by Ava Hunt
****
Shelby peddled through downtown, hitting the boutiques, law offices, and the city commissioner's office before getting back on her bike to speed back to where Reese Systems was located. She'd have to hurry, as the commissioner took longer than she anticipated.
She got there at the glass enclosed high rise that housed Ash's firm with five minutes to spare and noticed that there was a small sign on the receptionist's desk:
All packages need to go straight to the office assigned. Receptionist gone for the day.
What the hell? Who sends their receptionist home this early? Frustrated and already dreading what lay ahead, she made her way to Suite 307, the office of Ash Reese.
She stood there, staring at the door. Her hand lifted to knock but she couldn't will herself to go through with it and contemplated leaving the package by the door. You can do this, Shelby. With a deep breath, she knocked.
"Come in." She heard the voice that was smoother than farm fresh churned butter.
Seconds later, she was there standing in front of him again, taking in every beautiful line on his face and remembering the softness of his lips on hers the day at the luncheon.
"Hello, Shelby."
She was trembling but she willed herself steady, handing over his package.
"You'll need to sign for this, Sir." She said, not looking directly at him.
"Sir? We're at Sir again?" He sighed taking the clipboard from her hands and scrawled his name.
"I know I should have called you, but I was angry." He didn't know why he was saying it. He was still so hurt.
"Angry? Just because I said for you to stop and us not have sex? What are you, twelve years old?" She was flustered and didn't care about fake professionalism now.
"What are you talking about?" He asked, quieter and genuinely confused now.
"Don't play the idiot, Ash. We had that nice dinner, we made out on the couch, and then when I stopped us from going too far you told me to leave. No, let me correct that. You told me to go back to my cheap little apartment and my cheap little life."
"Oh my God. So that's what happened." Ash said, turning away from her, realizing where it all went wrong. "Shelby, sit down, we need to talk."
He told her everything, how a no-show client kept him at the office, how his twin brother was there at the house and not him, and even told her about Ember's crass display of having him smell his finger. Shelby blushed to her very core at hearing it.
"So, that wasn't you?" She asked, meekly. Oh my God, my boyfriend's brother fingered me on his couch. How do I even look at Ash again after that?
"No. And I didn't call or text out of spite from you messing around with Ember, while you apparently had no idea it was him."
She half smiled and said, "I didn't call or text YOU because I wasn't about to be the one to apologize for the evening when it was your fault."
"Damn. So where does that even leave us now?" He asked, hoping that somehow the relationship may be salvaged and they could move on together.
"Well you could start with why I didn't even know you had a twin brother. Seems like all this could have been nipped in the bud had I known that little tidbit of information." She said, trying not to make it seem like Ash was to blame.
He exhaled and tried to find the right words. Because I wanted you to love me and not my playboy womanizer brother. Because of Annabeth, who dated us both and preferred him. Because, he thought, I didn't want you to know about anything unsavory in my life.
"Ember has always had a bit of a competitive streak that can turn....well, mean, as you can see. I guess I wanted to shield you from that and I'm sorry, I should have told you about him," he said softly.
"I suppose we can start again. Slowly. No lies, no omissions. We'll still need to talk this out more and anything else that may be holding us back." She was hopeful for the first time in over a month, but something clearly was troubling Ash now that she had spoken. "Ash? Something wrong?"
"How about Saturday? Come over, we'll talk. There are... things you should know." Ash looked crestfallen as he spoke. How do you tell someone you're a werebear? Am I getting her back just to lose her again?
Shelby's mind raced with the ominous tone in his voice and yet wouldn't know what he wanted to discuss for days.
Oh god, he's dying. He's married. Something bad. I can just tell by the way he looks this isn't going to be good. "Okay. I'll be there. Noon?" Her voice wavered just slightly while a small tear started to form in the corner of her eye.
"Noon is good. And Shelby? You look stunning today, truly." The hint of a smile on his face as he spoke to her told her it may work out, but she was petrified of what he would have to tell her.
Chapter Eight
The day couldn't get there soon enough for Shelby. She and Ash had texted some throughout the days prior, but didn't touch upon anything too serious. Saturday seemed like it would be serious enough for the both of them.
She arrived at the house with trepidation, but greeted him happily. It IS good to see him, still, no matter what he's about to say to me.
"Shelby, right on time. Come on in and have a seat. I promise you, I'm probably more nervous than you are at the moment." He motioned to the chair in the corner; probably a conscious effort to avoid whatever couch was the star attraction in Ember's ploy the other evening.
"I just want to ask you before I start, are you truly wanting to get back together, even after that horrible play by my brother and my awkward miscommunication?" He asked her as he waited for her response to guide him into the hardest discussion he'd ever had.
"Yes, I truly do. There's something here, I don't know what yet, but there is a promise of something wonderful and I don't want to give that up."
"Okay then. First of all, my brother is gone. I sent him packing. I should have told you about the twin and honestly I don't know why I didn't. I wasn't keeping that a secret or anything. And I want you to know that I hold myself to blame for what happened; well, Ember mostly --my brother-- but not you, not you at all." He paused and inhaled deeply while his eyes darted around the room looking for a focal point. What if she screams and leaves? What if I lose her because of this? Should I just try to keep it to myself and not tell her? So many choices, but only one was right.
"Secondly, there is something you don't know about me. I don't know of many people outside of my family that do know. Certainly no one I've ever dated has known." He rambled on a bit, trying to find the words.
"It's okay Ash, whatever it is, we'll be fine, I promise." She said as hopeful as she could muster.
"Shelby. I'm part bear. Werebear, I suppose you'd call it. I can shift between a human and a bear. It mostly comes in time of extremes, whether it's extreme sadness, anger, or even sexual need." He paused and gauged her reaction so far. She didn't smile, she didn't laugh, and she just looked like she was very far away. "Are you okay?"
"I thought I was just overly tired that day, but it was you at the train station. The race. There were two guys but for a moment I could have swore there was a wild animal instead of one of the guys. It was gone when I blinked, so I thought it was just my tiredness." She remembered.
"Yes and no. Yes that was us at the train station. I can't believe you were there and saw the race. The bear you saw was Ember though. I try never to shift anywhere near where people will be."
"I want to see." She stated as she looked up at him determined. "I want to see you shift."
"Are you sure? I'm terrified of scaring you and losing you when I just now have you back."
"Yes. I want to see it."
Against his better judgment, Ash started to shift. He tried to do it as slow as possible so that it would hopefully be less traumatic for her. His skin cracked and revealed the soft brown fur underneath. The sound of bones readjusting and morphing filled the room. She saw his teeth lengthen and his claws come out. She sat, not in horror but mesmerized. When he was completely transformed, he curled around her as tenderly as he could.
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Chapter Nine
Ash stayed in bear form for enough time for him to see that she was secure around him. When he was ready to morph back, he walked back a bit away from here and shifted to his human self. He looked over just in time to see her suppress a giggle.
"Okay, okay, enough of you. What's so funny?"
"I keep thinking 'hey we can go on car rides and you can stick your neck out the sunroof or go to the park and we can spoof the local tabloids for bigfoot stories." She couldn't help it now and began to laugh outright.
"I'm not a dog, Shelby. I'm a fierce beast." He said as he tried to act as macho as he could, flexing his arms and growling. "I'm actually taller and bigger than any of the bear shifters I ever knew. I don't hang out with any of them now though. I liked being alone." He looked at her and took her into his arms. "At least, I did like being alone, before you showed up."
He kissed her deeply. He had missed touching her. Ash picked her up off the chair and sat down bringing her down on top of him. She faced him as his hands wrapped around her and held her near. His hands wrapped in her hair and he brought her face down to his. Kisses fell everywhere; on her forehead, eyes, lips, and neck.
"Well then, Beast-man, come over here and ravage me like the animal you are." Shelby grinned as she walked over to the bed and patted it with her hand.
Ash didn't need to be told again as he went over to her side, pulling her into him.
The deeper the kisses were the more they grasped each other, until his hands played under her top. He fondled and caressed the soft mounds of her breasts. Soft sighs escaped her as she discarded the top and undid her bra. Her nipples stood firm and erect, ready to be tasted which he happily obliged. Ash licked and sucked her breasts, taking each in his mouth. She could feel her entire body go to goose bumps as she moaned out, head back, while her fingers worked at his pants.
Ash eased up enough for his pants to fall to the floor, his cock springing to attention now that it was released. She continued to sit facing him while his cock rubbed against her as they kissed and touched. His hand fell underneath her, rubbing her hard nub. He could feel her thighs tense every so often and hear her breath become ragged.
"God Shelby, you're making it so difficult to control my urges here." He said as he looked hungrily into her eyes.
Without a word, her hand grabbed his cock, causing him to groan in pleasure. Her hand rubbed it against her and then eased it inside her. "And who said I wanted you to control your urges?"
She rose up and down on it while she allowed only a couple of inches in at a time. Her body trembled as he stretched her. Her pussy walls squeezed around his hardness and he ground her hips into his. A simple thrust inside her tightness and her clit made contact with his hard body. Shock waves of pleasure coursed through her body.
"If you keep this up, baby, I'm going to cum all over that hard cock of yours," she said to him as she leaned down for a kiss.
"That is what it is there for honey," he said as he pounded harder into her, making her squeal with delight. He could hear her as she panted, her climax close on the horizon. The closer she got the tighter she became and Ash couldn't hold back.
"God Yes, Shelby. Oh God, Yes," he groaned as he came deep inside her. Feeling his hotness within her was all it took for Shelby, as she gasped and shivered on top of him. Their orgasms subsided and they stayed wrapped together with him still inside her. They sat there and held each other, vowing never to let go or let anything or anyone come between them again.
Chapter Ten
The rest of summer came and went, with the weather changing over into Fall. Leaves sat trembling on the limbs while changing into bursts of red, orange, and gold. Shelby and Ash had quietly moved in together and their relationship had deepened. She'd quit her job at the courier service a few weeks after moving in at Ash's insistence, and went to work for him as a personal assistant. Every so often, she'd call the company and catch up with Charlotte who was still a dear friend.
Ash freely let his bear out as carefully as he could within the confines of his and Shelby's home. Letting him be himself for the first time in his life.
"Ash? Have you heard from your brother since he's been gone?" Shelby asked one evening.
"He texts, sometimes he calls. I've not replied."
"Don't you think you may need to forgive him at some point?" Shelby still felt anger toward Ember and what he did to her, but she knew that the relationship between Ash and Ember needed repair.
"I just don't know about that. Things are probably how they need to be." Ash looked over at her, sadness in his eyes.
He missed his brother, as much as he hated to admit it to himself. All the badgering, arguing, and constant battles for position. He'd never been without his twin, and there was a part of him that missed the space that Ember filled in his life.
"Next time he calls or texts, answer him. Let him explain."
"Is that what you want Shelby? Explanation into that evening?"
"Honestly, I'd like to be able to let go of the hatred and start to understand why it happened. What he was thinking. See if we all can't get past this."
"Why is this so important to you?" For a brief moment, Ash wondered if he was going to lose another woman to Ember but then brushed it aside knowing he'd forgive him before Shelby would be able to.
"Sit down, Ash. We need to talk." Shelby dried her hands and walked out of the kitchen, sitting down on the sofa. She patted the seat next to her and waited on him. Once he sat there beside her, she gently took his hand, held it firmly and began.
****
"You're sure? You're absolutely sure?" Ash sat paralyzed, unable to comprehend what she'd just told him. For the first time in his life, Ash was afraid. Afraid of not being good enough. Of failing. Of being everything he'd tried his entire life not to be.
"Yes, I'm sure. Doctor has already confirmed it. We're going to be parents, Ash," Shelby said again, squeezing his hand. She searched his eyes for any signs of how he may be feeling. She hoped he'd take the news happily, but the silence made her wonder.
After a few minutes, tears came to his eyes and he pulled her near. His arms wrapped around her body holding her tight before throwing her back off him in a panic.
"I didn't squeeze you too hard, did I? You're ok, right?"
Shelby laughed and went back into his arms. "You are fine, Ash. Stop worrying, everything will be okay I promise."
"I love you so much," he whispered into her neck as he nuzzled her close.
"But now you see why I want you to make it work with Ember. This baby will need his or her uncle."
Ash realized she was right, and vowed to contact Ember. But first, he was going to carry Shelby in the back room and take off her clothes piece by piece and kiss every inch of her.
****
Ember had just finished another long day at the office around people who tried to get to know him. One particularly friendly blonde was very sure to let Ember know that she was completely free that evening should he need someone to hang out with. He thought back to when he'd bring home whoever looked at him twice, and yet now he just shook his head and walked back to his desk. He was deep in to the daily spreadsheets when his phone vibrated.
We should talk. Tomorrow? My place, 7pm. Bring pizza.
Ember felt the slow spread of warmth in his chest, a feeling of happiness that went throughout him as he realized that Ash would finally get to read his letter. He just hoped that whatever Ash was wanting to tell him would wait until he read it.
****
It was 6:45 when Ash heard a car pull into the drive. He looked over at Shelby nervously and gave her a final kiss.
"You can do this, honey," she said to him, "I know you can. It was stupid and it was mean, but you two need to work it out."
Ash went to the door, exhaled deeply, and then turned the knob. Ember stood there, three large pizzas in his hand, looking more nervous than Ash felt. Good, let him feel bad, serves the asshat right for what he di
d.
"Come in, Ember," Ash said as he stepped aside and let him pass.
Ember nodded slightly to Shelby as he entered, his eyes trailing down to the floor unable to meet hers.
"I didn't know what pizza to bring, so I bought our favorites, double pepperoni on one and a sausage and mushroom on the other. The third is a cheese pizza, just in case."
"I'm sure it's fine, Ember. We'll eat and then I need to discuss something with you."
They sat and ate in relative silence, awkwardly looking at each other through the meal. Afterwards, they went into the living area and sat on the couch while Ember took a seat in a nearby chair.
"Ash, before you speak, I really need to give you this." Ember said as he stretched out his hand with the envelope in it. He'd carried it with him since writing it, hoping to somehow bump into him.
Ash nodded as he took the yellowing envelope, opening it to read.
Ash-
There is nothing I could say or do to make up for what I did. I went beyond the call of sibling rivalry. Beyond the call of decency. I can only imagine what Shelby must think of me.
There was a moment that I nearly called it off. And if I'm honest, there was a moment that I wanted it to continue just because you were right - Shelby is a striking woman and I wanted her in that instance.
Since we've been apart, I've had a lot to think about. I moved into my own place, got myself another job, and did a great deal of introspect on what makes me tick.
Remember Annabeth? Did you know that she admitted that she only stayed with me to piss you off? That you were suppose to fight for her and when you didn't she stayed with me just to have someone. I loved her Ash, seriously loved her. And she didn't love me, she used me for spite.
Do you realize that is when it started, the contests and the rivalry? It felt like you "took" Annabeth from me, even though you didn't. When I should have been upset at her, I was mad at you for it. All these years since, it just grew and twisted into the ugly thing that happened that night with Shelby.