“Or commiserate.”
“Celebrate.” He knew she could do it.
She rolled her eyes. “Fine. Tomorrow evening.”
“It’s a date.”
Her smile grew. “After that kiss, I should hope so!”
He kissed her again, all too brief. “I can’t wait to see you again.”
“Me neither.” She sat back, looking nervous suddenly. “Can I—is it okay if I watch you shift?”
His hawk preened inside of him. She is impressed with us and our agility in the air!
She never even saw us fly… And considering how dark it was, she wouldn’t see much now either. “Yes, that’s okay.”
“Do I need to do anything? Step back? Turn off the stove?” She released his hands.
He laughed at her enthusiasm. “I didn’t know you were in a hurry to get me to leave!”
“I’m not! But hawks don’t fly at night and I don’t know how long it’ll take you to fly back home!”
“I appreciate the concern.” He kissed her again. “I don’t need much space. Sit tight.”
He got up with some reluctance, stepping away from her and the cooking set-up. He didn’t want to bump into anything by accident.
When he shrugged off the coat so his wings wouldn’t get caught in it, she wolf-whistled. He tossed her the coat with a laugh. “This is far as the striptease goes.”
“Boo.” She threw a marshmallow at him, and it bounced off his stomach, landing at his feet.
“Keep booing and I’m not making dessert tomorrow.”
She mimed zipping her mouth shut.
He couldn’t stop smiling, but shifting required his complete concentration. He closed his eyes and tried to forget that his mate was right there watching him.
But his hawk was eager to show off. The change came over him much faster than usual, and he knew he was going to be sore tomorrow. Shifting too quickly always left him with muscle aches the next day.
The sweatpants fluttered to the ground while he spread his wings, circling above her head.
She gasped. “Oh, wow…”
He swooped down so he could perch on his empty chair. It was wobbly and not meant for talons, but he stayed upright. Once he settled, he focused on Madison.
Her eyes were wide as she leaned closer. She reached out with one hand, then pulled it back.
He awkwardly shuffled closer, feeling less graceful by the second, but he wanted her to know it was okay to touch him.
“Can I?”
He bobbed his head, hoping it didn’t look as silly as he felt.
She admires us! His hawk wanted to show off by flying, but Simon knew he should stay still if he didn’t want to spook her.
“I’m taking that as a yes.” She reached out again, her hand brushing against his back carefully.
He did his best to stay still, but it was difficult not to shudder in pleasure.
She grinned and ran her hand down his back a few times before pulling her hand away. “You’re stunning. The colors… I’ve never gotten to see a hawk this close before. I’d love to see you during the day.”
He preened, making her laugh, then spread his wings and took off. The chair fell on the ground, but he was up above the trees, circling and staying quiet. A hawk calling now would only disrupt the other animals.
We should return to our mate immediately! We cannot leave her!
Tomorrow, he reminded himself firmly. He’d see her again tomorrow.
And hopefully, she wouldn’t want to leave.
4. Madison
She’d woken up in her tent with a grin on her face and her stomach tied in knots from nerves.
She was going to have to convince a mayor to let her do research here.
A bird shifter mayor.
And she’d see Simon again. Her stomach squirmed for entirely different reasons.
She couldn’t believe a guy that hot and sweet was into her as much as she was into him, but that kiss sent heat through her body just remembering it… maybe tonight after dinner they could do a lot more than kiss.
But first she had to have breakfast and heat water for her instant coffee, and find the nicest clothes she had brought with her. She hoped Mayor McFadden didn’t mind jeans, because that was the best Madison could do.
Once she had her coffee in her travel mug, there was no point putting off the inevitable and she rang the mayor’s office. Simon had texted the number, along with more reassurances. She’d stared at his message for way too long while her stomach fluttered.
Her mouth was dry when the secretary picked up, but once Madison explained who she was and why she was calling, the secretary quickly transferred her to the mayor. The secretary had sounded surprised but hadn’t stayed on the line long enough for Madison to get a sense of her feelings on the matter.
“This is Mayor Kathleen McFadden. You’re the ornithologist who set up camp yesterday?” The woman’s voice was serious but warm.
Madison appreciated someone who got straight to the point. “Good morning, I’m Doctor Madison Adams from Pinevale University. Simon Miller gave me your number. I met him last night.”
“Yes, he mentioned that when he called earlier this morning. I’d like to get your side of the story as well. If you don’t mind?”
Madison wondered how Simon had explained things, but the mayor didn’t sound angry or annoyed. Maybe she wanted to know how Madison felt about shifters. She gave the mayor a summary of how she’d untangled Simon from the net, and how he had no choice but to shift before she banded him.
The mayor stayed silent throughout, except for a hum or an ‘I see’.
“I know shifters are a big secret, but you shouldn’t blame him for shifting and revealing the secret under those circumstances.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she wished she could take them back. She didn’t get to tell the mayor what to do, and she needed the other woman on her side for her plan to work. But the thought of Simon getting blamed and punished
