Southern Shifters: Impawsible (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Buchanan Clan Book 1) (3 page)

It was fucking
adorable
with the window plant boxes and wrap around porch and a
swing!
She couldn’t wait to relax there, listen to the sounds in the night, and drink a nice cool glass of sweet tea. That’s what southerners did, right?

Bethany slowed her car to a stop and threw it into park, setting the brake before shoving open the door and climbing out. The fresh clean air enveloped her, each inhale giving her more of the crisp oxygen. No matter her family’s complaints or issues raised, this had been the right choice. She was on her own now, with a group of shifters—and others—who wouldn’t look down on her for being who she was.

This was home. And she liked it.

“Perfection.”

At least it was until a slightly familiar, deep, tremble-inducing voice cut through the silence. “Yes.”

With a squeak, she spun to face the male who’d occupied her thoughts since she first caught his scent and met his gaze. “You!”

He smirked, but instead of looking all practiced and smarmy, it was filled with masculine need and outright hunger. And not the dinnertime hunger, either. This was all kinds of “let me lay you down and eat your pussy for hours” hunger.

Or… she was projecting what she wanted onto him and he really did want to make her a rare afternoon snack.

“Yes, me.” He strolled forward, hips rolling in a loose-limbed walk that big cats seemed to have. It was lazy, but she had no doubt he was more than aware of his surroundings. He looked relaxed, but he was on edge, gaze missing nothing. “And then there’s
you
. You ran.” He came even closer, a predator hunting prey, but she wasn’t scared of him. Not in the least. “You ran from me.”

“Uh…” She was so smart. Way to sound intelligent. “I…” More intelligence, but she was at least sensible enough to match his steps, easing away as he moved closer. One forward, then back, keeping their ten-foot distance as she tried to make it to the front door.

Even if Carter
was
her mate and she
was
destined to spend the rest of her life with him, she still didn’t know him from Adam, which meant getting into small, enclosed spaces with a tiger was a bad idea.

The bunny told her being locked up with Carter could be magical.

The bunny had a death wish. It was official.

“You should…” Bethany took another step back, wondering when the hell she’d reach the porch and the door already. It seemed like she’d been shuffling for miles and—

She stumbled with a low grunt, ankles hitting the bottom porch step, forcing her to drop her purse. She fell backward, ass hitting a plank of wood, driving the air from her lungs. At the same time, Carter’s eyes flared gold, his tiger bounding forward as he took two rushing steps nearer. She immediately threw her hand out, palm facing him as she tried to keep him from approaching.

“Wait! I’m fine! Stay there!” Way over there because she wasn’t sure how much longer she could keep her sex-crazed rabbit at bay.

Carter pulled up short, a frown on his face as he stared at her. It wasn’t a frown. It was
confusion
. Did no one tell him to hold his horses? Er, paws? It didn’t matter. She took that split second of hesitation and bolted to her feet. She spun and ran to the front door, unlocking it, and sliding in before he could say a word. One slam and one flick had her safely inside and him out.

Now she could breathe. At least for a minute or until he got tired of waiting for her to get over her panic and let him in. She was feeling pretty damned panicky so he might be waiting a while. She peeked out the window beside the door, right into his eyes. Another squeak and jump had her scampering away from the portal until her back was flat to the wall.

And he chuckled, that low down, deep, and throaty chuckle that had her hair—and fur—standing on end. Because,
of course,
her fur was out. The downy white covered her forearms, sliding over her skin and down her fingers. Those were tipped with small, black nails, and she just sighed.

“Stupid rabbit,” she grumbled. It couldn’t wait its turn. Noooo… it wanted out
now
. “If you weren’t part of me I’d have
you
for dinner.”

The porch creaked, wood groaning as Carter’s shadow moved along the house, giving her a clue to his path. He clomped away from the front door, moving until he paused and more wood protested followed by the high-pitched whine of metal on metal. A rhythmic squeak, the slow and gentle sound telling her without words exactly what the massive tiger-wolf was doing.

He was swinging on her swing. Him. Swing. Hers…

If she wasn’t so afraid, she’d yell at him. But she was. So she didn’t.

“You gonna hide the rest of the day?” His low timbre easily slid past the walls and seemed to reach out for her.

She kept her mouth shut, unsure how to proceed. Did she open the door? Did she invite him in? Did she level a happy little shotgun at him?

No, she didn’t think option three was really an option.

Instead of answering him, she worked toward the other end of the house, inching forward and heading to the far corner. The swing was to the left of the large bay window and if she stood just right… She placed her back against the wall and eased the curtains aside. The new position gave her a clear line of sight for Mr. Tall, Dark, and Deliciously Deadly. Carter had a strong profile with his chiseled jaw and straight nose, but it wasn’t his appearance so much as his bearing that drew her. Dominance lived inside him, pure power and strength that lured her rabbit and lulled it into compliance.

Dandelions. It was all about the dandelions.

Whore-ish furball.

It agreed.

The corner of his mouth tipped up, his attention focused on his lap. His lap that held her purse.

“Hey!” She tapped on the glass. “Stay out of there!”

A woman’s purse was sacred territory. Men had their man caves. Women had purses. It was no-man’s land and he was invading her space.

He flashed her a smile and gave her a wink.

“That’s not an agreement,” she shouted through the glass. “Quit it. Bad kitty!”

He was especially bad when her phone rang—her sister Hannah again with her
Wild Thing
ring tone. She really needed to pick something else. She’d hop onto the app store and—

“Hello?” His deep timbre washed over her.

Wait, what?

“Bethany?” Carter turned his body, changing position until they faced one another—her against the wall and him with his back leaning on the arm of the swing.

Oh, and look at those muscles again. His shirt stretched taut across his chest, showing off his pecs and clinging to his abdomen. It’s like the god of t-shirts sculpted the clothing just for him in a way that would let her see each and every lickable rise and fall. And she wanted to lick.

“I’m thinking she’s a little busy right now,” he murmured, those eyes on her. “Can I take a message?” Another pause and his orbs seemed to sparkle. “Her sister? Really? Huh. Me?”

Dammit. Hannah would start digging, and like a cat, wouldn’t give up until she had everything.

“I’m Bethie’s mate, Carter Evans.”

Bethany—not Bethie—heard her sister’s screech from inside the house. Ugh.

Then the two of them started talking. Like, actual conversation because rather than end her conversation with Carter and call Bethany’s house phone, Hannah took the time to speak—and flirt—with her mate.

She was angry and/or bitter about her bubblier, fearless sister hitting on her mate. Much.

Pro: She got to learn a lot about her mate in a very short period of time.

Con: It included adorable, outgoing Hannah’s involvement.

Bethany loved her sister. Really. She’d love her more if she wasn’t on the phone with Carter.

So grow some brass ovaries and take the phone away from him.

Heh. So not happening. Her ovaries were currently being scared. Just like the rest of her.

“Tiger-wolf hybrid. Uh-huh. I’m thirty-two. I’ve been living in Deals Gap a little over three years. I run the mechanic shop here in town.” He chuckled and she hated Hannah for making him laugh. “Yes, that
is
where we met and she
did
kinda scamper.” Carter’s eyes filled with a heat that went straight to her pink bits. “I thought it was sexy as hell.” Another laugh. “I can see how that grosses you out, but I gotta tell ya, your sister calls to both my beasts like you wouldn’t believe.”

Carter’s eyes narrowed and whatever Hannah said wasn’t making him happy. “I respect you since you’re my mate’s sister, but if you ever think of saying that she’s anything other than perfect, I’ll hunt you. We were all prey once. None of us came out of the womb ready to kick ass and take names. Bethie has something worth protecting and cherishing.” Bethany’s breath caught. His expression was fierce and determined and if her sister was standing in front of Carter, she’d be worried for Hannah. “The goddess put a rabbit among the lions because she knew Bethie was able to survive with y’all. She’s strong as hell and I’m damned grateful I’ve got a mate who can push back every time I try to pull something.”

Did he really believe that? She stared at Carter, searching his expression. It looked like he was earnest, but she couldn’t scent him and test his emotions. Dammit. She could crack the window a little, take a quick sniff and shut it before he was any the wiser. That was an
excellent
plan.

Bethany reached for the lock, fingers itching to flick the little tab, nudge the window an inch or two open, and then she could—

“I’d love to hear about the time she tried to…”

She didn’t really catch the end of his sentence because she was too busy racing to the front door. Safety be damned, nothing good could ever come from Hannah telling stories. Ever, ever. The lock easily came undone and she yanked it open. She flew across the porch as if she was a bird and not a hoppity rabbit, arms outstretched and fingers itching to snatch the phone from Carter’s hands. Big hands… Did that mean he was big elsewhere? She might find out just after she yelled at her sister.

“Yes, that did work, actually.” He chuckled and she wanted to stab Hannah in the eye for making Bethany’s mate laugh.

She finally reached him and he didn’t put up a fight when she wrenched the device from his grip, freeing it with one tug before bringing it to her own ear. “Listen, fuck pussy.”

“Fuck pussy?” Carter echoed her words and she ignored him.

“You’re welcome.” Hannah sounded way too damned proud of herself. “And that’s a new one. You know you’d probably sound more threatening if you stuck with the classic curses instead of making up your own.”

Bethany sniffed. “You listen better when I make up my own.”

“Whatever. You know what I just did there?” Hannah didn’t even wait for her to respond. “I got you close to your mate without any force necessary. You’re welcome. Again. ‘K, thanks, bye!”

Hannah did what?

A thick, muscular arm slid around her waist, a large, warm palm settling on her hip. One quick tug had her sitting across Carter’s lap, ass nestled on his thighs and face now inches from his.

Being afraid and running was no longer an option so she fell back on manners. -ish. “Uh, hi?”

Carter smiled, all predatory-y with something that wavered between hunger and desire.

She wasn’t sure if that was good or bad.

Then his cock hardened beneath her ass, growing longer and thicker with each second that passed.

Bethany wiggled her butt, noting the size of his package and realizing he’d stretch her in the most perfect of ways. Okay, bad was nowhere in the area. This was
aaaaall
good.

Her bunny prayed it would be good at least twice. Or three times. It wondered if a gabillion times was out of the question.

Whore.

It agreed.

Bethany didn’t have anything else to say about that.

Chapter Four

Bethany, at some point in her life, had heard the term “vibrating with need.” Maybe it was in a romance novel or… Okay, it was probably a book. Anyway, she knew what authors were talking about now. That feeling, that subtle—and not so subtle—physical awareness that trembled through her with every breath. Her body literally thrummed with desire for him, cells reaching out for him while she fought the urge to pounce. It was a constant battle between biology and brain, her mind telling her she
did not
know a thing about Carter Evans while her pussy was thinking all about
bow chicka bow bow
.

She itched all over, fur stinging her pores, telling her the rabbit was
pissed
she resisted Carter’s draw. The animal made each hint of her inner beast’s appearance painful and caused every inch of her to ache. It wanted satisfaction. It wanted his touch. It wanted his scent all over them.

It flat out wanted Carter in all his buff, masculine glory.

“Hey.” That came with a slow smile, heavy-lidded eyes that made her think of a post-orgasm Carter, and a tiny hint of fang peeking out.

She licked her lips, mouth watering because fangs meant claiming and claiming meant his blood filling her mouth. And even though she was ninety-nine percent a vegetarian, there was enough carnivore in her to crave his taste.

“Bethany?”

“Huh, what?” She blinked, tearing her attention from his lips. “Did you say something?” He chuckled. He chuckled a lot, actually. The realization had her narrowing her eyes and even the rabbit was a little miffed at the constant laughs. “Are you laughing at me?”

Because that was not cool.

“No, bunny.” He shook his head. “Just enjoying being close to you. Knowing I make you as crazy.” He leaned forward and instead of searching out her lips—which she
would not
have given him—he nuzzled her neck and took a deep breath. “I really like that I make you as hot as you make me.”

His cock twitched as if confirming his statement, throbbing against her ass. Which had her pussy clenching and silently begging to be filled by him.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Uh-huh.” His drawl may have sounded innocuous, but she heard the underlying message.
Liar!

She would not admit he was right.