Blog Tour & Giveaway - Shifted Under Construction by C.E. Black @CEBlackbooks

Title: Shifted Under Construction (Bad Boy Alphas)

Author: C.E. Black

Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy Romance

Publisher: Secret Quill Press

Bedroom eyes and rock hard abs make for yummy eye candy, but Harper Mattox knows a bad boy when she sees him. She’s been there, done that, and refuses to buy the T-shirt. The scar was enough of a souvenir.

When Harper agrees to be the temporary secretary at H&V Construction as a favor to her best friends’ husband, Adam Hughes, she thought her days would be spent behind the desk, organizing until her heart was content. She had no idea she’d have to put up with the walking sex-on-a-stick Christian Viera. AKA, her other boss. No matter how many times she turned him down, he just oozed more charm in her direction, weakening her knees, as well as her resolve. And it was only her first day!

A threat on Harper’s life has Chris ready and willing to protect her, showing off an animalistic side she never knew existed. She’s known violence in her past and has no room for it in her life now. Is the fiery passion between them enough to stick it out? Can she accept him? Fur, claws, fangs, and all?

A knock at the front door had us both tensing as we looked toward the sound. I started to stand, but Nikki put up a hand.

“Stay here. Let me check.” She stood from the table, reaching behind her back to pull out a handgun.

My eyes widened as I gaped at her. “Nikki,” I exclaimed softly. “Why do you have a gun?”

Her lips twisted as she rolled her eyes to the ceiling. “Why does everyone ask me that?”

“Huh?”

“Never mind.” She shook her head. “It’s for our protection. Don’t worry.” She smirked. “As Adam would say, I got this.”

Seeing the gun had caused my pulse to leap, but it was seeing it in my best friend’s hand that had really startled me. I never pictured Nikki as the type. She was an accountant that worked from home mostly and one of the nicest women I’d ever met. Weapons and Nikki just didn’t compute with me.

Nikki pushed the sheer curtain aside and peeked out of the window blinds. “It’s okay,” she said, as she backed away and went to the door, her gate much more relaxed. “It’s just the guys.”

Her announcement wasn’t the least bit as reassuring as she had hoped. Chris was here? In my home? I entered the living room, glancing around to make sure I hadn’t left anything lying around. Like the bra I had changed out of that morning after I spilled coffee on my blouse. Grabbing the offending garment off the back of the couch, I hid it behind my back and rushed to my bedroom, throwing it inside without looking. I shut the door quickly before turning back around.

Chris stood just inside the entryway looking around the room with great interest. I followed his eyes, not seeing what was so interesting. The house was a single story, open floor plan. The walls were still painted the same white from when I’d moved in about a year before. I had added a few art pieces to give the space color. Though the art wasn’t conventional. Every piece had come from my students. Second graders were very creative with color.

Adam and Nikki stood by the door, talking quietly as Chris gravitated toward one of the paintings. I took a hesitant step in his direction.

“Tyrannosaurus Rex,” I explained softly, nodding to the green and blue blob.

His smile was mischievous when he looked at me. My lungs malfunctioned for a moment.

“I’ve never heard of that artist? Is he popular?”

I gave a nervous laugh. “No, the artist’s name is Caleb. And according to the girls in his class, I’d say he’s pretty popular.”

His grin widened. “My kind of kid.”

No doubt, I wanted to say, but only smiled tightly and looked away.