“Anytime, peach.”
I grabbed silverware and napkins before finding a table by the windows overlooking the town square. A small pulse of distress caught my attention, and I turned to see what it was. My eyes trailed over the few humans enjoying their dinner before finding three pothos tangled together on the ledge close to the ceiling. I hadn’t seen them before, but they were all rootbound and crying out for more light. Tucking my purse under my arm, I headed over and waved at Marnie.
“You mind?” I called.
Marnie’s eyebrows furrowed before she realized I was pointing to the plants.
“Do your thing, honey.”
I smiled and tossed my purse onto a table before climbing onto a wooden chair and reaching for a plant, only to realize the vines were hopelessly tangled. Frowning, I scooped up all three, wobbling as I tried to keep my balance.
Whoa. Those were much heavier than I expected.
Warm arms wrapped around my calves, calloused palms sliding over my skin.
“Steady,” a deep, rumbly voice said.
My heart leapt into my throat. It had been so long since someone had touched me, and I froze into place, unable to move. The beginning of fangs pushed against my gums, and I squeezed my eyes shut as a warm, golden light shone against the opposite wall. Being surprised was terrible for my control, and it didn’t help that whoever it was had a staggering amount of power.
The man’s arms were strong and muscled and felt far warmer than normal. His heat pressed against my skin, comforting and terrifying at the same time.
“Need help?” that voice rumbled again.
“Err. No. No, I don’t. Sorry.” I jostled the plants until I got a better grip and slowly bent. The man released my legs but stayed close and reached for one of the plants.
I had to bite my tongue to keep from snapping at him. My reaction wasn’t his fault. “They’re tangled together. If I give you one, the roots will tear.”
I still couldn’t see who I spoke to, but power rippled over my skin, animalistic and savage. A shifter, for sure, but unlike any I’d ever been around.
“Then I’ll move the table a little closer.”
With one swift, smooth motion, he slid the table within inches of my hands. “Thank you,” I breathed as I set the plants down.
“No problem. You got it under control now?”
Everything but my fangs still yearning to slide from my teeth. “I do. Thank you.”
“Good.” He sauntered off, and I sagged in relief as I climbed off the chair. I turned to get a good look at him, but he was at the front register now, and all I could see was his back.
And what a back it was.
Denim hugged the curves of his spectacular rear end, loosening around well-muscled thighs and calves before ending in a boot cut. His shoes were leather sneakers, scuffed and worn. My eyes dragged up to his back. He wore a forest green pullover that pulled slightly against muscled shoulders before tapering into a slim waist. The man’s hair was dark and tousled, and my fingers itched to run through its waves.
“Get a grip, idiot,” I hissed to myself.
The man’s shoulders stiffened. I closed my eyes and turned away, cursing my pale features, now burning with embarrassment. Shifters had uncanny hearing. No doubt the guy could smell how hot I thought he was, and he definitely heard me telling myself to cool it.
I could not turn around until he was gone. He hadn’t seen my face. We could remain faceless, and I could pretend I wasn’t a giant horny moron.
Except...he was a shifter, and he could pick my unique scent out in a concert crowd. But maybe there were so many scents in here he’d have trouble identifying me later.
One could only dream.
Way to go, Evie. Making friends and influencing people, just like always. Maybe dating again wouldn’t be so bad. As long as that person was blind or content to ignore all my proudly waving red flags. Maybe I could find a ghost as a soulmate.
A sigh escaped me as I pulled up a chair and sat down, my back facing the register. The least I could do was finish taking care of these plants since that guy would probably never comeback here because of the weird girl, aka me, lusting after his cute butt.
A deep chuckle made my hands still. There was no way he heard that. I’d said it in my head, right?
