Human Interaction

by Cheyenne Meadows

  I leaned up, fixated on the muscle that led from his neck to his shoulder. Setting my teeth, I bit gently, returning the favor. My tongue followed, laving the area, tasting his skin. His hand snaked behind my back and freed the clasp on my bra. The soft cloth sagged, allowing him to not only see, but to caress the displayed flesh.

  Soft lips kissed my bare breasts. His hand slid across my stomach, dipping south for a quick second, a teasing caress full of promises. My body arched into his touch, eager for more of the sensual pleasure only he could provide.

  Meat's body rolled to the side. I heard buttons popping open on his jeans and saw a flash of color underneath.

  I froze.

  In my direct line of vision, the picture of Wills and me on our wedding day stared back from the far wall. Right beside it, another picture of my former husband, his arms wrapped around me from behind as he smiled in happiness.

  My mind quickly pulled the memory and replayed it.

  The warm spring day beckoned us outside, enjoying the sun. Wills took the opportunity to wash the car before the weather turned colder once more. Mischievously, I grabbed the water hose and sprayed him. He retaliated. After a quick game of chase, I allowed him to catch me. Bas had snapped the picture. Right after, Wills dragged me up to our bedroom and made such sweet love to me. Our bedroom. This very bed.

  "Shy?"

  Meat's voice drew me back from those images in my mind.

  A torrent of emotions flashed, guilt leading the pack. Betrayal loped in a close second. How could I be intimate with another man in my marriage bed with pictures of Wills looking on? The answer was simple. I couldn't.

  "I… stop. Please." I pushed at his chest. He growled, running his hands over my belly once more, not budging an inch. His lips lowered, setting his teeth in my shoulder, as a male lion would to control his mate.

  A streak of fear flashed through me at his actions. Shaking it off, I tried once more. "I can't." I shoved once more, sitting up on the side of the bed just as soon as he moved off.

  Meat paused for a moment before sliding off the bed with the grace of a stalking puma. Confusion covered his face. "Why not?" His voice sounded low and controlled, but the hint of frustration carried over thick.

  "I'm sorry. I… just…" I stammered, not sure how to explain. Clenching the sheet, I pulled it up to cover my exposed chest.

  "You went from hot lava to a frigid iceberg in a matter of two seconds." He stared at me as if trying to figure out a particularly complex puzzle.

  I swallowed and tried to force my sluggish brain to formulate an answer to explain. "I can't… here."

  His brows furrowed as he followed my eyes to the far wall. After a moment, he looked back to me, then repeated the process once more.

  "I… the memories. I saw the pictures… and had flashbacks… here… our bed."

  His large hand cupped my cheek, his thumb wrapped under my chin, tilting it until I met his gaze. "So, you saw the pictures of your…" he paused as if tossing around words, then barged ahead, "and remembered things you and he did in this room, in this bed?"

  I nodded.

  His voice mellowed a bit more as he continued to hold my face steady, maintaining my focus on his ever-changing face. "You wanted me until you were reminded of the past?"

  I peered into those stormy depths. "Yes. I still do. Just not… right here. I feel…" I closed my mouth, unsure of the word to use.

  "Guilty?" he whispered in question.

  Again, I bobbed my head. As much as I wanted Meat and his lovemaking, I simply couldn't be with him here. With images of my late husband looking on.

  His left thumb brushed across my cheek. A sigh came from deep in his chest as his shoulders eased their tension. "Okay."

  I hadn't realized how tight his muscles locked until that moment when they relaxed. "I'm sorry. I never expected it to be this hard."

  He placed a tender kiss to my forehead. The pink blouse appeared in his hands as he handed it back to me. "No, I'm sorry."

  Taking the offered shirt, I traded it for the sheet across my bare chest.

  "I wasn't thinking. I should've realized this wasn't a good place. And, there's no hurry. It'll happen when it happens. Not before." Taking a couple steps back, he shot me a small reassuring smile. "Feel up to an evening on the town?"

  Confused, I blinked at the sudden change of subjects. "Doing what?"

  He gestured to my shirt. "Get dressed. We can hit the art walk."

  Seizing the peace offering, I stood, turning my back to him as I slipped the blouse on after quickly refastening my bra. "As long as I get dessert afterward. Today is definitely a double dessert kind of day."

  He laughed low. "I can promise you that."

  The twinkling in his eyes clued me in that perhaps he surfed a different wave than I did at the moment. I wanted chocolate. I was pretty sure he wanted chocolate covered Shy.

  CHAPTER 22

  We walked hand-in-hand along the boardwalk in front of a line of stores, most specializing in some sort of artwork from glass to sculptures, paintings to pottery. The whole square made up the art district and one weekend per month all the businesses stayed open late to accommodate after hours shoppers.

  Night fell as we moved from shop to shop, finding objects both amazing and downright weird. Finishing with the last corner store, we turned south, walking through the lighted parking lots toward Meat's Jaguar.

  "You know, Christmas is coming," I hinted at Meat, who shot me a knowing glance.

  "Uh huh."

  "Well, did you see anything you wanted?"

  "Yep."

  "Such as?" I prepared to figuratively jot something down in my memory.

  "You." His mouth hitched up as his eyes sparkled with mischief.

  Awwww. I squeezed his hand. "How did I get so lucky to find you?"

  "Oh, I don't know. You slipped your hand in my thong and de-briefed me in front of a roomful of lust filled ladies."

  I giggled. "Not the best first impression."

  Meat paused, swiveling around, his body tensing. "Stay close to me."

  "What…"

  "Look what we have here." A droll male voice interrupted our conversation. Two lanky men stepped into view. Both appeared fairly youthful judging by their faces and clothes, which hung off them as if three sizes too big, an odd fashion trend some of the youth latched onto today. Ratty jeans and leather jackets covered both. Hair hung limp on their heads as if shampoo and showers had become a rare commodity, turning what would be blond on one to dark and greasy, and the taller man's hair from what would be light brown to near black.

  "Isn't that the same bitch from the other night? The one that escaped?" the shorter male asked.

  "Yeah, well, her luck isn't going to hold twice."

  Meat nudged me behind him. "Let me deal with this."

  "Stay out of this, shifter. She's ours," the taller, more vocal one warned.

  "No can do. Besides, you're wrong. She's mine."

  "Worth dying for?"

  "Yes, but I'm not the one worried about dying." Meat stood tall, keeping a sharp eye on the circling vampires.

  I stuck to his side like glue, my heart in my throat as I faced the return of a living nightmare. In all the years I'd held blanket protection from just such attacks, I had never really considered how lucky I was. Until now.

  Frantically, I searched for a way out of this mess, failing that, to stay out of Meat's way in order to become an asset as opposed to a hindrance. My purse, complete with taser sat locked in his car, leaving me with no weapon besides my bare hands and wits. Just my luck to run into riff-raff with no taser, no mace, not even a loaf of garlic bread.

  "Think you're something special, huh? I see just another dumb shifter."

  "Wrong on both counts, idiot. If you must know I'm an alpha. No one challenges me and lives to talk about it."

  The vampys glanced at one another as if judging the truth to his words.

  "Doesn't matter who you are. Hand ov
er the human or die."

  "Not happening."

  The blond leapt forward first. Meat met him with a hard fist. The other took advantage, rushing toward Meat's flank. I stood my ground, ready to kick the guy's balls into his abdominal cavity, but a hard shove sent me backpedaling.

  When I came to a standstill against a parked car, I found a huge tawny-colored cat standing between me and the attackers, roaring his challenge, and brandishing deadly claws. The beast awed me with his sheer size, easily the length of a couch from head to tail, and his head would reach my waist. Gorgeous, yes. Scary, definitely.

  The darker-haired vampire rushed in only to be bowled over by the huge feline. Together they hit the ground hard, struggling in a wrestling match of survival.

  Glancing up, I found the blond fangy eyeing me carefully, making his way around the struggle in my direction.

  Slowly, I eased around the car and realized running would only buy me a few seconds but separate me from Meat at the same time. Divide and conquer. A familiar hunting philosophy on the Savannah as well as in Clearwater City.

  Keeping the vehicle between us, I judged my options while the attacker stalked determinedly. His fangs flashed in the illumination from a nearby pole.

  "I've been waiting for this day. So close before. This time I'll suck you dry like the prey that you are."

  He faked right. I dodged left, then put on the brakes as he leaped over the car, landing just in front of me. He reached out.

  A loud roar sounded as a huge paw grabbed him and threw him onto the ground. The big cat leaped on top with a harsh snarl, his tail swishing as he worked over his target.

  I shuddered, thankful for Meat's intervention but shaken by the violence before me. Rubbing my arms over my jacket, I couldn't tear my eyes away from the gruesome scene. Thankfully, in moments, silence reigned once more.

  The liger turned to stare at me for a long moment before moving away from his victims. Ambling closer, he held my gaze.

  I searched but didn't see any major wounds, just smatterings of blood on his face, paws, and underbelly. Nothing appeared more serious than a hot bath couldn't fix.

  "You okay?"

  He licked my hand, his tongue rough on my palm. Evidently kitty language for yes.

  "Thank you."

  In a flash, the cat disappeared, replaced by Meat in human form. The change not only provided clothes, but he lacked the previous blood stains as well. I reached for him immediately, holding him tight.

  "I was so worried."

  He held me just as snug, rubbing his cheek against mine. "It's gonna take more than two fledgling vampires to do me in, especially when they're after my… you."

  I soaked in his warmth, his protectiveness, and felt cherished. A stiff wind blew through my jacket. I shivered with the cold.

  "Let's get you home. You can call your boss and file a report of what happened along the way." With one arm wrapped around my waist, he escorted me to his car, settled me inside, then dropped in the driver's seat.

  His gaze raked over me. "Mine."

  For once, the word didn't send a spear of annoyance through me. Instead, a cloud of happiness floated in and settled comfortably.

  Meat risked his life to defend me. Me. Sure, interspecies dating made for a bumpy road and living with an alpha would probably test anyone's patience, but boy howdy, the rewards of being with the shifter of my dreams grew plentiful. Drool-worthy body, muscles in abundance, exuding sex appeal, extreme confidence, and filled with an attitude of sensual teasing. To top everything off, he seemed to adore the boys, playing with them, caring for them, more than a lot of men would do in his shoes.

  A woman could do much worse.

  CHAPTER 23

  After the ordeal at the art walk, we headed back to Meat's house. A double-dipped brownie sundae complete with nuts and a cherry sounded too good to pass up, especially when one's life had nearly flashed before their eyes minutes ago. Not to mention Meat needed a shower to rid himself of vampire cooties.

  I walked into his home, heading straight for the kitchen. He stalled by grabbing my hand and leading me directly to the couch. Plopping down, my gaze met his, finding an all too familiar flicker in his eyes.

  "I'm going to eat dessert. Double dipped sundae." Pointing out his earlier promise of tasty treats might curtail his thoughts.

  He flashed a grin. "I have something else you might enjoy tasting and nibbling on."

  So much for diversion. I squirmed on the couch, shifting a bit closer to the armrest. After the awkward and uncomfortable incident earlier, I wasn't so sure sharing body fluids ranked high on my priority list for the day. Meat needed a scrub and I still shook from the earlier encounter. Besides, I'd already scarfed down a large lunch at the party and now really needed a double decked sundae. At this rate, I would require a larger sized wardrobe in a mere week. Not that I was using food to avoid sex. Instead, I'd decided Meat made me nervous thus, I ate. Denial city.

  He stood, took my hand, and pulled me to my feet. Strong arms wrapped initially around my waist before nimbly slipping under my blouse, finding their way easily to the clasp on my bra.

  I threw caution to the wind. Sex now, shower later. It's all good.

  In turn, my hands grasped his shirt, tugging to get it loose from his jeans. He sucked in his belly, assisting my efforts. My fingers found their way under the material, reacquainting myself with the contours of his highly defined muscular chest and belly.

  Yummy. No wonder he made a good living showing off his body. Even lifelong nuns would drool over him.

  Bending a bit, he sealed his lips over mine, opening wide to start a new game of tag with my tongue. I eased closer, throwing more passion into his kiss, nipping his bottom lip before soothing it with my tongue. He groaned in response, covering my breast with one hand, molding and caressing.

  An impatient tapping noise broke into the moment. Meat stepped back, spinning around.

  Sure enough, Misha stood in his living room. Her fiery red dress had a slit high enough to reveal the tops of her thigh. With just enough of a breeze, what she wore or didn't wear under the outfit would easily be revealed. The cleavage, in turn, dipped low, threatening to spill its contents with one deep breath. Marilyn Monroe in her famous scene, trying to modestly hold her dress down over the air vent, came to mind.

  She ignored me, crossed her arms over her endowed chest, and centered those hateful blue eyes directly on Meat. "I need you." The tone smacked of an order with immediate compliance expected.

  I sighed. Here we go again. Irritation rushed to the fore. The jealous walking sex popsicle on a stick wasn't about to ruin another night with Meat.

  "Get out of here, Misha." My mouth fell open at Meat's words.

  A shocked expression flashed over her face before she gathered herself. Obviously, she'd never even considered the possibility of rejection.

  Her chin lifted as she glared at him. "I said I need you." When he didn't move, she tried again, "It's that time."

  "No." He denied her, stern and abrupt.

  "No?" She stomped her foot on the hardwood floor, the clang announcing her changing mood from impatience to icy fury. Her glare alone would stop Genghis Khan in his tracks.

  Meat advanced to stand directly in front of her. "I told you last time to find someone else." His fists clenched at his sides as he growled his displeasure.

  Misha's eyes narrowed. A perfectly executed pout followed. "But Tyger, you know how hard my life has been." She purred, sidling closer to him, her hand lightly stroking from the middle of his chest down to the waist of his jeans. "I don't trust anyone but you."

  He pushed her hand away. "I've smelled other males on you, Misha. I'm not as stupid as you think." He snarled, his voice deepening as he pinned her with his angry stare.

  Not concerned, she waved absently. "Human males. You know I need you to handle my heat."

  Enough of the drama already. I stepped around the coffee table, preparing to smack her upside the head an
d probably get bitten in the process. Meat could hold my hand through the series of rabies shots later.

  "Shy is staying. Misha, you're leaving." He shot me a glance before turning stormy eyes back on her.

  She looked at me in astonishment before snarling back. "You would choose her over me?"

  "Yes."

  "Over her dead body." What is it with other species and their wish to destroy me tonight?

  Without warning, a large spotted cat leaped in my direction, knocking me hard to the floor. Yelping, I managed to land on my back, tucking into a fetal position and covering my face to protect it from the sharp claws already digging into the soft skin of my belly.

  A loud roar full of rage ripped through the living room. The cat was forcefully lifted off me and tossed across the room as if she weighed nothing more than one of her high end pumps. I took advantage of the freedom to scoot into a sitting position and ease backward toward the cover of the couch, pausing when I glimpsed the large cat I'd seen earlier stalking toward the smaller jaguar.

  He easily outsized her by three times. Smudged black stripes stood out from the tawny basecoat color, much more easily seen in the brighter lights of home than the dimmer parking lot of earlier. Long curved claws clicked with each step on the floor, used to slice through flesh and bone.

  Rumbling noises came from his throat, she answered in kind. Sliding to her belly, she spun, placing her rear to him, her tail flicking in agitation or maybe in invitation.

  I blinked at the scene from Wild Kingdom playing out before me.

  Still in kitty form, Misha elevated on her hind legs, making her wishes easily known. Just when I thought Tyger would cover her, giving her what she wanted after all, he sidled to her left, roared fiercely, and slapped her hard in the side with his dinner plate sized paw. Misha whimpered, remaining in place until he repeated the action. Only then did she slink on her belly toward the door before disappearing from view.