Sixteen

The afternoon sun caressed the orange and black stripes of her fur, massaging her with its warm rays as the wind whispered along her lithe form. She ran through the forest surrounding Bull Creek, leaping over fallen logs, dodging trees, turning up the earth with her massive paws. All the while, Arlin, in his tiger form, followed close behind her, allowing her the freedom to explore her newfound ability while also remaining close enough to protect her and keep her from harm. While Bull Creek was a sanctuary for shifters, she knew Arlin wasn’t familiar enough with the area to let his guard down just yet, especially with Kyle still stalking her. She’d have to do something about her ex soon, though, if she were to move on with her life.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Arlin’s tiger prowling around a giant oak tree, matching her pace. She knew he was now a significant part of that forward momentum of her life, of putting her past behind her so she could enjoy this sparkling new present. And god, did she want to enjoy it. She darted close to him, nipping at his shoulder flank, and then bounded away to the right, Arlin giving chase. She knew he allowed her to outdistance him, for she was nowhere near able to match him in speed or stamina or even strength, being too new to her animal. Still, it felt good to run and taunt him a little, her powerful legs propelling her ever faster, ever forward. This was one journey she looked forward to making.

They ran for over an hour, giving their animals room to roam and explore before they shifted back once they were near her cabin. Eve figured it would be less distance to walk naked, still not as comfortable as Arlin with the whole nudity thing. While shifters may be comfortable being nude around each other, she wasn’t ready to join the Wild Kingdom Nudist Colony just yet. No one needed to see her in the buff. No one except Arlin that is. Glancing over her shoulder as he finished shifting back to his human form, she soaked in his broad shoulders and sculpted abs, allowing her eyes to scan down the rest of him, his powerful thighs, his hardening cock. She licked her lips remembering how good his hardness felt between her legs, spreading her open for his pleasure.

And for hers. She couldn’t stop thinking about how he made her feel when he marked her, claiming her as his. Kyle tried to claim her, but in a much more brutish, abusive way. With him, she was more like a possession to be owned and used, while with Arlin, she was a treasure to be plundered and ravished. The differences made her head spin, and her heart swoon.

“I can fix us some lunch if you want,” she suggested as she headed for her porch. “Of course, if you have a different appetite…”

He chuckled, and it stirred the honey between her legs. “I will always have that appetite.” She felt his hands on her waist as he yanked her back against him, his mouth going to her neck, his teeth nibbling on her sun-warmed flesh, bringing a different kind of warmth to her body.

She giggled as she pinched her shoulders to her neck, trying to ward him off. “Can’t you even wait until we’re inside, like normal people?”

“Normal is so…well, normal.” He licked her earlobe and then growled. “I prefer the abnormal with you.”

“You really have changed since you sneaked out of the house.” The menacing voice behind them caused Eve to stiffen in Arlin’s arms. They both turned to face Kyle, but she noticed Arlin did not take his hands away from her, but rather hid her naked form behind his. “Is that what you’ve turned into? Some tramp who walks around outside naked, participating in sexual behavior where anyone can see? How far you’ve fallen, Eve. It really is despicable.”

She felt Arlin’s body stiffen in front of her, his shoulders rising as his back straightened even more than it was. “Eve, go inside the cabin,” he said.

Eve felt herself take a step back from Arlin. She was not some mouse to go scurrying away when trouble appeared. He should know that by now. “I’m fine where I am, thanks.”

He gave one curt nod, his gaze still focused on Kyle. It wasn’t the response she expected from him. There was no arguing or demanding she do as she was told and be the good little woman. He merely nodded, accepting her decision to remain at his side.

Or his back as the case may be. While she didn’t want to run away, she didn’t really have any desire for Kyle to see her naked body. Not ever again if she could help it.

“I’m only giving you one warning,” Arlin said, his voice calm, yet threatening, deep, yet stern. “Leave Bull Creek and stay away from Eve. This is the only chance you’ll have to get away and make the right decision. If you come around again, if you threaten her again, even sneer at her, I’ll make sure it’s the last thing you ever do.”

Kyle laughed, head tilted back, mouth wide open. He laughed. She couldn’t believe it; although, she should have expected it. When he finished, he stared at Arlin, the left corner of his mouth turned up in a sneer. “I’ll do whatever the hell I want, you over-compensating freak. I don’t know who the hell you think you are, but this is between Eve and myself. Not some fish camp lowlife.” He took a step toward Arlin as if he was ready to get into it right then, and Eve felt her eyebrows pop up in genuine surprise. Arlin was definitely the bigger of the two, and while Kyle was great at beating up women and smaller punks, she thought him stupid for even trying to intimidate Arlin. He pointed a finger at Arlin’s chest, his eyes narrowing into a menacing scowl. “I’m taking Eve back home with me where she belongs, and if you try to stop me or try to convince her to do anything other than what she’s told, I swear they’ll be using you for alligator bait in that river over there. Now, be a good boy and…”

Arlin snatched out and grabbed Kyle’s wrist, spinning the man around as he wrapped his arm around Kyle’s neck, pinning him to his chest—to his naked body. Eve watched as Arlin leaned into the side of Kyle’s face, snarling as he spoke. “I’m not threatening you, dipshit. I’m making a promise. Come near her again, and you’ll be the one being used for bait.” He shoved Kyle away from him, bracing his feet in the dirt for what they both knew would happen next. It would have almost been comical, the scene before her if it wasn’t so deathly serious. Yet, she still felt her sex throb at the image of Arlin standing there, naked, ready to defend her.

Kyle, if he was smart, should have just quit and walked away, but bullies rarely give up, and Kyle was never smart. Even before he had his feet planted firmly on the ground for balance, he spun, his fist aiming for whatever connection he could make. Arlin, however, knew it was coming—as did Eve—and before Kyle finished his swing, Arlin jabbed out with all his might and caught the other man in the nose, then swung a right, clocking Kyle on the left side of his jaw. Kyle tumbled backward, arms swinging to recapture a balance that never came. Arlin shook his hands, the pain from his hits stinging his knuckles, Eve knew. Kyle hit the ground with a thud and a whoosh of air leaving his chest. Arlin—naked and threatening—stood over him, his hands up and ready for more if Kyle chose to continue fighting.

Blood oozed from Kyle’s nose as tears poured from his eyes. His breathing was ragged as he struggled to get back to his feet, his hand on his nose, blood dripping from between his fingers.

Eve could only stand there, watching. Part of her prayed Kyle would just get up and walk away, while another part of her wanted him to fight so he would get his ass kicked even more. She could feel her tiger wanting to shift, wanting to put an end to the man who had beat her so often and caused her so much pain and humiliation. Clinching her teeth, she struggled to keep the transformation from happening, fighting to maintain control over herself. Now was not the time for Kyle to discover her new ability, if he hadn’t witnessed it earlier. She assumed he didn’t know yet, had not actually been watching from the woods like she hoped, or he would have made some nasty comment about it. No, this was a card she was determined to keep up her sleeve for now.

Groggy, Kyle made it to his feet, his body swaying slightly as he tried to regain some semblance of his pitiful intimidation. His hand still on his broken nose, he said, “That was a mistake. I’m not so easily scared away. I’ll return, and when I do, I’ll be taking what’s mine, and doing away with any interference.” He pulled his hand away from his nose, staring at the blood that dripped from his fingers. “If you’re smart, you’ll stay the hell out of my way.”

Arlin didn’t move a muscle, keeping his stance. “If you’re smart, you’ll disappear, or you’ll suffer more than a busted up nose.”

Kyle grinned, and Eve knew this wasn’t the last that they would see of him. “I’ll be back,” he promised, as he turned and walked away, his hand back on his nose, his steps awkward and unstable. “Be ready to go, Eve, for your boyfriend’s sake.”

They stood still watching as he walked away, making sure he actually left. When they were finally sure he was gone, at least for now, Eve placed her hands on her bare hips and grinned at Arlin as he turned around. “I bet that’s the first time Kyle’s ever had his ass handed to him by a naked man.”

Arlin laughed as he shook his head. “Not exactly the way I pictured that confrontation in my head, but I think he still got the message.”

“Got it, yes, but heeding it will be another story.” Then she tilted her head to the side, her brows bunching up over her nose. “You pictured that confrontation?”

Arlin walked back over to her and pulled her into his arms. “Of course. No one threatens my mate. I knew he wouldn’t give up, and I wanted an idea of what I would do when he showed up again. It pretty much went like I thought, only I pictured myself wearing clothes.” He winked at her, and she couldn’t help but giggle.

“I don’t know; I think the picture of you standing over his face with your junk dangling over him will be an image he won’t forget for quite a while. I know I won’t.” She winked back at him.

He swatted her on the ass, and she yelped a little, still giggling. “C’mon,” he said. “You mentioned lunch, and I’m hungry.”

She slid a hand down between them, stroking his cock. “So am I, but not for food.”

He kissed her nose. “Insatiable. I like it.”

You have no idea.