April's Crush

April’s Crush Copyright 2009, Meg Allison Cover Art: Lisa Amrine

This is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are no construed to be real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locale or organizations is entirely incidental. All rights are reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief excerpts or quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

One April Garcia lifted her face to the bright spring sun as she walked through the park. Winter had taken its toll on both her complexion and her mood. Pining away for her nextdoor neighbor didn’t help, either. She smiled at the children shouting on the playground. They were so full of energy—so full of life. She envied them. But sun, warm breeze and their laughter lifted her mood by the minute. She decided to sit on a vacant bench and enjoy the day. Maybe this would get her muse in gear. Anything had to be better than sitting alone in her apartment, listening for her neighbor, Tate Carson to come home. He was a cop. A very handsome, sexy cop with eyes she could drown in…and he couldn’t possibly be interested in a shy little mouse like her. “Charlie, get back here!” Her heart leapt. She knew that voice—had heard it on a daily basis through her living room wall. Tate. She turned toward it when a flash of fur jumped into her lap and began licking her face. “Whoa!” she laughed as she pulled the puppy out of kissing reach. Its pink tongue hung out, and dark brown eyes gazed up at her from a wolf-like face. “Aww, aren’t you adorable.” “I’m so sorry,” Tate said at her left. She looked up to find her sexy neighbor standing, bent over, hands on knees as he breathed like he’d just run a marathon. Her heart skipped to a new rhythm as he dropped his backpack near her seat. “He’s yours?” she asked. “Uh, yeah,” he looked at the black-and-tan bundle now sitting in her lap. “Sort of… Charlie is my sister’s. I’m baby-sitting while she’s out of town.” “Oh, well, he’s cute…and very friendly.” “Yeah, but he hates his leash.” Tate sat down on the opposite end of the bench and Charlie lunged for him, licking puppy kisses along his strong square jaw. “I thought I’d bring him to the park for some exercise and lunch before it starts to rain.” April frowned. “Rain.” She glanced up. “But there’s not a cloud in the sky.” “The forecast says rain later this afternoon.” “That figures,” she said with a sigh. “I should have known this nice weather couldn’t last.” He laughed. “Don’t sound so fatalistic, April. The sun will shine again.” She couldn’t help but smile. They had only spoken a handful of times since he moved in the previous fall. Yet, he remembered her name. “You’re right,” she told him. “I just really hate winter.” “I don’t blame you there.” Tate picked up his pack and unzipped it. “Sorry, but I think the little guy needs his lunch.” April watched as he pulled out a happy meal. “You give him fast food?” “Yeah, he loves the chicken.” Sure enough, Charlie wolfed down one nugget and lunged for a second one. Tate grabbed him up. “Slow down, fella or you’ll get a belly ache.” He set Charlie back down. The pup chewed the second chicken piece slowly before sticking his nose into the box for another. Weird. It was as if the pup understood every word. “Wow, he’s really well trained. How old is he?” “Four in May.”

She raised a brow. “Four? But he’s—” “Months,” Tate interjected. “Four months.” “Isn’t that a little young to be taken away from his mother?” He shrugged. “Not really, and wolves mature fairly young.” “He’s a wolf?” “Yes, timber wolf.” “I didn’t know people kept them as pets—at least, not in the city.” He shrugged. “It’s not as uncommon as you’d think. Besides, my sister and her husband live out in the country on a nice little farm.” He looked up into her eyes then, and something in the golden brown irises made her heart speed up. Neither of them moved for a moment. Then a pawing at her leg broke the spell. April looked down at Charlie. He stood on his hind legs, front paws on her knee as a french fry dangled from his teeth. “He wants you to take it.” “Huh?” She looked at Tate who seemed to be holding back a smile. “Charlie is trying to share his lunch with you.” “Oh, how…nice.” The puppy waited patiently, his head cocked to one side as his short tail waved uncertainly. “What should I do?” she whispered. “Take it. I promise, he won’t bite.” “Okay.” She reached out and took the soggy fry from the pup. He wagged his tail so hard that his round little body shook. “Thank you, Charlie.” The pup waited and April brought the fry to her lips. “Mmmmm…very good,” she said, pretending to take a bite. “You’re a good boy, thank you.” She looked up to see Tate staring at her thoughtfully. “You’re very special.” “Is that special as in crazy?” He laughed. “Charlie doesn’t take to strangers so easily. He must sense there’s something trustworthy about you.” “I suppose I should be flattered.” She looked down to see the pup pull a bright piece of plastic from the box. “Oh, you shouldn’t play with that…” She reached to take the toy away and heard a growl. Eyes wide, April sat back. “I guess he doesn’t like me that much after all.” “Sorry, he doesn’t share toys well.” “Oh, don’t worry. I don’t like it when people try to take my toys, either.” She smiled as the pup nudged the plastic car with his black nose. “You’re really good with animals,” he noticed. “I love dogs,” she told him. “I had one for about seven years before he died last summer.” “I’m sorry,” he said as he scooted closer. “I really don’t know much about you. I guess I haven’t been a very good neighbor.” She looked at Tate in surprise. “You haven’t done anything wrong.” “Maybe not, but I haven’t done anything at all. Being a good neighbor is more than not blasting music at midnight. It should mean caring about each other. Looking out for one another.” “Ah, well, you did shovel snow off the walk all winter.” He laughed. “True, but I should have been friendlier. If you needed something I never would have known.” “If I needed anything, believe me, you would have heard about it. I can yell like a banshee.” Tate grinned. “That’s good to know. But I think…I think maybe we should get to

know each other even better.” She looked down at the puppy. “You do? Why, because Charlie likes me?” “Yes, in a way. I’ve always found that wolf pups are great judges of character.” “Really?” She watched as the pup pushed the car back and forth between his front paws. He seemed so human. “He certainly is smart.” “Will you have dinner with me?” Her pulse spiked but she fought to appear calm. “Yes, that would be nice.” “Great…” he glanced down at the puppy. “How about Friday? My sister’s supposed to pick him up Thursday, if everything works out. I don’t want to leave him alone in a strange place.” “Sure, that would be fine.” The wind picked up, and April glanced at the vibrant blue sky. On the edge of the horizon, she spotted a thin band of dark gray. A soft rumble of thunder and a whiff of ozone drifted along with the breeze. “I think that storm is coming,” she said. “We’d better head for shelter.” Tate stood and scooped up his backpack and the puppy. April automatically grabbed the happy meal remnants. “Should I toss it?” “Yes, he’s done…oh, but don’t throw away his toy.” She raised a brow. “He, um, likes cars.” “Oh-kay…” April tucked the car into her jacket pocket and threw the rest into the metal can next to the bench. “Can we walk you back home?” Tate asked. “Yes, you may.” They walked the five blocks back to their red brick duplex with Charlie snuggled in the crook of Tate’s arm. “You’re going to spoil him,” she cautioned. Tate’s face turned a dusky pink and he cleared his throat. “He’s pretty tired. We already walked about two miles today—I don’t want to wear the little guy out completely.” They continued in silence as April contemplated the uniqueness of a man who was so gentle with small animals. In her mind, it said a lot for Tate’s character. It was funny she had pictured him rough and surly, gun in hand, but never gentle and sweet like this. “I read a couple of your books this winter,” he said suddenly. “Really?” She glanced at him in surprise. “You don’t look like the teen paranormal fiction type to me.” He laughed. “Well, I’m not, usually. But when we met and the landlord told me you write for a living. It intrigued me. I wanted to see what it is you do in that dark apartment all by yourself.” April felt her face warm. “Yeah, I suppose I haven’t been very friendly. I just…” she sighed, “I’m a little shy and have a hard time making friends—especially with goodlooking cops.” He raised a brow. “You do, huh? If I had known that I would have made a better effort.” “Effort?” “To get to know you,” he said. “I’ve been trying to work up the nerve to ask you out since Christmas. But gorgeous Latin women intimidate me.” She laughed, suddenly feeling lighter than she had in months. “Really? I’ve been trying to get up the nerve to invite you over since Thanksgiving.” “Well then…” He scratched Charlie’s head. “I think we owe this little guy a steak.” “I agree.” Tate grew silent again as they waited for the light to change. Then he led her across

the intersection. “Do you believe those things you write about?” “I’m assuming you mean the paranormal aspect and not the teen romance.” He chuckled. “Yes…do you believe in ghosts and vampires? Shape-shifters?” “I haven’t written a shape-shifter, yet, but that could be interesting. However, my big problem would be what to do with their clothes when they shift? I mean, it would be really awkward to shift back to human form stark naked.” “You have no idea,” he muttered. She eyed him for a moment, but decided not to ask. “Anyway, I’m not saying that I know otherworldly things exist, but… Why not? Honestly, I do believe in ghosts. I believe in God…in angels and demons…so there really could be other things out there that seem unreal. You’ve probably seen a lot of weird things…being a cop in this city.” Tate nodded thoughtfully, his gaze fixed on some point ahead of them. Great. She’d finally gotten to really talk with the man and she sounded like a nutcase. Oh, well. Better to find out now than later and really get her heart broken. “So…vampires and shape-shifters…” he said. “Do you believe in them?” She frowned and really considered it for a moment. “Vampires? I don’t know. It seems a bit far-fetched that a human-like creature would need blood to survive. But then vampire bats do, so maybe it’s possible. As long as they’re good guys and not murdering monsters, I guess it would be okay.” He laughed. “Good point.” “Now shape-shifters would be really cool,” she continued. “The idea of being able to turn into any animal and run free… That would be exhilarating. The ultimate high.” Tate nodded. “Yes, I imagine it would be.” They reached the duplex then and climbed the stone steps to the old cement porch. Tate fished a set of keys from his front jeans pocket as April tried to think of a way to prolong the moment. She had probably scared him off. The sound of thunder rumbling closer made her glance up at the darkening sky. Her dark hair blew across her face. “Hey,” Tate caught her attention. “If I can get the little guy down early, would you like to come over for a drink or something? We could talk more.” “Yes,” she blurted, coaxing a smile from his full mouth. “Great. He usually falls asleep around eight. I’ll just knock, if that’s okay?” April nodded. “Sure thing, I’ll look forward to it.” “Me, too,” he said with a smile. He opened the door and was almost inside when she remembered the toy car in her jacket pocket. “Wait…” He turned and watched as she retrieved the trinket. “He might want to play with it later.” “Thanks, April. I’ll see you later.”

Two The numbers on the clock above the television glowed bright red. April frowned, unable to pay attention to the crime show that normally kept her enthralled. It was past nine and Tate hadn’t knocked or called. Maybe she had scared him off, after all. Why couldn’t she just keep her freaky opinions and fantasies to herself until the man got to know her better? She’d never learn. The storm had surged and ebbed throughout the evening until it seemed to roar over their tiny duplex. A crack of thunder shook the building, making the lights flicker and turning her television off. Then that she heard the sound—like an animal in pain. It was a whimpering moan followed by the high, baleful pitch of a wolf howling. The hair at her nape stood on end. “Charlie,” she whispered, and jumped to her feet, her sorrow immediately forgotten. The puppy must be scared of the storm. That’s why Tate hadn’t come over. He obviously loved animals and couldn’t leave the pup alone. April slipped into her shoes and hurried to the front door. She hesitated briefly as a gust of wind almost knocked her off her feet. But the sound of Charlie, howling louder than the raging storm, strengthened her resolve. She pounded on Tate’s door, the wind and rain pelting her from behind. By the time the door opened, she was drenched from head to foot and shivering. Tate’s appearance made her gape. His chest and feet were bare; his short dark hair stood on end, as if he’d been running his hands through it. A pair of worn, gray sweatpants hung low on his lean hips. When he looked at her, she could see lines of worry beside his golden brown eyes. “I heard Charlie,” she yelled above the storm. “Is he okay?” Tate shook his head. “He’s scared to death…. Hey, you’re getting soaked,” he noticed, his frown deepening. “You’d better get back inside before you wind up sick.” “I want to help,” she insisted. “I’m really good with animals and you look like you need a break.” He seemed to fight with some decision before he finally grasped her arm and pulled her through his front door. When he shut the storm out behind them, Tate turned and almost pinned her to the wall with his tall, lean body. “I didn’t want you to find out like this,” he said. “But he’s terrified and I just don’t know what to do.” Panic made her stiffen. “What are you…?” He placed a finger to her lips and the rest of the world seemed to fade around them. “I like you, April. I really, really like you. I want to get to know you much better.” His gaze slipped to her lips and back. “But you have to know…” He swallowed hard. “Know, what?” Tate sighed, and then bent his head to place a soft kiss on her mouth. April felt as if she melted from the inside out. Then he stepped back, leaving her suddenly cold and confused. “I have to protect him,” he said. “You have to know he’s…he’s family.” “All right, I think I understand.” “No, but you will.” Tate led her into the apartment. She had no time to see the furniture because there

were so few lights on. April stumbled after him, narrowly avoiding a low coffee table as he hurried through the space towards the bedrooms down the back hall. At the last door, he stopped. She could hear the pitiful whimpering coming from behind. The smell of leather and soap filled her nostrils as she looked up into Tate’s dark eyes. He was scared—she could see it clearly on his face. “You have to promise you’ll never do anything to hurt Charlie. He’s just a baby. He’d never hurt you or anyone, April. Please, swear to me that you’ll keep our secret. His life could depend on it.” “But…” Thunder exploded and the whimper morphed to a high-pitched wail. Tate grasped her by the shoulders, his features like granite. “Promise!” “All right,” she said with amazing calm. “I promise. I will never hurt you or Charlie, no matter what.” He studied her features carefully then closed his eyes as he took a long deep breath. When he opened his eyes, the air rushed from his lungs, seeming to take the tension along with it. “Thank you,” he murmured. “I believe you.” Then he opened the door to what appeared to be an office. Beside the computer desk and chair, a stark white crib stood against one wall. April frowned as a dark shape wriggled behind the bars. “It’s so dark in here,” she said and reached for the wall switch. Tate’s large hand enveloped hers. “No,” he said. “The light hurts his eyes.” “How can you tell?” Tate sighed and held on to her hand. “Because, I’ve been through this myself a time or two,” he told her. “I pretty much know what he’s feeling. I just can’t get him calm enough to ride it out. Come,” he led her forward through the dim puddles of light that spilled from the windows. “He seems to trust you. Maybe you can help him relax. He’s never been in a storm like this without his mother nearby. It’s harder on him in the spring.” “Spring…? Tate I really don’t understand…” Words faded as she stared down into the crib. Charlie huddled in one corner of the baby bed, his dark eyes wide with fright. But there was something different about the animal. Something off. April frowned. “It’s always hard during a pup’s fourth spring,” Tate spoke softly, as if afraid of scaring one of them. “The change can come quickly or not at all and they can’t control it either way. My sister wouldn’t have left him, but she had no choice. Her husband is an undercover cop. He was wounded and she felt she had to be with him. She didn’t think Charlie would change now.” His words flowed around her as she watched the small creature slowly change…merge, almost, with the shadows. It was wolf and it was human at the same moment. Then the form shifted, limb and torso growing longer, fur disappearing as she watched. Soon a toddler with wide brown eyes and thick dark hair stared up at her. She swallowed. “Are you going to faint?” Tate asked softly, one hand at her back. April laughed. “No.” She blinked and rubbed her eyes, but the illusion remained. “I don’t think so.” The baby sniffed and huge tears rolled down his plump cheeks. April moved closer. “Charlie?” she whispered. A shudder moved over the tiny guy. “I wan’ mama.”

Her heart squeezed. “I know, honey.” She hesitated only a moment before she reached one hand out to him. “But you’ll be okay. Your…uncle… is here. There’s nothing to be afraid of. We’ll protect you.” Thunder cracked, the sound moving farther away as the storm blew west. Charlie stuck a thumb in his mouth and began to whimper. April noticed dark fur beginning to rise across the toddler’s skin. “Charlie?” He looked at her and blinked. “It’s okay,” she assured. “The storm is almost gone.” She hesitated. “Would you like me to hold you for a while? Until the noise stops?” The boy nodded his dark head and reached his free hand up to her. April lifted the naked bundle into her arms and smiled. “Tate, he needs some undies and clean pj's. It’s a little chilly in here.” “Huh? Oh, yeah, sure… I’ll get them.” An hour later the baby was dressed and calmly sleeping in his crib, one thumb still in his mouth. April gazed down at the little creature and smiled. She should be freaked out. She should be running for the hills or calling the Enquirer. But somehow, it seemed as if her life had been preparing her for this one moment, this one, amazing child and his gentle, intriguing uncle. “Are you okay?” Tate asked as she came out into the hall. “Yes, oddly enough, I feel pretty good.” “I don’t know how I’ll ever thank you enough for what you did tonight.” He glanced through the door. “I’m usually really good with him, but…” She laid a hand on his arm. “He’s fine now. You don’t have to beat yourself up. Everyone needs help sometimes.” He looked back at her, his smile soft and warm. It made her shiver. “I knew…I knew from the moment we met that there was something special about you,” he said. “It’s just not easy to trust people when you come from my world.” He shook his head and softly touched her cheek with his fingertips. “I can’t believe you’re not running away, screaming.” “I guess I’ve always believed in magic. I just never realized it.” He gazed down at her, a mixture of emotions rippling across his handsome face. “I think I’m starting to believe it, too.” They stared into each other’s eyes for a long moment, heat and need rising between them like another spring storm. Then April came back to her senses. Yes, this was wild and crazy and she wanted to leap right into his arms…but she wouldn’t rush it. Not when something told her it would be so incredibly good between them. There was more here than heat—much more than a one-night-stand. “Hey,” she said, breaking the silence. “You owe me a drink.” Tate’s slow smile made her tingle all over. “Yes, I do.” He took her hands in his and kissed her softly. “This will be our first date. Just promise me it won’t be our last.” “You can count on it. We have a lot to talk about.”

Biography Meg is a wife, mom and a hopeful romantic. She writes romance to keep her sanity in check. Website: http://www.megallisonauthor.com Author page: http://www.samhainpublishing.com/authors/meg-allison