Chapter 11
“Hey, Shi Baby.”
“I don’t like the tone of your voice,” they sing-sang without looking up from their counting. “It sounds like you’re coming to bother me.”
“How do you know that?” That’s exactly what I was doing, but damn it, I loved teasing them—especially when they looked up from the register to smile at me like that. Even if it was matched with an eye roll.
“Did James kick you out of the office again?” they asked.
“What do you mean, ‘again?’” I demanded. They paused to arch a brow at me. “Okay, fair enough.”
“Give me thirty seconds or I’ll lose my place.”
“You already did that stack. Twice.” I pulled myself onto the wooden rail, begrudgingly keeping my distance while they finished.
“I like to be sure.”
“Is that why you’re so nervous around us?”
They glanced at me, returning the cash to the drawer and slamming it shut.
Where I expected them to bypass the question entirely, they surprised the hell out of me.
“Yeah, it is.” They knocked my legs apart, situating themself in the space between them.
My heart stuttered, and a warmth in my chest told me James felt it too.
Shi continued, “You saw how I was after my ex left. Can you blame me?”
For a moment, I simply sat there. Shi gazed up at me, their beautiful eyes shining beneath the lights. They blinked, dark lashes brushing freckled cheekbones. God, they were gorgeous. My fingers twitched on the countertop to either side of me, aching to run a finger over their soft skin.
I wasn’t surprised when I caught my vampire standing in the entrance to the hallway, watching us eagerly. I briefly glanced up, long enough to see him nod, then I acted. I lifted my hand, catching one of Shi’s curls around my finger. I could feel James’s interest pique through the bond.
“No, Shiloh,” I said gently, “I don’t blame you. But let me take the opportunity to tell you that your ex is an idiot.”
To my delight, Shi’s lids went heavy at my touch. Their eyes dilated, and my heart kicked into gear.
“I’m inclined to agree with that,” James said from the doorway, startling them.
Shi cursed and whirled to face the vampire I was glaring at over their shoulder. Judging by the smirk on his face, he knew exactly what he’d done, and exactly what state I would be in once he interrupted.
“How long have you been standing there?” Shi panted.
I answered dourly, “Long enough to know that he shouldn’t be interrupting.
” Taking advantage of having Shi’s back to me, I wrapped my arms around their shoulders, giving them a moment to relax into the contact.
Their hand came to rest on my knee, heat seeming to burn right through the fabric and into my skin. It wasn’t a kiss, but I’d take it.
“Not even if I’m buying coffee?” James held up his credit card, strolling into the room and dipping under the partition to join us.
I expected Shi to move, but they stayed put as James sidled up to us.
He rested his hand on the counter next to mine, and Shi adjusted their position to let their fingers brush his.
It was subtle. If I hadn’t been paying such close attention to both of them, I’d have missed it, but it was there.
And it was intentional, just like the message in James’s eyes as he handed the card over to me: I’d had my moment with Shi, and now he wanted his.
I narrowed my eyes at him. “You’re lucky I’ll let anything slide for coffee.” Then to Shi, “What do you want?”
“You don’t have to—”
“Hazelnut latte with extra sugar,” James interrupted. Shi flushed, and he added, “And whatever that chocolate thing is they’re determined to destroy their teeth with.”
I looked at him, impressed.
Shi floundered for something to say, eventually settling with, “How did you know that?”
James shrugged, looking about as shy as a vampire could without blushing. “Lucky guess.” Even without his supersonic senses, my man was an attentive person. Besides, even I could have made a close guess. It was no secret they had a sweet tooth—and a soft spot for sticky buns.
I wiggled my phone out of my pocket, noting that I had just enough time to make it to Shi’s favorite bakery before we opened.
Months ago, after a difficult shift where I’d given them more attitude than they deserved, I’d spent the night searching for a place that made those chocolate monstrosities they loved so much.
The small gesture had gone such a long way toward earning Shi’s trust that I probably had those sickly-sweet pastries to thank for where we were now.
After all, it had been after that shift that they tried to kiss me for the first time.
Still charged from the moment I’d been sharing with Shi, I was dying to have someone’s lips on mine, so I leaned over and captured James’s mouth. “And a caramel ribbon crunch with extra caramel for you?” I sassed.
“Bring me that cavity in a cup and I’ll pour it down your pants.”
Hand around my throat, James pressed his lips to mine, and if I wasn’t mistaken, a tiny squeak came from Shi. They still stood between my thighs, watching us intently. Their gaze darted to my mouth, and James gave me an encouraging nudge forward.
Say no more.
My hand slid into Shi’s hair to hold them in place.
Normally, I’d have dove in for that kiss without thinking twice about it, but James clenched the back of my shirt, reminding me to slow down and savor the moment.
“Slow” wasn’t usually a word in my vocabulary, but as I took a beat to pause and admire the person in front of me, I discovered a newfound appreciation for it.
Shi worried their lip, reddening it from the force.
I lifted my free hand, thumb tugging their poor lip free and brushing the delicate, swollen skin.
Shi’s lip trembled against the pad of my thumb.
“May I-…” I asked, letting the electricity in the air between us finish the sentence for me. Shiloh’s eyes flitted to my lips again, and they nodded. My heart raced.
James clenched my shirt tighter. Slow. My vampire seemed to speak without words, and it stoked a fire in my belly.
Shi’s delicate hands landed on my waist. I gasped, the simple touch sending shocks through my body.
I held my breath; theirs sped up. With one hand still in their hair, I wrapped my other around their back and leaned in, taking my time.
Seconds seemed to expand into minutes, and our mouths drew closer together.
Shi panted, soft puffs of air washing across my lips.
Finally—fucking finally—our lips touched.
I nearly shook with the effort of holding myself back, but Shi wasn’t having that: They whimpered and tugged on my shirt, pulling me against them.
Soft and plush, their lips moved pliantly beneath mine.
Sugar and chocolate tinted the kiss, as if they’d already indulged in a sweet treat that morning.
A satisfied keen, and they opened up for me. The tips of our tongues flirted before I pulled back, keeping the kiss soft and sweet. Just like our Shi Baby.
I licked my lips, savoring the taste of them. “Have you already had a sticky bun this morning?”
They smiled, cheeks deepening to that shade of pink I admired. “If I say yes, will you still get me one?”
Didn’t they know I’d give them whatever they wanted?
I stole one more kiss, then twisted my head to offer James a brief chance to taste Shi on my lips before I pocketed his credit card and hopped off the counter.
“Love you!” I called over my shoulder, sauntering away from the bar. I resisted the urge to look back, self-conscious of the smile I couldn’t fight. James knew, of course, because I couldn’t so much as breathe without the man knowing my every move. Against all odds, I’d come to like that.
Smiling, I thumbed my swollen lower lip as I strode out the door.
Twenty minutes later, I exited the bakery balancing a bag and tray of drinks in one hand and car keys with the other. Fumbling them, the keys clattered to the ground just as I reached my car door. I bent to retrieve them, and something shiny beneath the tire caught my attention.
A silver chain. What was it doing underneath my car?
My first thought was that it belonged to James, but as I reached down and tugged the links free, that thought quickly flew out the window.
This chain was too dainty, almost feminine.
Something was at the end of it too, stuck beneath the gravel, and as I brushed the debris away with my free hand, my blood went cold.
It was a silver cross. Exactly like the one Luke wore—the one Dani wore. Or used to.
Putting the chain on the tray, I snatched my keys and shook off the chill before making the short drive back to the bar. We were open now, the neon sign blinking in the window. For a moment, I sat and watched the sign flash on and off, running that silver chain through my fingers.
Who did it belong to? I hadn’t seen one since the day Dani drugged me and set Liz’s ablaze. Luke didn’t wear his anymore. At least, I didn’t think so: He hadn’t been wearing it a while back, when I’d seen him at the hospital.
Taking a deep breath, I pocketed the jewelry and got out of the car before our coffee got any colder—and I didn’t need Shi having a sugar crash because they didn’t get their cake.
We didn’t have any customers yet, but James and Shi were all smiles when I entered the bar, Shi in particular when they saw the stuff in my hands. They snatched the bag away, instantly tearing into the chocolate-covered pastry inside.
“Take that in the back please,” James laughed. “I’ve seen how messy you get.” He tossed a handful of napkins at them as they garbled a full-mouthed agreement.
“Aw,” I pouted after them. “I was looking forward to cleaning Shi up. You know how much I enjoy that.”
“The customers never consented to witnessing that.” James gestured to a couple of men walking through the door, then lowered his voice to a pitch he likely thought I couldn’t hear. “Besides the fact that I can’t handle witnessing it. What’s wrong?”
“Hm?”
“You’re chewing on your lip. Which—unless you’re staring at my mouth—you only do when you’re stressed. What’s wrong?”
The necklace seemed to burn a hole in my pocket. After learning what those things meant and finding cursed diamonds scattered around our safe places, I was getting really tired of finding unwanted jewelry.
I waited until James had served the two customers, then dropped my voice to a whisper. “I need to talk to you about something.”
Though before I could say exactly what, the door opened and Hannah walked in.
I sighed. “Later.” James watched me warily, but I turned my attention to my daughter. “What’s up, kiddo?”
She set her tablet down on the bar. “My afternoon classes were canceled and Kian’s with Luke. I thought I’d come get some information for the wedding so I could start planning.”
I smiled at the sparkle in her eye. The thought of planning a wedding gave me anxiety, but she seemed like she was going to enjoy it.
“She did ask me last night,” James offered, “but I thought it best to ask you, to make sure our vision lined up.”
“First things first,” Hannah said. “The date. James was thinking—”
“What about Valentine’s Day? Or… somewhere close to that?”
Both Hannah and James fell silent, exchanging glances before a slow smile crept across his lips. “That’s exactly what I said.”
“Then why are you looking at me like that?”
The grin he was trying to hold back broke free. “I thought you’d want a longer engagement.”.
“Have you known me to do anything other than dive in headfirst?”
James’s dark eyes softened, and with his back to the only customers, he let some red swirl in his irises before he reined it back. “No, I haven’t.”
“Okay,” Hannah interjected. “Can we keep the eye sex to a minimum until your daughter is out of the room, please?”
“Pause,” I said. “What are you doing here anyway? I snapped your fake ID.”
Hannah shrugged. “You snapped someone’s ID.” She forged on. “That’s the date out of the way. We’ve already discussed the budget—”
“We have?” I asked.
“We have,” James confirmed. “Don’t worry. It’s not too extravagant.”
“The venue already confirmed their availability, so I’ve got that covered…”
“You do?” I screeched. “Damn, you’re on it.” I opened my mouth to ask about it, but her reaction caught me off-guard.
She was smiling from ear to ear, her blue eyes animated. “I told you—I love this stuff. I think I’m more excited for the big ceremony than anyone.” She quickly looked back down at her tablet. “Do you two have a cocktail in mind?”
“A cocktail?” James echoed.
“It’s a trend that’s become popular in the last few years. You can either pick two drinks that you feel represent each of you individually or combine your personalities to make a single cocktail. I’ll put a note that you’re thinking about it.”
Hannah babbled on, going down her checklist and asking my opinions on food, decorations, and linen colors. James stepped away to serve the customers with Shi, who had a drop of chocolate smeared on their mouth. I grabbed a napkin, reaching out to wipe it away.
“Thank you,” they muttered, red-faced but offering me a grateful smile.
When I turned back to Hannah, I found her watching me with a raised brow. “What was that about?”
“Nothing.” I quickly changed the subject. “I don’t have a problem with you and James making these decisions. I trust both of you. As long as I have Luke Combs somewhere on the playlist, I’ll be happy.” From the opposite side of the bar, James grinned at me. “Just tell me when and where to show up.”
In truth, I was beginning to feel overwhelmed.
Between the wedding planning, the Shi stuff, and the necklace burning a hole in my pocket, I felt like I was in over my head.
Hannah confirmed that she had everything she needed, so after making sure James and Shi would be okay, I excused myself from the front before my stress became another full-blown panic attack.
Behind the closed office door, I let out a heavy breath, wondering what the hell I was going to tell James about the necklace. It could only mean one thing: The hunters had returned.