Free Claimed by H.M. McQueen

 
     
    Chapter One
     
     
    The bell over the door at Inner Bean jingled when Taden Wolfe entered.  Kristen Reed took a calming breath before turning to him.  He stood by the register studying the day's specials, his ice blue eyes scanning the selections.  For a rare long moment she was free to take him in. With brows lowered, hands jammed into his jeans, he read over the board for longer than he'd ever done. Owner of the nightclub half a block away, he usually ordered a double espresso and a bagel.  Never said more than hello and rarely ate there.
    She'd never attempted to have a conversation with him mainly because the six-foot-four hunk intimidated her. Not just that he was a wolf shifter, but something about him gave her pause.  Of course in part, she became tongue tied around him because of his looks.  His shoulder length blond hair was windblown from riding in his topless Jeep.  With an impatient sweep, he pushed the waves away from his face.
    He inhaled then let out a sigh, his chest expanding and lowering, making her insides quiver. Every girl's type, broad shoulders, slim waist, washboard abs.  Not that she'd seen them, but she imagined someone with arms like his had to spend time working on their abs.
    "Double espresso and one of those scones." He finally looked at her, his fingers impatiently drumming against his thigh.
    Kristen couldn't help but ask,  "You usually order a bagel.  Why the change?"
    With a one shouldered shrug he lifted a brow.  "My sister recommended I try the scones."
    "That's right, Baby is your sister." Kristen wished she'd kept her mouth shut when he studied her with a slow concentration that made heat rise from her throat to cheeks.  Damn.  "She and her friend Vane come here often," she continued to babble. Now she was shutting up, he kept staring at her, and if it kept up, she'd melt into a gooey embarrassing puddle.
    "How much?"
    "Oh." She turned to the cash register and rang up his drink and scone.  "Five fifty." He gave her a ten and waited for his change.
    When she placed the money in his hand, she was careful not to touch him.  Someone told her if wolves got a scent, they could track you for miles.  Not that she'd mind him tracking her home.
    "Err...to go or here?" She hated how obvious it was how flustered she was.
    "To go." He moved away and stood by the window looking toward the parking lot.
    When he walked out, she tracked him.  The way his jeans hugged his ass made her forget to breathe.  The guy was built perfectly, every delicious inch of him enticing.  He got in his black Jeep Wrangler and backed up.  Just before he drove off, Taden looked through the windows and met her gaze.  Kristen's eyes widened, she fought the urge to duck and instead waved.  He returned a slight nod and drove off.
    "Good morning, gorgeous." Vane walked through the door. The bright smile always made her relax.  Of all the wolves, he was her favorite.  The easy going, drop dead gorgeous, and very homosexual male was the perfect friend package.
    "Long night?" Kristen asked already making his beverage of choice.  This location had been a good choice for business when she'd rented the space for her café just down from Sanctum, a shifter owned nightclub.
    Who would have known wolves were voracious coffee drinkers.  Not only that, but the Sanctum customers and humans who worked there often met at her shop early in the morning after closing the club. 
    She opened at five o'clock every morning except Sunday.  Her best friend Jamie and she co-owned the small business and split the week, so they worked three days each. They hired college students to fill in during busy times.  It was the perfect set up.  She loved the shop, the clientele, and the hours.  Off by one in the afternoon, it gave her plenty of time to do things. The students usually worked the evening hours.
    Vane neared and leaned on the counter.  "I need a date." He sighed dramatically.  "My BFF is mated now and I'm