Moonlight Mix-Up: Bear Shifters of Louisiana, #3

By Ava Catori

When Alex steps onto the elevator, KC's day goes from bad to worse. She’s had a rough life, but that doesn’t mean she’s a door mat. She feels his judgment the moment he sees her, and she doesn’t like it one bit.  Thankfully, their barbed and frosty time together will be short-lived.

Alex’s smooth edges ruffle when the elevator gets stuck. Claustrophobic and trapped with his polar-opposite, he isn’t sure how much more of the painted lady he can take. Battered and bruised egos leave them with an oddly, satisfying kiss-off before realizing their time together is far from over.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ava Catori Books
• Release date: Oct 23, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386631866

Book preview

Chapter 1

Alex pushed the button and waited for the elevator. Now that he switched the business records to that of a Registered Agent, his personal information would no longer be public. It was a priority after everything his sister went through. Why they hadn’t thought of it sooner... At least going forward, the issue was resolved.

The elevator dinged as it reached the fourth floor. When the doors opened, he stepped inside. A woman stood to the side and watched him enter. Alex reached over to push the ground floor button, but it was already lit.

He glanced at the woman, wondering what she was there for. In a brick building full of businesses, she looked out of place. Her mini-skirt clung to her thick thighs The spiked stilettos she wore lengthened her legs some, but couldn’t hide the extra weight she carried. His eyes drew up the length of her body. Stretchy material encased her every curve. Her hips flared out, her waist was undefined, and her breasts were full and voluptuous. She’d pulled a studded leather jacket over the snug outfit and accented the look with large gold hoop earrings, thin but oversized.

Magenta, glazed hair fell past her shoulders in a high, tight ponytail that cascaded down past her shoulders like a waterfall. She went from ignoring the man to watching him scope her out. Pissed off that he was judging her by the looks of it, she glared at him as his eyes met hers.

You have some kind of problem? she spouted.

Alex shook his head. No, why?

Keep your eyes to yourself, she said, adding a snap for clarity.

I’d say you’re looking for attention. I’d think you’d be glad someone’s looking your way, he noted, not fond of her attitude.

She shook her head. Fuck-wad assumer.

Wow! And you’re a lady, too!

She pursed her lips, then shot out, I don’t need your snide-ass comments—

The elevator jolted and came to a sudden stop. The lights flickered, then went out. The emergency light clicked on, illuminating them with a spotlight.

Great, like I’ve got time for this? The woman snarled and practically spit.

Alex groaned. This chick was the last person in the world he wanted to be stuck in an elevator with. She came with a chip on her shoulder the size of San Antonio as an added bonus.

She started ranting again. And for the record, just because I’m a woman, you don’t get to judge me for how I choose to dress. Just because I’m wearing a short skirt and heels, it’s like you think I don’t have a brain or something? Guys see me dressed this way, I see them eyeing me up. You want some of this? Yeah, no thank you. Not interested. And women, don’t get me started... they judge me worse than the men. So yeah, you sit there on your high horse, thinking you know me or who I am because I wore heels or God forbid a short skirt. Yeah, I ain’t got time for that nonsense, so you just stay over in your corner, I’ll stay in mine, and we’ll be out of here soon enough.

Who was she trying to convince? Him or her? Alex went wide-eyed and looked down. Yep, figures he’d get stuck with a bitter, stick-up-her-ass bitch. He crossed his fingers, knowing how old-school childish it was, but if it got him out of the elevator a second faster, it would be worth it. The sooner he stepped away from the freak with attitude, the better.

She didn’t like that he ignored her.

You think you’re better than me, because you’re in dress slacks and a button-down? Shit, why couldn’t she stop. She bit her tongue and forced herself to breathe. On edge, she’d snapped harder and sooner than she should have.

Alex chose not to answer, again. He’d just avoid, avoid, avoid this one.

Oh, so now you’re too good to talk to me? Fuck. Why couldn’t she stop? She wished she hadn’t been trapped in this elevator. Not this one. Not now. Not after what just happened. Everything about her was on edge— everything.

"Lady, I don’t know you. I don’t want to know you. How about we just wait quietly and patiently." Alex drew a deep breath. He hated closed-in spaces. It wasn’t good to corner a bear in tight spaces. Not good at all. He needed air. A lot of oxygen. More than was being offered in the closed-in death box of an elevator...and she was using more than her fair share.

The woman picked up the elevator phone and buzzed for help. Nobody answered. She slammed the handset down. What use is a phone if it doesn’t work?

Alex slid to the ground and sat. He reached up and unbuttoned the top button on his shirt. It was already warm in the elevator and the way she was huffing and puffing, it wouldn’t take long for it to get steamy. He wiped imaginary sweat away from his brow.

She looked over at him. You okay?

Yeah, he answered flatly. I don’t happen to like small spaces very much.

Maybe it won’t be long. She was surprised such a big, tough guy would break down in a small space. How the hell did one become claustrophobic in the first place? Sure, spiders were natural, creepy-crawly things to be afraid of, but an elevator?

We can hope.

She dug her phone out of her purse and scrolled for a number. She waited as it rang. Her voice went up an octave, all sexy and sweet. Hi, it’s Katherine-Charlotte. I’m so sorry to bother you. I’m stuck in the elevator. What? The entire building? Oh. Generators? Oh, only parts... right. No. No problem. Yes, it was good to see you, too. Oh, yeah, I can’t do that right now, but let me give you a call back when I get to my car. Sure. Okay. Bye.

Wow, how did I not get that voice? he said with a laugh.

She glared at him after his comment. "My friend mentioned the entire building’s power went out. They have generators, but only for crucial parts, and I guess the elevator isn’t deemed crucial when there are stairs. He said he’d let someone know there are people in the elevator. It could be a while. Said he looked out his