It’s the hardest thing, losing a brother. Her parents’ neighborhood was one of standoffish elegance no kids would dare splash in plastic pools in any front yard on her street. She tried to cheer it up with weekend parties or office mixers, but the warmth never lasted. She lived in the big house she’d inherited from her parents, and it was-so quiet. Her grief had burned away to emptiness long ago. My parents passed away a few years ago, within months of each other. He was hit by a car while he was walking down to a corner store with his friends-a hit and run. Kim had always thought it best not to open up, but Liam’s blue eyes and gentle voice pried something loose. She couldn’t keep the sorrow out of her voice.

Don’t you hug your brother or your sisters?” “Was Sean distressed when he came in your office? You hugged him too.” Kim thought about their caressing, group hug. “Sean and I felt Sandra’s distress, and we calmed her down. Her nervousness about Shifters hadn’t quite drifted away, but Liam was dissolving her fears little by little, at least about him. Kim didn’t think she’d mind being nibbled on by him. “Shifters aren’t allowed in any profession where they touch humans.” His voice went soft. “This is better than any day spa I’ve been to.

Did the man know how to loosen tension, or what?Īnother groan escaped her. Liam’s thumb traveled over her arch to her heel, his touch warm. “Men enter a room first, it’s better to kick off your shoes on a stranger’s couch than be businesslike, and you say hello by rubbing yourselves all over each other.” Kim sagged in pleasure as he moved strong hands over her feet. “Is everything in Shiftertown backward?” she asked. Kim leaned into the corner of the couch and plopped her ankles on Liam’s thigh.

Kim couldn’t stop her groan of relief as she eased the heels from her feet. “But she will if I play footsie with you?” She’ll not open up to you if you do that.” You hide behind those clothes like they’re a suit of armor. “She’d think it was the first sensible thing you did. “How do you think that would that look? For the mother of the man I’m defending to come back in and find you giving me a foot massage?” Why did she suddenly long to feel his warm hands on her feet, on her ankles, up her legs under her skirt to where her stockings ended at bare thigh…? Get those ridiculous shoes off and swing your feet up here.” “Are you hurting?” Liam sat down next to her-right next to her, inside her personal space. She ran her finger inside her shoes, but it didn’t do much good. Kim collapsed to the sofa with a grimace and laid her briefcase on the coffee table. She hadn’t really expected him to answer.

Sean went in first, then ushered Sandra in with his hand on the small of her back. Sandra softened under his look, and she and Sean walked to the back of the house to the kitchen. “I think a big pot would be grand, Sandra.

Pride Mates by Jennifer Ashley