Wanted By The Soldier Bear (Heroes of Shifter Creek 1) Read online

  “Un huh. ”

  “Whatever. Get back already. I need you.”

  “Sure thing sweetie,” she said as she hung up. How long does it take to pay a check?

  Finally, Doran appeared. His shirt had a red stain on the bottom that she didn’t remember seeing earlier.

  “You have sauce on your shirt.” she said.

  “What?” She pointed to the stain. He frowned. “I guess I did.”

  “Interesting. Well, thanks for lunch and everything. I’ll probably eat at my desk, but it was fun.” She felt she should be nice to the man since he bought her lunch after all.

  “No problem,” he grabbed her hand, which she nearly pulled away automatically, but for some reason didn’t. “I like spending time with you.”

  “Right.”

  III.

  “And then he held my hand, and it was weird,” Isadora said, replaying her lunch with Doran to Georgia the next morning. She’d stayed late at work, throwing herself into the paper cover, mostly to avoid Doran, her step-mother, and her father. It felt too awkward. “I think I need my own place.”

  “I thought you hated that guy,” Georgia gave a thoughtful frown. “Do you like him now?”

  “Why would you think that?”

  “Well, I walked up to ask you to get some articles done ASAP, and you talked to me for twenty minutes about him. For the first ten or so, you discussed how ‘damn handsome’ he is.”

  “I could’ve sworn you asked about our lunch for some reason.”

  “Nope, I don’t care about it.”

  “Right. I’ll get to those articles right away,” Izzy said a little embarrassed.

  Fiona approached with a serious look on her face. “Good morning, Fiona. Did you get your story done?”

  “I was just going to ask that,” Georgia commented. “That was mostly why I came over, but then I got roped into this conversation about Dora’s step-brother. Which I really, really didn’t want to get roped into.”

  “Where did you say you and Doran went to lunch yesterday?” Fiona asked carefully.

  “Roselli’s,” Isadora responded. “The food wasn’t as good as I hoped. My mom’s food was way better.”

  “Did you realize if we call you Dora, and his name is Doran, it’s like the same name?” Georgia gave an expectant frown. Fiona and Isadora gave her a look in return. “I don’t know if I’ve been listening this whole time.” She said then walked away.

  “Roselli’s exploded this morning,” Fiona said, pulling Izzy to the side. .

  “What?!” Isadora yelled. .

  “Yeah, it seems they closed right after your lunch there. They didn’t open again for dinner, and this morning, they exploded,” Fiona explained.

  “Oh my god. I feel bad about criticizing the food then,” Isadora said sadly. “Do they know what happened?”

  “Not yet. I happened to be jogging by when the first responders came. I stuck around a little bit. I heard there were a few bodies inside they think might have been shot.”

  “Jesus. I wonder if it was the rude waitress.”

  “Yeah, well. I just think it’s a little weird that a restaurant with possible mob ties blows up the day after you have lunch there,” Fiona said.

  “What does that have to do with us?” Izzy asked.

  “Do you know anything about Doran’s dad?” Fiona responded.

  “No. He lives in Ireland, that’s the extent I know about him.”

  “Maybe you should ask his mom about it. I’m doing some research, but I haven’t figured it all out yet.” Fiona’s phone rang. “Excuse me, I have to take this.”

  Isadora watched her go, wondering what she could be getting at. Doran wasn’t her favorite person, but he couldn’t be a cold-hearted killer. Of course, he was a Navy SEAL, and they aren’t exactly the non-killing type (as far as she knew). She thought about calling her dad to clear things up, but he would never say anything bad about his pride and joy. She didn’t want to think about it - articles upon articles had to be looked over and designed.

  Fiona disappeared for the rest of the day, chasing down her story. Isadora worked hard to get her work done, skipping lunch to get done faster. Towards the end of the day, Adam stopped by her desk..

  “Hey Dora, how’s it going?” he asked, leaning on her desk. “Your compatriot seems to have deserted you.”

  “She’s chasing something,” Isadora smiled. “How are you?”

  “Fine. We got the paper printed, and it’s going out tomorrow. What do you say we go out to that dinner I mentioned? I noticed you didn’t do lunch today.”

  “I’d like that. I’ll run home and change and meet you somewhere?”

  “Sure. I have some finishing up to do anyway. How about that hipster bar downtown?”

  “Great. I’ll meet you there.” she said, smiling.

  She smiled again, checking him out as he walked away. Excitement flowed through her - she finally had a chance with him. She quickly finished up and rushed home. In her mind, she planned out her outfit. She’d have to take a shower, shave her legs, and look fantastic.

  “Isa, is that you?” her father’s voice came from the kitchen.

  “I’m in a hurry right now, Dad,” she responded. “Can we talk later?”

  “Do you know anything about Roselli’s?” he asked, moving into the foyer as she tried to run up the stairs.

  “Fiona told me about it this morning. I have a date though, Dad. I need to un-awful myself ‘cause this is important.”

  “I just… wanted to tell you to keep a low profile for a while.”

  “Okay. I will try to keep under the radar of the paparazzi. Can I shower now?”

  “Of course,” he gave a slight smile and let her move further up the stairs. “Isa?”

  “Yeah?”

  “You don’t look awful. You never can. You have the best parts of your mother in you.”

  “Uh… thanks, Dad.”

  She continued up the stairs to get ready. Normally, she would spend a little more time (okay, a lot more time) getting ready for a date, but she had to appear cool and not superficial. She braided her dark hair and put on enough makeup for the “natural look.” She wore a simple all black outfit and her favorite red flats. She rushed back out, avoiding her father and rode her bike to the bar.

  She had to stay responsible.

  Adam stood outside, texting on his phone. She smiled, walking up to him with confidence.

  “Hey, have you been here long?” she asked, hoping he hadn’t.

  “Hey!” he greeted. “I literally just got here.”

  “Wonderful!”

  “You look very pretty tonight. You cleaned up good, kid.”

  “Thanks, Adam. I appreciate it.” Is that a sexy thing to say? Maybe not.

  They walked in together. The hostess greeted Adam with a familiar smile. She seated the two in a private booth near the back. Isadora felt very much like a courted female and she very much enjoyed it.

  “You must have an “in” here,” she said as they sat down and were immediately brought bar’s signature drink, a Dark and Stormy.

  He laughed. “I do. I’m pretty close with the owner.”

  “Awesome. I hope we get the VIP treatment then.”

  “Yeah, Penny the hostess loves to say it’s VIP. We should get to business though.”

  She sipped her drink, “Special date business?”

  “Date business?”

  “Yeah. Aren’t we on…”

  “You’re funny, Dora. You know Victor and I are together.”

  “Victor is your roommate.”

  “I guess technically he is. But now he’s my fiancé. I wanted to ask you if you’d be in the wedding party.”

  Her heart dropped to her feet, into the fathoms of her toes. “Your wedding party?”

  “Yeah. You’re one of my favorite people, Dora.”

  Oh. My. God.

  Just then, Victor, a blonde man with impossible cheekbones, walked up with a grin, “Dor
a! How nice to see you. Has Adam asked you about the wedding yet?”

  “I did. I think she’s a little stunned,” Adam laughed.

  Isadora waved for another drink as Victor sat down. The couple started to describe their wedding: the winery, the color scheme, the party favors… every other torturous thing. She sank further and further into the booth. She hoped she could be sucked into it and disappear into oblivion. Once Adam and Victor started flirting with each other instead of explaining their celebration of love, she plotted her escape..

  She thought of walking home, but worried her father would judge her for getting home so early. Instead, she walked to her favorite bar and ordered a whiskey neat - she needed more alcohol for such a terrible night.

  “Start the day with a tragedy, end with a tragedy,” she said to herself, gulping her drink as she sat alone on the bar patio.

  “Hey stranger, where’s your date?” Doran’s voice greeted her.

  She looked up into his smiling face, feeling somehow comforted by a familiar person, “He’s getting married to his boyfriend.”

  “Sounds like a good date. Can I get you a drink?”

  “Please do.”

  He touched her hand, then went back into the bar. She gulped the rest of her drink and let the warmth fill her. How could she have been so blind? She had no idea Adam and Victor were together - she honestly thought they were just close friends/roommates. Maybe she just hadn’t paid enough attention, like always.

  “I got us a couple shots and asked the bartender to make up his best bad date cocktail,” Doran said as he set down the drinks. “It might be disgusting.”

  “Thanks, Doran,” she raised the shot, he clicked glasses, and they drank. She chased it with the “Bad Date Cocktail,” which wasn’t so bad. “How did you find me?”

  “Your dad asked me to keep an eye on you. I saw your bike at that hipster place, didn’t see you there, so I went to the next nearest bar. It seems to be this one.”

  “Good guess, Sherlock,” she said, taking another sip.

  “I expected you to be here with someone, so I’m pleasantly surprised.”

  “I’m glad you relish in my misery.”

  “I admit, I did get a little jealous when I heard you were on a date. I couldn’t help it.”

  “I’m sure you could get a date if you wanted to.” She squeezed his cheeks like a grandmother with her grandchild. “You’re so cute.”

  “Women do like a man in uniform,” he grinned, rubbing his cheeks.

  “You are legitimately handsome, Doran. I think you’ll be fine,” she said, leaning back in her seat, sipping her drink. “Me, on the other hand, I’m destined to be in love with gay men and die alone.” Though, she thought frankly, that wouldn’t be so bad.

  “Yeah right. You’re gorgeous..”

  “Shut up. You’re just saying that because you’re my not-brother.”

  “I don’t know what that means, but I’m not just saying that because your dad married my mom. You really are gorgeous.”

  “Thanks. That makes me feel a little better. I think also the shot is catching up to me.”

  “I aim to please. Want to play some cards?”

  “Only if it comes with another drink.”

  “Deal.”

  They played Slapjack together, slapping the Jacks anytime they saw one. A couple times, they slapped down at the same time, touching hands for an awkward, but strangely erotic moment. She liked the change in him since he’d returned. He seemed more compassionate and loving than before, perhaps even nicer.

  “Maybe we should head home. I have to work tomorrow,” she said.

  “That sounds like a good idea,” he answered. “Your dad was worried about you going out anyway.”

  “Why is he so worried?”

  “I guess he’s worried because of what happened with the Rosellis.”

  “Just because our last names are similar doesn’t mean something’s going to happen to us. He thinks if something happens to one Italian family, it’s going to happen to every Italian family.”

  “Maybe he has some unfinished business with them or something,” Doran said, standing up.

  “Do you think they were involved with,” she whispered, looking up at him, “the mob?”

  He laughed, “Do you think that?”

  “I heard some stories. Does that mean my dad…”

  “I wouldn’t worry about it, Izzy. As you said, just because something happened to them doesn’t mean anything will happen to you. Plus, I’d never let anything happen to you or my mom.”

  “But you’d let something happen to my dad?” she asked, getting to her feet.

  He gave a sideways, cocky grin. “I didn’t say that.”

  “I think the point is that you didn’t say it.”

  “Let’s not get into an argument when we’ve had so much fun. Let’s go.”

  She rolled her eyes, but moved to lead the way out. At that moment, she hated the thought of something happening to her father and Doran letting it happen. Then again, she never completely connected with her father - he worked a lot, and sometimes she resented him for not grieving more for her mother. Isadora could never replace her mom, but it seemed he could.

  “I rode my bike here,” she said. “Did you drive?”

  “No, I rode my bike too,” he replied. “We can have a nice night-time ride.”

  She laughed, “Maybe we should just walk the bikes. Or leave them here.”

  “Where’s your sense of adventure, Izzy?”

  She conceded, though she wasn’t happy about it, and they indeed did have a pleasant night-time ride. He made jokes to make her laugh, while also guiding them home safely. At one point, they stopped at an intersection, and he put his arm out protectively so she didn’t ride into the street as a car passed.

  “You’re my knight in shining armor,” she grinned.

  “I’m your Navy SEAL in a white t-shirt,” he grinned in return.

  They rode slowly, finally making their way home. Something about how the soft moonlight touched the asphalt made the night feel magical to her. She looked over to him, marveling at the way the night light illuminated his face. He caught her looking and smiled, his eyes shining.

  They pulled their bikes into the back yard quietly. He banged his knee against a potted plant and almost yelled out in pain, but she covered his mouth with her hand.

  “Shh,” she whispered. “Dad’s a light sleeper.”

  She felt his lips form into a smile against her palm. He wrapped his arms around her to bring her closer. Her heart beat swiftly inside her chest, like a bird fluttering inside her ribcage. He pulled her hand from his lips tenderly, kissing it before gazing into her eyes. His blue eyes mesmerized her as he leaned in. Her whole body trembled as he came toward her, as if in slow motion. Finally, he kissed her softly, his lips soft and warm against hers.

  He repositioned his head and flicked his tongue against her lips. She kissed him back, opening her mouth to take his tongue in. Through the night had been slightly chilly, they both felt warmer as they kissed with the crickets humming a chorus for them. A noise came from inside, startling them apart.

  “I think it was the cat,” she whispered, chuckling.

  “That cat adores you,” he responded. “I think…” he looked up at her shyly, “I think I adore you too.”

  She couldn’t help but smile, “Let’s not do that, hmm?”

  “I’ll try not to be romantic.”

  He leaned in to kiss her again, but she pulled away. “We should go in before Tess gets antsy.”

  He nodded. She grabbed his hand as she walked quietly into the house. The cat meowed softly at her feet. She leaned down to give a few soft pets as she took off her shoes. He raised an eyebrow, but she only held her finger over her lips in a “shh” gesture. He smiled and took off his own shoes, continuing to follow her up the stairs. She turned to wish him goodnight at her door, but he kissed her again with intense passion. They turned the doorknob and s
tepped into the room together, not unlocking their lips.

  They fell on top of the bed, undressing as they kept kissing.

  “You looked beautiful tonight,” he panted between kisses.

  “I always look beautiful,” she answered with a smirk.

  “And you’re so humble,” he smirked back before kissing down her neck.

  She smiled, her skin electric from his touch. His lips carved a trail down the length of her body, making her softly moan. She felt hypersensitive, every kiss making a ripple effect of tingling pleasure through her limbs.

  “I have dreamt since I first met you of making love to you,” he whispered, looking into her eyes again and cradling her head in his hands.

  “We were just kids when we met,” she responded, lost in the blue of his irises. Even in the dark, his eyes shined.

  “I was sixteen, and you were fifteen. Not kids..”

  “I felt so awkward then.”

  “You were smart and funny and so beautiful. You had this softness that I could see would grow into an even more beautiful woman. Loving you was an investment.”

  She didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t felt that way about him, that was for sure. She thought he was the worst. But looking into his eyes, she wondered if she had misjudged him all that time. Perhaps he had a sweetness she couldn’t recognize.

  “I thought about you a lot when I was away. I…”

  She put her finger over his lips again to shush him, “Let’s not talk. Let’s enjoy each other.”

  She kissed him before he could protest. Her legs opened to let him slide in between. His hands trembled as he kissed her back more passionately. She arched into him as he entered her, their bodies fitting like perfect puzzle pieces. She felt completely alive, her blood dancing in her veins and every sense heightened.

  Maybe it felt so good because she felt completely in-tune with him. Time seemed to stand still as they moved together, until they climaxed together. This time, he put his hand over her mouth to keep her loud moan from waking anyone. They took a moment, lying together and catching their breaths. He then rolled over and held her close, his heart still beating fiercely against her back.

  “That was great,” she whispered. “You can get the hell out now.”