GettingLuckyinGalway Read Online Free

agitation, nerves, fear or even a hint of
mental instability.
    Nothing!
    Calder’s mind whirled with possible actions, dismissing all
within a few seconds. Shit. She cursed herself, the situation and the
ridiculously stealthy male able to sneak up on her supernatural senses. If she
shifted to human form then she risked blowing his diminutive human mind.
    Instead she let out a little chuffing sound, hoping to scare
the man aware, but the fool continued to stand there, his head cocked to the
side, bright green eyes almost glowing with amusement.
    Irritated, Calder growled, deep and low, a warning any
half-wit could recognize.
    “Is that really necessary? I only came out to see if you’d
like to move your spy camp inside the house and out of the rain. I didn’t come
out to have my head bitten off by a cranky cat shifter.”
    Calder went statue still in shock. What? How? Huh? Who the
hell was this man and how did he know about shifters? Feeling the first
tendrils of fear slide up her spine, she rose to her haunches, ears straining
and whiskers twitching for the slightest sign of attack.
    “No need for violence between us, cat. To prove how
civilized I can be I’m offering my home and a change of clothes, in case you
need them. See what a great host I can be?”
    As he turned and walked in the direction of the house, the
wind shifted and his scent blasted through her like cocoa through a chocolate
addict.
    I have got to get me some of that , she thought and
raced to follow him, no matter the danger he might be leading her into.
    After all, mates were to be protected, even from themselves.
     
    The tension tightening Roark’s shoulders eased when he heard
the movements of the large lioness. Turning his back on a predator never
occurred to him before, but something about this one shouted trust and
protection. Since his people relied on their instincts more than the senses, he
put more confidence in his walk then he actually felt.
    The warding around his house parted easily, allowing him and
his companion to pass through with no harm. However if anyone else attempted to
pass the magic of his barriers then things would be different. The wards would
shock as a first warning then, if the stranger didn’t take heed, all barriers
would engage and the unlucky sod would be torn apart until not even molecules were
left to identify him.
    With a careless wave of his hand, Roark opened the front
door and gestured for his furred companion to enter.
    “Be at peace in my home while my rainbow offers you
protection and shelter,” he offered the traditional Leprechaun greeting.
    The big cat snorted and shook her wet coat, sending prisms
of water cascading over him and his wood-planked floor. If possible, the
man-eating predator was actually laughing at his ancient good luck greeting.
Silly Americans, he thought with a mental eye roll and turned his attention to
his poor waterlogged floor.
    “I do own towels, you know, and I’m more than happy to put
one or two or ten at your disposal.”
    “Oh what have ya dragged into my clean house, Roark?” a
deep, gravelly voice demanded from the firelit living room.
    “Calm yourself, Nob, and come meet our guest.” He moved and
gestured to the large female lion sinking down on her haunches, growling low at
the new intrusion. He made sure to keep his tone even and easy as he faced one
of Mother Nature’s most cunning hunters. “No need for all that, lady, Nob is no
threat to you. Ease back.”
    “Ack, you’ve left her dripping on my freshly washed floors,
you son of a silversmith,” Nob accused as he waddled into the foyer. His large
pointed ears flicked back and forth in agitation as he wrung his brown wrinkled
leather-looking hands together.
    The cat sat back in stunned silence, her tawny eyes wide
above her strong muzzle. Yeah, he kind of understood the reaction. House
brownies were a shock to the sight on first encounter. Having grown up with the
loyal but persnickety creatures, Roark was