Page 76 of Shifted Desire

“How can I look at you the same way? No, I can’t do this.”

“How can I love someone who did that to me? You’re a monster.”

“It’s not.” My voice sounds too harsh, and I attempt to soften it with a weak smile. “Please, can we talk about something else? I don’t want to ruin our night.”

Samantha sobers. For a second, I think she’s going to keep pushing, but she nods. “Of course. I’m sorry I⁠—”

“Don’t be.” I grab her hand and kiss it, letting the feel of her soft skin under my lips calm me. “I understand why you’d be interested in…that. But trust me when I say that it isn’t good. Nothing about being a werewolf is anything but a curse.”

She frowns, concern etched on her brow. “It may be a curse, but it’s why we’re here right now. Why we started this.”

I huff dismissively, but she presses closer, her body draping over mine and pushing me down onto the couch. She kisses me, softer than usual, letting out a sigh of pleasure as I caress her back, holding her close.

She’s right. And as she kisses me again, I realize I’d gladly deal with all the bullshit that’s come from this curse all over again if it meant I’d end up here with her.

28

“Time to wake up, peanut buttercup.”

I groan and roll over, burrowing my face into the pillow. “Noooo, it’s the weekend.”

Dad laughs and tugs playfully on the blanket, and I grip it stubbornly against my chest.

He sighs dramatically. “Fine. I guess we’ll have to go without you.”

I crack an eye open to find him stepping back from the bed, pretending to head for the door. “Wait. Go where?”

Dad shrugs, a goofy grin splitting his lips. “Your birthday trip.”

I jolt upright, tossing the covers back with a gasp. “No way.”

His smile widens, and I notice that he’s wearing the supremely dorky shorts he reserves for long road trips. “Yes way.”

The squeal I let out has him covering his ears with a fake wince. “So I guess you’re not going to stay here and sleep?”

I shake my head and rush out of bed, wrapping my arms around his waist and squeezing so hard he lets out a low “oof”. “Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

He chuckles and kisses the top of my head. “Gotta do something special to celebrate my baby girl’s big 1-0.”

“Ew, don’t call me that. I’m not a baby.” I shove away, sticking my tongue out, but when he sticks his at me in response, I laugh, and I don’t know if I’ve ever felt this excited in my life.

“Get dressed, brush your teeth, and come downstairs before your sisters eat all the scones.”

“Blueberry?” I ask, my delight rising even higher.

Dad nods, his glasses slipping down his nose a little. “Of course.”

I give him another crushing hug, and when he hugs me back, everything feels safe and right with the world. I shut my eyes and savor the scent of blueberries lingering on his clothes…

An unfamiliar darkness greets me when I open my eyes. I’ve woken up in a strange place so many times in my life, but the panic in the first few seconds never goes away. Especially when I don’t remember falling asleep to begin with.

The giant t-shirt I’m wearing has twisted under my boobs in my sleep, strangling me, and everything from the waist down is pinned down by a silky-soft weighted blanket. I stare into the darkness, drawing in a silent breath as I roll myself over to look at the bed beside me and find it… empty.

Where’s Nathan?

My stomach jolts.

Oh gods, I’m in Nathan’s bed.