20 Shades of Shifters: A Paranormal Romance Collection

by Demelza Carlton

  The store dropped the charges because the items she stole added up to less than one hundred dollars and because it was her first offense (that they knew of). Mama was free to go. This time.

  The rest of the ride back to the trailer park was quiet. Fer's mom drummed her fingertips on the steering wheel to the beat of some Jack Johnson tune. Camila sat at the window and let her eyes drift over every cloud. She'd been doing this ever since he left, looking up, staring. Waiting.

  She drew her eyes down to her hands, clutched in her lap. The pink cast on her wrist was just one more painful reminder. She squeezed and squeezed, but she couldn't compress the pain. In her mind one thought rang out. He's gone. He's gone. He's gone.

  “We're here,” Fer's mom said, pulling up to the curb in front of their trailer. Mama and Camila thanked her, slipped out, and shuffled up the steps. The loose porch railing creaked as they climbed. Soon it would detach and be yet another eyesore on their eyesore of a life. Camila fought back tears and pushed up a smile for Mama. She was back. That was something, after all.

  The door flew open and a man stood staring at them from inside the trailer. His white hair was coiffed into a stiff wave across his head. He wore a loose cream-colored shirt, tailored black pants, and actual penny loafers. A gold necklace and bracelet flashed from his neck and wrist. Who was this stranger in her hou—

  “Papi!” Mama cried. “What are you doing here?”

  Abuelo. Her grandfather. He had come.

  He pressed Camila into a tight hug. The smell of his aftershave brought images swimming back to her, the hot day at the airport, the big bed in the house in Bolivia, the scratch of his stubble against her cheek when he kissed her goodnight.

  Abuelo half-walked, half-dragged Mama into the house. Camila followed, her legs feeling unsteady.

  Inside, her grandfather set Mama on the couch. There, standing awkwardly in the back, was Aunt Bea.

  “Ay dios mio,” Mama said, gaping at her sister. “What are you doing here?” Mama could barely catch her breath. She leaned on the couch arm for support.

  “We came because we heard you were in trouble,” her grandfather answered in accented English. “A young man showed up at my door two days ago. He spoke English and said I must come here. Things were very bad. I called Beatriz. It's time to heal our familia.”

  Bea nodded, tears flooding her eyes. “I should've come when Camila called me. I had no idea.” She looked around the trashed trailer.

  Her grandfather's brow wrinkled into deep lines. He reached for Mama's hand with his big brown one, his eyes sweeping around the trailer. “What happened here?” he whispered.

  “After what happened with Marquez, you disowned me. You never wanted to see me again.” A tremble rose into Mama's voice. She placed a hand at her throat as if she were struggling to hold in the sobs.

  “That's over. All of it.” Abuelo's voice was low and commanding. Both of his daughters nodded, their eyes finding each other. Abuelo pulled Camila in and gestured for Bea. She stepped over and threw her arms around them.

  Camila's heart swelled as she pressed her face into Abuelo's chest. After a few moments, Camila pulled back, a question tugging at her brain. “Abuelo, the young man. What did he look like?”

  Her grandfather rubbed his hands together, thinking. “Tall, broad. Dark hair and eyes. About your age. There was another waiting for him down the driveway that could've been his hermano.”

  Camila drew her hand to her mouth. “Did he say his name?”

  Grandfather shook his head. Then he nodded slowly, remembering. “John.”

  Camila took a step back, closing her eyes. Mama, Abuelo, and her aunt began talking in Spanish too fast for her to translate. Instead she pressed her back to the wall and tried to breathe.

  John had sent her grandfather here. Though he couldn't be here to rescue her, he'd sent another. That meant only one thing.

  He still cared about her.

  Camila

  Three weeks later

  Camila bounded down the steps of her trailer. Fer stood at the bottom in a new Avenged Sevenfold T-shirt, her face beaming with pride.

  “Sweet. Where'd you get it?” Camila said, pointing to the shirt.

  Fer smiled. “Shawn got it for me. Said I should have something new. Not look like such a scumbag all the time. I punched him in the nads for that one.”

  Camila laughed. “I like it.”

  Fer pulled something from behind her back. It was another T-shirt, similar to Fer's but with a different black logo on the front.

  “Oh my God, Fer. For me?” Camila held the shirt up and examined it.

  Fer nodded, looking proud. “I bought this one. No drug money. Thought it'd be a cool memento for our first concert.”

  Camila gave Fer a big hug. “Many more to come,” she said, pulling it over her head. She smoothed her hair out and stared down at her new shirt.

  A dented Honda pulled up, music blaring. Michelle sat in the driver's seat, a scowl on her face. Travis beamed at them from the passenger seat.

  “So, she is dating Travis, huh? I just can’t imagine,” Camila whispered, leaning into Fer. “Travis hasn’t said anything to her about what happened, right? She doesn't know?” She lowered her voice. “About John and the beast?”

  Fer shook her head. “We both swore we wouldn't tell. Don't worry. Travis is a solid dude.”

  Travis hopped out of the car and jogged over, tossing his shaggy hair out of his eyes. “You cats ready?”

  Fer nodded. “It's gonna be kick-ass.”

  Travis nodded. “Cam, do you have a minute? Michelle wants to tell you something.”

  Camila stiffened. She wasn’t ready for a confrontation with Michelle, but Travis was smiling at her expectantly. She blew out her breath. “Sure.”

  Travis waved at Michelle, who reluctantly stepped out of the Honda and strode over. She stopped on the sidewalk and crossed her arms over her chest. Camila had a feeling this would not be good.

  “Go on,” Travis said, placing his hand at the small of her back.

  Michelle cleared her throat and raised her eyes to Camila. “I know I made you think my dad put your mom in jail, but it wasn't him.” Her eyes flicked to Travis and heat flooded into her face. “I was pissed you were with him.” She looked back at Camila. “Well, anyway, I'm sorry how that all went down.”

  “It's okay. Travis convinced me you had nothing to do with it. But thanks for the, uh, apology.”

  There was an awkward silence. Michelle shrugged and looked to Travis, who kissed the top of her head. She strode back to her car and pulled away.

  The screen door screeched open and Abuelo stepped out onto the porch steps. Camila turned and waved. “Abuelo, this if Fer and Travis, the friends I was talking about.”

  Fer gave a shy smile and a nod. Travis shook Abuelo's hand. Abuelo turned to Camila. “Not out too late, mi amor. Moving trucks, they come mañana.”

  Camila nodded. “Not too late.”

  Abuelo retreated into the trailer. Camila could see the stacks of packed boxes from here.

  Fer stood, shaking her head. “I don't like it. We've been neighbors for seven years.”

  Camila threw her arm around Fer, her cast banging on Fer's back. “The house he bought us is, like, three miles away. Plus, Abuelo says he’ll buy me a car. Used. Let’s not get too excited.”

  Travis leaned in. “No more trailer trash.”

  Camila released Fer and smiled. “I'll always be trailer trash.”

  As they walked down the street to meet Shaun, Camila lifted her eyes to the tops of the trailers, then to the tree line beyond, then upward. Puffy white clouds floated across the canvas of blue. Nothing stirred. Nothing darted out towards her, arms stretched wide in invitation.

  A shove in her ribs drew her attention back to earth.

  “You gotta quit that,” Fer said, taking a drag on a cigarette she'd just lighted. “You can't live your life in the clouds. He might never come back.”

&n
bsp; Camila shrugged. “He sent my grandfather back. That's something.”

  “Yeah, something to indicate that you need back-up cause his ass ain't coming back.” Fer grabbed Camila's arm and they both stopped, Travis shuffling up behind them. “Whatever those things were, we don't want them back. A dozen craters means a dozen monsters. What if they start hunting again? We'll be the daily special in a monster buffet.”

  “I don't even want to think about it,” Travis said, shivering. “Beasts. Jesus.”

  “No one’s seen any sign of monsters. It might've just been a 'geological event,'” Camila said, using air quotes, “like the news said.”

  “We all know it wasn't a geological event. We saw what that thing was,” Fer said.

  Travis nodded warily. “It almost killed you.”

  “John saved me.”

  Fer kicked at a loose piece of sidewalk. It skidded into the weeds that decorated the skirting of the Garba trailer. Inside, a dog started yapping. “Camila, he saved you by leaving. He's not coming back.”

  Camila dropped her chin and stared at the tangle of weeds sprouting through the cracks at her feet.

  The three friends moved on in silence. Down the street another dog howled. A car with too-loud bass bummed by. Another normal evening in the park. One of Camila's last. Her heart hung heavy.

  The concert was amazing. When Shaun dropped her off, Camila could barely hear. Walking up her trailer steps, she swayed with happiness. Things were as they should be.

  Well, almost.

  Fer was right. She'd be better off if she could set her heart aside, broken dejected thing it that was, and move forward. Yet, deep down she knew she’d spend many moments like this one—hollow, heart-broken, and with her eyes to the sky.

  Just as she was about to turn the doorknob and step inside, she saw something moving in the shadows around the back of the trailer.

  Her heart beat picked up. Could it be one of those things?

  Then John stepped into the moonlight.

  Her heart soared.

  “John!” She ran down the steps and into his arms. He pulled her to him. In his arms, her heart soared. He was here. He was really here.

  She stared up at his face, not quite believing. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

  “I can’t stay long,” he said smiling, running a hand down her cheek. “But I had to see you. Can we go somewhere?”

  She glanced at the trailer. As long as she was home before everyone woke up, no one would worry. She nodded vigorously. “Yes. Let’s go.”

  He swept her up into his arms and they were off. She’d never get over flying with him, soaring over houses and trees, the wind in her hair, feeling so secure in his arms. His face in the moonlight was exactly how she’d remembered it. So handsome and stoic. She wondered what had happened to him since she’d seen him last.

  When he soared above the same moonlight spot they’d been to almost a month ago, she recognized it right away. The cliff and moonlit valley ringed by tall pines looked exactly the same. Only she was different. And John. They had changed while the world went on quietly.

  He set her down, making sure she was on her feet before letting her go. There, on the grass, a blanket had been laid out and candles lit.

  She surveyed the scene, realizing he’d done this for her. “So you were pretty confident I’d say yes, huh?”

  He blushed a bit. “I figured.”

  He sat down, stretching his giant frame across one end of the blanket while she sat on the other side. Then they looked at each other sheepishly. After all, the last time she’d seen him, he’d made it seem like they would never be together again.

  He was the one to break the silence. “Camila, I’m so sorry about what happened before. I left to save you. I thought I could stay away. But…” He looked up at her face, eyes studying her expression. “I couldn’t take it. And then they wouldn’t let me leave. It took me this long to get away. I’m sorry.”

  She picked at the blanket feeling a swirl of emotion. “Does Nomad know you are here?”

  He shook his head. “There’s others involved, too. I’m supposed to be doing reconnaissance in Kansas City. It’s the first time they’ve trusted me to leave. I’ll have to lie, but it shouldn’t be that hard. How much can be going on in Kansas City?”

  “And the other craters? Should we be worried?”

  He shook his head. “I made them promise no one would go to your town. You’re safe.”

  “What about the other towns?”

  He averted his eyes. “I’m doing my best.”

  She plucked at grass strands that swayed in the wind. It was all so complicated. Being with him. All that went with it. She picked apart a seed pod until his hand settled over hers. She met his gaze.

  “I wouldn’t have come if I’d thought it would hurt you. And if it is… If it’s making you uncomfortable or upset, I’ll go.”

  “No,” she said without hesitation. Her hand fit into his. “I’m glad you came. What you did with my grandfather… That was amazing. I’ve been waiting to thank you. To see you again.” She bit her lip.

  A smile played on his face. “I’ve wanted to see you again, too. It’s all I could think about.”

  Her eyes traced his face and lingered on his lips. She wanted to kiss him very badly. He seemed to sense it, leaning forward. Feeling a magnetic pull, she leaned in, too. Soon, there was very little space between them. Electricity seemed to snap like live wires.

  She’d closed her eyes and let go.

  His lips pressed on hers and a surge of endorphins skipped up her body. Every inch of her skin came to life. His hand snaked around and gripped the back of her neck as she wrapped her hands around his broad shoulders. She fit so perfectly there with him, her small hands on his large muscles. But the kiss was heating up and her attention was snapped away as he breathlessly stopped kissing her mouth and moved down to her neck.

  Things were heating up indeed.

  A raw hunger she’d never known occupied her mind. The only thing she could think about now was where his skin touched hers, the feel of his fingers as they skimmed her back, the way he was inching in until her breasts brushed against the hardness of his pecs. His breath pulsed on her neck, thrilling her.

  Panting, he pulled back. “I can stop if you’d—”

  “No. Don’t stop.” She didn’t know when she’d see him again, if at all. She had to make this night count. With a deliberateness she hadn’t known herself capable of, she reached down and pulled off her shirt.

  He sucked in a hot breath, his eyes caressing every inch of her bare skin and lingering on her bra. His hands came up, stroking the skin of her shoulders and then grazing across her covered breasts before gripping them as he closed his eyes. She took in the feel of his hands on her, the friction of his touch. Her need cranked up a notch and she found herself pushing him back and straddling him as he lay down on the blanket.

  She slid down over him, letting her warm center skim across his hot length. His moan of satisfaction was all she needed. Grinding her hips, she rubbed against him, feeling his hands settle onto her backside and assist.

  So hot. But it wasn’t enough. She wanted all he had to offer.

  She must’ve pushed him far enough, because he had her on her back in one fluid motion and the next he was urging off her pants. Watching him hungrily, she let him undress her piece by piece, loving the way his eyes took in every inch of her with wonder and worship.

  The pants were gone and then her bra, her breasts free in the moonlight. He went for her panties last, this time pulling them down with excruciating slowness. When she was completely naked, he stared down at her from where he knelt beside her.

  “I don’t deserve you,” he said, more worship on his face.

  She laughed. “You’re super human. It’s me who doesn’t deserve you.”

  He shook his head and then worked quickly on his own clothes. Camila wanted to take her time admiring all his hard muscle and lean angles,
but he was too fast, naked and then climbing over her. She could barely handle her anticipation.

  He centered himself over her and dipped low over her breasts. She closed her eyes and waited, not breathing for what came next.

  His tongue over her nipples was electric. She arched and moaned as he stroked first one and then the other. Then both as one hand took over where his tongue had been. The sensations blended together until she was so hot and wet she could not stand it anymore. Bucking her hips, she tried to encourage him southward. He took the hint.

  Slowly, gently, he positioned himself between her legs and slid inside.

  Camila gasped with pure pleasure as she and John became one. Gripping his back with her nails, she rode the waves of pleasure as he moved inside her, feeling the ecstasy build.

  It wasn’t long before she could not hold out any longer. The explosive climax rocked her body with pleasure for what felt like millennia.

  When it was finally over, he eased himself beside her, using soft fingers to caress her body. He kissed her shoulder blade, her cheek, the top of her head. Camila wrapped her arms around him, feeling suddenly protective and a bit frightened.

  “How long do we have?”

  He was quiet for a time and then answered with a whisper. “A few more minutes.”

  “No,” she moaned, drawing him in tighter. “You can’t leave.”

  He stroked her hair. “I’d do anything to stay.”

  “But?”

  “But if I do, I put you in danger again.”

  She shook her head at the cruelty of it. “How long?”

  “Hmm?”

  “How long until I see you again?”

  He pressed his lips to her hair, inhaling audibly. “Too long, but as soon as I can. As soon as they let me get away. Unless you don’t want me to.”

  “I want you to,” she said, snuggling into his warmth. “If I have to choose between sometimes and never, I choose sometimes.”

  “I’m trying to find a way to change things, but it may take time.”