Palm Haven Shifters: Complete Five-Part Series Page 31

  “It does clash pretty terribly with your aura.” Sean was all warm earth tones and shimmering copper. This house just screamed neon and rhinestones.

  “My aura?” He said with a chuckle.

  Emily shrugged, feeling a little embarrassed. Even in the world of shifters and witches, aura-reading was the kind of new-age hippy thing that made people stop taking her seriously.

  He didn’t seem to be making fun of her, though.

  “Yeah, it’s kind of my thing… Colors, auras, it’s why I’m good at my job.”

  Sean smiled and again Emily felt something familiar about the gesture. Familiar and devastating. No wonder he stayed in hiding — he’d never get away from the piles of women if they knew he was so hot.

  She clenched her jaw, trying to regain control over her raging libido.

  “So you’re looking for something more subdued in your mansion with 10-foot doorways and 30-foot ceilings?”

  Sean’s eyes twinkled. “Precisely. More to the point, I’d like a sanctuary until the rest of the house can be completed.”

  A sanctuary? People usually said that when they were talking about a bedroom. Her blood warmed.

  “And, are we designing this only for you or…?” Emily hazarded — why did she care if he was single? Well, it would have bearing on her design, she reasoned.

  “At present, yes, but I hope to find someone to share it with soon,” he said. “Come, see the bedroom.”

  His voice made it sound like a command and Emily felt her feet obeying before she even registered it. She felt like she would do anything he asked of her, right now. Even following this sinfully sexy shifter up to his bedroom.

  Get a handle on yourself, Em.

  Her fingers sparkled with static and she brushed her hands absently on her skirt, hoping to rid herself of the sensation. She didn’t like being out of control of her powers, but something about this man — even the mere mention of him — seemed enough to send her spiraling out of control.

  Emily climbed the stairs after him, suddenly unsteady on her three-inch heels. As she reached the top landing, she felt his hand settle on the small of her back.

  Instead of shrinking away from the touch, Emily left it alone. Too ashamed to admit that she enjoyed it and too selfish to remove it. Despite his claims of solitude, he seemed keen on being close to her.

  But to what end? Surely he wasn’t really trying to seduce her, was he?

  No, of course not, that was just Ashley and Sonya’s influence on her. She knew better than to think for even a moment that someone as gorgeous as Sean Simons could want her.

  That wasn’t even beginning to factor in his need for privacy and his substantial wealth.

  No, she was being ridiculous.

  “Shall we?” She said, gesturing for him to lead the way. She had to get these thoughts out of her head.

  Emily didn’t like the way being around Sean instantly turned her thoughts to sex.

  She really didn’t like how she unconsciously squirmed under his gaze.

  And she hated the way her magic reached out to him and tried to pull him closer.

  She was here to do a job; nothing else.

  Without another word, he led her to the bedroom.

  “Oh, wow. I can definitely work with this,” Emily said as he ushered her into the expansive suite.

  Large windows let in a ton of natural light, the floor plan was spacious and open and the room had great bones, despite the over-the-top furnishings.

  “So, what kind of feel are you going for?” Emily asked as she moved around the room taking measurements.

  “What would you want if it was your bedroom?”

  She thought about that question for a while, trying her best not to picture Sean in her bedroom, spread out on her bed, arms extended, ready to wrap her up…

  “Comfort, lots of light, soft textures and warm colors,” she finally answered.

  “Sounds perfect,” he nearly purred, making the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. How could two simple words give her goosebumps? And why couldn’t she stay focused?

  “Okay, I’ll get to work right away. Do you have a timeframe for the project?” Of course he wanted something livable right away, but with everything going on at the magazine shoot, she didn’t know when she’d be able to get to it.

  Though for Sean, maybe she could make an exception...

  A sly grin crept onto his lips. “I don’t know if it will ever be really finished. You might be stuck with me for a while.”

  “That doesn’t sound so terrible,” she answered without thinking. Oh god, did she really say that out loud?

  He closed the space between them with three long strides. Suddenly, Emily found it difficult to breathe. The air felt thick and heavy and her breaths came in short gasps.

  “I haven’t been completely forthcoming with you,” he said, his aura shimmering copper again as she saw the beast flash in his eyes.

  “Oh?” She gasped, his face drifting dangerously close to her, his spicy manly scent making her dizzy.

  “I’d like this done as soon as possible, within the week.”

  That broke the spell. She blinked, sputtered and took a step back from him.

  “You’re… you’re joking, right?”

  “I’ll make it well worth your time,” he said, full of sensual promise again. Or was that just her magic making her read into it too much?

  She nibbled her lip — she wanted to say no, that it wasn’t possible, but this was Sean Simons and he was looking at her with that hungry heat.

  Emily sighed. “Okay I’ll whip up a plan tonight and call in the contractors in the morning.”

  Sean grinned. “See? I knew you were perfect.”

  Her heart fluttered; he didn’t mean it like that.

  Or did he?

  “So, how did it go?” Ashley asked, her excitement evident even over the phone.

  Emily shrugged, knowing that her friend couldn’t see the gesture. She was trying to calm herself down still. She had only left Sean’s her house a minute earlier and it took her shaking fingers three attempts to finally dial Ashley properly.

  “Um, good, I guess,” she said casually.

  “Oh my god, what happened?” Ashley screamed, seeing right through Emily’s attempt at being aloof.

  “Well, Sonya was right about one thing…”

  “He’s gorgeous, isn’t he?” Ashley asked with a hint of jealousy, even though she had her own burly bear at home.

  “Yeah, he is… and single… and looking for someone to quote: share his bedroom with.” Emily didn’t know why she told Ashley all of that. It definitely wasn’t going to help her case when her over-zealous friend tried to tease her later.

  An excited squeal pierced Emily’s ear.

  “I’m so excited for you Emmy! Now, you have to make the most of this, don’t get too in your head. He totally sounds like he’s flirting with you.”

  Emily scoffed.

  “Um, no, he’s not. It was a business meeting. Completely professional.” Except for the part where he said I’m perfect, she thought.

  “Uh-huh, right.” Ashley said knowingly.

  Emily wasn’t going to admit that the thought of Sean flirting with her made her pulse quicken and her blood heat.

  She wasn’t going to tell Ashley that the way Sean looked at her made her insides liquefy and her bones turn to jelly.

  She definitely wasn’t going to think about the implications of spending so much time alone with Sean in his bedroom.

  Or that he said he wanted someone to share it with.

  “So, I’m thinking girls’ night,” Emily said, changing the subject. “You, me, Sonya.” It was either that or a cold shower. Anything to take her mind off of Sean and the way he looked at her.

  “Sounds perf. I’ll bring the wine and mini cupcakes,” Ashley said.

  Emily grinned. “Okay, I’m going to call Sonya, hopefully she can find a sitter.”

  Less than an hour later, th
ey were all gathered in Emily’s front room, drinking and laughing while Emily vented about the numerous issues she’d had recently with the magazine thing.

  “But really, every day I swear they’re trying to move the shoot up a day or asking for a new featured accessory for a marketing tie-in. It’s kind of a nightmare.”

  Ashley tutted and refilled her wine, “Well, at least you’ll know what kind of demands to make the next time a magazine wants you.”

  Emily laughed. “Yeah right. I’ll be lucky if this whole thing isn’t a complete catastrophe.”

  Sonya frowned and Emily realized she’d been hogging the spotlight.

  “Enough about me. Ash, how’s everything? We never talk anymore.”

  Ashley took a sip of wine and nodded. “Business is good, yeah.” She smiled, but Emily could tell it didn’t reach her eyes.

  “Buuuuut?”

  Ashley sighed. “I don’t know. I’m worried about Callan. About everything, I guess. Some of the bears in his clan have been targeted by those mangy wolves that attacked me. I don’t know how long the bears will take it before they retaliate.”

  Emily spotted trouble and tried to interrupt, sensing Sonya’s defensive posture.

  “I just don’t get it,” Ashley soldiered on. “What reason could they have for this turf war? Maybe the Coven’s right about wolves, they’re just bloodthirsty and aggressive.”

  Sonya set her glass down loudly and Emily winced. Sonya’s mate and son were among those bloodthirsty aggressive mangy wolves, though neither were any of those things. Emily had met José and he was quite the gentleman.

  Ashley seemed to realize her mistake too late and she clapped a hand over her mouth. “Oh god, Sonya, I’m sorry. I didn’t even think about…”

  Sonya waved her off, but it was clear she was still pissed.

  Emily tried to change the subject, but the happy atmosphere had gone.

  “You know, it’s not José’s wolves,” Sonya said with another glass of wine in hand.

  Ashley and Emily exchanged a look before waiting for Sonya to elaborate.

  “It’s my ex and his pack. They’ve made a deal with a witch… I don’t know why.”

  “A witch?” Emily asked.

  “Anyone we know?” Ashley leaned forward, suddenly very invested.

  Sonya nibbled her lip and shook her head. “No, forget it. You wouldn’t believe me.”

  Emily reached out a hand and laid it on Sonya’s knee. “Try us. We’re on your side. If José’s wolves are getting framed for the bad stuff, maybe we can help?”

  Sonya looked to Ashley who nodded in turn and then she breathed out the last thing Emily expected to hear: “Esther.”

  Emily sucked in a breath, but Ashley burst out laughing.

  Emily and Sonya both shot withering looks her way, but Ashley didn’t seem fazed.

  “She’s a miserable old crone stuck in the dark ages, but she’s not a dark witch,” Ashley said, still grinning.

  Sonya stiffened, her spine straightening as she pushed her shoulders back. “You’re wrong. I saw her blackmail José. I was there. He threatened to tell the Coven about the things she did…”

  “Well, why didn’t he?” Ashley asked, still disbelieving.

  Sonya’s voice turned sharp. “Would your little group of witches believe a wolf?”

  Emily saw the start of a big blow-out fight and knew she had to step in. “Hey, what if I go to the next Coven meeting? I’ll check her out if that will ease your fears. She might be able to fool other witches, but she can’t hide her aura.”

  Ashley still looked skeptical, but she knew Emily well enough to know when her friend was playing peace-maker. “Yeah. And they’ll be more likely to listen to a witch,” she added.

  Sonya relaxed a bit. “Just… be careful. She’s nasty.”

  Emily nodded. “Sure thing.”

  So now she had to add ‘play detective’ to the never-ending list of things to do. But if Sonya was right… They couldn’t take the chance and dismiss her claims. That would only spell disaster for all of Palm Haven.

  Chapter 7

  SEAN

  Sean woke up on the couch of his hotel room, with his phone going off like mad. He scrambled to pick it up and saw that it was an alert from the security system. A notification prompted: Live feed?

  He tapped the button, ice cold dread seeping into his bones. Was it Elder Cunningham? Randal? Some fresh new threat he didn’t even know about?

  The screen loaded to a view of the front door, a woman standing on the stoop, ringing the doorbell.

  Emily.

  Sean’s heart instantly lightened — why didn’t he anticipate her visiting? Of course she would.

  He found the button that turned on the intercom. “Hey, I didn’t know you were stopping by. I’m not home.”

  Emily started and looked all around for the source of the video feed. “Um… where are you?”

  He chuckled. “Look over your shoulder. To the left a little. Smile!”

  If the camera was a higher resolution, Sean would be willing to bet he’d see her turn that delightful shade of pink again.

  “Oh! Hi. Well, um… I have to get a few pieces for the shoot and I thought we could kill two birds with one stone. If you wanted to join me, we could find furniture for your bedroom?”

  Sean knew she couldn’t see the grin on his face and so he didn’t even try to hide it.

  “Yes!” He said a little too eagerly. “I mean, I do want it completed as soon as possible.”

  “Right, so… where are you?”

  “Altamonte Heights.”

  She spun around, still looking unsure of whether she should address her replies to the camera behind her or the intercom in front. “That’s only a few minutes from the place I’m going. Do you want to meet there in twenty?”

  “It’s a date,” Sean said before he caught himself. Emily opened her mouth to say something but then shook her head and walked out of frame.

  Right on time, Emily pulled up outside the giant monolithic building she claimed was a furniture store. It looked more like a foreboding government building in a dystopian movie.

  “I didn’t even know this place existed,” he said as she got out of her shiny Honda.

  “Well, good. Let’s keep it between us. It’s kind of my secret. Except, it’s probably not a secret if they have a Facebook page, huh?” She shook her head and waved him in through the tinted doors.

  “I hope you’re not going to be bored by looking at different wood stains and upholstery fabrics,” she said looking a little trepidatious.

  Sean smiled, sliding a hand to the small of her back instinctively. “Nonsense. A day with you couldn’t possibly be boring.”

  He felt a little shiver work its way down her spine and expected her to brush his hand aside, but she didn’t. His tiger approved.

  He wanted to tell her why he was so familiar. Why he knew she was right for him. He wanted to, but how? How could he even begin to bring up their fleeting moment in the past without making it awkward?

  They walked into the brightly lit space and Sean threw his head back with a low “Whoa.”

  Though discreet from the outside, inside the building was a veritable emporium. The ceilings were even higher than in his new house and the center looked to be open all the way up to a skylight, nearly a dozen floors between the ground and there.

  A giant staircase led to the seemingly floating floors above and Sean’s head spun as he looked up to the sky.

  “Yeah, this place is magic,” Emily said brightly.

  “And that’s coming from a witch,” he said. She elbowed him gently and then took his hand, dragging him up the stairs.

  “Boudoirs are on Level 3, come on.”

  For a long time, Sean was content to follow Emily around as she made selections for both the magazine set and his home. He couldn’t help but watch the way her hips moved or how her dark jeans clung to her curves.

  Then she’d frown, having lost
him, look around, spot him and smile in recognition. Every time his heart stuttered and his tiger ached to be nearer to her.

  She seemed to dance around the idea that they needed to find an actual bed for his bedroom and Sean could only begin to guess why.

  Was she uncomfortable around him? He wondered with a frown. Please don’t let that be it.

  “Hey, grumpyface, what’s wrong? You’re bored aren’t you? I warned you!”

  Sean shook the expression from his face and laughed, “I’m just wondering where I’m going to sleep in this wonderful bedroom you’re creating. You know, we still haven’t looked at beds.”

  “I’m saving that for last!” She cried, her face turning pink.

  “Well, what else is left?”

  “Um… I don’t need you for paint or bedding so… I guess that’s the last thing?”

  Sean nodded triumphantly. “Yep, come on.”

  They wandered to the other side of the showroom floor and Sean flopped down on the first mattress they came across.

  “What are you doing?”

  “Aren’t you supposed to test them out? I don’t know. I’m not an expert on these things.” He stood, trying the next bed over, this one covered in a mountain of pillows.

  Could she tell how badly he wanted to be lying next to her? Surely she could. He couldn’t hide his appreciation for her.

  “Hmm… not this one,” he said, standing on the mattress. Emily’s eyes widened.

  “Get down,” she hissed.

  Sean ignored her, skipping from one bed to the next, giving it a preliminary bounce before he jumped onto the next one.

  “You’re going to get us kicked out of here!”

  He laughed. “Emily, darling, I could buy this place. They’re not going to kick me out. I’d like to see them try. Now, do your due diligence and help me test these beds.” He extended a hand to her and she looked at it as if it might sprout legs and walk away.

  Her hand slid into his tentatively and Sean didn’t waste a moment before he whisked her up to the bed with him.

  “Whoa.” She wobbled, catching herself against his chest.

  For a moment, he allowed himself to hold her there under the guise of steadying her. His arms closed around her and his lungs filled with her bright floral scent.