Karley's Surrender

by Christin Lovell

  “I’m the one with the controller so we’re watchin’ a horror flick,” Shane stated, clicking on a random movie.

  Cole glared at him, arms crossed over his chest, his biceps bulging. “Fine,” he relented.

  I shoved my hands beneath my thighs and laid back. I was exhausted from the long day.

  Chapter 7

  I rolled over and hit a hard wall of muscle. I opened my eyes and nearly jumped out of my skin to find Shane smiling at me. His naked chest greeting me above the comforter’s hem sent my pulse racing. I quickly looked down, thankful that I was still clothed in my outfit from yesterday.

  “Mornin’, sunshine,” Cole said. I sprung upright, turning to find him behind me, his bronze chest more cut than Shane’s.

  I ran my fingers through my hair, my messy, unruly morning hair. “Oh my god.” I crawled off the bed. I looked towards the large picture window; the sun was high in the sky based on the amount of light streaming in. “What time is it?”

  “One.” Shane pointed to the alarm clock on the nightstand.

  “I… How… I never sleep this late.” I frowned. I felt a bit disoriented, yet for the first time in a long time, well rested. “I didn’t have the nightmare,” I realized, not noticing I’d spoken aloud.

  “What nightmare, darlin’?” Shane sat up in bed, watching me carefully.

  “Um, I should get going. Thanks for last night, both of you.” I walked out of the room, thankful the room was at the end of the hall and easy to navigate back to the main space. I threw on my shoes and grabbed my purse, stopping when I reached the door. Shit. I don’t have my car. My shoulders fell. I turned around to find both men standing right behind me.

  I took a step back, my back hitting the door. They stood strong. Their bare feet were shoulder-width apart, each clad in jeans, and no shirt; their muscles swelled with their arms folded across their chests as they considered me.

  “Uh, I sort of forgot that I didn’t drive.”

  Cole nodded. “Come eat lunch first.”

  I dropped my purse by the door and followed him into the kitchen. I pulled out a barstool from beneath the island’s overhang and sat down. They worked together, pulling out the ingredients for sandwiches.

  “Um, don’t you guys have ranch stuff to do?”

  “We have ranch hands doin’ it,” Shane said.

  “Oh, of course.” I watched them put together ham sandwiches like an assembly line. “Need any help?”

  “Nope. I think we can manage this one.” Cole passed me a mile high sandwich and a bottle of water.

  We all settled into eating, the guys standing and watching me. Their appraisals unsettled me. I felt so off kilter around them, yet balanced at the same time. I was confused, fighting to let go of my barriers, but too scared to let anyone in. I could only imagine how they interpreted my actions.

  “You ready to tell us why you’re so jumpy all the time?” Cole leveled a heavy gaze my way. I swallowed the half-chewed bite in my mouth, taken aback by his bluntness.

  “Um, I don’t know.”

  “What’s this nightmare you were talkin’ about?” Shane was less abrasive.

  “I don’t like to talk about it.” I picked at my sandwich, my stomach churning. I struggled to repress the memories trying to flood my mind.

  “Karley?” The softness in Cole’s voice chipped away at the ice around my heart. I heard the worry in it. It was almost as if someone actually cared about me after all this time. I closed my eyes against the waterfall of an emotional meltdown I was headed towards. I took a few deep breaths.

  Shane walked over to me, placing his hands on either side of my face. “I know we just met, Karley, but trust me when I say I’d do anything to help you, anything to protect you.”

  The sad part was, I knew he was telling me the truth. I heard the conviction in his voice, saw the strong set of his jaw. And it was the final straw; the dam finally burst. Tears streamed silently down my face.

  I felt so foolish, so weak breaking down in the kitchen of what basically was a set of strangers’ home. Once the gates were open, there was no closing them. Shane pulled me into his chest. I felt Cole come up behind me, hugging me. I was cradled between two people who, though I’d just met them, cared enough to comfort me. It wasn’t love; it wasn’t sacrificial, but it was more than I’d had in so long. I allowed myself to relax into their embrace, allowed them to hold me while I fell apart.

  After far too long, I pulled back. Shane cradled my face, wiping the last of my tears with the pads of his thumb. One minute I was looking into his eyes, the next he was kissing me. His lips were soft as they melted over mine. He was gentle in his exploration, and patient as I followed his lead. Heat warmed my lower stomach as he leaned into me a bit deeper, his tongue sweeping over mine. A shiver ran through me when Cole kissed the side of my neck, his hands massaging my hips. It was so wrong, yet felt so right.

  Shane pulled back, looking into my eyes to see what my reaction was. Cole continued his assault, the catch in my breath giving me away. He pressed one final kiss to my pulse point and lifted his head. I struggled to level my breathing. My body was alive, desire pooling between my thighs. I’d never experienced this feeling before.

  “Are you okay with this?” Shane asked.

  “I’m a virgin,” I blurted. I immediately blushed, covering my face with my hands.

  He gently tugged at my wrists. “That just means we need to take things slow.”

  I pulled my lower lip between my teeth. I wanted this, but I didn’t know if I was ready for it. Even before I could decide, I just had to know why. “You guys could have any girl you want. Why me?” I knew I sounded as insecure as I was by asking, but I couldn’t let it go.

  They passed a look between them. I was lost as to what it conveyed though.

  “There’s no easy way to put this,” Shane started. He ran his hand along the back of his neck. In a day, I’d come to realize he did this when he was nervous.

  “Just say it. Don’t worry about kid gloves.” I braced myself.

  “You’re ours. We’ve known since we first walked into the bar two nights ago,” Shane riddled.

  “Ours? I don’t understand.” I turned slightly in the stool so I could see them both.

  “How good are you with weird?” Cole asked.

  “I’d like to think okay, but can’t make any promises.”

  “You think it’s too soon?” Shane looked me up and down, trying to decide whether I could handle the truth.

  “Um, you guys are sort of freaking me out.” I shoved my hands between my thighs, determined to sit still.

  “We’re werepanthers, Karley. It’s not often that we actually find a mate. The only problem is we’ve both scented you as ours.” Shane’s brow furrowed, his eyes crinkled at the edges as he waited anxiously for my response.

  “Werepanthers?” I couldn’t wrap my mind around it. Sure, I’d read plenty of romance novels featuring the creatures, but there’s a hell of a big difference between fiction and reality.

  “Yes.” Cole crossed his arms over his chest.

  “You can shift into a panther?” They nodded. “Why are you telling me this?”

  “Because you need to know the truth before you decide to be with us.” Shane grabbed my hand.

  “As in both of you?”

  “Yes,” he replied, trailing his fingers between mine.

  “If you’re open to it,” Cole added. He stood off to the side, sliding his hands in his pockets. I knew he was trying to put some space between us. He was doing what I did all the time: he was trying to protect himself from the inevitable let down.

  “Um, if I’m totally honest, this is a bit overwhelming. I’m not even sure I’ve wrapped my head around the werepanther thing yet.”

  “You need proof?” Shane asked, already beginning to strip off his jeans.

  “Proof?” I squeaked.

  Cole surprised me by pulling me down off the stool and against his chest. His arms wrapped a
round me, nestling my back to him. He bent down beside my ear. “Watch this,” he whispered.

  My eyes widened the second Shane dropped his boxers. He smiled and winked. The cheeky bastard knew what he was doing.

  Within seconds of stripping, Shane’s body began contorting, his bones cracking and reshaping, his skin stretching around his ribcage to make room for the larger middle. I cringed when he fell down on all fours, his nose elongating; his teeth lengthening into razor sharp edges that could slice through any surface it seemed. Hair sprouted out from every pore, covering him in a soft coat of fur. Within a minute, I was staring at a large, black panther. My breath caught in my throat. Cole tightened his grip around me.

  “Is it still him?”

  “We retain our mental awareness; everything is physical for us, nothing more.”

  “Can… Can I touch him?”

  “He’d probably like that; just go slow.”

  My hand shook as I took a few steady paces towards the creature. I’d just seen Shane transform, but was still struggling to wrap my mind around it. I remembered Suzie’s cat, Buster. Every time I saw him, I had to offer him my palm to sniff first. I didn’t know if that was protocol or just a Buster thing. I decided to play it safe and offered Shane my palm. He rubbed his wet nose against it before licking it; his tongue as rough as sand paper. I giggled; the tough surface tickling my hand.

  Carefully, I moved my palm up to his head and began to pet him. The second I scratched behind his ear, he began to purr. His hum of pleasure echoed through the kitchen as he pressed into my touch.

  “You found his favorite spot,” Cole said, standing behind me.

  I looked down at Shane’s paws amazed that they were larger than my feet. His black fur reminded me of silk the way it gleamed in the light. His eyes stood out against the darkness of him.

  “How long have you guys been like this?”

  “We were born this way.”

  “Wait, you were born as panthers?”

  He laughed. “No, we were born with the gene. We’ve been able to shift since we were babies, but we didn’t learn how until we were preteens. Our bones weren’t really ready for it until then anyways.”

  I studied Shane, continuing to rub him down. “Does it hurt?”

  “The first couple seconds, but then it becomes this intense pressure that needs to be released, almost like an orgasm.

  “Oh.” I withdrew my hand when Shane began to shift back; my mind still reeling at the truth of their existence.

  Chapter 8

  They watched me with wary expressions, both refusing to break the silence that commenced. Shane hadn’t bothered to redress, and I hadn’t said a word, taking everything, okay, so him too, in. A part of me felt like I should open up and share my past with them since they’d divulged such a huge secret. But mine was of a different kind, a bit more intense than shifting.

  Cole finally spoke. “You goin’ to finish your sandwich?” I turned back to the island, having forgotten my lunch, sitting barely touched.

  “Um, I’m not really hungry.”

  Cole pursed his lips, studying me for a bit, before nodding once. He grabbed the sandwich and devoured it in under a minute. I lifted my brows at the sight. “We have big appetites,” he said.

  Something triggered me. My stomach rolled into knots, my heart beat a little louder, a little harder, my body shook.

  They both turned to me. “Are you okay?” Shane asked.

  I nodded vehemently. “I… Excuse me. I need to make a phone call.”

  “What kind of phone call? Are you alright?” Cole demanded, moving towards me. I backed out his of reach.

  “Please… You can’t touch me right now.” I closed my eyes, praying they would listen. I’d go into a full-blown panic attack if they did.

  I opened my eyes slowly, afraid they’d be right in front of me. They’d listened, given me the space I needed, but the tortured look on their faces is how I imagined mine to be at two o’clock every day.

  Each step felt like another hundred pound weight was stacked on my chest. I struggled to take deep breaths as I pulled out my cell phone. I hit the speed dial, the first phone number programmed in.

  “Walker County Police Department. Officer Petty here, how can I serve you?”

  “Is he still there?” My voice shook.

  “He’s still here, Karley.” I heard the sympathy in his voice.

  “Thanks, Jeff.” I breathed a sigh of relief as I hung up the phone. I was safe, for now, for the next couple hours at least.

  I’d gotten better. After he escaped, after he- Well, just after, I was calling every hour for over a month. One night after work, Suzie forced me to acknowledge that I wasn’t living like that, and that I’d never get past it. Slowly, over time, I’d cut back to my once a day call. But that single call took every ounce of strength in me. My nerves were shot to hell, and I often struggled not to hyperventilate as the phone rang.

  “What’s goin’ on, Karley?” Shane asked. I turned around to find them standing in the framed entry to the kitchen. “Did we forget to mention that we have keen hearing too?” His eyes narrowed at me. I took a step back.

  “Why won’t you tell us what’s wrong?” Cole crossed his arms over his chest.

  My heart pounded in my chest. “Because I… I don’t know you.” That stopped both of them dead in their tracks. Their bodies relaxed, but their faces haunted me with sadness. They nodded. Cole turned back into the kitchen. I heard him cleaning up.

  “Give me a minute to get dressed, and I’ll take you home.” Shane quickly left the room.

  I took a deep breath. My emotions were all over the place; my mind a cluttered mess. The crazy thing was I didn’t feel threatened by Shane or Cole; I actually felt safe with them, but then again, I’d felt safe with my father too at one time. That played repeatedly in my mind. It was a road block I couldn’t get over.

  “Let’s go, darlin’,” Shane said, coming back into the room. He’d changed into a pair of cargos and a thin white t-shirt; his sneakers already on, he grabbed his keys off the hook on the wall by the door.

  I grabbed my purse and turned towards the door. I stopped. I knew he could hear me at a distance. “Bye, Cole. Sorry.”

  “We’re not mad, darlin’. We just wish you’d give us a chance,” Shane explained. I nodded.

  The drive into town was quiet. There wasn’t any tension between us, but I felt uneasy; I felt guilty. For so long I’d closed everyone off. I hadn’t even told Suzie everything that happened, and she’d proven her loyalty as a friend over the last seven years. Oddly though, it was these two men that I regretted not telling in this moment, and I didn’t know why.

  “I’ll need directions to your place,” Shane said.

  “Just drop me off at the store. My car’s there anyways.” I stared out the window at the quaint shops and restaurants of our town. Mount Bluff wasn’t huge, but it had plenty to keep you fulfilled.

  Shane parked beside my car behind the shop, both of us immediately unbuckling our seat belts. I watched the battle of emotions across his face as his hand rubbed up and down the back of his neck. I gave him time to sort through it, to pick what one he was going to hold onto.

  “I’m sorry, Karley. I’m sorry if we came on too strong. We don’t mean to. It’s hard for us to control our inner animal. We didn’t mean to scare you.”

  I gazed into the depths of his green eyes, drank in the intensity of him. I knew he meant every word he said; I saw the conviction in his eyes, and the sorrow at the same time. I closed my eyes to the truth of how he felt. I wasn’t ready to deal with my own emotions, let alone those of someone else.

  “I’m sorry I couldn’t offer you more.” I looked out the windshield for a second before opening my door.

  “We’ll take what you can give. We won’t push you, darlin’; I promise.” I was surprised by the hint of desperation in his tone.

  “What do you have in mind?” My voice was barely above a whisper; my e
yes hesitantly returned to his.

  “How about lunch? Every day until you feel comfortable with us.” A couple of the bricks protecting my heart crumbled. They weren’t going to give up on me like I had myself. I didn’t know how in such a short time, but they cared about me. There was genuine vulnerability in his efforts.

  I swallowed past the lump in my throat, my emotions growing thick as I considered him. “I’ll try,” I finally conceded.

  He smiled wide, pulling me into his arms. “That’s all we’re askin’, darlin’.” He tucked a piece of my hair behind my ear. I looked at him. “Is it alright if I kiss you?” he asked, already leaning towards me. He stopped a few centimeters from my lips.

  I didn’t reply, merely closed the gap between us, my hand falling to his bicep. I pressed my lips to his, the gentleness in his exploration weakening me. I felt his muscles straining; he was holding back for me. His fingers slid between the strands of my hair as he cradled my head. My body tingled, heat flooding my center when his tongue swept my lips before diving into my mouth. My nipples hardened when he pulled me against his muscled chest, his available hand moving down my spine and cupping my rear. My breath hitched when he pressed his erection to my center. I pulled back, locking my gaze with his; our heavy breaths filling the cab.

  “I, uh… I better go.” I watched his chest rise and fall beneath the tight span of his shirt.

  “Give me your phone.” I retrieved my phone and handed it to him. I watched him program three phone numbers into it. “I put our cells and house phone in here for you. You call us if you need anything, darlin’. You got me?” He leveled his eyes with mine as he passed me my phone.

  I nodded. “Thanks.”

  He got out of the truck and came around to my side. He pulled the door open the rest of the way, offering me his hand. I settled my palm in his and leapt onto the ground below. He pushed a stray hair away from my face. I looked up at him. “Be good. I’ll pick up for lunch tomorrow.”

  “Ok.” I smiled. He gave me a quick kiss before he left. Unfortunately, he left me with a heavy heart. Could I learn to let go of my fears? Could I trust them not to hurt me?