Against All Odds (Shifters) (7 page)

She frowned. “Why? Why would you waste your time?”

“When I’m with you it’s not a waste of time. I like being with you.”

“You could have any woman in the world, Ben.”

“And yet, the only person I want to be with is the woman I’ve hurt deeply. I want to be with you, Heather. No one else. Where you go, I’ll go.”

Tears filled her eyes.

He couldn’t bear to see her cry
, and he went back to finishing her hair. Whatever she wanted him to do, he’d do it gladly.

Chapter Seven

Over the next couple of weeks Heather grew closer to Ben. They didn’t touch each other besides the odd caress of hands. He reached out several times to touch her
, and she’d flinched away. She was hoping that with time she’d be far more accepting of him than she was right now.

Every day she felt drawn to him until she’d started to seek him out when he wasn’t at breakfast. She would sit watching him cut logs, or do some job around the cabin. Heather had watched him pain
t the whole east side of the fence. She’d carried the can for him to work. Dana was getting pissed with being cooped up all the time.

It was only a matter of time before the Ashtons needed to leave. They were not fit for life as recluse
s. She wasn’t sleeping through the night, and many times she found herself lain in bed thinking about the future. Her life had never been uncertain. She’d phoned her parents to let them know she was fine. They’d spoken the necessary lines but nothing else. There were times she wished she could shock them into feeling something for her.

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 hand
iwork.”

“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.

“Thank you for being with me, Heather. You have no idea what this means to me.”

“I’m sure I can guess.”

She didn’t say anything else. The movie played
, and Ben watched it without really seeing what was happening. He was too aware of the woman in his arms.

Her
body was so curvy, and he found himself stroking her stomach or trying to touch her thighs.

He held himself in check when he became aware of it.

Two hours later he felt her drift to sleep in his arms. He was comfortable, and from her gentle snores he imagined she was just as comfortable. Her hands lay on his thighs, holding him.

Should he move and leave her alone?

He didn’t want to leave. Having her in his arms was like walking through heaven.

Watching the movie credits go up, he closed his eyes. Her gentle snores soothed him. For the rest of his life he’d gladly hold her in his arms and never let go.

Ben knew he was falling for her. His thoughts were consumed by her on a daily basis, but those thoughts were turning into something more. Dana and her family had warned him about his growing feelings, John being the main person who had warned him about how he’d change toward her.

His feelings for her were only getting stronger. The mating was not part of it. Ben was starting to fall for Heather, the woman.

She was strong and loving, everything he wanted in a partner.

Holding her in his arms, Ben drifted to sleep.

Chapter Eight

Heather woke up to the sun streaming through the window. She heard everyone downstairs preparing for breakfast. Within seconds she became aware of the large muscular body she was lying on. Staring up the length of the body she saw Ben asleep on her bed. His arms were wrapped around her. She remembered the conversation from last night and grew instantly comforted.

His past made him nervous. She’d seen it in his eyes when he looked at her. What happened between his parents, terrified him.

Settling down, she watched him sleep, all the time becoming aware of the hard length of his cock pressing against her side. Looking down, she saw the outline pressed against the front of his pants.

The only person she’d been with was Mark. The experience had been less than pleasant. In fact, it had been downright horrible. It had hurt
, and he’d been done and finished within five minutes.

When he’d tried to brag about it with friends she couldn’t help but complain about his lack of excitement. He’d hated her and made her life a misery.

Shaking her head, Heather stared at Ben’s cock, wondering what he’d look like naked. Reaching up, she stroked the length, jumping as Ben groaned.

Quickly glancing up she saw his eyes were open.

“You can’t start touching me, baby. I’m not going to be able to handle it.”

Scrambling out of his arms, Heather stood staring down at him. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to touch … it.”

Yes, I did.

Crap
, her thoughts were all over the place, and she didn’t know what she was thinking.

“I need to go to the bathroom.”

Turning away she headed toward the door. She never thought going to the bathroom would keep her safe.

“Heather,” he said.

Not wanting to be rude, she glanced over her shoulder. “Yes?”

“I liked you touching … it.”

She had to be blushing. There was no other word to describe how she was feeling.

“I’m going to get dressed.”

Without waiting for another sound to come from him, Heather closed and locked the door behind her.

Going over to the mirror she stared at her reflection. For the first time in the past two weeks, Heather saw beyond the scar. She stared into her eyes and saw the original glow of happiness that was usually there.

She heard Ben leave as she was brushing her teeth and washing her face. Later in the week Malcolm was going to visit her to check out her scars. She knew the others wanted to leave, but she needed to ask Ben something first.

After she changed and ate breakfast with them all, she and Ben headed out into the crisp morning air.

“Before you know it, it will be Christmas,” he said.

“I love Christmas.” She rubbed her hands together, jogging to keep in step with him.

“I’d pictured you as a bubbly Christmas person.”

“That’s me. Every year Dana and I have this tradition of spending
an entire day shopping. It’s intense, fun, and exhausting, but afterwards we can enjoy the season without worrying.”

She usually took odd jobs because of how much she liked to travel. Thinking about her plans made her freeze.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked, taking her arm in his.

“Money. I can’t go back to my family
, and I don’t know how to explain this. How am I going to work?” She was thinking about everything wrong.

“I’ll take care of you. In a couple of years your scars will fade. They won’t go altogether
, but they’ll still be there.”

The night she’d gotten them played through her mind. “There’s something I need to ask you
, and you can say no if you want.”

He stopped, turning toward her. Ben stared into her eyes
, but just recently she’d noticed his gaze would drift down across her curves. Was his erection this morning for her?

“John and the others are growing antsy. I’ve known them my whole life
, and they’ve never been the type of people to stay cooped up all day.” She glanced behind her. “I’m not ready to go to my parents, and I was wondering if I could stay with you for a little while, until I get on my feet.”

Ben toyed with a strand of her hair that had fallen over her breast.
“You’d always be welcome in my home. I’d love to have you.”

She let out a breath, feeling ecstatic. “Really?”

He dropped her hair, taking her arm through his again. “Yes. Really.”

They headed out deeper into the forest.

“So, there won’t be a Mrs. Bryce for me to worry about?” she asked, cringing as she did. Why was she asking these questions? She could only just get by with him touching her hair or hands. Whenever he reached over to actually touch her face she flinched. Would she ever get past that?

Being around
Ben had showed her he wasn’t really dangerous. No matter how many times she tried to fight her feelings for Ben, they’d started to grow. Yes, he’d scarred her and his tiger was dangerous, but in the last few weeks he’d shown her more attention and consideration than her ex ever had.

“No, there’s no Mrs
. Bryce. I’m hoping you’ll take up the name soon.”

Heather stopped. “Me?”

“You’re my mate, Heather. That means far more than a conventional marriage.”

“Why?”

“There’s no chance of me straying. It’s a lifetime, full-time commitment.”

She didn’t know what to say about that.
It must be nice for John and Kathleen along with all the other mated couples that they were never going to stray. Ben started walking again.

“Tell me about your ex,” Ben said. “He clearly did a number on
you, and I want you to know there’s no judging here.”

“Wow, I thought you were going to let me talk about it in my own time.”

“I was, and then I thought I’d show my support. We can talk about anything,” he said.

“Like friends.”

He nodded, and they kept walking. She didn’t know why she was keeping it all locked up inside. “I met Mark in college. I was a virgin, and I’d not really dated anyone. I went to prom with Dana, and other guys were never interested in me. Mark was handsome with the boy-next-door look. Dana hated him, but I liked him. He was charming, sweet, and everything I thought I should have in a man.” It no longer hurt to talk about him. “I thought he was the one. I was so wrong. After he’d taken what he wanted—you know what I mean by it—he threw me aside.”

“I’m so sorry,” he said.

“Don’t be. You’re not the one responsible for it. It wasn’t even worth it. He was awful and painful. I hated every second of it.” She shrugged. “I’ve never let anyone close.”

****

If he ever met this Mark, he was going to hurt him. Her scent was communicating a lot more than her words. Mark had really hurt her, and she was trying to keep it to herself. The smell coming from her emphasised the betrayal she felt.

“You shouldn’t think about all men like your ex. We’re not all awful people.” He winced at his own words. “That probably sounds awful coming from me. I promise you I’m not usually the type of guy who hurts a woman.”

“I know.” She kept hold of his arm as they walked around the grounds. This was his favourite time of day. After they finished breakfast, they always went for a walk together in the morning. Lunch time he’d do some odd jobs around the home or outside, and she’d come and sit with him. He liked her company. Heather was the first woman he’d ever gotten to know. With Dana it had been all about the sex or the potential sex he could get. Heather was different. He wasn’t waiting to get her in the sack.

He enjoyed getting to know her. She was the first person he’d ever been
really open with.

“Dana always talked about you. When I was away, we’d write to each other through email
, and she’d tell me about the tiger she’d met. You were a celebrity in her world.”

Ben started laughing. “I’d never be a celebrity. I like my privacy a little too much.”

“Do you have control of your tiger?” she asked.

He froze.

“I know I shouldn’t be asking, but I thought it would be open for discussion seeing as I’ve talked about part of my past I’m not comfortable with.”

Turning to her, Ben stared into her clear green eyes. “Push me away.”

“What?”

“My tiger responded to your rejection. Push me away.”

She tensed but then shoved him hard. Ben stared at her as she continued to push and hit him. His tiger was gone. There was no chance of his animal letting loose.

“I’ve got a handle
on it,” he said.

“How?” she asked, amazed.

Heather raised her hand to hit him. He caught her hand bringing her close to his chest. She let him, but he’d not reached out to her face. Ben knew his boundaries with regards to touching her.

“What happened to you was the reason I can keep him at bay. He’ll never come out and attack you. I’m ashamed of what I did. You can push me away, scream, yell
, and treat me like shit, Heather. You’re safer with me than you are in a house full of leopards.”

Dropping a kiss to her knuckles he let her go.

“I still can’t believe it’s happened so fast.”

The desire to reach out and touch her was strong. He kept it at bay.

“You’re my mate. Attacking you was like a shock to the system, and it will never happen again. When I’ve been around you my tiger comes to the surface but only ever to hold you. I don’t want to hurt you.” Ben leaned down. He saw her tense, and he dropped a gentle kiss to her lips. “I don’t expect you to trust me right away. I’m promising you that I’ll do everything I can to make you trust me.”

“I believe you.”

They started walking again until their walk stopped and they were back at the house. Lunch was a tense affair. The Ashtons didn’t know how to tell Heather they wanted to get back to their life. He didn’t think they were being cruel.

Glancing at Heather, he tried to gain her attention.

She reached between them, grabbing his hand and tightening her hold on him. “Do you guys want to hear the good news?” she asked, cutting through the tense silence. Even Felix looked ready to climb the walls from being confined to the cabin for so long.

“What good news?” Dana asked.

“Ben has agreed to let me stay with him. It’s close enough to the city so you can visit me, but also my parents don’t need to come.” She was smiling as she looked between them.

“If you’re not ready, honey, we can wait,” John said.

Ben saw the older man’s protective side coming through.

“John, I know you guys are struggling to stay here. The fact you’ve held out as long as you have means a lot to me. Malcolm gave me the all clear
, and I’m fine. He doesn’t need to come out again to check on me. Over time the scars will heal, and in no time I’ll be back to my old self. Ben has agreed to take care of me. I mean, I’m supposed to be his mate, so I might as well use him for something, right?”

Her grip was tight on his hand. Ben never wanted to let her go.

“He’ll protect you, Heather,” Dana said. “If not, I’ll kick his ass, and he’ll wish he listened to reason.”

His woman chuckled.

“Really, thank you for sticking with me. It has been difficult for all of you, and I promise I’ll keep in touch. I’m sure Ben won’t have a problem with you all visiting me if that’s what you want to do.”

“I won’t have a problem. My home is open for you all,” Ben said, reassuring everyone.

“Ben, can I have a word with you in the kitchen?” John said. The older man was already moving toward the kitchen, so he didn’t really have a choice but to follow.

When they were alone John
turned on him. “Do you think this is wise you taking her home with you? What if your tiger comes out and attacks her again?”

“I’m fine. It will never happen again.”

“How do you know that?” John asked.

“I know. I’ve never attacked a woman. My tiger is bound to me
, and I hurt the one woman who means the world to me. I’ve got it handled, and no matter what happens, Heather will be safe. Out of everything that has happened, I can guarantee her safety above everything else. I’d never hurt her.”

The attack
on Heather had been like a shock to his system.

“Has your tiger been close to the surface?”

“Yes, all the time. I want to protect her and love her. I want the chance to prove to her how much I can.”

His feelings had changed over the last few days. Ben was sure of his love for her. It had
been something that had taken him by surprise. He was going to spend the rest of his life showing her his love.