That Shifter Love

Chapter 3

Nathan watched Lucy disappear through the backdoor and heard her friend’s immediate questioning. He smiled; he liked the idea that her friend was so excited. He turned slowly, thinking about the way she tasted. He’d never tasted someone like her, and it had nothing to do with the spicy gumbo she’d been eating before he interrupted her. She hadn’t finished, he mused. She would get hungry as her shift continued; he felt a little guilty about that.

But her lips. Soft, plump, and sweet, moving on his as if they’d kissed a million times. He touched his lips the way she’d touched hers, and he wished he could repeat the kiss. I’ll find a way, he thought. He had to get her to the Guard of her own volition. Maybe he could take her to dinner, discuss the Guard more thoroughly, and take her to see the Head after.

He walked in front of the café so he could look in the window. She was speaking to a pair of men, laughing at a joke one of them had told her. Her smile remained on her face as she took their order. Nathan was so absorbed by her smile, he didn’t notice the were across the street pulling out a cell phone.

*****

Marissa answered her phone the moment it rang. “Hello.”

“He spoke with her in the alley behind the café where she works,” her assistant informed her in place of a greeting, as she preferred. “She was not receptive to his polite request to visit the Guard of her own accord.”

“And?” Marissa was irritated already. Protocol said that a were who wouldn’t come would be escorted by the one who found her. “Is Nathan on his way here with her?”

Her assistant cleared his throat nervously. He knew that tone. “No.”

Marissa arched an eyebrow. He was hiding something from her, she could tell. “Bobby, please give me all the information. I can tell you’re leaving something out.”

Bobby sighed quietly. “Nathan kissed her before she went back in.”

Marissa stiffened. Her silence screamed in Bobby’s ear. He was aware of her former relationship with Nathan and that it had ended badly. He waited for her orders. No words he said would be welcome at this time.

“Thank, Bobby,” Marissa murmured quietly, dangerously. “I’ll handle it from here. You may go about your business.”

The phone beeped in his ear, indicating she’d cut him off. He sighed. The dismissal made him happy; he could go home and relax. He glanced at the café and watched Nathan finally walk away. He could see Lucy inside, gracefully delivering orders. He felt sorry for her. Marissa was pissed.

*****

After closing and cleaning, Lucy knocked on her boss’ door. Kayla was waiting for her by the door and gave her an encouraging nod. Jeff called come in, and Lucy opened the door and stepped inside.

“Hey, Jeff,” Lucy said quietly. Jeff could be intimidating in his asshole-ness. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

Without looking up from the money he was counting, he said, “Give me one minute.”

Lucy nodded. She stood there awkwardly, watching him counting the money and adding up figures. He entered the sums into a spreadsheet, saved it, and shut the computer down. Finally he looked at her.

“What do you need, Lucy?”

She stared at him for a second before speaking. “Um, I was wondering if I can trade shifts and work days for a while.”

Jeff’s brows furrowed and he tilted his head to look at her. “Why? Better tips at night.”

“I know, but I’ve had some issues with a guy. He’s been following me around,” Not really a lie, not the whole truth. “I’m scared he’s going to do something to me, and I have to walk home alone.”

Jeff looked at her, no sympathy in his eyes. “So why don’t you just take a cab?”

“It’s only two blocks, and I don’t want to pay for one.”

“If it’s only two blocks, it shouldn’t be that expensive,” he replied, rising and gathering his things to go home. “Listen, I understand what you’re going through, kind of, but I can’t give you a day shift. Those are all taken by people who have been here a lot longer than you.”

Lucy’s shoulders dropped. She’d known his answer before she’d asked, but she’d asked anyway. “Ok, thanks anyway.”

Jeff put his hand on his shoulder and led her out of his office and to the door. As he locked the backdoor, he said, “Get some mace, or maybe a stun gun. Best thing you can do,” he pointed at Kayla. “Or the two of you get a place together so you can walk home together.”

Lucy and Kayla watched him walk down the back alley, whistling to himself. Lucy turned to look at Kayla and said, “That guy is going to make some woman a very good husband someday.”

Kayla snorted. “Even better, he’ll be an amazing father.”

They giggled together and turned to walk to Lucy’s place. They had agreed, for the time being, that they would trade off walking the other home and split the cab money each night. Luckily, they wouldn’t have to do it every night.

“So tell me about that guy,” Kayla urged. “We didn’t get to say much about it.”

Lucy had hoped Kayla wouldn’t ask, but she knew better. Nathan hadn’t said the Guard was a secret, but she had decided not to mention that part to Kayla. She would not go see them, but she was planning to do some research if she could. She knew a few weres here and planned to seek them out the next day, her day off, and ask a few questions.

“He apparently thought I was pretty and wanted to ask me out,” Lucy explained. It wasn’t a totally unbelievable lie. He had been watching her, after all, and Kayla had noticed it.

“Really,” Kayla said, a smirk on her face. She wiggled her eyebrows. “I certainly hope you said yes.”

“I did, yes, so he kissed me. Then you walked out,” Lucy said pointedly, lifting an eyebrow at her.

“Oh no, would you have changed your mind after the kiss?” A non-committal shrug answered the question. Kayla bumped her shoulder. “Oh come on!”

“Maybe. He is awfully cute,” Lucy replied with a giggle. They’d arrived at her apartment building without incidence. “Want to come up?”

“I better not. I’m exhausted and need my beauty sleep,” Kayla smiled. She looked around and mumbled, “There are no cabs around.”

“I’ll call you one. They’re usually here within five minutes,” Lucy offered, her phone already out. After disconnecting, they sat on the stoop and waited. “So, I think maybe we ought to talk about getting a place together. What do you think?”

Kayla nodded, looking up and down the street for the cab. “I like the idea, honestly. Save money, safer, blah blah.” She glanced at Lucy and asked, “Does your building have two or three bedroom apartments? I like this neighborhood better than mine. You’ve got a park.”

“I think so. I’ll have to ask the manager,” Lucy replied. She pointed at the building across the street. “That building does, but the rent is outrageous. I’m not sure why, though.”

“I bet the apartments have fancier decorations,” Kayla mused.

“My apartment is fancy,” Lucy defended. “Fancier than yours, anyway. Does it still smell like cabbage in the hallway?”

“Shut up! It’s cheap,” Kayla sniffed. “I’m an up-and-coming actress. I have to suffer through poor living conditions before I make it big so I have something interesting to tell Ellen.”

The cab pulled up as they laughed. Lucy handed Kayla a ten from her tips, told her she’d call her tomorrow to talk about moving, and waved good-bye. She turned quickly to get in the building before the cab drove away. She hated that she was afraid of being alone in her own neighborhood after dark. This was a safe neighborhood; that’s why she’d chosen it. And now she was scared because of one almost-rap*st and a semi-stalker. She shook her head as she checked her mailbox before heading up the stairs.

Once in her apartment, she put the mail on the bar and went directly to her room for a shower. She felt sticky after the long shift, and even though it was after two, she couldn’t sleep when she was all sweaty. As she stepped into the shower, her thoughts wandered to Nathan and their discussion as well as their kiss.