“I’m a shape-shifter.” My nose wrinkles in confusion before I have the chance to control it. “I shift into a wolf.” He says it matter of factly. Merick takes in a slow steady breath. “Please don’t be scared of me. I’d rather die than hurt you.”
“But shapeshifters aren’t real—they can’t be.”
Merick stands up and moves toward the open space in front of the window. He peels off his t-shirt, showing off his broad, tan, muscled chest. My eyes drift to his jeans and the massive bulge. “Don’t look at me like that. Not when I can’t touch you the way I want.” He unbuttons and then unzips his jeans.
“W-What are you d-doing?”
He doesn’t answer me he just pulls them down, but before I can get a look at him fully naked his body does this weird shimmer thing before his body changes before my eyes. I scramble back, taking the end table and lamp down with me.
The giant wolf, my wolf, starts walking toward me. His steps are slow, thoughtful. My heart beats a rapid staccato in my chest. He stops right in front of me. “M-Merick?” He snorts and then bobs his head, bumping it into my hand.
I reach out and run my trembling hand over his fur and immediately start to cry because I remember the feel of his fur against my fingers when I was twelve and he still feels the same. I wrap my arms around his neck. “For so long I thought I had imagined you. Shift back for me?”
His body quivers and then just like that Merick is in human form again. I look away before he can catch me staring, but he’s the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen. He grabs his clothes, holding me in his hypnotic stare as he begins getting dressed. It takes all of my restraint, not to look down at his dick.
My belly warms and my nipples harden. I bite my lip to keep from moaning as he covers up his beautiful body. The sexual tension between us is so thick, but then my stomach growls, breaking it and causing us both to laugh.
Once Merick is dressed he comes over to me, lifting me off the sofa. “You know I can walk, right?”
“Let me take care of you, okay?” He sets me down on the marble countertop and then cages me in with his hands next to both hips. “What are you hungry for?”
Well if that isn’t a loaded question I don’t know what is. “Umm...whatever you want is fine. I’m not picky.”
Merick leans in until our lips are almost touching. His breath tickles mine and he whispers, “Whatever I want?” He licks his lips and I swear it makes me want to wrap my legs around him and let him have my body. Instead, my stomach growls again, loudly. He laughs, “let’s get you fed.”
Merrick
I scanned the forest for the third time, roamed over the land surrounding her cabin, and found nothing. I believe Taryn, but there were no signs of anyone near her place. The grounds were clean, with no footprints. I'd picked up no unfamiliar scent.
I must have spent hours while she slept, seeking out who had her so spooked. The lack of findings made me irritated because it meant whoever it was they were still out there.
I sat near the large picture window, overlooking the trees. Just beyond was her cabin. The quietness around me meant she was still sleeping soundly.
Seeing her in my oversized bed, curled in safely beneath my sheets. Her hair fanning out over the pillow, the soft sounds of her even breaths, it's all so perfect. I'd give anything to have her here with me day after day, night after night.
To touch her, feel her warmth engulf me. Resisting her was growing more difficult and I could feel the urgency in her actions too. She wants me, I know she does. The scent of arousal coming off of her in waves, but not acting on it.
"Good morning," I turn my head to find Taryn taking the first three steps and pausing on the landing. "Do you ever sleep?"
Smiling, I allow my gaze to wander as I take in her appearance. A T-shirt, one of mine to be exact, hitting at her knees, bare feet, and bright red toenails. Her hair was down, tossed and slightly matted from her sleep. Taryn looks beautiful, breathtaking even.
“You are staring.” Quickly I shift my gaze upward and find her staring at me. A smile is tugging at the corner of her lips and she bites it in an attempt to hide it. But its too late, I find the humor dancing in her eyes.
“I am,” confirming her observation, I turn taking a few steps toward her, then pause weighing out her reaction. She remains where she is, staring at me with a smoldering look in her eyes. The two of us have been dancing around our attraction for one another for a couple of days now and if I was less of a man I would have already taken her up on those thoughts I know that are rolling around in her mind. But instead, I continue to enjoy the build. I’m securing the bond, strengthening that desire she feels. I need this between us to be unbreakable, so I will wait.
“I’d like to show you around today.” Taryn shifts on her feet, tugging at the hem of the shirt she wears, “I want to share Stone Ridge with you. Make you fall in love with this place, then maybe it will be enough for you to stay.” The plan was to make her fall in love with me, but somehow saying that aloud feels like a bad idea. “It’s quiet here, peaceful mostly. But it has character and the welcoming atmosphere, I think you’ll find it's
