Today was Natasha’s first day as the newest lab employee at Reverie Technologies…and she was late. She was so tardy, she’d probably be fired the moment she stepped foot in the building. Not only did she underestimate the traffic volume by thinking the roads would be free and clear, but she also didn’t count on there being a major three-car accident at the intersection. So of course, she’d just ruined any hopes of making a good first impression with her new boss. Not to mention, she’d probably get an ear full of “I’m disappointed in you” from her dad who, coincidently, was the person who’d gotten her a job at the company in the first place.

She blew outward in frustration as she turned into the parking lot and discovered an abundance of free spaces. Well, at least she didn’t have to play the equivalent of musical chairs in search of a space like she did back at her old job. She’d already fought through three intersections of traffic, cutting off cars like nobody’s business while getting more than enough dirty looks in the process. But at least she had reached her destination in one piece, which was a sure sign that her life wasn’t destined for total destruction. The past six months had been nothing but a string of bad luck for her. Her only saving grace had been learning that she didn’t have to worry about how she was going to pay her bills or eat. But hell…this job wasn’t even promised with the way things were going. She was a mess! Who showed up late for their first day on the job?

Natasha Bennett. That’s who.

She parked her Honda CRV into the nearest vacant space she could find, grabbed her handbag, and rushed from the SUV. The parking lot had been recently repaved and freshly painted. The strong fumes from the new asphalt nearly suffocated her as she trotted up the sidewalk. Bright rays of the morning sun blinded her and the chill in the air pushed against her face.

Near the revolving glass doors, she spotted some employees frantically rushing inside. Apparently, she wasn’t the only one that had been held up by the car accident up the street. Although, that didn’t make her feel any better at all. She was almost certain her new boss wouldn’t give a damn about why Reverie’s newest employee and an executive’s daughter was late on her very first day.

Natasha put some pep in her step while thinking of ways to explain her conundrum to her new boss. Just up head, a tall man in a blue uniform was taking his sweet time getting to the door. He held his motorcycle helmet in one hand and what looked like his lunch sack in the other. He had a buzz cut, a thick, solid neck, and broad shoulders. Although his gait was slow, his boots hit the pavement firmly and with purpose. Natasha hadn’t even realized that she’d slowed down her pace to check out his nicely shaped tight ass until she was only a few feet behind him. He wore short-sleeves, even with the bite of winter hovering in the air. Both arms were tattooed and muscular. His skin was perfectly sun-kissed.

All of a sudden and without warning, he stopped abruptly in the middle of the sidewalk and spun around. Unable to anticipate his sudden change of direction because she was so mesmerized by how good he looked from behind, she ran smack dab into his chest. He held her in his arms to assist her in keeping her balance. She pushed off his hardened pecs, but not before getting a whiff of his cologne…or scent. Whatever it was, he smelled as though he’d just taken a shower in cinnamon and amber infused body wash.

“Oh God. I’m so sorry,” she mumbled. “I was in a rush. I didn’t realize you were turning around.”

“No need to apologize.”

His voice wrapped around her like a blanket.

He continued, “I thought I heard someone behind me. Wasn’t sure why I…”

His voice trailed off and that was when his eyes began to bathe her in admiration. His gaze swept her from head to toe. He took his sweet time assessing every feature on her face.

Did he recognize her? Certainly not. She’d barely been in Aspen Valley a month.

Blushing, she took a step back to allow them both some personal space.

“Do I know you?” he asked, his nose flaring.

Natasha shook her head. “I don’t think so. Today’s my first day. I’m already late.” She chuckled nervously.

“I can help. I work here too. Which department are you working in?”

His voice sounded positively carnal and just…beautiful. The deep timbre wrapped around her like a thick wave of fog. His skin was a deep bronze, almost the same shade as copper. His face was clean-shaven. His bone structure was refined and chiseled.

“I appreciate it but that’s okay,” she breathed. “I was told to just report to the receptionist on the first day.”

Her heart was pounding, but she didn’t know if the reason was that he was breathtakingly stunning or that she was in a hurry and had just had the wind knocked out of her. His piercing ash-gray eyes had her frozen in place as if it was the most natural thing for her to do at the moment. The potent fragrance of cinnamon and amber corrupted her train of thought somehow, and she forgot about being late. Something about him was certainly odd, but not in a negative way. When he cocked his head slightly to one side, his irises narrowed almost to the point where they turned to vertical slits. His eyebrows furrowed in deep thought and his ears perked upward. In that instance, she knew what he was.

“You’re a shifter,” she whispered, almost unsure.

He seemed taken back by her revelation as if she shouldn’t have been able to identify him so quickly.

“I am.”

“I’m sorry if you were trying to keep that a secret…” she said, looking behind them and in the direction of the revolving glass doors.

“I wasn’t. They know,” he confirmed, nonchalantly.

“I went to a school with a very high shifter population. One of the best schools in this region actually. The founder of the college is like you. He’s a shifter. It’s almost too easy now for me to tell even when someone like you isn’t willing to identify himself or herself like that. I notice the subtle hints. Your eyes gave you away, and I just had this feeling…”

“Not many people are patient enough to pay attention to the subtle signs,” he replied.

Her gaze found his mouth and his lips were tilted up in a sensual grin. She could have fainted on the spot over how arresting he looked.

“So um…I’m late. Excuse me,” she said, breaking their gaze and reluctantly pushing past him.

After breaking free, Natasha nearly ran to the front doors of the company. She bypassed the revolving doors, yanked on the adjacent door handle with sweaty palms and nervous fingers, and made a beeline for the receptionist. A young woman was seated behind the desk, answering a phone and routing calls on the switchboard.

After Natasha introduced herself and explained that this was her first day, the receptionist said, “Oh, you’re Paul’s daughter, right?”

“Yes.”

The receptionist smiled. “Congratulations on the job and nice to meet you! I’m Clara. I’ll call your boss down to come get you.”

Natasha would’ve preferred to have not started her week being identified as the daughter of an exec who worked there, but she figured she was doomed to be associated as such from that day going forward. This wasn’t even a permanent job and it was up to her to move on. As soon as she found something that suited her more, she’d do her damnedest to get a job on her own in this town. But for now, Reverie would do.

As Clara punched some buttons on her little switchboard and informed Natasha’s new boss that she had finally arrived, the dark, mysterious stranger that she ran into on the sidewalk sauntered through the door. He eyed her like a hawk and didn’t even try to hide his interest in her. His attention should’ve made her uncomfortable all over again, but this time, it didn’t. Thank God. She was already frazzled enough as is. He assessed her with more of a curious, enigmatic gaze. Considering the intensive exchange between them, Natasha had a feeling that she’d be seeing more of him. And for some odd reason…the idea of running into him again made her feel anxious.