Falling for the Shifter Box Set, page 4
part #1 of Falling for the Shifter Series
Here we go.
~
I’m starving as I pull into the campgrounds parking lot. I look around but can’t see Tarben anywhere. A small pang of disappointment gnaws at me that he’s not here, but I shake it away.
It’s not like I was expecting him to be here waiting for me. For one, I didn’t give him an exact time I was going to arrive this weekend and I couldn’t expect him to hang around the parking lot for me, especially when other campers are beginning to arrive and set up for their weekend getaway. I know how he feels about strangers.
It’s starting to get dark and I grab my pack and lock the car. Looks like I’m making the trek solo. I know the way to his cave - it’s about half an hour’s walk up-river, so I set off up the path.
I hope that he’ll have food waiting, because I didn’t pack any. I wonder if that makes me a bad guest. Never mind, I’m sure I can find lots of wicked ways to pay him for his hospitality.
The thought of being in his arms again makes me pick up the pace to reach his home.
I’m panting when I arrive, and I take a moment to catch my breath and wipe away the sweat that has gathered on my neck. Just around the next bend is his cave. I can already feel the excited butterflies in my stomach as I take the corner and see the opening.
Just beyond that opening is a door set back deep in the cave, and beyond that door is Tarben’s home.
I hurry over to the entrance and step into the darkness. I know by memory where the door is even though there is no light on. I’m surprised he didn’t leave it on so I could see my way, but it’s not important.
I knock with three short raps and wait.
“Tarben? It’s me, Jade.”
Silence.
That’s weird. I knock again, louder this time in case he’s asleep, but the silence remains.
He’s not home?
I place my ear against the door and listen for him. I can’t hear anything. Now I’m beginning to get annoyed. Why isn’t he here? We made a plan last weekend that I would return this one. He knew I was coming. I didn’t say it would be Friday night exactly, but that’s when the weekend starts. He should have known that.
I begin to doubt myself. Did he think I was just saying I’d return but didn’t mean it? I know I have friends that do that, say they’ll call and they never do, but this wasn’t like that.
Or maybe I’ve been an idiot and read this whole situation completely wrong. Oh god, what if I have imagined his feelings for me? What if he was just staying he’ll see me again this weekend but had no intention of ever following through on that promise?
I groan as I slap myself on the forehead. I’ve been an idiot. I’ve become one of those girls that I hate, the ones that wait around for guys to call them, sitting by the phone anxiously and jumping at every shrill ring.
Dammit.
I press my lips tightly together in annoyance, as I turn around and walk back out of the cave and back to the path.
I’m not sure what to do. On one hand, I need to make sure that I have really been stood up rather than jumping to conclusions, but on the other, if I have been, then I want to give him a piece of my mind. He’s messed with the wrong girl if he thinks he can lead me to believe he liked me and wanted to see me again, when that wasn’t the case at all.
I need to decide what to do next. I can stay here and wait for him, or return to my car. I look around and tap my foot on the ground. I repeat the words over in my head - stay here or return to my car.
I’m staying. I’ll sleep on the ground if I have to, I’ve certainly slept in worse conditions over the years. I need to see him.
I return to the entrance of the cave and sit inside, at the same place I did when I first found it. I place my pack next to me and reach in to grab my phone out of the front zippered pocket.
I don’t have wifi here, but I do have cell coverage. I decide to pass the time playing a game. I’ll need something to do. I’m about ten minutes into the game when I’m startled by a noise in front of me.
“You can see the light on the screen from outside.”
I look up. Tarben. Naked of course, which suits me just fine.
“I was waiting for you,” I say.
“You should turn it off. I don’t want it to attract attention.”
Nice to see you too. I turn off my phone and place it back into my pack. I move toward him and place my hand on his arm. His skin is warm, not only from the night temperature but it feels like he’s been out running even though he’s not out of breath.
“I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow,” he says.
“But you were expecting me?” I ask, waiting for him to respond.
“Of course,” he says. He smiles and instantly the doubts I had earlier melt away.
Chapter 2
Tarben has made small changes to his home since I was here last weekend. Nothing major, but he’s added tiny comfortable touches here and there, such as the vase of fresh herbs he’s placed next to the bed which are perfuming the room, and a pillow on the sofa in the corner.
I grin as I try to figure out where he got a pillow out here in the woods. Maybe he stole it from a camper? Or maybe he’s into online shopping? I amuse myself with the idea of him getting a deliveryman out here asking him to sign for a parcel. Pity he doesn’t have a computer, I’d like to see that.
I place my pack down next to the bed and sit on the end of it, spreading out my hands on the blanket as I bounce a few times on the edge. No point in giving him any confusion as to what I’ve been thinking about ever since I left him.
He’s standing next to the table in the small kitchenette and watching me, making no indication that he’s going to come over and greet me with a kiss. I should be used to his social awkwardness by now, so thank goodness I’m not shy or this would never work.
I cough to clear my throat as I rake my gaze over his body, remembering every muscle and ripple on that smooth torso. I’ve missed looking at that. “What have you been doing all week?” I ask casually.
He shakes his head and shrugs. “Nothing much.” He hesitates as he looks me up and down. “Oh, wait.” He turns around and walks toward the wall placing his hand on it. He turns his head over his shoulder and smiles back at me. “I’m working on extending the water pipes over here. Once that’s complete, I’ll dig this part out and make a shower for you.” He looks pleased with himself. “I’ve been researching how to do it.”
“You’ve been researching?” Where he would do that out here, I have no idea.
He turns and walks back to the kitchenette. “I’ve never needed a shower before, I’ve always used the stream, but I thought you’d like it.”
I do like it. It’s incredibly thoughtful. “Thank you. That’s really sweet of you.” It is. I can say for certain that I’ve never dated anyone that has given me a shower for a gift. “I got you something, too.”
I reach down, pull out the wrapped box from my pack, and hold it out in front of me, tempting him to come over and sit beside me.
He tilts his head to the side as he walks over. “You got me a gift?”
“Sure, why not?” I smile as he takes it off me and studies the wrapped box. “Open it.”
He rips the paper away from the box like he’s nervous about what it might contain. I have a feeling he doesn’t get many gifts. He frowns as he studies the cell phone box.
“It’s so you can call me during the week if you want. And so I won’t have to wait in the dark because you don’t know when I’m arriving.” I grin as he tentatively opens the box and pulls out the phone inside, turning it in his hand.
“A cell phone,” he says.
I know what he’s thinking, I’ve already anticipated his concerns. “Don’t worry about the bills; it’s linked to my account. Just don’t go calling any international numbers or I’ll have to restrict your access,” I say jokingly.
He places the phone on the bed between us so that I can’t move closer. “Thank you.”
I can’t read him well enough yet to know whether he likes it. I hope he does. It’s not in the same league as getting a whole shower installed in your home for someone, but I think it was a good choice.
“I can make dinner,” he says quickly, standing up. “Do you like mac and cheese?” He walks back over the kitchenette opening a cupboard and pulling out a blue box of macaroni and cheese, studying the instructions on the side.
“You’re quite the gourmet, aren’t you?” I’m trying to keep the mood light but I’m beginning to wonder why he keeps moving away from me. What happened to the passionate Tarben from last week? Maybe he has lost interest after all. I glance down at his magnificent cock thinking it’d be a real shame if he has.
He turns his head to me before looking away again. “I told you I wasn’t expecting you until tomorrow. We can have something more nutritious then.”
“Okay,” I say. I watch him continue to study the instructions on the side of the box even though I’m sure he knows how to make it. That’s it, I want to end this weird tension that is making our conversation awkward.
I stand up and walk over to him, placing my hand over the box and drawing his attention back to me.
“What’s going on? You’re acting like you don’t want me here. If this isn’t what you want, then I can go. I’ll leave right now. I’m not going to hang around here and wait for you to turn the hot back on. I don’t have time for it.”
He pauses and slowly turns to face me. “I want you here.” His eyes are burning intensely into me and it’s making my pulse race. I don’t think I’m even hungry for dinner anymore, I just want him. I’d forgotten the effect he has on me.
“Then what’s with the cold act?” I need to know. I notice I’m breathing heavier being so close to him, I want him so badly. I’ll need to have a cold shower after this is over or I’ll go crazy. Pity it’s not finished yet.
He reaches over and touches my cheek. “Because if I let myself act like what I really feel, then you’ll already be naked and I’ll be inside you. Jade, just seeing you again is taking all of my self control not to rip your clothes off right now and have you. You and your body, it’s all I’ve thought about since you left last week. I told you that you’re the best fuck I’ve ever had. But, I don’t want to scare you away, Jade. I’m trying so hard here to keep it together and not scare you away. You don’t know how much I want you right now.”
I wasn’t expecting that. I thought he was going to say that he wasn’t interested anymore, but I was wrong. Thank god.
“Tarben,” I put my hand on his chest, feeling his heart beating fast under his skin. “It’s all I’ve thought about too. I want this as much as you do. Forget about the mac and cheese and have me for dinner instead.”
Chapter 3
A low rumbling growl of pleasure escapes Tarben’s lips as he pulls me in close and presses his mouth against mine. I melt into him, letting him hold me as I wrap my hands around the back of his head, grabbing his hair curling at the nape of his neck.
I close my eyes and concentrate on the waves of relief as his tongue enters my mouth. I’d forgotten how good a kisser he is. He lifts my hips up and I instinctively wrap my legs around his waist.
I expect that he’s going to walk us both back to the bed, but he doesn’t. Instead, he pivots on the spot and lets me fall slightly until I’m sitting on the kitchen table.
Without breaking contact with my mouth, he deftly removes most of my clothing. The only time he parts from me is when he lifts my tee over my head.
He uses the moment to rake his gaze over my breasts and down to my sex. I know I’m wet. I can’t help it. It’s clear I want him, and if he had any doubts before, they disappear quickly.
His gaze returns to mine as he kneels down in front of me. His head is hovering close to my sex and I can feel his breath on my thigh. Oh god, yes.
He holds my knees apart as he dives his head closer to me. His tongue snakes out, licking long slow strokes up my folds and then settling on my clit. He rolls the sensitive nub around in his lips until I’m groaning in pleasure. He doesn’t waste any time.
When he sucks it into his mouth, I don’t think I can hold out much longer it feels so good. He’s only just started but already I’m lost.
“Tarben,” I say, breathlessly. “If you continue doing that, I’m going to come.” I take a gulping breath. “But I want to come when you’re inside me.”
He doesn’t stop. If anything, he increases the rate at which his tongue is rolling over my clit. “I want you to come, Jade. I want to taste your pleasure.”
His hand glides up my thigh and I can feel it getting closer to my sex. If he does what I think he’s going to do, then I really won’t be able to hold off.
I begin to protest but then stop myself. If he wants me to come, then so be it.
One finger, then a second enters me, sliding easily into my slippery sex. He curls his fingers slightly so they graze against the sensitive spot inside me.
I’m breathless now, groaning and panting at the same time. I’m going to come any minute, I can tell.
Tarben begins to flick the tip of his tongue over my clit as his fingers increase their pace, when I feel the beginnings of my orgasm bubble up.
It starts at my core and spreads out through my body in one delicious wave.
“Oh god, Tarben,” I cry out. “Yes.”
My body shudders into orgasm and I reach forward and hold his head, preventing him from moving, and rock back and forth, as I ride the waves of climax.
He doesn’t seem to mind. If anything, he continues to drink me up hungrily like I’m the sweetest thing he’s ever tasted. I’m never giving this guy up.
When my orgasm subsides, he stands up and wraps his hand around the back of my neck pulling me close as he kisses me deeply. I can taste my own pleasure on his lips.
“I’m not done with you, yet,” he says teasingly.
I can feel his hardness against my leg. I move position so he can reach my sex and wrap my legs around his hips.
He slides inside me with one effortless thrust. I continue to kiss him as he moves slowly in and out. I know he’s holding off moving fast, waiting until I’m ready again since he thinks I’m sensitive from the orgasm I just had. I know he wants to go faster and deeper from experience.
I am sensitive, but I can handle what he wants.
“Do it, Tarben. Don’t be gentle on my account. Take me how you want me.”
“Jeez, Jade.” His low growl continues as his breathing increases. “Are you sure?”
I don’t answer. I just smile and lie back on the table spreading my knees wider so he has a better angle. I reach down and begin to play with my clit as he moves inside me. “I want it.”
“Fuck.”
His eyes glaze over as he grabs my ass and dives himself deeper inside me than I thought possible. He’s stretching my walls around his massive cock and it feels amazing.
I groan as he increases his pace. I’m glad I’ve already come once or else I’d be finished already.
He fucks me with the same raw urgency he had the first time we had sex. Maybe this time it’s even more primal, because he knows I can handle it, I don’t know. All I know is that it’s what my body needs. What my body craves.
“Yes, yes oh yes,” I moan.
This spurs him on more and while I didn’t think it was possible he seems to go even faster. He lifts my hips until only the back of my shoulders and head are lying on the table. The rest of me is in his skilful hands.
I close my eyes concentrating on how every thrust is bringing me closer and closer to the release I crave.
He must be getting close too, but there is no evidence that he’s letting up.
I open my eyes to watch him as he uses my body for his pleasure. It turns me on even more to see the way he looks at me. A bead of sweat drips from his neck down his chest. I follow it as it travels over his tight ripped stomach and then to the tight curls of hair above his cock.
This guy is every girls dream.
“Fuck you’re gorgeous,” he groans.
If he only knew how gorgeous he was. “I’m going to come again,” I say. I am. The way he’s fucking me has bought me to the cusp of orgasm quickly.
He almost howls as he dives into me. It’s enough to send me over the edge into my second orgasm. If anything, this one is more intense than the last.
As my sex spasms around his cock, I can feel him shoot his warm pleasure into me, extending my orgasm even further.
It feels like forever as I continue to quiver and shudder. When my climax finally subsides, I feel weak and tired. God, he’s good.
He picks me up and carries me over to the bed and lays me down, lying next to me as he traces his fingers over the dips and curves of my body.
When I’ve caught my breath I lean over and kiss him sweetly on the lips. “That was amazing.” It was.
“That was nothing,” he grins. “The things I want to do to you this weekend.”
I feel giddy just imagining all the delicious things he might do to my body and me. I grin and roll to my side, propping my head up on my hand. “Man, I’m glad I met you.”
He smiles and I can see his dick quiver slightly.
I sit up. “But before any of that happens, I really do need some food. Do you have anything other than mac and cheese?”
He looks thoughtful for a moment and then shakes his head. “Nope.”
“Then you prepare dinner and I’ll wash down the table.”
He narrows his eyes as he grins. “Only if you stay naked so I can see every part of you as you bend over the table.”
I rake my tongue over my bottom lip. “I thought that was the whole point.”
Chapter 4
I’m still half asleep when I wake up Saturday morning and reach across the bed. Tarben isn’t next to me and I open my eyes to make sure I wasn’t dreaming last night.
Nope, I wasn’t. I’m really in Tarben’s bed and we really did spend most of the night wrapped up in each other’s bodies. I’m going to need a week of sleep to recuperate after this weekend. Not that I mind.
