Shifters in the Shadows: Seventeen Paranormal Romances of Sexy Shifters, Dangerous Vamps, & Things That Go Bump in the Night

by J. K Harper

  I threw my leg over his hip and brought my body right along his. The heat radiated between us and I squirmed wishing he would touch me. I kissed him harder and let go. At this point he could do anything he wanted, and I’d let him. This was the moment. I felt a change in his body. He was hard everywhere and a heat wrapped around me. It was as if I could feel another set of arms around me. Keeping me warm; protecting me.

  I gasped and pulled away from the kiss. “Make love to me, Lee.”

  I knew by the look on his face I’d said the wrong thing.

  Wasn’t that what he wanted? To be with me? “What’s wrong?”

  “Is it too soon? I don’t want you to make a decision you aren’t ready for. Megs if I make love to you I won’t be able to stop myself from marking you. It’s instinct for me, and once it’s done it’s forever. Plus I really don’t think we could do that quietly.”

  “Why do you think it’s too soon? Why wouldn’t I want to be with you forever? I never wanted you to leave in the first place. You’re the one who left. I waited for you to come back for months, then I gave up, and now you’re here again. I don’t want to wait anymore. It’s been five years too long. We’ve wasted enough time already, don’t you think?”

  “I know you mean that but—”

  I smacked his chest. “I wouldn’t say something I didn’t mean. I think I realize how big of a deal this is. This is mating for life. There will be no one else ever. But I’ve already been living that life, Lee. There hasn’t ever been anyone else but you. I’m ready. You’re a big giant bear that has to teach our daughter, and keep me safe.”

  “I’ll always keep you safe, and you’re right it is forever. With Alexis being able to shift so young, yeah there is some stuff we’ll have to learn.”

  “Will your friend help?”

  “We’d have to go stay with him, maybe even join his clan. He doesn’t leave.”

  I nodded. For some reason everything was fine. I wasn’t freaking out, or worried about anything. For the first time in the last five years I was calm all the way through. No stress, no regret, or even any worry.

  “What did you do to me? Why am I not worried about anything?”

  Lee’s eyes widened. “I feel it too. Maybe because you accepted me as your mate? I don’t know Meg. I don’t know so much about me or my people. In the time I was gone I learned a lot but apparently not enough.”

  “We’ll learn together. So we’ll wait to finish this bonding, but know this, you’re mine.”

  He must have really liked that, because he gripped my ass so tight it almost hurt. “What if we don’t complete the bonding right now? We can still make love, just not here with your mom nearby.”

  “What’s the difference between that and marking?”

  “Biting you on the neck. I have to use my canines.”

  Ouch, that seemed like it would hurt but I trusted him. “Is it going to be hard for you to control?”

  “Maybe, I don’t know. That’s why I left last time. I had this need to mark you so badly I almost lost control. I thought I was going to hurt you. I had to get away, figure out what was wrong with me. I think I’ll be okay though because I’ll know it will happen. I love you and I want to feel you so badly it hurts.”

  I knew how he felt. I felt the need so deep that I didn’t think I could wait.

  He slipped off the bed and pulled me with him. “Come on, let’s go take a walk.”

  Puzzled at his sudden change, I began to ask why when he placed a finger upon my lips. He didn’t need to say a word … I knew I would follow him anywhere.

  * * *

  We drove to the woods in silence, occasionally glancing at each other. He hadn’t told me our destination, I just knew. My body was a tightly coiled spring as I sat in the passenger seat and I had to force myself to not run on the trail to the clearing. But finally we were there, under a bed of stars, and Lee pulled me to the center, pressing his body against mine. With his head bowed, bent to kiss me, I thought I was going to faint as the blood rushed to my head.

  I pulled out of Lee’s strong arms and grabbed the hem of my shirt. I stripped out of my clothes, throwing them onto the dewy grass. There was no time to be sexy and slow. Already my body was slick with waiting.

  Lee reached for me, both hands slowly caressing my arms, my sides, my ass, as he stared intently at my body. His gaze blazed along my curves, breasts, and between my legs. I blushed, but instead of being shy I took his roaming hand, slightly spread my legs and encouraged him to explore further down.

  He sucked in a breath and jerked back. “You smell so good, so ready.”

  “What are you waiting for? A formal invitation? We can do slow next time. I need you right now. My body’s on fire.”

  Thankfully, he stripped out of his jeans; his cock stood proud, precum glistening in the moonlight. He pressed himself against me. He was being careful, cautious even, but every inch of my skin was raw almost to the point of pain. The only remedy was him inside me.

  “Please, please, please,” I begged in a whisper, and he didn’t make me wait. He eased me down to the earthen floor. Blades of grass tickled my bare back and I spread my legs open for him. The tip of his cock rubbed against my thigh, driving me insane. I reached for him, clawing onto his upper arms and pulled him down.

  Lee chuckled and as he positioned himself on top of me, a sly grin on his face, finally he slid in slowly. I lifted my hips to meet him, sucking him further inside; he wasn’t laughing anymore. He growled, unable to hold back anymore, and thrust into me.

  My body burned, but the more he plunged into me and moved the more I needed him. I wrapped my ankles around his ass and pulled him as close against me as possible.

  “Meg, good God, stop squirming.”

  “Can’t ... I need you.”

  “Shit,” he groaned and then I couldn’t keep up. My eyes rolled into the back of my head and I clung onto him.

  He pounded into my body so rough, so wild that I thought I screamed. But I didn’t care if it was a real scream or imaginary. I convulsed around him and gasped when he lifted me off the ground and encouraged me to keep my legs around his waist as he rocked back into a partial seating position. As I sat on his lap, the pace didn’t slow, but his hand gripped my hips, controlling each and every long thrust. He filled me completed, so much deeper than I remembered, and I sucked in a breath. Lee shoved my damp hair to the side and buried his nose in my neck.

  It was hot and the scent of sex filled the air. This was the way it was supposed to be. Me and him, under the stars. And God did he know exactly what spot to hit, and when I screamed again Lee shoved my face into his neck.

  “I can’t hold back anymore, baby,” he said roughly, his eyes ablaze with a golden hue.

  My tongue, thick in my mouth couldn’t form the words, but I nodded my consent.

  Then I felt it. Sharp teeth against my neck. He was going to do it. My breath came out in pants and I opened my mouth and bit his shoulder—deep. He tensed but he didn’t scream, instead his sharp teeth slid into the meaty part of my shoulder. Everything stopped and as they slid in, and the blood burst to the surface, Lee gulped down the bit of blood keeping his teeth locked on me as he came within me. His cocked pulsed, my body erupting, coming undone.

  My head tipped to the side, sated. A lightness and happy fatigue took over my whole body and mind. Pictures appeared as if in slow motion, but they weren’t mine. A little Lee sat alone at a table eating an apple when a little girl stomped over and threw herself into the seat next to him. I gasped. That little girl was me.

  For a long time every happy memory he had flew through my mind like an old fashioned movie. Every memory had me as part of it.

  “You were always my happy place,” Lee replied to my thought, but now he wasn’t biting anymore, and it didn’t hurt.

  He caressed my face, and when I met his gaze, I finally saw myself in his eyes. It was amazing. Lee and I hadn’t actually talked about deep emotions most of the time. Our
time had always been to enjoy life and fantasize about the future.

  “I never knew. I mean I knew you cared for me, even loved me, but nothing as deep as what I’m feeling right now … the emotions soaring through my body.”

  He slid a loose curl from my face. “I love you, my mate.” Then he looked away and a sudden rush of guilt hit me. But the feelings weren’t mine. “I said I wouldn’t mark you, but I couldn’t stop. I’m sorry baby.”

  My mind still tried to play catch up. How did I know what he was feeling? Oh crap. Would I always feel him, what else would I know? We needed to see his friend pronto. There was too much unknown.

  “It’s okay. I wanted you too. I knew there was a chance you wouldn’t be able to hold back. But I love you too, and if you ever do anything stupid again, I’ll kick your ass.”

  Lee laughed. “Of course, said the human woman who has a bear mate, and a baby cub for a daughter.”

  Life was going to be a lot tougher now. I couldn’t believe I was mated to a shifter. Hell, I couldn’t believe they even truly existed. What would our lives become now? I had no idea, but I was willing to find out.

  Lee

  It didn’t seem possible. Only a few days ago, Megan hated me. I had a feeling if she weren’t so open to the bond I wouldn’t be lying next to her, and I wouldn’t have been able to make love to her in the clearing or wake up next to her. After hours of cuddling, we watched the sun come up and eventually found our way back to her house, and her bed.

  “What are you thinking about?”

  I looked over to see Megan had woken up. “Nothing really, just how much this feels right, and I never want to leave this bed again.”

  “Well it’s time to be parents now. Alexis has to get ready for school, and she’ll be in here in a matter of minutes. So you might want to put your clothes on.”

  Before she could escape, I held onto her wrist and pulled her lips to meet mine. “Okay, now I’m ready.” She giggled and I jumped out of bed and tugged my pants on. I lost my shirt somewhere along the way. It was probably still outside, so instead of crawling back into bed, I twisted the knob and pulled the door open, ready to ninja myself out of the house.

  * * *

  After I went outside and found my shirt, I came back and found Angela staring at me.

  “Good morning,” I said with a smile. Kill her with kindness, right? Besides, she used to love me. One day she’d remember that.

  “When Megan takes Lexi to school and goes to work I want you out. You may have them fooled but not me. I think you’re dangerous. I don’t think it’s wise having a wild animal around my family.” Her voice was laced with disgust and venom.

  I hadn’t expected such hurtful words to ever leave her mouth. I didn’t move. She stared me down as if she were judging how much her words cut.

  “Grammie!” Alexis stood with her hands on her hips, scolding her grandmother. She wore a blue dress and white shoes and her hair was held back with a bright green headband. “Don’t talk to my daddy that way.”

  Angela flushed, taken aback at something all grandparents couldn’t handle—their grandchildren angry with them. “Oh honey, I didn’t mean it.”

  Alexis stuck her tongue out and ran up to me. “Are you taking me to school today with Mommy?”

  “No can do. Mommy has to work, and I need to find a job today while you’re at school.”

  “Then after?”

  I bent down and kissed her cheek. I could tell she wasn’t happy and seemed confused. “How about this. When you get home today I’ll be waiting on the porch for you. Does that sound good?”

  “You promise?”

  Her smile could’ve lit up the night sky. She knew how to work it and I was already wrapped around her little finger. “Yes, I promise. I’ll see you after school.”

  Megan strolled into the kitchen and came right up to me and kissed my cheek.

  “Ready for work?”

  “Unfortunately, yes, Alexis and I will be gone. But I expect you here when we come home. Mom could probably use some help with all the outside stuff.”

  I went to explain that I needed to find a job, but Lexi—I loved that nickname—decided to call her grandma out and recite what happened to her mom. “Daddy can’t stay today. Grammie said he had to go, so he’s going to get a job and wait on the porch for me to be home.” She was so proud of herself, that she had no clue that the tension in the house nearly exploded, but Megan didn’t miss a beat.

  “Oh yeah, well your dad does need a job. He needs to take care of you. You are the princess after all. Grammie was just playing the evil witch, weren’t you, Grammie?”

  I held back my laugh. Lexi was too smart to let her mother know that it was a load of crap. Angela also decided not speaking was the best course of action too.

  “Okay, well let’s get out of here,” Megan said and hugged me.

  I walked the girls out while knowing that Angela would have her way if I tried to stay—she’d kick me out and locked the doors behind me. I wasn’t too worried about her dislike anymore. She was paying me back for all her daughter’s pain. Fair enough, I could handle it and in part I knew I deserved it. But I was taken aback when Angela called me back after I’d waved my girls off.

  Cautiously, I walked back to the front porch. Angela had her hands on her hips, determination in her gaze.

  “Everything okay, Angela?”

  She breathed out a huge sigh. “You get one chance. That’s it. One. Do you hear me?”

  I couldn’t help the smile that broke out on my face. “I won’t let you down, or Meg or Alexis. I promise.”

  “You better not,” she replied and before she turned to go back inside, I could’ve sworn I saw her wink at me.

  * * *

  My first day of job hunting and I had no luck. But I didn’t care, I was already on cloud nine. But I did manage to put in countless applications, and though Rosemount Falls was a small town, something would turn up soon enough.

  I sat on the porch just like I promised waiting for my girls to come home. All day I tried to think of a way to further prove myself to Angela. I didn’t want to take the chance of her trying to get rid of me, but for the life of me I didn’t know a thing. It was impossible to find forgiveness from someone who wasn’t ready to give it. But the big point was: did she hate me because I hurt her daughter, or was it because I hurt her? And she said she’d give me one more chance, I wanted her to know that I wouldn’t need it.

  “Get in here,” a voice said.

  I was so deep in my thoughts that I hadn’t heard the door open. I stood and turned towards the woman who took over my thoughts. I didn’t want to make her change her mind, so I went inside wondering what was about to happen.

  “Follow me.”

  I didn’t ask questions, but followed her into the kitchen ready for round two. At the table I saw a bottle of whiskey and two shot glasses. I didn’t really like to drink, but if that was what she wanted that was what I’d do.

  “Drink with me.”

  I sat down in the chair she pointed to and took a breath. Alcohol and I didn’t really get along. “Why?”

  “Because it will numb me enough to maybe help me understand. I still don’t understand it all and after what happened last night, I clearly saw that you did in fact have a reason to leave, and well, though I said I’d give you a chance I still have a hell of a lot of questions. I also understand that maybe you were worried about hurting Megan?”

  “That was the reason I left when I did. The thought of ever hurting her is what forced me to find out where I came from. My birth mother left me the information. I didn’t think—I should’ve but I did what I thought was best at the time. And as soon as I packed, I drove, and didn’t stop.”

  “Why didn’t you call or write anything at all?”

  “My mentor said it would be best to cut off all distractions. I’d never gain control and respect from my bear if I continuously wasn’t thinking. It was a good move. I missed Megs so much it was
the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

  “You’re really staying?”

  “Yep, you’re stuck with me for life, I’m afraid.”

  I meant it, and I think she finally believed me. Maybe things would be better now. I wanted everything to be how it was before, but that was the problem. I was living in the past instead of living in the now. This was the fresh start I needed. I had my family. I had my mate, and love, and best of all I had my beautiful little girl who was smarter than the rest of us. She seemed to always know everything.

  “In that case, welcome home.” She raised her glass, downed it, then stood to pull me into a warm hug.

  Megan

  7.5 Months later

  I wasn’t too sure what to think. My stomach was huge and every time I moved too fast I had to pee. I didn’t remember feeling this way with Alexis. Maybe because I had been sick all the time with her. This time all I did was eat—anything I could get my hands on. The doctor told me to stop eating so much, but I couldn’t and it wasn’t like I was putting on weight.

  I did try once and waited for hours, and by the time Lee got home I was on the floor whimpering because I was so hungry … and cause my ankles were like balloons.

  “Fuck what the doctor says. You’re having my child, and you remember what Marcus said.”

  “Yeah, that when a woman eats this much there is more than one. But I didn’t plan on having three children. But now I’m having twins, and if they’re both boys I’m going to kill you! They’ll eat us out of house and home at this rate.”

  He laughed and kissed the top of my head. “Sure you will, and if you do, then you won’t get to know what my surprise is.”