by KD Jones
No, his life would be different after the baby was born. Jeanne had agreed to give him full custody without any fight, and she would leave town for good. Of course, part of his money had been going to a bank account that he would turn over to her once she signed the official papers for custody. He wasn’t completely brain dead. He had been quizzing his brother Damen for months, who was a lawyer at a fancy law firm in the big city. Every time he called him, he asked about cases and then slipped in stuff about custody issues. Everything he learned, he used. Whenever he worked in the scout shop while Cosmo was out, he used Cosmo’s computer to create his own custody form.
He wasn’t sure if it would be legal or not, but if she signed her intent to give him the baby it should hold anyway. Not that Jeanne showed any interest in the baby—it was just a means to an end. She also didn’t want her father to find out she got knocked up by a filthy shifter. No, she would never keep the baby for fear her father would discover it.
Ivan slammed a pan down on the stove. Jeanne turned the television up louder to drown out the sounds he was making. He lost himself in the simple routine of making food. Anything to make him forget for just a little while what shit he had to deal with.
His mind went to Dahlia, beautiful amazing Dahlia. He wanted to cook her food and feed her while they lay naked in bed. Then, after he satisfied one hunger, he would satisfy another. Closing his eyes, he imagined what she would look like while he was atop plunging inside of her.
“Mmm… that smells good. Bring it here because I hurt too much to move.”
The sound of Jeanne’s whiny voice disturbed his daydreaming. Fuck! He couldn’t stand to be in her presence more than fifteen minutes. He turned the burner off and plated the food. He carried it and hand it to her over the back of the couch. Not even a thank you.
“Oh shit!”
She didn’t look at him, just crammed the food in her mouth. “What?”
“I forgot something at the scout shop. I need to take care of it before tomorrow.” He reached for the keys he had placed on the bar. He couldn’t get out of there fast enough.
Chapter 4
Dahlia looked in the mirror in the bathroom at the local bar, still shocked at what she saw. She had straightened her normally curly blond hair until it was falling straight and shiny down her back. She wore a tight red strapless mini dress that showed off her breasts and long legs. Her lips were tinted with red lipstick and her eyes were glimmering with eyeshadow. It was the best she had looked in a long, long time.
Her friend Sage had talked her into coming out with her to celebrate her graduation from college. Normally she was a stay-at-home type who walked around in slippers and comfy pajamas. She wasn’t entirely comfortable wearing this getup. When she walked into the bar and every male’s head turned to check her out, she felt a little bit better. It was exactly what her battered ego needed.
“Okay girl, get out there and have a good time.” She nodded at her reflection before pulling her shoulders back and leaving the bathroom.
Sage wasn’t sitting at the bar where she had left her. She turned and looked around the dimly lit room. Most of the patrons were shifters, so smoking was not allowed as it bothered their senses. The place was packed full of different types of shifters, most of them giving off a lot of body heat. She was grateful to be wearing something thin.
Spotting the younger woman on the dance floor, she turned to the bartender. “Another frozen margarita.”
“Sure thing, Dahlia.” The bartender quickly made her drink and handed it to her.
“Thanks.” Sipping it, she appreciated the cool drink even as it warmed her as it went down her throat. She closed her eyes enjoying the temporary feeling of relaxation. Mixed drinks didn’t affect shifters the same as they did humans. Oh, they could get a buzz and even get drunk, but they would have to drink a lot of alcohol, and quickly. She was tempted to order a huge pitcher of frozen margarita and down it herself. Anything to help her forget what she was feeling inside.
Taking another sip of her drink, a reflection in the mirror showed movement directly behind her. The eyes that locked with hers were very familiar. Oh shit!
“Hello Dahlia.”
Oh fuck me! “Ivan.”
He moved to sit next to her. “Out by yourself?”
She didn’t look at him. “No, I’m here with your sister. She’s dancing right now.”
He perked up and scanned the room. “She shouldn’t be here.”
“We’re celebrating.”
“Celebrating what?”
She turned to glare at him. “Seriously? Your sister just graduated college.”
He looked surprised. “I didn’t know.”
“Of course not. You can’t spare the time to spend any time with her or the rest of your family to know anything.”
“You don’t have the right to judge me. It’s my family, not yours.”
“You’re right. They’re not my family. I don’t have any family.” She left him at the bar and went over to the closest guy she could find, which was a tall wolf shifter in a leather jacket. He wasn’t a regular but at that point, she didn’t care who he was.
“Do you want to dance?”
“Hell yeah, beautiful.” He turned to his buddies. “Guys, it’s my lucky night. Don’t wait for me.”
The chuckling by his pals grated on her nerves but she ignored it and gave the wolf shifter a big smile. “I’m Dahlia.”
“Numchucks.”
She fought not to laugh at his name. “Nice to meet you.”
They went out to the dance floor and Numchucks pulled her too tight against him. When his hands reached down to grasp her ass, she shoved at his chest. “Don’t do that.”
“Come on babe, you know you like it. Let’s go out back and I’ll show you a good time.”
She shook her head. “No thanks, I’m not interested in anything more than dancing.”
He reached for her ass again but then he was suddenly not there. She blinked, looking at a surprised Numchucks staring up at a huge and furious polar bear shifter.
“The woman said no.”
“Fine! I’m not interested in her anyway, too tall for my tastes.” The wolf shifter scuffled off to join his friends, then their little group left. Dahlia looked up at Ivan when he turned angry eyes on her.
“What were you thinking?”
“I just wanted to dance.”
“Then I’ll dance with you.” He didn’t give her a choice as he pulled her into his arms.
The temperature in the room upped about twenty degrees as their bodies came together. It was a mistake to let him get that close to her, but she couldn’t pull away. She wrapped her arms around his neck and swayed with him to the music.
This was everything she had ever wanted, being in Ivan’s arms, having his hands at her waist. The music and voices faded in the background. All she could hear were their hearts as they began to beat in sync with one another.
She felt his breath on her skin as he nuzzled her neck. It felt so good. Looking up at him, he lifted his head enough to move closer and then he kissed her. It was like being blindfolded for hours then having it ripped off. Everything was dizzying and bright, so bright. She moaned as she opened her lips for him and their tongues met. It built a deep need inside of her, one she hadn’t felt before.
“Dahlia.” Her name on his lips sent shivers down her entire body. She wanted him more than anything. This time when she felt big hands cupping her ass, she didn’t break away. She ground herself against him, trying to get as close as possible. This was amazing, sexy and so hot.
“Hey guys! Get a room!”
The outburst by another patron broke them apart. She looked up at Ivan, confused and aroused. She smiled halfway and was about to ask if he wanted to go back to her place, something she had never said to any guy, ever. Unfortunately, his expression went from aroused to blank. His eyes hid his emotions and he snorted.
“Can’t keep your hands off any guy, can you?�
�
She felt like she had been slapped in the face. Of all the asinine things he could have said. “Fuck you Ivan!” Dahlia turned and stormed out of the bar. Never would she let him get that close again to hurt her. Never.
Chapter 5
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Sage demanded as she came up to Ivan and punched him in the stomach.
It didn’t really hurt; his sister was dainty for a shifter. He knew he deserved it after what he had said to Dahlia. When he came in and spotted her looking like a sex goddess, he wanted to rub his scent all over her. Then she danced with some wolf shifter and allowed the male to put his hands and scent on her. It nearly drove him crazy. His inner polar bear wanted to rip the male’s head off.
Then he made the mistake of taking her in his arms. She fit him perfectly. He used to like females who were shorter, like Jeanne. Dahlia’s height, though still shorter than him, was just right. He didn’t have to bend over too far to get to her lips. God, kissing her had to be the second mistake he made that night. The taste of her sweet lips would haunt him. The scent of her arousal spiked and it had a direct effect on his cock.
He might have done a whole lot more in they hadn’t been interrupted. Sexual frustration mixed with his jealousy over the other male touching her had come out with a really rude remark.
“Ow!” he called out in surprise when Sage, his sweet little sister, slapped the back of his head. “Why did you do that?”
“Because you’re being an asshole! Go after her and apologize. I mean it, or I’ll tell Cosmo. You’re supposed to be respecting her. Cosmo promised her he would talk to you about it.”
Damn it! He couldn’t afford to lose one of his jobs right now with the baby on the way. “I’ll go talk to her.” He started to walk away but turned to look at Sage. It was like seeing her for the first time as a grown woman. “Congrats on your graduation. I know I haven’t been there for you…”
Sage hugged him. “It’s okay. I love you but sometimes, I want to kick your ass.”
He smiled. “You may be little but you sure are vicious.”
Ivan left the bar and looked down the dark sidewalk. He could see Dahlia’s stomping figure easily. He jogged toward her, enjoying the way her tight dress showcased her long legs and perfectly rounded bubble butt. Images of him pounding into her from behind almost made him trip and fall. He slowed down as he neared her and knew the moment she sensed his presence. Her shoulders stiffened.
“Dahlia, wait up for me.”
“Why? So you can continue to insult me?”
He reached for her arm and stopped her. She turned and glared while pulling off her high heels.
“What do you want?”
“I just wanted to say…” Damn, this was hard.
She inched an eyebrow up at him waiting. Growling in frustration she began to walk again.
“Wait a minute. Give me a chance. I’m not used to doing this.”
“Doing what?” She stopped again and put her shoe-filled hands on her hips.
“Apologizing. I owe you an apology for tonight and for basically every day since we first met. I have bad shit going on and you were my outlet.”
“What kind of stuff?”
“I can’t say right now, but I’m hoping soon I can tell you about it.”
“You know, I’ve gotten used to your bad attitude toward me, but I can’t understand why you would treat your family so badly. You used to be so close to your brothers and sister. Your mother cries every Sunday when you don’t show up for family dinner.”
He blinked his eyes, surprised. “How do you know she cries?”
She blushed before answering, “Your mother invites me to come and eat with your family since I don’t have anyone.”
Ivan just assumed that Dahlia’s wasn’t as close to her family. He was taken off guard to find out she was alone. “You have no one?”
“My parents died when I was little and I was shipped around between my aunts who didn’t really want me. When I was old enough I moved out and have been living on my own.”
“How old were you when you moved out?”
“Seventeen.”
“So young to be on your own.”
Dahlia shrugged and turned to walk slowly. He easily fell in step with her.
“It was hard and lonely sometimes, but it made me realize how important family is. You have the best family, Ivan, and they love you even though you’ve pushed them away. You just don’t understand how lucky you are.”
He was filled with guilt. She was right. He loved his family and they would want to be there for him if he let them. The problem was Jeanne. She was a spoiled and selfish person. She felt that since she had to keep her friends and family at a distance, then he shouldn’t get to spend time with his. She had all the cards and used the baby against him anytime he tried to go against something she didn’t like.
“I know I’ve been terrible to everyone. I hope to make it up to everyone soon, especially you.”
“Me?” She stopped and looked up at him curiously.
“I… we… when this thing I’m going through is over, I am hoping that you might give me a chance.”
“A chance to what?”
He reached out and gently caressed her cheek with his fingers. “Spend time with me, show you that I’m not a complete asshole. A chance to explore this attraction between us.”
“Tell me what it is that is keeping you from being with the people that care about you. It has to be serious.”
“It is, but I can’t say right now. As soon as I can, I promise you will be the first one to know. Will you forgive me for being an asshole to you?”
She leaned against his hand and sighed. “I will, but only if you promise to see your mother this Sunday. No excuses. She is the kindest person I know and took me under her wing without knowing me at all. All she wants is to have a family meal with her children. That’s not too much to ask for.”
“I’ll try.”
She stepped away from him. “Don’t try… do. This is me.” She pointed to the apartment across the street. He followed her to the entrance but didn’t dare enter after her, or he knew he wouldn’t be able to leave her.
Chapter 6
Dahlia tossed and turned. Her body was too needy from sexual frustration and her mind wouldn’t shut off, thinking about Ivan and this mysterious problem. She glanced at the clock. “Four fucking a.m.!”
She kicked the sheets off of her overheated body. Leaning over, she opened the drawer on her nightstand and pulled out her trusty vibrator. She flicked the switch on the side but nothing happened. “No!” This was a disaster.
“I guess I’ll have to do this the old fashioned way.” She lifted her nightgown off and used one hand to massage her breasts while reaching into her panties. Using her thumb and forefinger, she teased her clit. The nerve endings fired off immediately, sending currents up her body.
Once some of her natural juices flowed, she coated her fingers and inserted two of the inside her. It wasn’t the same as a big cock, not that she’d had sex with anyone since she moved to this town almost a year ago. At first she didn’t have time while trying to find a job and get settled. Then, after meeting Ivan, she couldn’t stand the idea of letting any other male touch her.
Her inner polar bear wanted to claim him, but it had to be a mistake. Ivan had never acted like they were bondmates, but there were times she caught him staring at her with desire and she often scented his arousal around her.
Something was keeping him from her and from his family. She suspected it had something to do with the human female she often scented on him. It wasn’t a strong scent, not one showing that they were intimate. She didn’t want to think about that right now.
She closed her eyes and remembered the kiss they shared on the dance floor. It was short but so damn hot. She wanted it to go on forever, except they needed to be naked.
As a shifter, she’s never thought twice about shifting and being naked or other shifters b
eing naked around her. However, she would give several months’ pay to see Ivan naked on her bed. For some reason, he’d never shifted around her, and when the polar bear clan had their monthly shift and hunt, he always showed up already shifted and left before the end of the hunt. She had caught glimpses of Cosmo, his twin, and he was a finely built male, but held no sexual interest for her. No, her inner bear only reacted to Ivan.
Ivan was strong, silent, brooding, and sexy-as-hell. She pumped faster and faster imagining that it was his fingers. He would look at her while he did it too, with those dark eyes of his. When he did this little half smile, he looked like a fallen angel looking for trouble.
He would take her hard and fast, deep where she needed it. It didn’t take long to get worked up. All she needed was a little more to take her over the edge.
Pinching her nipples, she used her thumb to stroke her clit with each plunge of her fingers. That added caress hit the bundles of nerves making her arch her back for more. He would whisper her name with his gravelly voice, “Dahlia.”
That was it, she bowed up and her juices shot out. Every nerve in her body was pinging. Slowly she began to return to Earth. Removing her fingers, her inner walls still quaked with spasms.
This wasn’t the first time she got off while fantasizing about Ivan. She had stop. It wasn’t healthy wanting a man that had so many issues it made her head spin. Most of her interactions with him were a heated battle of words. If he wasn’t going to open up and tell her what those issues were, she was going to have to find a way to move on.
No, mate! Her inner polar bear growled in denial
“He doesn’t act like it.”
She felt the wetness of the sheets and sighed. There was no sleep for her. She got up and pulled the sheets off the bed and headed to the kitchen where her stacked washer and dryer were in a closet. Stuffing the sheets in the washer, she checked the dirty clothesbasket and added more stuff. Turning it on, she went to the fridge and looked for something she could munch on. When one hunger was satisfied, it always opened up another hunger.
