Page 28 of Shifters Reckoning

Our food arrived, and we returned to catching up on each other’s lives. The lunch rush came and went, and Sheila brought the bill. At two o’clock, my phone buzzed and buzzed again.

I checked it, expecting something from Logan. Two missed calls and a text. Not from Logan but his beta. Stupid phone hadn’t rung at all. I checked the text.

Olivia: Have you seen Logan?

Me: No.

Olivia: Then you’re about to.

Me: What?

Olivia: I’d like to apologize in advance. Good luck.

As if summoned, Logan exploded through the door of Vixen’s, his heaving bare chest out of place in the nearly empty restaurant. At least he had pants on. Even if he didn’t have a shirt.

“Emma.” He marched to our table. Sweat slicked his skin. “I’ve been looking all over Willow Creek for you.”

“Why? You could have texted.” I waved my phone back and forth, trying desperately to ignore the way heat was already building between my legs.

“Someone could have been texting on your behalf.”

“Well, I haven’t been hiding.”

He tipped his head, and his gaze dropped to my lap. His nostrils flared. Your scent says you’re pleased to see me.

Not here, Logan. God, not here.

But if he asked, I wouldn’t be able to say no.

It started here.

I’m on my motorcycle, so we can’t have sex in the front seat.

I brought a Tahoe. He growled, long and low. His upper lip curled. We could reenact our meeting at the bar. Complete with Animal Doctors and a make-out session. If you’re not careful, I will devour the real one. On that table. In front of your friends.

Holy shit, Logan. My cheeks flamed, and desire rushed over me.

Shannon and Riley stared at both of us, their mouths agape. From their perspective, we’d been staring intensely at each other for at least a minute. Neither one of us had spoken aloud.

I took a deep breath and gestured between my two companions. “Shannon, Riley, this is Logan Blackwood.”

They both peered up at him. Riley stared at his muscular chest, chewing her bottom lip as though she hadn’t seen so much of a hulking man chest before. She probably hadn’t.

Shannon was the first to recover and offer her hand. “Hello, Mr. Blackwood. Nice to finally meet you.” She turned to me. “That’s more of him than I expected to see when you introduced me to your boyfriend.”

He shook her hand. “Shannon. Call me Logan.”

“You got it,” she answered.

“And I’m more than her boyfriend,” he said. Shannon laughed as he turned to Riley. “Hello.”

“Uh, I’m Riley. Nice to meet you,” the young redhead stuttered. She didn’t offer her hand. Instead, she twisted her fingers together in her lap. A shadow filtered across her expression. Probably bits of a memory I hoped she’d never completely recall.

“Emma, we do need to get home,” he said. Where you’re safe. Where we can protect you.

I’m taking my Ducati back to Six-Mile. Not riding in the Tahoe.

Emma… His tone became a warning.