Shifter's Lady Read Online Free PDF Page A

tonight and go over his presentation so I can give it in his place tomorrow. I hate to leave you alone like this, but—”
    â€œDo not give it another thought. I would love the opportunity to explore your beautiful lands, and I am very comfortable with my own company,” Marie said, attempting to reassure Kat even as she tried not to think about how vastly different her visit was turning out to be from what she’d imagined. Perhaps her misgivings back in Atlantis had been well-founded, and she should contact Alaric to return. She could visit another time, she tried to console the empty space inside herself. Just because her first adventure was not unfolding as planned—
    Kat cut into Marie’s dejected thoughts. “I feel awful. We had so many plans—Bastien and I were going to take you to dinner at Thelma’s and introduce you around, and…Wait! I know. Ethancan take you. He told me last week he wanted the chance to get to know you while you were here.”
    The floor under Marie’s feet seemed to shift at the sound of his name. Definitely not a good idea. “No,” she protested. “I’m sure he has many important duties. I can remain here or go for a walk by myself or even return to Atlantis and visit you when Lord Justice is safely returned home. It’s—”
    Kat wasn’t listening, though, and was already speaking into her phone. “Ethan? Look, I’ve got to run out to an unexpected meeting, and I’ll be gone all evening. I was wondering if you—”
    She flashed a brilliant smile at Marie. “You will? That’s great. I’ll…An hour? Sure. I’ll tell her. We were going to eat at Thelma’s and…Sure…I’ll tell her. Thanks!”
    Kat snapped her phone closed. “He offered to show you around Big Cypress and take you to dinner before I even asked. You must have made some impression on him.”
    â€œI don’t…Kat, I’m not sure…Ethan and I—”
    Kat’s eyes narrowed. “What did he say? Was he rude to you? I’ll kick his ass for him, alpha or not, if he offended you. Ethan has this ‘all arrogant, all the time’ thing going on, because everybody bows down before him, and he needs to get over it. It’s nothing personal, though, if that matters.”
    Marie laughed a little wildly. Nothing personal? He wanted to lick her skin! It could not be more personal than that, could it?
    She needed to pull herself together. She was First Maiden to the Goddess of the Nereids, and she would not be thrown off balance by one…one…surly kitten.
    â€œOn second thought, Kat, exploring and dinner with Ethan would be lovely. I’ll just go change my clothes while you get ready for your meeting.” Marie rinsed her coffee mug in the sink, her thoughts already on what she would wear. So he liked her hair, did he? Had fantasies of it spread across his pillows? A slow, wicked smile spread across her face. Perhaps she’d let him see exactly what he’d been fantasizing about. As she walked down the hall to her room, her fingers were already busy undoing the dozens of intricate braids.

FIVE
    Ethan knocked on Kat’s door a good thirty minutes earlier than he’d planned to be there. So much for casual nonchalance. He’d tried to do some work, but memories of his too-brief contact with Marie had insinuated themselves into his mind. Flashes of her skin, her hair, her ocean-colored eyes.
    That smile that had knocked him on his ass, figuratively speaking. He planned to have the upper hand this evening, though. Be the perfect gentleman. Calm, cool, and completely unflappable.
    The door opened, and Marie stood there, smiling that perfect, kissable smile again. But he was prepared. He was unflappable. He glanced down, and the waves of her blue black hair and the dress she was almost wearing finally registered, and he sucked in a sharp