Read Miri: A Paranormal Romance (Plenty of Shift Book 1) for Free Online Page A

gloss that no doubt tasted like the sweetness of sex.
    “Of course I remember. I never forget a name. At least, not one associated with such a gorgeous face.”
    “Oh, my,” she replied. “Flattery will get you…a big fat tip.”
    “I’m not looking for a tip. Unless it’s to tell me how to get you naked.”
    He leaned towards her now, his elbows on the bar, confidence surging through him. It wasn’t so much her words as her scent that rendered him cocky. The last time he’d seen her, the heady scent had revealed apprehension, nervousness. Now she was all sex. Even from several feet away, he could tell what was going on between her legs: her body craved his, whether she would ever admit it in words or not.
    This woman wanted him. And it only made him want her more.
    “I’m not about to explain to you how to get me naked,” said Miri. “That would spoil all the fun, after all.”
    “I do like fun.”
    “Yes, I think you do. And I’d like a rusty nail, please,” she said, putting her purse on the bar as she pulled up a stool.
    “All right. For the record, though, you asked for it: I’m about to nail you.”
    She let out a snicker, unable to hold back.
    “Listen, sweetheart,” said Malcolm, turning away to grab the scotch. “Just be thankful you didn’t ask for a screwdriver.”
    “Good point.”
    “So, what brings you here?” he asked as he expertly combined the drink’s ingredients.
    “I guess I was bored,” she said.
    “No TV, huh?”
    “No TV.”
    “Well, as you can see, we have plenty around here.” Malcolm gestured around the room, where approximately twelve sets seemed to be showing twelve different sporting events.
    “I’m not so into the sports.”
    “I can tell. For one thing, you call them ‘the sports.’”
    “It’s true. I’m a girl.”
    “You’re a woman,” said Malcolm, handing over the glass. “And cheers to that.” He locked eyes with her, and for a moment Miri wondered what would happen if she actually turned into a puddle.
    “So, tell me about the new place,” the bartender added. “Jenn told me that you’d just moved.”
    Miri sipped her rusty nail. The man could mix a fine drink, that was for sure.
    “It’s pretty great. Big, cheap, comfortable.”
    “Just like me.”
    “Is that right?”
    “Well, I think you’d find me comfortable. Not to mention big.”
    Good lord. The thought of it.
    “But not cheap.”
    Miri smiled quietly. This was not good. He was way too attractive. Way too smooth. Way too sexy. And her body was pulsing in places where she didn’t even know she had a pulse.
    And yet, she wasn’t getting up to leave. She was sitting, staring at him. Inhaling that musky bear-scent that oozed raw heat. Her eyes moved between his face—its perfect proportions, those gorgeous eyes that hid any number of secret and not-so-secret thoughts, and his chest, which seemed to be trying to fight its way out of his t-shirt. Had he deliberately bought one that was slightly too small? Whatever the case, bravo to him.
    “Malcolm,” she said, her voice quiet, forcing him to lean in. “There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you.”
    “Miri.”
    “Would you ever…”
    She watched as the corners of his mouth curled upwards.
    “Consider…”
    “Yes?”
    “Oh, God. This is really hard to ask.”
    “It’s okay. You can ask me anything.” His lips barely parted as he uttered the words.
    “I want you to help me pound a hole in my wall.”
    “Is that some kind of sexual term? Because hell yes, I would do that.”
    Miri laughed. “No. I literally want you to smash the drywall with a mallet.”
    “You kinky lady.”
    “Are you in? You’re the only big strong bear shifter I know. Well, aside from Kor. But he’s busy pounding other things.”
    “You’re inviting me to your apartment?”
    “Yes.”
    “Well, I’m no idiot. So of course I’m in.”
    “Good. Give me your number and I’ll text you the address.”
    “Give me your number