He bit back a groan as heat built in his belly. He imagined her long, silky hair sweeping his chest as she straddled him. Another image of gripping her tight round cheeks as he slammed into her sweet pussy from behind.

  As he pumped faster, tension mounted in his balls. They drew tight. What he'd give to come inside of her. Feel her clench around him in the throes of ecstasy. His chest heaved. His hips locked as white-hot current zapped down his vertebrae and ripped through his sac. His release arced in long, thick streams. His mind and body savored the weightless freedom as his head lolled forward.

  Euphoria ebbed leaving his physical need sated, but desire for Chey still rode hard in his gut. Would he ever feel her shudder beneath him? Ever awaken in the comfort of her arms? For years he'd dreamt of those small pleasures. He'd tired of living for the next shift that only quelled a gnawing need for something he couldn't understand.

  About to head inside, he caught a blur of movement on the lawn. He refocused. A deer. A white doe!

  Nona claimed the doe's appearance was a sign of good luck, like finding a four-leaf clover. Their tribal ancestors preached that a white doe held the spirit of the first-born colonist, Virginia Dare. As a boy, he hadn't believed the folklore until he transformed into a hawk. Now, the idea that the doe might be a shifter seemed more likely. Hunters sought them for their beautiful pelt. Others believed the doe's blood offered immortality.

  Slowly, he inched to the screen door. A waning gibbous moon illuminated her pale, regal stature. She studied him curiously as he glided down the steps buck-naked. He hoped his neighbors didn't wake up.

  The doe warily stepped toward him and sniffed his offered hand. Her large ears swept back, listening. Her dark, wet nose kissed his fingers, feeling as soft as velvet. She drew a slow lick with her tongue that made him smile.

  "So, I'm a salt lick," he whispered.

  Her dark eyes met his, and he froze.

  Green.

  As if reading his thoughts, she bolted, flashing a flag of a white tail that was quickly swallowed by the night.

  Chapter 4

  It wasn't a lie, Cheyenne thought as she filled out an application. She had waited tables before…okay, maybe in combination with a lap dance. Tips would never compare, though. A good night in Florida had earned her five hundred dollars. Hell, she'd be lucky to make a hundred dollars a night at The Black Raven. It appeared to be a locals' hangout from her casual observation. And she loved the ocean view.

  The stripping lifestyle had grown old. She'd welcomed her mother and Nona's request to come home. Now that she had returned, she realized Shane was more of a factor than she'd believed.

  Christ, she could still see his shocked expression when she told him she had worked as a stripper. The bulge in his jeans signaled he was totally turned on and as sexual as ever. Unfortunately, he had Dory, the biggest slut in the county, still hot after him.

  "You can start now if you like, Cheyenne." The bar owner extended his hand, snapping her back to the present.

  "Jeans okay, Billy?" she asked, returning his handshake as she stood.

  "Honey, you can wear anything you want as long as it's legal."

  He'd been subtle about it, but she noticed him checking her out when she strolled in. She didn't take it personally. An attractive waitress would keep men drinking and make more money for the business.

  She stashed her purse under the bar and started immediately. The light crowd during the mid-afternoon hour picked up as the day shifters clocked out. She'd finished putting away lunch glasses when the after work, need a brew patrons sauntered in. Most were men. All shapes and sizes. None wore business attire. These were fishermen, utility and construction workers, and the like.

  Two buff men in dark blue tees that read Keep Back 200 Feet sat down at one of her tables. Bet no woman could keep back from the hot firefighters. The taller one had ice blue eyes with broader shoulders than Shane. Built like a fire engine, Mr. Ice Blue couldn't distract her from her thoughts of Shane. Since arriving in North Carolina, she hadn't been able to pry him from her mind, or heart.

  Had he really ended it with Dory for good?

  To his credit, he'd called her the day after the funeral and recommended The Black Raven and a few other establishments.

  "What can I get you?" she asked, using her southern accent and fluttering her dark lashes.

  "Bud on tap would be great." The larger firefighter smiled, friendly. His friend responded with the same.

  By the time she returned with their beers, a woman with striking amber-blonde hair and smoky topaz eyes sat beside the big hunkasaurus. His baby blues shone with love and lust.

  "What can I bring you?" Cheyenne asked, maintaining eye contact. She'd learned to never let her eyes stray to the man when taking a woman's order, or risk losing the tip.

  "Jack on the rocks, please," she said with a genuine smile.

  "A lady with good taste. In men and whiskey." Cheyenne winked.

  "You're new. I'm Jo." She extended her hand. "The guys will be tripping over their feet to catch your eye. This is Ray," she said, squeezing his brawny shoulder. "And his buddy, Tommy."

  "Nice to meet you." She noticed Jo's hoodie while shaking her hand. "Are you a firefighter too?"

  "Probie at the station in Manteo."

  "Wow." She admired her fortitude.

  Adoration lit her man's smile. "Yeah, she finally came back, after winning all those surfing championships. Now she's running into burning buildings to get her fix."

  "So you were the local who won the Miami Coast Classic a few years ago?" Cheyenne recognized her after Ray mentioned the competitions. "You put OBX on the map. Did you ever try the west coast?"

  "For a while," Jo said. "But something drew me home." She slid her arm around Ray's neck and kissed his tanned cheek.

  Old sweethearts. The sentiment struck Cheyenne. "Go figure. I came back home for the same reason." She went to fetch their drinks.

  * * * *

  Shane slipped off the latex gloves and washed his hands. His partial overhaul on a Hatteras Sport Fisherman was ahead of schedule. He didn't mind getting his hands dirty, but he detested not being able to get them clean and having grungy fingernails. His boss and co-workers teased him about wearing gloves, calling him Dr. Diesel.

  He'd pleasured Chey with these fingers. He groaned inwardly. Her pussy had been velvet. In the nights since, he dreamt of her beneath him with those long, shapely legs locked around his hips and those green eyes burning with desire for him.

  The thought of those mesmerizing eyes brought the doe to mind. The sighting continued to plague him. Had he imagined those haunting jade eyes? The only other time he'd seen an alabaster doe happened right before she left. The coincidence unsettled him.

  He had always heard rumors among the tribe that shifters existed, though none admitted to the ability. Though Chey and he weren't related by blood, her maternal mother had descended from their tribe. Could she be a shifter like him? If she began shifting during her teen years, it might explain why her mother uprooted them from the Outer Banks. Had Tegan feared for her daughter's life from hunters?

  Only one way he could be sure.

  After work, he pushed through the door of the dimly lit tavern and scanned for Jim. They usually met Friday nights to shoot pool and scout for pussy. Tonight, he only had interest in beer and hoped Dory didn't show. The Pirates hung out at The Black Raven, and it pissed him off that she'd taken to invading his territory. Her hunt for Pirate cock, not doubt an attempt to make him jealous. Her toxic affections held no appeal to him and he'd warned his brothers.

  Shane barely made it halfway to the bar before he did a double take at the sweetest heart shaped ass in tight jeans leaning offer a table. Long, black hair shimmered down her back, stirring his desire.

  Chey.

  How many times had she been hit on already? A sprig of jealously sprouted in his gut. Jim sat at the main bar tugging on a cool one. Shane took the seat next to him as a hand cupped his butt cheek and squeezed. Dory? Fuck.

  Soft laughter tickled his ear. He turned with a scowl, only to meet Chey's devastating smile. His stomach dropped. All his blood went straight to his dick.

  "You were expecting someone else?"

  "Sorry. Thought you were Dory." He grazed her cheek with a kiss. "Hmm…didn't take you long to sweet talk Billy."

  "His wife is pregnant. Evidently, she miscarried before and isn't supposed to be on her feet a lot. Lucky timing. Huh?"

  That smile again. Her happiness tripped his heart into double time. "So am I to take the ass grab as a thank you for recommending the place?" He narrowed his eyes suggestively.

  "Take it any way you like it, stud." Cheyenne winked. Placed her tray on the bar and gave her drink order.

  Jesus. With a contented sigh, he turned to Jim who passed him a you got it sooo bad look.

  Shane's plans to get drunk and forget his want of her suddenly changed. He'd stay until closing and show her more than she cared to know about him.

  Then he'd see if she still called him stud.

  * * * *

  After closing, Cheyenne counted her tips. Roughly sixty dollars. A far cry from what she netted after stripping. In Florida, she'd saved enough cash to buy a modest home but never did. She'd longed to return to her roots and her family. Since Cheyenne was a child, Nona had groomed her to take her place as medicine woman. Then her life changed.

  After pocketing her tips, she grabbed her purse and stepped into the cool night. Beside her Jeep, a silhouetted form stood waiting, almost invisible.

  Shane. Tough and hungry.

  Her breath caught in surprise and desire.

  "How about a ride on the beach?" He nodded toward her vehicle.

  Danger in his eyes sent a chill down her spine. "It'll cost you."

  "A free tune-up enough?" he asked, whisking the keys from her hand and opening the passenger's door.

  His large form slid into the driver's seat. Energy rolled off of him in waves, mostly sexual, but with an undercurrent of tension she couldn't put her finger on. "Would that include a wash and wax?"

  "Honey, you're already waxed to perfection." He lowered his gaze to the apex of her thighs. "But I'd love to detail your interior."

  Her snappy comeback vaporized against the vivid image of his hard cock de-tailing her.

  "Have you ever had it on the beach?" Shane asked after a moment as he turned onto the highway.

  "Me or the Jeep?"

  "I'm up for either or both," he said, undressing her with his eyes.

  Her thong went damp. Was he serious?

  At the next access ramp, he hit the 4 x 4 on the fly button, and they rolled onto the beach. A partial moon shimmered over the dark ocean, casting heavy shadows over rangy dunes. The tires bogged, and he downshifted then brought the truck to speed. Once they reached Coquina, he rounded to a stop.

  "Let's walk." He snatched her leather coat from the backseat and helped her on with it before tucking her arm tight under his. As they strolled along the surf, he asked, "Why didn't you tell me you got on at The Raven?"

  "Billy only hired me this afternoon."

  "So, did you enjoy your first shift?" His eyes wandered to meet hers.

  "Uh huh, the place is laid back." Even his Pirates brothers acted respectful. She wondered if he'd spread the word. Even if he hadn't she'd learned enough sass during her stripping days to keep even the drunkest men in line.

  "So, nobody grabbed your ass?" he teased.

  "Oh, you loved it."

  "Cop a feel anytime, sweetheart." His golden gaze seared her.

  Snaking her hand down the back of his jeans, she offered a tantalizing stroke. She had glimpsed his darkest desires. Though they'd never fucked, they'd done almost everything else. Would tonight fulfill her longtime fantasy?

  Shane groaned and yanked her around to face him. His eyes narrowed and went dark. Thick and hard, his cock prodded her belly though his jeans.

  Suddenly, he let go and retreated.

  "What's wrong?"

  His eyes roamed the beach. "I'm not what you think, Chey." He cocked his head and his brows furrowed.

  She read dread mixed with regret in his actions. "We all have our secrets, Shane." What did he mean? While her mind raced through a multitude of scenarios, she sensed his meaning went beyond her comprehension.

  "I need to show you something." Apprehension hung on his tone.

  "I've already seen it. Remember?" She winked.

  He smiled for a second. "There's more than you can imagine."

  "Oh." Did he fear her rejection? What could he show her that could scare her beyond her own anomaly?

  Silhouetted in the moonlight, he backed further way. Shrugged off his jacket and then his shirt. His dark nipples puckered in the night chill. As he stepped from his jeans his cock sprang rigid and ready.

  She caught her moan before it escaped her lips. He was a dark warrior and she so wanted to be conquered.

  He stood stock-still. Then his face seemed to distort. Crying out, his voice morphed into a howling squawk. In the blink of an eye, he vanished before her eyes.

  In his place, a large hawk with golden eyes and vertical pupils. He hovered on the breeze as she clutched her chest. She stared for several long seconds. Afraid he might disappear like a dream.

  Her heart hammered against her ribs as she extended her leather-clad forearm. The enormous Golden Hawk lighted on the offered perch, leaving his wings extended.

  With a forefinger, she stroked his warm breast. Her heart raced as fast as his. "Hello handsome."

  Lightly, he preened the top of a wing as if to accept her compliment. With a mighty flap of feathers, he soared off into the night.

  Excitement rushed through her veins like a spreading fire. Every sense heightened. A high pitched screech echoed to her. A call to follow. Still unbelieving, she quickly stripped. Her vision became as clear as if it were day. With joy bursting inside her heart, she dashed after him.

  Chapter 5

  Scanning the beach below, Shane honed in on the white doe trailing him. She splashed through whitewater with remarkable speed. He swooped down and slowed, keeping pace beside her. Even in his predatory state he loved her.

  She wasn't a hawk, but in his heart she was his mate. Excitement and longing surged through him. Her green eyes shone bright as she met his gaze.

  After a mile or so, he turned for the Jeep and initiated a return race. Even meeting the north wind, he managed to become human before she arrived back to the SUV. How could he be so lucky? His Chey was a legend. He marveled at her graceful form, overjoyed at what they shared. No longer alone with his secret, he was filled with a calm he'd never known.

  Softly, she nosed his hand.

  "Hello, gorgeous." He caressed her slender skull.

  Wide celadon eyes rounded at the instant of her metamorphous. She fell into his waiting arms, as drenched in sweat as he from the shift.

  He grabbed their clothes and opened the back gate of the Jeep. He tugged her inside, thankful she had purchased a four-door model. Quarters were tight, but they escaped the night's chill.

  She snuggled against him. "How did you know?"

  "Same beautiful eyes, darlin. Even if my suspicion had been inaccurate, I had to know if you would've accepted me or not." If only he'd been so brave ten years ago. How different their lives might be.

  "I would accept you if you were a toad." She nibbled his ear with soft lips.

  His cock sprang to life and he chuckled. "Thank God my spirit animal is a bit more attractive. Why didn't you tell me? Before Tegan stole you away to Florida?"

  "For the same reason you didn't confess. Fear of rejection."

  A tremor quickened along her spine, forcing Shane to tightened his arms. He couldn't believe she lay next to him. "Who knows about you, Chey?"

  "Only Nona and Mom. Only our descendants revere the doe. Others see a prized white pelt or worse."

  "Eternal youth," he offered somberly. He wondered about Nona. She could easily be a shifter, especially with her powerful magic. Jasper had told him there were others in the tribe, but only the elders knew whom. "Nona knows about me because of Jasper."

  Her eyes rounded.

  "Why did she allow Tegan take you away from her protection?"

  "Mom has secrets that Nona probably doesn't even know."

  Her vulnerability struck him. Softly, he said, "Baby, I'm so sorry. I was selfish. Blamed everything on you. Can you forgive me?" He kissed her forehead.

  "It hurt for a long time, but now I understand you had your own issues to deal with." Her warm fingers trailed to the center of his chest.

  "Truth from now on?"

  She nodded.

  "I have a question that's been plaguing me, since you drove off the other night, leaving me with a hard-on."

  She laughed.

  "What led you to become an exotic dancer?" Gorgeous as she was, he'd never envisioned her as an exhibitionist, except for him.

  "I had a hard time controlling my shifts. Mom home schooled me. After graduating, I waitressed at clubs because I could sneak alcohol which curbed my transitions. Stripping allowed me to work in short spans and get paid well. Now that I'm older, I have better control."

  She wasn't ashamed and he didn't hold it against her. "Hmmm…I'd love to see you work the pole, baby." His hand cupped one of her breasts. Her nipple pebbled at the brush of his fingertip and sent his blood rushing.

  "I have exclusive rights to any pole I work," Cheyenne countered, scraping a long fingernail between his pecs.

  Her play on word's forced him to grin. "Of course, baby. And for the record," he brought his nose close to hers, "there is only one face I see when I come, Little Doe." Grazing her lips, he vowed that before the night ended, she would feel the same.

  "Now…should we finish that game we began in the tree house?"

 

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