Chapter 4
Ciaro
Mairi was ready when Moe pulled up to get her. Her cousin looked ready to drop her pup at any time. She’d started calling the baby a pup when she realized it bothered Moe so much. Wasn’t it the duty of relatives to tease each other mercilessly? Even if it wasn’t, it was so much fun! When she giggled, Moe looked at her suspiciously.
“I must admit, you’re taking all this much better than I expected.” Moe offered.
“It’s a done deal. No point in fighting it now.”
“That’s never stopped you before.”
Mairi grinned at her sometimes aggravating cousin. She was right, there was no arguing that. “Maybe I’m maturing.”
“Heaven help us all.” Moe declared. They both giggled as they made the rounds picking up Imogene, Lucille, and Cassie.
“Everyone comfortable back there?” Moe said as she pressed on the accelerator.
A chorus of yeses filled the air. They were headed out to meet Ariel at the dress shop Jazz owned. It was a great place to go for the nicer items a girl liked to wear and all of them went here from time to time to buy something special and see Jazz. She wasn’t a cousin exactly, more an adopted member of the family.
Jazz was a witch and had a particular talent for picking the perfect items for any woman to wear for whatever event was coming up. “Hello Ladies. Who is my victim, er customer today?” She knew they would all buy something, but they usually came for one of two people specifically and those were the ones she would see to first.
“Mairi and Harry are your two main customers.” Moe said enjoying herself too much.
“Mairi?” Jazz said her excitement obvious. It made Mairi more nervous that Jazz was so excited about getting her hands on her. “I have the perfect dress.” She turned and ran away grabbing a rolling rack as she went.
When she returned, she rushed Mairi into the dressing room and Moe pushed her way in as well. “So what? I’m going to have a front row seat.” Moe said when Mairi shot her a look.
“I have two very different looks. Try this first.” Jazz insisted.
“OMG!” Moe yelled.
The outfit was amazing. It was a black leather dress with a diagonal zipper. That fit like a glove and it made her look sexy, but dangerous. The zipper was silver in color, so her black purse and high heels had silver on them too. Yeah, she was going to take it. The next dress was blood red. It was strapless and hugged her breast. A brooch was pinned in the center drawing attention to her boobs. There was no shoes or purse since the new ones she already had would work with both.
Jazz knew she didn’t buy a lot of clothes or things of that nature. Now the underwear came next. It was black with red stitching. Bra, panty, and garter set with sheer black thigh high hose, it was just gorgeous. Now that she was done, others picked things out until Harry swept in like a celebrity.
“Hey, Doll! What are you doing here? You’re already gorgeous.” Mairi teased.
Harry shot her a sad look. “If only. I’m the cute one that reminds them of a sister.”
“I’ve got just the thing for you.” Jazz said as she dragged her back to the dressing room. Mairi sat back there with her.
Jazz pulled out a rack hidden behind the one Mairi’s dresses had been on. “Try this one first.” It was all leather, but it was red. At first it seemed a one piece but it was two. The fit was skin tight and looked sweet, but sexy.
“I’m ready to take you out on a date. Goddess, you look amazing.” Mairi said.
“Here’s the other one.” It was purple and black. The front looked like scarves that parted every once in a while giving a peek of Harry’s legs. The top showed a lovely view of cleavage making the most of what Harry had.
“How about some work clothes? I got a big bonus recently that’s burning a hole in my pocket book.” Harry shared with a giggle.
“I heard everyone got a big bonus?” Mairi said.
“We found one of Chief’s warehouses full of shit a few months ago. It took a while to turn everything into cash and for the paperwork to go through. The Chief project now cost the council’s nothing. There was so much there. They even saved some to give to the packs that are now assigned to clean up what’s left of the mess.” Harry informed. “You gotto love it when the heavens rain money down on you.”
“How much are we talking about?” Mairi asked.
“I paid off my house and car. There wasn’t a lot left owed, but it made me feel spectacular. Now I have enough left for a makeover and a weekend vacay.” Harry said.
“Are the part timers getting anything?” Mairi asked.
“It’s trickling down from the main group that I was in to the others. I forgot you helped out for a while. No way to know when, but you’ll get something. Damon said everyone would. They started with some of the victims, not of the drugs unless they were forced, but of Chief’s nefarious deeds. The witches he had captured each got a check like mine. They were on the first tier with the main group. There was also the wolves forced into service and the vampires that survived being forced to give blood. His sex slaves also got something. They are already to the secondary groups. Part timers will be last.”
“I’ll not expect much.”
“That’s not what I meant. I bet you get enough to finish your kitchen.” Harry admitted.
“That would be marvelous. I’ll try not to expect too much in case. There were so many victims and your group was attacked so often. You guys deserve to be the top of the list.”
“We were with a few deserving inclusions. Many more could have been included, but they didn’t survive.”
“We should discuss something more pleasant.” Ariel directed. “Everyone has bought what they’re going to so now we need to head to Cassie’s.” She was a distant relative no one but Ariel was sure how she was related. The lady was a sweetheart and there was more than one Cassie in the family, one of the others was going there with them. The one riding with Moe and Mairi was Cassandra, the one they were about to visit was Cassidy.
Cassie was young to own a spa and beauty shop. By the time they left, they would all be relaxed and as lovely as they could be. The building was in view as they parked in the lot. Their group would fill the spa and shop area. Cassie had called on every helping hand she had available. Normally she closed at this time in the afternoon even though a few of her girls took appointments from longtime customers. It turned out only two were in the beauty shop now getting their hair styled.
Most of them went to the spa side. They would get a massage, a rub, or just kick back in the Jacuzzi or steam room. Harry and Mairi would get the full service makeover while a few of the other cousins got their nails or hair done. Ariel hung with them getting the full service work up too. It had probably been awhile since she’d been to a beauty shop too.
Everything was going well until they brought out the scissors. Other than trims to keep her length the same, Mairi didn’t get her hair done. “Okay, tell me what has you panicking?” Cassidy asked.
“I don’t want my hair short. I like to put it in a ponytail for work.” Mairi admitted.
“What if I tell you we’ll leave the length the same? The plan is just to shape it so it will be easier to style and not so thick. It’ll be much like it is now except lighter and it will look better with less work.” Cassidy explained.
“Okay.” Mairi gave in. Her hair was incredibly thick and in the summer felt hot and heavy. She’d give it a try.
“Want to highlight it a bit?”
“In for a penny, what the hell. Okay.”
Cassidy grinned with delight. It made Mairi a little nervous, but a team of cosmetologists were all over her. Her feet and hands were soaking while her hair was being washed. She was going to have her hair, nails, and makeup done. Her makeup was something she’d never had done before. At least not by a pro.
It was like being at the center of a beehive. She even fell asleep when they dried her hair after they trimmed and shaped it. When she was done and the mirror held up to her, she was amazed. Would anyone even recognize her? She glanced over at Ariel who always looked beautiful. Sure, she was sexier, but she still was recognizable.
Harry was another thing altogether. “You’re gorgeous.”
“You are too.” Harry replied. “We should have done this a long time ago.”
“It has to be the right time. Maybe that’s now?” Mairi asked. Harry just shrugged. No one would know until this turned out to be a successful change.
They were all done and everyone paid, but Ariel had already paid for her and Harry. “Hey, why did you pay for me?”
“Consider it a bonus.” Ariel replied.
“How about me?” Harry asked.
“I used you as a character for my new book. I couldn’t come up with anyone crazier to use.” Ariel admitted.
“I’m not sure if I should feel complimented or insulted.” Harry said.
“Aw, you know all of us love you.” Ariel admitted. “Group hug for Harry.” No sooner did Ariel say that as everyone came together squeezing the hell out of her, Ariel, and Harry.
“Must breathe!” Harry yelled and they all backed off.
“We’re going to Junior’s first.” Ariel said. It was late enough that it would start filling up by the time they all made it there.
They all headed there with some making it there faster than others. Moe had a heavy foot and they were the first to arrive. Now they waited for Ariel and the others. It was always best to enter as a group. Mairi wondered who would be there and if she would dance or not. Would any of the males interest her as much as Ciaro had? They’d have to be something else to do that. Her mind went over the times she’d seen him.
She was aware she thought about him entirely too much. It was hard to separate him from her thoughts. The male was sex on a stick and would drive any female crazy. Still, he scared her and she needed to move on. They all gathered while Ariel led the way in. Mairi was barely past the door when her eyes met his.
The male was dressed all in black and sexy as hell. How had he known they would come here? Someone had a big mouth. She tried to move away, but he caught her. As their eyes met, it was all over. She was frozen to the spot at he took her in his arms. The dance floor was magically empty so he moved her to the center of it.
She felt his hands on her making her body come alive. There was no doubt something was wrong with her. Her body had come alive since he’d touched her. His arms were wrapped around her and she felt safe and warm. Taking a deep breathe, she scented his clean sexy aroma. It was dangerous to be so drawn to this male.
Her desire was to be held like this forever, but she knew she’d be his if she did. This strong male shifter was not what she needed. He was too dominant, too strong and aggressive. Her spirit would be crushed. What could she do when she wanted him so much? Could one time ease her need and set her free? She’d never been in a situation like this before.
The song was done and the band took a break. Ciaro steered her to a table in the corner sitting her down close to him. It was almost like he’d placed a do not disturb sign near them, no one approached.
“Would you like a drink?”
“A wine cooler would be nice.”
He waved down a waitress who left coming back quickly. Now he had a beer and she had her wine cooler. Her bottle kept her hand busy as she sipped constantly. “What now?” Ciaro asked.
“What do you mean?”
“This thing between us. I know you feel it too. How do we deal with it?”
“Maybe it will go away.”
Ciaro snorted. That was weird to hear a male do it. Especially one that wasn’t a mate. “So you think it won’t.”
“Why don’t we test it? Let’s see what happens when we give in for a night.” Ciaro proposed.
That was what she had been thinking about. Would it ease if she gave in and took him out for a test run? Looking at him, she knew it would be enjoyable. She’d not had sex in a long time. Why not? They wanted each other. The two of them would be compatible, she just knew it. The delight that body would give her, dear Lord. There was no reason not to.
“Okay, we’ll give it a shot. What have we got to lose but this uncontrollable need?” She almost took it back. He looked too pleased at her agreement. But her need shot through her.
“Let’s go somewhere private.” He suggested. Ciaro waited until she stood. Mairi’s eyes caught with Moe’s and she nodded.
Ciaro put his arm around her leading her to his SUV. “My house okay for you? It’s not far from here and even closer to where the party house is being built.”
Thank goodness he didn’t want to go to her house. That would be a deal breaker. “It’s fine.” She knew exactly where his house was. Mairi actually owned it. Ariel had advised her to make it livable to rent for a short term then she would flip it. The advice had been good.
Once they were in the SUV, Ciaro took off. She was nervous for some reason. Maybe it was because it had been so long since she’d been with a man. Work and the creep at work had distracted her. Now she was about to jump in and it seemed strange. He pulled into his driveway and she hesitated. Ciaro got out so she did too.
They walked up the steps and he unlocked the door. Things were about to get interesting.