Shifter’s Baby (Alpha Fantasy Paranormal Billionaire Shifter BBW Romance) (85 page)

Chapter Four

Denise did something after the swim that Delilah suspected was deliberate. Delilah was changing in the bathroom. Denise opened the door to go in but turned back. She said, “Coming Jules” and left. The bathroom door was still open. The bathroom was directly opposite Emil’s office. His door was open, and he sat in his executive chair facing the open door.

Delilah wore only the bottoms of the swimsuit. She turned and saw Emil’s face clear of any thought. He didn’t move his eyes from her body. Her first, almost unconquerable, instinct was to scream and cover herself with her hands. She didn’t do it. She thought, “I’m changing my life. I am no longer a woman who doesn’t exist.” She smiled at Emil, left her arms at her side and walked slowly to the door and closed it.

When she went to Emil’s office, he stood up and closed the door behind her. His face had a stern, set expression. He held her shoulders. “I’m not going to apologize for looking at you just now. You’re beautiful beyond belief.” He brought him close to her and kissed her with some violence.

When it ended, Delilah said, “Kiss me again. I wasn’t ready.”

He pulled her even closer and kissed her; this time with tenderness.

When the kiss finished, he said, “I feel like I’m alive again. I want to keep feeling it. What do we do?”

She led him in back of his desk and pushed him down on his executive chair. She sat on his lap and leaned into him. He rocked back until he could rest his feet on his desk. Delilah snuggled into him. He smelled like Ivory soap and basic male. She rubbed her cheek against the fabric of his shirt. She told him, in a whisper, “We do this for a long time. You need a woman pressing against you to banish your loneliness. I’m volunteering.”

He wrapped his arms around her and held her. She cuddled against him.

Chapter Five

Two hours later, his phone rang. Delilah got off his lap. He answered the phone. He said, “Yes” three times and “No” once. He turned to his computer and read an email. He said, “Get Jules please Delilah.”

Her hand touched the doorknob, and Emil was suddenly next to her. He drew her in for another kiss then said, “Thank you” then let her go.

When Jules and Denise joined them, Emil said, “We have news. Our contacts with the baser element of Los Angeles tell us that Carruthers will make an attempt on the lives of Neville and Madison this afternoon in their home in Bel Air. We must intercept them. Delilah, call Neville Chambers and tell him to collect his wife and go for a picnic on Route 39 in the Angeles National Forest. We’ll see if we can set a trap for this fellow, Carruthers. Jules, arm yourself and ride in our helicopter. First, stay over their residence. When they leave, the gunman should follow them. We’ll stop the gunman on the forest road and detain them for the police. Denise, handle communications here. I’ll follow the gunman and keep them from escaping.”

It didn’t work. Carruthers made a better plan.

Chapter Six

Neville Chambers stared at his wife’s rear end as she bent over to rearrange things in the perfect picnic basket she’d purchased at Neiman Marcus. She glanced back at him then at her own hips.

She straightened up and stood in front of him. “Neville, we had an agreement that this was to be a marriage in name only. Everything is in place. Next month, we talk with the lawyers and get all of your father’s money. I don’t want any emotional entanglements to get in the way. We stay married for a year and then get a divorce. Ten billion dollars is worth exercising a little discipline.”

“I refuse to apologize for admiring your excellent figure.”

“Thank you, but I’ve lived my life without emotion up till now. I’m going to keep it that way.”

“That’s a pity.”

Madison studied Neville’s face for a few minutes. Her voice was flat and without feelings. “You’re not going to stop are you? You’ll be watching me all the time. You’ll be looking down my blouse and up my skirt and at my boobs whenever we’re in the same room.”

Neville glanced down at Madison’s chest. “’Boobs’ is a crude term for so beautiful a body. You have breasts, not boobs.”

Madison coldly turned away. Her words dripped frost when she said, “If I catch you doing it, I’ll make your life a living hell. Stay away from me.”

Chapter Seven

As they traveled, Madison said, “Did Delilah call back? Is your man protecting us?”

“Yes. They’ve got a helicopter over us and men in front and in back. We’ll have a nice picnic while they take out Carruthers.”

Unwillingly, Madison bounced in her seat. “This car rides very rough, Neville. Why did you buy it?”

“It brings back memories. It’s politics, actually. When I was younger, I wanted to give elective office a try. My advisors thought it would be useful to have a military background, and I joined the National Guard. Imagine my surprise when I found out I loved the military. I liked our weapons and the steady, dependable organization of the Army. I bought the Humvee when I got out.”

The Humvee or High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) is the replacement for the Jeep in the United States Army. It weighs about 6,000 pounds and comes with a V8 diesel engine. Its off-road capabilities start with a sixteen inch ground clearance; more than double that of the average SUV. It can climb a 60-degree slope and ford a five-foot deep stream.

Madison looked at him with a new appreciation. “You made a success of the Army?” Her voice carried real wonder.

“Yes. I got several promotions and increasing responsibilities.”

She swallowed once. “Most impressive.” She meant it.

She glanced at him and realized that he was admiring her legs. To her own surprise and consternation, she pulled her skirt up a few inches and turned her legs to the side to make them more graceful.

The campground they planned to use was still five miles away when a big truck pulled sideways behind them. The driver managed to get between the Chambers and Emil. Neville pushed the Humvee to its limit.

Another truck pulled in the road in front of them.

Madison gasped, “We’re trapped. It’s Carruthers.”

“We’re not trapped in this vehicle.” He turned off the road and drove down a dirt road. He pushed the Humvee hard down the steep incline. Gunfire spattered the trees overhead.

When Emil told Jules to arm himself, he knew what Jules would carry. The Squad Automatic Weapon is a full automatic weapon using the same bullet as the M4 and M16.

Unfortunately, another helicopter sprang up from behind a ridgeline and fired on Jules who returned fire. No matter how it looks in the movies, it’s difficult to hit anything from inside a bobbing and weaving helicopter.

Chapter Eight

Emil jumped out of his car and faced the driver of the truck down the canyon from Neville and Madison. A short gun battle left the driver dead on the road and Emil running up the canyon, carrying a fully automatic FN90, a short, effective submachine gun.

Men poured out of the truck up the canyon from the Chambers. Emil tried to keep them from attacking Neville and Madison, but they were armed as well. Emil ducked behind a rock and shot as best he could.

Neville drove recklessly down the hillside until he came to a rock big enough to hide behind. As he turned across the slope toward the big rock, bullets tore through the top of the bulky, unarmored vehicle. Madison screamed and ducked. Neville pulled behind the big rock and reached under the seat. He retrieved a heavy pack and ran around the Humvee and opened Madison’s door. She was practically hysterical. He couldn’t get her to step out of the car. She kept screaming and ducking. He unbuckled her seat belt and threw her over his shoulder.

He ran to the other side of the boulder and peaked around. Madison sobbed quietly behind him. Out of his backpack, he pulled a big pistol and two magazines that held thirteen rounds each. He slipped the spare magazines inside his back pocket. Two men ran down the slope after him. He fired six times at the men. They hit the ground.

He made his way down the slope for another fifty feet until he found another big rock to use for cover. He set Madison down on her feet and leaned her against the rock. She jumped back into his arms. He held her safe with his right arm and fired seven times upslope with his left hand. He pushed the magazine release and the empty magazine fell to the ground. He reloaded and edged around the rock. He scanned the hillside. Nothing moved. He put the pack over one shoulder. He pushed Madison away from him and grabbed her hand. With Madison in tow, he started down a narrow, faint trail. She stammered in fear, “Wh...What are we go...going to do?”

“I don’t know yet, but we can’t stay here.”

Chapter Nine

Jules fired three times at the other helicopter before smoke came out of the engine and the machine retreated. He had his pilot fly over the men on the ground and helped Emil. He saw several men disappear into the dense brush.

Neville and Madison ran down a deer trail together, Madison in front and Neville behind. Neville stopped every twenty yards to turn around and look for attackers. He didn’t have to shoot again.

In the fading light, Neville found a small building with an unlocked door. They snuck inside and waited for complete dark.

The cabin had a bed and a stocked cupboard. Neville looked at the contents with a small flashlight from his fanny pack. “I know why it’s unlocked and full of supplies. A lot of cabins in National Parks are left open, with food and water, because people get lost. The cabin gives them shelter and time.” He clicked the flashlight off.

Madison sniffed. She sat on the cot and looked disconsolate. Neville sat beside her and gathered her in his arms. “The danger’s past. Anyone looking inside this cabin will have to use a flashlight to find us, and we’ll see that in plenty of time. We’re safe.”

She unashamedly snuggled into his embrace. “I’m sorry. I know I told you I wanted no emotional entanglements, but that was before people were trying to kill me. Do you mind holding me? It really helps. I know I’ve treated you badly. If you’re uncomfortable, I can try to go it alone.”

“I’m enjoying it. I never got the chance to tell you, but the biggest reason I agreed to this arrangement was because I got the chance to be married to you. I’ve always thought you were beautiful.”

“I’m sorry you ended up with an ice queen.”

“You never had the right opportunity to thaw out. You’re not an ice queen.”

“I’m not?”

“No. You just have a natural dignity, that’s all.”

“We have to take our clothes off.”

Neville turned the flashlight on and shielded it with his fingers. He rocked her back in his arms so he could see her face. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I heard you right. Did you say we should get out of our clothes?”

“Yes. You don’t understand. I can’t help keeping people at a distance. I’m so shy I can barely function in society. It makes me treat people coldly, even with cruelty. I can’t help it. I’m so lonely. Every night, I cry because I’m going to be the only one in my bed.” She sat back, out of his arms. “Now, I’m not alone. It took being shot at to get me in a man’s arms. If we don’t do something to change our relationship, I’ll be alone again. It has to be something intimate that I can’t deny. It means sex.”

Neville said, “I understand, and I’ll help you have a more normal life. However, you’re afraid right now, and there are rules about taking advantage of girls who are emotionally upset.”

“You won’t take your clothes off?”

“Yes, but I’m going to put limits on how much we can do.” He kissed her very hard. She was too surprised to respond. “I’m not going to do something that makes you hate me or distrust me tomorrow morning. We’ll change the way we feel about each other, but stop short of actual intercourse. Do you understand?”

“You like me don’t you.”

“Yes. When you’re not keeping your guard up, you’re a very nice person.”

“That’s not what I mean. You feel arousal when you look at me. I can tell. Do you want me?”

“Of course. You’ve very beautiful.”

This brought on another round of crying. She crawled into his arms and bawled like a two year old whose ice cream cone just fell into the gutter. He held her until the storm past. She said, “Thank you. You’re very patient. It’s just that... Well, nobody likes me. Everyone’s afraid of me. I’m such a grumpy, horrible woman that they should dislike me. I never say anything nice, and I criticize everyone around me.” She looked in his eyes. “We’re still dressed.”

“Would you mind if I undressed you? I think you’d enjoy it.”

“Will you be nice to me?”

“Yes. I will.”

She stood up quickly. She said, “Please?”

Neville unbuttoned her blouse halfway and slipped his hand inside. He caressed her shoulders and neck. She moaned and said, “That feels so good. No one ever touches me.” She dropped her head down on his shoulder and put her hand on his to guide him to those places that needed attention.

Neville asked, “Shall we do something more intimate?”

“What did you have in mind?” Her voice was soft and a little afraid.

“I thought it might feel good if I touched your breasts.”

“You mean my boobs?”

“No, your breasts.”

“Oh, my breasts. I think I’d like that very much.”

He finished unbuttoning her blouse and helped her out of it. She wore a very expensive bra with lace. She reached around her back and unfastened it. She dropped it on the floor.

Neville held the flashlight to the side and turned it on. She sniffed, “What do you think of me? Am I good enough for you?”

Neville may have been a man of the world. He may have traveled extensively and met other women. The sight of Madison’s bare breasts stunned him. She pounded on his back. “Breathe, Neville. Don’t hold your breath.”

Neville let his breath out and sucked in another. “It surprised me. You’re so beautiful.”

“Thank you.” She held her breasts out, offering them to him. ”They’re very soft, like pillows, and their skin is nice and smooth.” She held his hand against her left breast. He purposefully took a deep breath and let it out. “Amazing.” He withdrew his hand and put it behind her neck. He brought her to his lips and kissed her with intensity. She kept her eyes open. He saw the part of her that she guarded so zealously. Her emotions were naked and vulnerable. He kissed her again. “What are you wearing right now?”

She took a quick mental inventory. “I don’t have my blouse or bra any more. Just shoes, panties and a skirt.”

“Take your shoes and panties off. You’ll seem more naked in just a skirt somehow. I’ll take off everything but my shorts.”

It took less than thirty seconds. Madison only had to kick off her shoes and slide her panties down her legs, but she took longer than Neville, who had to remove his tie, shirt, pants, shoes and socks.

She suddenly became shy. She put her hands over her breasts and asked, “What now?”

“We’re going to change our relationship. We’re going to do it by touching each other with as much of our skin as possible and by doing it for as long as possible. We’ll have to treat each other warmly.” He threw back the coverlet on the cot and lay down on his back. He opened his arms. Madison lay down on top of him. She smoothed her skirt down over her legs.

She put her nose and mouth in the hollow of his neck and wiggled a little to get as close as she could. She murmured, “I like this. I feel warm and loved. I don’t know if I’ve ever felt this before.” She breathed slowly and completely.

In a few minutes, she said, “I just thought of something. You were right. Having my skirt on without any panties underneath feels wonderfully naughty.” She let her voice drop to just a whisper in his ear. “But I’m in danger. You threaten me. I’m small and fragile. You’re big and powerful. You could reach between my legs just by pulling my skirt up just a little. I couldn’t stop you. You’re so big and strong. I’d want to keep my legs closed, but I couldn’t. You’d just push them apart.”

She thought about having a man do that to her. It made her gasp and tremble. “Then you’d touch me, and I’d respond. I wouldn’t have a choice. My body is ready for a man’s touch. Your hand on my body, here in this dark, isolated cabin would affect me deeply. My body would get ready to accept you inside it.”

She paused. Neville felt her body quiver. She continued, “You’d have your way with me. You’d put your big cock... Do you have a big cock?” She felt the front of his shorts and found a hard rod of iron as thick as her wrist. “...You do. You’d put me underneath you with my legs spread and you between them. I could beg and plead. It wouldn’t do any good. I’d feel your mammoth cock open me up and penetrate me all the way whether I wanted it to or not. You’d bring me to orgasm against my will. After you’d done that, I’d be yours. I couldn’t leave you. You’d be able to have me whenever you wanted me.”

She let her voice fill with mock fear. “There’s more...” She paused and fluttered her eyelashes against the skin on his neck. He grunted in surprise. “You’d own my emotions as well. We’re all alone out here. I can’t find my way out on my own. I can’t survive without you. After you’d taken me, I’d have to lie in your arms and love you so you’d get me out of this forest. I’d be a weak and solitary woman who needs a man to look after her. When you’d done that, the connection would be permanent. I wouldn’t want it to change.”

While she was talking, she swept her breasts across his chest from side to side. Neville held his hand up. “Stop for a moment. This is important. I don’t want to go all the way with you. I won’t risk your resentment because you think I took advantage of your when you were scared and vulnerable. Let’s just lay here without moving for a few minutes. We’ll let ourselves calm down, and we’ll be safe.”

“Neville, sweetheart. Who’s taking advantage of who?”

He put his hands on either side of her face. The flashlight was set up on a table close to the bed. He could see into her eyes. “Listen to me. I won’t hurt you, but I won’t be hurt by you either. Can you promise to love me in the morning and not go back inside yourself like you did before?”

She stopped entertaining and teasing him. She looked back with her emotions and identity exposed. She couldn’t and wouldn’t cover up. “You mean that don’t you.”

“With every ounce of my body. Every feeling I have. I won’t make love to you if you’re going to reject me tomorrow.”

She wiped her tears away with the palms of her hands. “You love me?”

“Yes, I love you.”

“No one’s ever loved me before.”

He began to tighten his arms around her to bring her in for comforting. She pushed back. “I won’t break down. This isn’t the time for it.” She stopped talking. Neville saw her lips clench together in a straight line across her face. Her voice was serious when she said, “I know a way to insure that I’ll be good to you and won’t have a choice about it.” She took in a breath and let it out. “If you love me, I love you. That’s the way it works with me. My period ended two weeks ago and I’m very regular. Right now, my big, wonderful egg is sitting in my fallopian tube waiting for a nice, vigorous sperm to push into it and make me a mother. If you put your sperm inside me, I won’t have a choice. I don’t want to raise a child alone.” She shook her head. “No, that’s wrong. That is, it’s right, because it’s the situation we’re in; but, I’m not telling you that we’ll be bound together by a baby and nothing else.” She dropped her eyes. “I’m bound to you because I love you. I will love you if you leave me or if you beat me or if you’re mean to me. I’ll love you for the rest of my life. Because I do. That’s all. I do, and it’s permanent.”

He kissed her; a very soft, very long kiss that meant a great deal and made her emotions roar into full resonance.

Neville said, “Thank you.” He kissed her again. He said, “If I understand you correctly, all I have to do is lift this skirt and you’re mine, completely, body and soul and heart.” He moved her skirt up her legs. She helped by raising her hips. She pulled it the last few inches so that it was around her waist. She said, “That’s right. I am now as helpless as a little lamb. Or I will be when you put your hand on my little kitty.” She sighed when his fingers found their target. “Now, I’m helpless. You’ve overpowered me. You can take me at your leisure.”

In real life, things are never as easy as they are in fiction. Her personal fear of rejection had kept her virginity intact until that night. She couldn’t allow a boy or man to get near her. Neville and her feelings of panic and the need for safety pushed her past that. He gave direct and forceful attention to her breasts and her lower lips. She melted into the bed and became boneless and content.