Chapter Five
“What’s it like being a shifter?”
Micah sat back in his chair and looked thoughtfully at Stacey. They were nearing the end of their meal, and he could tell she’d been dying to ask all night. “I’ve always been a shifter, so I can’t really explain what it’s like to not be a shifter. I do straddle two different societies. My pack has its own set of rules to govern themselves, and the city recognizes that, but at the same time, we have to adhere to the rules set aside by the government. We shift during the full moon, but my humanity still remains. I’m human the rest of the month, but my bear still remains. We’re always one.”
He watched as she hid behind her wine while she contemplated his words. The date was going well. They were both obviously restrained and polite. He knew that he was doing something wrong, but he couldn’t help himself. There was an energy around that woman that he simply couldn’t deny.
Micah also knew that Stacey had never met a shifter. She regarded him carefully. It was clear that she was attracted to him, but she’d already put up a wall. He wasn’t sure which part of him she was keeping out.
He’d told both Jackson and Brent about the date. They’d both told him to put his feelings aside to focus on Bridgette instead. He’d picked up the phone several times to cancel the date, but he simply couldn’t do it. There was something about Stacey, and he needed to discover more.
“I’m not dangerous,” he said softly as he placed his card in the check presenter. The waiter was silent as he came around to pick it up.
She scoffed. “Not dangerous? Clearly you haven’t seen you from an outsider’s perspective. First of all, you just look dangerous. You’ve got that dark brooding look about you. Second of all, you’re beyond wealthy. That much money is already dangerous. And finally, everyone knows that the alliance between shifters and vampires are uneasy at best. You being the leader of one of those clans is downright dangerous.”
He considered her words. She wasn’t wrong of course, but once again, she had misjudged what he meant. “My bear isn’t dangerous. If I shifted in front of your, I wouldn’t hurt you,” he explained.
She reddened. “Sorry,” she muttered.
The waiter brought the check presenter back with a smile, and Micah signed the slip and returned the credit card to his wallet. He didn’t want the evening to end, but they had already been at the restaurant for two hours. And as much as he wanted to continue their date elsewhere, he knew it wasn’t fair for her.
It’s not like this can turn into anything. You can’t keep her.
“Are you ready?” he asked softly.
She nodded and stood. He waited for her to pass before putting his hand lightly around her waist to guide her out the restaurant. He felt the spark fly when he touched her, and she shuddered. But she wasn’t the only one who reacted. His own desire was curling in his belly.
All night, she had looked out of place. She wore a gorgeous black dress that clung in all the right places and set his imagination on fire. He’d picked an impressive restaurant, and it was clear that she felt like she didn’t belong there. Even though she kept a straight face, he could see her discomfort. He wanted nothing more than to lean over and kiss her. She belonged there because she belonged with him.
But of course, she didn’t belong with him. And so he didn’t kiss her, and the ride back to her place was silent. He waged a war with himself. Maybe, if he just had one night with her, he could purge his system. He’d put her out of his mind and that would be that.
Of course, that was no way to treat a lady. He was raised better than that, and he could never treat Stacey that way. She deserved so much more.
So much more than he was allowed to offer her.
* * *
“You don’t have to walk me to the door,” she said quietly. The closer he got to the house, the more of a chance there was that she’d invite him in. And she didn’t know him. This was there first date. She didn’t invite strange men into her house on the first date.
“I do,” he said as he held the car door open for her.
Of course he did. Everything he did made it that much harder for her to resist him. Her legs were shaky as she stood. He put a hand on the small of her back as he guided her up the path, but it did nothing to support her. She wanted to melt into him.
When they reached the faded brown door, she took a deep breath and faced him. Here is where she told him that no matter what her body was telling her, he was not invited inside. She wasn’t that kind of girl.
“I shouldn’t see you anymore,” he said thickly.
Her eyes flew up to meet his. One date and she was already rejected? Here she was concerned about what looking like a slut, and he’d already written her off.
“I see,” she said coldly. “Well, thank you for dinner.” She turned to slip the key in the slot, and his hand immediately circled her wrist.
“You don’t see,” he said softly. “I want very much to see you again. But I have to adhere to a different set of rules. You’re not an alpha. You’re not even a shifter. This can’t go anywhere.”
Her whole body reacted at his touch, and she struggled to comprehend what he was saying. “If you can’t be with me, then why did you ask me out?”
Micah bent his head down to hers. “I can’t seem to resist you,” he muttered before capture her mouth. At the first touch of his lips, her knees buckled. She dropped her keys and circled her arms around his neck for support. His kiss was hard, dizzying, and intense. As she eagerly opened her mouth to invite more, someone groaned. Was that her? Him? She couldn’t even tell. As she pressed her body against him, she realized that she’d never felt more at home than she did in his arms. This was right. This was where she was supposed to be.
His hands traveled down to cup her bottom, and he lifted her up to press her against the door. Her legs circled him, and the heat flared between them. Liquid heat pooled between her legs, and she immediately pressed herself against him. Even through their clothes, she could feel his erection. He was ready. She was ready. All they had to do was rid themselves of their clothes.
“Stacey,” he moaned as he slipped a hand under her shirt. She gasped as he touched bare skin. His lips trailed down her throat, and she rolled her head to the side. Every touch was electrified.
As she reached down to undo his belt, her hands pressed against something in his pocket. The horn sounded on the car, and it startled both of them out of their daze. He leaned back and stared at her.
“Good grief,” she said, laughing awkwardly. “We’re about to give my neighbors a show.” He eased her down, and she struggled to find her footing. If she slid boneless to the ground right now, it would be more than embarrassing. “If this can’t happen, then you should probably go.”
She watched the struggle in his eyes before he finally stepped away. “Stacey,” he said softly.
But she couldn’t stand here and listen to him apologize or make excuses. It wasn’t his fault. It wasn’t her fault. It just wasn’t meant to be, but that didn’t mean she had to stand here and endure the torturous goodbye.
“See you around, Micah,” she said lightly. Her hands shook as she bent down and picked up the keys. He stood on her porch and watched her fumble with them. When she finally unlocked the door, she practically flew into the safety of her house. Leaning against the door, she felt grateful for the barrier.
It was a long time before she moved again. She didn’t understand the anguish that twisted inside of her. She didn’t even know him, and yet, she felt like she’d lost something incredibly important.