Read Better Late Than Leopard (A BBW Shifter Romance) (Sunset Valley Book 2) Online
Authors: Alannah Blacke
Better Late Than Leopard (A BBW Shifter Romance) (Sunset Valley Book 2) (4 page)
Ella
In the morning, Jake asked her if she would like to come help him in the shop for the day.
"Max could use the day off anyways. He's been running the place since I left, that's long enough for him I'm sure."
"Are you sure? I don't really know what I'm doing."
"Can you talk nicely to customers, make change, and help with carry-outs?"
"Well, yes, but-"
"Excellent, you'll be awesome. Let's grab some breakfast and get a move on!"
He was grinning from ear to ear, the sheer enthusiasm contagious. Shaking her head in happy exasperation she followed him out of bed and to the kitchen. Although she wasn't wearing much in the way of clothing, Ella had rarely felt more at home in her own skin. It helped with all the seductive glances and caresses that Jake sent her way.
Eventually, the two of them managed to get a breakfast put together. They had to redo it once when she got a little carried away with kissing him and they burnt the bacon. The eggs also had to be redone once, because she flinched while cracking them when Jake gave her a rather arousing caress on her rear and between her legs.
They continued to smile and flirt while they got dressed as well. Ella felt like she could get used to their antics being a regular thing. She even wondered if Jake would ever invite her to move in with him. It startled her to be thinking of such a move so soon, but part of her knew that if he asked, she wouldn't say no.
The drive in to the store was wonderful as well. The sun was shining and the wind rushed through her hair as they wove along the back road, windows down and sunglasses on. One of her hands rested on the door, fingers playing with the wind. The other was firmly entwined with Jake's, their fingers interlocked and resting on the center console.
"I can't believe I hadn't been by here until now. That's really a travesty you know," she exclaimed, looking around his shop in wonder. It was absolutely beautiful, all the various works of art laid out for display and purchase.
"I could spend forever in here just looking around Jake."
The day passed swiftly, though surprisingly it wasn't very stressful. Nearly every customer of Jake's knew the routine and was more than happy to help her out as she went. The variety of people that came in, just to talk, to browse the new pieces or even to arrange a showing of their own work was constant. Somehow each and every one of them was happy and easy to work with.
"Is this what every day here is like?" she asked in awe as the day drew to a close.
"Pretty much. It's why I like it so much more than working in the city," he replied, locking the door and flipping the sign over to read 'Closed'.
"Unbelievable."
The two of them left through the back door, Jake fidgeting with something in his pocket before they locked up behind them.
"Did you forget something?"
"Nope, I have it right here," he said a little breathlessly.
"Is everything okay Jake?" she asked curiously, stopping just before they rounded the corner to the front of the store and the street.
"I think so Ella. I really think so. Oh," he said, dropping down to one knee to adjust a shoelace.
He was acting so strange, she thought to herself. Ella wasn't sure what he was up to, but whatever it was, it was making him nervous. She eyed him speculatively as he stuck his hand back into his jacket pocket one more time, still down on his knee.
"Jake what are you doing?"
"Ella Gordon," he began, taking her hand in his, meeting her eyes, " will you ma-"
"Ella!" Charlie said from behind her, startling her and forcing her to turn around. He was the last person she had expected to see here. Looking at him, she couldn't help but admire the change in him. He was more clean cut and polished than she had seen in quite some time. In fact, he was wearing new clothes that fit and weren't ripped as well.
"Charlie, what are you doing here?" Even though they had been separated for a month now, the five years they had spent together still tugged at her heartstrings. It was so
good
to see him getting his act together.
"Listen, Ella. I've been doing a lot of thinking, and I've realized something. All along I thought I had it figured out. Then you left, and things came crashing down. I don't want that to happen again. I need you in my life. Forever."
She gasped.
"Ella Danielle Gordon, will you marry me?" Charlie said, dropping down to one knee, ring in hand.
To Be Continued
Jake, Ella & Charlie will return in the conclusion to the Sunset Valley Series:
A Leopard Is Forever
, available in early June. Get my newsletter to be notified when it's available!
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Sneak Peak of
'Bear In Mind
'
By
Alannah Blacke
&
Terra Wolf
A look of sadness came over his face, and Keri tried to open her mouth to respond. Before she could though, Derek had turned away from her, dropping the remnants of the picnic on the ground as he faced the wolves. They were only thirty or so feet distant now, steadily closing. They were snarling, snapping at the pair of them, trying to scare them off.
A deeper, foreboding growl echoed through the clearing, sending a rumble down her spine. It took a moment for her to realize that it had come from Derek. As she watched, half in horror, half in fascination, he leaned forward, his arms elongating to reach the ground.
The wolves had slowed their approach at the growl, and as he began to change, they stopped entirely. At first Derek's skin appeared to be darkening in color, but it quickly resolved into fur sprouting from everywhere. He let out another growl, this one louder than before, his head twisting and shaking slightly like animals do when they challenge one another. His frame was expanding in size, doubling, then doubling again.
In seconds, there was nothing left of Derek, only a massive grizzly bear where he had been. It pawed at the ground, massive claws leaving deep rents in the hard packed earth. It was a wordless challenge to the wolves, indicating that he was not backing down. The largest wolf moved forward slightly, teeth bared as it responded to him.
Then Derek roared.
It was a physical wall of sound, slamming into Keri and driving her to the ground it was so loud and powerful. She went down to one knee, hands bracing herself on either side for balance. Somehow she managed to look up, where she saw the wolves cowering beneath his full blown battle cry. To emphasize his power, Derek reared up on his hind legs and let loose another blast that, if anything, was louder than the first.
It was an awe-inspiring display of power. No normal bear on earth could challenge that, and only the fact that the wolves were abnormally large and powerful themselves allowed them to not flee in terror. Still, they were the first to give, backing up several steps.
The ground shook as Derek dropped onto his front paws, taking a step towards the intruders upon his territory. She hoped he wouldn't do anything stupid or try to show off. The odds were definitely stacked against him at six wolves to one bear.
Tall, powerful and undeniably attractive,
Zach
is a wealthy businessman with a secret to hide. Fed up with the high-rise prison that is New York, he yearns to escape back to the plains of Africa for another Safari. Only there does he feel at home, putting aside the complete and utter loneliness that invades him when he's in the city. Visiting his preferred high-class Tour Provider, Zach finds himself saddled with the groups newest guide.
Lena
, the
curvy
, sassy, no-nonsense taking tour guide is thrust into the spotlight. When her boss springs a last minute tour on her, one that would normally take months to plan, she can't say no. It doesn't hurt that her client is none other than Zachary Hopkins, one of the world's most notorious billionaire business moguls, who also happens to be high up on a number of Most Desirable Bachelor lists. His good looks promise to make her next two weeks just a little less painful.
When the two of them meet, things take an unexpected turn. Mysteries abound at Mictori's Safari Tours, and as it turns out,
Zach may not be hiding the biggest secret.
Can the blossoming love between the two of them withstand all the
trials
that living in the wild will throw their way?
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