Chapter Five

Juliana

H e’s waiting for me to bolt to the door. His eyes are glowing as bright as the blue tattoos on his chest. I should run. I should be afraid. Something inside urges me to listen, stay, and trust this beautiful man. The attraction is more than I have ever felt. His kiss barely qualified as one, yet it was powerful, making my body yearn for more. For the first time, I want to lower my defenses and trust Heath. He doesn’t want to hurt me; he could have done that numerous times. As he led me into his home, I felt like I was in a horror movie, and we all know you shouldn’t go into the basement. That is where all the murdering happens.

Surprisingly, his place is calm and cool and looks no different from any other home. His presence is powerful. I will regret it if I don’t explore what’s happening between us.

“I knew you lied. I lived with the best liar in the world and know the signs.” I trail my knuckle down the center of his chest and his skin seems to glow brighter, vibrating. The waistband of his pants stops my descent, and I drop my hand. “When I was ten, I came home from school and saw my gym teacher fucking my mom. He stuttered to a halt, and she encouraged him to keep thrusting as she waved me away angrily.”

“Jesus,” he hisses.

“At age twelve, I came out to get a drink of water late at night only to see a different man taking her on the kitchen counter. My dad was already out of the picture at this point. She didn’t even acknowledge my presence. I made a rule: my brother could not leave his room at night unless absolutely necessary. Sometimes it didn’t matter. It didn’t matter what time of day it was, but I tried to limit his exposure. I was thirteen when Mom announced she was marrying the counterman. He was wealthy, and she was thrilled. She packed us up, and we moved into his big house. It was like a museum. He wasn’t a bad guy, but he eventually tired of her spending his money and lying to him about everything. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t make her sign a prenup. Six months into the marriage, she took a chunk of his money.

“I thought she would finally be happy. She had money. Of course, it never worked out as I hoped. She went on vacation and blew a lot of it. While there, she met a nice, very young man. He heaped on the compliments, and she fell hard. She called me, very excited, ready to get married again. I wasn’t really listening since she left us at home, and I was trying to go to school and take care of Levi. She made the mistake of giving the nice young man access to her bank account; he cleaned it out. After that, she came home worse than ever. She resumed her mission to find a man who could satisfy her in all ways.

“It didn’t work. It never worked. The men she found were either worse than her or got sick of her shit. It’s sad. She’s sad, but a stranger would never see her that way. It’s never enough. From a young age, I knew I would have to hide anything of mine, especially money. My mom would search my room for cash when she was hard up. She hasn’t worked a day since as long as I can remember.” I stare over his shoulder. I have never told anyone about my life, and don’t know why I want to tell him. “I didn’t have friends in school. They knew what my mom was like. She loved to come to parent-teacher conferences. It was an opportunity to scope out fresh meat. She’s ugly inside, but her beauty is all over her face. It helped that several of her boyfriends paid for plastic surgery, so she doesn’t look her age.” I slide my eyes back to his face.

“Those are the highlights of my life. We would still be standing here days from now if I told you everything. I didn’t tell you for sympathy or pity. I want you to understand it is hard to surprise me. Seeing a coyote standing where Stanly used to be wasn't a big shock. Mom is a human, and she’s a horrible person. I’ve never seen love or been shown love other than my brother. He suffered the effects of growing up with her, and I think if I hadn’t been there, he would be just like her. Stanly is important to him. They met in school, and he is loyal to him because he gave Levi an escape from our life.”

“Where is your mom now?” he asks softly.

“Still in the game. Not happy and calling me to complain about her life and beg for money. Sometimes, it’s easier to give in. It’s just a temporary fix. I don’t think she will ever be happy or stand on her own. Levi avoids her as much as possible.” I drop my head. “She doesn’t love us, not how a mother should. I have always taken care of myself. I’ve worked hard for everything. That’s something she knows nothing about. I planned to go to college, saved for the first year of nursing school, and earned a couple scholarships that helped. I enrolled and had everything worked out. Unfortunately, my mom’s friend worked at the bank. My mom found my bank statement and decided she needed the money more. She came up with some emergency story and her friend gave her my money. She had a girls’ weekend in Vegas. I was infuriated. The only satisfaction was getting the woman fired, but I kind of felt bad. I know better than anyone what a good actress my mom is when she wants to be.”

Heath tips my head, his finger under my chin.

“Darling, I don’t pity you. I admire you.”

I step back, losing his touch.

“Sorry.” I shake my head. “I find compliments difficult to believe.”

“I understand, but you will get plenty from me.”

I laugh shortly. “You have a way about you.” I grip the end of my shirt, twisting. How could I forget I was wearing his shirt? I walk to the couch and sit, my legs curled under me. “Why do you walk with a cane?” He follows me, fluidly sitting beside me, his arm on the back of the cushions, his fingers inches away from my shoulder.

“It is my weapon. An extension of my snake.”

“That’s why you wanted me on that side when carrying my brother.”

“Yes. It would take precious time to drop him if you were threatened.”

“You have shown more care than anyone in my life,” I whisper. I suppose that’s why it’s easy to trust him.

“That makes me angry,” he hisses, tapping his fingers.

“No need. We can’t change the past.” I shrug and bring my knees closer to the back of the couch.

“That is true.” His gaze follows my movements. It’s as if he physically touched me, and I shiver.

“What does being a mate mean?” I drop my hand to my foot. “It means you belong to me, and I belong to you. We were destined to be mated. Shifters are not meant to live their long lives alone. Most of us thrive on the touch of others. Many are in packs. We live a very long time, and sometimes, if we don’t find our mate, we will slowly go insane. Vampires are more susceptible to this.”

“Vampires?” I ask.

“Yes. Someone I consider a brother is a vampire. There are all kinds of shifters.” He pauses, tilting his head. “You haven’t reacted to my species.”

“A snake.” I prop my elbow on the back of the couch and lean my head on my hand. “That’s rare?”

“It is.”

“I never imagined a snake shifter. Would you show me your animal?” I ask, and he frowns.

“You want to see it?”

“If I am your mate, shouldn’t you share it with me?”

“I’m not used to anyone wanting to be around my animal.” He shifts in his seat. “Perhaps another time.”

“I’m not afraid,” I whisper.

“Your reaction confuses me,” he confesses.

“People are scared of you,” I assume.

“Yes.” He leans closer and plays with the ends of my hair. “I don’t like to share with people; it makes it easier to be left alone.”

“That’s what you want to be, left alone.”

“I did. Meeting you is a revelation.”

“You’ve never had a mate?”

“The universe gifts you with a mate, or multiple mates forever, once. When the bond is completed, death is the only thing that will sever it,” he says. I struggle to keep my eyes open as he runs his fingers through my hair.

“Wait,” I say, startled. “You can have more than one mate? At one time?”

“Yes, but I don’t share, ever. The universe knew I would want my mate all to myself.” His eyes blaze. “Most shifters don’t mind sharing. I know several who are very happy being in a group. Vampires are like me. I have only met two vampires who shared their mate. They are selfish, very possessive creatures.”

“Can shifters mate anyone?” Heath’s world is fascinating and I can’t help wanting to know more. Being his mate is hard to believe, but his reactions to me would be hard to fake. The idea of being his forever is alluring. I can’t deny how attracted I am, and something in my gut is pushing me to be with him.

“Vampires usually mate with a human, but they can mate anyone. Shifters can mate shifters with the same animal or humans. If they mate a shifter of a different breed, which is rare, any children they have will take after the parent of the same sex as the child.”

“A human can get pregnant by a shifter.” I start to massage my aching foot, trying to wrap my head around this new world.

“No. If we are lucky enough to find a mate, and they are human, we have to turn them into a shifter.” He tilts his head, waiting for my reaction, and I freeze.

“You want to turn me into a snake.” I swallow, my throat dry.

“Yes,” he hisses.

“Huh…” How do I feel about this new information? Heath pulls my foot over his leg and starts to rub. Fuck. I suck back my moan.

“The bond between mates will not be complete until the shifter or vampire accepts their chosen mate and they choose you. They both have to be willing and ready to mark each other, which usually happens during sex.” I bite my tongue as heat sweeps over me. “Once the mark is completed on a human, the transformation into a shifter begins. Pregnancy can only happen between two shifters or vampires.”

“You want that with me,” I say softly.

“More than anything I’ve ever wanted,” he whispers, and our eyes lock. He’s telling me the truth. I find it hard to believe the universe picked me as his perfect match. Yesterday, I was a regular person struggling through life. Dealing with an unstable family, work, and loneliness. I didn’t have a steady boyfriend or friends.

“What’s it like?” I ask quietly.

“Magical. Powerful. Sometimes, I feel untouchable. When I shift, nothing can stop me. It can be addicting to be considered dangerous. I am strong and agile; all my senses are enhanced, and I can shift in an instant. I use my nose to smell danger and emotions. I can hear for miles unless confined to a building with numerous rooms, and then the distance is limited, muffled. I can live forever if I’m careful and age extremely slowly.” His hand stops moving. “I can hypnotize humans and shifters to a degree. I would never do it to you.” He resumes his caress. “It is most effective when someone is close to death. Their memories can transfer to me, and it’s helpful when I want information.”

“Would I be able to do all those things?” I ask, the thought tempting.

“To an extent. I have had years to gain power and practice my skills. It is never guaranteed. The gifts of each shifter are varied. The only way to find out is to complete the bond and shift.” He lifts a shoulder.

“What if I walked away? Would it cause you pain?” Suddenly, he grabs my ankle and pulls. I’m pressed tight to his chest, my shirt around my hips. Heath’s hands are slayed across my back, and our faces are inches apart.

“Don’t,” he grits out. “I am trying to give you a choice. Until you make it, do not run from me.”

“I won’t,” I breathe, warmth spreading. No one has wanted me like he does.

“I will do everything possible to convince you to bond with me.” He slides his cheek against mine. “I fight dirty. If I have to use the effect I have on your body, I will. Do not mistake my soft speech as a weakness. I am a beast. My snake wants to mark you.” He licks my neck, and I melt. “He wants to taste you as much as I do. Every second since we met, I have been holding back. I would be deep inside you right now if it were up to me, and my mark would be on your body.” He lightly bites my shoulder and then sucks. “You are mine. I will never cheat. I am dedicated to you, and the touch of another disgusts me. You are my fated mate, and I don’t want to think about you walking away.” He skims his nose up my neck and back down before pressing his forehead in the crook of my neck.

“Okay,” I whisper, closing my eyes. “I won’t talk about leaving.” I drag my fingers from his back to his neck, tangling them in his hair. It’s as soft as it looks.

“Thank you, darling,” he rumbles. Goosebumps erupt across my skin. A man has never touched me with such reverence. “You enjoy my touch?”

“Yes,” I admit, opening my eyes. When was the last time I orgasmed? I honestly don’t remember; if I did, it was most likely with my own hands.

“Do you want more of it?” he asks silkily. He lifts his head, bumping my chin up with his jaw before looking at me.

I lick my lips. “Please,” I whisper. God help me, I do. What he is offering me is tempting. He slides his hands down my back, one stops on my hip, squeezing, and the other grips the front of my neck. Pulling me closer, my legs naturally widen as he leans back on the couch, and I straddle him. He hovers, his mouth just out of reach, our rapid breath mixing. He holds his position, prolonging my longing for his lips on mine.

“Tell me to stop if I scare you,” he says, tipping my head back further. He sits straight, causing me to tighten my legs and hold onto his sides. “I want to taste those sweet lips.” His words barely leave him before he yanks me forward and kisses me. My breath lodges in my throat at the possession of it.

His mouth is demanding. There is nothing soft about this kiss. It’s all or nothing. He demands entrance, his tongue exploring and tangling with mine. I whimper; the emotions he pulls out of me with little effort are surprising. My fingers contract, bunching his shirt, grasping at anything to keep me grounded. I think I am in trouble. Heath is a stranger, yet I don’t want to leave him. I want to explore how he can make me yearn for someone’s touch.

He glides his hand across my back, grasping the opposite hip, urging me flush against him. I don’t fight it.

I gasp, and he dives deeper. I can barely breathe from the ongoing kiss and feel the steel I’m pressed against. Naturally, I want to move. I slowly roll my hips, and he pushes his hand against my neck, breaking our kiss. We stare at each other, my mouth open, panting.

“Be careful,” he warns. He drags his hand down between my breasts to my stomach and presses. “I want inside you so fucking badly. I don’t think you’re ready for how that will be. I am a hard man. We have to have a long discussion before sex happens.”

“Are you dominant?” I’ve heard the term but haven’t had an experience with any man who could make me obey. No one knows of the fantasies I dream of late at night.

“Yes,” he growls. “I have many preferences that may give you pause.”

“Tell me,” I say.

“No,” he says.

“Why?” Excitement flows through me. He could fulfill every dream.

“We are not ready.”

“Maybe you aren’t ready,” I say softly. My body is definitely ready.

“Perhaps,” he concedes, his gaze trailing down. “I can do something for you.”

“What?” He doesn’t answer, but he doesn’t have to. His fingers crawl down, slipping underneath my shirt. My heart jumps, and I warm.

“I want to see you come,” he says, pushing past my underwear. “Ride my fingers.” He enters me in one thrust, as deep as he can go, and I contract.

“Shit,” I groan and do as he says. I was on the verge of coming before he touched me. “Heath.”

“Beautiful,” he grits out, his jaw hard. He settles back, his heavy eyes watching. “So wet. Warm. Tight.”

“Oh, my,” I breathe. I pick up my speed, needing that feeling that's just out of reach. Trembling, I slide my hands from his sides to his chest, my nails digging in. I can’t look away from him. His tattoos are glowing even brighter, and so are his eyes. I am the center of his attention, and I love it. I want him to watch me, and not just this time. I want more. Curiosity unfurls with his secretive promise of the things he doesn’t think I can handle.

He’s dangerous, and not just because of his snake. I crave his hands on me, and my body lights up in ways I didn’t think possible. He’s not doing anything extreme, but it still seems carnal. I am the center of his attention, which makes me feel cherished.

“Get there, Juliana,” he growls. “Fuck, the picture you make. I want to gaze upon it every day.” He adds a finger and presses his thumb on my clit. “I love your pussy. It’s perfect.” His words build me up.

“Heath,” I cry, the pull becoming too much. My hips jerk as I lose my rhythm and fall over the edge. My ears ring as I collapse on his chest. His skin seems to pulse under my cheek in time with my heart. I’m locked onto his fingers and don’t want to let go. The reality of my life now is overwhelming. How did I get here? The bigger question is, why do I never want to leave?

“You need to sleep,” Heath rumbles, and I ease away. He follows, and we are in the same position that started the best sexual experience of my life. He cradles my cheek and slides his hand from me. His thumb glides over my bottom lip before he kisses me hard and briefly. “Go to my room.” I nod and back off his lap, not questioning his need for me to do so. My legs shake as I walk across the room. “Juliana,” he says as I reach the door, and I turn to face him. He lifts the hand that was inside me, slowly licking his fingers. He closes his eyes and hums. “Thank you, darling,” he hisses. “You are the best thing I have ever tasted.” I take a step toward him, pulled without thinking. “Good night,” he says. I stop, shake my head, and hurry from the room.

That man is potent. I practically float down the hall, dazed and pleased. I am guarded and suspicious of everyone I meet. Right now, I refuse to examine why Heath is different. Maybe it’s true—the universe has a bigger plan for me.

A plan to be Heath’s snake shifter mate.