Stripe Search: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Furocious Lust Shorts Book 5) by Milly Taiden Read Free Book Online Page B

hand on her lap. “I...wish I could do more. It drives me crazy to see them living that way.”
    He grabbed her hand and gave her a warm smile. “Don’t worry, beautiful. You’re not alone anymore. We’ll figure this out.”
    She loved how he said that. Even though it was a lot to hope for, she was getting attached to Slade…a lot more than she’d ever allowed herself to be with any other man. All she could hope for was that if he ever chose to walk away, she’d be able to handle the heart break.

 
    ELEVEN
     
    Gabby stopped wearing the pink atrocity her brother had gifted her and instead wore a brown nondescript trench she’d gotten herself. At least now she didn’t feel like there were neon signs on her saying: “I have something hidden under this coat.”
    Her cell phone rang just as she was about to leave the club. It was Slade. The thought of his name made her belly flip-flop. She’d not seen him all day and missed him. “Hi.”
    “Hello, beautiful. Can I come over?”
    She loved that he didn’t assume she wanted company. Working two jobs lately was taking a toll. Not that Charlie hadn’t been wonderful and cut down her hours so she could do both, but she was still exhausted.
    “You may.”
    He laughed. “Good, because I’m sort of already here.”
    She tripped on the step as she walked to the back door. She opened the big, metal door and stopped. “Huh?”
    “I took the liberty of starting a barbeque in your backyard.”
    “How did you even get over the big-ass fence?” She laughed. “Let me guess, tigers climb fences?”
    She heard his chuckle along with some movement on the other side of the line. “This one does.”
    “Alright. I’ll see you soon.” She readied to take the final step when she noticed someone hanging by her car. It was a man. Ah, fuck. The big guy from the casino, the one who accused her of stealing his wife’s winnings. She didn’t know what that man’s problem was. He’d called multiple times saying she stole his money. She’d had to explain the whole thing to Charlie and the security staff to make sure he wasn’t allowed inside.
    She rushed back into the building and waited for two of the security guys to escort her outside before heading home. It was getting ridiculous. The last thing she wanted was for the idiot who believed she’d taken money from him to keep showing up at her workplace.
    The incident didn’t stop her from feeling excited to see Slade. She’d missed him. He’d been so sweet and concerned with her and what she wanted for Jill and Janie. The fact that he’d sat there, listened, and then given her input and moral support meant more to her than anything else.
    “Hello?” She called out as she entered her house. The doors were locked, and the inside of the house was dark. She couldn’t figure out how he’d gotten inside.
    She tossed her bag on a sofa, dropped her cell phone on the kitchen counter, and marched to the backyard. She’d been so excited when she bought her house. Her first real piece of property. She didn’t owe anyone any money on it. Sure it was small, but it was hers. It had a decent-sized yard and a pool. She’d gotten it with a pet in mind, hoping to one day get herself a dog or cat and share the space with an animal.
    When she reached the backyard, she was left speechless.
    “Oh, my god. Did you pimp my yard?”
    He started laughing and almost sputtered out the beer in his mouth. “You say the funniest things.”
    He had pimped her yard. Previously, her yard had been a plain spot with a few chairs by the pool and a small grill. Now, there was furniture. In her yard!
    “I came by earlier to see if I could set up a surprise outing for us in your yard and noticed it needed some stuff to make it more comfortable.”
    “But...how did you do all this?”
    He winked, a sly smile on his lips. “I got over the fence and opened the door. Once I was able to do that, it was easy, since everything I needed was being delivered,