Against All Odds (Shifters) (14 page)

Authors: Sam Crescent

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.

“You’re just jealous because I’ve found my man and you’ve not.” She smiled at her friend, pushing the skirt of her dress down. Ben had bought her a bloody nurse
’s costume while he was the killer doctor. He had a thing for the nurse’s uniform because he’d bought her another one to tease him with at night.

“Too happy. Everywhere I turn everyone is happy,” Dana said, grumbling.

“You’re the one who brought my mate to the party, honey. Live with it. Besides, don’t you have a certain wolf chasing your tail?” Heather remembered the conversation three months ago. A male wolf by the name of Luke had been sniffing around her friend. Dana refused him because of his attitude, but Heather knew there were some feelings going on.

“Luke’s an ass
, and he’s so not my mate.”

Heather
pressed into her friend’s mouth an eyeball, which was in fact a white chocolate candy ball. It was only a matter of time before Dana gave in to the call.

“This is a good party.” Dana finally offered her compliments.

“I’ve always wanted to throw a party like this. I love it.”

Hands wrapped around her waist as she was leaning forward to grab a sandwich for herself.

“You’re going to drive me insane with bending forward. All I can think about is taking you hard and fast from behind,” Ben said, whispering against her ear.

“Hey, tiger, shifter here. I can here you even if you’
re whispering.” Dana took another eyeball to eat.

Ben ignored her friend and nibbled on Heather’s neck.

Seeing she was not wanted, Dana walked away. Heather detected the smile on her friend’s face.

“She’s happy with us, baby.”

“I know.” Dana was her friend, and Heather knew her better than anyone.

“
You’ve given me so much happiness.”

Their first year together had been so romantic. Ben did everything to make her smile. They’d both gone travelling across Europe for a couple of months. She’s showed him some of her favourite spots while he created new memories with new places. When they’d returned, she’d organised a very quick wedding.

Ben had proposed to her in Italy. She’d wanted to seal the deal as soon as possible. Her father gave her away while John and Felix Ashton stood in for Ben.

“I love you,” she said, closing her eyes, basking in their closeness.

“I adore you and our growing baby.” His hands caressed her stomach.

“What?”

Her heart pounded inside her chest.

“You’re pregnant, baby.” Ben kissed along her shoulder and up to her ear. “This time next year we’ll have a beautiful bouncing baby girl or boy.”

Turning around in Ben’s arms, Heather cried out, laughing and jumping. It was the best news she could ever hope for. The shifters around them cheered. Dana wrapped her arms around her, smiling.

“I was wondering if he could scent the change inside you.”

“You knew?” Heather asked.

“Yeah, of course I knew. You’re my best friend
, and I’m a shifter. I can’t wait to be an auntie.”

Tears filled her eyes
, and within minutes she was back in Ben’s arms.

“Are you happy with the news?” Ben asked.

“This is not a trick or treat, is it?” She was so damn happy.

“No, that comes in later. I’ve got a few ideas for us to try out.” He rubbed his hard cock against her stomach.

“I look forward to it.”

Resting her head against his shoulder, Heather felt his comforting warmth surround her.

She’d been scarred, mated, and above all else, she’d fallen in love. Heather pressed a hand to her stomach and her other to Ben’s chest.

“I love you,” he said.

“And I love you.”