Shifters: A Samantha Reece Mystery Book 1 by Jaime Johnesee (libby ebook reader txt) 📕

Am I right in sensing there was a bad date in there?”

“Oh, the worst. I really don’t want to talk about it.”

“That bad, eh?”

“Well, my last blind date ended with me being bitten by a jaguar.”

“He fucking bit you?” The vehemence and anger the news brought forth in Alex surprised me.

“No, actually. I left the bar where the date was and went walking in the park to relax when I saw this gorgeous black panther. It came right to me and stopped. I reached out to pet it and he bit me lightly and ran.”

“He?”

“Yeah, I have recently met my sire.”

“What’s he like?”

“Not what I had expected. Cocky. Nice, though he was completely wrong in turning me. He understands that.”

“That had to be trippy for you.”

“Well, it wasn’t Ed McMahon showing up with a multimillion dollar check, but I dealt with it.”

“You always do.”

“Huh?”

“Ever since I’ve known you there’s been no obstacle you can’t overcome. No mountain too high and yadda, yadda, yadda.”

“Did you just yadda, yadda, yadda me?”

“I suppose I did,” he said, grinning madly.

“Nice. Just so long as you don’t dance like Elaine,” I teased.

“Please, I’ve seen you dance, Reece. If one of us pulls a Benes it’s going to be you.”

“Not these days.”

“I might just have to take you up on that.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’d like to take you dancing one of these days. If you decide you’d like that, too. No pressure.”

“Thanks, Al.”

“Anytime.”

“So, tell me, how is life in the private sector?”

“It’s easier working for the FBI. At least there you know who the bad guys are.”

“That bad?”

“Well, it’s not exactly what I was hoping for in life, but it definitely pays the bills.”

“That’s a good thing.”

“What does it matter, though? What good is money if you hate what you do?”

“Do you really hate it?” I turned and looked at him.

“Sometimes.”

I realized that was all I was likely to get out of him. I may have changed, but Alex was a stonewaller from way back. His father, Raymond Baltazar, was the same. It didn’t matter how bad things got, Alex wouldn’t complain, instead he’d deflect and joke, like me.

It was just one thing we had in common. We had many more. When we were younger we did a lot of commiserating on our likenesses. Yet, he hadn’t ever asked me out back then. We’d just been pals. I had no clue where this dinner invitation was coming from.

I have always liked and respected Alex and he has always respected me. I can’t say I never thought of him in that way before because I had. Many times. In our younger years, I’d wished many times that he’d make the first move, and now, here, he was actually making it. The funny part was, as many times as I had thought about it, I was not sure what to do now that it had happened. I’m not complaining, though; I think this is one of those really-nice-to-have sort of problems.

We pulled up in my driveway and got out of the car. I walked him around the perimeter and then took him inside the house with our Bureau escort. While Alex talked about plans for safeguarding my car and house I stole glances at him. He was a good looking guy, fun, sweet, kind to all, had the heart of a hero, and the body of a god. I know, bad Sam! I should be focusing fully on the security changes. Luckily, I was always very good at multitasking. I didn’t understand why I hadn’t said yes to the date.

I really liked him. I was attracted to him and I really enjoyed talking to him. While he teased me occasionally, he never doubted me and he always made sure I felt comfortable. Ben kept creeping into my mind and I wondered if it was because of him that I hadn’t said yes.

I was attracted to Ben and I can’t say I’m not. The only problem is that it truly doesn’t feel real. I can’t start a relationship with a guy when I don’t even know if I like him or if it’s just because of the fact he turned me.

I felt a bit rebellious and decided at that moment that I was going to go out with Alex. Everything else be damned. I wanted to have fun. I needed to spend some time with another person.

Hell, I needed to get laid.

“Yes.”

“What? You like the idea of a row of razor wire atop your wall?”

“No. God … that would screw up the aesthetic of the entire house and make it look like a prison yard. I mean yes on the date. I’d love to have dinner with you.”

“Excellent. What day works best for you?”

“This Saturday would be good.”

“This Saturday it is. Tell you what, I’ll plan something out and pick you up at seven. Dress casual.”

“My favorite form of dress.” I wasn’t joking.

I was a T-shirt and jeans kind of gal, always had been. It’s hard to work on cars in a dress. These days I had to wear suits for work and so I did, but on my off time give me a soft comfy T-shirt and a nice pair of good fitting jeans. I preferred graphic tees, ones with funny sayings. Why not have fun when you get dressed?

“I’d say I’m looking forward to Saturday, but I’m too busy enjoying our time together right now to take attention away from it.”

“Smooth. It seems you got some new moves the last few years,” I joked.

“Ha, ha. I’ve always had moves. I just never used them on you because you were off limits. You put me squarely in the friend category and I didn’t mind being there.”

“Are you admitting you had a crush on me?”

“Perhaps. Does that freak you out?”

“Alex, I find it flattering, not freaky. I had a bit of a crush on you myself.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. Why do you think I hung out with you so much?”

“My caramel corn.”

“Well, there was that.” Alex made the greatest caramel corn I