The Last Shifter’s Baby

Once she finished her meal, well, once she ate all she could and then Luke cleaned her plate, their waitress brought them the check. Luke dug his wallet from his pocket. “I’ll get it.”

Rebecca shook her head. “No way, we’ll split it. Besides, you drove me out here so I should owe you for gas anyway.”

Luke frowned at her for several long seconds. “If we go out to eat again, I get to pay.”

She laughed, knowing that was unlikely. “Fine.” She looked outside, dreading the walk to the truck as she eyed the frost forming across the windshield. Luke shrugged into his flannel coat, looking down at her with a small frown.

“You didn’t bring a jacket?” He asked and when she shook her head, he motioned her to stand, slipping it off and draping it around her shoulder. “Here, take this. Can’t have you freezing on your first night here.”

“No, I couldn’t. You just have a t-shirt; I have long sleeves.” She said but even as she spoke she clutched the flannel tighter around her, relishing in the warmth.

“It’s fine. I run warm anyway.” He said and pressed a firm hand to the small of her back, gently guiding her out of the diner and back to the truck. He ducked his head a little as he opened the door and helped her into the passenger seat. Rebecca frowned as she felt a hot puff of air across the back of her neck. He couldn’t – is he smelling me? But as soon as she began to tense he was pulling away, a smile on his lips as he shut the door for her. I must be going crazy, either that or I really should have taken that shower before going out.

The drive back was filled with a comfortable silence. Even though it was only nearing nine, Rebecca could feel her head starting to nod as she tried to stay awake. It was getting harder and harder to keep her eyes open between the fullness in her stomach and the warmth of Luke’s flannel encompassing her. She must have fallen asleep because when she opened her eyes next, they were pulled up outside her home, Luke’s hand was curled around her shoulder, squeezing it gently. “We’re here. Rebecca?”

She hummed and tried to blink herself awake. “Yeah, sorry.” She felt his hands slip around her waist, steadying her as she went to hop out of the truck. “I’m just going to go in now.”

He smiled at her fondly, watching to make sure she made it inside before he left.

Rebecca felt foggy and exhausted as she stumbled around her bedroom, trying to get ready for bed. She breathed a sigh of relief as she finally let her hair out of the tie, the long, dark locks spilling down her shoulders. She stripped down to her underwear, throwing an old t-shirt over her head before crawling onto the mattress. She silently thanked housekeeping for making up the bed before she arrived today because as tired as she was, she didn’t think she’d have the energy to make up a bed. She drifted to sleep thinking about a pair of whiskey-colored eyes, Luke’s face morphing into the bears as she dreamed. She never realized that Luke kept her talking and laughing all night and she never got the chance to question him about the sanctuary.

When she woke that morning, she didn’t remember any of her strange dreams. She slid a soft pair of pajama bottoms up her legs and padded into the kitchen to see what the housekeeping staff had left her for food. Walking past the door, she noticed that someone had slid a small pile of mail under it. That was fast, I’m glad I forwarded it a week in advance. She scooped up her mail, flicking through the envelopes as she made her way into the kitchen. She frowned when she came to an envelope with her sister’s familiar scrawl. Why would she be sending me a letter? Quickly ripping into it, she brushed her fingers across the smooth gloss of the Christmas pictures. Her sister always sent themed Christmas photos to the family and this year her three little nieces were dressed as reindeer. She read the elegant script on top of the card Happy holidays from all six of us! She frowned and read the words over again. Six? Her breath caught as she finally noticed the soft swell of her sister’s stomach beneath the garish green of her Christmas sweater. She could do nothing to stop the rising jealousy, wadding up the Christmas pictures in a fit of rage and tossing them towards the garbage. She stormed back into her bedroom, digging out her phone and shooting her sister a quick text. Bit soon for Christmas cards, isn’t it?

Agitated and appetite lost, Rebecca headed into the shower, hoping the hot water would soothe her. Standing under the gentle stream of warm water, she found her thoughts drifting towards Luke. She hadn’t laughed like that in a long time and it was nice to share a meal with someone else for once. She thought of his eyes, warm and the color of whiskey, and the way his hand curled around her shoulder or the firm press of his palm against her back and felt heat pool in her belly. She chewed lightly on her lower lip as the slid of soap across her wet skin grew more lingering. She groaned softly and pushed her face against the stream of water pouring from the shower head. This can’t be happening. I can’t be getting a crush on him, we work together. She started running through the tasks she wanted to get done today, firmly shaking any thoughts of Luke from her mind.

Refreshed from her shower, Rebecca slipped into her work clothes. This time she made sure to put on her old jeans, knowing they’d probably just get destroyed anyway. On her way out, she went to grab for her thick, brown coat but she stopped, noticing Luke’s flannel thrown over one of her kitchen chairs. Would it be weird if I wore that today? She hesitated before shrugging it over her shoulders. Screw it, it’s the warmest piece of clothing in this house. I’ll just return it this afternoon once it warms up. She had to push the sleeves up and wrap the tie tightly around her waist to avoid looking like she was swimming in all the excess material. Pulling her wet hair up into a ponytail, she grabbed the keys to the ATV and locked the door behind her.