Claws and Effect

by Jessica Sims

  I tumbled back to sleep moments after I pulled the blankets back over me, only to have Ellis shake me awake again a few hours later for the same routine. We did this three more times, and by the time dawn was cresting on the horizon and the kittens were down for their final nighttime feeding, I was so exhausted that when Ellis rolled into bed and pulled me to him, I tucked my head against him and snuggled my face against his chest. I was too tired to be afraid, and he was warm and kinda cuddly. He didn't say anything, just wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer.

  As I went to sleep, I could have sworn I'd heard him inhale deep, as if smelling my hair.

  Chapter Four

  "Well isn't this cute?" A familiar voice rang in my ear, dragging me out of sleep.

  "Fuck off," I heard Ellis mumble, his mouth moving against my hair.

  Exhausted, I pried my eyes open and peered at the sunny cabin. Everett was leaning over us, a smirk on his face. It was obvious to tell why he was smirking, too - I was wrapped around Ellis as tightly as he was wrapped around me, my cheek cradled against his chest.

  And I didn't mind it. I actually felt...safe. It was nice.

  "Time for you to haul ass to work, brother," Everett said to his twin, poking him repeatedly in the shoulder just to be obnoxious. "I'm sure there are goats for you to fondle and cows that need a hand stuck up their ass."

  "Fuck off," Ellis mumbled again, and his hand stroked down my back.

  I stiffened at that, because it felt more...intimate than his other touches.

  Ellis must have realized it, too, because he released me. "Sorry," he murmured against my brow, and then rolled away before I could tell him it was okay. When he got out of bed, I noticed that he had a tent straining the front of his jeans, though he didn't comment on it. Morning wood. He stumbled out of the cabin, heading for the outhouse, leaving me with Everett and the kittens, who were mewing their hunger.

  I headed to the box, pushing my messy hair out of my eyes and picked the first one up, tucking it back in to my bra, ignoring Everett as he went to the stove and pulled out a skillet, readying to make me breakfast like usual. By the time I had both kittens in my shirt, Ellis was back.

  "You can skip that," he told Everett. "I'm sticking around today."

  Everett looked at me, then at his twin, surprised. "You are? You don't have work?"

  "Nothing that can't wait, and you have a deadline."

  Everett's face bloomed into a smile. "So you'll take over for me this week?"

  "This week?" Ellis pretended to be offended, but he gave his brother an affectionate punch in the arm. "Go. I've got things handled here."

  Perplexed, I watched as Everett practically raced out of the cabin. I turned to look at Ellis, questioning.

  "Deadline," he said.

  "For what?"

  "He writes crime novels. Has one due in a few weeks and has been bitching and moaning about not having enough time to work on it because babysitting here is eating up all his spare time after work."

  "Oh." Well, that explained why Everett was so impatient with her at times, and constantly had his nose buried in a book. "What kind of work does he do?"

  "Security. Writes the novels at night."

  "Are they any good?"

  "I guess?" Ellis shrugged. "I'm not much of a reader."

  I nodded, then glanced around the cabin. "Looks like you're stuck with me then."

  "More like you're stuck with me," Ellis teased. "Me and my terrible cooking."

  I gave a mock groan, but the truth was, I didn't care. At least Ellis talked to me during the day. After my own trip to the outhouse, we both washed up and then Ellis made french toast while I fed the kittens their latest round of formula. Ellis was right; he was a terrible cook. The toast was soggy and a little too eggy-tasting to be any good, but I didn't complain. Instead, I watched Ellis as I ate.

  I thought back to last night, and the way he'd curled around me. He always did, but that was the first time he'd sniffed my hair, and he'd woke up this morning with an erection. Was he attracted to me? I'd thought he was just friendly, but now I was starting to wonder. Was his friendliness born out of desire for me? Or just because he was nice and polite?

  And better yet, could I use that friendliness and attraction to get him firmly on my side? We both knew Ellis wanted me to go free but his brother Beau was making the decisions. What if I got Ellis so firmly on my side that he'd choose me over his brother? It might take a little feminine wiles, but if it meant freedom...

  I'd have to test the waters.

  Ellis cleared the table when we were done eating, and then glanced out the windows. "Looks like a nice day outside. You want to shower early while it's warm?"

  We both knew 'shower' meant a quick wash with the bucket, but I nodded. "Sounds good."

  "Would it bother you if I showered, too?" He looked over at me. "Feel free to tell me no. I can stand the smell of myself for a few more days." And he teasingly lifted an arm and mock-sniffed under it.

  I rolled my eyes. "I don't care. You can shower, too."

  We gathered up the bathing materials, set the kittens back down in their warm box for them to sleep, and headed outside. This time, Ellis didn't guide me by my elbow - it was more or less understood at this point that I wouldn't run away. For now, I thought to myself. Freedom was always in the back of my mind.

  When we got to the pump, Ellis set down the bucket of bathing items and handed me a washcloth. Just like normal. He began to prime the pump, and if this was going to go like every other bathing experience, I'd get water dumped on me while wearing my clothes. My choice, of course.

  Except...I needed to suss out how he was feeling about me to see what I could use. So, steeling myself for any kind of reaction, I pulled my top off. Then, face averted, I reached behind me to unhook my bra.

  "Uh...Lily?" Ellis cleared his throat. "What are you doing?"

  "Oh," I said, feigning innocence. I unhooked my bra and shrugged it off, pretending not to notice the way Ellis's gaze flicked to my breasts and then swiftly back up to my face. I rubbed at my bare belly. "I was still feeling grimy under the clothes so I thought I'd give up on the whole washing with clothes on thing."

  "All right," he said, and his voice was easy. He turned back to the pump and primed away like a madman while I undid the knot in my sweatpants and then slid them off, kicking them aside. A moment later, my underwear followed.

  Then I was naked and standing in front of him, waiting. I crossed my arms under my breasts and shivered. "Kinda chilly."

  "Yeah," he said, and his voice was a little hoarse. Then he turned, grabbed the bucket, and held it over my head. "You ready?"

  "Ready," I agreed, squeezing my eyes shut. He dumped it over my head and I gave a miserable little moan at the cold water. Pushing my wet hair off of my face, I shivered and held a hand out for the washcloth.

  He placed it into my hand and squirted soap on it, and while I began to soap up my breasts and stomach, he returned to the pump, priming it madly.

  I took my sweet time washing my skin. It was cold, the water was cold, and the breeze was making me prickle all over, but I was watching Ellis for cues. Cause and effect, I told myself, parroting his favorite phrase. I wondered if I had any effect on Ellis. I noticed he was paying a lot of attention to the pump and very little to me. It was either politeness, or something else. "You not going to wash with me?"

  "Nah."

  I smoothed the washcloth down one arm languidly. "But I thought you said you were dirty."

  "Changed my mind," he muttered.

  "Suit yourself," I said in a sweet voice, noticing that he adjusted himself when he thought I wasn't looking. There was definitely interest there. For some reason, that made me feel better. There was opportunity here. I just needed to seize it. But I couldn't be too obvious. "Um, hey, Ellis?"

  "Yeah?"

  "Can you wash my back? I can't get to all of it." I turned around and held the washcloth over my shoulder, inviting him. I hid
my smile of triumph when he grabbed the cloth from me and began to rub at my back in quick, brisk strokes.

  "Looks clean," he announced a brief moment later and slapped the washcloth back over my shoulder.

  "Thank you." No sense in pushing.

  I shampooed my hair and then conditioned it, taking my sweet time. All the while, Ellis was unusually quiet. For a man that liked to talk simply because he didn't appreciate silence? He was quiet, and that made me think I was getting to him more than he let on. When it was time to rinse, he dumped a bucket of water over my head without notice, and I spluttered.

  "Clean enough," he announced cheerfully. "Let's go back in, shall we? Your lips are turning blue." Before I could protest, he wrapped a towel around me and began to shuffle me back toward the cabin.

  "What about you?" I asked, dragging my feet.

  "I'll do a quick dunk after you're inside," he said. "You should probably check on the kids anyhow."

  A giggle escaped my throat at that. "Fine, fine." I let him steer me inside, but I already knew everything I needed to, just from his reactions.

  Ellis was attracted to me. Now I just needed to make sure that his desire to be my 'friend' kept heading in a more intense direction. Because if I got Ellis to fall in love with me...how could he not let me escape?

  ***

  Another week in captivity passed slowly. Now that I was talking, it wasn't quite so boring, and with the kittens to watch over, there was always something to do. They were up to eating every three hours, which meant we got to sleep a little longer, and their eyes were now open.

  Ellis spent most of his time in the cabin with me. If Everett came by for his shift, Ellis usually ended up chasing him off with an excuse that he needed to go and write. Occasionally, Everett would have to swing by for a few hours while Ellis left to do some work, but he'd always return with a present for me. One time, it was a slice of cake. Another time, it was a deck of playing cards. It was always just small things designed to make the hours a little more pleasant.

  He didn't hit on me, though. I kept expecting it, especially after I'd started showering nude in front of him. Ellis was always the perfect gentleman, which made things interesting. On one hand, I liked that he was exactly what he said - he just wanted to be my friend. On the other, I tried to think of ways that I could entice him a bit more. I took to sleeping with no bra on, my breasts pressed to his chest, my face tucked into his neck. I used every excuse I could to touch him, and I made sure that my touch lingered.

  And we spent hours together, just laughing and talking, and it almost began to feel less like a prison and more like a vacation. It was a vacation I couldn't leave, of course, but it wasn't so bad. Not with Ellis to keep me company. He was great company, too. We played ridiculous games together, from stuff as simple as 'I Spy' to more complex things like 'I Never'. We'd take walks in the woods, too, never straying far from the cabin. Ellis would switch to his were-cougar form to protect me, and I'd carry on a one-sided conversation as we walked, my hands tucked in my hoodie, just enjoying the peace and the outdoors.

  Now that I had a friend and I knew they weren't going to kill me? This wasn't so bad after all.

  But I still wanted a way to break through Ellis's defenses. It'd come. I'd just have to be patient.

  ***

  "Hey Lily," Ellis murmured against my neck, rousing me from my afternoon nap.

  "Hmm?" I burrowed closer to him, snuggling my face against his collarbone and nuzzling it. He was delicious to sleep against. His body was big and warm, and I seemed to fit against all his hollows perfectly.

  "Time to get up."

  "Don't wanna," I mumbled sleepily, pressing back against him again.

  "Come on," he said, patting my shoulder. "You can't sleep the day away."

  "I bet I can," I told him, hiding my face against his neck and inhaling his scent. He just smelled so good. I loved sticking my nose against the crook of his shoulder and just breathing deep.

  "Come on, Lily," he teased, his hand dancing along my shoulders. "Don't be a pain in the ass. Get your face out of there."

  Pain in the ass? I'd show him a pain in the ass. I stuck my tongue out playfully, letting it swipe against his throat. It was nothing more than a quick, silly, ticklish gesture.

  But Ellis's reaction was wild. He groaned low, and his hands tightened around me. His hips pressed against mine, and I felt the press of his erection against my hip.

  My breath caught. It should have made me terrified, but this was Ellis. Friendly, talky Ellis who rescued kittens and tried not to watch me when I soaped up my boobs in front of his face. Ellis with the big tattooed arms and muscular shoulders and who smelled so very good. So when my mouth grazed his neck again, I nibbled on his throat.

  Suddenly, I was flat on my back on the bed, Ellis's big body over mine. He'd moved so fast I'd hardly registered it. I stared up at him, noticing that his pupils were dilated with lust and that strange, feral green gleam was in his eyes. His face was inches from mine, and as I watched, breath ragged, he leaned in.

  Ellis was so close that I could practically taste him again, but he hesitated, and his gaze flicked to my eyes. "I'm going to kiss you, Lily. Tell me to stop if you don't want me to."

  And he leaned in, gently brushing his mouth over mine.

  I didn't tell him to stop.

  His lips tickled. I felt the prickle of a five o clock shadow rough on his cheek as his mouth pressed against the side of my cheek, then he began to kiss my jaw. His movements were slow, steady, and determined, and it made goosebumps rise all over my body. I realized - belatedly - that he had my hand pinned above my head, but I didn't even care. This was Ellis, and he was safe. And he continued to press light, grazing kisses against my face until my breath was panting in my lungs and I was watching him with longing in my eyes. These butterfly-light kisses were sweet, but they weren't quenching the ache that was building inside me.

  Ellis seemed to realize that I needed more. He moved back toward my mouth, and his nose brushed against mine in a gentle tease, and then he leaned down and studied my mouth.

  I licked my lips, panting.

  As I did, he leaned in and caught my tongue between his lips, capturing it before it could disappear back into my mouth.

  I gasped, lust rocketing through my body in response. My mouth fell open and I moaned, the sound an invitation I hoped he would take.

  He did. Ellis's mouth swooped over my own and then he was kissing me. Not soft and sweet like before, but rough, fierce, claiming kisses so deep that I felt like I was being devoured. I was helpless under the onslaught of his kiss...and I loved it. Over and over, his mouth moved over mine, tasting, licking, flicking, teasing. A moment later - an endless, delicious moment later, he lifted his head and I whimpered a protest.

  "We need to get up," he said, though he wasn't moving from his spot on top of me. His eyes were shining, his lips slick, and I wanted to kiss them all over again.

  "Why?" My voice sounded ragged even to my own ears.

  "There's a party today."

  That startled me out of my kiss-drugged haze. "A...party?"

  "For Marie. And she wants you there." He leaned in and gave me one quick last kiss on the mouth, and then got off of me.

  I sat up on the bed, my senses reeling from that kiss. I pushed at my messy hair, trying to grasp everything. The kiss. He'd gone nuts when I'd bitten his throat. Did I regret it? God no. I wanted to bite him again, see if he reacted the same way. But...Marie. Party. "Why am I going to a party?"

  "Because I'm invited and I can't leave you? And because Marie wants to see you?"

  "Oh. But what about the kittens?" I looked over at the box, where SuperGirl and Wonder Woman were sleeping (Ellis and I were terrible with names, we'd decided). "Will they be okay?"

  "We'll feed them before we go, and we'll be back in time for another feeding, I promise."

  I touched my hair again. "I don't have anything to wear."

  He laughed.
>
  I blushed. "Okay, that sounded stupid, but you know what I mean. All I have are sweatpants."

  "It's not a super formal party, and all of the shifters will probably be stripping down at some point anyhow." He wagged his eyebrows at me. "Try to keep your hands to yourself."

  I snorted. "Don't worry."

  He laughed. "Just hurry up and dress so we can get you blindfolded."

  "Blindfolded?" I sputtered. "Why?"

  "So you won't know where our super secret cabin is and how to leave." He waggled his eyebrows at me.

  I crawled from bed and grabbed my cleanest pair of sweatpants, switching them out. "I don't see why I have to be blindfolded," I grumbled. "It's not like you can't smell my trail, remember?"

  "Boss's orders," Ellis said cheerfully, but there was a forced note in his voice.

  "Your boss sucks," I said, picking up a long-sleeved shirt and sniffing it. Clean enough. I dragged it over my head and maneuvered so I swapped out my sleep shirt with it. There. All dressed. I dragged my fingers through my tangled hair. "I don't suppose there's a comb around here?" I normally didn't bother since it was only Ellis, but since we were heading out to see the others, I felt self-conscious at how I looked.

  "No comb, sorry. But you're going to put the other women to shame as it is, so it's probably for the best that you look like a wreck."

  I laughed and threw my shoe at him. "You beast."

  He gave me another playful look. "Meow, baby."

  This...was flirting. And it was fun. Still shaking my head, I took my shoe when he tossed it back to me and put it on, and spent a few minutes finger-combing my hair while Ellis changed his clothes and fixed bottles for the kittens. We fed them, cleaned them, and tucked them back into their box, and then it was time to go.