Page 31 of Violet

“Screech is popular among younger supes,” Cash adds. “I could show it to you sometime.”

“I think Nole already put it on my phone,” I say noncommittally. And by I think, I mean I know. It was one of the first apps the bear shifter installed for me. We set up a profile to help promote Spell Library, and I’ve been secretly using it to look up old friends and see what they’ve been up to.

“Who’s Nole?” Cash asks.

“My assistant. He’s a very technologically savvy young man.” Ten points. “Always helping me print out my emails.” Ten points. “He even uses his credit card on the Internet.” Another ten.

Cash sends me an incredulous look. And why wouldn’t he? He’s several centuries old and he invented Screech. He built an entire mobile app that thousands of supes use and he acts and talks normally. Meanwhile, I’ve spent the last year calling everyone dear and complaining about kids on the library’s front lawn.

For a moment, I feel like a complete and utter failure—and a fraud. At least until I remember that I’ve had no choice. Cash can be whoever he wants. I can’t.

“What are you thinking about?” he asks.

“That we’re here.” I turn my walker toward the building. “Thank you for the company, Cash.”

“Let me walk you in?”

I’m about to protest when I feel it again... that creepy-crawly feeling that tells me I’m being watched. I look around, scanning the parked cars and the bushes, but there’s no one around.

Cash tightens his grip on my elbow slightly, and I let him steer me toward the front door. He helps me push my walker inside—which is always a pain when I’m doing it alone—and I exhale in relief when I’m safely back in my lobby.

I move toward the elevator, push the button—and nothing happens. Which is when I notice the out-of-order sign. How could I forget?

“Let me try,” Cash says, stepping forward and pushing the button for me.

What does he think? That he’ll get a different outcome?

“Should I find the landlord?” He frowns.

“No point. It was broken this morning, too. Probably won’t get fixed until tomorrow.”

Which leaves me with very few choices.

I could look for April June’s buzzer code and hope that she’s home. Except that means having her fly me up on a train of dildos with Cash watching. Maybe I could get him to carry up my walker while I struggle my way up four flights of stairs? I grimace at the thought, which brings me to option number three: send Cash home and then buzz April June.

“I have an idea,” Cash says, and before I can protest, he scoops me up in his arms, bridal style. “What floor?”

“Fourth,” I reply, feeling slightly breathless.

I expect him to leave my walker and come back for it, but he somehow manages to slip it over one arm and slide my purse over the other. Then he takes the stairs two at a time, without even breaking a sweat.

I, meanwhile, break into all sorts of sweats. I can feel his muscles flexing around me as he carries me. His chest feels warm against my side, and I long to unbutton his shirt and slip my hands inside. I want to feel his warm skin against mine. To trace the outline of his abs with my fingertips and feel each ridge and valley against my palms. And then, I want to touch him everywhere...

“We’re here.” Cash suddenly sets me down. He keeps his hands on my waist—which makes me feel weak in the knees—and my chameleon magic comes to life.

Then, Cash suddenly drops my walker, and it crashes onto the floor with a loud clang. He dumps my purse on the seat, and then he advances on me, backing me up against the wall.

“Cash?” I gasp as he presses his solid body against mine.

I can feel every hard muscle... and a huge bulge pressing up against my stomach that makes me squirm. Suddenly, all I can think about is kissing Cash. Feeling his lips against mine. Being with him. Really and truly being with him.

Tingles shoot down my entire body, and just as he lowers his lips to mine, I can’t help it. I shift!

Chapter 14

Violet

“What the hell?” Cash pulls away from me a split second before our lips touch.