged against the wall as I lifted my chin, begging him to keep moving. When he finally reached his destination, I almost howled in delight. His warm mouth wrapped around a nipple and sucked.

  “Yes…”

  He lifted my leg, and his fingers teased my slit, one slipping easily inside me. I arched, rubbing my clit against his offered thumb.

  “Is this what you need?” Henri growled low in his throat, the sound making me whimper as I nodded my consent.

  “Then come for me, Beth. Come all over my hand,” he growled, thrusting a second finger inside me.

  “Oh, God.” I tightened my arms around his neck as I pressed my mouth to the skin above his left peck. I bit down gently, licking the sting away when he grunted.

  I shook, my orgasm rising, but I needed… I needed…

  “Kiss me,” Henri demanded.

  Our mouths found each other, and it was exactly what I was looking for. Kissing him like my life depended on it, pleasure exploded around me, inside me, until I saw stars. This was what I’d been waiting for my whole life. To be touched like this. To feel so alive. It was… everything.

  Henri slowed the kiss but didn’t break us apart as he eased his fingers out of me. I whimpered, my unused body protesting a bit.

  He pulled away. “Are you okay?”

  I licked my lips, loving the taste of him there. “Better than okay,” I told him sincerely.

  His lips twitched, and I smiled back at him. His glasses were askew, his hair severely mussed. My smile widened. I’d done that. And there was so much more I longed to do. But when I pressed my palm against the hard cock rocking against my thigh, he pulled it away.

  “What’s wrong?”

  He shook his head and lifted me into his arms. I snuggled against his chest, unsure why we weren’t finishing what we started. Though I was nothing but satisfied with my new location.

  “Not tonight. Let’s get you to bed.”

  “Why?”

  “You know why,” he whispered.

  My eyes widened, remembering we weren’t alone. But when I glanced over Henri’s shoulder, the couch was empty.

  What had I done?

  9

  Hawk

  The morning after the most amazing night of my life began with me waking alone. Her scent—combined with Leo’s—lingered on the sheets of his bed where Beth and I had fallen into an exhausted heap. With her curled against me, I’d let go of my burdens. Even my concern for Leo, who I’d heard leave through the front door. The two of us had a lot to talk about. But it could wait.

  I allowed myself a moment to bask—the memory of Beth’s expression as she’d come had been breathtaking—before another enticing scent drew me out of bed.

  The sound of humming led me to the kitchen where I stopped and grinned. Beth’s hips swayed side to side, Leo’s robe swishing around her calves as she stood over the stove, her melodic voice filling the room.

  “I… can’t… help… falling—” She stopped singing abruptly and swung around.

  I smiled. “You have a great voice. Elvis fan?”

  “Guilty,” she replied. “Hey, where are your glasses? Speaking of, why do you wear glasses? Don’t all shifters have perfect eyesight?”

  “As far as I know, we do. But I was just testing out a prototype for…” I laughed to lighten the awkwardness between us and shook my head. “Never mind… Work stuff.”

  “Top secret, right,” she whispered to herself.

  The tension was unbearable, and from the way she avoided eye contact, I had a feeling I’d done something wrong. “Did you make breakfast?” I asked.

  “Um, yes. I hope you like pancakes.”

  “Love them.” I followed her to the table where she set down a plate piled high with the golden cakes. “Did you make all of these? How long have you been up?”

  She ducked her head, but not before I noticed the pink in her cheeks. Adorable!

  “I woke up early. Couldn’t go back to sleep. It’s no big deal. I also threw my clothes in the washer and dryer I found in the basement. I hope you don’t mind.”

  “Of course. And thank you for the food.”

&nb
sp; She waved away my thanks. “This is my thank you for letting me stay here.”

  “No thanks necessary…”

  “Well, I appreciate it all the same.”

  When she started washing the dishes, I tried to protest. “Nope. My mess. I’ll clean.” She pointed to the table. “Sit. Eat.”

  “What about you?”

  “I ate while I cooked.”

  “Mmm, if that’s the case, then it’s guaranteed these will be delicious.” I sighed when my grin went unnoticed, her attention on the pan she was scrubbing.

  Then a sudden awful thought crossed my mind. What if she hadn’t wanted me to touch her last night? What if she’d been too drunk to consent? Had I taken advantage?

  “Beth…” I swallowed against the sudden lump in my throat. What had I done?

  “Hmmm?” she asked absentmindedly.

  “I’m so sorry, Beth. I… I don’t know what to say.”

  “What?” She glanced over her shoulder. “What are you sorry about? Oh.” Her frown deepened. “Don’t apologize, Henri. It was my fault. I’m sorry for… jumping you like that.” She shook her head, her nose scrunching up as if in disgust.

  I wouldn’t lie. It hurt.

  “You didn’t jump me. I should have realized you were intoxicated. I mean, I knew you were, it was why I stopped it from going any further. But I should never have touched you—”

  “I wasn’t intoxicated.”

  “Yes, you were. Leo and I had to help you out of the hot tub, remember? You were swaying on your feet.”

  She spun around and put her hands on her hips. “No, I wasn’t. I had one beer. One. And yeah, I’m not used to it, so I was a little tipsy. But I was nowhere near drunk. By the time I came into the living room, I couldn’t even tell I’d had a drink. It had left my system by then.”

  “So, you’re telling me I didn’t take advantage of you?”

  She dipped her chin. “That’s what I’m telling you. And you’re saying…” She hesitated, looking more vulnerable than she ought to. “You didn’t put a stop to us because you didn’t want me?”

  “Oh God, no, Beth.” I strode forward two steps then stopped. Because there was something else bothering me about last night. “I wanted you, Beth. So much.” I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “But…”

  “But?”

  “But a lot has happened. You were attacked in an alley.”

  “I’m fine,” she interrupted.

  “You are. But the ordeal had to have put a toll on you. And Beth, you broke up with me.”

  “I’ve explained that,” she said.

  “You did. And I understand, but nothing’s changed.”

  “I know.”

  “Can you handle me being a shifter?”

  She dropped her eyes and shrugged. “I’m working on it.”

  “Maybe if you tell me more about your fears, I can help.”

  She twirled back to the sink with a shake of her head. “I’ll work on it.”

  Though she couldn’t see it, I nodded. I desired nothing more than to pick up where we left off the night before. But something told me doing so would be a mistake.

  “Where’s Leo?” Beth whispered.

  It was the question I’d been waiting for, but hoping she wouldn’t ask. “Not sure. Probably at work.”

  She nodded, her back still to me, but I didn’t miss the slumping of her shoulders.

  “Why were you in the living room last night?” My stomach clenched when the muscles in her back contracted. Closing my eyes, I dropped my head in resignation.

  “What?”

  “Last night. When I came out of the kitchen, you were in the living room…” staring at Leo… naked… I couldn’t bring myself to say the words aloud.

  She glanced over her shoulder and gave me a smile for the first time that morning. “I was looking for you.”

  I’d been expecting a lie. But… It didn’t smell like one. Our eyes connected, and she blushed once again. Well, damn. She was telling the truth.

  Forgetting everything else, I ate up the space between us and captured her between my arms. She grabbed onto my shoulders with wet hands, and I couldn’t care less, because her gasp of pleasure was like music to my ears. She leaned into me, and her gaze dropped to my mouth.

  “Tease,” came her whispered accusation.

  Grinning, I playfully nipped at her bottom lip until she whimpered for more. Just as I knew she would.

  I slid my tongue over the bite until she opened her mouth. Taking her up on the invitation, I dipped into her mouth, tasting her like I had the night before. She moaned into my mouth, and I moaned back, loving the way she pressed against me. My cock, hard beneath my sleep pants, pushed against her stomach only to encounter the hard knot from her belt.

  I was two seconds away from ripping it off along with her robe when the growl of a 1971 Challenger approaching the cabin had me stiffening. I knew the sound well. Leo.

  Slowing the kiss, I pulled back, only to lean in again when she whimpered. Not able to help myself, I kissed her once more before backing away for good.

  Her eyes eased opened, and the fire they revealed almost had me racing back to her arms. I licked my lips, savoring the taste of her on my tongue. She reached out for me, dropping her hand when I shook my head no. The confusion on her face twisted to horror when the front door opened and shut, announcing our visitor.

  Leo’s steps slowed, coming to a complete stop before he continued in our direction. No doubt he’d smelled what was going on.

  Beth spun back to the dishes as Leo wandered around the corner. “Hey,” he said, not looking at either of us as he opened the fridge. Lifting a bottle of water, he twisted off the cap and chugged it. His throat moved up and down as he swallowed, the movement inherently sexual. Would his throat move like that around my cock as he swallowed me down?

  My teeth ground together, and I met an icy blue gaze so cold it made me shiver. Leo was pissed. And I knew exactly why. But it was a conversation for later.

  A bead of sweat slid from the back of Leo’s ear and down his neck before disappearing beneath his soaked shirt. “Work?” I asked.

  He nodded an affirmative, but his attention was on Beth. The water shut off, and she reached for the towel hanging next to the sink. Her head down, hair eclipsing her face, she dried a plate before setting it carefully in the cabinet.

  “Why is she washing the dishes?” he snapped.

  “She is washing dishes because she wants to,” Beth replied.

  “She cooked.” I tipped my chin toward the giant stack of pancakes on the table.

  His expression twisted half a second before he disguised the pain with a sneer. “Great. I’m going to shower and change. Beth, when you’re ready to head home, let me know.”

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea—”

  “I’ll be ready when you’re finished,” Beth spoke over me. “I’ll go get dressed. My clothes should be dry.” Without looking at either of us, she rushed out of the kitchen.

  When Leo marched past me to leave, I stopped him. “We need to talk.”

  “Not now.”

  “It’s important. You and Beth—”

  “I said, not right now,” he snapped, his eyes flashing.

  I held up my hands. “Sure, man,” I said dryly. “Whatever you say.” I brushed past him, ignoring the way he stared me down, his anger palpable. I couldn’t care less at this point. Between Leo’s anger and Beth’s mood swings, the cabin walls were shrinking. I had to get the hell out of there before it was me who snapped.

  10

  Leo

  I let my guard down for one fucking minute, and it blew up in my face. For the first time since the explosion, I’d had some semblance of my usual confidence. Beth had given me that with her secretive looks and flushed cheeks. Finding out about her relationship with Hawk had been a blow. But they’d only been on a couple of dates.

  Expecting things to start off slowly, and looking forward to it, I’d
gone to sleep on the couch, images of Beth naked in the hot tub keeping me company. I should have known better.

  Her whispered, “yes,” had alerted me to her state of arousal, but I waited patiently, hoping she’d come to me. And she had. Or so I’d thought. Until Hawk had come downstairs. Then my attention wavered, and I’d missed my chance.

  Too busy picturing my best friend shirtless in the kitchen, and all the things I could do to him if he’d let me, Beth’s entrance had gone unnoticed. And by the time I’d realized my mistake, she had launched herself into Hawk’s arms.

  I’d watched at first. And listened. God, the sounds she’d made. The sounds they both had made. Seeing the two of them together had been the sexiest thing I’d ever witnessed. And believe me, after all the sexual encounters I’d had, that was saying something.

  But as Beth’s orgasm peaked, regret had churned in my stomach. They hadn’t invited me. Sure, I’d been there first, but I knew as well as anyone what passion could do to you. It could make you forget who you were, where you were. So, I’d picked myself up off the couch, grabbed my keys, and snuck out the front door.

  My grip on the steering wheel tightened until the leather creaked. Beth and Hawk had made their choice. And it hadn’t involved me. Didn’t need to be a rocket scientist to know why.

  Needing space, I ended up at Division Headquarters, working out with Talon and Dax, then I crashed in my old room when I found out it was still empty. A few hours of sleep after pumping some iron had been just the thing I needed to clear my head. So what if the woman I’d met two days ago desired my best friend instead? No skin off my back. I wasn’t looking for a relationship anyway. I quaked at the thought of the R-word. Definitely not looking for that complication.

  Then I’d come home and hit a wall of sexual tension so thick my cock was at half-mast before I even made it through the door. The two of them had looked perfectly innocent when I’d trudged in the kitchen, but I’d known better.