5. Chapter Five

Chapter Five

Stephanie

M y face is still flushed with heat. We finished eating, and Quinn drove me to his office. He instructed me to sit at the front desk while he spoke to his client. The woman who walked in minutes later looked terrified. My heart went out to her. Quinn told me he couldn't tell me any of the details. The women who come to him for help counted on his discretion, and I respected that.

It was touching to see Quinn greet her with respect and tenderness. It made me want to know more about him.

I put my hands on my cheeks. I think the last time I dry-humped a man was in high school. The experience was nothing like the one in the closet. I haven't had tons of experience; with four uncles watching over me, there was little opportunity to have sex. I had a couple of boyfriends in school, but they were human, and I knew it would lead to nothing. After I graduated, I had a little more freedom to choose a partner, but I was never satisfied. I met a lion shifter in my late twenties, and we were attracted, so we slept together off and on for a few years. We both knew it wouldn't go anywhere, but we were lonely. He finally met his mate, and then it was over.

The scene in the closet tops everything. I still had my clothes on. Shit. I tip back my head. He had a wet spot on his pants. I was equal parts mortified and pleased. Pleased because he wore it with pride and mortified because of the obvious.

The heat is no joke.

The orgasm took some of the edge off, but minutes later, I was turned on again. I watched my mate cook me breakfast, and I was wet. He could do anything, and I would want him. His consideration and patience mean everything.

He knows what I have been through. I could tell, yet he didn't force me to discuss it. I know I will eventually open up to him. Quinn will want complete transparency. It will work both ways. He has a story to tell, and I can tell he is hesitant to share.

I have to dim my hearing so I don't invade the client's privacy. My ears can pick up everything for miles around me. It takes practice and time for a shifter to shut off their abilities, but I have lived in a house with lots of noise, so I've had lots of experience doing it. Every shifter is taught the basic rules of being a shifter, the most important being "do not reveal that you are one." There are exceptions to this rule, one being if you find your mate and they are human. I am so glad my mate is a bear. I don't envy those in our community who have to convince their mate that they aren't crazy. To a human who didn't know our ways, it would be odd to automatically give so much trust to a stranger.

We also have to be careful when showing off our strength. A young shifter has to learn to pull back every move. Our bodies are weapons, and we have to choose when it's necessary to use them.

We use our smell to sense our mates, enemies, friends, species, liars, and danger. Every different breed of shifter has a unique smell, but they also have something underlying that is all their own. The vampires don't have a smell. The lack of scent in a world full of them is the giveaway. They have an aura that is unique to each vampire. When they meet their mate, a white ring appears around the outside of their eye .

The front door slams open, startling me as it hits the wall, and I jump up. A human barrels inside and straight to the desk. He charges around it, and I move back quickly, hitting my hip on the edge of the wood.

"Where the fuck is she?" he yells as he barrels toward me, and I open my mouth to ask who when Quinn is suddenly there.

Quinn grabs his neck and slams him into the wall. His body vibrates with rage. His feet are braced apart, and his focus is on the angry man's face.

"Steph, move away," he demands. I quickly move backward until I hit the wall across from them. "I know you like to hit women, but try coming at me."

"You took her from me," the man sputters, gasping from the vicious grip on his throat.

"I didn't take shit." Quinn glares.

"Fuck yes, you did. She was happy with me, and you put crap in her head. She made it all up. She took my kids, and you helped her," he accuses.

I am amazed at the restraint Quinn is displaying. He could kill him with a flick of his wrist. His power is alluring.

Quinn leans close and whispers, "She didn't lie. I saw the fucking bruises. I saw the fear in her eyes and every movement she made. You did that, you piece of shit. She didn't even have to pay me to help her. I relished the opportunity to make you suffer."

"Fuck you," he snaps, his face twisted in rage.

"You enjoyed the pain you caused. What kind of man hits his wife? A coward."

"She fucking asked for it." The man narrows his eyes. "If only she would have done what she was told."

"When she was on the ground while you kicked her, what did she do to deserve that?" Quinn asks, his voice quietly lethal .

"She knows she shouldn't talk back. She should have shut the fuck up. She doesn't have the right to question me."

"So you kicked her, punched her?"

"Fuck yeah, I did. She belongs to me, and those kids belong to me," he shouts.

Quinn lowers his voice further and whispers in his ear. "You have to earn that belonging. I could kill you now, and the world would rejoice in a piece of shit getting what he deserved. You might have fooled your family, but I can see through you. You don't deserve a woman. You don't deserve those kids." Quinn pulls him away from the wall and wraps his arm around his neck.

I smell rabbit before I see her. Sally strolls through the open door, glancing at Quinn as if this is a regular occurrence, before coming to stand beside me.

The man under Quinn's control goes limp, his body dropping at his feet.

"Damn, I missed the show," Sally says.

My mouth drops as I turn to her. "What?"

"The show," she says, pointing to Quinn. "I bet it was hot."

I'm distracted when I hear Quinn speaking on the phone. "Bash, get here now. We had a visitor who was concerned about the set of four." Quinn looks from me to Sally. "He knew about me, that means someone talked. We need to find out who is responsible for it and take care of it. The set of four needs to be moved and secured." He pulls zip ties from the desk drawer, holding the phone to his ear with his shoulder, and crouches over the man. "He needs to be taken to the police station. The cameras in the office captured his confession. It will help."

"If I worked here, I could be here for all the shows," Sally muses.

"I have a client in the office; I need to get back to her," Quinn continues. "Walk through the shadows, whatever shit you do to get here now." He drops the phone in his waiting palm, ends the call, and points it at Sally. "No," he says firmly.

"What do you mean, no?" she asks.

"You aren't working here."

"You need someone."

"I do not."

"Bullshit," she says easily.

"Fuck," he groans. "I don't need you to work here."

"I promise I won't fall in love with you like all the rest," she says. I frown. "I won't stare at you—much." She grins.

"In love?" I ask, and Quinn tenses.

"He didn't even like them," Sally informs me, waving her hand.

"Sally," Quinn growls.

"Give me the job," she demands. "I can be here when customers or demented men come in. I can run interference."

"This is not the time to do this, and I can hear whoever enters from my office."

I jump again when Bash appears out of thin air. "Jesus," I gasp.

"You need me," Sally sings. "My first job will be staying with your mate while you finish in the office. You know what I can do," she says softly.

"Fine," Quinn says reluctantly.

"Great, the rabbit is working here now?" Bash sneers.

Sally throws him a kiss. "I love you too, vampire."

Marie stumbles into Bash suddenly, and I hit my head on the wall. "Sorry," Marie says.

"You still aren't as fast as I am, mate." Bash grins at her.

"Would all of you stop? Bash, I'm going to hit you later for scaring my mate. Marie, can you take care when popping in? Sally, you got the job. Come whenever the fuck you want," he growls low. "I have to go to the office. Take this asshole to the station. Marie, pull the proof from the camera and take it with you." Marie goes into another room, and Quinn turns his attention to me. "Sorry, Little Cub. I will explain everything after I'm done." I nod, and he goes into his office.

Sally's elbow hits my side. "Don't lie. Your panties are soaked," she whispers.

I roll my eyes, but fuck, they are.

Bash throws the bound man over his shoulder and disappears. Marie comes back, gives a little wave, and follows. I don't envy the man who will probably puke after being carried at vampire speed. I have to smile; it's the least he deserves. Of course, I knew there were men in the world who abuse their partners and take satisfaction from it. I was stuck in a place full of them, but to witness the aftermath of someone else's pain is disturbing.

"Are you alright?" Sally asks.

I shake my head and focus on her face. "I'm good."

"Uh-huh," she mumbles.

I take a step away from the wall and cringe. I lift my shirt and see a fading bruise. I'm grateful my shifter healing is kicking in; the pain and the bruise will be gone soon.

"Where did you work before, Sally?" I ask as I sit in the desk chair.

"I used to own a diner. An asshole burned that down, so I moved here." She sits on the edge of the desk. "I've worked at several different restaurants, but nothing stuck. After you work for yourself, it's difficult to go back to being an employee."

"Yet, you want to work for Quinn?"

"It's not the same."

I raise an eyebrow but don't argue. "Why did you move here?"

"I followed my friend, Saylor. You met her and her mate, Elijah, last night." I nod. "I came to help her and decided to stick around. All the men are hot, plenty of single shifters are here to test out, and the people are friendly."

"Are you seeing anyone now?"

"Only one?" she chuckles. "I like to shop around."

"There's nothing wrong with that," I say.

We both turn as the door opens.

"Damn," Sally whispers. A vampire glides to a stop in front of the desk. "You're new," Sally starts. "And yummy."

He grins, his white teeth flashing through his beard. He has shaggy brown hair and a body as big as Quinn's. He pulls out his phone as we stare at him, speechless.

"I am told to stay the fuck away from Quinn's mate and go to Bash's office until he is done with his client. Which one of you is the mate? The bear?" he asks, hitting a button on his phone. I raise my hand. He tilts his head. "He's a lucky bear."

"Thanks," I breathe.

"You are a sexy rabbit," he says, smirking at Sally. I'm surprised she hasn't fallen off the desk to run to him.

"Sally," she finally whispers.

"Nice to meet you," he says. "I'm Micah." His phone makes a beeping noise again, and he looks down. "He is demanding I go now. I'll be in Bash's office until the woman is gone." He waves as he walks around the desk toward the hallway.

We follow his progress, our heads twisting severely. He's wearing jeans that are just the right amount of baggy, with rips on the knees. The long-sleeved black shirt hugs his lovely muscles.

"You're drooling," Sally whispers.

"Nuh-uh, you're drooling," I whisper back.

"You have a mate," she reminds me.

"I know." I whip around, crossing my arms .

"I can look all I want," she says, wiggling her eyebrows.

"I can appreciate a well-put-together man," I say snottily.

"No, you can't." She leans down and whispers, "Quinn will kill whoever you look at."

"Whatever," I mumble and pick up my phone to read a text.

Micah must know Quinn well. He's a vampire, and I can feel the power he holds. We can sense a shifter or vampire's power when in their presence. Even though my animal is strong and not scared of many things, being hesitant around a vampire is smart. Their movements are so fast it's difficult for even a shifter to track. Anything ancient and powerful demands respect.

"I haven't heard any of the crew mention Micah," Sally says. "Such a shame. He's delicious."

I grin and shake my head, but my humor stops abruptly when Quinn's door opens. The woman doesn't glance at us and is quickly out the door.

"Do you think she will come back?" Sally asks.

Quinn walks to the edge of the desk. "I doubt it, especially after what happened here. She could hear him yelling. It wasn't the best advertisement for us keeping her safe." He cups the back of my head. "Are you alright?"

"Yes." I tilt my head back. "Are you?" He looks so disappointed; I want to console him.

"I'm fine, but it's unfortunate."

"Am I allowed to come out now?" Micah's voice floats down the hallway.

"Yes," Quinn sighs.

Micah peaks around the corner. "Are you done pretending that you don't know me?"

"I don't pretend," Quinn denies .

"Seemed like pretending a few months ago," Micah says dryly. He winks at Sally and leans beside her. I never thought I would see the rabbit blush, but her cheeks flush red.

"I don't tell everyone about the people in my life." Quinn runs his hand down my arm and plays with my fingers.

It's my turn to blush. I know everyone can smell how his touch affects me.

"How about I take Steph to the bakery? She barely got here, and you have her stuck in the office," Sally chides, and Quinn growls. "I think you and Micah have things to discuss." She lifts her eyebrows.

"Quinn," I say, and he looks down.

He pulls me from the chair. "Wait here, Micah." I follow him into his office.

"Breeane has been texting me all morning. She's at the bakery, and there are things we need to talk about," I say as he sits on the edge of his desk, guiding me to stand before him.

"Did you hurt yourself when he came charging in?" he asks, his fingertips touching my hip.

"You don't miss much, do you?" I smile.

"Not when it comes to you."

"It's fine now. It hurt and bruised but is healed now."

"Good. I'm sorry you had to see all of that."

"Does that happen a lot?"

"Not all the time, but it does happen. We need to have a discussion about my work."

"We have many things to discuss, but we can't do it in a day. Don't worry. I won't run away," I assure him.

He watches me for so long I shift around and slip my hands in my pockets.

"If you ran, I would follow," he says softly. "Even if you didn't choose me, I would still follow until I convinced you to. Do you believe me?"

"I do. I believe every word." I have no doubt how dedicated he is to making this work.

"After I speak with Micah, I will come to you. I would like to eat lunch with you."

"I would like that."

He holds his arms wide. "It's your choice to walk into them."

My heart speeds up. Every minute since we met, this man has given me a choice. I don't know if he realizes how much it means. Why would I walk away from him?

I take a step and then another. On the third step, I hit his chest, and his arms wrapped around me, holding me tight. I sigh and bury my face in his neck. I have been searching for a safe place to land. Could it be in his arms?

"Be careful," he whispers. "Don't let Sally talk you into anything crazy."

"I will be careful," I assure him.

"Don't eat with anyone else," he bosses.

"I won't," I say into his neck, trying not to laugh at him.

His hand brushes down my hair. "Don't let anyone look at you with anything close to desire."

"I don't think I can control that, but I'll try for you." I bite my lip to contain the laughter.

"That's all I can ask."

I pull away, and he reluctantly lets me. "I'll see you when you are done."

"Give me your phone," he demands, his palm out, and I do. "My number. I realized I didn't give it to you."

"Call it so you can have mine," I say. He nods.

He hands it back and then cups my chin, giving me a soft kiss on the lips and the forehead. "Be good," he says and guides me out the door.

"About time," Sally complains with a smile. "Later, vampire." She reaches for my hand and I look back as she pulls me.

"Bye," I say. My body protests leaving its mate.

"Don't look back, girl," Sally says, shutting the door quickly. "It makes it harder."

It felt so good being in his arms again. I wanted to stay. We are halfway down the block when my skin starts to itch.

The heat is back in full force.

I don't think I could walk away if I wanted to.