The ladies had certainly gotten the atmosphere right. Wallflowers specialized in anything that could hang on a wall. Hand crafted mirrors, masks, paintings, clocks; all sorts of things covered the walls, all with discreet price tags. An antique rug covered the distressed hardwood floors. A small Victorian sofa covered in soft cream brocade was placed in the center of the room, inviting people to sit and chat with the owners. A Queen Anne coffee table in rich cherry wood sat before it with a silver tea set. Two Victorian chairs in that same cream fabric faced the sofa, creating a cozy little conversation group that Emma and Becky used to hold court. Against one wall was a gas fireplace with an ornately carved mantelpiece.
Rumor had it the elaborate art piece over it had been crafted by Becky’s mate, Simon, an artisan glassworker. Cyn salivated over it every time she saw it, the vibrant blues and greens contrasting nicely with the rose wallpaper. On that mantelpiece were silver-framed photos, all of them either black and white or sepia toned. A cherry and glass counter graced one wall. On it sat an old-fashioned-looking cash register. Cyn bet the credit card scanner was hidden underneath the counter.
Every time she came in here it was like she was being smacked upside the head with her femininity. She had the strangest urge to head home, put on a dress, and come back when she was presentable.
“Cyn! Oh my God, are you all right?” Becky dashed out from behind the counter, her eyes wide with worry, her long, frizzy hair practically standing on end. “We heard what happened.”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” She stroked her jaw without thinking. “Julian healed the damage and Gabe’s looking into the attack.”
“And then someone leaves a pipe bomb behind your store. What the hell is going on?”
“Wish I knew so I could find them and kick their asses.” Cyn was done with this bullshit. Next person who threatened her people was going down hard.
Becky gestured to the sofa and the women sat. “Emma’s not here right now, but I called her. She’s seriously upset and wants to know if there’s anything we can do for you.”
Cyn blinked. That was more support than she’d thought she’d get. She wasn’t one of the kitties, or even a shifter, but Becky and Emma were responding as if she were. “Thanks. Actually, I came here because…well, because Julian’s going to mark me tonight.”
She’d never met someone who could actually squee, but Becky did, loud enough to make Cyn’s eyes cross. “Omigod, congratulations!” Becky tackle-hugged her, smothering Cyn in enough curly hair to make Lady Godiva proud.
“Thanks.” Cyn tried not to spit out the curl that landed in her mouth. She didn’t think that would be polite. “I need your advice. Can you explain to me what the change feels like for a human?”
Becky sat back. It took her hair a few seconds longer. “Ah. You want to know about the first change, or about the bite itself?”
“Either. Both.” Cyn ran her fingers through her hair. “I’m not sure. Tabby shifted to protect me, and I can’t have that.” She got up and started to pace. “She’s pregnant. I can’t take the risk that she’ll get hurt and lose the baby.”
“Damn.” Becky sat back. “You think this is another shifter attack, like what happened to Chloe.”
“I’m positive it is. Tabby smelled cat, and not the local brand.” Cyn stared at Becky and chewed her lip. “I need to be able to protect Tabby. Hell, I need to be able to protect Super Bear. He’s been pushing himself again.”
“Super Bear?” Becky snorted a laugh. “Okay, ask your questions and I’ll answer as best I can.”
“What’s the change feel like?”
The Puma sat back on the sofa and crossed her thin legs. “Hmm. Let me think. I remember feeling kind of restless, like I was caged and couldn’t get out. I marked Simon and didn’t even realize it while we were—” She blushed bright red. “Um. But I think the first thing that changed were my eyes.”
“Your eyes?”
“Yeah. Pumas don’t see all the colors of the spectrum, so when I realized I couldn’t see what color Simon’s shirt was anymore I realized my eyes had changed.”
“I wonder what colors bears see.”
“Not sure. You’ll have to ask Julian. Your eyes are already dark, so you might not even notice the change at first.”
“But if they turn gray, like Julian’s, someone will point it out, right?”
“I doubt Julian will leave you alone during your first change, and Dr. Howard might want to check you out as well. You’ll be the first Bear shifter created in Halle and he’ll be dying to get his claws into you.”
Great. Just what Cyn needed. She’d be a giant, furry lab rat for an overly curious kitty. “What else?”
“Teeth and claws will come after your eyes change. But the change will be upon you when fur sprouts from your arms. You’d better be naked by then too, because this isn’t some werewolf movie where your clothes magically disappear. You’ll either rip right through them or hurt yourself trying to squirm free of them.”
“Oh.” Cyn sat on the sofa and grinned at the Beta. “So this was all just an excuse for Julian to get me naked.”
“Funny, I said something similar just before my change.” Becky held up her hand. “Hold on, phone’s ringing.”
What? Cyn hadn’t heard—
The phone rang, and Becky answered. “Wallflowers, Becky speaking. How may I— Hey, Simon.” A soft smile crossed Becky’s face. “Sure, baby. I’ve eaten. Uh-huh. Glucose levels are good, I swear. Mm-hmm. Yes, I love you too. Bye.”
“You’re diabetic?”
“Hmm? Oh! No, I’m severely hypoglycemic. Be right back.” Becky left the room and came back quickly with a glass of orange juice. “I had a nasty surprise right after Simon and I mated. I wound up in the hospital with low blood sugar after having hallucinations that an apple was trying to kill me.”
And she thought Julian was weird. Maybe it was best to get Becky back to the topic that interested Cyn the most. “The bite. What does that feel like?”
Becky smiled. “The best god-damn orgasm of your life.”
Now it was Cyn’s turn to blush. “Oh.”
“Yeah.” Becky sipped from her juice, but her expression was wicked. “Big O.”
The women exchanged a look before bursting into laughter.
Chapter Eleven
They pulled up outside Julian’s house that evening in silence. Cyn was startled to find her hands were shaking. She was so not ready for this.
“It will be all right, Cyn.”
His deep voice washed over her, attempted to soothe her, but there was no calming her. She was getting something she’d been begging for these last few weeks, and now that it was finally happening her damn nerves were getting the better of her. She lifted her chin, determined not to let Julian see how anxious she was. “Sure it will.”
Julian shook his head and got out of the car. Cyn followed him at a slower pace up the walkway and through the front door. “Are we going to eat before we start? I’m starving.”
“No.” He hung his jacket up and took hers, placing it beside his own with an odd air of satisfaction. “You might puke it back up.”
“Funny. None of the ladies mentioned puking as a side effect of the bite.”
He grinned and led her into the living room. “That’s because none of them were Kermode.”
“Lovely.” She took a seat on his sofa and glared at him. “So other ladies get mind blowing orgasms. I get to blow chunks.”
The darkly sensual look he shot her should have melted her on the spot. “Oh, you’ll get the orgasm. Trust me on that one.” Julian settled next to her, far too close for her peace of mind. “But there are…side effects that occur when a Kermode attempts to change a human.”
Her brows shot up. “Attempts?”
He sighed and tugged on his braid, a sure sign he wasn’t as comfortable talking about this as he appeared to be on the surface. “I’m not allowed to go in to too much detail about what happens after the mating bite.” He
dropped his braid and took hold of her hand. “The absolute worst that could happen is you’ll wake up unchanged and puking.”
“The best?”
He kissed her palm. “You’ll be like me.”
She was still shaking. At least he wasn’t trying to hide anything from her. “I thought the change was sort of a done deal once you sank fang into flesh.”
“Not for Kermode.”
“Because you’re special.”
“Yup. There are prices we pay to be what we are. Only a few learn what that means. Our mates are some of those few.”
“Wait. Did I say we were mating tonight?”
That feral light was back in his eyes, the silver sparks widening until his irises were completely gray. A broad streak of white grew in his hair. “Yes.”
The shaking got worse. She was so not ready for this. But what else could she do? “Fine. Let’s get this over with.”
“You’re such a romantic.” He stole a soft kiss. “Are you ready?”
Suddenly she couldn’t sit still a second longer. She hopped up and began to pace like a caged tiger. “No. I’m not ready, damn it.” She pulled her hair, hoping the pain would help her focus. “Shit. I’m tying my life force to yours for what, eternity? And we haven’t even gotten past first base.”
“I could remedy that before I bite you. Hell, I’m willing and able. Very able.”
She whirled on him and pointed. “Favorite color.”
“Lately? Pink. Used to be blue.”
She flushed but refused to allow his response to throw her. He was staring at her hair again, his fingers twitching like he wanted to touch the pink, blonde and black strands. “Favorite food?”
“Blueberry muffins.”
“Your—”
“Gemini, hockey, yellow gold, anything written by Joss Whedon, The Wheel of Time series and Jessica Alba.” One eyebrow rose arrogantly. “Anything else?”
Her finger dropped. “You like the Wheel of Time books?”
“You don’t?”
She shuddered.
“Oh. Well, let’s just forget the whole thing then.” He propped his hands on his hips. “And here I thought Jessica would be the deal-breaker.”
“You’re a Gemini. That alone is enough to make me think twice. You people are schizo.”
“Says the fiery, temperamental Aries. At least you’ll keep me on my toes, right?”
“Which set, oh Gemini? Good twin’s or evil twin’s?”
“Both.” Julian was stalking her around the room, his eyes intent, silver-flecked. She didn’t even realize she’d begun backing away from him until she banged into his coffee table. “I can smell you. Your need calls to me. I bet you’re ripe for me, all plump and juicy.”
Cyn stopped retreating. “You make me sound like a Ball Park Frank.”
Some of the feral need on Julian’s face dissipated, his quirky sense of humor coming to the fore. “Not quite the imagery I was going for. I’m not that in to wieners.”
“So you are into wieners, then?”
“NO! Gah. No.” Julian shuddered. “Not… Shit. Can I just bite you now?”
She took a deep breath and a flying leap of faith. “Thought you’d never ask.”
Julian didn’t pounce the way she thought he would, taking her down like a wounded deer. Instead, he reached out and cradled her neck in his hand. “This might sting a bit. If it does, I’m sorry.”
She smiled and hoped it wasn’t showing just how shaky she was. “Just do it already.”
His eyes turned pure silver, filled with desire. He bent down and nibbled her neck, sending shivers down her spine. “You smell so good.”
Cyn shuddered as his lips brushed against her skin. She wrapped her arms around his waist and tilted her head, giving him better access. Julian touched her in ways no other man ever had. She was still trying to figure out what magic he wielded to make her feel like this, like she couldn’t decide whether to ravish him or run.
Then his teeth scrapped against her skin and the decision was made. That just felt too damn good to run away from.
“Mine,” he whispered. Before she could protest, his fangs sank into her.
Cyn cried out as the best orgasm she’d ever fucking had tore through her. Her legs trembled, barely holding her up. She clung to him as the pleasure went on and on.
Oh, hell yes. This really is the Big O.
The unbelievable taste of his mate filled his senses. Cyn shuddered in his arms and groaned. The knowledge that she was finally, finally his sank into him. No one could take her from him now. Even in death, he would follow where she led.
He was hers.
He carefully pulled his teeth from her skin, licking the wounds closed. He picked her up, her shuddering driving him nearly insane with want. He carted her off to his bedroom, hoping against hope she wouldn’t protest what he needed to do next.
Those gorgeous eyes of hers opened as he settled her on the bed. “Julian?”
The husky, needy sound of her voice nearly ended things before they began. Julian had never come in his jeans before, but just the sound of her voice post-orgasm was enough to almost send him over the edge. He bent and took her mouth, not at all surprised when she tried to take over the kiss.
He smiled, his lips still on hers. There’s my girl.
Her hands tugged on his shirt. “Naked.”
“Hmm?” He pushed the edge of her shirt up, sighing happily at the expanse of golden skin. God, she had a belly button ring! How come he’d never seen that before? The pretty little bit of gold dangling from her belly button was the most erotic thing he’d ever seen.
“Now, Julian.”
He blinked. “Now, Julian, what?”
She huffed out a frustrated breath. “Why is it that when I want you to get naked you’re not, but when I don’t want you to—mmph!”
He didn’t hear the rest of what she wanted to say. Her shirt was blocking her face, after all. Julian had her clothes off her so fast a Cheetah would have missed it. Then he was kissing her again, tugging at his own clothes in a frenzy to get his skin against her skin. He barely got his jeans down to his knees when her legs wrapped around his waist and he was flipped onto his back.
He stared up at her, startled. How the hell…?
She grinned down at him and took his painfully erect cock in her hands. “Too slow!”
And then she was sliding down him, gripping him inside her, and it no longer mattered that he was too slow, or that his jeans were around his knees. His mate was riding him, her breasts bouncing, her face pinched in a way that told him she was riding the thin edge of her own orgasm.
Damn, she had the prettiest breasts he’d ever seen. He cupped them, thumbing her nipples into hard little points, grunting when she tightened around him. He let her set the pace, watching the way she took him. This first time, for him at least, had to be all about her. Whatever she needed, however she wanted to love him, he’d accept.
But later, it would be his turn.
Soft sighs, the creak of the bedframe and the slap of flesh against flesh filled the room. Cyn’s eyes were unfocused as she chased her orgasm, her hips snapping faster and faster. She clenched his shoulders, the small bite of pain barely registering as his spine began to tingle.
Julian grabbed and pulled her down, kissing her savagely as his body erupted. She cried out into his mouth, spasming around his cock as her orgasm took her.
Julian softened the kiss as they both came down from their high, breathing her in as she panted above him. Finally she tried to pull away, only getting as far as the end of his nose. He refused to allow her any further away.
“Wow.”
Julian grinned in sleepy satisfaction. “Yeah.”
She chuckled. “You’re still wearing your boots, cowboy.”
“Yup,” he sighed, happier than he could ever remember being.
Cyn shook her head, but couldn’t hide the small smile curling the edges of her mouth. “Next time we need you com
pletely naked.”
He hugged her tight, ignoring her squawk of surprise. “Yeah, we do.”
She shook her head, but allowed him to keep her close. He breathed in her scent, and decided that today had to be the best fucking day ever.
This had to be the worst fucking day ever. Cyn walked along the rocky dirt path and wondered what the fuck was going on. She’d thought she was dreaming at first. After the incredible sex she’d had with Julian, she’d pretty much passed out.
Then she’d stepped on a sharp stone and the pain had been excruciating. She was even bleeding. She’d never done that in a dream before.
“Freaky ass Kermode. Super Bear my butt.” She glared at the scrub on either side of the path. “If I see even one dead person I am so out of here!” She blew her bangs and renewed her embarrassingly naked march down the road, hobbled by her bloodied foot. “Guess what, Cyn? There are a few things I forgot to tell you. For instance, when I bite you I’ll chuck your soul into the middle of a B horror movie. Enjoy!” She clenched her hands. “He is in so much trouble when I get back.”
She wandered down the road for what seemed like hours. The one time she even considered going back, she rejected it immediately. Every instinct she had declared that if she did turn back, what she sought could never be found again. She had to go forward. She had to succeed if she was going to protect those she loved, even the stupid Bear who’d done this to her.
Eventually the road forked, but that wasn’t what surprised her. What did was the simple glass sitting right at the juncture, half full of what appeared to be water. Cyn stared at it. “The glass is half full, huh?”
Fuck it. She was thirsty. She shrugged, sniffed it to make sure it really was water, picked it up and drank it, then carefully placed the glass right back where she’d found it.
She took a deep breath and studied the two paths. One seemed similar to the one she was already on, rocky and dirty with the occasional scraggly tree to add some visual interest. Bland, sort of boring, in no way like the other path.
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