Free Tristian: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Blackbeary Creek Book 2) by Ruby Shae Page A

pile.
    “Now hold these with one hand, and wrap the other around my neck.”
    “What? Why?”
    “Because I’m going to carry you home.”
    “Oh, okay,” she smiled.
    She extended her arm, and he scooped her up with one arm behind her back, and the other under her knees. Scarlett placed her clothes in her lap, and linked her fingers together behind his neck.
    “I could get used to this,” she laughed.
    “Good,” he chuckled, “because I like carrying you around.”
    She rested her head on his shoulder, and he smiled.
    It had only been a few days, but he could already see a huge difference in his mate. Not because she’d insisted on sex outside, or let him carry her around without protest, but because she’d finally allowed herself to be loved. 
    He silently vowed to never let her regret it.

Epilogue
     
    One month later…
     
    “Hi Scarlett.”
    “Hey Scarlett.”
    “What’s up?”
     
    Scarlett moved through the crowd, smiling and nodding at the regulars who called out to her. A few people tried to hinder her path, but she was getting good at what Tristian liked to call, friendly ignoring . A quick smile, a nod, and a turn of the head usually kept would be problems at bay. If not, Aiden and Zach could get to her in seconds.
    She sat down at the bar, and the guy behind the counter rushed over.
    “Water?” he asked.
    “Yes, please.”
    He pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge and set it on the bar.
    “Thank you.”
    He nodded, and returned to filling drink orders.
    She twisted the cap off the bottle, and turned toward the crowd. Tristian had shooed her out of his office so he could verify their reservations in private, and a shiver of excitement raced down her spine. Date nights were usually held on nights the club wasn’t open, and they usually involved familiar, comfortable places.
    Whatever Tristian had planned; it wasn’t their usual scene.
    “Scarlett?”
    Two high pitched voices screeched her name in unison, and it took a tremendous amount of willpower not to cringe at the annoying noise. A few feet away, Aiden did cringe, and she turned toward the party twins with a smile on her face. As always, they wore the same outfit only in different colors.
    “Hey guys,” she said.
    “Ugh, we are girls ,” Candi said.
    “Yeah, seriously, Scarlett,” Amber added. “You can be such a loser.”
    “Okay, well, have fun tonight,” Scarlett said, turning her head.
    “Oh, wait,” Candi screeched.
    Lord, the woman needed to tone it down a notch.
    “I saw that super sexy guy you went out with once, and someone said he owned the place. I know you to didn’t hit it off, but do you think you could introduce us?”
    “No.”
    No explanation, no soft words to cushion the blow, just no . That’s all she said, and it felt amazing. 
    “No?” Amber questioned. “Why the hell not? It’s not like you dated him long enough for it to matter anyway, and we’ll make sure he has a good time, unlike you did when we set you up.”
    “Yeah, come on, Scarlett,” Candi sneered. “He doesn’t belong to you.”
    “Actually, he does.”
    “What the fuck are you talking about?” Amber spat.
    “The owner of this club does belong to me,” Scarlett said.
    “Don’t be ridiculous. If you don’t want to help us, then just say so.”
    “I did,” Scarlett said, “but I’ll elaborate. No, I will not introduce you to the owner of this, or any other club for that matter. Why? One, because I don’t like you, and two, as I said before, he’s mine.”
    “Damn straight.”
    She smiled up at Tristian, and he planted a chaste kiss on her lips.
    “Hi ladies,” Tristian said, flashing them a forced smile. “The guy behind you is Aiden, and he’s going to show you the door. Please don’t ever come back here again.”
    They both turned toward Aiden, and took an involuntary step back in fear.
    “Go with the nice man,” Scarlett said, pushing them both forward with her palms.
    Aiden pointed to the door, and the