Lawman Lion: BBW Lion Shifter Paranormal Romance Read online

  Charity did as she was told, hooking her foot into the metal stirrup. Abby was a tall horse, and Charity very nearly couldn’t reach, but then she felt Mason’s hands around her waist, lifting her up as if she weighed nothing at all.

  “Just swing your leg over her back, and put your foot in the stirrup on the other side,” he said. “Take hold of the reins, just gently. I’ll show you how to hold them properly in a second.”

  The saddle was surprisingly comfortable, and Charity was perfectly happy to sit there and admire the long lines of Mason's body as he pulled himself up onto the second horse.

  He looked so comfortable once he was seated that Charity couldn't help but imagine he’d been born in the saddle. She’d read about riders who were so comfortable that horse and rider seemed to become one, but this was the first time she’d actually seen it.

  “Are you right-handed?” Mason asked. “If you are, put your reins in your left hand. It may feel a little weird at first, but you’ll get used to it. Just leave your right hand down by your side – we aren’t going to be lassoing any cattle today, after all.”

  Mason laughed, and Charity couldn’t help but laugh with him.

  “When you want her to turn, just touch the rein to her neck, but honestly, she’ll just follow my lead. And try not to hold the rein too tight – one hint I got when I was first learning to ride was to imagine you’re holding a little bird in your hand. That’ll remind you not to clench your fist.”

  Charity nodded, trying to take all this in, while at the same time dealing with the unfamiliar sensation of sitting on a horse. Abby was nice and still beneath her, but Charity still couldn't quite get used to the idea that it was another living creature that would be moving her about from now on, rather than her own two legs.

  “Are you nervous?” Mason asked.

  “A little,” Charity admitted.

  “That's understandable,” Mason said. “But just remember I'm here, and Abby doesn't want to hurt you.”

  Abby made a soft whickering noise, as if to confirm what Mason had said.

  “When you feel ready, just give her a little tap with your heels, and we’ll be off.”

  Charity licked her lips, before tapping Abby lightly on her flanks. Abby moved off at a steady, sedate pace, her movements surprisingly fluid.

  “It’s not bumpy like I thought it’d be,” Charity said, as Mason came up beside her on his own horse.

  Mason shot her a grin. “That’s why I chose Abby for you – mind you, a trot can be a bit tougher on your backside if you’re a beginner.”

  Charity shook her head, smiling. “Honestly, if it doesn’t have to do with accounting or cooking, I probably don’t know a whole lot about it, so I’m definitely a beginner.”

  Mason laughed, flashing her a grin, his white teeth standing out against his deeply tanned skin. “Well, let’s not worry about anything other than enjoying scenery for now.”

  Charity couldn’t argue with that plan. They left the road behind them and ventured out into the vast open space in front of them. The late afternoon sun was golden, the mountains rising red and purple against the clear blue sky. A lot of Charity’s schoolmates had moved to Santa Fe or even Las Vegas, but Charity could never imagine living anywhere but here. She felt like the dust and rock were part of her soul – for all the stress of running the diner, she loved it here.

  “It truly is beautiful out here,” Mason said softly, his voice almost reverent. He glanced across at her. “Have you lived here long?”

  “All my life,” Charity replied. “I grew up in the diner, helping my dad. Furthest away I’ve been is Los Angeles.”

  Mason nodded. “I’ve been all over, but I always end up back here. Seems like I can’t stay away, no matter what I do. And then I always end up thinking, why would I want to live anywhere else?”

  Charity couldn’t help but laugh. There was something about Mason that made her feel calm and at ease. She felt more comfortable with him than with anyone else she’d ever met in her life. There was still the frisson of electricity in the air between them, but sitting next to him as they slowly rode through the landscape, Charity felt as if she’d known him forever.

  “When I was a kid, I used to spend all my time playing under the desert willows.” She didn’t know what exactly had compelled her to share this, but she found the words leaving her mouth all the same. “I used to pick wildflowers and silver sage and bring them back to my father. No matter how scrubby the grass and flowers I brought back were, he’d always put them in a vase on the counter, like they were some kind of specially-made arrangement like you’d see at a fancy hotel.”

  “Where’s your dad now?” Mason asked.

  “He retired to the mountains five years ago,” Charity said. “Lord knows he deserved it. Before he took up the diner, he had a ranch that failed. He was always in debt up to his eyeballs, but he was determined he wouldn’t pass any of it on to me, and he didn’t. He’s got himself a lady friend now who has land up there, so when he felt the time was right, he handed the diner over to me and off they went into the sunset together.”

  Mason laughed. “We should all be so lucky. I hope I am.”

  Charity glanced across at him, and caught the tail-end of his look in her direction. Had he been implying something with his remark?

  Don’t be silly, she scolded herself mildly. This was only their first date, after all. It was a little too soon to be thinking of happily ever after.

  “What about you?” Charity asked. “You must have a pretty big property to raise horses on it.”

  “It’s actually my uncle’s property,” Mason said. “He took me in after my parents died when I was young.”

  Charity sucked in a breath. “I’m sorry.”

  “It’s all right.” Mason shook his head. “It was some time ago – of course, I still miss them, but my uncle has always treated me like a son, and my cousins and I are close as brothers. Even if they’re a little more traditional and old-fashioned than I am.”

  Charity glanced at him, curious. “Old-fashioned? Like, no kissing until you get married or something like that?”

  She didn’t miss the slightly heated glance he sent in her direction.

  “Thankfully not,” he said, voice warm and full of laughter. “Maybe it’s something I can explain properly a bit later. They just haven’t seen much of the world, if you know what I mean. They prefer to keep to their own. They’re not unfriendly, they’re just… insular.”

  Charity wanted to ask what he meant by that, but she restrained herself. Mason had said he’d explain later. She’d have to wait to hear about it: she didn’t think it was such a great idea to quiz a man about his family – even if they did sound slightly odd – on their first date.

  “So, how about you, then?” she asked. “You mentioned you’d been all over.”

  Mason nodded. “Yeah, I guess I had a bit of a rebellious streak in me for a while there. I wandered around a little after I turned eighteen, but big cities were never my scene. I like the quiet life, and here suits me just fine.”

  “A guy like you couldn’t find a way to enjoy bachelor life in the big city?” Charity turned to him, tone teasing, her eyebrow raised. “Now why do I find that a little hard to believe?”

  Mason laughed, throwing his head back a little. “Hey, I’m not trying to convince you I’m as pure as the driven snow here, only that it didn’t suit me. Home and hearth. That’s where my heart is.”

  From the tone of his voice, Charity could tell he meant it. This wasn’t some act to impress her, or to make her think this date would lead somewhere it wouldn’t. Mason meant what he said.

  They rode on together in companionable silence, as the sun sank lower in the sky, turning it from blue, to gold, to pink. Twilight turned everything a hazy purple. Charity shivered as the warmth of the day gave way to the cool evening.

  “I suppose we ought to be getting back soon,” Charity said, though it was the last thing she wanted to do.


  More than anything, she just wanted to stay out here with Mason, and forget about the rest of the world and all the worries it contained. Bob had said he’d help the waitresses cover the dinner rush, if there even was one – evening business had been slow ever since the Reapers had shown up – but Charity thought she’d better get home for her own dinner. And she had to be up early to open the diner, and make sure everything was clean and tidy for tomorrow…

  Stop it, she told herself. Sherri and Bob had said they’d take care of it, and she trusted them. Surely she could let herself ride and forget her cares for just a little while longer?

  “We can if you like,” Mason said. “But I did bring a picnic.”

  Charity had to stop herself from staring at him, jaw unhinged. A picnic? Was Mason for real?

  She watched as he pulled up his horse gently, before swinging his leg over her back and setting his foot down on the ground. “I’ll help you down. It’s a long way to the ground. Just take your foot out of the stirrup and swing your leg over Abby’s back.”

  Charity was sure she couldn’t replicate his elegant dismount, but she did her best, feeling his hands on her waist, guiding her down until she was on solid earth again. It almost felt strange to be using her own two legs again, even after such a short time, and the ground felt unnaturally still beneath her feet.

  Mason walked back to his horse and took off a saddlebag. “I wasn’t sure what you liked. And I’m not exactly the world’s best chef. So I just made something safe – chili.”

  “For real?” A huge smile broke out over Charity’s face. “I love chili. I swear, I’d eat it every day if I could. My dad had the best recipe for it – it hasn’t changed in generations.”

  “Well, I can only hope mine measures up, then,” Mason said as he took a blanket out of the saddlebag, shaking it out and spreading it down on the ground. “I make it with beef – just my preference. I’m a bit of a carnivore that way. No beans.”

  He gestured for her to take a seat, and she did. Charity felt self-conscious as she watched Mason take out an insulated container and a couple of bowls, laying them out on the ground. It had been so long since anyone had taken care of her that Charity wasn’t sure what to do, or even where to put her hands. She’d had to do everything for herself for as long as she could remember.

  The scent of the chili when Mason opened the container was absolutely mouthwatering. He spooned it out into the bowls, steam rising from the surface, before handing it to Charity.

  Taking the spoon he handed her, Charity lifted it to her lips, gently blowing on it before taking a mouthful. The chili was absolutely perfect. Just the right level of spice, and the beef practically melted in her mouth. Charity closed her eyes, savoring the taste.

  “How is it?” Mason asked.

  Charity nodded, licking her lips. “It's amazing. My dad always made it with beans, but your no-beans is definitely giving it a run for its money.”

  Mason smiled, before he lowered his head to take a bite of his own chili. “Well, you’ll have to show me your dad's recipe sometime,” he said.

  They sat together in silence, Charity too wrapped up in the amazing taste of his chili to talk much. While her diner may not have sold anything fancy, she knew the importance of taking your time with your food no matter what it was, and really making sure to savor every last bite. She was disappointed when she finally reached the bottom of her bowl.

  “Well,” she said, “if that's your main course, I can't wait to see what you've got for dessert.”

  She only realized the double entendre of what she’d said after the words were out of her mouth. She could feel the blush creeping up her neck, and she could only hope it wasn't visible in the twilight.

  But Mason only laughed gently. “Not much, I'm afraid. My skills don't extend to desserts, or anything like that. I do have some home-made lemonade, if you’re interested.”

  Charity emphatically was interested, and the sharp citrus tang of the chilled drink was perfect after the spice of the chili.

  The night was coming on quickly. Stars were beginning to appear against the deep purple of the sky. Charity sighed contentedly. This had been a perfect evening. She hadn’t felt awkward, as she’d been worried she would. The spark in the air between them hadn’t diminished.

  Excitement thrilled through her. Until now, she had all but given up on finding love. She was simply too busy, and it seemed like anyone who was worth anything had either left town or was already married and starting up a family of their own.

  They sat together under the rapidly darkening sky, a blanket protecting them from the chill of the desert evening. Charity hadn’t minded a bit when Mason had draped an arm over her shoulder – it hadn’t been a sneaky move or anything like that.

  In fact, it had felt natural, as if it had always meant to be there. Charity found herself just as easily resting her head against his shoulder, finding it warm and solid against her cheek. She could hear the faint sound of his heartbeat in his chest, regular and comforting.

  “If you need to get back, I understand,” Mason said eventually.

  Charity glanced at him. “Do you need to get home?”

  Mason shook his head. “No. It's my day off tomorrow. But if you need to be home soon…” He trailed off.

  Charity licked her lips. “Do you want to go back?”

  When Mason looked down at her, his eyes were steady. “No. To be honest, if I had my way, I wouldn't move an inch from this spot for the rest of my life.”

  Charity drew in a short breath, her heart thumping. “But I'm sitting more than an inch away from you.”

  Did I just say that? she thought, mildly shocked at her own daring.

  She watched as Mason's gaze flicked down from her eyes to rest on her lips. “I guess I'll have to revise my wish then,” he said.

  Charity barely had time to take a breath before his lips were on hers, gentle and hungry all at once, his tongue sweeping inside her mouth. His hand came up to the side of her face, thumb stroking over her cheekbone as his teeth grazed against her lower lip, making her shudder.

  She’d never noticed just how big his hands were, before – but it made sense, she supposed, in the one part of her mind that could still process rational thoughts, seeing as the rest of him was big too, from his height to his broad shoulders to the muscular thighs she’d noticed through his jeans.

  Charity felt utterly out of breath when he at last pulled back, his hand still cradling her head, his eyes – dark in the rapidly descending night – locked onto hers.

  “Wow,” Charity managed to get out after a moment or two. She’d never been kissed like that before – she hadn’t even realized it was possible. She’d always thought books and movies where the heroine was left weak-kneed and panting at a mere touch of the hero’s lips were just playing things up for the drama.

  She could only hope it had been as good for Mason as it had been for her.

  “Wow,” Mason echoed, his voice soft. He slowly traced her jawline with the tip of his finger. Charity leaned up, seeking his lips with hers, but to her disappointment, she felt him pull back a little.

  “Charity,” he said, his voice reluctant. “Before we go any further, there’s something you should know.”

  Charity suddenly felt her breath shorten, and not in the good way.

  There always has to be a catch, she thought, trying to keep her disappointment in check until she’d heard what he had to say.

  “What is it?” she asked, but even she could hear the slight crack in her voice.

  Mason hesitated. “Look, this is a little hard to explain,” he began. “But I’ll do my best. Please just try to listen and understand.”

  He glanced away from her, to where the last of the sun was finally glimmering over the horizon. “You must have heard the reports that have been going around recently – about people who claim to be able to shift into animals and back again.”

  Charity blinked. Of course she had – a few months back th
at was all anyone was talking about, in the news, on TV, anywhere at all.

  “Well… I don’t know if you believe it or not. But me and my family – we’re shifters. We don’t like to advertise it, especially my uncle. When I said they were insular, it’s because they’re not sure if they want to live openly in the human world or not. They’re waiting to see how things turn out.”

  For a moment, Charity couldn’t think of what to say, her mind blank. This had truly been the last thing she’d expected.

  “I – I don’t know what to say,” she finally stuttered. “I mean… I never really gave that much thought to the idea of shifters, even after the news. I just didn’t think I’d ever need to.”

  “But you believe it?” Mason asked her. “You don’t think I’m just talking crazy?”

  Charity looked up into his eyes. Even in the darkness, she could see his steady, sincere gaze. She recalled a conversation she’d had with her father over the phone, when she’d asked him what he made of all the hullaballoo over shifters.

  Can’t say I’m surprised about it, honey, he’d said. When you’ve lived in those parts as long as I did, you get to know there’s some things that seem stranger than fiction out there. This is just the rest of the world catching up with us.

  She hadn’t really known what he’d meant at the time, but now, she thought, she understood. Her father had owned a ranch out the other side of the county for years before it failed. Maybe he’d seen things or heard things. If Mason’s family had lived out here for that long, then it made sense.

  “I don't think you’re talking crazy,” she finally said, voice soft. “I honestly can’t say I’d really thought about it – it just seemed so incredible. But I believe you. And I don’t care – it doesn’t change anything, as far as I’m concerned.”

  Charity meant what she said. Shifter or not, Mason was the most incredible man she’d ever met. It was true she’d only known him a short time, but she knew she wasn’t mistaken in what she felt was between them. Maybe all her years of being unlucky in love had just been preparing her to spot the real thing when it walked into her diner and got punched in the face.