Stephani Hecht - A Tempting Distraction

A Tempting Distraction

Hawk shifter Garrett has never been one to deny himself what he wants. So when he sees the newest addition to the feline coalition, a cute Tiger shifter named Owen, Garrett doesnt hesitate to make sure they end up in bed. Garrett only plans on keeping the encounter a one-time experience. Commitments arent something he does and just because Owen is hot, great in the sack and charming isnt going to change things. Despite his resolve, Garrett finds that one taste of Owen is not enough. Which just confuses the hell out of Garrett since they couldnt be more different. Where Garrett is all business and serious, Owen is a hacker who dyes his hair in wild colors and dresses like a punk. Most importantly, Garrett is a Hawk while Owen a Tiger and the two rarely mate.

Owen, who has just been reunited with his coalition, has never known any kind of loving relationship. Raised by a cruel foster father, the only thing Owen ever learned was how to be a thief and a hacker. So when he finds himself thrust into a coalition and stuck with an overprotective older brother, Owen cant help but feel lost. The only bright spot in his life is Garrett. While Owen realizes that Garrett plans on keeping their encounter a one-time event, a part of him hopes that the Hawk will eventually want more.

Then Owen makes a stupid mistake that puts not only himself, but the rest of the coalition in danger. As Garrett realizes that he may lose Owen, he knows that nothing will stop him from saving the Tiger, even if he has to sacrifice himself in order to do so.

Copyright 2010 Stephani Hecht

ISBN: 978-1-55487-715-7

Cover art by Angela Waters

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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the authors imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

The Lost Shifter Series Book Seven

By

Stephani Hecht

To Jake and Riley.

Its funny how he found such comfort in being in a church, given that hed never stayed around long enough to listen to an actual service.

Then again, until recently, hed hardly ever seen the outside of his various childhood homes period. If one could call what hed grown up in as homes, since in all actuality they were nothing more than a prison in the guise of two-story ranch dwellings. The only time his guardian had ever let him step foot out had been to do the grocery shopping or to help one of his foster brothers, Andrew or Shane, on a mission that called for Owens specialized skills.

Owen settled into one of the many, heavy oak pews lining the entire width of the church.

He had his choice of seating since, given the late hour, he alone occupied the building. Although, because it was Flint, the city continued to bustle elsewhere. His heightened shifter hearing picked up the distant sounds of traffic, a couple arguing in a nearby alley and the jets from a nearby airport. Instead of feeling resentful of the auditory intrusion, Owen drank it in.

The sounds letting him know that he wasnt isolated anymore.

Breathing in deep, he savored the scents of dust, old leather and melting wax. Those smells also served to soothe him, although if asked why, hed be hard pressed to give reason.

Whatever it may be, it had drawn him there every night for the previous couple of weeks.

He scanned the interior of the building, appreciating the beauty of the architecture. The stained glass windows lining both sides of the sanctuary were sheer works of art. While hed never been to Sunday school, he still could identify many of the Biblical scenes showcased in the windows. One depicted the Prodigal Son and he couldnt help but see the irony in how it paralleled his own life, although his own separation from family had not been willing.

A heavy wind blew outside, making the ancient building creak. Owen strained his ears, always on alert for the telltale sounds of wings flapping that would alert him to Ravens approaching. In his previous life, the bird shifters had never bothered with him or his two foster brothers, now that theyd gone into the fold of the feline coalition, things had changed.

If his older biological brother, Seth, knew that Owen snuck out nearly every night, the Tiger shifter would be beyond pissed. Even though theyd only been reunited a few months, Seth had made it his personal mission to protect Owen at all times. For someone whod grown up basically having to fend for himself, the restrictions and coddling grated on Owen.

Still, he knew Seth meant well, so Owen kept his feelings close to his chest. The wind blew again. Almost on reflex, Owen pulled his battered jean jacket closed. While the air in the church didnt nearly carry the same bite as outside, it still felt chilly. Owen was loath to leave though, for that meant going back to headquarters.

As he resigned himself to his present situation, he allowed his mind to wander to more mundane things. Hed been given a makeshift lab to use and he had several projects in development. For the first time since hed been rescued he actually felt a little excited about his work. Even if he didnt harbor any aspirations that somebody would have much use for any of what he produced. Not when they had the coalitions vast array of expensive, military issue equipment at their disposal.

Although there was one project, that if successful, may finally earn him some much wanted respect within the coalition. Then, maybe, theyd all stop looking at him with jaded expressions. Most of all, it just may finally earn Seths respect.

He was so caught up in his thoughts that he didnt realize he had company until someone slid into the pew next to him and pressed their hard body close to his side. On instinct, Owen made a move for the gun he always carried in the inside pocket of his coat. His hand barely moved a few inches before strong fingers reached out and grabbed him into a painful, tear-inducing hold. Biting back a cry of alarm, he looked up to find himself looking into the dark-eyed gaze of Garrett. One of the Hawk shifters who aligned themselves with his coalition, Garrett was a friendly face and no threat. Relief washed over Owen as he realized he wasnt about to be attacked. Then just as quickly, his heart picked up speed again, this time for an entirely different reason, becausewell, it was Garrett.

On his first day at the coalition, Owen had literally run into the handsome Hawk and ever since then, he had a thing for Garrett. Everything about Garrett called to Owen in a way no other had before, from the mans dark-as-midnight hair styled in a sharp military cut to his dark intense eyes that seemed to carry the weight of the world in them. Add into it that Garretts body had the perfect build of thin, without too many muscles and Owen was nearly drooling in appreciation.

Not that he could ever let on that he had a mad schoolboy crush. Nooooothat wouldnt be cool, and nerd that he was, Owen already had enough against him. The last thing he needed was to be caught panting like some girl at a Justin Bieber concert.