Shifting Positions by Jennifer Dellerman Read Free Book Online

phone, picturing the pretty young blonde that manned the station like a drill sergeant. “And why would he? He brought me home,” she looked at the bedside clock, “over two hours ago.”
    Karen cleared her throat. “Well,” she said, her amusement clear, “you are answering his cell phone.”
    “What?” Tess drew the offending piece of equipment away and stared at it. “Oh shit.” Hearing a suspicious choking sound over the line, Tess brought Caleb’s phone back to her ear. “He must have set it down and forgot it.”
    “Uh, huh. Because a diligent sheriff like Caleb is always remiss with his gear,” she said.
    Tess closed her eyes and sighed. “There’s no reason for him to still be here, but just let me get some clothes on and I’ll look for him.”
    Suppressed laughter bubbled out and Tess cringed, knowing full well how the other woman took her words. “It’s not like that!”
    “I’m sure.” Karen wheezed out, trying unsuccessfully to keep the mirth out of her tone. “I know he doesn’t come,” a giggle escaped, “on shift until eight, but the Kolter brothers are being a nuisance and Caleb seems to be the only one able to knock some sense into them.” The Kolter brothers were more than a mere nuisance. The three were a damn disaster waiting to happen. Well, the oldest one was anyway. Kyle Kolter was a thirty year old child who considered the inhabitants of Woodcliff his personal playthings. Though he’d never done serious damage to anyone, the threat always seemed to linger in his predatory eyes. His two brothers, Kevin and Koby, were more responsible. Though every now and again the three got together and caused a big enough ruckus that required the intervention of the new alpha, Dean Kinigos - who also happened to be the mayor - or Caleb.
    What Tess had only learned that morning from her mother, which Tess had only partly listened to as mornings were not her best time, Caleb was not only second in command of the Woodcliff shifter pack, he was also one of the leaders.
    When Dean had taken over the pack, he re-structured it so that, while the alpha continued to have the final word, there were a group of eight appointed “leaders” or sub-alphas. These leaders basically watched over, listened and governed over smaller shifter groups, creating a more intimate pack atmosphere. Any disputes, question or concerns that affected the entire pack were discussed between the leaders and the alpha and voted on, though the alpha still retained veto power. It was an odd mix of shifter monarchy and human democracy that actually seemed to be working very well.

    “Um, just a sec,” Tess muttered as footsteps sounded down the hall. She twisted to face the doorway, grasping the sheets to cover her backside with the same hand that held the phone, as Caleb stalked through the doorway.
    The sight of him caused all the spit to dry up in her mouth, and she forgot all about Karen. Not only did the man look good enough to eat with his disheveled hair, broad shoulders and air of masculinity, his sensual mouth had her remembering what he’d done to her with said organ. Her nipples tightened into sensitized beads, begging for a repeat, not to mention the immediate and wet reaction that was occurring between her thighs.
    “You’re awake.” Possessiveness made his eyes glitter with heat for a few seconds before becoming more guarded.
    Tess shivered, the husky tone in his voice reminding her of the naughty things he’d said while his clever mouth and fingers brought her to the most amazing orgasm ever. She flushed, dragging her eyes away from his hypnotic ones, and caught sight of his phone. “Caleb…” He shoved both hands through his hair, the gesture rough and unsteady. “Do you have any idea what you did to me?”
    Nothing like what you did to me.
    With a huge inhale she tilted her head back and watched him through the thick fringe of her lashes. “Ah, no?”
    His eyes gleamed hot as he raked them over her