For The Heart Of A Shifter

By Dawn Smith

Riley isn't your ordinary shifter. She is the niece of the rebel leader and Jade's right hand man, Happy. For this crime she is being hunted by
the same organization Jade and Happy tried so hard to destroy.
Unbeknownst to Riley, her uncle had a contingency plan in place when he left her in Vegas. He left behind a bodyguard, a very human bodyguard. A very sexy, delicious body guard that has Riley a hairs breadth away from breaking the rules for one sizzling night with a human.

Jerrod couldn't believe it when his boss asked him to keep an eye on his trouble making niece. In truth, he was also having a hard time just
keeping an eye on her. She was the stuff his every fantasy was made of.

Beautiful, strong, intelligent; So the night she walks into his bar and propositions him, he simply can't refuse.

It's not long until he realizes things are about to get a whole lot more difficult than merely
keeping his hands off the boss' niece. PIC is closing in on Riley, and it's up to Jerrod to make sure she doesn't get killed, or worse, taken.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dawn Smith
• Release date: Nov 26, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301277223

Dawn Smith

Dawn Smith lives in Arizona with her three beautiful girls her husband and two very energetic Jack Russel Terriers. By day she's just mommy, but when the kids go to bed she lets her many personalities out to play. She enjoys reading as much as she does writing and never misses a chance to curl up with a good book.

Book preview

Prologue

Las Vegas, August 2037,

Two days after the destruction of Las Vegas PIC.

Riley stood on the tarmac, rage coursing through her veins. Every time she looked at her Uncle it was the same. Though two years had passed she still shelved the blame on Happy for what happened to her pack. Unfair, maybe, but it was how she felt. The handful of rebels that still wanted to continue on with Happy, were silently boarding the plane. She on the other hand was recalling all the reasons why she did not want to go to London and join Jade Jameson.

The same fear and desperation took control of her body and she spiraled down into memory. Running through the woods, the wind whipping through her pelt. Her family screaming in her head for her to stay away, to run. Pain lanced through her and she skidded to a stop ending up in the bramble of a turpentine bush. She lay there slowly dying from the true loss of family. Everyone was dead or dying. She could feel them, each one ripping out another part of her soul.

Happy found her hours later, curled into a ball waiting for death to take her. That was when the first surge of true anger hit her. It consumed every part of her dying soul.

Where were you? Where were you when we needed you?

I came as quickly as I could Riley. I felt them and I came as quickly as I could. Sorrow and torment etched his features.

Where were you? What was so important that you were not where you needed to be?

I was in Vegas, still trying to find Jade. I’m sorry.

Jade?

Jade Jameson.

She was more important than your pack, your family? Hatred burned her. She would never forgive him for this. She would never forgive either of them. Jade Jameson and her Uncle both could burn in the deepest level of Hades for all she cared.

Riley looked up at her uncle, the plane in the back ground waiting for the last two passengers. In a sudden fit of defiance and clarity she threw her bags to the ground. Her uncle raised a brow.

What are you doing Riley? Get on the plane.

No, I’m not going to London. I’m staying.

Don’t be a child. Get on the plane. Don’t make me force you.

Go to Hell. With that she shifted. Her muscles and skin stretched and her bones popped. She heard her Uncle’s growl behind her, trying to cow her into submission. Not this time. She shot down the runway as fast as she could go. And she didn’t look back.

Chapter 1

Las Vegas, October 2037

Riley pushed open the doors to the newest shifter bar to open up in the last few months. Since the Other kind had been granted Asylum all over the world they were suddenly the species to cater to. Shifters were well-known for their staying power behind the bottle and in the bed. It was no wonder that most of the bars were really sex clubs under the guise of good clean fun.

Everything about this bar was tailored to the sensitive hearing and smell of the shifter population. Dim lighting complemented the décor of soft grey and deep rich crimson. Yeah this bar really did it right. The crowd was fairly small for a Friday night, which suited her just fine. Only a few shifters sat at adjoining tables, drinking and enjoying their newfound freedom.

She settled up to the bar placing her slightly large bottom in the stool. Pulling out her plastic from the back pocket of her skin hugging jeans, she slapped it on the bar. The obviously human bartender approached, raking his eyes over the cleavage that spilled out of her green top.

What can I get for you tonight? His tongue peeked out to wet his full bottom lip as he continued to stare. Too bad he was human; he was just the right amount of yummy. Tall and toned with sandy blond hair and dark blue haunted eyes. Oh yeah, yummy.

Oh I think I’ll have me a bit of southern comfort tonight, on the rocks of course. She smiled showing him a hint of petite fang and letting her green eyes flash for a brief second. He smiled back and dipped his head. He turned his back to her pulling down a squat glass from the top shelf. His shirt rode up letting Riley get a good look at the well defined abs he sported. She watched him intently, her blood heating, as he poured the amber liquid into the glass.

Anything else I can get you? He asked as he set the drink down in front of her.

Hmmm, well, you could tell me when you go on break. Screw it, she was close to her heat cycle, and he was what her hormones had decided on tonight.

Actually I’m off right now. Here comes my replacement. He nodded to a heavily tattooed man with dread locks down to his waist walking through the door.

Good then you could also help me find something. Riley said letting her finger trail across her collar bone and slid to the top swell of her breast. His eyes followed and he arched a blond brow.

And just what would I be able to help you find? He said as his tongue wet his lips again.

I think it’s in one of the back rooms. I couldn’t possibly do it myself. She said in the most demure voice she could muster. Trust me, I’ve tried.And with that, he looked backward at tattoo guy and gave a nod of his head. When tattoo guy nodded back he turned to face her.

Sure I’ll help you find what you need Ms….

Riley, just call me Riley.

Okay Riley, I’m Jerrod. He held out his hand and she slid her smaller one into his. The feel of his warm calloused palm delighted her and made her burn hotter. It was going to be an eventful night. She pulled her hand away and lowered herself from the stool.

Shall we then? She said adding a seductive twist to her hips as she rounded the bar. She flipped her long blond hair over her shoulder letting it cascade down her back to skim the swell of her ass. He met her halfway, desire darkening his eyes.

Yes I believe we shall. Jerrod took her by the hand and drew her into him, crushing her voluptuous body against his. She was a little curvier than the average wolf shifter. Most were tall and lanky with well defined musculature. Riley, on the other hand, stood only a pinch taller than five two, and had what she liked to think of as a little more meat on her bones. Jerrod didn’t seem to mind one bit. He grabbed a handful of her ass and gave a rough squeeze.

The fire that burned through her veins flared, it was all she could do to keep from ripping off his clothes then and there. Riley leaned into him rubbing her nose against his chest taking in his clean male scent. A low growl vibrated in her chest.

Let’s go now, or I will take you here in front of everyone. She cautioned him. Her warning was met with a throaty chuckle that skittered across her flesh and raised goose bumps on her arms. He let go and turned, capturing her hand in the process. She felt tiny and demure with his large hand swallowing hers. They wove in and out of tables ignoring the patrons who were casting them furtive glances. It was highly unusual for any of the Other Kind to take a human lover, but even more so for shifters. The possibility of a shift during sex was high and that tended to be unsettling for a human.

Stopping only for a second at the hidden door at the back of the bar they were soon in a dimly lit hall way. It had soft grey walls with crimson bordering the top and black faux marble flooring. The heels of Riley’s black vinyl pumps clicked loudly as she followed him to the end of the hall. Anticipation swam through her as the auto-door slid open with a pass of his hand.

Gone was the soft grey of the hallway. The room was almost entirely black with just the silver veins of the marble flooring breaking up the uniformity. A king-sized bed draped in smooth ebony satin sheets was the only thing in the room. The door slid shut behind her as she entered, and she didn’t wait another second.

Riley fell on him like a starved animal tearing away his shirt before claiming his mouth in a heated kiss. She ran her hands down the luscious stomach muscles that had made her burn for him stopping at the waist of his jeans. She gave a hard yank and growled with satisfaction as she heard the button ping across the floor. He broke the kiss and pulled away.

Whoa hang on a sec; I’d like to have some clothes to leave in. He chuckled as he took a step back.

Having second thoughts now? Don’t worry I’ll be gentle. She said licking her lips as she stalked toward him. He continued his retreat until the wall left him no place else to go.

I didn’t say that, I just thought that maybe you might want to talk a bit first. Get to know each other a little. He held his hand out, but she batted it away.

This is not the place for talking. I believe this is a place for fucking, or am I wrong? Is that not what you do in a room that has only a bed? She said grasping the waist of his jeans again.

No, I mean yes, but… Jerrod ran his fingers through his unkempt blond hair. He blew out a breath and laid his hands-on hers. Just, I’ll take off my own clothes okay? Riley let go of him and put her hands up in mock surrender.

Fair enough, I’ll just relieve myself of mine then. She started with her heels kicking them off behind her. She watched him watch her as she gathered the bottom of her loose green silk shirt and slowly pulled it up and over her head. A smile lifted the corners of her pink lips when his eyes flashed with pure male greed. She reached back to unclasp her black lace bra when a red light in the corner of the room began flashing.

Shit, we have company and not the good kind. Get dressed quick! Jerrod hauled his pants back up. He grimaced as he retrieved his shredded shirt and tossed the ruined piece of cloth over his shoulder..

Riley shoved her arms back into her shirt sleeves trying to maintain a calm façade. Other Kind may have been given asylum, but that didn’t mean PIC (Paranormal