ROMANCE: SHIFTER: Shifter to the Max Collection (Dragon, Bear, Wolf and Panther Shifter Romances) (Paranormal Fantasy Romance Collection) by C.J. Ayers Read Free Book Online Page A

also the chief of police and Tim’s boss.  Now, we need to go into the bar and have you pee in a cup for me.”
    “What? Why?” Amber asked bemusedly.
    “Jody made you non-alcoholic drinks, honey. Then you started acting intoxicated. So she called Ryder and us. We’re going to see if Tim drugged you.”
    Ryder started growling again. He lunged toward Tim’s prone body; only Adam’s quick reflexes kept him from attacking Tim where he lie.
    “No, brother. I got this. The legal way.” Adam pushed Ryder back and said, “Escort your lady inside. “
    “Is that me? Am I his lady?” Amber asked Rachel.
    Rachel nodded and put her arm around Amber to help support her as they teetered and stumbled back into the bar, “Oh, yes, you are. Always have been; always will be.”
     
    ***
     
    Rachel propped Amber on a barstool after their trip to the restroom. Jody brought her a glass of water and nodded over toward a guardian gargoyle near the front door.
    “He hasn’t moved. He keeps glaring this way.” Jody smiled. “Rachel, do you want anything?”
    “No, thanks, Jody. I’m going to go test this ‘sample’ Amber just gave me.” Rachel shook the little specimen jar in her hand, and strode towards the door. As she passed her brother, she stroked her hand down his face and continued out to her husband.
    Amber stared at Ryder who was staring back at her.
    “What’s wrong with me?” she asked Jody.
    Jody gave her a sympathetic look, “we think Tim slipped some GHB into your drink. It makes you feel tired and drunk. Lowers your inhibitions, so you become tractable, and if you have enough of a dose, you won’t remember the night’s events the next day. So, no credible witness. We think he did it to me, but we can’t prove it. You may be my redemption. And, god, it felt good to see Ryder hit him.” A blaze lit Jody’s eyes for just a moment. She patted Amber’s hands and said, “Stay here. I’ve got to work.”
    Amber slumped against the bar, elbow sprawled out and head in hand. Her eyes remained on Ryder, drinking him in. He looked good. Broad shoulders, dark hair, brooding eyes. Those narrow hips, that chiseled jaw. With a curse, Ryder stalked over to where Amber was sitting. She sat up straight.
    Ryder’s eyes immediately went to her cleavage.
    “I’m taking you home,” he grumbled. “Where are your keys?”
    Amber took a deep breath to expand her chest. She swiveled her barstool towards Ryder and crossed her legs so that the vee on her skirt rode up high on her thigh. Ryder glanced down at the leg she was showing. All he wanted to do was run his hand up that skin, but he resisted.
    “Your keys, Amber. Where are they?”
    She sighed and reached for her clutch. After pawing through it for just a moment, she pulled out her car keys and dangled them in front of him.
    “Here. You going to take me now?” Smiling wickedly at her double entendre, Amber flexed her foot up and down, which just happened to run said foot up and down on the outside of Ryder’s thigh.
    He snatched the keys from her hand and helped her stand. Waving at Jody, he supported a very friendly Amber up against his side.
    They rolled out the door, and towards her car. Off to the side, Ryder could see Adam pulling Tim’s hands behind his back and snapping on handcuffs. This time, Ryder’s growl was one of satisfaction.
    “Since when do you growl this often?” Amber pressed herself into Ryder’s side, enjoying the feel of her breasts up against his warmth. She felt like she couldn’t get any heat into her skin, chilled to the bone. Amber refused to even glance over towards where Tim’s car had been parked.
    Ryder raised his other arm to wave at his sister and brother-in-law.  He guided Amber to her car and helped her inside. The way she slipped in and tucked her legs into the car while smiling up at Ryder made Ryder’s groin tighten up. Desire flooded through him. He reminded himself that she was drugged and not completely in charge