Romance: In Love With A Beast (Paranormal BBW Panther Shifter Romance) (Shapeshifter Mystery Alpha Werebear Romance Short Stories) (68 page)

Glory began the familiar opening chores. She loved opening the shop. It was successful enough that she could afford staff. But she was a bit of a control freak and felt more comfortable when she was there, looking over everything.

She was so busy dealing with the daily pastry delivery that she didn't hear the bell over the door ring, signalling her first customer. The smell of fresh croissants made her breathe deep and relax. As she was inhaling their heavenly sent she looked up to see the sexy man from last night standing at her counter. He was looking at her with that intense stare that made her knees weak. She nearly dropped her tray of croissants.

“Well, hello again. What a pleasant surprise.” he smiled a smile that made her panties moisten.
What is happening to me?

She recovered enough to squeak out, “Oh, hello. I haven’t seen you here before?”

“I just moved to the neighborhood. Is this your shop? It’s beautiful.” he practically purred.

“Y-yes. I own it. For three years now.” Her body was on high alert. Her breathing deepened as he came closer to her. He dipped his head so near to her face that her breath caught in her throat and she felt her nipples harden.
Omigod is he going to kiss me?
Her heart pounded in her chest so loud she was sure he could hear it. He leaned forward a bit more and inhaled the scent of the croissants.

“Mmmmm. I can’t resist the fresh scent of pastries.” He was inches from her now. She dropped the tray on the counter and backed away.

“I-I should get you a coffee on the house, you know to thank you for yesterday.” She couldn't handle being in such close proximity to this man. She didn’t trust her herself. She scurried away to the coffee machine and poured him a to-go cup of The Glory Hole’s special blend.

“Here, its our special blend, people go crazy for it.” She pushed the cup at him. “Well, I should get back to work, no rest for the wicked and all that…” She couldn't stop her mouth from babbling. She just needed to get away from this man.

He took the hint and thanked her for the coffee. “I’ll be seeing you.” he winked at her again as he walked out the door.

Glory plopped herself down in a seat. Her legs were so weak she couldn’t stand any longer. Who was that man? And why did he have such an effect on her?

Glory had found men attractive before but never like this. She felt like she had no control over body and she wasn’t sure if she liked it.

The bell rang again and her employee Paul flounced through the door.

“Mmmmm, did you see that piece of man candy that just came out of here? What I wouldn't do to that body! Girl, did you get your flirt on or what?”

“No, I did not. A man like that does not flirt with women like me.” she sighed.

“Honey, a man like that DEFINITELY flirts with girls like you. You are a man’s wet dream - all ass and titties and hair like Rapunzel.” he sang out as he put on his apron and took his place behind the counter.

“Stop it.” she giggled. Paul always raised her spirits. Her made her laugh like no one else in the world.

“Speaking of, how was your date last night? Spill! All the gory details! Now!”

“I got stood up. There are no details. But your Man Candy owned the restaurant and he gave me a glass of wine out of pity.” she mumbled the words as the memory of the shame came back.

“Out of pity? Sweetheart you need to open your eyes.” he tsk-tsked.

“I don’t want to talk about it. It was too embarrassing.” Glory said blinking back tears as she thought about how Man Candy must see her - pathetic.

Paul shot her an understanding look.

“Oh wait!” Glory cried, brightening. “I do have new gossip! I have another blind date tomorrow.”

“Getting back on the horse! I love it!”

“That’s not all! He’s a …..” Glory paused for effect, “a shifter!”

“Omigod! That’s perfect for you! Why didn't we think of that before!?”

“What? You don't think it’s crazy? Me? With a
shifter
?”

“Oh, honey” Paul looked her in her eyes seriously. “You need to be pulled out of your comfort zone so bad and I think a shifter is just the man to do it!”

“Oh man,” Glory groaned, “Not you too! Shania set this whole date up and she thinks a shifter is perfect for me too!”

“Well then, I think you better take your friends’ advice and be open to the idea before you end up alone with a million cats.” He sashayed away to help a customer.

“But I
like
cats.”

Chapter Three

Glory laid out her red silk dress out on her bed and admired it. The soft red silk slid over her body perfectly. It was long and backless with a slit that almost reached her thigh. She admired the dress for a minute longer before she hopped in the shower. Her mood had increased considerably and she was almost looking forward to this date, even her hair was behaving and fell into soft, shiny waves around her face and down her back. It must be excited for the date too.

After her shower she applied soft makeup to make her green eyes pop. She finished with smear of red on her lips, the color of her dress. She slipped the dress over her head, but had trouble pulling it down. Dammit! She tugged the dress over her breasts and ass. It was skin tight. Glory admonished herself for all the croissants she had been eating lately. Since the dress was so tight there was no way she could wear underwear.

She admired herself in the mirror. She loved this dress and she felt beautiful and even a little sexy. She had heard the shifters were really good in bed. Maybe she would find that out tonight. She thought back to Todd. She had loved him and she thought their sex life was good, but she never felt her body respond to him the way it had to Man Candy. Maybe there was more out there than Todd could provide.

She shook the thoughts out of her head, it was getting late. If she wanted to be on time she would have to leave now. She was meeting her date, Trey Donovan, in the lobby of the hotel. The charity event was being held at one of the most opulent hotels in the city. Glory was excited to see what the ballroom looked like.

***

Her cab pulled up right on time. She hurried up the stairs to the coat room and then off the meet her date in the lobby. She quickly check her face in her pocket mirror.
Perfect.

She walked into the lobby and didn’t see anyone in black tie dress looking around.

“Well, well. We meet again.” came a deep voice from behind her. She spun around and was shocked to find Man Candy! “You wouldn’t happen to be Glory Smith, would you?” His eyes twinkled as he said it.

“Oh my God.” It slipped out of her mouth before she could stop it. “Trey Donovan?” she gasped out as the realization finally hit her. He was her date!

He raised an eyebrow and his eyes raked up her body with such intensity that the twinkle turned into a hunger.

“So it appears you are mine for the night.” he said, with what sounded like a growl. She felt a shiver down her back at the sound of his words. His eyes on her body made her blush at the tightness of her dress. “You look beautiful by the way.”

The hunger returned to his steel grey eyes. Her body responded to his gaze and she felt her nipples raise up against the silk of her dress.

He inhaled slowly as if he could smell the sweet scent of her arousal. A slow wicked grin crept across his face, as if he could read her thoughts. And there were many of them. Naughty ones. If this was just their introduction she had no idea how she was going to make it through the night!

Glory regained her composure. “Thank you. You look beautiful too, I mean nice. I mean, I like your tux.” Glory rambled when she was nervous. He chuckled as he took her hand and lead her to the ballroom. His hand was large and firm over hers and just the touch of his skin made her loins light up as if they had been set on fire.

All of her thoughts melted away as they walked into the ballroom. It was all deep reds and golds and decked out in Victorian splendor. She gasped audibly and did an impromptu spin so she could take in the all the room at once. Trey smiled at her.

“Like what you see? Me too.” He said as he stared firmly at Glory and only Glory. She tried to laugh it off in a way she hoped was charming. Her brain seemed to stop functioning when those grey eyes were on her. She tried to think of something to talk about.

“So, you are a shifter.” she blurted out. “How? What kind?”
Oh no. What if that was rude?
She had never met one before.

“Whoa, that’s a lot of questions! Let’s get a drink first.” he deftly snatched two glasses of champagne from a nearby server’s tray.

Once in her hand Glory gulped at her champagne. This was not going well. She drained her glass. A waiter came by and she took another glass.

Trey just raised an eyebrow and she swear she saw a tiny smile curl the corners of his lips.

“To answer your questions, I was born a shifter. And I am a werepanther.” he looked deep into her eyes as he talked and Glory felt like she was the only one in the room. “Now was that enough small talk? I have the most beautiful date in the room and I want to show her off on the dance floor.” Glory was speechless. Nervously she drained her champagne again. He put his hand on the small of her back and his touch was electric. He steered her towards the dance floor and twirled her into his arms. The event boasted a live orchestra playing classical music. Glory never considered herself a good dancer but in Trey’s able arms she felt like she was floating. Trey pulled her close to him. So close she could feel his erection against her body. She felt heat rise up. He dipped his head down and his lips were inches from hers. They were dancing cheek to cheek.

She felt desire rise up in her body from a deep primal place that had never been touched before. Were all shifters as intoxicating as Trey? Glory felt her knees go weak as they swayed together, their rhythms matching each others perfectly.

“Let’s go out to the terrace, it’s getting too hot in here.” Trey whispered in her ear sexily. He made it sound so dirty. All Glory could do was nod her head.

She followed him out to the terrace to a dark, quiet corner where they could be alone. It was a beautiful night but Glory felt goosebumps over her entire body. It was the electricity between them. She shivered and Trey held her close. He caressed her face gently with his hand. He took his hand under her chin and tipped her face up. He gently brushed his lips against hers. She let out and moan of desire and he touched his lips to hers. Her body felt like it was going to explode. She deepened the kiss hungrily, forgetting that they were in public and that she had just met him. The champagne had gone straight to her head. She had lost her inhibitions and her body cried out for this man. He traced from her neck down to her cleavage with a finger. He brushed across her breasts and her nipples responded and puckered to hard points. She moaned again and in response he deepened the kiss, his tongue probing her mouth in a way that made her wet. His hand dropped down to her thigh and pulled her even closer. He caressed her ample ass and his hand found the slit in her skirt and moved his hand inside her dress to touch her. He moaned into her mouth “Oh God, Glory, you aren’t wearing any underwear.” He groaned and dipped his finger into her wet hole. She gasped and he moaned louder. “You are so wet.”

“Trey? Trey is that you?” A voice from around corner interrupted their sensual haze. They broke apart quickly and adjusted their clothes, just as a lithe woman turned around the corner. “I thought I heard your voice. Are you alright?” The woman must have been 6 feet tall with long silky straight black hear that hung down her back almost to her ass. She had the most beautiful ice blue eyes that Glory had ever seen.
Omigod, who was that?

“
Marion,” Trey answered smoothly like they hadn’t been locked in each others arms mere seconds ago. Glory saw his jaw tense almost imperceptibly. “I didn’t think you were coming tonight. I thought you were still in Geneva?”

“I took an earlier flight.” she looked at Glory and then back at Trey and raised a perfectly shaped eyebrow.

“
Marion Vanderwood, this is Glory Smith. Glory is my enchanting date for tonight, Marion is my business partner.” Trey smoothly introduced them, unfazed. They nodded to each other.

“Why don’t you two come out of the shadows and join the rest of us. There’s a party going on.” She said, her sultry voice dripping with sarcasm.

“Is there?” Trey said nonchalantly as he took Glory’s hand and lead her back into the ballroom. He smiled his charming smile at Marion as they passed her. She just scowled at Glory.

“Am I missing something?” Glory whispered when they were a safe distance away. “She seemed pissed.”

“Well, she is my ex as well as my business partner.” Trey shrugged and scanned the party. She could feel him shutting off but still she persisted.

“How recent an ex?” Glory squeaked.

“Don’t worry. She dumped me. It feels like it was forever ago now.” He smiled his charming smile. “I’d rather talk about us, sweet Glory…” He leaned in to whisper in her ear. “…and the fact that you aren’t wearing any underwear, you naughty girl.”

Glory giggled and whispered back, “You have no idea.”
Who is this bold girl? I’ve had too much champagne.

The rest of the night they were swept up into conversations with acquaintances and business partners. Marion made sure they were never alone again. She definitely had a possessive air around Trey, like he was her territory.

Glory had a wonderful time in spite of Marion. At the end of the evening Trey insisted on driving her home. He drove a black luxury sedan. And Glory leaned back in her seat. She hadn’t noticed till now how much the champagne had affected her. She closed her eyes for a minute and the next thing she knew Trey was gently shaking her awake. “Hey, Sleeping Beauty, you’re home.”

Glory opened her eyes to see Trey standing with her car door open and his hand out to help her. His eyes held that laughing twinkle.

She blushed and took his hand. He held her hand all the way up to her door. When they reached it, he slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close to him. He kissed her softly at first and then more passionately as he sensed Glory’s arousal. It was like he could sense her every emotion. Glory melted into his arms. She wanted to ask him inside, to beg him to do what ever he wanted to her. He groaned as if he could hear her thoughts.