Michael stopped pacing right where he could hover menacingly over Marika. “You insisted on getting a job outside of our community. You brought this trouble home. But, if this outsider is your soul mate, then I’m going to have to accept it, just as I accepted the Alpha role in our pack. I don’t like being forced into making decisions, and you seem like a magnet for trouble, Marika.”
The way Marika trembled made Evan worry for her safety. Without any thought for his own life, Evan inserted himself between the two. He felt Marika’s heat electrifying his back, but he also felt Michael’s surge of anger at his interference. “I can’t let you talk to Marika that way, Michael. I don’t know you or your ways, but where I come from, we respect women.”
Michael threw his head back, his laughter echoing from the ceiling and throughout the room.
Evan had no idea why his assertion would be so amusing, but the tension dropped in the room. He turned his back on Michael to comfort Marika. His hands lifted to rest lightly on Marika’s shoulders, renewing the electricity and making the hair stand on the back of his neck. “Are you okay?”
Marika nodded, her eyes darting from his to look over his shoulder to Michael. The tip of her tongue flicked across her bottom lip, forcing his attention to her sensuous mouth. “Kiss me, Evan.”
That was the last thing he expected to hear from her, but it was also the only thing he’d thought about since seeing her naked in the woods. What would it feel like to kiss those soft, full lips? Did he dare? Would Michael take advantage of his distraction to incapacitate him?
Her hands reached up until they rested on both sides of his face. She pulled at him insistently, yet he felt powerless to resist. Why should he? Would any sane man say no to a beautiful woman asking for a kiss?
Evan didn’t resist, not that he even considered it. He stepped even closer to her, reveling in the heat radiating from her body, lowering his head until he could feel the whisper of her breath across his lips. She smelled of sunshine and woods, and he inhaled as though her unique scent oxygenated his blood.
His pulse raced, and he could feel his hands trembling against her shoulders. How strange that this kiss would cause such a reaction inside him, as though this were his first kiss. Somehow, it seemed like this was probably the most important kiss of his life. Something about Marika pulled at his very core, something beyond simple bonding because he’d healed her body.
The instant his lips touched hers, all time stopped—or so it seemed to him. Never in his twenty-six anons had his body reacted so passionately with a kiss. His arms wrapped around her body, pulling her impossibly close. He deepened the kiss, tasting her, breathing in her exhales.
She melted against him, a small groan vibrating against his lips. His every thought contained her, not just in this moment, but he could see her in his future. Flashes of their lives together flowed through him. Not only did they have her son, but they had another child together.
This thought instantly sobered him. He couldn’t stay here on Earth to be with her, not with his mother expecting his return any day now. He’d already been away for longer than he’d expected.
It took every fiber of his strength to pull away from kissing Marika. His eyes opened at the same time as hers. The joy inside hers almost caused him to reconsider leaving. He’d never seen eyes as golden as hers, filled with such desire and expectation.
Dropping his hands, he said, “I’m sorry. I got carried away.”
She smiled, and one of her eyebrows quirked playfully.
Michael cleared his throat.
Evan’s gaze twisted toward the sound. Somehow, Evan had forgotten about his presence. He turned, ready to apologize again, but Michael spoke before him.
The man’s arms crossed over his chest, his biceps flexing. “Do you have a wife, Evan?”
Evan shook his head. “What? No! I’d hardly be kissing Marika that way if I did. Why?”
Michael turned on his heel, his boot scraping across the floorboards. Four steps brought him to the kitchen door, where he grabbed the knob and threw the door open. “You do now. Marika, I hope you don’t regret this.” With that, Michael stepped outside and let the door slam shut behind him.
Evan knew he’d misunderstood Michael. Turning back to Marika, he said, “Why would he say that, Marika?”
She avoided eye contact by bending down to straighten some magazines on the coffee table. “You said yourself that we were soul mates. We sealed our eternal bond with that kiss—witnessed by the Alpha of our pack. In our culture, that makes us married.”
The slightest breeze would have knocked Evan off his feet. Could he have really gotten so lucky to end up married by accident to someone as beautiful, mysterious, and exotic as Marika? Was he willing to give up his whole world to stay with her? YES, his mind screamed.
“Is this what you want, Marika?” Evan couldn’t have any misunderstanding between them.
Now, she did look at him. Straightening, she tucked her black hair behind her ear, the twinkle glistening in her eyes. “I was the one who asked for the kiss. Remember?” She stepped forward, draping her arms over his neck, curling her fingers into the hair on the back of his head. “Is this what you want, Evan?”
“Yes,” he whispered. This time he initiated the kiss, and he didn’t attempt to restrain his passion.
* * *
The End
Enjoyed this story? Be sure to leave a review! You can also continue reading this series with The Missing Love Link: A Clean Paranormal Romance (Romances Beyond Tuala, Book 2), and An Undimensional Love Story: A Clean Paranormal Romance (Romances Beyond Tuala, Book 3)!
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author, Amy Proebstel, lives in the Willamette Valley wine country. She feels lucky to share her life with her wonderful husband, Richard, and their daughter, Kailey. She has four Pomeranians (Chito, Kiwi, Bella, and Keno). They fit her lifestyle perfectly as they sleep 22 hours a day and don’t need to be walked.
When she’s not writing or reading, she and Richard watch YouTube. She’s subscribed to over 100 channels ranging from church to farming to sailing to flying. While she’s not a farmer or a sailor, she is a Christian and a private pilot. She also loves to sit out on the front porch to watch the sunsets and enjoy the beauty of nature surrounding her.
Even though she never thought about writing as a career, she discovered it’s her true passion. Her stories have won many awards while also achieving international #1 Amazon bestsellers rank and USA Today bestsellers status.
Strangely enough, her first book came to her in a series of three dreams. In 2009, her sister challenged me to write it all out. Ever since, she hasn’t stopped writing. To this day, her best ideas come to her either while she’s sleeping, taking a shower, or sitting out in the hot tub.
She’s loved the people she’s met through writing; they are some of the most amazing people on the planet.
Feel free to email Amy at [email protected].
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Read More of Amy’s Books
Romances Beyond Tuala - Magical Realism Fantasy and Paranormal Romances
The Levels of Ascension Series - Magical Realism Fantasy
Levels of Ascension Omnibus Collection - For Box Set Lovers
Billionaire's Venture Romance Series - Clean Romances
The Rift In Our Reality - A Clean Young Adult Medical Romance
Tempting Benjamin
A Cougar Shifters Novella
Tricia Schneider
&
nbsp; About the Book
Roxie needs to hide. Hunters are searching for her and her unborn shifter baby. Billy Evans knows just the place: a cabin nestled deep in the Tennessee wilderness. Roxie's uncertain, especially when she meets Benjamin Evans, Billy's brother who lives in the cabin. He's surly, sexy and none too happy with her intrusion to his quiet mountain life.
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Ben wants nothing more than to disappear from society. He's content to live his life as a cougar, licking the wounds he received at the hands of the same men chasing Roxie. Helping her hide interrupts his plans, but he can't say no to the woman carrying his brother's child. He vows to keep them safe, never expecting the temptation of falling in love with her himself.
Chapter One
"It's gonna be fine."
"Billy, stop it." He'd repeated this over a million times already. Honestly, he sounded more worried than she felt. Roxie grabbed the handle above her head as the SUV tipped to the side. The dirt road twisted precariously through the thick Tennessee forest as they drove up the mountainside.
"This is just temporary. I'll take care of everything, I promise. When it's done, I'll come get you."
"I know the plan." Roxie's hand pressed over her protruding belly as the vehicle righted itself with a bounce. "Slow down, Billy. The cabin's not going anywhere, is it?"
"Sorry," he said, glancing at her, then her belly. "Sorry. You okay?"
She sighed. "I think this is all a waste of time. I could just check-in to a hotel under a fake name. I've done it before."
Billy shook his head. "Not this time. Not with these people."
Roxie didn't argue. She kept silent for the rest of the journey. The road, carved into the side of the mountain, dipped a few times and turned. This would be one hell of a driveway in winter, Roxie mused. Hopefully, she wouldn't be here long enough to find out. The forest leaves had already turned color, surrounding them in shades of red, yellow, orange and brown. Under other circumstances, she might have taken time to admire the beauty around her.
Right now, she just wanted the ride over with. They'd been driving for hours and hours through several states to get here. She was tired. She was hungry. She wanted food, a nap, and maybe a shower. It didn't have to be in that order.
"Here it is," Billy muttered.
The canopy of colored leaves parted, and sunlight illuminated the area as the SUV pulled into a small clearing. He parked the car in front of a cabin tucked quietly in the woods.
A red pickup truck stood solemnly in front of the cabin with no sign of its owner. As Billy killed the engine, Roxie peered through the window searching for movement. The cabin door remained closed.
Billy got out first, closing the door and rushing to the passenger side. Roxie was already sliding out of the vehicle when Billy reached her, taking her arm.
"I'm okay," she said, shrugging him off. He was like an old mother hen, constantly hovering over her.
She slammed the door closed, the sound echoing in the stillness of the forest.
As soon as Roxie stood outside of the SUV, she took in the lonely sight of the cabin in the woods. In the brisk October air, Roxie took a deep breath, awed by the silence. Other than the rustle of leaves in the wind, a bird calling to its mate and perhaps the scurry of small woodland creatures, all else was quiet.
No yelling people, no horns blasting, no music blaring. It was complete and utter silence compared to city life.
"Wow," Roxie breathed, taking in the endless trees beyond the cabin. "You weren't kidding. There really is nothing out here."
"My family lived here for a while," Billy said, repeating what he'd told her the first time he’d suggested this place. "It was a nice place to live while it lasted. We had this whole side of the mountain to ourselves. We could run for miles and miles. And when we needed supplies, the nearest town isn't too far. But I brought along stuff, so you shouldn't need for anything right away."
Roxie nodded. She still couldn't believe her eyes. Not another house could be seen. She tried to imagine the nearest neighbor miles away. It made her breath catch in her throat at the thought of being so utterly alone with no neighbor to run to for help if things got bad.
Well, not exactly alone. Billy wasn't leaving her completely alone.
"Where is he?"
"Uh..." Leaning his hand on the SUV, Billy tapped his fingers nervously. "I'm sure he's around here somewhere."
"You did talk to him, right?"
Billy shrugged. "Not exactly."
He walked away as Roxie rolled her eyes. Going back to the driver's side of the SUV, Billy opened the door, leaned in and honked the horn several times. The blaring horn startled the birds in nearby trees. They took off in nervous flight.
The sound shook her, but Billy appeared unphased as he closed the driver’s side door, then opened the one to the backseat. He retrieved a large box he’d packed with food and other supplies, then returned to her side.
"That was rude. What if he was sleeping?"
"I'd rather wake him this way than meet him at the door with a shotgun in his hand."
"Well, he sounds charming."
Billy chuckled. "He's really okay, you'll see. Just rough around the edges."
But Billy's nervous laugh didn't convince her. She pulled her jacket tight around her, shielding her belly from the cold wind. A few leaves fell from the trees, blowing gently in the air. Billy's footsteps crunched over a carpet of dead leaves as he neared the cabin, climbing the small porch before knocking three times on the door.
They waited, but the door didn't open. There was no sound other than the wind and their own breathing.
"Maybe he went into town?" Roxie suggested, but Billy shook his head.
"His truck's here."
She glanced at the parked vehicle, wishing to see a note tucked in the window, explaining where the owner had gone off to.
Balancing the box with one arm, Billy knocked again but still no answer.
"I don't think he's here, Bill." They'd been waiting several minutes, and Roxie's patience was wearing thin. She really had to pee. Again. "Maybe we should just head back to town and find a hotel."
"Nah, he's here," Billy said, then tried the doorknob. It turned easily and Billy pushed the door open a crack. He glanced over his shoulder at Roxie. "Just wait here, will ya?"
Roxie nodded, but Billy was already opening the door open the rest of the way. A second later, he disappeared into the cabin. Roxie held her breath, straining to listen for any sounds as Billy searched the inside of the cabin. There were no voices, no other noise besides the wind and the trees. The animals had stopped their noises after Billy blew the horn.
Suddenly, the hair on the back of Roxie's neck rose. The eerie sensation that she was being watched made her turn around. She saw nothing but the SUV, the pickup truck and trees. More and more trees.
Maybe it was the silence of the place getting to her. She was from the city. Born and bred. She'd never been to a place this quiet. This noiseless. Waiting for Billy ate at her nerves.
Still, that sensation of being watched nagged at her. She glanced at the woods but saw nothing. Then she stared at the road, wondering if someone had followed them.
When she heard footsteps, she turned to find Billy in the doorway, his two hands gripping the door frame as he leaned out, his gaze searching the forest.
"Well?" She prompted when he said nothing.
"He's not in here." His eyes scanned the forest until he stopped and nodded. "He's out there."
Roxie spun, following his gaze. It took her a moment until she spotted the animal camouflaged within the tree line. While she'd been searching for a man, she hadn't seen the cougar standing with its head hung low, sniffing the air and watching her.
A shiver coursed through her that had nothing to do with the cool autumn breeze. How long had the cougar been standing there, and she hadn't known? Roxie stared, mesmerized by the animal. It's blend of white, black and tawny fur made it easy for the animal to tur
n and disappear completely into the forest.
"Come on," Billy said. "We'll wait inside. He'll be along soon enough."
Chapter Two
The cougar loped through the forest in a half-run, half-walk until he was completely out of sight of the cabin. When he found a secluded spot, he settled on the ground, preparing for the ordeal of shifting.
It wasn't easy to shift anymore. It didn't come as naturally as it once did. Things had changed, making shifting from a cougar to human difficult and tiresome. The process was painful. So painful the sounds of agony were ripped from Ben's throat as his paws morphed into human hands and his legs turned into human limbs. His body swallowed his tail, and the fur disintegrated, leaving behind tanned human skin.
The shifting process lasted several long, agonizing minutes until Ben curled into a ball, nestled in leaves and dirt. After a while, he moved onto his back and stared at the forest canopy swaying in the breeze above him.
He breathed heavily, sucking in huge lungfuls of brisk air. The earthy scent of autumn filled his senses. He closed his eyes, focusing on relaxing his strained muscles, regulating his racing heartbeat and easing his gasping breaths.
After a while, he breathed normally. He stood, his legs shaking for only a moment as he began the long walk to the cabin. Typically, he didn't choose a place to shift so far from home, but he saw Billy had brought a stranger with him.
Falling for Shifters: A Limited Edition Autumn Shifters Collection Page 112