Davis sat up and looked her in the eye. “I’m not going to shift while we’re having sex,” he said matter-of-factly.
Scarlett released a sigh of relief.
“The idea of that is just as disgusting to me as it is to you. It’s taboo in our culture. Even when a shifter marries another shifter, we don’t mate like animals. I hope this goes without saying, but we aren’t…” His face twisted in disgust as he spit out the rest, “horse fuckers.”
“Jesus, Davis!” Scarlett tilted her head. “I didn’t think that!”
“Horses are animals. We are equine shifters. I won’t say that being able to shift doesn’t help with training, though. We can mimic their communication methods and show them what we need them to do.”
“That sounds kind of cool.” Scarlett smiled. “Can you show me sometime?”
“Absolutely…hey, we still have time to get dressed and go to your office party if we hurry.”
Scarlett turned to look at the clock and turned back to him. “Let’s do it!”
Chapter Six
Arriving at the party at a little past eleven o’clock, Davis and Scarlett strolled inside arm-in-arm. Their clothing was a little wrinkled, and Scarlett’s hair was a bit limper than it had been earlier in the evening, but all in all, she thought both of them looked pretty damn good. Their untimely appearance drew a lot of attention but Scarlett couldn’t have cared less.
“Food! I’m starved,” she said, pointing in the direction of the buffet table.
“I worked up an appetite, myself,” Davis replied.
They exchanged looks and snickered guiltily before filling their plates with an assortment of finger foods. As a vegetarian, Davis stuck to the cheese and crackers and loaded up on chunks of fresh fruit and raw veggies. Scarlett chose similar options but also indulged in some shrimp cocktail and caviar.
“Do you hate me for eating meat?”
“Nah, most equine shifters are vegetarians, because we can’t stand the taste, and the smell of it cooking doesn’t sit well with us. It’s not a philosophical thing. We’re people, not horses,” he whispered in her ear.
A couple of minutes later, Jessica, the office gossip, came sashaying up with two glasses of champagne, offering them to Davis and Scarlett. “So, who is your friend?” she asked, smiling at Scarlett with inquisitive eyes.
Scarlett wasn’t able to hold back her chuckle but managed to introduce Davis to her nosy co-worker.
“Now this wasn’t the man you brought last year? What happened there?”
Scarlett’s eyebrows knitted and her jaw tensed. Ugh, who just comes out and asks something like that right in front of the other party? Calm down—she doesn’t mean any harm. That girl just can’t help herself. She took a sip of the champagne and came up with the perfect answer. “I upgraded.”
Davis slipped his arm around her waist, tucking Scarlett close to his side.
“Well, congratulations and happy New Year, you two,” Jessica removed the plastic tiara from atop her head and placed it on Scarlett’s.
“Back at you,” Scarlett said, clinking her glass against Davis’s.
As Jessica walked away, Scarlett looked at Davis.
“Sorry about that.”
“About what? I’m glad she asked. I want her to spread it all around this office that you already have a new boyfriend so none of these guys think they have a chance.”
“Oh stop.” She punched his shoulder lightly.
“You’re my girl now. Right?”
“Yes.”
The two shared a couple of dances before it was time for the countdown. A few minutes before midnight, one of the party planners ran around passing out noisemakers to everyone. Excitement filled the room as couples huddled together.
“Five…four…three…two…one… Happy New Year!” the crowd shouted.
Balloons dropped from the ceiling and dozens of noisemakers went off as Davis grabbed Scarlett and pulled her into a kiss. She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly as she bent her knee and lifted one foot off the ground like the starlets in the old movies always did. As they separated, Scarlett barely noticed all the eyes on them. For the moment, she was only interested in Davis.
* * * * *
Midmorning on the first day of the New Year, Scarlett woke up in Davis’s arms. She sat up, yawning and stretching. “You kept me up into the wee hours last night…not that I’m complaining.”
Davis grinned. The only time he ever looked at all cocky was after he had rocked her world. “I had a great time.”
“Me too,” she said with an embarrassed giggle. “Let’s drive into town and get some breakfast at IHOP. Then we can pick up your truck on the way back home.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Davis hugged her tightly.
Scarlett snuggled into his chest, enjoying his warmth and scent. Next time would be her turn to visit Davis again. The commute was a little rough but he was worth every mile. Since Davis worked at a family-owned business, eventually, she would probably have to put in for a transfer at work and move, but for now, she was happy to live in the moment.
She glanced at Davis’s face and tilted her head. “What are you still grinning about?”
“I’m smiling because I love you.”
Scarlett’s heart did a somersault and she grinned. “I love you too.”
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Riding in the New Year Copyright © 2016 Sierra Brave
Electronic book publication March 2016
With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the author, Sierra Brave.
Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a
