The Shifter's Catch

by T. S. Ryder

  Grabbing a towel from the bathroom, she started towel-drying her hair and joined Trevor in the living room. He’d removed his jacket, a sodden mess, and his white shirt clung to his broad chest.

  “I must look like a drowned raccoon,” she said. It dismayed her, all the time she’d spent trying to look good for him, only to have this storm undo everything.

  Trevor just stared at her, his eyes dark and unreadable. What could he be thinking about? “You look perfect to me,” he said hoarsely.

  ***

  Trevor’s mouth went dry when Laken came out, toweling her hair. She was wrapped up in a robe, belted at her waist, and even covered top to bottom, he wanted her.

  Her lips would still be cool from the rain. Her scent—a combination of oranges and vanilla—struck him when she got close.

  “I should go.” If he didn’t get out of there, there was no telling what would happen next.

  “I could make some coffee.” She tilted her head and gave a little shrug, eyes wide. “I guess you want to get out of those wet clothes, though.”

  He was fucked. She could feel the desire sparking between them, just like he did. Those eyes gave it away. “Yeah. I do.”

  He stalked across the room and took her face in his hands, a little rougher than he intended. He stroked one chilled cheek then pulled her close, his mouth descending on hers.

  This time, she opened for him right away and their tongues danced together. His hands drifted down, over her shoulders and her tiny waist, to grab her ass and pull her close. She came closer with a whimper in his mouth, crushed hips pliant against his unyielding erection.

  Her hands drifted up and began to tentatively unbutton his wet dress shirt. She peeled it off him, never breaking contact, then ran her hands up to curl in the smattering of hair on his chest.

  When he separated her robe, to caress her neck and collarbone, her skin was scorching hot under his hands. She arched up to his touch, and he tugged the top of her robe apart. Her breasts were full and perfect. He took one in each hand, kneading it as he found her mouth again.

  Laken pulled back and swallowed. “Take those clothes off.”

  “You want this?” he asked.

  Her eyes drifted closed as he rolled one nipple between his fingers. “God, yes. I’ve never been this sure.”

  She unbuckled his belt, and he did the rest, discarding his wet clothes in a pile on her floor. Taking his hand, she led him to the bedroom.

  Her bed was made. Her bedroom was very bohemian with different styles of art and scarves over the lamps. While they walked, she’d pulled her robe together.

  He took her by the arms and turned her to face him. “Don’t ever cover yourself. I like looking at you.”

  Pink spots of color rose high on her cheeks. She let her hand fall and the robe gaped open, exposing her beautiful, pert breasts. Her nipples were like dusky pink points, hard like diamonds. He backed her up against the wall, used one hand to encircle her wrists and pin them above her head. He yanked at the sash of her robe until she stood gloriously nude in front of him.

  He brought his head down to feast on her breasts and used a finger to circle her clit, dive inside of her, then toy with her clit again. In moments, she quivered against him, like a live wire. “Oh, God, don’t stop. Please don’t—”

  Her words ended as an orgasm ripped through her. Hips bucked against his hand, and he sucked harder on a nipple.

  “I never… I didn’t know.”

  He grasped a leg, pulling it around him, giving him better access. He readied himself, poised near her entrance. He was panting like a man in a marathon, but he was dying. The more he touched her, the more he wanted her.

  “Didn’t know what, darling?” At that moment, he pushed himself inside until he filled her completely.

  She cried out, but it wasn’t from pleasure. At least, it didn’t sound that way. He thought he might just explode from how damn tight she was. He pulled back, then thrust inside of her again.

  Her head fell back against the wall. “Trevor, wait.”

  He couldn’t wait much longer, but he stopped moving to hear her out. If he didn’t have her soon, he’d go crazy.

  “Don’t be mad, okay?” she asked. Her hands came down on his shoulders when he let go of her and backed away.

  “You want me to stop.” He’d die if he didn’t come soon. She’d made him wild with desire for her tight little body.

  “No. I really don’t.” She pulled him over to the bed. “But could we go a little slower at first? I-I’ve never done this.”

  “Done what?” She couldn’t possibly mean what he thought she meant.

  “This.” She gestured at their naked bodies. “Sex.”

  He cupped her cheek in his hand. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

  “I was afraid you’d change your mind.” She wouldn’t meet his eyes, staring instead down at her long, lithe legs.

  And he would’ve. But Christ, he needed her. If she still wanted him… he’d already taken her virginity. Was he any more damned if he finished the job?

  He pushed her back on the bed, climbed on top of her, and took his time, easing himself into her entrance. He used a finger to stroke her clit so she wouldn’t notice the discomfort, and soon she was shaking with pleasure. “I think it’s okay. I really think it’s okay. I want you now.” Her words all ran together.

  With that, he began to pump his hips in and out of her, and in only a few more minutes, she came again, moaning so loud that he wondered if someone on the street might hear.

  Wondered, but didn’t care. He quickened his pace, moving faster, and his own pleasure built until shudders wracked his body.

  What had she done to him? He’d been so overcome with passion, he hadn’t even used a condom. He rolled off her, trying to catch his breath, and she curled up at his side.

  He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close, without another word. He didn’t have any at the moment.

  ***

  This was one of those rare nights she wouldn’t see Trevor. He had a business thing tonight, and she could hardly show up on his arm.

  They’d been seeing each other for six weeks now. Christmas was days away and he'd helped her put up a tiny tree. He'd brought ornaments from his house to decorate it with.

  They’d made love at his place, her place, his desk, the shower, and once he’d pleasured her in the kitchen. Just plopped her up on the counter and made love to her with his mouth until she’d come so hard, she’d wailed.

  They’d been secretly carrying on a torrid affair for about six weeks. Just long enough for her to be very worried, because she hadn’t had her period since before they’d made love that first time.

  Jen was on her way over with her son, Jason, who loved playing with the stuffed animals Laken kept here for him. Laken needed Jen to give her moral support.

  Her gaze traveled once again to the bag from the drugstore on the corner. She didn’t want to take the test, but she did. Wanted it to be done and negative, but the very real possibility that it could be positive kept her from going into the bathroom and just peeing on the stupid thing.

  She’d bought two different kinds. This way if she got a positive, she’d have a backup. She figured she’d just use them both because she couldn’t screw them both up.

  A knock on the door alerted her to Jen’s presence. She went and opened it, and Jason pounced on her. She grabbed him up in a big hug and carried him inside.

  “I’ve told you not to do that, Jason,” Jen said. She sounded tired.

  “No way. Jason’s hugs always make me feel better,” Laken said. Before she could get any more cuddles, Jason hopped down and attacked the box of stuffed animals in the corner of her living room.

  As soon as he was busy playing, Jen pulled her into a hug. “Thank you, again, for saving my ass at Coffee Hut.”

  “It’s not a big deal. I got another job offer so it worked out for both of us. Stop thanking me.”

  Jen shrugged out of h
er threadbare jacket, too light for the chilliness of the day. It was probably all she had. “So, what’s going on?”

  Blushing, Laken handed Jen the bag so she could look inside.

  “Oh. Oh! Are you—do you really think you are?”

  Laken took Jen’s hand and held it tight. “That’s why I need you here, so I can figure it out.”

  They both stared at the innocuous bag in Jen’s hand for a minute. Finally, Jen spoke up. “Why don’t you go ahead and take them. Cap them, and bring them to me. I’ll set a timer on my phone.”

  Relief flushed through Laken. “You’ll be in charge of watching them? And then let me know?”

  “Well, honey, it’s not that hard to watch them. They just sit there.”

  “Of course. I know that, it’s just… let’s hope for a negative, all right?” Laken picked up the bag and made her way to her bathroom. She took both tests, then washed her hands, and carried them back to Jen.

  “Okay, five minutes starting… now.” Jen gave her a once-over. “So who is he?”

  Oh, who was he? What a loaded question. Just her boss, just her dad’s best friend of twenty years. Just someone who’d leave her once he found out he’d gotten her pregnant.

  He’d probably assumed she was on some kind of birth control. But, why would she be? Before him, she wasn’t having sex. “I can’t tell you his name,” was all she would say to Jen.

  “Will he, you know, be a dad?” Jen sent a pointed look at her son playing quietly in the corner. His dad was nowhere to be found. Didn’t even bother sending child support, birthday cards—nothing.

  “I don’t even know if he would want a child.” Laken ran a hand through her hair, staring at the test sticks on the table.

  “It’s not whether he wants one. It’s whether he’ll do the right thing.” Jen picked up one stick, then the other.

  Her face fell, and then the bottom collapsed on Laken’s world. She knew before grabbing the tests what they would say, and she was right. They were both positive.

  Chapter Four

  Trevor knew a bar on the seedy side of town and had decided he was going to take Laken there. They could at least go out for a couple of drinks, get a burger, before going back to her house to hide out and spend the evening making love.

  He hated treating her like his dirty little secret. She deserved so much more than that.

  When they got to the bar, he came around the car and opened her door for her. She gave him her hand and he helped her out, pulling her close in the process. He planted a kiss on her luscious lips.

  For someone who’d been a virgin the first time they made love, Laken had made a devoted student. She’d learned very quickly how to please him and how to take control and please herself as well. He loved that about her. Nothing intimidated her.

  Still, she’d been preoccupied the last few days, but when he asked her about it, she’d say it was “nothing.” Maybe it was the fact that Christmas Eve was tomorrow and she didn't know how to ask if they'd spend it together. Trevor had no one else. Thank Christ he had Laken.

  He'd bought her diamond stud earrings that he could only hope she'd accept. He'd even ordered a catered dinner to be brought to his house on Christmas Day. He hoped she liked the surprise. So far, he was acting like tomorrow was just another day.

  He led her into the bar and they found a corner booth. A waiter came up to take their order, wearing black jeans and a black tee shirt stretched across a massive chest. The guy must spend hours in the gym. He was also about Laken’s age.

  The waiter sized Laken up while Trevor sat there and watched and a churning started in his stomach. The waiter took Trevor’s order and then said, “And what can I get the beautiful lady?”

  Laken wasn’t paying him much attention, which Trevor appreciated but he couldn’t help but wonder. If they weren’t together, would she have been interested in his flattery?

  Pulling him from his thoughts, Laken took his hand and squeezed it. “I’ll have a burger and fries. And, to drink, just a coke, please.”

  The server gave her a wink and headed behind the bar.

  She scooted out of the booth. “I’ll be right back. I’m going to go freshen up before our food gets here.”

  The drinks came and the server left again. When Trevor noticed him again, he realized the guy had cornered Laken coming out of the bathroom. He obviously wanted her number. She was shaking her head no, but the guy just kept talking.

  Trevor stood and stalked over there, rage blanketing his vision, turning everything red. When he got within earshot, Laken had put her hands on the guys chest. “Look, I’m here with my boyfriend. I’m not interested.”

  “That old dude is your boyfriend? I thought he was your dad.” The server took a step back. “That’s really sick, you know?”

  It felt like the guy had punched him in the gut, so it wasn’t such a stretch when Trevor spun him around and let his fist fly, punching the server in the face.

  The guy’s nose spurted blood, and he grabbed it, pulling a dishtowel from his apron. “I’m calling the cops!” he shouted.

  Laken put her hands on her cheeks. “What are you doing?” she cried at Trevor.

  “Saving you.” He grabbed her hand, threw two twenties down on the bar, and stalked outside.

  She pulled up short at the car and yanked her hand free. “I didn’t need saving. I can handle myself.”

  Her boyfriend, that’s what she’d called him, he remembered. She could easily have given the guy her number, but she didn’t. That meant a lot.

  Maybe he was just jealous, and it made him want to punish her for being beautiful and young. He pulled her into his arms and crushed her mouth with his. He nipped at her lips and she let out a whimper.

  He wasn’t punishing her, he realized. His cock ached with need. He had to be inside of her—he was only punishing himself.

  He plastered her against the car and let his hand slip under her shirt. Her hard nipple poked through the lacy bra she wore under her blouse.

  She shoved at him, hard. He staggered back as she swiped at her swollen lips. “Stop it!”

  Her voice sounded near tears and that got to him more than if she’d slapped him. “Jesus, I’m sorry. Get in the car, I’m taking you home.”

  “I’ll catch a bus.” She shook her head. “I mean it. Go on home, I’ll find my own way.”

  He looked at her, hurt. He could see she meant it, she didn’t want him near her right now. He got into his car, feeling like the biggest asshole in the world. He couldn’t help but wonder if he’d pushed her into another man’s arms.

  ***

  Laken woke up the next morning with a damp pillow. She’d cried herself to sleep. First, she found out she was pregnant and before she could even say anything, Trevor had turned into an obnoxious jerk.

  It was Christmas Eve, so she didn’t have to work. She climbed out of bed and a wave of nausea hit her. She had to stand really still until it finally passed.

  She thought with a smile about the cufflinks she’d saved up to buy for Trevor. They’d get this argument sorted out tonight.

  She ran a hand through her tangled curls and walked into the kitchen to get a glass of orange juice. Somewhere, she’d read that it was good to drink OJ when you were pregnant.

  She curled up on her couch, one leg beneath her, and wondered what she was going to do. When should she tell Trevor she was pregnant? Would he be happy or think she was trying to trap him?

  A knock at the door pulled her from her deep thoughts. She crossed the few steps to the door and opened it to find Trevor. His presence, looking like he’d slept in his clothes, hit her like a smack to the face. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to see him just yet.

  “We should talk, Laken.”

  It didn’t look like he’d even ran a comb through his dark hair. Something unsettling squirmed to life in her stomach, worse than the queasiness she’d just experienced. “Come in, then, I guess.”

  “You guess… I suppose I
deserve that. There was a time, before last night, you’d have welcomed me with open arms into your home. Your bed,” he said.

  “I don’t understand what you’re talking about. You look like you spent the night drinking and you’re starting to scare me.”

  He grasped her elbows. “You don’t have to be afraid of me, darling.”

  She moved away from him, back to the couch to perch on the edge. “I’m not afraid of you. But why are you here so early? Why haven’t you been to bed?”

  Grabbing a kitchen chair, he brought it over to the living area and sat down.

  Why didn’t he just sit with her? There was plenty of room on the couch. She found a hair tie on the coffee table and used it to pull her hair away from her face. “Maybe you should go lie down for a while. We can talk about yesterday when you get some rest,” she said.

  “We need to talk about tomorrow, and the day after that. All the days after that.”

  She shook her head. He still wasn’t making any sense to her. “All right. Talk.”

  “I’ve stayed up all night thinking. And drinking. Facing up to reality.”

  “And what’s that?” she asked him, rubbing her damp palms on her shorts.

  “I don’t deserve you. You’re too young for me, or more to the point, I’m too old for you.” He said it with a straight face. If he felt anything over his words, she would’ve seen it.

  It was like someone had plunged a knife into her heart and twisted. She suddenly realized she loved him, but it was already too late. What would she do about her child now? Tell him? Beg him not to leave her alone, the way everyone else in her life had?

  No, she wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t beg. The only indication she gave was a sniffle that she masked by rubbing her nose. “If that’s what you want, then you don’t need my permission. But don’t act like you’re doing this for me. You’re just one more man who let me down.”

  “But, don’t you see” —he held out two pleading hands to her— “you deserve a life of your own without me in it.”

  She shut her eyes, tears prickling in them. “I think you should go now.”

  “I understand.” Trevor stood slowly like he hurt all over. “We’ll get you transferred to someone else at the office. I don’t want you to think your job is in jeopardy.”