Edge of Night

by Ramona Gray

  “Whoa, a little gentler, big guy,” she said before scratching his neck. He purred and trilled, rubbing his face all over her face and her neck for nearly five minutes before settling on his haunches in front of her. She scratched his cheeks and then his forehead, liking the way it made him purr.

  “You’re very handsome,” she said before petting the top of his head.

  He chuffed happily and licked the scar on her arm. His tongue was scratchy, and he chuffed again when she winced. “That’s sweet but it feels like sandpaper.”

  He purred and rubbed his face against hers again before moving back and shifting to his human form. She smiled at Cooper when he stared uncertainly at her. “Are you all right, my mate?”

  “Yes.” She stood and stepped into his arms. “I wasn’t afraid.”

  “Sorry, he marked you so much,” Cooper said. “He’s been wanting to do that for months.”

  “I didn’t mind,” she said.

  “He liked it when you called him handsome.”

  She laughed and kissed his naked chest. “He’s very handsome. And big. Really big.”

  “Why weren’t you afraid?” he asked bluntly.

  “Because he’s a part of you and I’m not afraid of you,” she said. “I’ll never be afraid of you or your lion again.”

  * * *

  “You look happy,” Megan said.

  Daisy propped her phone on the table. “Do I?”

  “Yes. Happier than I’ve ever seen you before. I’m not surprised considering you’ve spent the last two days banging your boss’s brains out and you finally know what amazing sex is. Does this mean you and Cooper are officially a couple now?”

  “I think so,” Daisy said. “We haven’t really talked about that.”

  “Of course you haven’t. You’re too busy having great sex,” Megan said with a laugh. She dipped out of the screen view for a few seconds and returned with a protein bar and a sports drink. She tore open the wrapper on the protein bar. “But considering he’s been referring to you as his mate for weeks, I think it’s safe to assume you’re in a relationship. So, how’s your fear around other shifters?”

  “Still there, but maybe not as bad?” Daisy said. “We went out yesterday for a walk in the park and I wasn’t afraid at all. But I think if I didn’t smell like Cooper or have him with me, I would still be at least a little afraid.”

  “Well, it’s a fuck of a lot better than it used to be so I’m happy for you, babe,” Megan said. She bit off a piece of protein bar and chewed and swallowed. “You tell him why you’re so afraid of shifters yet?”

  “No.”

  “You should,” Megan said.

  “I know. It’s just hard to talk about it. You and my therapist are the only ones I’ve ever told what happened and both times I ended up a shivering, crying wreck after. I don’t want him to think I’m weak, even though I am, and he knows that already.”

  Megan stared sympathetically at her. “One, you’re not weak, and two, what you went through was horrific. Never apologize for being emotional about it. So, where is this hot boss of yours. I’d like to meet him.”

  “He’s in the shower.”

  “What the hell are you doing talking to me then? Get in there with him and have hot shower sex, girl.”

  “He didn’t invite me to shower with him,” Daisy said doubtfully.

  “Trust me, you don’t need an invitation,” Megan said.

  “Maybe he wants some alone time,” Daisy said. “We’ve basically spent every minute together since Friday night.”

  “So what? It’s only Sunday afternoon, that isn’t even forty-eight hours yet. He absolutely won’t mind if you join him.”

  Daisy glanced at the doorway of the kitchen before lowering her voice. “We haven’t had sex today. That’s weird, right? Like, shouldn’t he want to have sex with me every day? What if he’s getting bored with me or what if I’m really terrible at it and he doesn’t want to tell me?”

  “Or maybe he’s worried that your crumpet is sore,” Megan said.

  “Oh my God, Megan,” Daisy said with an embarrassed laugh.

  “What? Shifters have big dicks and you’re little, and it’s been a while since you had sex. Don’t tell me you’re not sore.”

  “A little,” Daisy admitted. “But not so much that I don’t want to have sex.”

  “Well then get your cute butt into that shower.”

  “What if it isn’t that? What if he really is bored with me or I suck at sex?”

  “Only one way to find out,” Megan said. “Ask him.”

  “I can’t. I’m not brave like you,” Daisy said.

  Megan leaned forward and stared directly into her camera. “Daisy, honey, you’re one of the bravest people I know.”

  Daisy blinked at her. “What? No, I’m not. I’m weak and afraid and -”

  “You’re not,” Megan said. “For the last sixteen years, you’ve gone out into a world filled with shifters every single fucking day even though you’re terrified of them. That is incredibly brave, my love.”

  “It didn’t feel brave,” Daisy said.

  Megan smiled at her. “I know. But you’ll have to trust me that it was. Now, go find your man and be that bad brave self I know you are.”

  “I love you, Megan.”

  “I love you too, Daisy.” Megan blew her a kiss and ended the call.

  Daisy headed upstairs and walked into Cooper’s bedroom. The bathroom door was halfway open, and she could hear the shower going and see steam drifting out.

  “Be brave,” she muttered to herself before stripping off Cooper’s t-shirt and stepping into the bathroom. She could see Cooper standing directly under the hot spray through the frosted glass. Desire blossomed in her belly. She stared at his naked body. God, he was so good looking and the way he made her feel when he touched her and kissed her and… fucked her was all she could think about lately.

  Her pussy was growing wet, her nipples hardening, and she was a little embarrassed by how easily she was turned on by him. Was this even normal?

  Cooper lifted his head and inhaled deeply before turning to stare at her through the shower door. She stood where she was, uncertain about her plan to join him, worried that he really did want some alone time or was trying to figure out how to tell her gracefully that she sucked in bed.

  He slid open the shower door in a silent invitation. Her pulse hammering away, she stepped into the shower.

  “Hello, little mate.” His voice was a low growl and when he purred to her, her insecurities washed away.

  “Hi there. I wondered if you needed your back washed,” she said.

  He grinned and pulled her into his wet embrace before turning so that the water sprayed onto her. “Have I told you how fucking sexy you are?”

  She blushed as his hands cupped her breasts and kneaded gently. “You’re sexy too.”

  She could feel his erection pushing against her hip. She reached down and wrapped her fingers around his hard length. He groaned when she stroked him back and forth, his purring competing with the sound of the water.

  “Does that feel good, honey?” she said.

  “Yeah.” He purred to her again, his hips pumping against her.

  She ran her thumb across the tip of him before stroking the thick vein that ran along the underside with her fingertips. He groaned again and his hips jerked wildly. She squeezed and released before peering around his large body. There was a small built in shower bench at the other end and she released Cooper, sliding around his body as he growled his displeasure.

  “No growling,” she said.

  He leaned down and kissed the back of her shoulder. “I want my mate to keep touching me.”

  “Your mate wants something else,” she said.

  She sat down on the bench, leaned forward, and licked the head of his cock. His reaction was almost comical. His hips shot forward and his big hands slapped hard against the wall and the glass door. She would have giggled if it wasn’t for the fier
ce look of need on his face.

  “Daisy,” he moaned, “do that again. Right now.”

  His one hand was already cupping the back of her head, already lightly pushing to urge her forward.

  She smiled up at him. “Whatever my mate wants.”

  He purred, the purr turning to a strangled sounding groan when she kissed the head of his cock before sliding her mouth over it. She sucked firmly on just the head before licking the slit. She could taste him on her tongue, and she licked her lips at the wild and salty taste of him.

  “Fuck,” he moaned. “Fuck, Daisy, don’t stop.”

  She slid her mouth over his cock again, holding the base of him in her hand as she took as much of him as she could before sucking hard. He cried out, his hand tightening on her head, his other one bracing against the shower wall.

  She varied the suction while she stroked the base of his cock, teasing her tongue along the shaft and rubbing her fingers through the golden coloured hair at the base of his dick. She cupped his heavy balls in her hand, stroking them with the lightest of touch as he moaned and rocked his hips back and forth.

  She stared up at him and opened her mouth wider, silently encouraging him to fuck her mouth.

  “Fuck, you’re so beautiful,” he said before sliding his dick in and out of her mouth. “That’s my good mate. Suck harder, baby.”

  He smoothed her wet hair back from her face, holding it in a loose ponytail as he watched her suck his cock. “Your little mouth looks perfect around my dick.”

  The heated look in his eyes, the words he said, made her own need unbearable. Still sucking on his cock, she reached between her legs and rubbed at her clit. But it wasn’t enough for her. She needed his cock in her aching, empty pussy.

  She pulled off of him with a loud pop, ignoring his groan of dismay, and stood. “Sit down, honey.”

  She tried to get him to sit on the shower bench, scowling at him when he didn’t move. “Cooper, I want to ride you.”

  “I don’t think we should have sex,” he said.

  Shit, he did think she sucked at sex. The urge to flee the shower, to grab her clothes and run away from the humiliation she was feeling was overwhelming.

  Be brave, Daisy.

  She took a deep breath. “Cooper, if I- if I’m not doing something right when it comes to sex, or if you’re getting bored with me, please tell me. I’m open to feedback on things I might be doing wrong, and I’m willing to try new positions or -”

  “What?” He cupped her face. “Baby, no. You’re amazing at sex. I can’t get enough of you. But I’m worried that you’re sore or that I’m overwhelming you with my, uh, sexual appetite.”

  She giggled. “Sexual appetite?”

  He grinned in that way that made her ridiculously hot for him. “It’s more polite than saying I want to be in your pussy pretty much twenty-four/seven.”

  She pressed a kiss against his chest. “I’m not overwhelmed and, honestly, I can’t get enough of you either. I’m a little tender but not sore, and I really want to have hot shower sex. I’ve never had sex in a shower before.”

  He smiled down at her before sliding past her and sitting on the bench. She refrained from clapping her hands with glee but couldn’t hide the eagerness as she climbed into his lap.

  “Are you wet enough for me?” he said.

  “Yes, I… oh, oh that’s so nice,” she moaned when he slipped his hand between them and rubbed at her clit.

  “My little mate is very wet. Did she like sucking on my cock?” His voice had lowered into a sexy rasp that sent fresh wetness dripping out of her pussy.

  “Yes,” she said. “Very much.”

  “Good mate.” He wrapped one big arm around her waist and lifted her. She held his cock and guided it into her, moaning happily when he slid into her with very little resistance.

  The hot water from the showerhead sprayed down her back as Cooper gripped her hips and smiled at her. “Hang on tight, my mate.”

  She grabbed his shoulders, crying out when he thrust into her with hard and shallow strokes. She bounced on his lap and moaned when he bent his head and kissed between her breasts before sucking on her nipples. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and rocked against him, the hot coil of pleasure in her belly growing steadily tighter.

  Cooper slipped his hand between them and rubbed her clit. He nipped at her throat with his fangs and she screamed his name before coming in a hard rush that took her breath away. He held her tight against him, pumping in and out of her, growling and purring until with one final hard thrust, he came deep inside of her.

  He groaned her name and gathered her even closer, stroking her back and shuddering against her until the water started to cool. She eased off of him and shut the water off. Without speaking, they toweled dry and then climbed into bed. She cuddled into him, tangling her limbs with his and resting her cheek on his chest as he rubbed her back with those long and lazy strokes she’d come to love.

  “I love you.” His voice was low but perfectly understandable.

  She rolled onto her stomach and rested her arms on his chest, propping her head on them as she studied him.

  “You don’t have to say it back,” he said. “I know it’s early in the relationship and I know I’ve probably freaked you the fuck out, but -”

  “I love you too,” she said.

  He jerked against her, his eyes widening. “Daisy, I – you don’t have to say it if you don’t mean it. Being in a relationship is enough to keep me from going mad. You don’t have to say you love me.”

  “I mean it,” she said. “I wouldn’t say it if I didn’t.”

  He purred so loudly that she put her hands over her ears. “Whoa, turn it down a decibel, honey.”

  He kissed her before lowering the sound of his purring and she smiled happily at him. “I love you.”

  “I love you too.” He smoothed her damp hair back from her face. “Move in with me permanently?”

  “Only if you promise to give me sex whenever I want it,” she said teasingly. “No more denying me your awesome dick.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of it, my mate,” he said.

  They smiled happily at each other and he played with a lock of her hair. “Will you tell me why you’re afraid of shifters?”

  The smile dropped from her face. “I can’t – I mean, I don’t want to.”

  “I know,” he said. “And I know it’ll be hard for you, but I think it’s important that you tell me.”

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Daisy rested her cheek on Cooper’s chest, listening to the steady thump of his heartbeat. “Will you purr?”

  He purred and she closed her eyes and concentrated on her breathing. It was almost five minutes before she said, “The first foster home I went to was nice. It was a younger couple, and it was just me and one other foster kid. They treated us well and did lots of little extra things for us that they didn’t have to do. I stayed there for a year and a half before I was moved to a different one.”

  “Why did they move you?”

  “My foster parents were moving out of the country. Darryl worked in the oil industry and he got a job overseas.”

  He stroked her back as that old familiar fear bit at her insides. “My second foster home wasn’t so great. Jerry and Maureen were older, and they had this big farmhouse on the outskirts of town. It had seven bedrooms and they took in a lot more foster kids than my first home. When I lived there, they only had four foster kids, but Josh said Maureen told him that in the past, they’d had up to six foster kids at once.

  “Who’s Josh?” Cooper asked.

  Sorrow infused her body and she blinked back the hot tears that were already starting to form. “My best friend. He was one of the other foster kids living there. He was my age and so funny and smart. He was small and skinny, and he got bullied a lot at school because of it.”

  “Did your foster parents do anything about it?” Cooper said.

  “No. They were…uninterested in us.
They took in foster kids for the money and that’s really about it. They clothed us and fed us and made sure we went to school every day, but that was it. They were very cold people.”

  “I’m sorry.” Cooper continued to rub her back. “Were they shifters?”

  “They were humans. But they took in shifters as foster kids. The two other foster kids were shifters.”

  Fear shuddered its way through her and Cooper immediately purred, pulling her even closer before kissing her forehead. “It’s all right, baby.”

  “Their names were Brian and Angela. They were siblings and tiger shifters. Brian was twelve and Angela was ten. They’d lived with Jerry and Maureen for about six months before I arrived. I was there two months before they took in Josh.”

  She lapsed into silence. She didn’t want to tell Cooper anything else. Her memories of Josh were coated in happiness and pain. The combination made her stomach hurt and her head ache, and she wanted to cry for how short his life had been. How very unfair the world could be and often was.

  “I know this is difficult, my mate. I’m proud of you,” Cooper said.

  He didn’t say anything else, but his words comforted her. It was hard to talk about, but she realized that she wanted him to know. Not only because she wanted him to understand her fear, but also because of Josh. A lost little boy remembered by no one but her. Josh deserved to be remembered.

  “Josh and I became friends almost instantly. We were in the same grade at school and we liked the same things. Brian and Angela were,” she grimaced, “what people would call rough around the edges. I don’t know the details of their lives before they went into foster care, but I do know that their dad killed their mom in front of them before taking his own life.”

  “Jesus,” Cooper said.

  “Before Josh got there, Brian and Angela mostly ignored me. They liked video games and I liked to read, and they weren’t interested in being my friend. But when Josh arrived, they…”

  “What?” Cooper said.

  “They hated him almost immediately. For no reason.” She sat up, wrapping her arms around her knees in an attempt to self comfort.