Shifter Romance Box Set Read online

  "In that case, come back over here," Selene patted the spot next to her. "I promise to keep the snoring to a minimum this time."

  He shook his head, as he began to unbutton his shirt. "Nope. We're late for our morning run."

  Morning run? What would make him think I'd want to do that? As the questions formed in her head, she remembered they had first met, well sort of first met, on her normal morning run. She groaned to herself. She despised running.

  Her displeasure at the idea must have shown in her features because Anthony stopped undressing with a concerned look on his face, "I'm sorry, I can't believe I forgot about your ankle. If you don't feel up to it that's fine, we can skip it this morning." He motioned to the window, which displayed a bright sunny morning. "I just thought since it was such a nice morning," his voice trailed off.

  She was aching to play the sore ankle card, but couldn't bring herself to disappoint him. She looked down at her clothing, her skimpy shirt and short skirt were not exactly running wear. She determined that she could use the nothing suitable to wear card and still have a clear conscience.

  As if reading her mind he stated, "You can borrow whatever you need from my closet. I believe there may even be some running shoes in the back. We did advertising for an athletics wear franchise a while ago and I kept a number of their complimentary sneakers for gifts."

  Going over to Selene, Anthony gripped her hands in his and pulled her from the sofa. She reluctantly allowed herself to be tugged from the sofa and to her feet. She fell into his arms, savouring the feel of them around her.

  "There are extra toothbrushes in the medicine cabinet of the bathroom that adjoins my bedroom." He pointed toward the door to the left of them. "Once we are finished our run, I'll take you to the greatest little breakfast joint in Manhattan."

  She nodded, turning and walking towards the bedroom. Discreetly she cupped her hand over her mouth and tried to smell her breath. Not too often a man offers you a toothbrush and toothpaste in the morning. She didn't seem to smell bad morning breath, but wasn't too confident about her breath freshness test. Selene could feel her face redden as she entered the bedroom and closed the door behind her. Great, just woke up and already embarrassed myself with rank morning breath.

  One rule she always had was to ensure she woke up before the man. Normally, she would be gone before he even awoke. On the rare occasions that her presence was requested for morning services, in addition to the evening, or for all weekend events, she would make sure she was awake and freshened up before he was.

  But then again, this isn't business. Not this time anyhow.

  She looked over at the large king bed in the center of the room. It brought back memories of the way his naked body felt next to hers; the feel of his hands caressing her. Not sweet and lovingly, like last night, but with heat and desire. She could feel herself becoming aroused just thinking of it. Taking a deep breath to quieten the primal urges building within her, she strode over to the closet and pulled open the large mahogany double doors.

  "Wow." Selene was amazed at his closet. She would wager it was larger than her own, which was an achievement. She walked into it, still amazed by the shelves upon shelves of shoes and accessories to her left; suits of all styles and in various shades of black, blue and brown to her right. Deeper in, she found his leisure clothing. Within a few minutes, she had found something suitable to wear, along with a new pair of running shoes.

  * * * *

  Anthony watched Selene slip into this bedroom then went off to the main bathroom to get a quick, cold shower before changing into running pants and a t-shirt. The cool water helped alleviate the tension that he had endured during the night. He had been quite serious when he said he hadn't had much sleep, but the reason wasn't her snoring. The snoring he could handle, he actually found it charming.

  What did keep him up was the feel of her body lying on his the entire night. Just when he had himself calmed down and his dick under control, she would turn or snuggle against him, enticing his dick all over again. It had gone on like that all night, calming himself down, just to get aroused all over again. It had taken all his self-control not to wake her on numerous times during the course of the night. Instead, he settled for simply watching her sleeping peacefully.

  It hadn't been fifteen minutes before he was ready and sitting on a bar stool, in the living room, waiting for Selene. He waited, listening to the sound of Chris Isaak's haunting voice singing "Wicked Games".

  Half an hour had passed since she had disappeared into his bedroom and he continued to wait. He had said they were going for a jog, hadn't he?

  He was about to head into the bedroom to check on her, when the door swung open and she came swaggering out.

  "Very adorable." He grinned as he said it, examining every inch of her. She'd picked out one of his old grey NYU t-shirts, a pair of grey fleece sweatpants and white sneakers, with pink trim. Her black hair, bounced back and forth in a ponytail, tied high up on her head. The whole outfit, with the exception of the shoes was several sizes too big, which made her look even more adorable in it.

  The fact that it was his clothing she was wearing so sweetly made her all the more sexy to him.

  "Gee and I was going to say the same about you," Selene teased as she strode toward him. Stopping just inches from him, she carelessly wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him softly.

  Pulling back, she took a moment to examine him. "You know, people are going to look at us and think we planned to be one of those ‘cutesy’ couples that dress alike on purpose."

  Anthony looked down at himself and sniggered. He hadn't even taken notice of what he had put on when he was getting dressed. As far as he was concerned as long as it was minus holes, he was good to go. Looking down at his chest he realized that he indeed was wearing the identical outfit, with the exception of the pink sneakers. His had black trim.

  He shrugged, pulling her back against him. "And what's so wrong with that?"

  She allowed herself to be drawn back into his embrace, the look on her face told him that she was pondering the idea. Her eyes locked onto his warm grey ones and an invisible energy seemed to transmit between them once again.

  Intense, he found himself thinking with a smile.

  She smiled back, a smile of a woman falling in love, which both scared and delighted him. Then she said simply, "nothing at all."

  * * * *

  As they jogged, through central park Selene's conscience kept nagging at her. Even the bright, sunny day, with the hundreds of birds singing some of their last songs of the season before heading south couldn’t calm it. This is wrong. You can't lie to him if you genuinely love him. You have to come clean, before it's too late.

  But how? Over dinner, simply inform him she could shape shift into anyone, anytime. She seriously doubted that would go over well. He'd think she was insane and then when she proved it to him, he'd think she was a monster or mutant or perhaps something even worse than that.

  It was then that she began to realize exactly what her problem had been all her life. She wasn't an escort just because she loved the money - though she did love the money. It wasn't because she wasn't intelligent enough to do something else. It was because she was afraid of losing the person she loved. As an escort, there was no emotional bond. Dating however, falling in love, meant opening yourself up for hurt, for pain.

  The realization brought her to a standstill, quite literally.

  Seconds later, she heard Anthony skidding to a stop a couple of yards ahead of her. He turned around and walked back to her, a curious look on his handsome features. How she was going to tell him about her, about Simone, she had no idea.

  "Hey." He walked back to her and placed his hand under her chin forcing her to look up at him. "Are you alright? Is it your ankle?" He looked worried, which made her heart flutter.

  She nodded, forcing a smile. "I'm fine."

  He looked unconvinced.

  Reaching out she touched his cheek. "Reall
y. I'm fine."

  He nodded, waiting for her to begin jogging again before he set off behind her.

  * * * *

  During breakfast at the Breakfast Nook, Anthony suggested they spend the rest of the day together. Selene had eagerly agreed. She had cancelled all of her clients’ appointments yesterday afternoon and left the machine on stating she was not accepting any new appointments for the next couple of weeks. She had wanted to be free for Anthony, if things progressed as well as she had hoped they would.

  Once back at his penthouse, Anthony led her to the bathroom off the master bedroom. Reaching up into the bathroom closet, he pulled down a couple of new towels from the top shelf. He passed her one, and kept one for himself to take with him to the other bathroom.

  Selene took his towel from his hands and tossed it to the bathroom counter, along with her own. Stepping up to him, she wrapped her arms around his neck, and pulled his lips down to hers. She took his bottom lip into her mouth, nipping lightly. The desire rose up within her fast and furiously. Selene reached for the bottom of his t-shirt and pulled it up and over his head. She ran her palms up his defined abs and over his muscular chest.

  He smiled, the lust building in his eyes as she lifted her arms in the air signalling for him to rid her of her shirt. He eagerly obliged, tossing it to the black and white tiled floor, on top of his own.

  Wrapping her arms around his neck once more, she pressed her body tight against his, her breasts, still restricted in the red satin bra she was wearing, crushed against his chest. Her lips grazed the side of his neck, kissing lightly, her tongue teasing as she worked her way down to his collarbone.

  He moaned, one hand slipping into her hair, while the other slid under the waistband of her gym pants to cup her bare ass in his hand. He pulled her closer to him; she could feel the size of his erection between the layers of clothing. She couldn't resist rocking her hips against his as she continued to lick, nip, tease her way across his broad chest. Heat began to build, fast and with a shocking intensity. Waves of need coursed through her, from the top of her head and ending with a vibrant pulsing between her legs.

  Lowering her hands from his neck, she let them work their way to the drawstring of his waistband. With a quick tug it came loose and she pushed his gym pants down past his hips and to the floor. The boxer briefs followed suit just as quickly and effortlessly as the pants.

  Taking a step back from him, she took a moment to enjoy the look of him, naked under the fluorescent lighting. Selene's eyes worked their way down his chest, down the defined six pack he had for abs, pausing at his sizable, erect cock, down to his thick thighs and then back up again to meet his eyes.

  He reached for her, but she put a hand out wagging her finger at him.

  Taking another step back, her eyes locked onto him, she reached behind her and unclasped her bra, letting it fall slowly, seductively from her shoulders, arms, and down to the floor.

  "Selene," he whispered, his voice strained, thick from his evident desire. He took a step towards her, but she stopped him once more.

  With the elegant grace of a stripper she made a show of untying the drawstring of her own pants, then slid them, along with the red satin thong she had under them, to the floor. She watched his eyes take in every inch of her, his gaze stopping at her small, pert breasts, down her flat stomach, to her pussy then back up again to meet her eyes once more.

  He attempted to reach for her a third time, but again she stopped him. She smiled at him coyly as she made her way to the double-sized glass shower. Opening the door to the cubicle, she stepped in and turned on the water, adjusting it until it was the perfect temperature, her gaze never leaving his.

  She allowed the warm water to run over her, soaking her naked body and hair. Turning back to him, her body glistened from the water as it cascaded over her, water droplets like small shimmering diamonds sliding down her body. "Come here," she commanded turning her back to him momentarily to snatch up the block of white soap sitting on the ledge behind her.

  Selene gasped as she felt him step up behind her, his engorged cock rubbing against her lower back. She leaned back into him, tilting her head to the side as he leaned down to capture her lips with his own.

  One of his hands wrapped around her waist, his palm flat against her abdomen, holding her back tightly against him, while the other went seeking out the source of her heat. His fingers parted the lips of her pussy and sought their way into her. She let a moan escape her lips as his fingers stroked and teased her, his thumb rubbing her clit.

  Discarding her original plan, she allowed the soap to fall from her fingertips. Reaching back Selene's fingernails dug into his biceps, as tremors began to rock through her.

  His hand left her abdomen to make its way to her chin, tilting it up so his mouth could claim hers once more. She kissed him back, urgently, desperately, her hand finding the hair on the back of his head, losing itself in his dense, dark locks. Her other hand reached between them, grasping his thick, throbbing member. She held tightly to it as she began to stroke him.

  "Selene," he groaned as his mouth left hers and found the side of her neck.

  She let her head fall back onto his chest basking in the feel of his hands, his mouth, the spray of the shower flowing over them. A stream of warm water cascaded around them. Her hand on his cock found a rhythm with his stroking of her. Their hearts beat in synchronous measure.

  She turned her head, her lips meeting his once more. Their tongues duelled as they took each other higher. His body tensed and he groaned against her mouth as he came. Seconds later, the volcano within her erupted, causing her to cry out, as she bucked wildly against him.

  Anthony spun her around to face him, before pulling her tight against him, his lips seeking hers. "I love the way you taste," he murmured his lips grazing hers.

  She smiled up at him amused, the flames of passion still in her eyes. "How I taste?"

  "Umm. Peaches, sweet succulent peaches." While one hand cupped her ass pulling her up against him once more, the other found her breast, his fingertips toying with the hardened nipple.

  She could feel herself growing hot once more, yearning for the feel of his growing cock inside her. The feel of his hot breath on her wet skin sent shivers down her spine. Selene let her head fall back, raising a leg and wrapping it around his waist. She rotated her hips against his, begging his cock to enter her.

  "Not yet," he responded dipping his head to her breast and taking one hard pink nipple into his mouth, as his hand continued to roll the other peak between his fingers.

  "Anthony, please," Selene grasped at his warm wet back.

  He ignored her, his mouth switched to the other breast. His tongue played with the nipple, as her pussy thrust against him, anxiously.

  It was sheer torture of the sweetest kind.

  "Anthony!" Selene exclaimed again, her hands dipping down to his hardening cock, stroking it.

  He lifted his head, a mischievous expression on his face. Holding her thighs he hoisted her up onto his hips, bracing her against the shower wall. He held tight to her as he slid himself into her, slowly. He took his time teasing her, the head of his cock sliding into her just far enough to make her claw at his back, urging him on.

  She reached out and caressed his jaw. "You're being plain evil," she whispered as she lowered her mouth to his.

  She heard him chuckle under her lips, as he kissed her back. He pulled back, his forehead settled against hers, their lips not touching but close enough that their breaths intermingled. "You bring it out in me honey," he replied before thrusting hard and deep into her.

  She gasped as she rocked her hips against him, meeting each of his thrusts. They moved in perfect harmony with each other, looking deep into each other's eyes, as they continued to thrust together. Faster and harder until they were both reaching their breaking point for the second time.

  Seconds before he came into her, he claimed her lips again. She returned the kiss as her body shook and quivered
with an explosion of her own.

  He fell against her, pinning her to the wall, as he pulled his lips from hers. Selene felt the urge to protest when he began to pull himself out of her. She craved the feel of him filling her. She didn't want the feeling to end, dreaded the separation.

  Carefully he backed away lowering her to the ceramic tile floor of the shower.

  Once she had her feet situated securely on the floor, she leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist, holding him tight. She purred as he pulled her close and planted a kiss on the top of her head. She had never felt so safe, so adored, so loved in her life.

  Love?

  Looking up into his eyes, she knew it was true. She was in love, for the first time in her life. She reached out and traced his jaw with her fingertips.

  She wasn't certain how long exactly they stood there looking into each others eyes, but she was quite certain she was seeing the same thing in his eyes that he saw in hers. It seemed too quick, irrational, perhaps foolhardy, but there it was. Neither one spoke of it, but neither one could deny it either.

  The intensity that sparked between them was more than sexual - it was pure unadulterated love.

  Chapter 8

  Anthony admired every inch of Selene, as he lathered her body with the white bar of soap she had dropped earlier. His hands worked slowly, ensuring they touched each and every inch of her silky, glistening body.

  There were a number of times that he had the urge to take her again, especially when her hands moved down on him. He was sure he would lose control, throwing her up against the shower wall once more when her soapy hands found his cock.

  He could hear his cellular phone ringing, but ignored it. There wasn't much that would tear him away from her at that moment. When his home phone started to ring directly after the mobile stopped, he knew he would have to tear himself away. The only time the home phone rang was when there was something urgent going on with the business.

  "I'm really sorry. I have to get that," Anthony looked at Selene hoping she wasn't too annoyed with the interruption. She simply smiled at him and nodded.