Brayden watched as Taylor panicked at seeing him as a bear. It wasn’t doing much for his ego. He considered himself a handsome bear, and he wasn’t doing anything that would scare a human.

He sighed. He knew that it was too much, too fast. Even humans who claimed they believed in shapeshifters had a hard time believing it when they actually saw one shift. Look at Riley and Tyler; Even though they’d been high school sweethearts, after she shifted in front of him, it took them ten years to end up back together.

Brayden kicked himself for not thinking this through. Now Taylor would probably bolt, and he’d never taste those sweet lips again. He’d be left watching her through the television screen. His life would never be the same.

He shifted back into his human form and watched her eyes widen. He didn’t say anything or move. He just stood there, waiting to see what she would do.

With the blanket wrapped around her shoulders and dragging behind her along the floor, she dashed into the kitchen and grabbed her handbag.

He went to the door and leaned against the counter. “What are you doing?”

She pulled out her cell phone and held it front of her. “I have to call my mother.”

“Your mother? Why?”

“She’ll know what to do about…” She held her phone up. “Damn it. There’s no service here.” She lowered her phone to her side. “...about hallucinations.”

Brayden felt the laughter bubbling up, and he tried not to laugh. He turned around, but he couldn’t stop it. He bent over laughing.

“What’s so funny?”

Brayden took a deep breath, focusing on keeping a straight face. “It’s not funny.” He held his straight face for all of ten seconds. Then he started laughing again.

“Brayden.”

He tamped down his laughter and turned back to face her. “No one’s ever accused me of being a hallucination before.”

She just stared at him, her expression blank. “Well, has anyone ever seen you do…” she swept a hand toward him. “that?”

“Shift?”

“Yes. Shift.”

“Sure. Lots of people.” My family.

She cocked her head at him and crossed her arms.

“Okay.” He admitted. “Not really. But you said you believed in shifters.”

“I also used to believe in Santa Claus and Cinderella. And although I still believe in the magic of Christmas and the concept of Cinderella, I don’t expect anyone to come down my chimney or to turn into a pumpkin.”

He grinned at her. “Cinderella doesn’t turn into a pumpkin.”

“Somebody does, but I’m pretty sure I won’t witness it either way.”

“You have a very good point.”

“Of course, I do. Just because I do the weather doesn’t mean I can’t think.”

“Hey.” Brayden sobered. It hadn’t occurred to him that she thought she wasn’t taken seriously in her job.

He shoved off the counter and held out his arms. “Come here.”

“Is it safe?” She asked, this time a smile played about her lips.

“I promise to never do that again without warning you first.”

She stepped forward and took his hands. He stared into those beautiful green eyes. “Taylor, I happen to take you very seriously. I know that when you say it’s going to snow it’s going to snow.”

“I said it wasn’t going to snow until tomorrow. Yesterday.”

“You missed it by a few hours. That’s better than anyone else does. Frankly, I think you have a gift. And it’s not just me. My brother Aiden won’t step outside without checking your forecast.”

He pulled her into his arms and held her against him. Her heart was racing dangerously in her chest. He realized he never should have shifted without warning her first. They were still vulnerable from their night of making out. He’d made the same mistake Riley had made all those years ago. He’d wanted to share every part of himself.