Against All Odds (Shifters) Read online

  In one quick move Ben turned her until she was knelt in front of him with his cock pressing deep inside her from behind.

  “Ben?”

  “Trust me.”

  Pulling out of her tight cunt, he watched his cock slick with their combined releases ease out of her. In a slow movement he pressed back inside her. She was snug, and it took every bit of control he had not to just pound her cunt. Coating his fingers with their leaking juices, he pressed the tip of his finger to her ass.

  She tensed, and he pressed his cock forward, filling her heat.

  After he thrust several times Heather relaxed. He pushed the finger past the tight muscles until she took his entire finger to the knuckle. Ben pumped the digit in time with his cock.

  In no time at all, Heather was fucking back onto him. Her tits hung in front of her, begging for his attention. He wished he had more hands. She moaned.

  “I’m going to come.”

  “Then come, baby. Let me feel your cunt milk me.”

  Her hair fell down her back as she rode his cock. She screamed as her cunt tightened around him like a vise.

  Fucking her ass and her cunt, Ben took over, pounding into her dripping cunt. She was so snug and tight around him.

  With several quick thrusts Ben erupted inside her. His grip on her hip tightened. He released her ass to hold onto her with both hands.

  “Wow,” Heather said, collapsing to the bed.

  He didn’t give her a chance to get comfortable. Lifting her up in his arms, he took her through to the bathroom.

  Once they’d washed each other, he carried her back through to their bedroom.

  “Are we sleeping here from now on?” she asked, snuggling up close to him. His cock thickened again. Her ass was pressed to his groin. Lifting her leg in his arm, he slid into her wet heat easily. Heather groaned. “Do you ever grow tired?”

  “I’m just getting comfortable for tonight, baby. I’m not going to sleep without you next to me and with me inside you.”

  He stroked a hand along her hip, going up to cup her breast in his palm.

  “Wow, okay, you sure know how to shock me into silence,” she said, laughing.

  “Shush,” he said, kissing her neck. “This is our room. I made it for both of us in mind.” He fingered her nipple while also nibbling on her neck. “I’ll grow tired, and I’ll make sure you get the rest you need,” he said, meaning everything he said. There was no way he was going to risk hurting her. He’d finally got her in his arms, and he wasn’t going to ruin that.

  “I’m worried about visiting my parents,” she said after some time had passed.

  “Why?” He snuggled down, easing up to finger some of her hair.

  “They’re so into each other. I don’t know how you’re going to act when you see them blank me.”

  He turned her head so he could look into her eyes. “I’ll pay you enough attention that you’ll forget about them. I promise.”

  She let out a shaky breath. “You’re the first guy I’ve taken home.”

  “I’m honoured, baby. We’ve got tomorrow together. Stop fretting.”

  Heather lay next to him. He hummed a song against her ear, waiting for her to settle down next to him.

  She finally settled down after an hour. Ben lay in holding her, sleep a long way off. He was thrilled with the way they’d come together that night.

  I still need to tell her the truth.

  Tightening his grip on her, Ben pushed the other thoughts aside. If he told her the truth now she might push him aside.

  He’d tell her the truth on Sunday after dinner. Until then, he had an entire day to cement her as his woman. Her hand reached for him in sleep. Taking hold of her hand, he let out a breath. Should he tell her tomorrow?

  No, she wouldn’t believe the truth. It wasn’t a huge truth, but it meant at any time she could leave him without looking back.

  Give her the opportunity to leave first.

  He’d have Saturday, and then she could have the option of leaving him. Dropping a kiss to her head, Ben settled down and finally drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter Fifteen

  “Do we have to go?” Heather asked, pulling Ben down to the bed. After a perfect Saturday she didn’t want to ruin that with going to see her parents. No matter what she tried to say to distract him, Ben wasn’t having any of it.

  “We’re going to your parents’ house for dinner. I’m not taking no for an answer. This is my chance to prove what a gentleman I am,” he said.

  “My pussy knows the answer to that. There’s nothing gentle about you.”

  He growled, which only made her want him more. Climbing on top of him, Heather straddled him, feeling the evidence of his arousal.

  His hands went to her ass. She was wearing one of his shirts that covered her body. Heather started to unbutton his shirt. He caught her hand in his. “No, not today. We’re going to your parents’, and that’s final.”

  “You’re not playing fair,” she said.

  Ben lifted her up and onto her feet. He took her hand, leading her through to their wardrobe. They’d moved their clothes into the main bedroom yesterday.

  She was so happy, and going to her parents was going to suck. Her scars no longer affected her. She was mated, and against all the odds she was in love with him as well.

  “We get this out of the way, and I’ll make it up to you all next week,” he said.

  “Seriously?” she asked, giggling.

  “Yes.”

  Heather put hands on her hips and stared around her at the clothes. “You’ve got yourself a deal. I’m warning you, though, my parents are hard nuts to crack. You’ll be disappointed with their response.”

  He slammed his lips down on hers, silencing any protest she might have.

  “Get dressed.”

  Ben left her alone to change. She tried her hardest to dawdle. He soon ushered her downstairs for breakfast. Before she could blink he’d seated her in the car, and they were on their way toward her parents’ house.

  The journey was silent. Ben worked his way through the streets like a pro. She stayed silent, running her hands over the jeans she wore. Her hands were sweaty with nerves. It had been months since she’d last seen her parents. It was not a problem. She’d gone months before she’d last seen them. Heather wasn’t desperate to see them now.

  This was the first time she’d be seeing them with a man in tow.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, pulling up outside their home.

  “Me? I’m fine. It’s not every day you get take your shifter mate home to Mom and Dad.” She tapped a hand on her knee, trying to gain some control over her actions. Nothing would stop what she was thinking.

  He parked the car and climbed out. She stared up at the house that had felt more like a prison than a home.

  “Come on, Heather, you can do this,” Ben said, helping her out of the car.

  When she got close to the door she didn’t know whether to go inside or knock. She settled for knocking.

  “Dinner smells good,” Ben said, placing a hand on her hip.

  “Do me a favour, and don’t go disappearing on me today.”

  “I won’t, and don’t mention your scars.”

  Before she could question him about his last comment her father opened the door. His smile was a welcoming relief. She didn’t know what she’d been expecting, but a smile wasn’t it.

  “Hi, Dad,” she said. They stared at each other, and nothing happened. In the Ashton family she’d have been hugged by now. Not with her family, they were always stand-offish. “Okay, Dad, I’d like you to meet Benjamin Bryce, my boyfriend. Ben, this is my dad, David Howard.”

  The introductions were made, and she was thankful David let them inside.

  “It’s nice to see our Heather with such a nice young man.”

  As they were removing their coats her mother came out of the kitchen wearing an apron and holding a wooden spoon. “Heather.”

  “Mom.”

&n
bsp; She stared at her mother, and again there was no hug. Okay, moving on.

  “Mom, this is Benjamin Bryce, my boyfriend. Ben, this is my mom, Susan Howard.”

  Ben gave her an odd look, which she ignored. The time they spent with her parents was tense. Heather noted Susan sitting on David’s lap. Had her parents always been that close?

  Like so many times before Heather felt out of place. She finally got away from it all and phoned Dana from her cell phone.

  “I thought you were supposed to be eating dinner with the boyfriend and the parents,” Dana said, picking up on the third ring.

  “I am. It’s embarrassing. They’re asking him all sorts of questions, and I’m freaking out. This is not normal.”

  “Has dinner started yet?”

  “No. I don’t know if I can last ‘til dinner.”

  “You’ll last. Ben is probably handling it like the pro he is. Give him some credit.”

  “I left him alone with them.”

  She imagined Dana rolling her eyes.

  “I’m hanging up now.”

  When she got back to the sitting room it was only Ben sat waiting. “Dinner will be served soon.”

  “I’m really sorry about this,” she said, tucking some hair behind her ear.

  “Come here.”

  She went to him. Ben reached out, tugging her onto his lap. “What if we get caught?” she asked, looking toward the door.

  “I think David and Susan would understand this a lot more than us being apart,” he said.

  “What do you mean?”

  Ben let out a sigh. “Your parents love you. They love you and care about you and want to see you cared for.”

  “You’ve clearly got the wrong message from them.”

  He wouldn’t let her move. “But they’re into each other. They’re so totally in love with each other that they can’t let anyone else in. There are times they feel guilty about their feelings because they do want time alone, away from you.”

  “I don’t believe you. They’re like stone.”

  “When we were knocking on the door, your dad was fucking your mom, Heather.”

  “What? Eww, gross. There are some things a daughter should never know.”

  Ben was laughing. “They’re totally into each other, which sometimes makes them act like their one and only daughter doesn’t exist.”

  ****

  The look of total disgust made Ben laugh. He’d not wanted to tell her, but the way she was treating her family was wrong. They were not the best people when it came to others, he’d admit. He scented the truth on their skin and in their looks. David and Susan Howard were like a rich mated couple. Nothing and no-one existed outside of the realm of their feelings for one another. In all honesty he was a little jealous of their feelings for one another. They were so much in love that at times they forgot about their own daughter. It wasn’t right, but was it so wrong?

  He’d never forget about his children. When they all grew up he’d still have his woman by his side.

  Susan came back to the room with her hair ruffled. He’d heard them kissing as he’d been talking with Heather.

  Dinner was interesting. Susan and David were good cooks but nothing like Kathleen Ashton. He knew where Heather learned her skills from. The couple did try their best to bring more of a conversation out of Heather. His woman was having a hard time.

  Every now and then she’d rub her nose where the scars started. Her parents didn’t mention them at all, and it was clearly bugging her. Ben saw the evidence clear on her face. She wanted them to notice her enough to mention the scars.

  Taking her hand in his, he ate his food while listening and answering questions. Their time at David and Susan’s house was not bad even if it wasn’t great. He understood why Heather gravitated toward the shifters. She was a natural, cuddly person. Her personality couldn’t allow her to be closed off. It made perfect sense to him as to why she was his mate.

  He was thankful when it was time for them to leave. Heather said her goodbyes without giving them a hug or anything. Ben scented their relief at getting through the dinner without grossing out their daughter.

  Seated in the car, Ben pulled out of the lot.

  “They’re that into each other they didn’t see my scars? That’s bullshit, and even I know that.” Heather turned on him. “What are you not telling me?”

  “Your parents and any non-mated human can’t see the marks on your face. When you walk down the street you’ll look exactly the same as you did before you met me.” He gripped the steering wheel tightly.

  “What? No, that’s nonsense. I can see the scars as plain as you can.”

  “Your parents are not mated to a shifter. They cannot see your scars and do not know they’re there. You’re mated to me and can see the scars, which is known as the shifter’s possession in my family line.”

  She was silent for a long time. During the silence he sped on home. He wanted to hold her and be able to look her in the eye when he told her the truth.

  Heather didn’t wait for him to open the door. He followed behind her and watched as she slammed into the house.

  Ben found her stood at the mirror inside their bathroom. She’d left all the mirrors downstairs to come to this mirror in the bathroom. Folding his arms over his chest, he waited to gain her attention.

  “This does not make any sense,” she said. “I can see it.”

  “You’re mated to me. Of course you can see it.”

  “No humans can see it?” she asked, looking at him.

  He nodded.

  “All along you knew?”

  “After the first attack we didn’t know if you were going to make it. Most humans die from an attack like that. When you didn’t die and you grew stronger and were not pushing me away, I knew without a doubt you were my mate.” He took a step toward her.

  “Do all mates have this mark?” she asked.

  “Some mates have worse marks. It’s easier the more you’re around shifters to no longer see the scars. Over time, you’ll eventually no longer see it.” Ben reached out, pressing a finger down to where the line ended on her neck. “This was my mark. It’s vicious, and every shifter will know I lost control. When they first look at you, they’ll see my loss of control but admire you.”

  “Why?”

  “Because not only did you survive such a strike but you’re still with me. You’re a warrior, Heather. My warrior.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me about this? I could have seen my parents before now.”

  How did he answer that question?

  With the truth!

  “I thought if I told you the truth you’d leave me without giving me a chance.”

  “You thought I’d leave you?”

  He cupped her face in his palms. “I’d hurt you badly, Heather. This gives you a chance to have a life away from me. Only you and mated shifters will ever be able to see the truth. Over time you’d forget about them and me.”

  “So you kept the truth from me.”

  “Being without you terrified me. I was selfish, and I shouldn’t have done it. I just wanted the chance to prove to you that I’m a good guy and how much I love you.”

  “I could walk away?” she asked.

  “Yeah, you could walk away.” His throat felt incredibly dry.

  “And you couldn’t stop me?”

  “No, I can’t stop you. All I ever want is your happiness. If you can’t find happiness with me then I’ll let you find it elsewhere.” Tears were blurring his vision.

  “Okay.” She walked out of the bathroom, and Ben broke apart.

  Let her go. She deserves better than you.

  His heart pounded against his chest. He had to let her go.

  I can’t. I need her. I love her. I can make her happy.

  Before he could talk himself out of it, Ben charged out of the bathroom and jumped over the staircase landing on the floor. Heather was sat with her back against the door. Her knees were up against her chest, and she
stood up as he stared at her.

  “It’s about time. I was giving you another couple of minutes, and then you were going to get your tiger ass kicked.”

  “What?” Tears fell from his eyes. He took several steps, stopping in front of her.

  “I’m in love with you, Ben. I could leave and pretend to love someone else, but I’d only be kidding myself and hurting someone else. I love you, and I’m not going anywhere. You’re stuck with me. Tiger shifter or not, you’re mine, and I’m not going anywhere.”

  He silenced her with his lips. “I love you. God, I don’t know what I’d have done if you left.”

  “Before we move on, I need to see you in your tiger form,” Heather said.

  “What? No, you’d be scared.”

  She pressed a finger to his lips. “Show me your true self. I’m not afraid. I want you to be yourself.”

  “How did I get so lucky?” he asked.

  “Show me.”

  He took several steps away from her. Staring into her eyes, Ben changed into his tiger form. He was a little bigger than natural tigers.

  Heather hesitated at first and then reached out toward him. He waited for her to come to him. There was no way he’d spoil this moment by scaring her. Ben would have always kept his tiger shifter side away from her. The fact she was giving herself to him like this meant so much to him.

  She took little steps, reaching out to stroke him. Her hands shook, and he moaned as her fingers caressed through his fur.

  “You’re so beautiful,” she said.

  He enjoyed the feel of her stroking along his back, and then Ben changed back to human form. “I think you love my tiger more than me?”

  “Your tiger has soft fur. You’re all hard muscle.”

  Grabbing her around the waist, Ben inhaled her warm womanly scent. Against all the odds, his woman was in his arms and in love with him. There was nothing more he could have wished for.

  Epilogue

  One year later

  “You guys make me sick. When are you going to argue?” Dana asked.

  Heather looked at her friend and smiled. Dana was ladling out some fruit punch. It was Halloween, and they were celebrating the occasion at Ben’s house. Heather had spent the last two weeks getting the house decorated with many disgusting ornaments. She’d gotten Ben to install voice activators to welcome guests or to spook them.