At the end of her second month since the attack, Heather was lying in bed. Everyone had gone to bed hours ago. The night was cold, as even early fall could be in the mountains. She was thirsty and tired of being laid out on the bed waiting for something to happen.
Throwing the blanket off her, she padded toward the door and slowly made her way downstairs. She didn’t want to wake the whole house with her presence. Heather already felt guilty for uprooting them.
Taking a deep breath she headed toward the kitchen and grabbed a glass from the cabinet.
“You’re going to have to do better at sneaking,” Ben said, startling her.
She jumped, dropping the glass from her fingers. Heather tried to catch it, but it was heading for the floor.
Ben caught it easily, presenting it to her. “Here you go.”
Heather took the glass from him. “I wasn’t sneaking. I just don’t want to wake the whole house, or is it cabin?”
He chuckled. “It’s the same wherever you go.” He reached over her head. His wide chest was inches from her face. She was struck by his many tattoos. Heather had not known many men with tattoos. Licking her lips, she waited for him to step back.
She opened the fridge and poured some milk into his glass and then her own.
“I’m taking mine upstairs with me,” she said.
“It’s what I’m doing.”
They headed back to the stairs. Ben was walking behind her, and she wondered if he was checking out her ass.
Shaking her head, she went to her door and stared at her bed. The blankets were all over the place. Ben stared at her from his door. “Are you all right?” he asked.
“What? Yeah, I’m fine.”
She didn’t want to be alone. There was still a lot of light left. “Actually, will you come and stay with me? I mean, that’s not some sordid invitation, and nothing frisky will be going on.” She stopped for a second, trying to get her voice back. Her cheeks had to be hot to the touch. “What I mean is, I don’t want to be alone. I’m not going to try anything, and I’d appreciate it if you didn’t try anything. Would you mind keeping me company?”
Ben smiled. “I’d love to keep you company.”
He closed his own door and headed back to hers. Closing the door behind him, Heather watched as he walked over to her bed.
“This is disgusting,” he said.
“What?” She put her glass down and headed toward him.
“How can you sleep on something so wrinkled? This is horrid.” He pulled her blanket off, and she watched, amazed, as he set her bed to right.
She’d never seen a bottom sheet get pulled so straight before.
Within ten minutes her bed was made. Ben bounced on the end, patted the top and grabbed his milk from the dresser beside her bed.
Sitting down, she curled her feet under her. The bed felt different even just to sit on it. “I can see you appreciate my handiwork.”
“It’s good. Do you always make beds like this?” she asked.
“It was something I learned a long time ago from my mother.”
“Where are your parents? I’ve not heard you mention them.” She took a sip of her milk and waited.
“My parents are dead.”
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry. You must think I’m a total bitch for bringing it up.”
“No, I don’t.”
Heather wished the floor would open up and eat her. Touching her fingers to her nose she felt the ridged scar and followed the track down. Ben watched her progress.
“How did they die, if you don’t mind me asking? God, I’m not usually this bad for company.”
“It’s okay. We should know more about each other.” He took a sip of his milk. From the look on his face, he clearly wished it was stronger. “My dad killed my mom, and then he killed himself. I saw their bodies and reported it. End of story.”
Her mouth was open as she took in his words. “How can you be so blunt when you talk about them?” she asked.
“It happened a long time ago. I’m thirty-five years old, Heather. This happened when I was eighteen. I’m not some sucker who can’t take it. I’ve accepted what happened, and I’ve had a lot of time to get used to it.”
She was ashamed. Her parents actually seemed nice in comparison.
“I’ve been complaining about my folks while yours have been—I’m so sorry.” She touched his hand, trying to give him comfort.
Ben caressed her hand, stroking her fingers with his other.
“Don’t be. This is part of my past, and I’m not going to let it ruin my future.”
“If you ever need to talk about it, I’m here.” She let go of his hand and took a sip of her milk. Breaking the touch left her feeling empty.
The anger she once felt had long gone. She wasn’t upset with him even if his touch did scare her. Being around Ben, she’d come to accept he was a kind man. He was moody at times, but he treated her with respect and kindness.
****
Ben stared at her, smelling the different emotions rolling off her. This was what he hated, knowing what she was feeling even if he didn’t know what she was thinking. Her emotions were always a good indication of how her feelings were changing toward him. The other day as he was nailing some wire into a fence, he’d smelt the heat coming from her pussy. His need for her was growing daily.
John had warned him they were going to be leaving the cabin within a couple of weeks. He needed to talk with Heather about going back to his home. First, he wanted to enjoy their time together. She’d let him into her room. It was another step in their relationship.
“Actually, I think I should talk to you about my parents. It might let you know some facts, but it might also open your eyes.”
She nodded, sipping at her drink.
He explained about tigers and their dominating personalities, even more so than wolves. Going into detail was like releasing some dark, twisted part of himself he’d kept hidden.
“Dad really loved Mom. I saw it every day. They were so much in love, but it wasn’t enough. Whenever another guy or shifter would talk to her, he’d lose it. It would be like she was cheating on him through words alone. I’ve heard a lot of tigers are the same,” he said.
“The jealousy got too much for your dad?” she asked.
“Yeah, it got too much. He killed her, and he couldn’t live with himself. At least, I hope he couldn’t live with it.”
Tears spilled from her eyes. “I wish I could take the pain away from you, Ben.”
“I want to warn you. Felix saw you naked on the day he removed your bandages. I lost it. I completely lost it and started to hurt him. He’s a strong man.”
“You’re worried you’re going to hurt me?”
“I’ve already hurt you, Heather.” He reached out, and she flinched away. Fisting his hand, Ben dropped it into his lap. “I need you to know that there are risks to being with me. I want to walk away. I’ve tried to walk away from you. I can’t do it. I’m too weak.”
“Do you want me to leave you?” she asked. “Maybe that would help you if I moved away as well.”
“No, I don’t want you to go. I want to try and make this work for both of us.”
“Okay.”
They were silent, drinking their milk as they looked at each other. “Would you like to watch a movie with me?” she asked.
“I’ve love to.”
He wouldn’t be going back to bed to sleep. She left the bed, and he watched her fiddle about with the television and movie player.
Ben looked up at her as she stood in front of him. “I want to try something with you. I could use a hug, and I know you could.”
She leaned in close, wrapping her arms around his neck. Leaving his hands at his sides, Ben accepted the cuddle she was offering.
When she didn’t scream or cry out, he brought his arms around her, settling them gently over her clothing.
Heather tensed for several seconds, and when nothing happened she relaxed against him.
He inhaled her natural scent, relishing the freedom to touch her. It wasn’t nearly enough, but for now, it was perfect.
Letting out a sigh, she pulled away. “I liked that.”
She then did something that surprised him. Heather urged him up the bed until he was laid against the pillows. Opening his legs, she climbed in between them. She leaned back, resting between his thighs.
Raising the remote, she clicked play. The screen came to life, playing some kind of chick flick. She put the remote on the bed then settled down.
His hands rested on his thighs. It was taking every ounce of restraint not to take her. His cock was rock hard. Her butt pressed against him. It would be so easy to tear her clothes away and have his way with her.
Heather took his hands in hers and brought them around her. He locked his fingers together over her stomach. The trust she was showing him made his heart ache. He’d been dreaming of this moment for so long. He never thought it would be possible to be with her like this.
John and everyone else had warned him about getting close to her. He wasn’t under any illusions, and he knew he had a long way to go before her trust was absolute.
“Ben, are you awake?” she asked.
“Yeah, I’m awake.”
“Thank you for not running away or turning yourself in.”
Leaning down, he pressed a kiss to her exposed neck. He saw the damage he’d done, and he held her a little tighter.