by Beverly Rae
“Don’t leave me.”
His simple appeal rushed through her, spreading a delight that was stronger than the agony. She never wanted to leave Conan. Not now. Not ever.
Bright lights assaulted her eyes as the car slammed to a stop. Car doors opened and hands gripped her gently but firmly as they slid her body along the backseat of the car and onto a gurney. Chloe laid her head to the side, and seeing the entrance of the hospital, sighed and closed her eyes.
“You shouldn’t be out of bed.” Nina took the wheelchair from the attendant and continued pushing Chloe down the hallway.
“It’s okay for me to go into the sunroom. My doctor said so. Besides, if I have to lie in bed a minute longer, you’re going to have to call the men in white coats to come and lock me away.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, all the men are in white coats around here.”
Chloe chuckled, then winced at the sharp stab the small gesture caused her. “So where’s Conan and Billy?”
Nina settled her in front of the window that spanned the entire side of the sunroom and jutted toward the street running in front of the hospital. Chloe could see the people hurrying about their day and glanced longingly at the door leading out into the green yard. Sitting under the sun with the smell of flowers comforting her was her favorite time of the day. “Billy went back to the cave to gather their things, and Conan’s buying more magazines.”
“More magazines? I haven’t even read the first bunch he gave me.”
Nina pulled up a chair next to the wheelchair. “Who cares? He has to find something to give you, right? After he got caught sneaking a Quarter Pounder for you, the head nurse gives him the once-over before she lets him near your room.”
“Yeah, right. She’d just love to pat him down.”
“Well, ya can’t blame her, can you? He is hot.” Nina opened her purse and took out a brush to begin running through Chloe’s hair.
“Will you stop it? I’m not an invalid. I can brush my own hair.” But Nina slapped her hand away.
“Not without moving your injured shoulder, you can’t. So just let me do this for you.”
“I’m supposed to move it, remember? Besides, the wound wasn’t really that bad. I just lost a lot of blood, is all.”
“I know, but still…” Nina paused, and stopped the brush in midstroke before going on. “You scared the crap out of me, damn it. If Billy and I hadn’t been driving up that road and seen Conan carrying you… Well, I don’t even want to think about what could’ve happened. Do you know that he carried you for five miles? All while running as fast as he could.”
“I know. He’s amazing. But I wish I could’ve enjoyed the ride.”
Nina smoothed the last stroke, then put the brush back in her purse. “I think it’s better that you weren’t conscious.”
“Yeah. You’re probably right.” Chloe scanned the street, looking for a giant among men. “I wish he’d hurry back.”
Nina’s warm eyes searched Chloe. “You love him, don’t you?”
Chloe blinked, opened her mouth to deny the question, then realized it was no use. “Yeah, I do. Do you think I’m crazy?”
Nina’s eyes twinkled as she tipped her head and grinned. “Maybe. But not any crazier than me loving Billy.”
“Then I guess we’re a couple of crazy ladies.”
A woman’s scream jerked Chloe’s attention back to the street and the crowd forming around two men.
“Conan!”
Roger and Conan faced off as the activities on the street came to a stop and people gawked at the scene. Conan, his hands held up in a defensive gesture, tried to thwart the advances of Roger. Roger, however, wouldn’t back off. Instead, he kept thrusting a long pole at Conan. Roger kept bouncing around the larger man, stabbing him with each lunge. Conan jerked at the jab, but remained silent.
“What the hell is Roger doing?” Why wasn’t Conan defending himself?
“Oh, my God, he’s using a cattle prod on Conan.” Nina grabbed the phone from her purse. “I’m calling the police.”
Again Roger struck at Conan, and again the large man reacted to the electric jolt but didn’t attack. Roger, his face contorted with rage, grew bolder with each advance.
“Change, damn you! Change into the animal you are.” Roger’s face grew redder with each prod.
Nina finished explaining the situation to the police. “Shit. Roger’s trying to get Conan to shift into his bear form.”
Chloe, her throat constricted in fear, could only nod.
Roger poked Conan three more times, then turned to confront the crowd yelling at him to stop. Others in the mob, however, were videotaping the scene with their cell phones. Roger shouted louder, his voice becoming shrill. “I can’t stop. You don’t understand. He’s a monster. I saw him. He changes into a grizzly bear. I saw him!”
He grew angrier when people laughed, their disbelief then erupting into jeers.
“You’re all idiots. He’s a shape-shifter. An evil creature. Help me put him in a cage.” Enraged, Roger drove the cattle prod into Conan’s stomach and held it there.
Breaking his silence, Conan roared, the agonized tone tearing Chloe’s heart. At last defending himself, Conan ripped the prod out of Roger’s hand, then fell to his knees. Roger jumped on top of him, pummeling him with his fists and urging the onlookers to join in.
Chloe grabbed the arms of her wheelchair and struggled to stand, but Nina grabbed her and eased her back into her seat. “Let me go, Nina. I have to help him.”
“No way. I know what you’re feeling, but I also know Conan would have my head if I let you get out of this chair.”
Chloe pushed against her friend, leaning to the side to see Conan. Roger kept circling him, adding kicks to the beating he showered on Conan. Conan rose to his feet, but only blocked the smaller man’s advances.
“Why doesn’t he knock Roger on his ass?”
Chloe’s throat closed up. “Because he promised me he wouldn’t hurt anyone. Even Roger. Nina, help me. I have to get to him.” She reached for her friend’s hand. “Please.”
Nina couldn’t resist her this time and helped her get out of the chair. Leaning on her friend, Chloe hurried outside. “Conan!”
Conan turned to face her, and she gasped at the welts covering his face and arms. Roger kicked him in the back, forcing Conan to take a step toward her. Amazingly, he shot her a smile before scowling at Nina.
“Get her back inside.”
“No way. I’m not leaving.”
Roger snatched up the cattle prod and rushed over to Chloe. Knocking Nina aside, he grabbed Chloe by the hair and yanked back her head. Sneering at her, he placed the prongs next to her cheek. Conan growled and started forward, his arms outstretched as though to throttle Roger, his eyes filling with amber.
“Let her go.” Conan’s demand was low, the threat unmistakable.
“Change.” Roger ran his tongue over his mouth and glanced at Chloe, then Conan. “You show everyone what you are and I’ll let her go.”
The animal was close to the surface now. Chloe could see the struggle on Conan’s face to keep the bear restrained. “No. Don’t do it.”
Conan lowered his head and took a look at the crowd surrounding them. When he turned back to her, he nodded at Roger, then took another step closer. “Look at my eyes.”
Roger stared at Conan, his attention focused on Conan’s eyes. Roger’s hand trembled, whether in anticipation or in fear, Chloe wasn’t sure.
Conan locked gazes with his attacker, took another step closer, and whispered, “It starts in the eyes. Watch.”
Roger was mesmerized, ready to see the proof of his claims, ready for the crowd to see that he was telling the truth. “Shit. His eyes are turning yellow.” Jubilant, Roger lowered the cattle prod and jerked his head toward the crowd. “See? I told you. Do you see it?”
Conan’s hand was on Roger’s neck before he could utter a scream. Wrenching the prod out of Roger’s hand, Conan took Ch
loe’s arm and gently but firmly pulled her away from Roger. A terrified Roger clutched Conan’s arm, struggling to get free, but Conan’s hold was a vise he couldn’t break.
“Police. Everyone back away.”
Chloe, supported by Nina, took a deep breath and pointed at Roger. “That man attacked my friend with a cattle prod and then beat and kicked him.” Murmurs of agreement echoed around her, reinforcing her claim.
“He’s also the man you’ve been looking for. The one who shot Chloe.” Nina nodded at Chloe.
Conan released Roger, who dropped to the ground, clutching his throat and sucking in big breaths. The two policemen paused to take in the scene, then reached down and yanked Roger to his feet.
“Turn me loose. He’s a monster, I tell you. A monster. He changes into a bear.” But Roger’s struggles only intensified the hold the policemen had on him. “He changes into a bear. You have to believe me.”
“A bear, huh?” The older officer chuckled, then quipped, “Are you telling me he’s a real, live bear?”
Roger’s face lit up as he clutched the officer. “That’s right. He’s a bear. Arrest him. He needs to be thrown into a cage.”
The other officer snorted. “Sure. You bet. But first, I’d like you to meet a friend of ours.” Placing Roger in handcuffs, the policeman shoved him toward the police vehicle. “His name is Dr. Wilson. He’s a psychiatrist and he’s Winnie the Pooh’s good buddy.”
“What? No, you’ve got it all wrong. I’m not crazy. He’s a shape-shifter.” Roger’s shouts continued, muffled only after he was placed into the back of the squad car.
Conan wrapped his arm around Chloe and held her close as he answered the older officer’s questions. Promising to come down to the precinct within the hour, Conan thanked him for his help. Chloe watched Roger in the back of the squad car, still shouting for help as the police drove him away.
Shaking, she was grateful when Conan gave her the support she needed. “Why didn’t you do something when he first attacked you?”
Conan led her to a bench in front of the hospital and helped her sit before he sat down beside her. “What did you want me to do? Shift? In front of all those people?”
Frustration and relief mixed together to burst the words from her. “No. But I was hoping you’d wipe the ground with him. You could’ve done that as a man.”
Conan’s eyes widened in feigned surprise. “But you said not to hurt anyone. And I promised I wouldn’t. I assumed that meant even in human form.”
“Well, yes, but—”
“Hmm. But weren’t you the one who wasn’t sure I could keep my promise?” Conan’s mouth quirked upward at the sides.
Chloe couldn’t help but roll her eyes at him. “Okay, okay. I get it. I was wrong to ever doubt you.”
“Yes, you were.” He snaked his arm around her, careful not to hurt her shoulder.
“Fine. I admit it. But tell me. Do you always keep your promises?” Chloe’s heart picked up speed, a different kind of fear beating it.
“I do.” The heat from his body warmed her almost as much as the look he gave her. “Do you?”
“I try not to make many promises but when I do, yes, I keep them.” She cast her gaze downward, shyness overtaking her.
“So now do you trust me to keep mine?” His expression was open, possessing a strange new vulnerability she’d never seen. She wanted to stroke his face, to comfort him any way she could. “Do you trust me to always be there for you?”
He was promising more than to not harm anyone. He was promising his life to her. At last, she reached out to press her palm to his cheek. He closed his eyes, leaning into her touch, then opened them again. His eyes held a sparkle that hadn’t been there before.
“Yes. I trust you. About everything. With every part of me.”
Conan swallowed, and for a moment, she imagined she saw a tear at the corner of one eye. “Good.”
“I want to make a promise to you, Conan.”
Amber showed with the joy in his eyes, but she wasn’t afraid.
“Yeah?”
She nodded, then placed her hand against his chest. “I promise to always love you.”
At first, when he didn’t answer, she wasn’t sure if he’d heard her. Or had she said too much? Afraid to speak, she waited for what seemed like a lifetime.
“Do you understand what you’re saying? What it’s like to love a shifter?”
She twisted toward him, the ache in her shoulder nothing compared to the ache in her chest. Had he decided to let her go? Did he think she couldn’t handle loving him? “I know what I saw. I know that it’s painful to change. I also know your life is different from anything I’ve ever known. But I don’t care.”
He gritted his teeth, then pushed the words out. “Shifting never gets any easier. It’s always the same.”
She gave his words the time to sink in, giving them the respect they deserved, before answering. “I know and I understand. I want to be with you in every way I can. Not just as your lover, but as your mate. Is it possible, Conan? Is it possible for me…to become like you?”
The uncertainty in his expression tore at her. “Some of us are born, but some of us are made, too. We live apart from humans, visiting only when we have to. But I can’t ask you to do that. I won’t ask you to give up everything you have.”
“You’re not asking me.” She skimmed her fingertips over his lips. “I want to. I want to run in the woods with you. I want to sleep on a bed of leaves with you.” She couldn’t help but chuckle. “But most of all, I want to learn how to catch a fish like you.”
“Oh, so it’s really all about my fishing skills, huh? That’s why you want to be with me? Because I can keep you in an endless supply of salmon?”
Her laugh matched his. “Well, duh. So what do you say, Conan Cahill? Will you be my mate?”
Conan paused too long for comfort, then grunted as he moved closer to her. “I can’t think of anything I want more.” He slipped an arm around her waist. “Now, let’s get you back inside before the head nurse gives me hell.”
“You ready?”
Chloe’s head snapped up, tearing her gaze away from her painting. “Almost.” She smiled, then turned her attention back to her artwork. “I just want to get this one part exactly right. Once I’ve finished, we can run the painting to the tourist bureau headquarters and pick up my paycheck.”
She smiled and motioned for him to take a seat next to her. “Thanks again for bringing me back here.”
Conan plopped down beside her, his hand grazing her back in the familiar gesture she’d grown to love. “I don’t know how you could make the painting any better. Unless you could capture the sound of the waterfall.”
She cocked her head to the side. “Actually, that’s kind of what an artist does. I want people to look at my work and hear the sounds of the forest as well as the sound of the water.”
She had it almost perfect, even by her own standards. Conan had been very patient with her, bringing her back to the pond with the waterfall once she’d fully recovered from her wound. She’d treasured these past days of enjoying the forest and painting. And the nights? Well, the nights spent making love with Conan had been the best part. But she could feel his patience wearing thin.
He sighed, then lay back, one hand behind his head while the other traced patterns on her back. The patterns he drew teased her, tempting her to drop her brush and move the canvas aside. She reached for him, her gaze sliding down his body.
“How about tomorrow?” Keeping her attention on his crotch, she traced a trail around his ear and laughed when he swatted her hand away. First I’ll tickle him here. Then I’ll tickle him there.
“Tomorrow?”
Although he tried not to show it, she heard the anticipation in his voice.
“Yeah. I think we should leave for your home tomorrow. If that’s okay.”
“Sure.”
He’s back to one-word answers again. That’s my Conan.
She
resisted the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Then it’s settled. Tomorrow we leave for Colorado. Do you think Billy will change his mind and come with us?”
“No.”
She let her smile take over this time. “He and Nina are getting along great, aren’t they?”
“Yup.”
“Not in the mood for talking, huh? That’s okay. I’m kind of in the mood for something else anyway.”
Sending him a seductive look, she unbuttoned his jeans, then tugged the zipper down and spread the flaps wide. Amber flashed in his eyes, signaling the awakening of both his desire and his beast. Pulling the sundress she wore over her head, she tossed her hair back, knowing his hot gaze would take every inch of her in. She heeled off her sandals, leaving on only the lacy black thong that he loved.
Conan ran his hand along her arm, slipping toward her shoulder, then taking a different route to cup her breast. “Come here.”
“Uh-uh.” She shook her head and shoved his shirt toward his chin until he sat up and dragged it over his head. He kicked off his boots as he helped her rid him of his jeans. Slowly, she leaned over him, teasing him with her mouth an inch from his erect shaft. He groaned and slid his hand under her cascading hair to cup the back of her neck.
“You’re killing me.”
“Hmm.” She studied his length, his width, the intoxicating curve leading to the tip. “You look alive to me.” She arched an eyebrow. “Very alive.”
Chloe wrapped her hand around his cock, letting her palm run to the base, then back up again. Precome showed at the opening, tempting her to taste. Instead, she inhaled, long and slow, drawing in the scent of him.
“Chloe.” He tugged at her to coax her lower, then moaned in dismay when she released him.
“Don’t worry. I haven’t even started.” Slinking between his legs, she smiled provocatively at him, then dipped her head. Her hair flowed over his abdomen, falling around his shaft. She shook her head, moving the silky strands against him. He gasped, his abdomen tightening, muscles rippling.
Leaning forward, she slipped her hair over his stomach and pressed her breasts on either side of his shaft. Conan lurched upward, but she shoved him back. Loving the control she had over him, she took her breasts and enveloped his cock between them.
