Free Naomi and Tyler (Plenty of Shift Book 2) by Carina Wilder Page A

It’s the wolves that we worry about. Since they started screwing up Grizzly territory, we’ve just been waiting for their gang warfare to make its way into our district.”
    “They need a new Alpha,” sighed Naomi. “Or the current one needs to be taught a lesson.”
    “Agreed. But that’s not my job.”
    “I’m glad. I wouldn’t want you putting yourself in harm’s way.” She looked at him, studying his handsome profile: that square jaw. Something about it was so manly, so strong. And lion shifters’ jaws were more pronounced than those of other species. There was a nobility to them that oozed out their pores.
    “I will always put myself in harm’s way, if it means protecting someone I care about.”
    “And you care about your Sovereign.”
    Tyler turned her way for a moment, the passing lights illuminating bright eyes. “I do,” he said. “He’s a good friend. I’m pleased that you’ll meet him, you know.”
    “Oh?”
    “Yes. He and I have had a few chats about you.”
    “Well, this is interesting. Dare I ask?”
    “You’d probably be intelligent not to. But you’ll like him, as I think he already likes you. Just maybe don’t sleep with him.”
    “I won’t. I’m a one lion kind of gal. When I commit, I commit.” With these words she was testing him, seeing if he would flinch at her declaration of monogamy. But he didn’t.
    “I’m very happy to hear it,” he said, smiling. Slowly his right hand slipped over her thigh and he gave it a reassuring squeeze. “I’m a one ferret kind of guy.”
----
    T yler escorted Naomi up the elevator to the penthouse, where large men were milling around with their dates. Some human women, thin, long-legged; others shifters, whose curves were generally more prominent.
    “You okay?” he asked as he held her hand, leading her into the vast apartment.
    “Never better,” she said, looking around at the expensive furnishings and attractive guests.
    “Hey, Tyler!” The booming voice belonged to Lucas, who stood with a few guests by the broad doorway leading into the kitchen. Tyler escorted Naomi to his location and introduced them.
    “I hear that you’re a writer,” Lucas said after giving her a firm handshake. “I’d love to read something that you’ve written.”
    Naomi could see his allure. Like Tyler, he was built, powerful, muscular and incredibly handsome. She’d seen him at the gala but up close, she understood even better why he was constantly surrounded by women; he exuded a sort of powerful aura of sexuality. She questioned whether it was his status of the powerful lion that had made him like this, or simply a presence that couldn’t be defined. A sort of shifter It-factor.
    His scent was the most stunning thing, though. It had a power to it, a musk that moved in silken tendrils about his presence. The sort of powerful stimulant that made a woman want to tear a man’s clothing off. And though Naomi had no intention of doing so, she wasn’t immune to his allure. He was an intoxicating force.
    She leaned her body towards Tyler’s as she spoke, being sure to maintain contact. Something in the Sovereign made her want to stake further claim on her date.
    “I’m not sure that the sort of thing I write would be your bag,” she said, laughing. “But you’re welcome to. I can give Tyler a copy of something, if you’d like.”
    “Good. Say, Tyler, would you get us a couple of drinks?” he asked.
    Naomi swallowed, not certain that she wanted to remain alone with the man. But Tyler gave her hand a brief squeeze and headed off, seeming to trust his Sovereign not to hit on his date.
    “So listen,” said Lucas, speaking in hushed, intimate tones. “While we’re alone, I just wanted to tell you to look after our man. He’s not always the big strong shifter that he seems.”
    “No? What is he?” asked Naomi, hoping to get some answers to the questions that had been lurking since she’d first laid eyes on Tyler.
    “He’s a package that