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

“You fucking coward. How dare you even show your face after what you did?” Alex started towards the jaguar who had backed up and was hissing involuntarily.

“Al, Ben and I are talking things through. It’s okay. We’ve already established he was a dick to do what he did, but he feels really bad about it and wants to try and be friends. He’s not really a bad guy and he was under a high fever when he bit me.”

“I still don’t like him. I still don’t like you.” Alex said after turning to Ben.

“I don’t care. It’s not your opinion that matters to me.” I saw a bit of pain in Ben’s eyes as he spoke.

I was glad to see his feelings on the matter had changed since our second encounter. The night he was in protective custody I realized he wasn’t as much of a monster as I had originally thought.

“I am glad we did talk. It helped me out a ton.” It really had.

I think it had been good for both of us. I just wish he hadn’t shown up tonight. Not that I planned anything romantic with Alex, and it’s not like Ben and I were even dating. It was just one big uncomfortable mess and I wanted to make it go away.

“Me, too. I will let you get on with your … meeting. I’ll call you tomorrow?”

“That would be great. I have some questions, and really, you’re the only one who can answer them.”

“I’ll talk to you then. Goodnight, Sam.” Ben turned and sauntered away without another word.

I’ve never dated two guys at the same time. I didn’t plan on starting now. Well, I have to admit that I am interested in Alex, but I’d no plans regarding Ben except friendship and hopefully breaking the sire bond.

My jaguar scoffed at me, her snarling face proof enough she wasn’t thrilled with my choice. I didn’t care. Alex was someone who had always been there for me, from the moment I’d met him. There was never any worry that the friendship would cease to exist because our bond had always run deep.

I’d never really considered dating him because his track record with women had been quite spotty in the past. One might even call it dalmatianesque. That said I’ve watched him grow up the last few years and mature into a really great guy and an absolute workaholic. I just wish I’d seen him a little more over the years. I was disappointed in myself for letting my virus keep me from seeing someone I cared about. Though he had really come into his workaholism the last few years.

Being a bit of a work-jockey myself, I know what that’s like. The fact that we would be working together made the desire to pursue something with him that much greater. But I was getting ahead of myself.

I looked down at the crumpled menu in my hand and thrust it at Alex while I walked back into my house and sat on the couch. He took it, spun, and closed the door behind him in one fluid movement.

“How about we do dinner another night? I’ll draw up a plan and e-mail it to you. I can have my guys on it quickly.” He seemed just as uncomfortable with meeting Ben as I had been.

“I want you to stay. We’ll have Chinese and watch reruns of Psych.”

“I do love that show. Sorry if I overstepped the bounds with your sire. I just remember all the time you spent crying when it first happened. I’ve wanted to kill him ever since then.”

“I appreciate it, Al, it’s nice knowing I have people I can depend on.”

“You’ve always been able to depend on me, Sammy.” He winked at me and I shoved him.

“Dick.”

“And you love me for it.”

“Well, it’s hard breaking in new friends. It’s especially tough to find friends who know what life at the Bureau is like.”

“See. Now that’s love. My heart swells.” He grinned at me and I couldn’t help but smile back.

“So, you’ll be nice to Ben if you see him again?”

“Not likely. Ah, before you give me that look, yes, that one right there, I’ll be nice … er. Hey, it’s something, right?”

“Is that the best I’m going to get?” My jaguar hissed at him; I swatted her nose.

She was none too happy about this situation. She didn’t like him at all because he stood between her and Ben’s jaguar. I tried to explain to her that there would be no her and Ben’s jaguar because we weren’t going to date Ben, but how do you explain something like that to a metaphysical animal that lives in your head?

“Yes. Did you just snarl at me?”

“Sorry. My jaguar isn’t thrilled with you.” Honesty was always the best policy, right?

I wouldn’t explain about Ben and the sire bond just yet. I felt like I’d need to break him into that gently.

“Well, jeeze, should I bring it catnip?” He was clearly joking, but I found myself a little stung by his words. I had to remind myself that he wasn’t used to me as a shifter, let alone shifters as a concept; I was the only one he knew personally.

“Uh, no, just don’t be a dick. Easier said than done, I know. I trust you, though. You can do it!”

“Ooh, there’s that snark I so adore.”

“There are some parts of me that are exactly the same as the Sam you knew and some that are different. I’m more confident than I was in college. I’m quite a bit wiser, too.”

“You’ve always been wise, Sam. It’s one of the many things I’ve admired about you. Though I do have to say that your snickerdoodles top the list.”

“I haven’t made snickerdoodles in like forever.”

“Want to?”

“Why not. Let me make sure I have everything I need to make them.”

“I’m excited. Will I get to see the special recipe or is it still private?”

“Behave and maybe I’ll share