A Hollywood Shifters' Christmas: BBW Tiger Shifter Paranormal Romance Read Online Free PDF Page A

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    A little later, they walked out arm in arm onto the deck of the Robin , fresh from the shower. The city had sprung considerably closer—clusters of buildings could be made out: the Getty lights high on the Pacific Palisades, the Wilshire Towers.
    Mindy noticed that Dennis had his cell out. She’d never seen him care that much about checking his phone. He had to be eager to see his friends, she thought as he let out an “Ah! Two bars. And that’s enough for . . . holy shit!”
    “What’s wrong?” she asked, instantly concerned.
    “I was not ready for a billion texts and emails,” he said grimly. “Looks like we must have gotten on some kind of list.” He sighed. “Of course. Mick’s film premier. Bet you anything his publicity hacks have blabbed our names all over town, and here’s a bunch of people wanting me to give talks for free, and donations, and attend their fundraisers. I wonder if they realize my share of that damn journalism prize was ten grand, not ten million.”
    Mindy laughed. “You can’t blame publicity people. That’s what they do. And I guess they think you’re a celebrity. Or?” She stopped as his mouth thinned.
    “Just a not-very-veiled threat from some asshole. My guess is, also related to that damn prize.”  His thumb worked as he deleted something. Then his expression changed as he read another, and he gave a non-committal grunt.
    She was about to ask again, but hesitated, not wanting to be pushy. It was probably something from his friends, anyway.
    And sure enough, after scrolling a bit more, he glanced up. “Mick says we can go with them in his private plane to the wedding. Okay by you?”
    “Sure,” Mindy said, glad she sounded easy as she hid the familiar pulse of dread.
    He thumbed an answer to Mick, then keyed the phone off and dropped it into his pocket. “What now?” he asked as Captain Niles and his crew expertly guided the Robin into Marina del Rey, where a slip awaited them. “Call a cab?”
    She shook her head. “That’s already taken care of—we have a rental waiting for us on the Marina. My apartment’s been cleaned and it’s ready for us.” She had been using the same concierge service for a few years, and she knew the fridge would even be stocked.
    Dennis pursed his lips, his brows rising over his tigerish eyes. “I have to admit, I’m still more used to grabbing a hammock where I can find one.”
    “I’m no good in hammocks,” Mindy admitted. “Give me a comfortable bed.”
    He grinned. “As long as I’m in it with you, I’ve got no complaints.”
    When the Robin had been secured to the dock and the ramp extended, Mindy went in search of Niles and the crew. “You guys are officially off duty. Feel free to invite friends to enjoy the harbor,” she said. “If we decide to entertain on deck, I’ll give you plenty of notice—and I’ll bring in caterers.”
    Niles thanked her, and added, “Merry Christmas.”
    They all exchanged holiday wishes, and the two walked up onto the dock. Mindy grabbed Dennis’s hand tightly when the dock seemed to heave under her feet. He walked easily, obviously used to switching from water to land.
    After the quiet of the ocean, the traffic and noise and lights of Los Angeles seemed to close around Mindy, as always. By the following day she’d be in L.A. mode again. That was no problem.
    The problem? She kind of dreaded meeting Dennis’s friends and their wives, or soon-to-be wife. Now that they were here in L.A. the prospect wasn’t some future thing, it was happening real soon. Maybe in the next day or so.
    “Hey, what’s on your mind?” Dennis asked as she inched into the Wilshire Blvd. traffic. She smiled quickly at him, as always a little surprised at how sensitive he was to her moods.
    “Nothing. Counting up all my various halves and steps and sort-of-cousins I really should contact, since I am here. With luck most of them will be off somewhere skiing.” She forced a smile as they pulled to