by Sky Winters
She said a silent prayer and leapt forward in to the icy river in front of her. As she hit the water, a shockwave from the cold shot through her body, rendering her dumb for just a moment. Jennifer paddled back up and broke through the surface with a whoop. After the initial shock wore off, the chill felt amazing on her sweaty and sun beaten skin.
Paddling around, she let her mind wander again. The same what if scenarios about Luke rolled through her mind. He was becoming an obsession for her now. At times the images were so strong and so realistic, she thought she could hear his voice.
“Can I join you?” Asked a baritone through the trees.
Jennifer spun around in surprise. She thought her mind had finally cracked. There he stood, all six and a half feet of muscle. “Luke?” She blinked several times to clear the sight away, but he was real.
Luke Robertson materialized out of the trees. His blue eyes glimmered with warmth and softness for the woman in front of him. He squat down at the edge of the water and watched her. She was more beautiful than he remembered.
“I’ll come out. Give me a second.” Jennifer waded over to the bank and squeezed the water out of her hair. “I’m so glad to see you.” A mass of wings flapped in Jennifer’s stomach. She couldn’t tell if the nausea was due to nerves or the hormones.
Luke reached out and took her hand. “I’m happy to see you too. Sit.” He gently tugged on her hand, pulling her on to her knees. His free hand cupped her cheek. “I am so sorry, Jennifer. I wanted so badly to stay away to protect you from JP, but I can’t stop thinking about you.” Luke mustered up every ounce of sincerity he could before continuing. “I want to give us a chance. That is if you would have me.”
Jennifer studied the intensity in his face. She saw the need in Luke’s eyes tugging at her most intimate places. “I’m pregnant.” She blurted out. You stupid cow! Jennifer thought for sure she had just scared him off.
Luke’s thick eyebrows shot up. He opened and closed his mouth like he wanted to say something, but no words came out. Instead, a huge grin stretched across his face. He was so elated at the news he couldn’t contain himself. He pulled Jennifer into him and crushed her lips to his. Luke tangled his long fingers in her soaking tresses to hold her to him.
Jennifer had stiffened in surprise, but quickly softened against him. The kiss grew and changed, growing hotter and more passionate. Jennifer tangled her tongue with his. Her instincts took over as she climbed on to his lap to straddle him. She had never been so hungry for another person in her life.
Jennifer pressed her pelvis against Luke’s growing erection. She needed him inside her like she needed air.
Luke disengaged. “We need to stop.” He declared in a deep, husky voice. He didn’t want this to go any further until she knew what she was getting herself into.
Jennifer sat back and pouted. Her body had been all worked up and clearly so had his. “What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Let’s get you dressed first. I’m not going to be able to focus on anything else until you cover up.” Luke knew if she stayed in what little clothing she was wearing, he wouldn’t be able to keep his hands to himself or say what he needed to. He found every curve of her body to be the sexiest thing he’d ever seen.
Jennifer stood up in silence and dove into the water. Swimming back to the grotto would be faster and be the equivalent of a cold shower. Maybe it was better they actually had a conversation instead of just getting physical. But the skill of his hands was hard to ignore. Even in the icy river the nerves between her legs pulsed at the memory of what he could do.
She swam up on the rocks with Luke close behind her. As she was climbing out an arm snaked around her waist and pulled her back in.
Luke drew her back to him for another kiss. This time his hand slipped inside her bikini top to fondle her breast. His mouth opened and his tongue conquered hers while he played with her breast beneath the surface. He had given in to impulse and it took every shred of control he had to pull back again. Especially when she started moaning into his mouth.
“Go get dressed.” He ordered. Luke boosted her out of the water. He stayed behind a minute to calm down. Jennifer had bent over to dig in her pack, giving Luke the full view of her ass. He forced himself to look away.
Jennifer dressed quickly. Whatever Luke wanted to talk about had to have been important to put the brakes on the make-up sex. As she turned around, Luke had climbed out of the water. He was tying is long dark hair up off his back. She couldn’t help but stare at the way his shoulders flexed and his stomach tightened as his body shifted and stretched. The way Luke moved was so fluid and easy.
“Come sit.” Luke squat down on a rock and made himself comfortable. He reached his hand out to Jennifer.
With a shrug Jennifer accepted his assistance down to him. “Considering the circumstances.” Jennifer laid her hand on her belly. “I think we have a ton to talk about.”
Luke placed his hand over hers. The little miracle growing inside her was his. Shock, nervousness, and something he couldn’t quite place, something primal unfurled inside him. Deep down he knew he would put his body and life on the line to protect his growing family.
“I need to tell you what you’ve got yourself into.” He turned his gaze on Jennifer’s face. “I am part of a very different group of people. We have a special set of abilities that allow us to change our appearance.” Luke paused to study her face. When her expression didn’t change he continued. “I’m the head of a group of shifters in the Chico area. I am able to turn myself into a wolf.”
Jennifer just blinked at him. The information hit her brain, but was just swirling around not being processed. “You what?”
“I can shift into a wolf.” Luke went on guard. He shifted his posture away from her and hugged his knees to his chest. He just stared at Jennifer, hoping she wouldn’t freak out.
“A wolf. Like the dog with big sharp teeth that roams around the Sierra Nevada? Is this a joke?” Jennifer crossed her arms over her ample chest.
“Uh, no. This is my life.”
“You are a lunatic. I need to be going now.” Jennifer quickly stood and moved to collect her pack. She could hear her heartbeat quicken in her ears. This was not happening to her. And she was pregnant with his child! Jennifer touched her belly.
“Wait. Don’t go.” Luke jumped in front of her, blocking the trail. “I can prove it. I need you to please stay. You aren’t safe. Especially now!” his gaze dropped to Jennifer’s belly.
“You just told me you turn into a dog. That’s insane. Please let me by.” Jennifer wrapped her arms around her torso.
Luke held up a finger and moved to strip his pants off. Within seconds he stood stark naked in front of Jennifer, fully vulnerable and with nothing to hide.
Jennifer shielded her eyes. “Luke, this is really inappropriate.” What is with the men in this town? Can none of them control themselves?
“I promise I’m not going to do anything sexual. Just watch me.” As soon as he had eye contact with Jennifer again he flipped the switch. Fur sprouted from his skin as his bones shifted and reset. His nails and teeth elongated to claws and fangs, within minutes a big wolf had been where a man once stood.
Jennifer froze, mouth gaping to the floor. Maybe she was the crazy one? She did just witness a man turn into a wolf. She wanted to say something, but all she could manage was a squeak in the back of her throat.
Luke padded up to Jennifer and sat down. The scent of fear rolled off her in waves. He wanted to engage her, but thought it best he wait for her to make the first move. The battle of emotions behind Jennifer’s eyes unsettled him, what if she decided to run? What if she never wanted to see him again?
Jennifer blinked at the huge wolf in front of her. Curiosity tangled with self-preservation. Her feet itched in her sneakers with the need to turn and run, while her hands ached to touch the figure in front of her to make sure it was real.
In the end, curiosity won out. With shaking hands she reach
ed out to the magnificent beast. She yelped when her fingers indeed touched something solid.
Luke tensed, but didn’t move a muscle. He just kept repeating to himself, “Let her do it,” to keep himself from growing impatient.
Jennifer took three deep breaths and tried again. This time she stroked her hand along his velvety pelt. Such a powerful creature spellbound her, the fact that this was really a gorgeous man made her even more so.
Luke nuzzled his head against her hip. The drumbeat rumbled in his chest and rolled through his body. He was so relieved Jennifer didn’t run screaming from him.
Jennifer stood back and knelt down. She just wanted to observe Luke, but the big animal strolled up and rubbed his cheek against hers before backing off and shifting back to human.
“If you want to run away and change your name I would totally understand.” Luke’s mouth may have said he was okay with that, but his eyes showed the truth. He never wanted her to go.
“No. I don’t want to run. This is amazing! No wonder you were so excited when you found out I was training to be a vet.” She ran her hand up his now very manly forearm. She paused, furrowing her brow. “What does this mean for our baby?”
Luke had to ponder that question for a moment. “Well, I’m not sure. I’m a shifter and you’re not. It could go either way. We won’t know for sure until he or she hits puberty.”
Jennifer nodded still zoned out. She was carrying a shifter’s baby, so what did that mean for the pregnancy? “Do you know anything about shifter pregnancies? I mean your mom has to have some insight, right?” With a million and one questions zipping through her mind, Jennifer needed to go to a source that could help her. The library would be mostly useless. She could look up the pregnancy and gestation of big dogs and that’s about it. The internet may have something, but she’d have to sift through a lot of bad and joke information to find anything.
“Obviously.” Luke started walking towards the exit. He sensed it was time to leave. “I would have to call her though. She moved to Florida a couple of years ago.”
Jennifer fell in behind Luke as he led the way out to the parking lot. “How much do you remember about growing up as a shifter? Did you have brothers or sisters? Think back to when your mom was pregnant with them.”
Luke chuckled. He didn’t have any experience with babies of any kind. “I have two brothers, but they’re much older. Scott is ten years older than me and Josh is twelve. I was the oops baby.”
That would be no help to her. His brothers were so much older as to practically make Luke an only child. Researching her condition would prove to be difficult. “Do you think you could take me with you to Chico? I’d like to meet some of the women of your group. Maybe they could help me.”
That was the only avenue she could think to get the clearest and most immediate answers. And maybe find a doctor who had experience in this sort of thing. Her OB/GYN would have a difficult time understanding the sudden turn her life had taken and would probably have her committed if Jennifer explained.
“Of course. When did you want to leave?” Luke laced his fingers with Jennifer’s. A surge of happiness and pride coursed through him. It took a while, but finding his mate was worth the effort. And getting her with child so quickly! A smile tugged at his lips. They could have a whole bunch of kids – or are they cubs? – if they were that fertile.
“I’d need to tell Tiffany what was going on. How about tomorrow morning?” Tiffany would have a heart attack if she found out just how much Jennifer’s life jumped the rails.
“Sure. We can do that.” The pair walked along in silence for a few minutes just enjoying each other’s company.
The sun was sitting lower in the sky. The afternoon had a touch of déjà vu to it being in the canyon with Luke, surrounded by the pink sky. Jennifer huddled a bit closer to Luke, a chill settled in the air around them.
Suddenly, Luke tensed and stopped walking. He held his hand up as Jennifer opened her mouth to speak. He was focused on finding what disturbed him.
“Well look what the dog dragged in.” called a familiar voice from behind. Jennifer spun around as Luke glanced over his shoulder. He had found the cause of alarm. JP sauntered out through the trees flanked by two men who were close to Luke’s size.
The one on the left was a thin, Aryan looking man, who couldn’t have been more than twenty, but had the hard look of a man who had been through hell.
The man on the right was the shorter of the two, but not by much. He wore his dark hair in a buzz cut and wore clothing more suited to the golf course than a biker gang.
JP stood with his arms crossed over his chest and a smug look on his face. “It’s so nice to see you two love birds out in this neck of the woods. I suppose congratulations are in order. I happened to overhear the good news, daddy.” JP sneered in their direction.
Immediately, Jennifer’s hands went to her belly and Luke pushed her behind him. A prickle of fear skittered up her spine. Back in the apartment, the run in with JP seemed like no more than a pissing contest. Being out in the open and JP having backup intensified the situation well beyond what Jennifer thought it might be.
“You fuck off, Levesque. Take your stooges and go before I make all three of you wish you were dead.” A vein had risen to the surface of the reddening skin in Luke’s neck. His jaw muscles tensed as he tamped down the urge to kill a man.
“Oooo! Big talk, Robertson, but last I checked you were a stand by and do nothing kind of guy.” JP commented. He snickered at his next thought. “But seeing as you’ve knocked up the chubby girl I suppose you can actually do something after all.”
Jennifer’s belly roiled and she felt her cheeks go hot as embarrassment and self-consciousness reared their ugly heads again. JP had called her chubby, which was just a cuter way to say she was fat. The disgust in his voice also made Jennifer feel like a total slut.
Luke stood rod straight and refused to answer. He was not about to give the three assholes in front of him the satisfaction of knowing they got under his skin. He knew they would be dealt with in due time. He just wasn’t stupid enough to attempt it two men short.
“Awe, come on Robertson.” JP called as he paced closer. “You don’t mean to tell me you’ve gone soft now? What would your second say?” JP tapped his index finger against his chin in mock thought. “I know what he would say. He would call you a pussy and try to take you out himself. You get a little tail and suddenly you’re Mr. Sensitive?” JP bowed up at Luke. "I want to finish what we started all those months ago. What do you say?”
Without hesitation, Luke replied, “I’d simply repeat what I said before; go fuck yourself.” Luke reared back and through a lethal looking right hook. His fist connected with the bridge of JP’s nose, making an audible crunch and knocking him out. He stared down the two goons, daring them to make a move.
The two men moved close enough to grab one arm each of their leader and drag him away.
Luke watched them disappear back into the woods. His breathing came heavy and loud, he kept opening and closing his fist to shake the pain of connecting with bone away.
Tentatively, Jennifer touched his shoulder, readying herself in case he still felt froggy. “Luke. They’re gone.” She told him softly, “let’s hurry back to the parking lot before they come back.” She gave his hand a tug, but he still wouldn’t budge. In a final effort to get him to move, she moved around to face him and, standing on tiptoe, pressed her lips to his to pull his attention away.
At first he didn’t respond. It wasn’t until Jennifer clasped her hands behind his neck that he finally reciprocated. She was providing an outlet for his pent up energy and a distraction for his anger. Being so close, he could smell the testosterone rolling off of his body. It was intoxicating.
She slid one of her hands down his muscular torso to between his legs. She groped his very erect manhood, excited at the prospect of taking it on again. A low growl rumbled in Luke’s throat as she pet him through his jeans.
/> Luke groped for the button of Jennifer’s jeans and slipped his hand inside. He cupped her and parted her lips to find the sensitive nub inside and began to rub her. He was pleased to feel her growing wet in his hand.
Jennifer pressed her breasts against him, the urgency growing inside her to have him again. She abandoned second base and was ready to steal home. She tore at the button and fly of his jeans and shoved the fabric down his hips to free him. She clasped her hands around him and stroked up and down, picking up speed with each pass.
Luke’s kiss grew rougher the hotter he became, until he couldn’t take anymore. He broke away to jerk Jennifer’s jeans off and drag her to the ground on top of him. He grabbed her hip with one hand to position her over his lap and steadied his erection with the other, plunging himself into her.
Jennifer gasped at the speed in which he took her. When she didn’t respond right away, Luke flipped her so he was on top and could take control. She wrapped her arms around his neck as he took her fast and rough. She moaned as his thighs slapped against her ass and the slick length of him passed over her g-spot.
In a moment of passion, Luke bit down on Jennifer’s shoulder. Her cry as the pain and the orgasm hit her all at once pushed him into his own. Luke tossed his head back in a howl and shuddered as he came inside her. In one motion he pulled out and rolled off of her on to the ground.
Jennifer was panting and shaking. Her orgasm rocked her and left her whole body tingling. What caught her off guard were the conflicting emotions. Luke took her so roughly; she wasn’t sure what to make of the experience. On one hand she had the biggest orgasm ever and Luke turned her on so much, but on the other she was scared of his intensity.
She had to remind herself, she initiated it. She took on the beast when he was worked up and angry. She gingerly touched her swollen private parts. They were already tender and feeling raw, she worried how she would feel in the morning.
