Mated To Magic (Stark Creek Shifters Book 1) by Barb Shuler (free ereaders .TXT) 📕

kissed me, then moved away to make his own breakfast. I finished off the last of my coffee, set my mug down beside me, and picked up the plate. Blowing on the bacon, I took a bite and let out a small groan. That tasted like heaven. I took another bite, glad that Dalton had made me two because it wasn’t until I started eating that I realized just how hungry I was. I finished them off and slid down off the counter. Taking my plate and mug, I quickly washed and dried them. I kissed Dalton’s cheek.

“I’m gonna have a shower while you eat. Once you’re ready, we can head in. I have to let my supplier in today, so I need to go in earlier. Gives you time to look over things with the club if you need to.”

He nodded and went back to his food while I went into the bathroom. As much as I wanted to preserve water and shower together, I knew there would be no leaving the house if he and I finally took that step. As we both had stuff we needed to do, that would have to wait for another day. Stripping off my pajamas, I turned the hot water on and added a little bit of cold before climbing in. I was glad that Dalton had put the steri-strips on. I really didn’t want to have to keep worrying about the bandage. The cut was minor, so it was just overkill.

After washing myself with my body wash, I turned off the shower and grabbed my towel from the rail. Wrapping it around me, I picked up my clothes and went to work out what I was going to wear tonight. It would have to be one of my button-up shirts to go with my black pants and jacket. Normally I would wear a tank top underneath it and just keep my jacket on, but I really didn’t want to draw attention to it. Bandage or not, it would be like a beacon. Once I had chosen what I was wearing, it didn’t take me long to get ready. I opted for my beige heels and no makeup. I wanted to look like I was in boss mode and not a made-up Barbie.

These guys needed to take me seriously or Dalton would be taking matters into his own hands. As soon as he saw that tape, there would be no stopping him. I just hoped that he would wait until Josh was away from here before he lost his temper.

Running a brush through my hair, I pulled it up into a ponytail and let the ends curl like it normally did. My phone beeped, so I walked out into the living room where I had left it and saw a message from Jay making sure that I was okay and survived the dumbass. I texted back that he was coming in to work tonight, just to give her a heads up. I put my phone in my bag and got a bottle of water out of the fridge. I thought about how long I had known Jay. It was going on ten years now, but it still felt like no time had passed.

“Ready to go?” I looked up and groaned softly as Dalton came out, freshly showered and looking good in jeans and a nice shirt. It was smart casual, but damn, did he pull it off. “Keep thinking like that, little witch, and we won’t be leaving the house.” His lips curled into a smirk as he came over to me. Bending down, he kissed me before taking my hand.

“I like my thoughts better than going to work.”

“Ah, but if we don’t go, I don’t get my answers and you win.”

“All the more reason to stay home.”

“Mia…” He said my name in a warning tone and I let out a sigh. Standing up, I grabbed my purse.

“Come on, then.” I walked to the front door and unlocked it after turning off the alarm so that it didn’t go off. Dalton would reset it and lock it after me, so I made my way toward his truck where he joined me shortly. Getting in once he had opened the door, I took his hand again and just let the song on the radio fill the silence.

When we got to the bar, we walked over to the staff entrance and Dalton put his finger on the keypad. Putting in the code, the door opened and he quickly moved to shut off the alarms. Only three people had that code: Dalton, Jayden and myself. The three people I trusted more than anything. Everyone else had a different one that only allowed them access at a certain time. They couldn’t just come and go as they pleased anymore. After making sure the place was secure, I went and opened up my office. I printed off the order that should be arriving soon, checking the list to make sure it matched the one I had written by hand. I didn’t leave anything to chance and always did two orders. One on the computer and one written by hand. If the systems went down, then I always had my back up. My brows creased in a frown when I saw that they didn’t match. I pulled up my emails to double check what I had sent through to the supplier yesterday. It was different again. Taking my phone out of my bag, I sent a text to Jay.

Mia: You didn’t change the order on my computer, did you?

Jayden: Hell no. I don’t need the wrath of the OCD Queen raining down on me. Why?”

Mia: No reason… Must have been distracted when I was entering them.

Jayden: That’s not like you. Is it a major difference?

Mia: Less of the stuff we have been burning through this week. I might have to see if I can get another order delivered later tonight.

Jayden: Okay… Let me know if I can help.

Mia: