That Shifter Love

“Oh please. I did not try to kill you. You assaulted me and would have done more given the chance,” Lucy retorted. “I could have pressed assault charges. I had a huge bump on the back of my head.”

“You can’t press charges because you can’t go to the police. You’re a werewolf,” Austin reaffirmed.

Lucy had hoped he was drunk tonight as well, but his gaze was steady on hers. She glanced at Nathan, whose eyes hadn’t left Austin’s face since he’d interrupted their kiss. She put her hand on his thigh and looked back at Austin. “Austin, you’re being ridiculous.”

“You haven’t denied it. You changed into a werewolf when I was kissing you and tried to kill me.”

“Kissing me? You were molesting me, you asshole!” Lucy spoke quickly but quietly. “You slammed my head into the wall and I fell down. When I looked up, there was a dog and you were running away. End of story.”

Austin opened his mouth to speak, but Nathan interrupted him. “She said that’s what happened, pal, so that’s what happened. Now get the hell out of here. Now.”

Austin was visibly shaken. “I’ll leave, but you’re on a date with a werewolf. She’ll kill you in your sleep.” He turned and walked away, glancing maliciously back at them.

Lucy stared at the table for a moment. Nathan put his finger under her chin and lifted it so she was looking at him. “Don’t worry about that guy, Lucy. He’s a blowhard.”

“Yes, but he confronted me in public. He knows where I work and what neighborhood I live in,” she sighed. “Should I be concerned?”

“I think so, yes, but not so much that you allow it to ruin your life. I saw what happened,” he said to her, hoping to comfort her.

“But no one else saw it. If he talks to people I know, I might have to move.”

“I can talk to him, if you like,” he offered.

She chuckled and narrowed her eyes at him. “Do you mean threaten?”

He shrugged noncommittally and replied, “Kind of.”

“I think I’ll wait and see what happens. He’s a drunk misogynist. I told a couple people at the café what happened with him, minus the shifting part, so he’ll just sound like a lunatic.”

The waiter stopped by and asked if they needed anything else. They shook their heads and Nathan handed him the signed receipt. He looked at her and smiled.

“I think it’s time to go back to your place,” Nathan commented with a little eyebrow wiggle and a peck on the lips. She giggled her agreement and gathered her things.

*****

Marissa had watched the scene unfold between Lucy and the human from behind her menu. Her interest was piqued; he may be the path to ridding Nathan of Lucy.

After three years without him, Marissa had realized that she had made a mistake in pushing Nathan away so she could focus on her career. She’d been thinking about it even before Lucy had waltzed her fat ass into his life, and she wasn’t going to let that bi*ch get in the way of her happiness.

When Austin stomped away from Lucy and Nathan, Marissa had followed his path. She looked at the couple, who were engrossed in conversation that ended with a kiss, much to her dismay, and left before they could. She hurried out the front door of the restaurant and looked in all directions until she spotted Austin shambling down the sidewalk. She chased after him and called his name.

*****

Nathan took the keys from Lucy when they walked into her apartment building with the idea of unlocking her door. He opened it and allowed her to precede him inside, then closed and locked it behind him. He turned, and she pounced, attaching her lips to his and pressing her body against him. He grunted his surprise but returned the kiss just as forcefully. Her hands skittered down his chest, over his stomach, and to the fly of his pants. He took her wrists and halted her progress.

“Hold up there, sexy. I have a favor to ask,” he murmured against her lips.

Lucy pulled away, staring at him in surprise. “A favor? Unbuttoning your pants quickly is a favor I’d like to grant you.” She reached for his pants again.

Nathan chuckled at her insistence. “Shift for me.”

His words stopped her fingers. She looked up at him. “Why? You’ve seen me in my wolf form.”

“Yes, but not close up. I’ll shift for you, if you want,” Nathan offered.

“Ok, I guess. But you go first,” she insisted. She turned away from him and sat down on the couch. “Why don’t you undress first? No need to ruin your nice clothes.” She leaned forward and removed her shoes, then watched him, a wicked gleam in her eye.

She joined her scream with his.