Mine to Claim (Shadow Shifters: Damaged Hearts) Read Online Free PDF Page B

been her motto. Whatever she didn’t absolutely have to do at this very moment, Scarlett didn’t do. I wondered what it would be like to live so carefree, to be so content on doing whatever I wanted, when I wanted. It had to be liberating, if not frustrating especially on cold nights such as this when she had refused to wear a coat because none of the ones she owned looked cute with her outfit.
    The elevator was a rickety platform with a caged door that we had to close on our own before Scarlett slammed her palm into the up button. Another jolt and we were moving, making a very loud arrival on the top floor. This time a guy pulled the gate open and we stepped off onto gleaming wood floors.
    The apartment was huge, or maybe the lack of walls separating the different rooms made it appear to be so. At any rate, there were at least fifty people milling about, all holding either beer bottles or glasses in their hands. Music played in the background, not overly loud, but definitely party-like. The ceiling was high and full of beams and light fixtures that hung haphazardly. Somebody moved and I saw a couch, long black leather. To the left more people gravitated to glass doors that opened out to what I figured was a balcony. And to the right was a kitchen, a counter full of liquor bottles, and a bucket of ice.
    “Looks like fun,” I said, unable to hide the glib tone.
    “Come on, it’ll be great.” Scarlett pulled me along behind her as she stopped periodically, speaking to people until she finally found Jordy.
    He hugged her so hard, lifting her completely off the floor and spinning her in a semicircle. Then he saw me and waved. I waved back and turned away to find my own entertainment for the night. That black couch was looking better by the moment. First, I was thirsty so I headed to the kitchen area hoping there was something there other than alcohol.
    Of course I was wrong. I grabbed a wine cooler because that looked to be the calmest thing available. It was pink-lemonade flavored so I figured it couldn’t be that bad. I was wrong, but it was cool going down and I was parched so I dealt with it and moved around the milling people in search of the couch. If I could sit there with my lowly drink I’d ride out the night without incident and before I could go absolutely crazy it would be time to go.
    “Dance with me, cutie,” I heard a male voice behind me say.
    I kept walking because I was sure he wasn’t talking to me.
    “Hey, I want you to dance with me,” he said and this time he touched my elbow.
    I turned, ready to give a quick, “No thank you.” He was really tall and really cute with a dimple in his chin and sky-blue eyes. His jeans and tucked-in button-up shirt gave him a neat and clean-cut appearance and I actually thought about dancing with him. Then I changed my mind and shook my head, declining. He followed me to the couch and when I sat down, he joined me. I slid as close to the arm of the chair as I could without jumping right over it. He chuckled and moved down closer.
    “I’m Rafe,” he said, extending a hand to introduce himself.
    I had the wine cooler in one hand but the other was free and I felt stupid just looking at his outstretched one, so I took it and shook. “I’m Grace.”
    “Pretty name for a pretty girl.”
    “Thanks,” I replied, more than a little uncomfortable by his compliments and by the way he continued to stare at me, eyes and mouth smiling.
    I felt like he was undressing me with those eyes, my skin was prickly, my cheeks heating with embarrassment. I wanted to wrap my vest tighter around my chest, cross my legs, and maybe look for a blanket to toss over me as an extra precaution.
    “What’s a pretty girl like you doing out all alone at a party like this?” he asked.
    I wanted to know the answer to that question myself. “I’m not all alone. My friend’s over there,” was my reply.
    He never looked away from me. “She’s over there and you’re over here with me.