Shiftr: Swipe Left for Love

by Ariana Hawkes

  “Raven!” Timo said in his warm, sexy voice. “Are you lost?” He seemed to have a better view of her than she had of him. She could only make out the merest outline of his handsome features.

  “No –” she faltered. She didn’t even know herself what she was doing there, never mind being able to communicate it to him. At last, she said the first thing that came into her head.

  “I – I was wondering if you did private shows?” she blurted out. He threw his head back and laughed loudly.

  “Are you serious?” he said.

  “I’m sorry. Is that a rude question to ask? I didn’t mean to be offensive.”

  “No, it’s not rude. I just hadn’t ever thought about doing one before.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. I should go.” She waved her hand toward the hall and started to turn around.

  “There’s a few guys having a beer out back. Why don’t you come join us for a minute?” he said.

  “Weren’t you going somewhere?”

  “I was looking for somebody actually. But I just found her.” It took Raven several seconds to realize that he meant her.

  “Why?” she said, too surprised to think of anything smart to say.

  “I thought you might want to have a beer.” She saw the gleam of his teeth in the dark as he flashed her a boyish grin.

  “In that case, how could I refuse,” she said, cocking an eyebrow.

  And then he took her hand. That sensation again. Of being enveloped in his strength and warmth. It made her tingle all over. He led her to the end of the hallway and through the door. She was greeted by the sight of a big grassy area. Off to one side were a bunch of hay bales, and seated on them were all the other strippers and a couple of women. Both curvy girls like herself, she noted. Right in the middle was fire, burning in an oil can.

  Timo brought her over to the group and made space for her on one of the hay bales. She saw that he had changed into a pair of faded jeans and a plaid button-down shirt, and he looked incredible.

  “Guys, this is Raven – the lovely lady who helped me out with the show.” He introduced all the other strippers. Everyone seemed very welcoming and happy that Raven was joining them. Raven glanced at the couples, surprised that the women didn’t mind their husbands going on stage and getting naked in front of so many screaming women. They all seemed relaxed and loving with each other.

  “Would you like a beer, Raven?” Timo said. “It’s all the drink we have here, I’m afraid.”

  “Sure.” She shrugged, wondering how it would go down after the cocktails, but took it anyway. And then she remembered her friends. She sent a text message to Jennifer saying that she’d ‘gotten a little waylaid’ and she’d call her and find out where they were a bit later. Jennifer replied right away, telling her to “Be careful and HAVE FUN!!!” Raven giggled, and immediately felt more relaxed, knowing that her friends would do the same thing if an incredibly sexy stripper guy invited them to have a beer.

  The whole group was chatting together, but Timo turned his attention just onto her, and sat close, his face inches away from hers as they talked. Off stage, he was a little shyer than she would’ve expected from his risqué show. He was a bit of a gentle giant, she thought – kind and attentive, and not trying to talk over her like guys usually did. He asked her about the bachelorette party, and she told him about Amber’s three-day tour.

  “I hope I didn’t freak you out up on the stage,” he said, in his deep, growly voice. “I actually didn’t realize that I was going to kiss you until the last moment. It was honestly just supposed to be for show.” She looked at his lips as he spoke, and began to feel a little light-headed, and like she couldn’t catch her breath. More than anything, she wanted him to kiss her like that again.

  “Then what made you kiss me?” she said, and although her voice was calm, her heart hammered in her chest.

  “Your lips,” he replied with no hesitation. “They’re so full and soft. You’re a beautiful, sexy woman, Raven.”

  “Oh,” she said, too stunned to say anything else. And then he brought his face to hers, and kissed her again. His mouth was soft at first, but his kisses quickly became more passionate, searching. His tongue flickered between her lips and slid into her mouth, while his arms wrapped around her body, holding her tight. He made a soft, rumbling sound, a little like an animal purr, as his hands began to roam up and down her body. He was an incredible kisser, and her body felt like it was on fire with need for him. She wanted him bad. Wanted to see him as naked as he’d been on stage again. Her hands ran up and down his arms, feeling his huge biceps and strong forearms, and it was all she could do to stop herself from touching his thighs and the bulge in his pants.

  She was so caught up kissing him that she’d forgotten all about the others, until one of them dramatically cleared their throat. She and Timo pulled apart guiltily.

  “We’re all feeling a little – uh – tired, so we’ll leave you lovebirds alone. You have a good night,” someone said with a wink.

  “Bye,” Timo said vaguely, not at all embarrassed, and Raven gave a weak wave.

  They sat with their arms around each other, watching as the others went through the door leading back into the hall, and as soon as they were gone, Timo began to devour her. Now his hands were more free, running over her thighs, her ass, her breasts, and she no longer restrained herself, touching him as she’d been yearning to. When she felt how hard he was, he let out a groan, and a bolt of desire shot all the way inside her. She felt wild, in a way she’d never experienced before, but it felt right. Timo began to kiss her harder and more hungrily, and his hands slid beneath her t-shirt. As he began to raise it, she stiffened, self-conscious about him seeing her body. He stopped right away.

  “Too much?” he said, drawing back.

  “No –” she stopped, torn. She wanted him to rip her clothes off and touch her all over. Do a lot more than touch her. But she was nervous too.

  Then she thought of something.

  “How about that private show?” she said. He laughed.

  “You want me to strip for you, right here?” he said. She nodded.

  “Yes. And then I’ll strip for you.” Blood pounded in her ears. She could hardly believe what she was saying. He untangled himself from her and stood up. She took a sip of beer and sat straight up on the hay bale, watching him expectantly.

  Timo’s hands went to the buttons of his shirt and he unfastened them one by one, slowly. She watched, mesmerized as his chest was revealed to her again, followed by the most amazing abs ever. He slipped the shirt off and threw it onto the bale next to her.

  “Now your turn,” he said. Oh. She’d kind of anticipated that he’d strip first, and then she’d negotiate how naked she was going to get. She gazed at him wordlessly. At his incredible torso, and his cock straining against his jeans, driving her crazy. He wants me, she reminded herself. And fair’s fair. With her hands shaking a little, she grasped the hem of her t-shirt and lifted it up, tugging it over her big breasts, and pulling it right over her head. She took a quick glance at her bra and was reassured to see that it was a brand new, black lace number. Timo made that noise again – a gruff purr – as his gaze roved over her generous cleavage. It was an unusual sound, but she kind of liked it. There was a fire in his big brown eyes, a kind of hungry, predatory look. He bent down, untied his shoes and kicked them off. Then he stood up again. She kicked off her heels, and gave him a coy look. He raised an eyebrow and ran his eyes over her pantyhose-clad legs. With a sigh, she scooted off the bale, lifted her hands under her skirt, hooked them into the sides of her pantyhose and eased it down over her hips. She pulled it the length of her thighs and calves, then slid it right off. As an afterthought, she put her shoes back on again. She began to feel a little sexy like that, and she allowed her thighs to fall apart a touch.

  Timo unfastened the button on his jeans and eased the zipper down. Her breath caught in her throat as he pulled the jeans all the way down, revealing the white shorts he�
��d been wearing on stage. They were barely capable of containing his erection. She sighed, her nipples pushing at the lace of her bra and her clit throbbing. She must be soaking wet, she realized distractedly.

  He was waiting. She’d been so absorbed in the sight of him in his underwear that she’d forgotten her end of the bargain. She unfastened the zipper of her skirt. Then she got to her feet and let it fall all the way down, leaving her in just her bra and black lace panties. Timo took a half step toward her.

  “And the rest,” she said, in a voice quite unlike her own. He stopped, making a sound of frustration at the same time. Hooking his hands into his underwear, he pulled it right down, exactly as he’d done on stage, and then he stood before her, naked once again. Except this time his cock was huge and swollen. She gasped, feeling herself melting, needing his cock inside her like she’d never needed anything before.

  “And the rest,” he echoed, his voice thick with need. Raven took a deep breath. Then she reached behind and unfastened her bra. He watched intently as she let it fall, revealing her breasts to him. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see how hard her nipples were, and she yearned for him to take them into his mouth. Getting to her feet again, her head swimming, she began to slide her panties down. Is this me, doing this? Stripping right in front of a complete stranger? she wondered as her panties hit the ground and she stepped out of them. Finally naked, she could barely look him in the eye, but felt his eyes burning all over her body. Part of her was desperate to gather up her clothes and run. But a stronger part willed her to stand right there and let him look.

  “Raven, you’re so beautiful,” he said. He took two steps, and he was right in front of her, lifting her back onto the bale. Her thighs parted of their own accord, and he slid between them. As the tip of his cock brushed her pussy, she stifled a moan. His huge hands came down on her breasts and he cupped them gently, his thumbs grazing her nipples. A surge of heat ran right through her body, from her nipples to her clit. She laced her fingers behind his neck and pulled his mouth down on to hers. At the same time, she hooked her legs over his hips and drew him close. His cock entered her, and she gave a wild cry. It was really big, almost too much for her, but she wanted it all. She squeezed harder with her thighs and he thrust all the way in, until he was buried inside her. Her pussy throbbed, her muscles clenching around his girth.

  “Raven,” he murmured. “You feel so good.” He pulled out a little and thrust back in again and she shuddered, her mind full of little stars. Oh my god. He’s inside me. This gorgeous man is really fucking me, was all she was capable of thinking. She had no idea that sex could feel like this. He was so deep inside her, but she could take it all, as if she was made for him. He kept kissing her, twining his fingers in her hair, as he moved in and out of her gently. Their bodies were entwined as if they were one, their mouths clung together, and their hands ran all over each other’s skin. His skin was smooth and supple, with his bulging muscles undulating beneath. As he glided on her wetness, the friction inside her felt delicious, and her pussy muscles gave little spasms. But she needed more. She wanted him to take her hard; have rough animal sex. Give it to her until she couldn’t take any more. Why not? She’d never see him again, she thought. And she sensed he was holding back, trying to be gentle with her.

  “I want you to take me hard. Give me all you’ve got,” she muttered into his ear. He cupped her face in his hands, as if trying to figure out whether she meant it. She nodded, and a fierce look came into his face, his features seeming to change a little, becoming harder and almost animal. And at the same moment, he dropped his hands to her ass, clasping it tight, his nails digging in. Then he began to fuck her a lot harder, thrusting with abandon.

  She moaned and panted as he pushed himself into her again and again. As his tempo increased, her pussy throbbed out of control and a violent orgasm hit her, and she clenched hard around his cock and stars exploded in her brain like a firework show. He gave a growl of satisfaction, and pulled out of her.

  Before she had time to wonder what was happening, he lifted her up, flipped her over and entered her from behind in a single thrust. As his cock filled her up again, his pelvis butting against her ass, she clamped her hand over her mouth. It was so intense in this position that she could hardly take it. He fucked her vigorously again, driving into her over and over while he held her breasts in his hands. Her eyes teared up at the intensity. In her deepest, most secret fantasies, she’d longed for a man to take her like this – roughly, possessively, like she belonged to him – but she’d never thought it would actually happen. She felt so vulnerable being taken by this stranger who towered over her, outside, in full view of anyone who happened to come by, and she loved it.

  Timo’s breath came in rasps and one of his hands slid beneath her, wrapping around her and pulling her against his body. His movements became jerky, and then he abruptly pulled out of her, before coming with a roar, shuddering and holding her tight until he was spent.

  She turned around slowly, as he steadied her trembling body. They looked each other in the eye, and then he swept her into his arms and kissed her again.

  “Raven, you’re incredible,” he said tenderly. “That was incredible.”

  “It was,” she replied, lost in a post-sex glow. He put her down gently and the separation from his body made her shiver as the perspiration chilled on her skin.

  “You must be cold,” he said and began to pick up her clothes. She watched him dazedly, already unable to believe what they’d just done. She put her bra and panties on, followed by her pantyhose, but when she looked at her t-shirt, she felt a stab of guilt. She was supposed to be helping make sure that Amber had the best bachelorette party ever, and instead she’d been having hot sex with a stranger for hours. She pulled the t-shirt on and retrieved her phone from her purse. There were five missed calls and three messages from Jennifer, wanting to know where the hell she was and if she’d been abducted.

  “Shit! I’ve got to go,” she said, as her phone rang again and Jennifer’s name appeared on the screen. She cast one final, lingering glance over the stripper’s body, and ran to the hall door, as fast as she could in her heels.

  “I think the hall will be locked on the other side now,” he called. “Let me show you the back way.” At the same time, a stressed Jennifer was asking her where she’d been and Raven was trying to calm her down and find out where the girls had gone. Timo pulled his pants and shirt on and led her around the side of the building and out onto the square that fronted it. He pointed to a taxi rank, and gave her a thumbs-up sign. He made as if to walk away, but she took his arm and stretched up to him. He dipped his head and kissed her softly on the mouth.

  “Bye, Raven,” he said.

  “Bye, Timo,” she mouthed.

  As the taxi sped away, she turned and looked at him in the rear window, wanting to remember that image of him forever. He waved, and then she lost sight of him.

  Chapter Four

  Why didn’t I interrupt her conversation and get her number? was the first thought in Timo’s mind when he woke up the next morning. Lauren always said that his good manners were his curse, and in this case, she was right. His bear worried at his skin. Get up and go look for her, it urged him. She’s left already. She said she had a brutally early start today, he reminded himself. He lay in bed and recalled the events of the night before. It already seemed unreal. He’d been looking for his mate for so long, dating so many girls he’d met through the Shiftr app, to no avail. None of them had been his perfect match. And there she was, sitting in the front row of the strip show. She was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. So buxom and curvy, with the loveliest hair and sparkling eyes. His bear had picked her out immediately, and throughout the show, it had been scrabbling at his insides, trying to get him to scent her, to touch her. And then, somehow, it had happened. His bear had threatened to burst out of him when he’d got her up on stage, and the only way he’d managed to keep it in was by kissing her. It had
been like drinking from a cool fountain, her lips so soft and her tongue so velvety.

  He was often shy with girls, and had a hard time on first dates, but he’d managed to talk to her enough to make her like him. When he thought about how she’d touched him through his jeans when they were sitting on the hay bale, he instantly grew hard again. He loved how sassy she was, and how she’d suggested they strip for each other. As he replayed the memory of her stripping, he began to work his hand up and down his aching shaft. He thought of her breasts, so full and creamy, with those pale, tender nipples; her sweet full hips; those soft thighs that spread and encircled him, and the neat dark triangle that led to her pussy, so wet and ready for him. When he got to the part where he entered her for the first time, feeling her muscles contracting hard around his cock as he opened her up, he exploded, wasting his seed on his thigh.

  He lay still for a moment, as the waves of euphoria dissipated and were replaced by cold reality. She’d gone, abandoning him like their mating had meant nothing to her. Like she’d got her pleasure from him and that was enough. And she lives far away, he reminded himself and his bear, who was fretting and grumbling, incapable of understanding why he wasn’t chasing around town trying to sniff her out. To his bear, it was inconceivable that he could let his mate go without a fight. But he remembered how coolly she’d looked at him as she’d left in the taxi, and his heart sunk a little.

  His phone beeped with a new message. It was from Connor:

  I’ve got something interesting to run by you all. Can you come to my place asap?

  Too deflated to be curious, Timo got up and got ready to greet the day.

  An hour later, all the bears who had stripped in the show gathered in Connor’s back yard. Most of them were on their lunch break, and they bore the signs of their jobs, with traces of wood shavings or paint or earth on their rugged clothes.