Claiming Shayla Read Online Free PDF Page A

impossible for you to accept the job?”
    “I wish I could, but the contract’s ironclad and there are no loopholes. It was so detailed I hired a lawyer to look at it before signing. The only reason I agreed to take it was because the money was too good to pass on. At least I’ll still be in the area.”
    Shannon perked up, her manner suddenly intent. “What’s the name of the company that hired you?”
    “Sparrowhawk, Inc.”
    A strange expression crossed Shannon’s face, and her mouth dropped open. She seemed to convulse right before bursting into peals of laughter. “Spar…row…hawk…Inc.?” Shannon struggled to get out, still laughing so hard she was in danger of falling off the bed.
    “Why? What have you heard about them?” Shayla was puzzled at her bizarre reaction, beginning to get annoyed.
    “What…have…I…heard?” she gasped, laughing too hard to finish. “Oh God, this is too funny,” she added when she’d calmed, still wiping tears from her eyes.
    Eyes narrowed in displeasure, Shay asked, “Mind sharing the joke?”
    “Shayla.” She giggled. “You’re working for Rory.”
    * * * *
     
    Hours later Shay entered the small church where the wedding was being held, still pissed that Rory had managed to outsmart and outmaneuver her. Able to think circles around most individuals, her ego was smarting at being bested. She refused to acknowledge the tiny spark of respect flickering to life deep inside.
    Fortunately Kiesha had lain off. Shayla didn’t know what Alex had said to make Kiesha give her space, but it worked. Instead of nagging her, her cousin was giving her wounded looks, as if she needed one more person to worry about. Now she simply hoped Kee had enough sense to keep her mouth shut around Shayla’s parents. As traditional as her mother was, if she knew her daughter was pregnant, she’d turn this wedding into a double.
    It didn’t help that she and Shannon were the last to arrive. Shayla strode up the aisle of the church, trying to ignore her churning stomach. Please, not again . The last thing she needed was for her morning sickness to reappear. She’d thrown up once already at the house, causing them to be late.
    Scanning the participants standing at the altar, her gaze came to a screeching halt when it landed on Rory. Their eyes connected. Lust slammed into her so hard that she grabbed ahold of the pew to keep from toppling over.
    Images of their last night together bombarded her mind in full Technicolor, with all the associated textures and smells. The present faded as she was thrust back into the past…
    * * * *
     
    She lay on top of Rory, their legs tangled together and her head on his chest while she recovered from their last round of sex.
    “I need to go upstairs,” she told him, lazily twirling her finger in his dense red chest hair.
    “It’s still not safe. Besides, I like you right where you are.” His large, calloused hand stroked her bare skin from shoulder to hip.
    “I like it here too, but”—she stuck out her tongue and licked his left nipple—“I don’t want to miss my flight. That means I need to pack tonight.”
    He stiffened beneath her. “You’re not going anywhere.” It came out in a growl.
    “Down, boy.” She patted his shoulder. “Don’t go all caveman on me. This was fun, but I have a job to do. Vacation time’s over.”
    Rory gripped her by the shoulders and dragged her up his body until their faces were level. “You belong to me. Forget the job.”
    “My job is how I earn my living.”
    Rory’s grip tightened and a hint of fang showed at her words.
    Shayla narrowed her eyes. “Watch the grip, wolf boy. Don’t make me hurt you. I belong to myself. No man owns me.”
    “Mine,” he growled, his eyes beginning to glow.
    “I don’t think so, Neanderthal. Them days are long gone.” She placed her knee right over his groin and applied a hint of pressure. “Let go or lose something very important to you,” she threatened.
    Rory