“What?” she asked, her voice sounding irritated though it was frustration that was doing her in. She kept her face turned away from his.
“Have a good day.”
With that, she pulled her hand away and walked back the clearing, and back to her life.
***
That evening when she got home, Zoe saw that Colson hadn’t done any work on her house in the trees, but she wasn’t surprised. Even she couldn’t be in more than one place at once; how could she expect so much of Colson?
She went to sleep that night, her panther form curled up into a ball, imagining his bear wrapped around her in comfort and safety.
She missed him.
And she hated that.
Ten
Colson wasn’t at the school the following day, and Zoe assumed that it was because he had too much work to do at the garage. But when she returned home she found that he’d added walls to the now octagonal structure that had become her new home. He’d even framed large windows on all sides, so that Zoe had a beautiful view of the world around her; the treetops, and the sky and mountains. There was an extraordinary amount of care going into the project. And on top of that, Zoe was impressed by Colson’s intellect and speed.
She sat in her new abode that evening, eating fruit and bread, and thinking about her feelings for the man. She was learning, slowly, to calm herself; to breathe and to enjoy life.
It seemed that Drake had learned his lesson. It was Zoe’s greatest hope that her former lover had cut his losses and wasn’t trying to find her; perhaps he’d grown wiser with the slash marks across his chest. And Zoe was not Annette. She was a different woman; a smarter one and a happier one. She had a new home and a new life, and most importantly she had found her purpose.
Perhaps she could begin to open herself up to Colson. Maybe it was time to learn to trust someone other than herself.
After she’d eaten and brushed her teeth using the water supply that he’d provided, she laid down on her makeshift mattress and slowly pulled up her skirt so that her thighs were exposed to the elements. Normally she slept in panther form for warmth, so being nude in the great outdoors wasn’t uncommon, at least in the mornings when she’d shift.
But Zoe had rarely been relaxed enough to partake in tonight’s activity, which was to run the fingers of one hand slowly and gently up her thigh, her other hand reaching inside the folds of her dress, seeking a nipple to fondle. When she found it, she allowed her fingers to pass over its tip lightly, hardening its tingling pink under her touch. She looked down and watched the other nipple as it followed suit, loving this body of hers and its eagerness for pleasure.
The image of Colson’s face was etched on her mind, and she pictured him lying over her, his weight on his strong arms as he smiled down at her face. The idea of him above, pinning her down, was one that she loved. Zoe hated the idea of being commanded by a man, but being willingly dominated was another thing. Secretly she fantasized about the beautiful, muscular man holding her arms at bay while he entered her and teased her opening with his hard cock. She’d seen his gorgeous, delectable bulge straining against his jeans; she knew that hers wasn’t the only eager body around. Colson’s cock wanted to be inside her as much as she wanted it.
Her fantasy advanced now and in her mind’s eye he pulled at her dress, tearing the fabric away from her breasts, baring them and leaning down, his voracious appetite telling him to suck on her beautiful pink nipples, hardening them to long, sensitive stones. He would, she knew, want more and more, and want to nuzzle them with his lips, to squeeze her full tits with his hands. And as he did so she would feel him, pressing against her pelvis, his length hardening as it sat atop her soft skin.
Her right index finger found her wet clit and stroked in delicate circles, rotating to imitate a soft, sensitive tongue. Her cat purred as she thrust her hips upwards, imagining his yellow and green eyes looking up towards her breasts and her face as his mouth feasted on her pussy, the muscles of his shoulders tensing as he pulled her thighs apart and pushed his tongue inside her…she would reward him by fucking him. She would give his hard cock the royal treatment, and he would explode in waves for her, his searing heat shooting through her core. He would come for her, and her alone.
It didn’t take long before Zoe felt herself tense and thrust still further upwards in a haze of delicious orgasm. Her scent, she knew, was being released into the wild. The smell of sex, ecstasy and frustration. The smell of desire.
***
The next morning when she’d showered and arrived at work for the day ahead, Zoe was approached by Kyla.
“Could we take the kids to watch the construction of the new buildings today?” she asked. “It’s kind of more practical and dull than what you’re used to talking to them about, but kids are never too young to learn the delicate art of putting up shelters.”
“Sure,” said Zoe. “I take it the usual guys will be around, working?”
“What do you mean by the usual?” asked Kyla, though she knew already, of course. She was smiling in her knowing way.
“Oh, just wondering who was…”
“If a certain bear shifter would be here, you mean? Yes, I think he will.”
“So do you know Colson at all?” Zoe knew better than to ask Kyla which bear shifter she was referring to. The woman knew everything, and besides, Kyla had figured it out the first night; probably before Zoe even knew that she was beginning to have feelings for Colson.
“I don’t know him, not really,” said Kyla. “But the little bit of interaction we’ve had has impressed me. He’s a good guy, Zoe.”
“Yeah, I know he is. At least I think he is. I don’t think I actually ‘know’ anything. But Colson…he’s special. He doesn’t treat me like most men have all my life.”
“That’s because he respects you. And that’s a good thing.”
“I suppose he does. Still, I don’t know, really, that I’m ready for a relationship after last time.”
“And I can’t tell you that you are, of course,” said Kyla.
“But you can see something, can’t you? You have thoughts and you’ve had visions.”
“I can only ever see how life might go, Zoe. How it actually goes is up to you. You are in control, and so is Colson.”
“To be honest, Kyla, I’m a little afraid of losing control.”
“You’re afraid of falling in love. Which is much the same thing. But it’s possible, you know, that it’s too late for you to worry about that.”
Zoe made her way over to her first student of the day, realizing as she walked that Kyla might be right.
After the children had had their lunch, Zoe and Kyla brought them to see the work that was going on in the woods. Normally the students were told to stay out of the construction areas for safety reasons, but today they were allowed near one particular structure which Colson was working on. Zoe eyed Kyla, wondering if this was a deliberate set-up on her part.
“Hi guys,” said Colson as they approached. He looked into Zoe’s eyes then and smiled. “Hi, Zoe.”
This caused some giggling among the young girls, who in all likelihood thought the tall, strong man before them was rather handsome. Fortunately, thought Zoe, they would have no idea yet what it was to feel so drawn to such a man that it was painful. She didn’t envy them that aspect of their future lives. Of everything difficult about growing up, she thought, love was the hardest. Love, want, rejection. Maybe that was it. Maybe she was afraid that Colson would realize that she wasn’t good enough and let her go.
She shook the thought from her mind and replied, “Hi, Colson. Children, this is Colson. He knows how to build things. He also know how to fix cars.”
A few of the boys let the standard “Wow” emerge from their mouths.
“And he’s quite a climber,” Zoe added, smiling at Colson, who grinned back. It was rare to see a show of relaxed friendliness from her.
“I’m going to show you how to frame a house today,” said Cols
on. “Are you guys excited?”
Something in his tone of voice made Zoe want to laugh. She could see that even if the children weren’t thrilled, he was delighted to be there. But of course they were as well, and the entire class yelled, “Yeah!” in unison.
Colson began with some planks of treated wood, showing them how to cut the ends and screw them at right angles in order to begin construction of the frame.
“Would someone like to help me with the drill?” he asked.
“I would,” said Conner, who stepped forward. Since his talk with Zoe on her first day, the young boy had become outgoing and confident, and Zoe was beyond pleased to see his progress.
With Colson’s hand over his own to protect him from the power drill’s weight, the bear shifter helped the boy to drill a screw deep into a piece of wood.
“Excellent,” said Colson. “You’re a natural.”
“Thanks,” said Conner. “I like making things.”
“Oh yeah? What else do you make?”
“Toys, mostly,” said Conner, shrugging as though it were no big deal. “Sometimes I build toy cars with my dad out of wood.”
“Well, your dad should bring you round the garage sometime. We can show you how the insides of a car work.”
Conner smiled, revealing the adult teeth which were now growing in his mouth.
“Really?” he asked.
“Of course.” Colson turned to Zoe. “You could bring the whole class if you’d like.”
“I might just do that,” she said. “One of these days.”
“Well, you should do it before the weather turns cold.” It was October now and he was right, of course; it would soon be cold out. Zoe thought of her funny, impractical home, and how she’d keep warm over the winter months.
When the lesson was done and the children had been dismissed, Zoe began to make her way towards the woods and Colson’s work station.
“Zoe!” she heard a little boy’s voice from behind her.
“Hi, Conner,” she said, turning around.
“That man in the woods. The one who builds. He’s your friend, right?”
“Yes, he is,” Zoe said, crouching down in front of the boy.
“I like him. He’s nice. He’s not a bad one.”
“What do you mean, not a bad one?” Zoe smiled, amused at the choice of words.
“There are good people. Some people are in the middle. And there are bad people who like hurting others. Colson is a good person. He doesn’t like to hurt anyone.”
“I’m sure you’re right.”
“And he likes you.”
“I know he does,” said Zoe, standing up. “Now you head on home to your parents, and I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
“Okay,” said Conner, his toothy smile re-emerging. He turned on his heels and dashed off in the opposite direction.
Zoe found Colson finishing off a corner of the new building.
“How’s it going back here? I mean, aside from the obvious distraction of ankle-biters running around.”
“They’re not the distracting ones,” he said, raising an eyebrow suggestively. “But it’s good. All good. I’m sorry though; I spent so much time here that I didn’t get a chance to work on your place.”
“That’s okay. This is more important.”
“Nothing’s more important, Zoe,” he said, his yellow-flecked eyes looking down into hers.
“So,” she said, avoiding any acknowledgment of his sincere words, “would you like to come by? I have some food left over from yesterday. It’s nothing exciting but you’re welcome to have dinner with me.”
Colson looked surprised.
“Sure. I mean of course. I’ll just clean up here and maybe take a quick shower before I head over. I’ll be there soon though.”
“Good. Don’t take too long,” she said, turning around and beginning the walk home.
Colson watched her go as every drop of blood in his body seemed to rush to his cock.
“It’s just dinner, buddy,” he said. “Calm down.”
Eleven
When Zoe got home, she stood, looking in the mirror which she’d hung on one of the treehouse’s new walls. Often when she did this she felt as though she were looking at a stranger, yet she was unsure of whether this was something she experienced because of her repeated shape-shifting or if it was a habit that was common to all of humanity. After all, every person changed; they grew taller, shorter, fatter, balder. Wrinkles emerged over time. No one was immune to any of it. Except, perhaps, for her. She wondered if she’d be able to fight off the ageing process with her shifting skills. She’d never tried to morph into a younger version of herself and somehow, didn’t want to. It seemed like counter-progress, as though she would be returning to less happy times.
About half an hour after she’d returned, as Zoe was heating some stew on a camping stove, she heard someone making his way up the tree. She could smell Colson before she saw him, reassured by his familiar scent.
He emerged from the hole in the floor, to which he’d added a door which swung open upwards. When he’d made his way into the house, though, he kept a distance from Zoe.
“Make yourself comfortable,” she said. “I’m sorry that I don’t have furniture yet. Getting it up here is going to be a feat, isn’t it?”
“We’ll find a way,” said Colson. “With your shifting and my strength I’m sure we can do some heavy lifting. It’s just a question of coordinating ourselves and working together.”
“True,” said Zoe, pondering how long a giraffe’s neck might be, and wondering what it would be like to work “together” with this man.
Colson sat down, resting after his day of physical labour and grateful to be able to do so.
“So,” said Zoe, “are you enjoying being a mechanic?”
“It’s fine. It sort of is what it is, but to be honest I’ve had more fun building this place than anything.”
“Have you?” she asked, allowing herself a smile and for a warmth to spread over her. Colson had this effect; it reminded her of taking a sip of scotch and allowing a sort of numbing, gentle pleasantness to spread through her. And Conner and Kyla’s assessments of Colson had only confirmed what she already knew: he was one of the good ones.
“I have,” he said, pushing himself up to his feet and walking around, admiring his own handiwork. “This is what they call a labour of love.” He turned and looked at Zoe. “I’ve built it for you, because you’re the woman I want to be with. Because I fucking adore you.”
Zoe knew that her face was going crimson with the statement. She wanted to laugh at herself for it; she didn’t know that she was capable of feeling quite so innocent and swept off her feet by words.
But in that moment she genuinely believed that this beautiful man had feelings for her, and that was enormous. She turned to Colson, who was looking at her with apprehension on his face. He’d no doubt felt rejected by her in past.
But he wouldn’t tonight.
***
Colson eyed Zoe, his body taut with something like fear. This big, strong man who was afraid of nothing was terrified in that moment that the woman he’d grown to care about deeply would throw him out for daring to express himself. What would she do?
Still, he had to let her know. He had to say it one last time, even if it was the last he’d see of her. He cared about her and everything in him told him that he needed to look after her. He needed to let her know his feelings. And she needed to hear him.
Zoe let go of the spoon she’d been using to stir her stew and left it simmering on the stove. She walked slowly over to Colson, who stood immobile, and put her hands on his waist, palms flat, fingers grasping the seam of his t-shirt.
Without a word she pulled it upwards and Colson, inhaling deeply, raised his arms.
Zoe laughed when she tried to pull it over his head; he was almost too tall for her. But she managed, and the body made up of tanned, carved muscles stood before her; the body she’d so longed to tou
ch and to taste. Seeing and smelling him wasn’t nearly enough; it was time, at last, to experience him. To take him inside her in every possible way.
Colson reached out now and put his hands on her waist. Zoe felt herself clench, pulling her soft girth inwards under his touch.
“Don’t,” he said quietly. His light eyes were piercing in the evening light, and Zoe had never seen such resolve and determination on his face as she did in this moment.
“Don’t change yourself,” he said. “I want you as you are.”
She let herself breathe. The blouse that she’d worn to teach that day came away easily as he pulled it out of her jeans, and he thrust his hands under its delicate fabric onto her skin, which was hot to his touch. She was soft and smooth, and her roundness as he slid his hands onto her hips made him think of the fantasies he’d had so many times, of grasping her sides while he would fuck her from every possible angle. Of how round her ass was, and how much he longed to look down and see his cock emerging from her wetness. Of how much he wanted her.
He pulled the blouse up, exposing her belly, and he eased himself down until he knelt down before her, kissing her white skin before rising again.
“You are perfect. You don’t know you are. But you’re perfect for me, Zoe,” he said.
She stared into his eyes, her fingers reaching for her buttons which she undid slowly, allowing the fabric to fall away from her chest as she did so. Underneath the blouse she wore the white, lace bra which she’d bought while thinking about this very moment, back when she didn’t know if it would ever happen.
She felt her inner panther again, at peace and purring for him as he let his fingers stroke her from her neck down, in between her round breasts and onto her soft belly.
“I want to be inside you,” he said softly. “You don’t even know how much.”
“I have an idea,” she breathed, her chest filling with air as she inhaled again. His fingers were still moving slowly around her, exploring her curves. His keen eyes watched them go, obsessed with each inch of her flesh.
The Right to a Bear's Arms (A BBW Shifter Romance) (Wolf Rock Shifters) Page 8