Bear Shifters: Hunt Collection #1 (15 page)

Chapter Three

              Shelby woke fresh from a full night's sleep; dreaming of a weeding a garden.
Such an odd dream, I've not gardened since I left home when I was 17.
She climbed into the hot shower, letting the water pour over her, readying her for the day. Her uniform laid there on the bed, next to her boots and satchel. Well not exactly regulation for her company, the satchel helped provide her a better way to carry small items around without chance of dropping them.

              Shelby texted Ash to see about meeting for lunch. She'd have an hour and a half in the middle of the day to kill, and it seemed like the perfect middle ground. If it went well, they could see each other again, but if it didn't it would only last 90 minutes. He readily agreed and suggested Alfredo's, which was a quaint little Italian bistro that was in a lower level of his building.
A man of convenience, it seems.

              "Hey Charlotte," Shelby acknowledged as she walked into the courier service and grabbed her manifest for her day's route. Her eyes instinctively scanned to check on where she was headed.

              "Hey girl, how are you?" Charlotte had been with the company since it's inception and had always overseen the dispatch. She'd become almost like family to Shelby since she started there years ago.

              "Same old, same old. Well, actually that's not quite true."

              "Dish!" Charlotte spun around and gave Shelby her full attention.

              "A client wants to take me out," she said shyly.

              "And are you going to go?"

              "I texted him this morning to see about lunch. I figure it's less pressure than dinner, and that way we can feel each other out."

              "Good idea, nothing worse than stuck in a dinner date with a bore."

              "Oh I doubt he's boring, but I've been out of the dating game for a while now, you know..." Shelby started to trail off, thinking of how long she devoted herself to Kaiser.

              "And now you need to get out there and have some fun. Just because Kaiser was a shit to you, doesn't mean they'll all be. Go, enjoy yourself, and remember to smile."

              Shelby couldn't help feel the corners of her mouth pull back in a smile as Charlotte spoke. She just needed to get through a few hours and then she'd be able to see how her and Ash would interact together.

****

              Ash arrived first and sat down on the padded dining chair to wait for her. He thought back to meeting her the day before and how she seemed to radiate positive energy, and if there was one thing he desperately needed in his life it was positive energy. It was as if no bad thoughts or moods could share the same space as her. Covered in grime and sweat, looking like the day was her worst enemy, her smile spoke to him. She still looked more beautiful in her uniform and make-up free than any of his exes did in their fanciest gowns and perfectly coifed hair. He wanted to know everything about her from her favorite color to the sounds she makes when properly pleased.

              She came through the door and found him there, waving up at her. It had been a simple day so far for Shelby, and she didn't look quite so battered in her royal blue uniform with the Calvary Courier emblems. As she waved back, she was glad she made the decision to take a chance on him; he seemed genuinely happy to see her.

              "Hey, sorry if I'm late, I came from across town." She smiled at him as he pulled her chair out for her. She was pretty sure no one had ever done that for her since her father died.
Chivalry apparently isn't dead it seems.

              "No worries at all, Shelby. I was glad you texted. It's good to see you again." He replied, while signaling for the waiter.

              "I went ahead and ordered. I hope that is okay with you. I had them bring some servings of a few of their noted dishes; some lasagna, ravioli, and some baked ziti. Dessert will be canoli, it's to die for here and you'll love it."

              "It all sounds wonderful, thank you." She said, stretching the napkin across her lap as the waiter poured her water glass full.

              "So, tell me everything about you," he said, only half joking.

              "Everything? Oh my dear Mr. Reese I'm afraid that would bore you to tears," she laughed.

              "Okay then, where are you from and what brings you here. And please, no more Mr. Reese, I'm Ash."

              "Okay then, Ash, I came here from Arizona. Small step for employment, huge leap for freedom," Shelby mused, a small laugh escaping her, "as it turns out the job I moved here for was downsized a few weeks later and I ended up a courier. Been that ever since, but it pays the rent."

              Ash's lips curled into a smirk, one she couldn't help but notice.

              "What's so funny?" she wondered.

              "The irony. I too moved here from Arizona, fresh from college. Wanted to see about the job market, ended up with a few good years, rented a space at a steal and the real estate around the firm skyrocketed and I've been there ever since with the computer security thing. Wasn't what I wanted to do, but it -as you put so eloquently- pays the rent."

              "I enjoyed the peace and quiet of Arizona. The countryside, the ability to slip away into nature. Something you have to search for here, unfortunately." She seemed distant after those words, as if her soul were seeking trees and forest.

              "I completely understand, far more than you know on that one," he said, remembering all the times his bear ran through woods, roaming free. Something he could only do after many miles of concrete and pavement were behind me now.

              The lunch date was over too soon and Ash had to head back for a client briefing. "I'll call you tonight after work, okay?" he asked her, hopeful.

              "Sounds fine Ash. It was a lovely afternoon."

              He bent over and kissed her lightly on the lips, pausing for a moment to just look into her eyes. "It was indeed, but not nearly as lovely as my lunch date."

              For a moment, Shelby was struck silent, before recovering enough to make her way out of the bistro and say another goodbye to Ash as she headed out to her bike and he headed back up to Reese Systems.

              The rest of the day flew by for each of them. Shelby had a smile on her face no matter how awful the client treated her and Ash kept getting distracted thinking about how she smelled of vanilla while he tried to detail upcoming security measures to his clients. By six o'clock, both were headed back to their respective homes. Ash and Ember shared a cab, each not trusting parking any of their vehicles in the company parking deck. Their climate-controlled garage was a much safer home for their hard-earned vehicles.

              "So Ash, any plans tonight? Want to go catch the show at Sally's? They've new girls there." Ember asked. Sally's was a notorious strip club that catered to high level executives, it was a frequent favorite of the Reese twins to relieve stress and to spend the evening knocking back a few beers after work. While Ash was a spectator and tipped the girls generously, Ember frequently brought girls home from the club.

              "Raincheck, Ember. I'm going to spend a quiet night at the house. Have a call to make."

             
Odd, Ash never turns down new girl night
, Ember thought.

              Back at the house, Ash kicked off his shoes and loosened up his tie, while Ember kept eyeing him suspiciously.

              "What is it, Ember? You eyeballed me the entire trip home."

              "Just, you never turn down new girl night. It strikes me odd you'd stay home from that." Sally's had been the one place Ember always took Ash to cheer him up, the one place that was the celebration whenever Ash broke up with someone that proved to be another gold digger.
Why he doesn't just go for one night stands is beyond me. Get what you need and get out.

              "If you must know, I met someone and I'm going to call her tonight and talk some more with her. I'd just rather do that." Ash said, not looking Ember in the eye. There was only so much he wanted to tell Ember about her and he definitely didn't want to tell her about him until they were actually a couple. He didn't want to mess anything up.

              "So why didn't you say that? Who is she? The fashion designer that needed better encryption? The model that couldn't turn on her Wi-Fi?" Ash typically had a dating type and it was thin, blonde, and thirsty. He'd fall in love with the idea of her and she'd fall in love with his money. Both relationships never lasted long.

              "She's a courier. We met the other day when she was delivering. She's beautiful Ember, with dark hair, dark eyes, and curves for days." As he described her, his facial features softened and his heart leapt. He smiled as a feeling of warmth filled him. She was different and he didn't know how to explain that to Ember. It was not long before he dialed her number and went into his room for privacy.

              Ember didn't normally eavesdrop, but something was off with how Ash had acted and he couldn't put his finger on it. Usually, Ash boasted of his new girlfriends and Ember was the first to hear of any new conquests. However, this time Ash was taking it slow and easy, like it was going to be more of a long term relationship.
What was it about this girl that was so different?

              He heard bits and pieces of their conversation as Ash left the door partially opened. Ember listened to him talk about his past, what interested him, and ask about her likes and dislikes.

              "Oh no, I live out in the country a bit. I prefer to have some woods around. Yea it's a big house for me, but I make do. No, no one else in my life, hoping you may change that."

             
Whoa. Did I just hear him say that to a chick he's only known a couple of days? And did he just imply that he is all alone here and I'm not around?

              It was at that moment, hearing Ash not even allude to having a brother at all, that Ember formulated his way of coming in first in something.

Chapter Four

              They spent nearly four weeks together, Shelby and Ash, catching coffee or lunch whenever they could. There was really something there and they were getting closer and closer. While they had kissed and touched, they didn't take it any farther. Each wanted a slow moving long term relationship to grow, it seemed.

              Ash planned a special surprise for her on the evening of their one month anniversary. He wanted to cook her favorite meal and then the two of them wrap up in each other to watch a movie. Ember assured him he'd be gone that evening, so Ash had been in a good mood all that week as he tried to keep it a secret from her until the very evening of the date.

             
"About 3pm turn off your phone and then when you're out of work come to the house. I gave you directions. I want to surprise you."
Shelby smiled so wide rereading the text message she received. She loved the spontaneity of it and she wondered what that night would bring. After a month of dates and passionate kisses and touches, she was ready to take things to the next level.

              At 3:00 promptly she turned the phone off and spent the next two hours in a haze thinking about Ash and how different he was from other men she had known. He'd spent so much of his time with her the past four weeks, never pressuring her for sex, and genuinely got to know her.

              "Finally, 5:00. Time for a quick shower and change of clothes at the apartment then over to Ash's," she said under her breath as she dashed back from the dispatch center. She wanted to look her best, and chose a fitted black dress that accentuated all her curves and blended well with her dark features. It fell just above the knee, which showed off her toned calves.

****

              While Shelby was nearly bubbling over with happiness, across town Ash seethed from complications arising from his own plan.

              "Damnit, I can't contact Shelby to let her know I have to cancel! I hope I'm going to be able to make it up to her whenever she turns her phone back on. Stupid clients and their emergencies. I'm not going to get out of here until at least 8:00 now. Even Ember isn't answering now. Shit!" Ash paced his office as his bear raged inside him from the stress he was enduring. Slowly he exhaled and realized he needed to calm down and get through the evening before dealing with the fiasco that surely would unfold.

              Shelby had just left her apartment to go to the house when she second guessed having her phone off on the way. She'd always kept in on in case something happened and someone needed to reach her. It had always been a line of defense for her as well, so that she had something to quickly call for help if she needed. A little distressed about it but still not wanting to ruin Ash's plans, she made her way there with her phone off and tucked away in her purse.

              As soon as she got there the gates opened and she was able to get to the front door. She knocked. A few minutes later after no answer, she knocked again. This time she saw him in the window waving at her, coming toward the door in a towel.
Christ on a cracker, he looks even better out of clothes.

              As he opened the door for her, her eyes couldn't help but trail down from those gorgeous eyes to the perfectly trimmed chest hair that seemed to be a path down to his... oh my, she was staring.

              "Hello Ash, I can't wait to see what your surprise is," she smiled up at him and tried to disregard the desire she felt.

              Ember's plan was in motion. It was all so simple and easy to get Ash away, too. One fake client booking late at night and Ash would never question it. After hearing all about his "phone off" plan and his dinner idea, Ember knew all he'd have to do is tell Ash he'd be gone when in fact he'd be here waiting on Shelby. Shelby would never know it was really him instead of Ash, for in Shelby's world Ember didn't exist. And now, meeting her, he could see why his brother was so enamored with her.
It's really too bad how it has to work out,
he thought,
but at least I'll get to nail her and lord it over Ash.

              "Shelby, lovely to see you. Come on in. Just let me dress quickly and I will be right with you."

              He dashed to the back of the house just long enough to slip on the clothes he had laying on his bed. He'd been in the towel for twenty minutes waiting on her to accidentally catch him "fresh from the shower".

              Ember played it well as he was setting up dinner, keeping the conversation guided to things that couldn't possibly trip him up and give away who he really was.
Who am I kidding though
, Ember thought,
she has no idea Ash even has a twin.

              "This has been all so nice," she said, "you really are so special, you know." She didn't want to admit the feelings she already had for him just yet.

              "Come and let's sit on the sofa and relax," Ember said, as he grabbed the wine; a red out of their extensive wine cellar.

              "Sounds perfect."

              They sat together, curled up in each other's arms, and for a moment Ember almost told her who he was and killed his plan. There was just so much trusting in her eyes and he could tell that she wasn't one of their normal gold digger women without a soul. This woman was kind and caring, and for a moment Ember thought he could fall for her. He shook as if to shake off these feelings and kept to his plan. There would be no falling in love tonight. Instead, he leaned over and kissed her soft lips that tasted faintly of coconut. Kiss after kiss, they pressed into each other, holding each other close. Her ample chest rubbing against his body made Ember react in ways he never thought a curvy girl would be able to arouse in him. Soon his lust for her started to overtake the hatred for his brother and he lifted her up, laying her back against the cushions.
There is no reason why I can't enjoy this.

              "Ash, I..." she began, before Ember covered her mouth with his again.
Damn, I don't want to hear his name. It's me that's doing this to you Shelby, not Ash.
His hand slid down her side, caressed her hip and thigh, before finding her softness underneath the fabric. Her eyes opened and looked at him as he started to touch her. Each fingertip that slid over her bare skin felt like lightning bolts on her. He seemed hungry for her and it made her feel beautiful.

              Shelby was torn between two very conflicting feelings. She wanted him, oh how she wanted him, but she also knew that she needed to wait this time. Too many times she'd done this too soon with her boyfriends and met with relationship-ending results. This time would be different and she knew that Ash would understand.

              Still it was hard to say no when her body was screaming yes, yes, yes. His fingers played her expertly and she was fighting a battle to stay in control and not surrender to him. He alternated between the edge of his fingernail and the pad of his finger, giving her delicious chills. There were so many times that she nearly gave in to him.
It's so very hard saying no to him.

              "Ash, seriously, NO." She said, a little louder than she'd liked to have spoken. She rose up and adjusted her dress, smoothing it back down where it had ridden up her thighs in the middle of it all.

              "Come on Shelby, I need you. I need this." Ember said.
And if you don't, you little bitch, my plan completely fails. No woman has ever said no to me.

              "I just think we should wait until we see where this is headed first." She tried to sound casual but her heart was pounding in her chest, hoping for the best.

              "Just get out then. Head back to your cheap apartment and your cheap life." Ember knew his words were harsh but he didn't care, she'd messed up all his plans.
And damnit, I did want to finish with her.

              Shelby looked at him, shocked and saddened. Without a word she grabbed her purse and walked out the door, tears streaming down her face.