by Ally Summers
“Ah, so you parents don’t love shifters?”
“I think it’s more that they just don’t understand. They are stuck in their old ways and think that humans can only be one thing. Change frightens them.”
“I bet the legalization of pot freaked them out,” I said with a laugh. I let out a loud laugh as well.
“You have no idea,” she chuckled. “But really, I was just tired living under my parent's thumb. They hated the idea of me moving out here.They wanted me to move back to our own small town. But I’m a grown woman and I can handle myself. They were frightened that I would end up being killed by some crazed shifter.”
“Those are really rare these days, you know?”
“Really?”
“Yeah most shifters don’t really attack humans unless they completely deserved it,” I said with a smirk.
My stomach rumbled as our sizzling plates of fajitas arrived. If I could only have one food for the rest of my life, it would be fajitas. I quickly grabbed the tortilla and started filling it with beef and peppers. I topped it with sour cream and guacamole and then took a big bite. I looked over and smiled when I realized she was digging in just as much as I was.
“Sorry,” she said through a mouthful. She chewed quickly and swallowed. “I just love fajitas.”
“Clearly,” I said as I took another bite into mine. “I do too, I also like that you enjoy eating.”
She let out a laugh. “I could never be one of those girls that just orders a salad on a date,” she snapped her mouth shut, embarrassed that she mentioned the word date. Her cheeks reddened again and I couldn’t help but smile.
“I mean –“
“Calm down,” I said interrupting her. “This is a date. And I’m hoping he leads to a lot more,” I said with a wink.
9
Jessa
After we finished up our meal, I fought Beau over the check.
“Come on,” I said. “I was the one that called you in a panic because of a cat.”
“Fine,” he let out a laugh. “But next time, I am paying.”
I smiled brightly at that. He wanted a next time. Now that I knew we could be together and that wouldn’t ruin anything with his mating, I wanted to know where things would lead with us. I knew I just met him, but there was something about him that I just couldn't shake.
I paid the bill and we got back into his SUV, and he drove me back to the library. I fumbled with my car keys in my purse and he let out a laugh.
“The night doesn’t have to end here,” he said. I felt my cheeks flush again.
“Feel like a nightcap?” I said. “I’m sure I have something back at my place.”
“Sure,” he said smiling.
“I can leave my car here, and get it in the morning.”
“I can take you to get it,” he said. I smiled as he put his car back in drive and threw my keys back into my purse.
As we drove his hand reached over to my leg and I almost moaned, my skin burning from his touch, even through my jeans. With a small smirk, he moved his hand upward, tracing my leg ever so slowly, and I could feel the wetness in between my legs. He was watching me closely as if he didn’t want to miss my reaction. His fingers came so close to my core, and I almost begged him to move his fingers a little higher and touch me where I needed it the most.
We pulled up to a stoplight and I felt his eyes land on me. I turned to face him and he leaned closer to me. His lips were only inches away from mine, and the pounding of my heart grew so loud. Our lips finally met, and he swallowed my moan, his arm snaking around my waist to pull me closer.
He tasted like mint, that set my body on fire. I deepened our kiss, hungry for more, and as if he’d read my mind, he finally moved his hand in between my legs.
“Mmm,” I moaned into his lips and pushed myself against his hand. I had never reacted this way to a simple touch before.
“Fuck you are so hot Jessa,” he said into my lips, and holy hell, I could feel myself soaking my panties even more. “I can’t wait to taste you.”
Sweet Jesus.
I clutched his shoulder, feeling his strong muscles flex underneath my fingers. I wanted him so much that I wouldn’t mind if we fucked right here, in his car.
Our kiss deepened as his hands started to roam my body. I completely forgot about the world around us. My mind was clouded by my desire, and the only thing that mattered was this sensation in me that grew stronger the longer he stroked me.
I was sure I was going to come any moment if he kept touching me, but we were interrupted by a loud honk. Shit. I had completely forgotten that we were at a stop light.
“Whoops,” he chuckled and pressed the accelerator.
It was a short ride back to my place, but it felt much longer, each second slowly ticking by as I burned with desire, especially when he placed his hand on my thigh and left it there, keeping me on edge all the time.
When we got to my place I opened the door and flipped the light switch on. He closed the door and pulled me against him, slamming my lips against his. His tongue darted out to meet mine, and I felt his hard cock between his legs.
He backed me to the nearest wall. I wanted him to take me right there, but also part of me wanted to let things build slowly.
“Mmm, yes,” I muttered into his lips when he cupped my breasts over my blouse. I could feel my nipples harden underneath my bra.
“I’ve been imagining this ever since you at the library,” he said, slowly unbuttoning my blouse.
“Fuck,” he growled. “You’re so sexy.”
I let my blouse quickly fall from my shoulders and he reached behind me an unhooked my bra. As it fell to the ground he leaned down and took my nipple into his mouth. I felt my whole body sizzle underneath his touch. He rubbed my other nipple in between his thumb and forefinger, and my moans turned louder.
“Yes… Shit. That’s so good.”
He smiled, tilting his head to look at me. “You’re so beautiful,” he said and bent down to kiss my lips again. His lips quickly traveled back down to my chest. Sucking on my nipple, he unbuttoned my jeans and I pushed them down my body and off my legs. He then pushed my panties aside and cupped my heated flesh, causing me to cry out.
“Shit! Ah…” I grabbed his head and pressed it against me, grinding my core against his hand. I was soaking wet, and when he pushed two fingers inside of me, I screamed, a strong shudder rocking my body.
“You like this, huh?”
“Yes! Ah, yes! Don’t stop!”
He moved his lips to my other nipple and took it inside his mouth, he pressed his thumb down on my clit and started to move it back and forth.
“Oh God! I’m going to come if you keep doing that… I’m going to come so hard…” my whole body was convulsing, my fingers digging into his strong shoulders.
He went down on his knees, leaving a trail of wet kisses down my flat belly, and replaced my fingers with his tongue, causing me to cry out again.
“Oh God.” My eyes widened, my hands reaching to grab him by the hair. “What are you doing?”
His tongue stroked across my clit as his fingers continued to move inside me.
“Yes, yes, yes… I’m going to come… Yes… You’re so damn good.”
I knew I wasn’t going to last much longer. The moans came crashing out of my throat as my body thrashed against the wall.
As my moans subsided he stood up and looked at me.
“You taste so fucking good,” he said in a low voice and suddenly he picked me up, wrapping my legs around my waist. “I need to take you right now,” he said with an animalistic growl.
He quickly took off his shirt and pants and he thrust into me in one swift move, filling all of me at once. An intense pleasure set each my nerve on fire. He felt so good inside of me as I wrapped my legs tighter around him.
“Fuck, Jessa.”
He pushed even deeper into me, and I could hardly control myself not to start to come all over again.
I press
ed my lips against his and he pushed his tongue into my mouth, his thrusts slow and steady as he fucked me against the wall. Our tongues clashed together, my nails clawing at his back through his shirt. I was so close, all my muscles tensing as I approached my climax fast.
He quickened the pace, impaling me with his cock forcefully, and I came with a scream, my juices coating him. I looked deep into his eyes and saw that they looked more animalistic than they did before. I could tell that he was trying to contain his bear, and for some reason that was even hotter to me. It was all I needed to reach another climax, letting out a plethora of screams. He followed with curses and growls as the pleasure spread through both of us.
He didn’t move away from me even after our orgasm was over, keeping me snuggled against him as we both tried catching our breath. I pressed my head against his neck, and he wrapped his arms more tightly around me.
“You’re amazing,” I said and ran my fingers through his hair. “I have never been with a shifter like that before.”
“Oh yeah?” He let out a laugh. “Well I’m not finished with you yet.”
I arched my eyebrow, chuckling. “Really? In that case, I think you have to show it to me. Just to be sure.”
He nibbled my lower lip and drew out of me, already missing his warmth. “Deal.”
After that quickie in the hallway, we ended up in my shower. We took our time soaping each other, our moves slow and sensual—a prelude for what was about to come. I could feel his eyes studying each curve of my body, running his hands along my waist and lush ass as he helped rinse the soap off me.
My hands were restless too, moving all over his chest, waist, arms, covering each part of him greedily. I stepped closer to him and I wrapped her fingers around his cock, and it twitched in response. He growled in response.
My fingers slid over the tip and the thick vein that ran along his cock before I started to pump it slowly. I could feel it getting harder with each simple movement.
“Fuck Jessa, your touch is going to make me come.” He grazed my clit with his finger. “I’m dying to be inside of you again.”
“Yes,” I replied, pushing my core against his finger.
He squeezed my ass to keep me in place as he kneeled and ran his tongue up my thigh, watching my reaction carefully
“Please…” I whimpered when I stopped right next to my core. I was trembling, and I couldn’t believe that he had this effect on me.
“Please, what?”
I bit into my lip, and I moaned.
“Don’t fucking stop.”
“Hold me tight and don’t let go,” he said before he placed my other leg over his shoulder.
“Oh, God…” I moaned when his lips met my wet pussy. “Oh my God….Yes… Shit. Right there. You’re so good.”
I continued muttering, my moans getting louder and louder. I felt my whole body begin to shake.
“Not yet,” he said as he quickly stood up and positioned himself behind me. He didn’t waste a second. He grabbed my ass and plunged inside of me, going all the way in.
“Hold on Jessa” he said as I moved my ass higher so that he could get inside of me at a better angle, my pussy fitting him like a glove.
“Ah yes… Go harder.”
“You want hard, baby? Huh?” he slapped my other ass cheek and cupped my boob.
“Yes,” I let this out on a moan, my pussy clenching around him.
He took her nipple in between his fingers as he began pounding me harder. “You like this? You like when I fuck you hard?”
“Yes! Fuck me and don’t stop.”
My moans and his grunts mixed in the air, our bodies moving faster. He yanked me by my hair and pressed me flush against him, continuing his relentless thrusts as my hands braced myself against the shower wall.
“Yeah. Keep doing that. You’re amazing,” he muttered and brought my hand to my pussy. I rubbed my clit with my fingers, feeling myself getting closer to release.
“Fuck!” My orgasm rushed through me, sending fire through my body. I felt him growl behind me as he came too, and we collapsed around each other. We stayed there holding on another until the water ran cold around us.
10
Rawlings
I rolled over reaching for my phone. It was going off, again. I had tried to ignore it the first few times thinking that maybe somebody else would take the call but no luck.
“What do you want?”
“I want you to get your ass out of bed and get up here,” Griffin responded sounding more annoyed than I anticipated. I looked at the clock, it was 4 a.m.
“I'm not on call.”
“You're not alone, are you?” He chuckled.
“No, I'm not, what's it to you?” I sat up rubbing my forehead. Looking over to Jessa, sleeping peacefully beside me. Last night was incredible and I’d do anything to repeat it right now instead of listening to Griffin.
“In case you’re wondering, I’m not alone either. Essentially the whole damn department is here. Nolan, Vanessa, everyone. Everyone except you because you didn’t answer your damn phone. Cap is going to call you next, so get moving.”
“What?”
“There's a body, Rawlings, up here at Thunder Pike. You wouldn't happen to be at the cabin, would you? Because then you would be a hell of a lot closer. I've already been here for two hours, I kept calling you but you didn't answer.”
“Of course I didn't answer, it was 2 a.m. and I just got off of a 24-hour shift yesterday. I didn't anticipate anybody getting killed today. Did you?” I was annoyed as I threw on some clothes. I grabbed my badge and my gun and took one last look of Jessa sleeping peacefully in her bed. I wanted to join her, not leave her alone. I wrote a quick note on the fridge offering her anything she wanted and apologizing for my abrupt disappearance. I even left money for a cab so she could get back to her car. But duty called.
As I walked outside into the crisp night air Griffin continued to give me some details.
“It's a young guy, maybe in his twenties? No one can identify him from up here.”
I rolled my eyes, “Or no one wants to.”
“No man, Norma was out here with the kid, she was tending to his wounds.”
“Wounds? Was he shot?”
“No, mauled. Looks like an animal attack.”
“What the hell is going on in this town all the sudden? Shifters hardly ever attack shifters. And they definitely don't kill each other! Sure we will go rounds at the bar with one another or maybe have a bit of a wrestling match but for fun! We don't actually go after each other like this Griffin. What is going on?”
“I can't tell you. I wish I could. Even Casey was out here, trying to keep the guy alive. At least that's what all the locals said, but I haven't seen Casey since.”
“You think his anger finally got to him? You think he is really capable of murder?” I asked as I started up my car and tore out of my driveway.
“I don't know man. I mean Casey he's a really tough nut to crack, but I don't see him killing some random shifter that we've never seen before.”
“Casey's got a past though too.” I offered. “He's been around before he went to Thunder Pike, before he came to Hunter's Lake. He's no townie. But that's not to say he's a killer either.”
“So you trust him?” He asked me bluntly.
“Trust is a pretty strong word, and I don't like that he fled the scene. But I don't think he's capable of this Griffin, I just really don't.”
I drove on into the night, arriving at the scene just before sun up. Blood glistened on leaves, and the smell of copper filled the air. Mauled was a nice term for what had gone on here. This was… barbaric. I had seen dead bodies before, but not like this. His limbs were practically ripped off. His chest was wide open.
“Where is his heart?” I couldn’t believe I was even asking that question.
Nolan walked up behind me. “Missing. We have no idea where it is. The techs thought they found something over the ridge but the trail ran cold.”
“There has to be more,” I said quietly. “There has to be. This can’t be it. We need more.” I started to get angry. My bear roared. Why is this young man dead? Why? None of this made any sense. And we knew nothing, no new information to help. This was literally my worst nightmare
I walked away feeling my stomach churn. I found one of the techs, a younger woman named Vanessa, she was always good for information. She knew her stuff and I had learned to trust her over the past couple years that she had been part of the department.
“Nolan said that you can't find the heart, any ideas?”
She pushed her glasses up on the bridge of her nose with the back of her gloved hand. “No Rawlings. And to be honest I've never seen anything like this. Have you? I mean you've been on the force a lot longer than I've been around.”
“No. And I've seen some pretty gruesome sites. But nothing like this, it looks like an animal attack but worse.”
“Yeah like a shifter on some major drugs.” She added analyzing the scene behind me.
“Do you think that's a possibility?” It wasn't something that had ever even entered into my mind but what if she was right? What if this was some type of drugged shifter? I mean who in their right mind could do something like this? Rip a man from limb to limb and then take out his heart? And why? None of it made any sense.
She stood up looking at me closely. I could see the pupils of her eyes she stood so close. “What are you asking me Rawlings?”
“I'm asking you if this was a real animal, or if it was a shifter? And then I'm also asking you if you think that this is some type of enhanced shifter.”
She raised an eyebrow at me. “You mean like some type of super soldier? This isn't some type of superhero movie Rawlings, this is our town, our life.” She said in almost disbelief.
“You think I don't know that? That's why I'm asking. With the stone missing…”