Behind the Eight Ball Read online

  “Gentleman, if we could return to the subject at hand…,” Alpha Armonty reminded everyone.

  “You’re right, Alpha.” Marshell clasped Remi’s hand, his voice dropping. “I… I’m sorry, Remi. I, ah, I didn’t mean to yell. It’s just the thought of you being hurt makes me crazy. And watch that pointy thing. I bruise easily,” Marshell joked as he brought Remi’s hand up to his lips and kissed the finger that had tried to punch a hole in his chest.

  “Yeah, right,” Remi sighed, tugging his hand away from Marshell. “You’re built like a tank.”

  “Yeah, right,” I echoed, and then laughed. “He is, isn’t he? Seriously, though, I asked why too when my stuff was destroyed.”

  “I want to point out that the scent’s the same as the one at your old house,” Heller said. He looked at Marshell. “I smelled it as soon as we walked out the door. It’s that werewolf again.”

  “Yeah, it is.” Marshell scrubbed his hands over his face.

  Heller continued speaking. “Marshell, you seem to be the common denominator in all this.”

  “Yeah, Heller, I know.”

  “He must know you found your mate. But how did the fucker even find out?” Heller looked around.

  “He? Who is ‘he’?” Remi interjected.

  “You mean you don’t know?” I asked.

  “He must have been watching us here at the house,” Heller said slowly. “How else could he have known Marshell was even here? He must’ve seen him and Remi leave together. Hell, he might have even followed you home, Marshell.”

  “If so he got an eyeful of Remi and me together on the couch.”

  “You did not just say that,” Remi hissed at Marshell.

  “Gods, I hate this,” Marshell griped.

  “Hate what?” Remi exclaimed. “Know what I hate? Not knowing what’s going on—so could someone please tell me what the deal is? I’m the one with the truck clawed all to hell.”

  “You haven’t told him? How could you have not told him?” Heller demanded.

  “Told him what?” Dolf asked.

  “Yeah, told me what?” Remi crossed his arms over his chest. “Man, I’m about to go ninja cat on someone.”

  “I just found my mate, and there were other things we… I was distracted by…. So maybe I wasn’t thinking clearly. Give me a break!” Marshell huffed.

  “What’s. Going. On. Marshell?” Remi demanded.

  “We think the werewolf that’s been stalking Lawson was doing it because of me. I slept with this wolf a couple of times, but I broke it off when he got demanding. He has it in his head we’re mates, even though we aren’t. When he trashed Lawson’s stuff, he didn’t bother to hide his scent. As soon as I smelled it, I knew it was him. We just don’t know where he is.”

  “Well, that’s not good.” Remi glared at Marshell. “How long ago was this, anyhow?”

  “Before I knew about you.” Marshell took Remi’s hand. “I stopped sleeping around as soon as I smelled your scent on Heller.”

  “Okay.” Remi sighed. “Okay. That’s fair. Can’t really blame you for that, then. It’s not like I haven’t had my fair share of ass through the years too.”

  “If you want those people to live, it might be best if you don’t give me names,” Marshell growled.

  “This might be a good time for me to interject that in the morning, I’ll call with the name of the shifter who worked on Kirk’s truck after it was scratched,” Dolf said to Remi. “At least we can get started on that.”

  “Thanks, Dolf,” Remi said. “I appreciate it.”

  “There are other things to discuss, but it’ll all wait until later. Good night, everyone,” Dolf said. Everyone waved good-bye as Dolf and Alpha Armonty left.

  “What are you two going to do?” I asked.

  “Go home,” Remi said.

  “With me,” Marshell added.

  Remi rolled his eyes. “I didn’t say that.”

  “Well, I’m sure not leaving you alone,” Marshell retaliated.

  “Oh, for crying out loud, I’m a beta, Marshell. I’m not helpless, you know.”

  “Didn’t say you were. But you can’t expect me to turn my back when my mate has been threatened.”

  Remi and Marshell were still discussing—arguing might be a better description—what they planned do when they left. I noticed Marshell didn’t take the turn that would have led him toward home. He followed Remi instead. Looked like Remi was having company whether he wanted it or not.

  Heller and I went back inside, and Heller put the gun up. We undressed and went back to bed.

  “Those two are going to kill each other,” Heller said, pulling me close.

  “I have to admit, I always figured Marshell would end up with someone more… submissive, I guess.”

  Heller laughed. “Oh, this should be fun to watch. Remi doesn’t have a submissive bone in his body. He’s laid-back and easygoing, but the truth is, he’s actually the strongest of the betas. I wonder which of them is more dominant.”

  I turned in Heller’s arms to face him. “It’s not our problem. We’ll be there for them and we’ll help any way we can with the werewolf problem or whatever else they need, but they’re mates. They’ll have to work this out on their own. Of course that does not mean we won’t have the option of helping, like the way Marshell helped us out, if it’s needed.”

  “Yeah, I like that idea.” Heller’s grin was positively evil, but then he let out a deep breath. “We haven’t seen the last of that werewolf, have we?”

  “I seriously doubt it. If we’re right and he’s going after anyone he thinks is in a relationship with Marshell, then no, there’s no reason to think he’s just going to go away.”

  “I hope Remi will listen to reason.”

  “Hey, if all else fails, we’ll sic Janelle on them.”

  Heller snorted. “Should be fun. But seriously I hope it works out for them. I didn’t realize how lost I was until I practically fell at your feet that day in your store. I looked into your eyes, and that was it. I was a goner.”

  I nodded. “The world stopped for just a second. You confused the hell out of me that day, but I knew you were worth fighting for.”

  “Thank you for not giving up on me.”

  “Never. I will always stand with you. Always, Heller. You’re no longer alone.” I knew then if I wasn’t in love with him, I was fast getting there. He might not be what I thought I wanted as a mate, but he was exactly what I needed. And he was mine.

  There were issues looming on the horizon: the biases against humans, Marshell’s power, and the uphill battle it looked as if he was going to have with Remi and maybe even the clowder, Heller’s insecurities, the waves Janelle was sure to make when she figured out just how old-fashioned and rigid this clowder was…. We’d deal with all of it together.

  We’d make changes. We’d love, laugh, and live our lives to the fullest. And hey, if we had the chance to needle Marshell about his mate… well, then, all the better. Heller was certainly looking forward to it.

  As I drifted off to sleep, I thanked God, Fate, Bast—whomever happened to be listening—for allowing me to meet my hellcat.

  More by M.A. Church

  A snowstorm in the South—on New Year’s Eve—is a perfect recipe for a catastrophe. After two soul-crushing bad breaks, Kirk’s waiting for disaster number three to strike when, naturally, two stray cats arrive on his doorstep during the storm and decide to make themselves at home. Tenderhearted Kirk lets them stay even though there’s something decidedly odd about his overly friendly felines.

  Out of the punishing weather and full of tuna, Dolf and Tal are happy to be snug in Kirk’s house. But then their human goes outside for firewood and suffers a nasty fall that leaves him unconscious. Now the two cats have no choice but to reveal themselves.

  Kirk wakes up to find the two kitties are actually Dolf and Tal. They’re cat shifters—and his destined mates. Being part of a feline threesome is enough for Kirk to grapple with, but soon
he learns they come from a clowder that doesn’t believe humans and shifters should mix. Kirk knew those two cats would be trouble. Little does he know the real trouble lies ahead.

  To celebrate his decision to take the next step with his boyfriend Ian, Toshi Baylor plans a romantic evening at their favorite steak house. Toshi starts the special weekend with a bang by surprising Ian at home with lunch. There’s a bang all right, but it’s between Ian and another guy.

  Jase Taylor’s auto repair shop and the BDSM club, Wrapped Up, keep him busy while he waits for Mr. Right, instead of Mr. Right Now. He’s a Dom, but playing with the club’s submissives isn’t providing the usual stress release. After a day from hell, he deserves a good meal at his favorite steak house.

  Toshi and Jase find a mix-up with their reservations: a table for Baylor, not Taylor. When Toshi invites Jase to dine with him, they discover a mutual affection for leather and a shared belief that trust must be earned.

  Before they can explore their common interests, Toshi suffers a series of attacks by vandals. Jase’s protective instincts kick in, but both wonder if it can lead to anything permanent.

  Sparks ignite when Cupid takes aim at two mortals in Las Vegas: Randy Jones, an average guy on a company vacation, looks into Garrett’s eyes at a craps table and time stands still. Throwing aside everything he believes, Randy engages in a torrid two-night affair with Garrett—only to panic when he realizes he’s fallen in love.

  Cynical billionaire Garrett Shiffler has everything money can buy, and most of his dates can’t see past the dollar signs. Life has taught him that innocence and love are figments of the imagination. But when Randy disappears, taking with him feelings Garrett thought he’d never know, Garrett wages the most important battle of his life to win Randy’s love—but this time he fights with his heart, not his bank account.

  Meanwhile, Cupid wonders what happened. His golden arrows never fail unless the Fates interfere. If Garrett wants to win Randy back, he’s going to have to do it on his own, because the Fates have other plans for Cupid.

  Sequel to Priceless

  The Gods: Book Two

  Jaded billionaire Jeff Mayfield loves only what his money and power can buy, but the Fates have plans for him. First a player in Jeff’s casino hits a huge jackpot and things turn hectic.Then, in the middle of the chaos, Jeff lays eyes on the unbelievably sexy Cam Smith—Cupid in his human form.

  Seized by lust, Jeff makes a move, only to find himself on the receiving end of a blistering wave of sexual intent. Cam disassembles Jeff’s self-image and puts it back together upside down. But Jeff isn’t the only one struggling with control. Cam’s alter ego is Jealousy, and if he loses his composure, the consequences will be deadly.

  Sequel to Perfect

  The Gods: Book Three

  Zygi Wyatt is an intimidating dom, but he yearns for love just like the next man. However, finding a partner who isn’t scared of his size is no easy task. The easygoing Mo seems like the answer to his prayers.

  Love is the stuff of dreams. Ask the god Morpheus—he knows all about it. Mo wants Zygi in a forever kind of way, but he has to be sure of Zygi’s love before he claims him for his mate and reveals his true self.

  Unfortunately, Zeus is growing increasingly unhappy with Morpheus, and Ares is determined to throw a monkey wrench into everything. Zygi and Mo will have to brave the wrath of the gods to make their dreams come true.

  When Chip Riley’s beloved granny passes away, she leaves him all her money, her land, and a house that needs some tender love and care. She never mentioned the legacy comes with a Native American shifter who intends to claim Chip as his mate.

  Jason Sky has lived since buffalo roamed the land. When his totem spirit, a black cougar, saves a little girl, he doesn’t realize that generations later, her grandson will become his mate, leaving him to take on a modern man with modern ideas. But that’s the least of his problems.

  Garon, another shifter with a long-held hatred for Jason, plots to kidnap Chip and lure Jason to his death. Soon Chip finds himself in an untenable position between a rock and a hard place. A leap of faith may be the only way to save himself and the man he’s learned to love.

  Leap of Faith: Book Two

  He can run, but he can’t hide…

  Centuries ago, Hawk made a terrible mistake which has haunted him since. Fear of responsibility and feelings of unworthiness leads him to denying the mate Wha-tay showed him in a vision. So now Hawk runs his bar, has casual sex, and never, ever dates men with blond hair and brown eyes. But then Simon walks into his bar, and the future he’s feared is about to end up in a brawl if Hawk doesn’t do something—fast.

  Simon Carter has a smart mouth and a bulldog temperament. So when Hawk runs, Simon pursues the sexy man, only to be rejected. Just as Simon decides to give up, someone—or something—visits him to change his mind… and scares him to death. Now Simon is backpedaling, and Hawk is in pursuit.

  Desperate to reassure Simon and keep him safe, Hawk is forced to reveal his secrets before he’s ready. Can Simon learn to accept things aren’t always as they seem? Is the connection between them strong enough to help Hawk overcome centuries of pain? The only way the two men will move beyond Hawk’s past is for both of them to take a leap of faith.

  A man too busy for love…

  Reed owns an upscale men’s boutique with a naughty back room. While making a late delivery to a client, he runs into Taz.

  A man on a disastrous date…

  When Taz agreed to come to Earth on a date, he didn’t expect to be dumped and left with no way home. Then he falls into Reed’s arms—literally.

  A coffee date soon becomes a trip back to Reed’s apartment. But when Taz’s stripes begin to show, Reed discovers Taz comes from a planet far, far away.

  Reed never believed aliens existed, but he’s facing one now. What in the world is he going to do?

  Sequel to Be My Alien

  Moonlit Skies: Book Two

  Reed and Taz are still adjusting to their new lives together when a medical emergency sends them flying down to Florida on short notice. Not quite the way Reed pictured introducing Taz to his family. Reed’s sister, Rene, welcomes the outgoing Taz with open arms, and the kittenish alien charms Reed’s parents.

  But someone isn’t quite so enamored of Reed’s boyfriend—his homophobic older brother Jacob seems determined to be as unpleasant as possible, and he’s making their visit very uncomfortable. The sudden appearance of Reed’s controlling ex releases a flood of insecurity and bad memories.

  Reed begins to doubt himself, and his ability to love and be loved in return. When strange items begin appearing out of nowhere, he wonders if he’s being stalked, or is he just paranoid? What can Taz do to prove to Reed that he’s more than enough man for this alien?

  Readers love Trouble Comes in Threes by M.A. Church

  “Oh boy! This story was so good.”

  —MM Good Book Reviews

  “…there was a lot of action and suspense in the story as well. It had just the right amount to keep me on my toes and wondering just what exactly was going to happen next.”

  —Crystal’s Many Reviewers

  “This was fun, fun read for me…”

  —Bookpushers

  “Kirk may be one of the best written characters I’ve read in a long time…”

  —Love Bytes

  “The story was actually pretty easy to read and the author did such a good job moving between the viewpoints that the story flowed easily.”

  —Literary Nymphs

  M.A. CHURCH is a true Southern belle who spent many years in the elementary education sector. Now she spends her days lost in fantasy worlds, arguing with hardheaded aliens on far-off planets, herding her numerous shifters, or trying to tempt her country boys away from their fishing poles. It’s a full-time job, but hey, someone’s gotta do it!

  When not writing, she’s exploring the latest M/M novel to hit the market, watching her beloved Steelers, or sitting
glued to HGTV. That’s if she’s not on the back porch tending to the demanding wildlife around the pond in the backyard. The ducks are very outspoken. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, and they have two children.

  She was a finalist in the Rainbow awards for 2013 and is a member of Romance Writers of America, Rainbow Romance Writers, and Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America.

  Contact M.A.:

  Blog: machurch00.blogspot.com

  Twitter: @nomoretears00

  Facebook: www.facebook.com/pages/MA-Church/173797619379487

  The Harvest FB fan page: www.facebook.com/#!/theharvest00

  Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/author/show/5141393.M_A_Church

  Amazon: www.amazon.com/M.A.-Church/e/B007A8JA4C/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

  E-mail: [email protected]

  By M.A. Church

  Wrapped in Leather

  FUR, FANGS, AND FELINES

  Trouble Comes in Threes

  Behind the Eight Ball

  THE GODS

  Priceless

  Perfect

  Pure

  LEAP OF FAITH

  Shadows in the Night

  To Touch the Sky

  With Julie Lynn Hayes

  MOONLIT SKIES

  Be My Alien

  Be My Human

  Published by DREAMSPINNER PRESS

  www.dreamspinnerpress.com

  Published by

  DREAMSPINNER PRESS

  5032 Capital Circle SW, Suite 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886 USA