Moon Shifter 02 - Primal Possession

Butterscotch cookies and vanilla. Nothing could overpower her scent, though. The jasmine was probably too subtle or even missed by most people, but everything about her called to his most primal side.
    She glanced up from the cash register and half smiled when she saw him. When her gaze trailed past him, her face filled with concern. Liam bit back a sigh, hating that she was uncomfortable. At least Jayce had his jacket zipped up, covering his blades. He could only imagine her reaction to those.
    There were four women waiting in line and Kat was busy helping another. He realized she must be helping December out since she was short staffed. And Kat had almost the same reaction as December when she spotted them. A smile for Liam and a glare for Jayce. Next to him, Jayce gave a low, almost inaudible growl in his throat. She couldn’t hear him, but Liam could. It was a strained, almost distressed sound. Liam was careful not to look at him. He didn’t know what was keeping them apart, but it was obvious Jayce was messed up over her. The sexual tension in the air was so thick it was nauseating.
    “Quit looking at her like that and at least pretend to be browsing or something,” Liam said under his breath.
    Jayce shot him an annoyed look before stalking down one of the aisles.
    A steady stream of customers flowed in and out for the next hour, but finally the place cleared out. The second the last woman left, Jayce tossed down the book he’d been looking at and riveted his attention on Kat.
    “You were fucking kidnapped and didn’t tell me?” His low-slung words were directed at Kat, as if he’d been holding it in the entire time they’d been waiting.
    “Shit.” Liam tried to place himself in between them.
    Kat’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “I didn’t tell you because it’s none of your business,” she shot back, her voice just as low as his.
    Both of them completely ignored Liam’s attempt to come between them.
    “I had to find out weeks after the fact. What the hell, Kat?” He took a step toward her.
    Liam tensed as December shot out from behind the cash register, her eyes ablaze. “Don’t talk to her like that. She doesn’t owe you anything.”
    When Jayce turned his angry stare on December, a warning growl started deep in Liam’s throat. Before it had a chance to escape, Jayce relaxed and took a step back as he focused on Kat. “Can I talk to you in private?”
    Kat sighed and glanced at December. “I know you haven’t had a break today. If you want to grab a late lunch with Liam, I’m fine here at the store.”
    December glared at Jayce as she spoke to Kat. “You sure?”
    “Yes. I’ll be fine, I promise. And so will your store. Take a break.”
    She glanced between the two of them for a few long moments before nodding. “Okay. We won’t be gone long.” Once December agreed, Liam let out a relieved breath.
    After she slipped on her coat, he hooked his arm around her shoulder as they exited. She stiffened but didn’t pull away. Considering the kiss they’d shared last night, he didn’t understand why she was acting as if he were a stranger. Like she hadn’t been ready to let him take her up against her front door. His body instantly hardened at the thought, but he forced his mind to the present. “Is Big Earl’s okay?” He motioned to the local diner at the end of the block.
    “It’s fine. Liam…” She tried to extricate herself from his hold.
    Even though he wanted to pull her tighter, he loosened his grip. He felt more than heard her sigh of relief. His inner wolf howled as he felt her put those walls backup, blocking him out. The signs she put off were physical
and
emotional. “Damn it,” he muttered. If she was pushing him out again, he was back to square one. An ache started in the middle of his chest at the thought.
    When they reached the diner, he held open the door for her. He wanted to enter ahead of her, like his inner wolf demanded. Human males had a strange custom of letting females walk into buildings ahead of them. It was supposed to be civilized or something, but it was stupid. Letting a female walk into an unknown situation made no sense. He knew December wouldn’t understand that, and since the doors and windows were glass, he forced his protective instincts back down. He could see they weren’t walking into an ambush.
    Regardless, he instinctively scanned the diner for any possible threats. They received a few curious stares, but he didn’t sense any