by Olivia Myers
Amber stared down at her for a moment and then shook her head. “I don’t know if I should believe what I’m seeing, if this is the coolest thing in the entire world, or if I should be scared out of my freaking mind. This is…unreal.”
Kalinda rubbed up against Amber for a few minutes and let her pet her before hopping off the bed and shifting back to her human form. Then she sat down next to Amber again. Sitting on the bed, the two girls just stared at each other for a few moments.
“Well, now you know my deepest, darkest secret, so believe me when I say I can understand you wanting to keep things close to your chest,” Kalinda said, shrugging. “However, sexual orientation is something we can learn to work around, if you’re open to it. This, however…I don’t know what would happen to me if people knew I could shift into a house cat.”
“How long have you been able to do it?” Amber asked as she watched Kalinda intently. She didn’t seem totally freaked out, but she had a shocked expression on her face that had Kalinda questioning her judgement in showing her the truth.
“Since I was a kid. I fell out of a tree, and before I hit the ground, I was a cat. As I was falling, all I did was think that a cat wouldn’t get hurt, and the next thing I know, I’m landing on all fours and our family dog is chasing me out of the yard.” Kalinda shook her head. “We eventually worked it out so he wouldn’t chase me when I was in the backyard, but he hated cats.”
“And your parents never knew?” Amber’s eyes widened when she realized all the possibilities of being a cat. “Wait, is this how you found out about me and Mary?”
“Well, don’t be mad, okay?” Kalinda cringed, realizing that admitting to being a peeping tom could effectively ruin their budding relationship and any trust between them. “It wasn’t exactly on purpose. I was just wandering around the neighborhood and saw Mary and you together through the window. I thought you were beautiful. Later, when I realized Mary and you weren’t…serious, I took a chance to get to know you.”
“You spied on me?” Amber gasped. She scooted back away from Kalinda for a moment, looking shocked.
“I didn’t mean to. Listen Amber, I sometimes turn into a cat, and wander around. This neighborhood is safe, and there are lots of high trees here. It was just coincidence that I saw you and Mary together, but once I saw you, I couldn’t get over how beautiful you were.”
Amber didn’t move back to Kalinda’s side, and instead stared at Kalinda, her expression horrified and embarrassed.
Kalinda dropped her head down and then looked up, grabbing at Amber’s hand. “Please believe me when I say that nothing I did was intentional and my attraction for you is because of you, and nothing I saw you do with Mary. I just shared my deepest, darkest secret with you. I’m telling you the truth, I’m throwing myself out there. This is hard for me, because I’ve never told anyone my secret before. I’m sorry that part of that includes me seeing you in a private moment, but I didn’t go out of my way to find you, it just happened.”
“I don’t know whether to be impressed or disturbed by all of this. I need some time to think. You can stay the night because it’s so late, but don’t come back until I call you.” Amber told her.
“Okay,” Kalinda whispered, feeling her heart break.
Amber rolled over with her back to Kalinda, and ignored her for the rest of the night.
Kalinda lay awake, having trouble sleeping. She could feel Amber slipping away from her, and she tried not to panic. She’d never felt this way about anyone before, and the idea of losing Amber was terrifying. She didn’t know how to fix it.
Getting up before Amber’s alarm was due to go off, she wrote her a note and then left, going back to her dorm.
Ball’s in your court. I want you, I think we have something special. Let me know when you’re ready to talk. I’ll be waiting. –K
Going back, she got ready for classes, and for the rest of the day, Kalinda felt like she’d failed herself. She had trouble focusing, but this time it was because she was feeling so down, instead of yesterday, when she’d felt so excited about being with Amber.
Writing notes for her classes, she wasn’t expecting Amber to text her, but she’d been hopeful.
But Amber didn’t text or call.
This went on for the next few days, Kalinda watching her phone, feeling anxiety about not knowing where she stood, and waiting. Finally, she got sick of it and tracked Amber down in the library. The library was empty except for Amber, who was shelving books. Sneaking up on Amber, Kalinda cornered her in the back of the library in a dark corner.
Amber gasped, startled as Kalinda backed her up against the book shelves. Before Amber could stop her, Kalinda kissed her, pressing herself against Amber. Amber didn’t fight her; instead she kissed her back and wrapped her arms around Kalinda’s neck. Satisfied with the response, it kindled the hope in her chest. She knew she’d taken a risk throwing herself at Amber, and she just hoped it was the nudge Amber needed to move forward with her.
After a few minutes she pulled her head back to look at Amber.
“Can we talk tonight? Please?” Kalinda asked her, her heart racing, praying that Amber would say yes.
“Okay.” Amber nodded, her lips swollen from Kalinda’s kisses and her breaths coming in fast, sharp little gasps. “I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you.”
“I was getting scared you never would.”
“Sorry. It was so much to deal with, you know? And then I had a big final I was studying for and I’ve been working overtime due to all the people here using the library for finals.”
“It’s okay. I just wasn’t ready to give up on you.” Kalinda touched Amber’s cheek. “I’m falling in love with you and I want a chance to see if this can go somewhere. I trusted you with my secrets, and now I need you to trust me.”
“We can talk tonight.” Amber told her, but her face was blank, as if she were hiding her expression from Kalinda. It made Kalinda nervous, but she nodded.
Reaching down to pick up her book, Kalinda shot a look over her shoulder at Amber, who was touching her lips with her fingers. She was no longer looking at Kalinda. Instead, she looked thoughtful for a moment before redirecting her attention back to the shelves and the books in front of her.
Kalinda wished that she was a mind reader instead of a cat shifter. That would be a helpful power. Being able to shift into a housecat wasn’t very useful.
Fun at times, yes. Useful? Not really.
***
Knocking on Amber’s door later that night, Kalinda was practicing speeches in her head, the things she wanted to say to Amber. She was hoping that it would make a difference and Amber would accept everything and fall into Kalinda’s arms.
“Come in,” Amber told her. She was dressed in sweats and had no socks on. Her hair was in a messy ponytail and she looked like she’d been crying.
“Are you okay?” Kalinda asked her, concerned.
“Not really, Mary’s friends found out about our interlude and they told the dean. He pulled me into his office and said my scholarship is under review and I might get kicked out.” Amber sniffled and walked to the kitchen, not bothering with pleasantries. She went straight for the whiskey bottle, and poured herself an extra-large drink, taking it straight back.
“I can help fix this.” Kalinda told her and pulled her cell phone out. All it would take was one phone call to her mother. Kalinda never asked for anything, and her mother would do it for her without a second thought. “Let me help, Amber, please?”
“Are you doing this because you want to sleep with me, or because you truly want to help?” Amber asked. She poured herself another drink, eyeing Kalinda over the glass.
“I would do this for you because you’re a good person. You’re working hard to get through school and you don’t deserve to have people judge you for your sexual orientation. The fact I have feelings for you doesn’t hurt me wanting to help you though. I won’t lie to you, Amber, even if you don’t always like how I word the truth. I
promise you honesty. I want to help you, and I would do it even if we hadn’t slept together, and if I hadn’t told you all my secrets.”
“Fine. If you think you can fix this, be my guest.” Amber poured another shot.
Kalinda walked over and took the bottle from her. “Drink some water or coffee, or both. Go sit down on the couch and let me make a couple of phone calls, and behave yourself. Don’t do this to yourself just because you’re upset. Let me help you.” Kalinda gave her a push toward the couch. She hadn’t taken Amber for the type to drink under stress, but she supposed when everything she worked for was being threatened, she could understand the reaction. But Amber didn’t have to deal with this alone, and Kalinda wouldn’t let her go down that path if she could redirect her.
“All right, fine,” Amber muttered and went to sit on the couch.
Kalinda dialed her mother, explaining the situation and her relationship with Amber. She’d expected more from her mother than a few moments of silence while she absorbed the news. Her mother was a pretty accepting woman in a lot of ways, yet Kalinda had never told her about her ability to shape shift. It was a secret she’d never told anyone, until Amber. That alone told Kalinda how special Amber was to her. She tried to impress that fact on her mother without giving details.
“I can handle this. That poor young lady,” her mother muttered into the phone. “I cannot believe in this day and age they would treat her like that. What bigots!”
“I know Mom, she deserves better. She’s a good person and she’s a hard worker. I appreciate you dealing with this for me.” Kalinda was amazed and grateful that her mom was being so accepting of everything.
She didn’t get out unscathed, though—she got snagged into promising to come home for Christmas, and bringing her new girlfriend so her parents could meet her.
Kalinda answered, “I’ll invite her, Mom, but she’s been pretty private up until this point about her orientation. This is why this whole situation is destroying her emotionally. It’s not fair.”
“Life isn’t fair, Kalinda. You’ll learn that the hard way, but don’t give up.” Her mom talked for a few more minutes about other stuff, and promised to call back the next day to confirm that Amber’s scholarship was safe and she didn’t need to worry about Mary and her friends anymore.
Putting her cell back in her pocket, Kalinda went out to the couch and saw Amber crying. Not saying a word, Kalinda curled up behind her and wrapped her arms around Amber. She just held her for a while, giving her closeness and comfort.
“I’m sorry. I normally don’t drink this much, but it’s been a hell of a last couple of days,” Amber finally said, sniffling.
“It’s okay. My mom will confirm that your scholarship is safe tomorrow. She’s going to handle it, okay? You are going to be fine, your education is safe, I won’t let anyone harm you.” She meant it. She was surprised how possessive she felt about Amber already, feeling the need to protect her fiercely. It was strange, because she’d never felt this way about anyone before.
“You feel like you are too good to be true,” Amber said and then turned in her arms. She looked Kalinda in the eyes, searching her face for something. She must have found what she was looking for, because she threw her arms around Kalinda’s neck and kissed her hard.
Kalinda kissed her back, letting her hands wander over Amber’s body. She stuck her hands up Amber’s sweatshirt. Sighing when she realized that Amber had no bra on, she cupped her breasts and played with her nipples, rolling them between her fingers and thumbs.
“I don’t know what it is about you, but I can’t resist you, Kali,” Amber whispered as she pushed her body against Kalinda’s. “I can overlook the cat thing, I can overlook you spying on me, but whatever we have brewing between us, we need to figure out what it is. I don’t want another broken heart.”
“I have no intention of breaking your heart, and I’m hoping you won’t break mine. I’m here because I want to be. I’m here because I think you’re pretty freaking amazing. I’m here because I want to do things to your delectable little body that if I whispered the fantasies in my head out loud, it would curl your toes before I even touched you. I’m willing to put my heart on the line.” Kalinda told her and kissed Amber’s shoulders and neck, pressing her fingers into the plump mound of her breasts and working her hands lower. Pushing the waistband out of the way, she put a hand between Amber’s thighs. Finding Amber wet, Kalinda closed her eyes and groaned for a moment. She wanted nothing more than to bury her face between Amber’s legs and make her scream with multiple orgasms, but first, she needed to focus on talking to Amber.
“I want a chance at having a real relationship with you.” Kalinda told her as her fingers started stroking Amber’s clit, and every now and then would delve between the slick folds to get her fingers wet before going back to the swollen nub.
“I’ve never really been open about anyone I’ve ever dated; my family doesn’t even know I’m a lesbian,” Amber said. “I think my mom would have a heart attack, but my dad would probably laugh and say he’s not surprised.”
“My mom wants me to bring you home for Christmas,” Kalinda said, dropping the news as she pressed her fingers against Amber’s clit hard, rotating them in a circular motion, pushing Amber closer to climax as she talked to her. “I’d like that too, if you’re open to joining us.”
“I think I might be willing to do that.” Amber said and let her head drop back as Kalinda’s fingers made all logical thought almost impossible. “You’re so good with your hands.”
“A girl gets a lot of practice on herself.” Kalinda giggled and then bit Amber’s shoulder, claiming her. Wanting to leave a little love bite on her in a place where only she’d know. Amber didn’t stop her, instead turning her head further away to give Kalinda better access to her flesh.
“Don’t stop, please,” Amber whispered and dug her fingers into Kalinda’s thighs. Normally Amber was the aggressive one, taking charge, making demands, but right now, she was at Kalinda’s mercy, begging with desire, needing her to take her over the edge.
Kalinda whispered, “When I’m with you, I feel like everything’s going to be okay. I was lost before I met you, but you make me laugh and smile. You make my body feel so good. Just being around you feels better.”
Amber whimpered. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. It’s scary.” She gasped when Kalinda touched her, moving her fingers with gentle deftness. “I don’t know if I’m in love yet, but I’m definitely falling in that direction.”
“Come for me Amber,” Kalinda said. “Let me feel you get your juices all over my fingers, because I want to lick it off.” Kalinda pressed two fingers inside of Amber, going deep and stroking them in and out as her thumb massaged Amber’s clit. Taking Amber’s lips with her own, she shoved her tongue between her teeth and finger fucked her hard until Amber nearly screamed inside her mouth. Amber’s climax rocked her entire body, causing her to shudder and shake, arching her body back against the couch. She shook in Kalinda’s arms as her muscles contracted.
When Amber was done shuddering and could open her eyes again, she blushed slightly as she watched Kalinda follow through on what she’d stated about licking her juices off her fingers.
“Is it good?” Amber asked jokingly.
“Absolutely, you taste amazing.” Kalinda smiled at her. “I have plans for you tonight. You need to return the favor.”
“I can manage that,” Amber told her and then tilted her head. “As soon as I can move.”
“Well, while you recover, answer me this, do you think whatever we have between us is something you want to grow, because I’m willing to go all in here if you are.” Kalinda leaned back, watching Amber carefully. She didn’t realize that she was feeling insecure about putting herself out there like this, but when it came to Amber, she wanted her. She wanted her bad enough to risk being hurt.
“I think I am,” Amber told her and reached out to grab her hand in hers. Curling her fingers around
Kalinda’s, she smiled at her. “Whatever this is, I am willing to be brave and face it together. Going public, going to your family holiday, hell, even telling my family. You’re worth the risk, Kalinda.”
“I don’t know if we’ll still be together by the end of college, but I hope we will be. I’m willing to fight to make this work.” Kalinda smiled at her and pressed a kiss to her lips and realized she was purring in contentedness. Amber could accept her. All of her.
Her cat was happy, and she was happy.
“Then we will make it,” Amber told her simply, then her lips curved in a wicked grin as she pushed Kalinda back onto the couch. “Now, I believe I owe you an orgasm, or five.”
THE END
Paws of Young Love
Emily shifted around nervously on the chair in the waiting room. She'd already thumbed through most of the magazines and watched the weather channel that played on loop in the corner of the room. She’d made the mistake of looking over at one of the people giving blood and watching the amount going into the bag had made her queasy. She tried getting her mind off of it.
Seventeen years old, and she still had a hatred of needles. Getting her blood drawn was the worst. But her town of Venners was in a competition with the neighboring town of Mackley to see who could get the most blood donated, and Emily had figured why not? But she’d get a free muffin, and maybe she could get her mind off a certain asshole who kept making her life hell. Being in the school clinic should at least give her a break from him for a little while.
Shit. Nope. Because there he was. Josh Simonsen.
