Once Upon a Shifter by Anne Conley, Lily Marie, Kim Fox, Zoe Chant, Ariana Hawkes, Terra Wolf, K.S. Haigwood, Shelley Shifter, Nora Eli, Alyse Zaftig, Mackenzie Black, Roxie Noir

said.
    “I hate it when someone won’t admit when they’re wrong,” Angie said.
    Rebecca let out a laugh. “Like you?”
    Angie snapped her head back. “What?”
    “You’ll refuse to admit when you’re wrong.”
    Angie shook her head. “But I never am,” she muttered.
    Grace pulled her blond hair out of her bun and shook her long hair down. “You’re the only one with a half decent guy.”
    Rebecca felt her cheeks redden. Was Connor really her guy? He was the hottest one and Rebecca always had last pick when she was with these two girls. They were much prettier than her.
    There was a knock at the door and Rebecca’s pulse quickened.
    “That’s Prince Charming now,” Grace said.
    Angie sat up. “Hopefully with chocolate.”
    Rebecca ran her hand through her hair and fixed her top. She took a deep breath and opened the door.
    Connor was standing in the doorway with his head lowered and a worried look on his face. He handed her a brown bag.
    “Cheesecake, chocolate mousse and apple pie. A peace offering,” he said. “I’m sorry about dinner.”
    Rebecca took the bag and opened it. She breathed in an orgy of sugary scents and her blood sugar index spiked. She smiled and closed the bag. “Peace offering accepted.”
    He smiled a gorgeous smile and looked relieved.
    “Let’s just hope that you guys know how to kayak better than you know how to talk to women.”
     

five
     
     
     
    Connor was doing one last check on the kayaks when Sidney walked down to the water carrying the cooler with all of the food. Edwin followed behind him with the rest of the equipment; the tents, lanterns, sleeping bags and the small, portable stove.
    “Put everything in my kayak,” Connor said, checking the last kayak for any spiders, a smudge, anything.
    “No way boss,” Sidney said, walking past him. “That’s what you pay us for.”
    “You get paid?” Edwin asked.
    “Please,” Connor said. “Strap everything to mine.” Sidney was horrible at kayaking and Connor really didn’t want to lose all of the supplies.
    Sidney just ignored him and began stuffing the food and supplies into the storage section of his kayak. “I got it boss. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the pretty ladies.”
    Connor gritted his jaw. “Remember what I said about respect? The women are here to kayak, not to be ogled and harassed by you guys.”
    “It’s not harassment when you’re in love,” Sidney said.
    “He gets paid?” Edwin asked again.
    They all stopped and stared down the path when the sound of female voices hit their ears. Connor glanced around quickly. Everyone was in their human forms. No one was naked. So far so good.
    Rebecca walked down first in red shorts that hugged her curvy thighs. Connor’s breath caught in his throat. She had a tank top on, showing off her delicious arms, with the outline of a bright pink bikini showing through. The pink string teasingly came out her tank top and was tied around her neck. Her hair was up in a pony tail and she had dark sunglasses hiding her bright brown eyes. There was a small dot of suntan lotion on her right cheek, over her light brown freckles. He felt lightheaded all of a sudden. He grabbed Sidney’s thick forearm to steady himself.
    “Let’s get this over with,” Grace said. Connor didn’t even notice her and Angie behind Rebecca.
    “Hi Angie,” Sidney called out.
    Angie hid behind Grace.
    “We can ride tandem in the kayak,” he said.
    Angie looked at the row of single person kayaks. “There aren’t any tandem kayaks.”
    Sidney grinned. “You can sit on my lap.”
    Grace hid her friend. “I think she’d rather swim.”
    Angie popped out. “I’d rather drown.”
    All three girls were wearing bikinis under their shorts and shirts. Connor shuddered at what the guys would do if they took them off. What would he do?
    They each picked a kayak and Connor helped them push off into the water. The weather was nice for now. Sunny and hot but there were dark clouds in the