Free Ultimate Passage: New Beginnings: Box Set ( Books 1-4) by Elle Thorne Page A

Thoughts ran rampant through his mind. Thoughts and a visual. And just like that— wham! —his wings pushed up against the human skin. He hoped they wouldn’t pop through. That’s all he needed. Functional or not, his wings wouldn’t go unnoticed, even in a dark bar.
    He shifted away, hoping that everything would subside. He hadn’t spent much time in this body and it was already controlling him. In return, it threatened results that were uncontrollable.
    “Oh, now you’re mad?” Her head was cocked, one eyebrow raised, green eyes gleaming in the dancing candlelight.
    “No, but I am wondering what this developer business is all about.”
    “Don’t worry about it. So if you’re a scout, but you don’t work for a developer, then...” She swirled the straw around and around in the glass, the ice tinkling a soft jingle. Her eyes followed the tiny whirlpool created by the straw. In a flash, her head popped up, her eyes wide, like she’d seen something. Or knew something. “I get it. You’re a talent scout. A headhunter for restaurants? Looking for managers?”
    He took a second to evaluate an answer. She didn’t seem to be appalled by that idea; in fact, she seemed pleased by it, as if it wasn’t a bad thing. As if it might actually be a good thing.
    “Yes.” He tried to keep his tone confident, as if this was the truth. He raised himself taller on the stool. “That’s exactly right.”
    She sank into a more relaxed pose.
    He didn’t exhale in relief, not wanting her to know, but he felt his pulse going back to normal along with his passion , and with it his wings retracted.

Chapter 17
    I t was as if suddenly everything was better. Except, the room was spinning. Okay, so maybe not everything. And her tummy wanted to spew its contents. Which for now were purely liquid. So much for a liquid diet. But at least this guy wasn’t one of the enemies. That would have sucked. She didn’t want to dwell on why it would have sucked. That would mean dwelling on something else. But who wanted another enemy when things were as bad as they were?
    Could he be the answer to a problem? A job? Ugh. Get it together, Marissa. You still have Two West Two. Really? She wanted to rail at the whisper in her head. I won’t in ten days. If I don’t come up with a plan I won’t have enough capital to open up another restaurant. Her head started to pound, thinking of it all. She wanted a drink, or twelve. Not to think about the future; to slip into a nice, inebriated little state. One where she didn’t need to deal with life for a few hours.
    He had to follow her here, just had to, didn’t he? And now she was thinking about everything, and suddenly she wanted to drink more. She raised her glass to the bartender and nodded.
    Then she saw it. Was that for real? In the reflection of the mirror, this guy—Finn, and what kind of name was Finn , anyway?—was shaking his head at the bartender, as if he could tell him not to make her another drink. She was a grownup, dammit. Who the hell did he think he was?
    She turned to him so fast her head felt like it was going to pull a Linda Blair move. And never stop spinning. She placed her fingertips on her temples but still the room was swimming. Or maybe she was swimming. Wait, that wasn’t possible.
    “I don’t feel so good. Why are you here again? Are you my guardian angel? Wait, wait. Angels have wings. You don’t—” She pushed his stool, trying to swivel it, pretending to look for wings.
    But his face changed. It went from sexy and sweet to—
    Aloof.
    Forbidding.
    Like he was someone different altogether.
    She drew back. Something was wrong. He jerked away, returned his seat to facing her. “Don’t be silly.”
    “Jeez. It’s a joke. Aren’t you overreacting a little?” She reached for her drink. The glass was empty. She hunted for the bartender, but he was gone, before he’d gotten her a refill. How convenient.
    “Maybe you’re right. Maybe I am your wingless guardian