Behind the Eight Ball Read online

  Chapter Two

  Heller

  I SPENT the next morning working on a difficult website design for a client, so when my stomach growled, it surprised me. Leaning back in my chair, I did a mental run-through of what I had in the kitchen.

  I thought about grabbing a sandwich, but then remembered the tar on my truck. I really needed to get that off. Might as well kill two birds with one stone. Ordinarily I was satisfied with my own company, but I found myself fishing out my cell to call Remi. Today I didn’t want to be alone.

  I stared at the computer screen waiting for him to answer. “Hey, Remi.”

  “Hey, man, what’s up?”

  “Not much. I’m about to go get some lunch. You want to join me?”

  “Are you at home?” Remi asked.

  “Yeah. Where are you?”

  “Aidric has guard duty today, so I came into the office. But yeah, I can take off and eat. Want to meet up somewhere?”

  “That sounds good. Listen, I got tar all over my truck last night and need to get it cleaned. I usually wash it here at the house, but, well, tar. Can you recommend a place?”

  “Sure. I go to The Perfect Touch.”

  “Hmm.” I tried to visualize the place. “Is that the auto detailing shop at Goodman and Airways?”

  “Yeah.”

  “You know, the clowder could use a business like that.” I wrinkled my nose. “Then we wouldn’t have to use a human-owned one.”

  “Well, that’s all well and good. Are you volunteering to open it?”

  “Ha, right.” Like I had the time. “So do you want to meet me at that auto detail place in town? I can drop my truck off and ride with you to eat lunch.”

  “You’re killing me, you know that, right?”

  “Huh? Uh, what do you…?” Suddenly I flashed back to Remi’s burning car. “Oh man, I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking. Any luck finding another Mustang?”

  During the attack on Kirk several months ago, the killer set fire to Remi’s beloved ’69 Ford Mustang with Kirk inside. After the dust settled and things returned to normal, Remi had a bawling fit over the loss of his baby.

  “I’m not sure I’m going to get another one. I mean, I bought that car right off the lot as soon as they came out. I spent a lot of time with her. I gave her the best of everything and—”

  Leaning back in my chair, a smile crossed my face as I thought about that day. “I remember. You, me, and Dolf tried to drive the wheels off her that night.”

  “Yeah.” Remi sighed wistfully. “Those were the days.”

  “It was a good year. We watched that guy walk on the moon, and then later we slid around in the mud at Woodstock.” I met a hot shifter that weekend and spent more time fucking than listening to the music.

  “Some folks thought the moon walk was faked.”

  “Yeah, they couldn’t believe such a thing could happen.” The discussions that went on after the televised program were funny. If they had a clue what was walking around down here in their midst, they’d freak out. “Anyway, that’s enough of a trip down memory lane. What time do you want to meet?”

  “How about in twenty minutes?” Remi asked. “Is that good for you?”

  “Perfect,” I said. Good thing I showered and dried my hair when I got up. “I’ll see you there. Bye.”

  A short drive later, I arrived at The Perfect Touch, and since I’d beat Remi there, I parked and waited outside the business. There were several vehicles even this late in the year, so I was glad I’d made plans. The last thing I wanted was to have to sit around and wait with a bunch of humans around me.

  Remi arrived in one of his work trucks and parked next to me. I stepped out of mine and tapped on Remi’s window. Once I saw his T-shirt, I started laughing. It said: Deja Moo. The feeling you’ve heard this bull before. Remi had millions of T-shirts with sayings like that. His stupid shirts were damn near legendary in the clowder.

  Remi rolled his window down. “Hey, give me a minute to pay and leave my keys. Then I’ll be ready to go.”

  “Sure.”

  I went inside, told the cashier what detail service I wanted, and left my key. The place was set up as a little gift shop with all sorts of miscellaneous items females seemed to like. This one had fancy purses, numerous candles, stuffed animals, hand lotions, cutesy baby blankets, and stationery.

  It was the last place I wanted to spend any time. There was just too much stuff hanging everywhere and all those scents from the dozens and dozens of candles… I sniffed discreetly. Huh, what’s that? There was a faint scent lingering in the air—a clean saltwater smell that brought to mind images of sandy shores, sun-kissed days, and the ocean.

  I wanted to purr and rub up against something. I wasn’t sure what that was about. I wasn’t much on all that frou-frou stuff, but I liked that light and breezy scent—in fact I liked it enough I considered actually buying the candle, if I could find it. Shifters had an enhanced sense of smell, so things like smoke or perfumes bothered us, but this didn’t, which was unusual.

  I was tempted to look for it, but the press of human bodies was quickly becoming more than I could stand. Sweat beaded on my brow and slid down my hairline. Now I wished I’d tied my hair back and left my jacket in the truck. Tucking a stray strand behind my ear, I noticed my hand shook.

  Suddenly my cat was pacing in my mind, aggravated and entirely too close to the surface. A strange yowl threatened to break loose. What the hell? Trying not to panic, I took a deep breath and that scent filled my lungs. Fuck, I had to get out of there—like, now.

  There were too many humans, and that damn fragrance—along with the harshness of the chemicals used to wash the vehicles—was getting to me. I hurried out of the shop into the fresh fall air. Trying not to look like I was on the edge of a major freak-out, I hurried to Remi’s truck and got in.

  “Hey, man, are you okay?”

  Well, so much for Remi not noticing. “I’m fine. Just too many smells and too many humans for me. I guess it kind of wigged me out a little.” I buckled up, yanking my hair out of the way. I was tempted to fan my hot, sweaty neck, but I didn’t. Not while Remi was staring holes in me. I tried to change the subject. “So where are we going to eat lunch?”

  “Uh-huh.” Remi eyed me. “Does that happen to you often?”

  So much for that. “Look, you know I don’t like humans. I’m not comfortable around them, and with all the smells in there, it just got to me. It’s no big deal.”

  “Okay.” With one last concerned look, Remi started his truck. “Want to go to that cafeteria right around the corner?”

  “Sounds good to me.” I didn’t care where we went as long as Remi stopped staring at me like I was about to lose it.

  As we drove to the cafeteria, Remi didn’t pursue how I had acted, and I was relieved. I didn’t know what set me off back there, and I damn sure wasn’t telling Remi my cat suddenly made its presence very well known. Aggressively so in fact. But now my cat had backed off.

  It wasn’t calm, but the pressing need to shift wasn’t riding me now. But I was restless and jittery. It took me nearly the entire lunch, but I finally calmed down. Thankfully Remi wasn’t expecting titillating conversation because I wasn’t capable of it. Not that I was that great of a conversationalist on a good day, but today? Nope, wasn’t happening.

  Remi didn’t say anything while we ate, but I caught the odd looks he flashed me. I didn’t want to think about how I’d acted in that store. If it continued I’d have to tell my Alpha and probably Dolf too. I could already see the disappointment in Dolf’s eyes, hear it in his voice. Dolf wouldn’t understand. No one did, for that matter. Damn humans.

  Since I’d asked Remi to lunch, I paid after grumbling about how nothing they offered had bacon on it. What kind of place was this? I was so lost in thought I barely hid my surprise at how fast we arrived back at the car detail place. I’d spent the entire trip back lost in my head.

  “Heller?”

  “Yeah?”


  “Anything you need to talk about?”

  “Nope.” Hopefully Remi would leave it there.

  Remi laid his hand on my shoulder and squeezed. I immediately tensed, and Remi chuckled as he removed his hand. “Yeah, yeah, yeah, I can see you’d rather I’d drop this, but you know me. No such luck. I’m just going to throw this out there—you seem distracted today. You know if you ever need to talk to me, I’m here.”

  I rolled my neck, trying to pop it as I stalled. “I appreciate it, but really, there’s nothing wrong. Just antsy, I guess.” I smirked suddenly. “I need to get laid.”

  “Hey, whatever works. This new jumpy you is rather irritating.” Remi parked and turned off his truck. We both sat there for a minute, watching several teenagers wipe my truck dry.

  “According to you I’m irritating anyhow,” I finally said. Hell, I’d recite the pledge I took as a beta if it would break this silence.

  “True,” Remi agreed good-naturedly. “You’re more so than normal today.”

  “Funny man.” I punched Remi lightly in the shoulder.

  “Hey!” Remi rubbed the spot I’d hit, a fake glare on his face. “Play nice.”

  “I’ll tell you what I told my last hookup: I don’t know how.” Snickering, I winked as I opened the door.

  Remi groaned loudly.

  I held the door while waiting for Remi to stop groaning. “Thanks for eating lunch with me, man.”

  “Anytime. Just give me a yell when you’re ready again.”

  I waved as Remi drove off. I needed to get my truck and get out of here too. I opened the door to the shop and walked in, fighting not to wrinkle my nose at all the different scents. The stink of chemicals hit me first, and then the odor of humans.

  Humans didn’t smell like shifters. They didn’t necessarily smell bad, just different. Thankfully the kids out front were almost done with my truck so I could get out of here. Standing at the register, I waited my turn, when suddenly that same scent from earlier came out of nowhere.

  It slammed into me, but this time it was stronger. Much stronger. Fresher. It saturated every cell in my body, took me by the throat, and sank its fangs into me. The scent whispered dark, needy things in my ear. My cock sprang up, my balls high and tight to my body.

  Mate, mate, mate.

  The words echoed in my head. How in the world had I ever thought that scent came from a candle? I was an absolute idiot. I’d waited to find this scent for half my life. I’d finally found it, and I thought the scent came from wax in a bottle? Goddess! I breathed deeply. That scent. I had to find the owner of that scent. Excitement tore through my body. After all this time, I’d found the one for me.

  “Sir?”

  My gaze snapped up.

  “Sir? Are you okay?”

  My overjoyed excitement turned to ball-numbing horror. There at the register stood a gum smacking, ponytail wearing, more-makeup-than-you-could-shake-a-stick-at bubbly female. A female.

  Not only that, she looked like she might be eighteen on a good day. What was my goddess thinking? I had no fucking clue what to do with a, with a… barely legal vagina. I liked men. I liked dick. Oh, I really liked dick.

  “Sir?”

  Smack. Smack. Smack.

  “I-I-I….” My eyes threatened to cross.

  I was sure that gum-smacking sound would haunt me for the rest of my life. I needed help. No, no, what I needed was for the day to start over. Better yet, what I really needed was to have never stepped foot in here in the first place.

  A female. What was I going to go with a female?

  “Y-You don’t look so good.” She gasped. “Lawson? I need some help here!”

  So do I. I cringed at the high-pitched sound that came from the girl’s mouth. Kill me now. Then a sudden thought hit me. Was she human too? Oh no. She couldn’t be human. I sniffed, and there below the scent currently driving me nuts was the scent of a paranormal.

  It wasn’t a shifter scent, though. I was sure of that. Was it her? Or was that someone else? No, no, it wasn’t the gum-smacking girl. But there was something in that shop. Thanks to the other smells—especially that ocean scent—I couldn’t tell what type of paranormal was close by.

  That scared the piss out of me. My cat paced in my mind, then let loose a growling yowl that left me gasping and twitching. Oh shit, I was on the verge of either fainting or shifting. My gaze wavered and there was a rush of movement around me. I found myself sitting down. That lovely, salty scent of the ocean wrapped around me, and I tried to concentrate on it. Tried to rein myself in.

  “Sir? Can you look at me? Come on now.”

  The masculine voice snagged my attention and calmness enveloped me. I looked up into the prettiest gunmetal-gray eyes I’d ever seen. My gaze traveled over the person in front of me. Oh, look at all that lovely tanned skin. Nice-shaped nose, five o’clock shadow, firm jaw. Kissable lips. Hair cut short on the sides, but take a look at those curls on top. I just want to run my fingers through them. My gaze dropped. Broad shoulders with a nice shape under those clothes. Like to see him without the clothes.

  I returned to those exquisite eyes. As I stared I noticed hints of blue in them, and blue reminded me of the ocean and—and there was that scent. I inhaled. Oh yeah, there it was, and it was coming from the drop-dead sexy man kneeling in front of me, looking so worried.

  Reaching out, I cupped the stranger’s jaw. Electricity shot up my arm. “Mine.”

  The other man’s eyes widened and surprise flickered across his face. For a second I was sure I saw an answering need flare to life in the stranger’s eyes. I could sit here all day and stare at the man across from me. His features were perfect.

  He was perfect. I wanted him right now—wanted to strip the guy, kiss every inch of his skin, cover him in my scent, and then bury my cock as far as I could…. He moved back, I dropped my hand, and the fragile spell holding me hostage broke.

  “There you are. Good, good,” he nodded. “I thought you were going to pass out there for a moment. Do you have any medical issues I need to know about?”

  “I… no. I don’t, no. I’m, ah, wow.” I pushed my sweaty hair back off my face and looked around. Now I knew what a bug under a microscope felt like. There was too much attention on me, and while I liked attention, I didn’t care for this kind. “I’m sorry. Really, I’m sorry to cause such a ruckus.”

  “No problem. Are you sure I don’t need to call an ambulance?”

  That was the last thing I needed. “Please don’t call one. Really, I’m fine now. Thank you.”

  “Um, what’s your name, if you don’t mind me asking?”

  “Heller Wirth.”

  “I guess we have your vehicle?”

  I wanted to smack myself. I’d totally forgotten why I was sitting here. “Uh, yeah. The black 2011 Rocky Ridge Chevy Silverado that just finished up.”

  “The one all chromed out?”

  “Yeah.”

  The guy whistled softly. “Sweet truck. It’s done too, so that’s good. Oh, I’m Lawson, by the way. I’m one of the shop’s owners.” Lawson stood and held out his hand. “Let’s get you finished up so you can get on home.”

  I took Lawson’s hand. A tingle ran up my arm, through my body, and made a beeline to my cock. I was tempted, so tempted, to jerk Lawson down and cuddle him. My cat wanted to rub his scent all over the man.

  Had I felt Lawson’s hand tremble too? Was he affected? I stood and took another deep breath. Yup, that was a mate scent. Thank the goddess it wasn’t from the female I’d smelled.

  “Are you sure you’re up to driving?” Lawson asked. “You’re still a little pale.”

  “Oh, I’m fine, thanks.” Rattled as hell, but fine.

  “You sure are.”

  I watched as blood rushed to Lawson’s face, those cheeks heating with color. Warmth curled in my chest. How cute!

  “I, ah. I mean, um, I’m sure glad you’re fine.” Lawson cringed. “Better. I mean I’m glad you feel better. Oh, good grief, shoot
me now. Right this way, then.”

  I swallowed my laugh. That pink tint to his skin was nice. I’d like to see how far down it went. I followed him to the register, admiring the tight ass in form-fitting jeans. My head was still spinning thanks to all the scents and my excitement. I’d found my mate!

  Anticipation flooded me. I couldn’t wait to lick him from head to toe. We stopped at the register, which was by the door. I waited as Lawson checked my ticket and found the key I’d left to my truck. I needed to get the man’s last name.

  Then I needed to…. A woman entered the shop and the open door let in a breath of fresh air that churned up the various scents of candles, chemical cleaners the carwash used, body odors of the humans, the scents of hairspray and perfumes, a paranormal scent I couldn’t place, and the ocean.

  That wasn’t the only thing churned up.

  “Wow.” Lawson held out the receipt and the truck key. “That’s a cool breeze. Oh, also, if it rains in the next twenty-four hours, bring your vehicle back and get a free wash.”

  The fresh breeze had definitely cleared the scents strangling me and let me get a good whiff of the man named Lawson—who was a human. Human. The knowledge hit me like a tornado-propelled two-by-four.

  My head pounded and my stomach roiled. How in the name of the goddess had I missed that? I was rattled and excited, but this wasn’t some insignificant detail. Oh no. No, no, no. Not this. It can’t be. It just can’t be. Not a human. Not. A. Human. Anyone would be better.

  My mouth watered. I swallowed, hoping I wouldn’t throw up here in the middle of the damn store. “Ah, ah, thanks, but I won’t be back.”

  Lawson frowned. “But… is there something wrong? Did we do something wrong?” Lawson waved at the truck sitting outside ready to go. “You haven’t even been outside to see your truck, so… I don’t understand. What did I… ah, I mean, what did…. I mean…. Please, if I can, I’ll fix it.”

  I snatched my key, careful not to make contact with his skin. “You can’t fix it, sorry.”

  “Sorry?” Lawson let his hand fall. “I…. Yeah, so am I.”

  The way his voice broke cut me in half, and that pissed me off. I slammed out the door and stumbled to my truck, horror dogging my every step. A nasty glare cleared the kids from around my truck.