Free Desperately Seeking Shapeshifter by Jessica Sims Page B

immediately went to her desk and began to upload the pictures she’d taken, while Connor resumed his spot on the opposite side of my desk, ignoring Ramsey’s glare. He finished his breakfast without a word, then dusted off his hands. “So, tonight Uncle Levi’s having a barbeque so you can spend time with the pack.”
    The back of my neck shivered in anxiety. Just what I needed—a night full of more wolves. “Can’t,” I said. “I have a date.”
    “Cancel it,” Connor said. “It’s important that you spend time with the wolves. Your alpha—”
    A large shadow loomed over my desk, and Ramseyglared down at Connor. The younger shifter froze.
    “You telling my mate she can’t go out with me?” Ramsey’s voice was barely audible, it was such a low growl.
    “Nope,” Connor drawled. “Maybe tomorrow night on the barbeque, then. I’ll tell my uncle that there’s been a change in plans.”
    “Maybe,” Ramsey said in a dangerous voice, then cracked his knuckles. “If she’s up to it.”
    “Got it,” Connor said hoarsely and got up. “Gonna make a phone call.”
    I beamed at Ramsey, adopting my happily-mated-woman persona. “I know just the place, too, Huggy Bear. I’ll make the reservation.”
    He moved to the side of my desk, touched my hair, and leaned in to kiss my forehead. As his lips brushed my skin, he murmured, “Quit calling me that stupid name.”

    “I’m not so sure this is a good idea,” I told my sister for the tenth time as she shoved another dress through the file room door at me.
    “Nonsense. I’m sure you’ve worn a dress once or twice in your life. Just let me know which one you like and I’ll return the others to the store.”
    “I don’t mean that the dress is a bad idea,” I retorted, shimmying into the next dress she tossed over and adjusting the straps. It was cute, I had to admit. Spaghetti straps and a vivid orangey red,with a decorative seam just under the bust to emphasize my lack of said bust.
    “Hurry up,” called Bathsheba. “You and Ramsey have to go across town, and you can’t be late for your reservation, or you’ll lose it. And I need to get there and set up as well.”
    I groaned at her bossy tone and turned, checking my reflection in the mirror. Cute, but I saw a panty line. I stripped my panties off. No time to do more shopping—I’d just go commando. It’s not like it was a real date, after all. “I’m hurrying,” I called out, gave the dress one last glimpse, then slipped into the strappy black heels she’d bought for me. I was sure to break an ankle in these.
    Bath brightened at the sight of me as I stepped out of the file room. “You look adorable.” She reached over and yanked off the tag under my armpit. “I’m going to go return the others, and then I’m heading over to the restaurant. I’ll text you if I need anything.”
    “You know you don’t have to come. I’m a big girl. I can date Ramsey on my own.” Heck, I’d cuddled against him in bed last night. A fake date should be easy after that.
    Bath squeezed my arm with excitement. “I know, but I want to do this. I’m going to go set up in a dark booth across the room. I’ll be watching you and a few other couples. The harpy has a date, and so does one of the jaguar girls, and I want to make sure neither one loses their temper.”
    Sounded like my sister was going to have a fullevening. Neither species was known for its calm manner. “You’re going to hide behind plants and snoop. Got it.”
    “That’s my job,” she agreed, sounding way too excited about it. She loved to manage people. “Now, remember to leave your cell phone on. I’ll text you if I think you guys need some help looking legit. There’s going to be a lot of shifters there tonight.”

Chapter Seven
    R amsey was characteristically silent on the drive to the restaurant, which was all right with me—I didn’t feel much like talking.
    Connor had left earlier with my sister, anxious and a little bit