Lee Pearce - Shapeshifters Craving

Shapeshifters Craving

Lee Pearce

Kate, shapeshifter and royal princess, has fallen in love with her bodyguard, Aidan, a man with the perfect body built to defend and love her at any cost. Aidan has been encouraging Kate to accept her shifter future and settle on one form. During a storm, Aidan accidentally shows his true form to her. Now Kate must decide if her love is strong enough to accept Aidans true heritage.

An Elloras Cave Romantica Publication

www.ellorascave.com

Shapeshifters Craving

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Shapeshifters Craving Copyright 2010 Lee Pearce

Edited by Helen Woodall

Cover art by Syneca

Electronic book publication March 2010

The terms Romantica and Quickies are registered trademarks of Elloras Cave Publishing.

With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written permission from the publisher, Elloras Cave Publishing, Inc. 1056 Home Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.

Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without the publishers permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000. (http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of copyrighted material. Your support of the authors rights is appreciated.

This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are productions of the authors imagination and used fictitiously.

Shapeshifters Craving

Lee Pearce

Dedication

I dedicate this book to anyone who has been tempted by someone from the other side.

Acknowledgement

Thank you to my parents, Gwen and Bill, and all their bridge friends who continue to encourage my endeavors.

Chapter One

The hot summer sun beat down on her sweaty body as Kate lay at the edge of river during an afternoon of swimming with her sisters, brothers and their bodyguards. They made a large, noisy group, splashing in the river, running up and down the grassy shore, diving from a raft someone had shoved out into the middle of the river. It was a riotous group except for one man, Aidan, her own bodyguard, who swam a little away, keeping to himself but every once in a while glancing up in her direction, his brown eyes sparkling.

Soooo? When are you going to tell us all about him?

Kate glanced at her older sister, her mind dazed from watching Aidan swim. What do you mean, Elise?

Aidan continued to stroke across the river, somersaulted beneath the surface and stroked back. His large muscled arms and shoulders moved in such a fluid manner that he appeared one with the water. His body glistened in the sun.

You know, Elise said. How he is, uh, out of his swim trunks?

We havent been together that way, Kate said.

Is it because of your shifting? Elise asked. I thought he knew.

He knows, Kate said. I dont think he likes me in that way.

Kate, hes your bodyguard, Elise said, He has to obey you. What are you afraid of?

Nothing. Kate stood, moved off the blanket and turned to stare at her sister. Still young, Elises body showed the gentle curves that hinted at the beautiful woman she would become. She was now on her second bodyguard and enjoyed talking about how she used him at night as well as during the day.

Kate glanced down at her own body, the form-fitting bathing suit showing teacup-sized breasts, a small waist and slim hips. She thought herself shaped more like a boy than a woman. No wonder Aidan had not yet approached her to spend time together at night. He must not see her as a woman. Just the thought of his hands touching her body made her breasts tingle. Her sister continued to giggle. She wouldnt get any more serious conversations out of her so Kate turned around and walked to the rivers edge.

Aidan had started another lap across the river. The water coursed over his broad shoulders and down his spine to churn over his buttocks and long legs. His was a body made for swimming.

Maybe he didnt like the idea that she could change into an animal at any time. Maybe that was what kept him from touching her. Or maybe the fact that she hadnt yet chosen her animal shape. At twenty years, she should have chosen by now. She was late by her familys standards. Her sisters and brothers had chosen by their mid-teens. She couldnt help it. She liked being able to change into whatever she felt likea bird or a cat or whatever suited her mood.

Kate waded into the river until it swirled around her thighs. She waited for Aidan to finish his lap. As he did his somersault, she dived into the river, swimming to the bottom of the riverbed where she sat on the sand and watched him pass overhead. His powerful strokes sent pulses through the water massaging her body. She could imagine his hands instead and felt an ache grow in her stomach. She heard the dull whomp each time his arm sliced the water.

As he passed overhead, he suddenly bent his upper body and kicked down toward her. He dropped in front, his feet lightly touching the sandy bottom, and reached out to grab her arms. She blinked at him and let a few air bubbles escape. He looked at her, puzzled, then understanding came across his face. His hands traveled down and took her hands, grasping them lightly. He pointed upward and she nodded. They both pushed off the bottom and rose, letting the current pull them downstream.

They burst above the surface. She could see her brothers, hands shading their eyes, standing at the edge of the river. Allen, her youngest brother, waved madly in their direction. She waved back to show nothing was wrong.

They are worried, Aidan said, still holding her hands but down at his side so that she had to float very close to him, sometimes bumping chests and legs when the current pushed at them, making her body tingle . We should go back. But instead of making motions to swim to shore, he continued to hold her tight.

They can see were fine, she said, her breath coming in short gasps. With his body so close, she felt the spot between her legs pulsing. Why dont we just drift for a little while?

He released one of her hands and they floated onto their stomachs. Still holding her close to his side, they stroked through the water, mostly to keep themselves over the deep part so that they wouldnt scrape along any submerged rocks. The river wound its way around her fathers large island estate and eventually led out to the sea. The forest thickened on either side and tree branches drooped over the river, creating shady caves in the hot afternoon sun. Brightly colored birds hopped out on the branches, crying out shrilly, as if wondering who these strange creatures were floating by.

She took a deep breath and didnt dare to look up at him. Might as well find out now if he was as attracted to her as she to him. Aidan.

Yes, Princess?

The sound of his calm voice made her pulse race. Why are you here?

To keep you from drowning.

She looked up now, saw a smile playing at his lips and relaxed a little. This was the playful Aidan she had grown to know.

What were you told when you took this job?

He smile widened. That even though you are a headstrong, stubborn, spoiled girl, I was to watch over you, keep you safe and obey you to the best of my ability.

She smiled. He always knew how to make her feel good. And do you like your job?