The Billionaire Jaguar's Curvy Journalist: BBW Panther Shifter Paranormal Romance by Zoe Chant Read Free Book Online

nodded. “Articles are subscription only for the first week. We figure that there might be a little bump in subscriptions this week after people found out about the profile.”
    He laughed. “A little.”
    They figured at least the major media outlets would be asking for access. It could give their little operation a real boost. And even though she was annoyed with Ted for falling for Laura’s bull, she wanted Salem Beach Now to do well. She really did like working at the paper, being part of a community.
    She traced the edge of her coffee mug with her finger. She didn’t know what to say.
    Paul didn’t seem to mind her silence. He just sat, drinking his coffee, finishing off his pastry. He...seemed happy just to be with her.
    A loud crack of thunder hit, so hard and close the building shook a little. Abby jumped in her seat. So much for being cool.
    Though the lightning seemed to have distracted Paul, too. “That came on fast,” he said.
    “It was getting dark when I came in.”
    “Did you—did you walk here? I should give you a ride.”
    “You don’t have to do that,” she said.
    There was another bright flash—she hadn’t caught the first one, but this one was hard to miss—and a second window-jarring crack of thunder.
    “I think I really should,” he said, his eyebrows raised in alarm.
    He might be right.
    “It’s not raining yet,” he said, standing up. “Let’s get going before we get drenched.” He grabbed his photo and tucked it under his arm.
    “Yeah, I guess we should. You really don’t have to—”
    Another crash of thunder. “I really think I should,” he protested.
    He wasn’t wrong.
    “All right,” she said, getting up. “Thank you.” What kind of car did he have? Did he go for something showy, or more understated?
    “Just follow me,” he said. “Have a good afternoon, Tina!”
    “You too!” she called.
    The rain started halfway there, but she could see a sleek dark blue car. Sporty, but not insanely expensive. Nice.
    He lifted up his keychain and pressed the buttons, unlocking the doors. He carefully tucked the picture into the backseat.
    Abby slid in. The car had leather seats. They felt warmed from the sun, after how cool the rain had been. Her hair was damp and there were wet drops on her arms. “The rain hit fast.”
    “It sure did,” he said. “Now...where to? Back to the office?”
    She didn’t actually have to go back to the office. “Um, I was actually headed home.”
    “I can drop you off, it’s no problem,” he said. “I’m...not insulted if I just leave you at your door.”
    “It’s not far. Just a couple of blocks on Oak Street.”
    “Oak is the one on the left?”
    “Yeah, left,” she said.
    “At least you don’t have any one-way streets here. I will not miss that about the city.” He put on his turn signal. “Are you in one of the converted mills?”
    “Yeah,” she said. “Right by the river.” She liked how cool it made the apartment in summer, at least compared to the rest of town, and she was lucky enough to be able to see the river when she looked out her window. Sometimes on rainy or snowy days, she worked from home, with her laptop near the window. It was peaceful, then, and quiet.
    They neared the bridge. There were several cars parked on the side of the road with their four-ways on. “Something’s up,” Paul said, and pulled over.
    They both got out and walked toward the river. The rain was falling a lot harder now, and it had turned the ground squishy under their shoes. They got a little closer and realized there were several men and women on the bank, shouting to each other, trying to get down to the water. Something was wrong, really wrong.
    “What’s going on?” she shouted down to George Chung, who owned the town’s only gallery.
    “Someone fell in,” George shouted back. “Looked like a kid. We’re trying to get down there—”
    “Has someone called the rescue squad?”
    George nodded. “But they can only get