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 B

of her facilities. That made his jaw tighten and his fists clench. He wanted to go back over and start pounding Tim into a pulp. Or maybe rip him to shreds. Or both.
    With a deep breath, he walked around the car and slid behind the wheel. And cussed a blue streak.
    “What the fuck, Amber? How short are you? Where’s the damn lever?” Ryder scrabbled under the seat for the lever to adjust for his height and let him stretch his legs and not bang his knees against the steering wheel. Amber’s laugh was like a chime in his ear. “You’re enjoying this way too much, miss.” He buckled himself in, started the car, and backed out of the parking spot.
    Amber felt the haze of the drug still hanging onto her. She wondered how long it would last. Thank goodness she was in Ryder’s strong, lithe, capable hands. She let out a soft moan.
    “What? Are you okay? Do you hurt?” Ryder asked worriedly.
    “Ohhh. I’m okay.” Amber answered. She reached over and laid her hand on Ryder’s jeans-clad leg. “Thank you for the rescue and the drive home.”
    Ryder shook his head. “Shouldn’t have had to do it. That asshole.”
    “Did you see the bear?”
    “What?”
    Amber repeated herself, “Did you see the bear? He was beautiful. Black as sin. Muscles that rippled as he moved. His growl frightened me and reassured me all at the same time. When I spotted you, I lost sight of him. My first rescuer. Gorgeous creature. I hope I see him again.”
    “You do?” Ryder asked.
    “Who wouldn’t? He was amazing.” Amber’s head lolled back on the headrest of her seat. She was feeling sleepier and sleepier. “All power and grace. When he jumped at Tim, I’ve never felt more… alive. He had me distracted, though. My thoughts are so fuzzy. I thought you were naked! Can you believe that?” She laughed.
    Ryder chuckled half-heartedly. “Naked, huh? Why would I be naked in the parking lot of a bar, Amber? Your thoughts are pretty fuzzy. Let’s get you upstairs.”
    Ryder parked in Amber’s designated carport on one side of the garage and walked under the eaves to her stairs.
    “Ryder…” Amber started.
    “Hmmm?”
    “Stay with me tonight, please. I’m so cold.” Amber begged.
    “Of course I’ll stay.”
    Ryder escorted her up the stairs. Amber used her key for the very first time and pushed open her door.
    “Please, come in.”  She gave Ryder a sultry smile and leaned back against the door as he passed. The door eased closed with a click. Her clutch hit the ground with a thunk. She reached up and pulled her blouse out of her waistband. While she kicked out of her shoes, she started unbuttoning her blouse.
    Ryder had begun to sit himself down on the sofa when he turned enough to see Amber headed towards him.
    “Amber, you’re not yourself right now.” He cautioned her.
    “I am very much myself right now, Ryder.” Amber all but purred at him.
    Still caught in mid-sit, Ryder’s eyes were hung up on creamy skin and swaying hips. He licked his lips, and dropped fully backwards onto the sofa.
    Amber continued to stalk closer to him. She got to her bottom button and pushed her blouse open and then off her shoulders. She led it slide down her arms and puddle on the floor. She raised her hands back to her neck and stroked her hands down her neck to the curve of her breasts. From there, Amber traced her fingers along the edge of her bra, drawing Ryder’s eyes right where she wanted them. When she reached his position, she put one of her knees on either side of his hips. She closed her eyes and let out a moan when she came into contact with his groin.
    “Amber, this isn’t a good idea right now.” Ryder barely breathed. The heat straddling his hips felt impossibly good.
    “Ryder, this is such a wonderful idea.” Amber wriggled a bit to settle herself more firmly in place. “Please put your hands on me. I’m so cold and have to get that memory of… memory of…off of my skin.” She reached around her back to unhook her