Page 20 of Shifting the Flame

Before she could continue, Joni's nostrils flared again, and her expression shifted to something milder. "Is that bacon you're cooking? It smells divine."

Danica blinked at the abrupt subject change. "Oh! Yes, I made breakfast. Would you like to come in?" The invitation slipped out automatically—her Southern upbringing kicking in before her brain could catch up. Obviously this woman knew Asher well enough to visit his home unannounced. Perhaps she was a colleague from town hall or a childhood friend.

"How thoughtful." Joni's smile was picture-perfect but still didn't quite reach her eyes as she stepped inside. "Asher usually doesn't have guests cooking in his kitchen."

Is that a dig?Danica wondered, suddenly self-conscious about her casual presence in Asher's home.

"The food's probably getting cold," Danica said, leading the way toward the kitchen. "I made plenty if you'd like some."

"That's very...domestic of you," Joni remarked, each word carefully measured. "Have you known Asher long?"

The question carried weight, and Danica felt the woman's eyes boring into her back as they walked. Something in Joni's tone made her hesitate to reveal how new her connection with Asher truly was.

"Not very," she admitted cautiously. "We're working together on the Founders Festival."

Joni's smile tightened fractionally. "Are you? How interesting. I wasn't aware Asher was bringing in outside help this year."

The kitchen still carried faint traces of Danica's pleasure—at least to her awareness. She busied herself with the cooling food, situating plates on the island where three stools waited. "Would you like coffee?"

"Please," Joni answered, settling gracefully onto a stool—the exact one where Danica sat last night, she noted. The redhead placed her designer purse on the island and folded her hands primly. "So tell me, Danica, are you familiar with our little town's... unique community?"

Something in the way she emphasized "unique" gave Danica pause. Was she referring to the fact that they were shifters? Or something else entirely?

"I'm learning," Danica replied carefully, pouring coffee into a mug for their unexpected guest. "It's a beautiful place."

"Oh, it certainly is," Joni agreed, her voice honeyed. "And we're all quite protective of it. Especially Asher. He takes his responsibilities very seriously."

The words seemed innocent enough, but Danica caught the subtle emphasis on "responsibilities" and the proprietary way Joni said Asher's name. A flash of understanding hit her—this wasn't just any acquaintance dropping by.

"How do you know Asher?" Danica asked directly, meeting those gold-flecked green eyes.

Joni's smile widened, showing her perfect white teeth as she accepted the coffee mug. "Oh, Asher and I go way back. We've been... close for years."

Just then, Asher strode into the kitchen, and Danica's breath caught at the sight of him. He was now in black dress pants and an unbuttoned black shirt that revealed a tantalizing strip of his muscled chest. Her mind immediately flashed back to how that chest had felt pressed against her not long ago on this kitchen island in front of her.

His confident stride faltered when he spotted the back of Joni. The redhead sat perched elegantly on the kitchen stool, while Danica stood across the island from her in her rumpled blue sundress.

"Joni?" Asher's deep voice held unmistakable surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Danica's stomach knotted instantly. The familiar way he said the woman's name and the shock in his tone—a horrible thought crashed through her mind. Had she just spent the morning with someone else's boyfriend? Her face burned with suddenhumiliation. How could she not have asked such a basic question before letting him touch her that way?

"Asher! There you are." Joni rose gracefully, her eyes drinking in his half-dressed state. "Don't you look delicious this morning."

Danica's fingers clenched around the coffee pot she was holding. She set it down with deliberate care before she could drop it.

"Breakfast is getting cold," Danica said, trying to sound normal. "Will you join us, Asher?"

His green eyes flicked between the two women, and something unreadable passed over his face before he nodded. "Let me just..." He buttoned his shirt partway, leaving the top three buttons undone.

The three settled at the island, Danica feeling increasingly out of place as Joni leaned toward Asher with practiced familiarity.

"Your little human friend is quite the domestic goddess," Joni remarked, fork poised over her untouched eggs. "Though I'm surprised to find her here so early."

Human? Danica's brow furrowed at the strange phrasing.

"Danica is helping with the festival," Asher said firmly, his eyes warming when they landed on Danica. "And she's my guest."

Something in his tone made Danica relax slightly. He didn't sound like a man hiding a relationship.

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