“I think I’ll enjoy it,” she says, and I drop down. I lay my head on her knee. “Is there a limit on how long you remain as an animal?”
“That’s hard to say,” he mumbles. “It could be dangerous for you at first to stay a jaguar for long periods of time. You won’t know your animal well yet, and it could be more difficult to switch back. Some shifters allow their animal to take control, and that isn’t good. Your human side needs to be in charge. When you get comfortable, you will be confident in how much to let your animal lead.”
“It’s hard to imagine Bane being vicious or out of control,” she says. I roll to my side, lying beside her legs.
“He’s had plenty of practice, and he would never hurt you. Remember, he's part animal. If anyone would try to attack you while in this form, he would tear them apart,” Law says gruffly.
“My beast,” she hums, and smiles at me. “You were afraid to shift.” She glances at him briefly and he shrugs.
“I’m cautious. I would never hurt you intentionally, but I didn’t want to take a chance.” He feels bad for not trusting himself. I touch my paw to her leg, gaining her attention. “He’s needy,” Lawson laughs, and I growl. He looks toward the trees. “Our guests are leaving.” Haven tilts her head, frowning.
“Damn, it will be weird to hear so much,” she says.
“It will be another thing you’ll have to adjust to,” he says, standing. “Stay with Bane, I’ll be back.” He flutters his hand over the top of her head and then walks into the trees.
“He trusts you,” she says softly, and I nod my head. I’m stunned as she eases beside me, lying on her side, her head resting on her palm. “I always wanted to believe in magic when I was little. My mom indulged me. She bought me these little glass butterflies of every color imaginable. I would dream of being one of them and flying around the world. No rules. I could see the different places and not have to worry about homework.” She laughs lightly. “I think that’s where my love of colors came from. When I held them up to the light, they brightened, and reflected the color on my walls. I would spend hours sitting at my window, making them fly. My father thought it was silly to indulge me in fantasies, but Mom always encouraged me to dream.” I place my paw between us, and she slides her hand underneath it. “Father threw them away after she died, and told me there would be no more wishing to be anyone else. I was his daughter, and I needed to grow up. I cried because he broke them before putting them in the trash so I couldn’t sneak them out.”
My paw overlaps her palm, and I want to smile. She holds it so easily, without fear.
“I think I’m meant to fly like my butterflies, except maybe it’s on the ground instead of the sky. The way you described shifting is how I wanted to feel. You don’t scare me. Seeing you transform was fascinating. If I wasn’t supposed to be with you, wouldn’t I feel fear?” I shift in an instant, and she gasps as I straddle her body, caging her to the ground.
“You’re supposed to be ours, Butterfly,” I rumble, and she looks down.
“Naked. Very naked,” she whispers, and I grin.
“You knew I would be.”
“Yes, but I didn’t expect so up close and personal,” she mumbles.
“Should I put clothes on?”
“I mean…” She bites her lip and looks up. “It would be a shame to cover you up.” Her tongue touches the side of her mouth.
“A bratty Butterfly,” I whisper, tilting my head. “What to do?”
“I’m sure you can think of something,” she says, and I laugh.
“Oh, you are tempting the beast.” I bite her jaw, and as she gasps, I move down her body, dragging my mouth down her neck. I leave my palms on the ground beside her shoulders, and straighten my arms as I move. I bite the edge of her shirt, pulling it down over her breasts, and suck her skin.
“Bane,” she groans.
“That’s not what you call me,” I rumble, and she shivers. “What is your word?” I ask. My brothers shared the word she chose.
“Ballet.”
“Say it if you need to. I won’t pressure you to call me Daddy, but that is my hope.” I pull her nipple into my mouth, the fabric of her bra rubbing just the right amount to make her squirm. “Do you want more?”
“Please,” she breathes.
“Yes, baby. I want to hear you beg.” My palms drag against the ground as I move down, and run my tongue between her shirt and jeans. Her loose pants gap as she sucks in her stomach. “Do you want more?” I dip my tongue underneath the fabric.
“Shit, yes,” she groans, lifting her hips, and I chuckle. She grabs my shoulders, and I move my legs between hers and sit on my heels.
“Put your hands above your head.” I grip her thighs and pull her away from the rock. I smile as she laces her fingers together and places them on the ground above her head. “Good girl,” I rasp, removing her shoes. I unbutton her pants and yank them down her legs, throwing them to the side. Pushing her thighs open further, I reach for the hem on her shirt and roll it over her breasts, tucking it under her chin. I drag my palm down the center of her body and press against her pussy. “Hot Butterfly.”
“Fuck.” She twists her hips.
“Stay still,” I order, and something warms inside me when she complies immediately. “Are you ready for me?” I press harder and feel the wetness on my skin.
