"This is exactly why the bill passed," Vanessa said.
"It's just all so wrong," Arabella said.
In the moment that the canister had exploded, it was as if her entire life flashed before her eyes. She had always been a strong and independent woman. She'd accomplished almost every goal she set out to accomplish in her young lifetime.
But she was still a virgin. She couldn't believe that at a moment like that, with the threat so great, and the danger to her crew so imminent, that she was thinking of something like that. But she could have been killed today. If Titus had been one second later, the bomb would have caught her.
She would have died a virgin, never knowing what it felt like to have her lover's body so close. What she'd experienced last night with Titus was amazing, but she knew there was still so much more she didn't know. She vowed that she would ask Titus tonight to make her a woman. If she died tomorrow, she would have no regrets.
Chapter 13
Titus hurried through the crowd of scattering and screaming audience members. He could smell the fear as they pushed their way to the exit.
"That bitch got what was coming to her," he heard someone say behind him.
Titus turned, and his eyes locked with the man who had thrown the explosive at him at the last show. When the recognized Titus, he tried to push away. But the crowd was too packed and dense for him to get very far. Titus grabbed the shifter and his rage grew so deep and wild he didn't know what he might do.
“You're a traitor to your own kind," the hyena said.
“You're coming with me," he said, pulling him by the nape of the neck through the crowd.
“You can't stop it. We are everywhere. We are stronger, faster, more intelligent. We will take control of the world. And then every human-loving shifter like you will pay for betraying your own kind.”
"I'm not interested in hearing your propaganda," Titus said, trying to keep his cool as he pushed the man through the crowd.
The police had arrived, and he deposited the shifter in a police car. As the cruiser started to drive away, the hyena smiled gleefully at Titus from the back window. It was so disturbing that a shiver went down his spine.
"That was a good nab on your part. But I'm afraid we won't be able to hold him for very long.”
"That is the same shifter that had explosives at the last concert.”
"If we could get a good match from the security cameras that might be a help. I'm telling you after twenty years on the force, fleabags like that usually end up walking free. But now that the shifter terrorist act has passed, we might have a better chance of holding him longer.”
"It passed?" Titus asked.
"It sure did. Was an almost unanimous vote.”
The news was a surprise. Titus didn't know how he felt about it. Until he'd spoken to Arabella, he’d thought that it was the best option for the safety of the country. But now he wasn't so sure. Maybe it would just make life harder for average law-abiding shifters and do nothing to slow down the spread of hyena hate. Only time would tell.
He hurried back to Arabella's dressing room and found that she'd already been whisked away to the hotel.
He climbed into a car and hurried back to the hotel. The whole time he was in the car all he could think about was how close she had come to being hurt. If he had been only a moment later, she could be dead right now.
His heart hurt thinking that he had failed to protect her. He went over that night again and again in his mind, trying to determine where he'd gone wrong. Leaving her side for only an instant had been his biggest mistake, one he vowed he would never make again.
He had to convince her to end the tour. Things were only going to get worse. And as much as he hated the idea of upsetting her, losing her would be far worse.
Chapter 14
“Titus," Arabella said, rushing into his arms.
She slammed against his chest and felt the comfort and safety of his big strong embrace.
“I was worried something happened to you.”
"I was able to find the man who threw the bomb. But the police told me they might not be able to hold him long.”
"Not now that the shifter terrorist act has passed," Vanessa said in a triumphant tone.
Arabella turned and stared at her manager as the woman stood from the couch. She'd never realized before that Vanessa was anti-shifter.
"When did you two get so cozy?"
"Titus and I are mates," Arabella said, standing up taller.
She was proud to say the words. It felt so right. Vanessa’s mouth dropped in shock.
"Mates?" Vanessa asked in a disgusted tone. "How did you convince her of that?"
"He didn't need to convince me of anything. I joined mate.com and we were matched. And fate brought him here to be my protector. He's done more for me than anyone ever has.”
"How could you let yourself be deceived by a dirty shifter?" Vanessa snapped.
“What did you say?" Arabella asked, anger flaring in her chest. She had trusted Vanessa for years as her manager, but she had never noticed that the woman was a bigot. "I think it's time that you leave.”
"I'm not going to leave you with a shifter who has convinced you that you are his mate.”
"I'm afraid that's not your decision to make. You work for me. Remember? And you'll be lucky if you get to keep your job for very much longer.”
"This is exactly what happens when humans and shifters intermingle. That's one thing that the hyenas have right.”
"Get out," Arabella yelled. She couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Arabella. You need to listen. You're in danger of being influenced by a manipulative shifter.”
"That's it, Vanessa. You're fired.”
"What?"
"That's right. I'm contacting Sam right now to tell him to relieve you of all of your badges and security access. I don't want bigots on my team.”
"You are going to regret this, Arabella. Mark my words.”
"The only thing I regret is trusting you. Now please, get out of my hotel room.”
Vanessa stood with a huff and charged out the door.
"I'm so sorry you had to hear that," she said, turning to Titus. “I had no idea she was like that.”
"You don't need to apologize. It's not your fault. There's nothing that any of us can do about other people's opinions. We just have to learn to be strong and stay true to who we are. How are you? That must've been quite a shock for you today.”
"I was terrified," she said, sitting with him on the couch.
Tears started to form in her eyes, and she hadn't realized until that moment exactly how upset she'd been. She leaned into his embrace, and he held her.
“I don't think I've ever been so afraid. It made me start to think about everything that I still haven't experienced in my life.”
"There's plenty of time for everything, my love," he said in a deep voice as he stroked her back.
"I don't want to wait anymore." She looked up into his big blue eyes. “I want it all, right now, with you.”
"What do you mean?" He kissed the top of her head.
“I want you to make me a woman." The words tasted spicy and erotic on her tongue.
"Are you sure? After the scare you had today, I’m not sure that's a good idea.”
"I think it's the best idea I've ever had. Please say yes."
Her longing had grown so intense that she didn't think she could hold it back a moment longer. He gazed into her eyes, and she could see the wheels turning in his mind. He gasped and looked up into the air.
"Of course, my sweet lady.” He looked back down at her. “It would be my greatest pleasure.”
“I want you to make me yours. Claim me as your mate. I want the whole world to know that we belong together. That we are a team, forever and always.”
He pulled her into his arms and lifted her off the floor, carrying her into the bedroom. He laid her down gently on the bed. The look in his eyes showed he was perfectly in syn
c with his animal. A small tremor of fear spread through her, and she gasped in anticipation.
He growled and pulled his shirt up over his head, revealing the hard planes of his beautiful muscles. She gasped with excitement as he prowled toward her, her body trembling with desire.
“Are you sure you ready for this? Are you sure you're ready to be my mate?”
"More ready than I've ever been for anything. Don't make me wait any longer."
He growled as he pulled off her clothes, and they were bare in the bed in a matter of moments. He held her close as he kissed her, softly caressing the curves of her body. He touched her like she was a priceless treasure, and she could feel him holding back the power of his animal. It was rising inside him, ready to strike. She wanted him to lose control. She wanted to feel the intensity of his desire unleashed and unrestrained. She wanted to know the truth of who he was, down to the bone.
“I need you so badly," she whimpered. He kissed her chest and descended the length of her body, leaving a trail of the heat on her skin. "Yes!” she called out.
He growled as he sank between her legs, his tongue flicking at the core of her. Her body erupted with immense pleasure. The touch of his mouth on her sex, the sight of his gorgeous body. Arabella came with a cry, calling out his name.
So many people loved her, worshiped the ground she walked on, thought she was a goddess. But it was Titus who she worshiped. He had shown her things she’d never imagined. Introduced her to the beauty of love and lovemaking. And showed her what her body could do.
She pulled him up to kiss her and their eyes locked. She could feel the hardness of him press against her soft core.
"Are you ready for this?" he asked, sinking just slightly inside her.
"Yes. Yes. Don't make me wait any longer.”
Slowly and carefully, he pressed the head of his cock into her entrance. She groaned with the awareness of him. He was so big. So wide. She knew it would be a tight fit. It had all been just a theory until that moment when he sank deeper and deeper into her channel.
"Are you okay?" he asked, still holding back.
"I need you Titus. I need you all the way.”
"I don't want to hurt you."
"I want to feel the pain," she whispered.
"Just this once and never again."
"Yes.”
He pushed slowly until he came to her barrier. Her mouth dropped open as he broke her open with one final thrust. And then he sank to the base, deep into her core. He held her there allowing her time to grow accustomed to the size of him. The pain soon gave way to pleasure as he moved back and began to gently rock inside her.
She held him tight. She didn't want to ever let him go. He moved in gentle waves. He kissed her forehead as his rhythm grew deeper and harder.
"I need you, Arabella," he growled into her ear. “I need to make you mine.”
"I want to be yours." A tear streamed down her cheek.
She felt his sharp teeth grip her neck. She groaned as her desire erupted in a flash of white heat. His teeth bit into her neck as he spilled his seed deep inside her.
With a blinding surge of light, Arabella found herself in a different world. The world that she and Titus shared. Full of beauty and love and peace. Far away from the worldly concerns of work and politics. It was their private paradise where they could be themselves, where they could be together in perfect harmony with each other and with life.
She felt herself flying through the sky, high above the clouds with Titus right beside her. She looked into his eyes that were smiling and dancing with joy. She could feel him so close in her heart, in her soul, as if they had become one being.
She had never imagined she could feel so much; feel so complete. It was as if all the missing parts of herself, of her life, had come into such clear focus that it was as if they had always been there, waiting dormant for that exact moment. For she and Titus to finally merge together as one.
She never imagined it could be so beautiful here on Earth. She had thought that such things were reserved for heaven. But as she danced and twirled and laughed in the ether with her beloved, she knew that life would forever be like this with her mate, her match, her love.
And then all at once she found herself back in the room. Titus’s teeth slowly retracted from inside her. She gasped for air, sucking it deep into her lungs.
She opened her mouth to speak but realized no words were needed. She felt him and he felt her. Their bond would always keep them together, across time and space. No matter what was happening in the outside world, their love would keep them strong.
He pulled her into an embrace as they lay together in the tangled sheets, sweaty and spent and satisfied. She let out a deep sigh of contentment as he kissed her forehead.
The energy that passed between them was like a lightning rod, catching the electricity in the atmosphere. Neither of them spoke for long moments as they stared at the ceiling and held each other tight. It was Titus who broke the silence.
“My sweet love. I’ve waited so long for you. But it was all worth it for just one second like this.”
“I feel exactly the same." She kissed his shoulder.
“All I want is to be with you like this. I wish we could shut out the outside world and just stay in bed forever.”
"I was thinking exactly the same thing." She sighed.
I want to take you back to Fate Rock with me and introduce you to my crew. We could have a happy, simple life there. Away from all this drama.”
"That sounds wonderful. I love my fans more than words, but I didn't realize until now how much it was taking out of me. Today I think I finally realized the price I was paying for my fame. I blamed my mother for getting in the way. But I've been stubborn. I knew about the bill before I booked the tour. She warned me that this might happen. I wouldn't listen. It's all really my own doing.”
"None of this is your fault. You shouldn't have to change your plans because of some hate group.”
"In a perfect world, there wouldn't be any hate groups. But here we are. I have to deal with reality, or someone is going to get killed. We're lucky none of the backup dancers or technicians were hurt today. And my fans. I’d never forgive myself is something happened to them.”
"You can't blame yourself for this, Arabella. You were just trying to do what you thought was right.”
“I was. But now I realize that what is right may have changed. It's probably time for me to call off the tour. I think my fans will understand. No one wants to get blown up at a pop concert."
"Are you sure that's what you want?”
"I'm sure I want to protect my crew and my fans. We can issue refunds to everyone and when all of this blows over, we can start another tour. It'll all be fine.”
“You're a very brave woman. With a good heart.”
“I try to do what's right."
"I know you do. That is one of the things I love so much about you.”
She hugged him tighter, and they fell asleep in each other's arms, feeling the deep comfort and closeness of their bond.
Chapter 15
Titus woke the next morning feeling more at home than he had ever felt in his life. It was a new experience to feel as if he truly belonged. And it was something he wanted to hold onto.
The look of Arabella's face in the morning sunlight did him in, and he couldn't help but want to capture it. He crept out of bed slowly and carefully and pulled his watercolors from his backpack.
He gazed at her face as he sketched her beauty. Lost in the moment, he didn't notice when she had awoken.
"What are you doing?" she asked with a yawn.
He was so caught off guard that he threw everything back in his backpack and tried to pretend as if he wasn't doing anything.
"It's nothing," he stammered.
She sat up. "Titus, why are you lying to me? I’m your mate now. We are closer than any two beings on this earth can be, yet you are still afraid to share your truth with me? Please, show me y
our painting." She crawled from the bed, wrapped in a sheet. “You can trust me, my love. You don't have to hide anymore. You're safe.”
The look in her eyes was so beguiling that he couldn't keep anything from her anymore. He felt like a fool for trying in the first place.
"Okay,” he whispered. “I've never shared this with anyone.”
"You can trust me. Like I trust you."
He took a deep breath and pulled the sketchbook out of his backpack. She sat on the floor before him on her knees, looking up at him with her big brown eyes. It broke his heart to think that he’d tried to lie to her. His beloved, beautiful Arabella.
"No more secrets," he said
"No more secrets."
With a deep breath, he opened the sketchbook. She watched with rapt attention as he turned the pages, displaying paintings of flowers and puppies, of children and kittens. And finally, the beautiful painting of her sleeping face.
"Titus. This is so amazing. You have a real talent, a real sense of light and color. I can feel your heart in these. That beautiful heart that you try to disguise with your big tough guy persona. You don't have to pretend anymore. Not with me. I see you. Do you understand?" She took his hand and pressed it to her heart. “I see you, Titus. Just like you see me. No more hiding from each other. No more pretending.”
"It feels so good to finally be able to tell the truth. To be myself with you. I've been hiding and holding it back for so long. I had hoped that someday I could be myself with my mate, but I admit, I was still afraid. I wasn't sure what you would think.”
"I think that you are a beautiful man who deserves all the love and happiness in the world. You should never be afraid to show your sensitive side with me or with anyone. I didn't think that I could love you more. But now I know that I can.”
"Thank you, Arabella," he said in a rush, taking her in his arms.
He felt so relieved, so at peace, and at home with her. It was as if his whole heart and mind cracked open and he could finally be free from the restraints he’d put on himself. He held her close, quivering with desire and passion and contentment. It was as if everything he'd ever longed for, everything he'd ever hoped for, had come together. He was safe and free and loved, and all the fear and abandonment and despair and trauma of his life melted away like an ice cube on the sidewalk in July.
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