Kierra

Outside, Gary is leaning against the corner of the building, puffing away while talking to Xavier. A heavy sigh escapes me. Tucking Bastion's hand into my pocket as we go over, my windbreaker is flung over my shoulder. It's still snowing, but it feels good compared to the furnace we just left.

Xavier looks over first, a grin on his devastatingly handsome face, eyebrows raising. Gary, seeing he no longer has the man's attention, looks over as well. His face hardens, mocha-colored skin darkening. His short, black, receding hair is waving at me with the playful wind. The thin mustache gracing his upper lip nearly gets sucked into his mouth as he glares at me.

"So I hear Mr. Rhodes is the fine publisher in these parts, at least according to the nice lady in the music store."

Xavier gushes over him. I'm sure he can smell the sweaty sex coming from the man but shows no awareness of it.

"Oh, I'm sure the lady had lots of things to say about 'ole Gary here. Am I right? I'd be shocked if the tiny woman in the dollar store across the street doesn't have 'nice' things to say as well."

I smirk as he steadily gets more and more angry, his jaw clenching, light hazel eyes burning with fury. He actually has very pretty eyes for a jerk. Xavier's eyebrows fly up as he smiles, looking back to the toad with a look of comprehension. The cigarette butt gets smashed into the ground.

"Kierra, we need to talk. In my office. Now."

"No thanks, I don't think my nose can take another round of that. Out here is fine, as you are right, we do need to talk."

His eyes fly to the paper in my hand, a dawning light creeping into his face. His angry puffing starts to slow.

"Correct again Gary, this is what you think it is, and I believe there were some things that were conveniently forgotten. I'm pretty sure I could get a lawyer over some of it, but I really can't be bothered right now."

Resignation shows on his face, but he cajoles and tries to talk me into writing up another with him, that terms can and will be different. I notice Xavier look over my bared and marked up flesh, then take the time to exchange goofy expressions with Bastion, who's starting to fidget.

We stand there and argue for another five minutes before Gary stomps off, minus a client. He's to transfer everything to my name for now. I give a hurried call to my marketing pal, leaving a message about the situation, that I will be changing publishers, but would like to keep her on board, and explaining things before Gary can try to weasel in anything false.

Puffing out a large cloud, I look down at Bastion. His hands have stashed themselves into his pants pockets, stepping from foot to foot. I didn't even realize how cold it'd gotten. Dropping my windbreaker over his head, the light jacket holding a lot of my heat, I then turn to Xavier.

"What are you doing still hanging around?"

"I found myself enjoying your company and would like to continue to get to know you. Besides, you're some big-wig author, how many others can say that?"

A large smile is planted on his face, amber eyes all a-glitter in amusement. In other words, he finds me highly entertaining. Lovely. I roll my eyes at him, tossing my head towards the bookstore.

"We're heading over there, sure it won't be too overwhelming for you? Playboys around here aren't exactly known for their smarts."

"Ouch. I think I can handle myself. All I gotta do is cozy up to some nice little number, mention I play guitar, and it won't matter if I can't read over a third-grade level."

I scoff, finding myself amused by him, although I seriously hope he's joking. I pick up the pace once we cross the street, wanting to get Bastion inside. A few people are still hanging around even though it's getting close to dinner time.

One not wearing a coat catches my eye, we duck into the store before he can see me. Damn animals are everywhere. I have to snort at myself, considering I am one and I have another that patrols my home.

Once inside, I take the boys over to the coffee shop. Ordering two large hot chocolates and one ice coffee.

"What if I wanted a coffee?"

"Too bad, you're getting chocolate."

Then I have to stop and think for a minute, eyebrows drawing together as I look at him.

"You can have chocolate, can't you? I didn't think about that. Is it lost to me?"

He chuckles, the motion leading into all-out belly laughter as he bends over. I cross my arms and glower at him. Bastion, the little devil, has a hand over his mouth as he looks from me to the joker holding his side. People around us smile as well since his laughter just happens to be contagious.

I keep glaring. It's important knowledge I'm after. Canines and chocolate don't go together normally, so what does that mean for Canid supernaturals? I don't know about other females, but the cocoa bean is a very important staple in my diet, as well as to everyone around me's well being.

Our order's up. I'm tempted to dump his on his head. Handing the boy his, I leave Xavier's on the counter and walk away.

"Wait, wait. I'm sorry. That's never been a question I've been asked by any Were since I became one."

He's having a hard time keeping a straight face, but he sort of manages, having to stop a few times to bend over and contain himself. Exasperated, I ignore him, drinking my iced coffee as I lead Bastion over to the books.

Just because the man looks very cute when laughing means nothing. The flutter of treacherous feminine innards means nothing. Picturing the way his muscles move when he moves, means nothing.

Giving the kid the okay to look around, I head to the educational texts looking for some school materials that will hopefully make up for his lost time. Not really sure what I'm looking for, I ask an attendant. She doesn't know either. So helpful.

Since he's able to read the books I give him with only having to ask here and there what a word was, I figure he has a high reading level. Other stuff is important to. Not even going to worry about advanced math shit. Yes, kids, you do use math all your life, but not to the depth teachers lead you to believe. Unless you go into a job that requires it, of course.

Different sciences, mathematics, social studies, reading comprehension, and several others are grabbed. Not knowing what level he needs, I start at a fourth-grade level, that should be a good place to see where he's at. I could probably ask Ava what requirements are needed for the special schools they have for Shifters. Aside from being furry of course.

I cave in and grab a damn basket to put them all in. Trying to juggle an armful of workbooks and a plastic coffee cup that's flimsy as hell doesn't quite work out. We'll start with this for now and go from there, it at least gives me a starting point to see where he is.

Kids are hard. I was always a higher level reader as well, so I know some of where he could be on that, but not enough.

Wondering what Xavier has gotten himself into, I look around from the spot I'm in. Don't see his freakishly tall self, so he's either sitting or I'm at the wrong angle to see over the shelves. This dear concrete jungle we live in was not built by those of a shorter stature.

I take a last look over the lower shelves then jump back with one of those high pitched girly sounds that are the very bane of my existence. A very long, very icky, very I am so outta here centipede darts around along the lower shelf. Some big heap Werewolf I am.

Calling the last of my dignity to me, I walk away very calmly and ignore the looks I'm getting. After a couple of feet though, I cave and walk faster. I hate those things...and earwigs...and June-bugs.

Anything with more than eight legs are spawns of the darkest levels of hell.

Nasty, nasty things. They stick to you and fly around all kamikaze-like. Cicadas don't bother me though. Figure that one out. When I have to call my little sister into the bathroom to kill a centipede, I know I'm a wuss.

However, it's reversed when it's spiders with her. Now that shit's hilarious.

I find the boys together, both sitting down in an aisle with heads bent over a book. Xavier's coat is opened again, mutt is gonna get us kicked out for not wearing a shirt. Then again, probably not, with the way every female in here is drooling over him.

He looks up just as I peek over 'em to see what book they're looking in. Can't tell, but we're in the fiction section. I look from Xavier to all the women looking over and back to him with a raised brow. He just gives me an easy smile.

"Animal magnetism."

I cough as I try not to laugh. Seeing the stack of books next to the boy, ranging from fiction to autobiography, I grin and hold out my basket, he smiles in return.

"About ready kiddo? Wanna get home before the snow picks up anymore."

Snow tends to really pile up around the house since we're in a cleared section of woods, it's going to be real fun if we get a good amount. Time is running out on grabbing something for my jeep to hide in. Probably have to have them bring it to me since there's no way my jeep is going to hold the big sheets.

"We actually have to stop back at the hardware store, don't think the weather is going to let me wait on picking up that shed."

His answer is to stand and gather up his haul. Going to have to dip into my book money, but it's worth it. For both the boy and shed. Amber eyes staring at me with a smirk has me turning to the adult boy with a raised brow.

"So I heard a screech earlier, that wouldn't have happened to come from you, would it?"

"Don't know what you're talking about."

Turning and walking away, I'm followed by laughter. I'm just amusing as all hell to this guy it seems. While we're being rung up by a girl at the counter who can't tear her eyes off him, I turn back to him myself.

"You never answered my question."

He's holding a book, flipping through it before putting it back on the display. It's advertising a trilogy from a local. I scrunch my nose at him, so glad I had refused to have a picture of me in them. Bad enough there's one of me up on the website. One of marketing's bright ideas. I get recognized, but not too often.

"What question was that?"

He's layering on the charm, sinking deep into character for the poor girl who seems to have forgotten what she's supposed to be doing. Voice thick and deep with a southern accent, the coat gapes open even as he calls attention to his face by rubbing his jaw.

Even poor Bastion is drawn. I cover his eyes and pull him back into me, shooting a glare at the cashier. Have to tap nails on the counter to get her attention. Since he no longer has the cup, I'm guessing he finished it or left it somewhere, Imp in front of me still has his clutched in his hands.

I hand the girl my membership card for the place, then my credit card, eyes continually drawn to the animal at my side. I finally reach over, yank his coat closed and do a few of the middle buttons.

He gives me a lecherous look, teeth sinking into his bottom lip before he turns to the girl.

"She just can't keep her hands off me. What am I to do with this constant molestation?"

I almost choke on my tongue as the girl looks at me in jealousy. I glare back at her, holding my hand out for my card before she tries pulling more money off it in spite. Her sneering doesn't get the chance to last long though, as manager Helen comes up next to her.

Having recognized me as the local author when I'd been in here before, we chat about things whenever I come in. Seeing the look the girl is giving me, she hurried over to see what the problem is. The cashier's eyes drop immediately when she's reprimanded.

"No worries Helen, it wasn't her fault."

I glare at Xavier as he tries to act innocent. I would really like to get out of here now, please. Turning a smile to the manager, we exchange a few nothings before I'm finally able to walk away without being rude. I give both bags to Mr. Chuckles.

"You can carry these to the car for us since you have so much built up testosterone."

He grins and goes ahead while Bastion and I finish our drinks, tossing them in a garbage can before we head out. I walk very slowly on purpose, pointing random things out to my Imp. He seems a little confused but goes along with it. Would be more effective if I hadn't closed the guy's jacket though, oh well.