Page 81 of My UnTrue Love
“But see back then, Johnny weighed a lot more. So his clothes were bigger. Then he got in shape, when we were in college. And he was going to throw this shirt away, but it actually fits me.That’swhen I got it. My chest has always been --um-- generous.”
That seemed like the most diplomatic way to put it. Her breasts were unfashionably big and there was really no hiding it. Not that she didn’t try, on occasion. For instance, Clem had opted to wear her softest bra to bed, in hopes that Bill wouldn’t notice any untoward jiggling or general unperkiness. She was trying to be more confident about her body, but there were just some grim realities to life and gravity was one of them.
“Ya know, I bet my shirts will fit you just fine.” To his credit, Bill’s eyes stayed on her face instead of sinking lower. “And if they don’t, I’m happy to buy a larger size. Go to the general store and pick out anything you like. My treat.”
“Oh, you don’t have to do that. You already bought me those new boots, with the adorable little spurs on them.” Shesmiled at his generosity, but felt compelled to add, “They still feel a little bit heavy, though. I’m used to wearing sneakers.”
“Boots are much better protection. Leather, metal, wood. High-quality materials to keep you safe from the dangers of the desert.” Bill said absently. He toyed with the edge of her sleeve, a frown wrinkling his brow.
“I have plenty of other nightgowns.” Clem assured him, before he offered to go sew her one. “I just knew this shirt would cover a lot of my body and, since we’re sharing the mattress, I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable.”
“That’s… real thoughtful.” Bill muttered.
He really didnotlike her shirt. She’d had no idea he had such an interest in fashion. He sure hadn’t paid much attention when she tried chasing him in her cutest clothes. And most days Bill just wore old jeans.
He looked great in jeans.
She scooted even closer to him and since she’d already been pretty dang close to him, it meant she was now halfway lying on top of his body. Bill didn’t seem to mind. In fact, he moved his arm to hitch her up higher on his chest. Now, she wasall the wayon top of his body.
His eyes took on a glow. The coyote inside of him was nearer to the surface than usual. Clem could see it peering at her through Bill’s gaze. Instead of frightening her, it made her core clench against a spike of desire.
Bill’s jaw flexed and she got the feeling he was struggling to suppress the shifter part of himself. To keep it hidden.
“You don’t have to do that. I don’t mind seeing your coyote.”
Bill stared at her for a beat. “I don’t wanna scare you.” He finally murmured.
“You won’t. The coyote’s just you.”
Bill swallowed. “Yeah, that’s right.” His hand petted her unruly hair. “It’s all just me.” She saw another animalistic flash of electric blue in his gaze, as if he’d stopped trying to restrain his coyote and was now letting it look straight at her. “And you don’t ever have to be afraid of any single part of me.”
“I’m not.” She reiterated. Clem would never marry someone she was scared of, and she was going to marry Bill.
That was another reason why her plan to strip him naked really should wait. Supporting his emotional well-being was paramount. Obviously. But there was also the matter of scheduling.
Seducing him was a stellar idea and Clem fully planned to implement it. It would be best to approach their romance in order, though: First love, then marriage, and finally sex. Waiting until their wedding night seemed very sweet, and Bill was a very sweet man. He would appreciate that kind of gesture.
“Not all coyotes have control of themselves in their animal-forms.” Bill kept tracing his fingers along her spine. “Especially the young ones. Shifting is when we start to physically mature, because it’s when the other half of us awakens. That’s another reason to be wary of Luke. When his coyote emerges, he’s gonna be fighting the call to go feral.”
“Did that happen to you?”
He cleared his throat and she sensed it was a bad memory for him. “The initial time is hard and I was on my own for it. The aftermath leaves you feeling… possessed. Something new is inyour head and it’s angry. Strong. Driven by instinct. Learning to balance it is a process.”
“I’m so sorry. It must have been terrifying and I know you hate feeling vulnerable.”
“I’m not vulnerable.” He said swiftly.
Clem rolled her eyes, but didn’t press it. “Okay.”
“I’m just telling you what it’s like for young coyotes. We start shifting about Luke’s age and some of us never come back out of it. I kept control, but he might not.”
“Maybe he’s already shifted.”
“Nah. My coyote would know if he was an adult. I figure that’s why I’ve never felt real territorial about Luke living so close to me. Usually, my coyote would be on guard, but it’s always tolerated the kid well enough. His shift is comin’ soon, though, and it’d be real easy for him to slip into wildness. Nothing much is anchoring that boy to civilization.”
“We’ll have to help him through it, then.”
“It’d be safer to stay away from him. I feel like I keep saying that.”
