Life, Kat realized, wasn't easy when you were strapped to a timer. With careful calculations, she had to estimate every bit and piece of every minute until "showtime", aka, her date with Magnus. Yes, she'd barely made it home before he texted her. Bella, being the godsend that she was – and because cats didn't have opposable thumbs – she'd texted him back with a time and date for their next meeting.
That too had gone well and with Kat feeling bold, she'd invited him back to their place. Or Bella's actually since it was her Hut. And that's when the annoyance with the timer really kicked in. Sure, going from not being able to be human at all to at least have the choice to be human was greatly appreciated. But being human for only 6 hours at the time before being forced into cat-form again made cooking, cleaning, getting ready, and still having time to show up for the date, an extremely tricky task.
Thank God for magical furniture!
Sure, it was like living in The Beast's mansion with all the things moving around all the time – when customers weren't in, that was. And yeah, sometimes Kat could have sworn that the Hut was better housetrained than its owner! – but they were amazing appliances. Doing everything Bella ordered them to, they'd whisked up a perfect steak and broke out a bottle of red wine. Keeping her style in mind, Bella also put together an outfit for the night – a simple knee-length black dress with a keyhole neckline that left just enough for the imagination to wander, and barely an inch red heels along with it. Kat had barely stepped out of the shower before the furniture rushed her over to the makeup table and transformed her bland face into---
"Bland?" Bella scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Kat! You're beautiful even if you're too modest to admit it, which is cute and all. But when you got a heart of gold too, you become the most gorgeous person no matter what setting you're in."
Kat laughed and blushed at the same time at the compliment. Because sure, she wasn't ugly by any means, but she had noticed that her self-esteem wasn't what it once was. Especially not when she thought back on the beautiful alpha blond, that had shown up at Magnus's home the other night. That made her feel like the ugly duckling in comparison…
But Alpha bitch wasn't his mate!
She was! And while that filled her with equal delight and dread, she wasn't going to let a stupid curse get in her way. Or Alpha Barbie. Or the fact that she was living with a wanted criminal, who---
Yeah, best not to think about all the obstacles between them.
"We just need something to put it all together," Bella grinned and--- and then broke out some of her family's heirlooms!
"Have you completely lost your mind?!" Kat exclaimed when she saw the red rubies earrings and matching silver bracelet. "I can't wear that!"
"Why not?" Bella asked indignantly and without waiting for permission, slipped the bracelet and earrings on. "It's not like I can take them out with me, whenever I go out. I'd be robbed and killed in an ally somewhere."
That was true. Bella may have hated parties back in her time, but in the 21st century, she thoroughly enjoyed going out and getting her "boogie" on. Not that she did that a lot – she still preferred a quiet corner to read to a room full of people – but if she went out she liked the dance clubs and bars, with unlimited alcohol and people letting go of all of their inhibition.
Tonight, she was going out so that Kat could have the place to herself, and just like her friend, she was dressed for the occasion. A red dress clung to her curves like a second skin, revealing only one shoulder and stopped just short of her thighs. Black, gladiator stilettoes made her already long legs go on forever and the smokey-eye makeup made her baby-blue eyes pop like sapphires.
Now she looked like she was ready to conquer the world.
"I'm off," Bella announced as she picked up a big fur coat – fake fur because: shifter in the house! – and dropped her phone, credit card, and makeup into her pockets. "Don't do anything I couldn't do."
"There's nothing you wouldn't do," Kat replied with a grin before hugging her goodbye.
"Exactly," Beall replied with a wink and left. Kat shook her head, but not in disbelief. Because there literally wasn't anything Bella wouldn't do. Have sex in a dark alley? Yep. Drugs and alcohol? One of each, please! Hell, that the woman hadn't been in a serious accident was nothing short of a miracle. Sometimes Kat felt like the mom letting her young, rebellious teenager out the door. But Bella was a grown woman and had to be responsible for her own actions.
"OK, Hut," Kat said, turning to the furniture that had gathered behind her, almost seeming eager to please. "When Magnus arrives, I need you to pretend that you're all ordinary furniture, ok? That means no moving around and staying in one place all night." She could have sworn that the appliances made a sad sigh at that, and slowly dragged their feet back to their original spots. Instantly, she was struck with guilt, and she felt bad for sending them away like some scolded pets.
"Please don't be sad," she continued, despite it being stupid. Bella had ensured her that the Hut didn't have "feelings" but was infused with magic that was meant to help and assist a witch. And sometimes that magic came across almost life-like but was no more animated than her cellphone. Still, her phone didn't answer her commands or seemed to drag its feet, when it was no longer needed…
"It's just for a little while and---," she continued, just as there was a knock on the door. Her heart leaped in her chest and knots formed in her belly. Her skin tingled and she felt heat rise to her cheek. Oh god! She hadn't felt like this since high school and her date was picking her up for prom. Giddy, she skipped to the door, but before she opened it, she checked on the furniture to make sure that everything was in place. They were all stationary, check. Then she checked her pendant, to be certain that she had enough time. 5 and a half hours – damn! Bella knew how to work more magic than she realized! Finally, she took a deep, centering breath before opening the door.
Magnus looked magnificent!
He'd downed on a white shirt that clung to him in all the right places, and with the top button undone, there was just the perfect amount of skin and chest hair on display. Dark jeans hung low on his hips and his favorite leather jacket smelled like everything she loved about him.
Pure masculinity and the scent of pine.
"I hope I'm not putting anyone on the street for the night," he asked in that "all innocent" voice of his, gesturing behind him. "I think I just saw your roommate leave. Is everything alright?"
"We're all good," she reassured him and stepped aside so he could enter. "She was the one who offered to leave so we could have the place to ourselves for the night."
"Good," Magnus replied with a nervous chuckle. "I want to keep seeing you, but I also don't want to piss off a voodoo-witch."
Kat laughed--- and then realized that if Bella wanted to hurt him, she wouldn't need anything "voodoo" to do it. A lock of his hair did the trick just fine and he'd be in pain like he wouldn't even be able to imagine.
Good thing that Bella was already "Team Magnus"…
Kat led him through the small shop and into the apartment in the back. The shop wasn't lit much after closing hours, but just like the original Hut, their apartment was warm and inviting. The mismatching rugs, the overstuffed bookshelves, and all of the modern appliances, that had been magically procured in a wide variety of colors… Kat hadn't really thought about it before, but despite it looking like a unicorn's dream, the deep calming mahogany TV table, and the brownish/yellowish sand wood floors… It all sort of went together in a way that you didn't expect but loved once you got used to it.
"Let me guess," Magus drawled as he took in the place, and glanced at her with a wry smile. "It was your roommate who decorated the place?"
"How could you tell?" she teased him back, sensing he wasn't judging her or making fun of her. Just acknowledging that this was different. "Yeah, Bella goes all the way no matter what she gets into. It takes some getting used to but it's easy to like once you get into it."
"You like this?" he asked, looking through the selection of books. Kat looked around the place with new eyes. She'd always respected the place as her "home", but in a way, it was always Bella's place. She spent most of her human-form time here, but if she had to settle down, what would she do to a place she called her own?
"I think it's the magic of the place that makes it perfect," she said honestly and turned her eyes back to Magnus. "I don't have what it takes to pull this look off, so no." Then she gestured down the hall. "There are two rooms down that way. Take a look and see if you can guess which one is mine."
"Why, Kat," he purred, the mischievous glint in his eyes making him look every bit the predator he was, as he shortened the distance between them. "Are you trying to get me into your bedroom already? And I thought the date would end in there."
It took a few seconds to register what he'd said, and then she blushed a million shades of red.
"It's-it's--- not, I mean, no! I don't! I mean I didn't---," she spluttered and tripped over her words. But luckily, he saved her from future embarrassment when he brushed his knuckles over her chin, silencing her with a single touch. She shivered as the sparks that leaped across her skin seemed to solidify their connection even more. Without even thinking she leaned into his touch and wondered – not for the first time – if she was the only one who felt this? Felt only alive when he touched her and cold when he wasn't close.
Did he feel that he was her soul mate?
"Kat…," Magnus suddenly rasped low. His voice was so thick with desire it sent a shiver of lust straight to her clit, making her throb with need. She gasped in a breath from the suddenness of it all and--- and as if sensing her need, his lips took hold of hers.
Who needed oxygen when you could get kissed like this?
It was the only thing that ran through Kat's mind right then. If even that crossed her mind and wasn't just something that crossed her mind after. Because the way he devoured her made her feel like she wasn't just being kissed, but given a taste of what it could be like when he was going to fuck her. His tongue slid against hers, sucking and nipping on her lips like she was what he'd come to taste this night.
His hands flexed on her hips, pulling her closer. And with that, the hard bulge in his pants rubbed perfectly against the throbbing sensation between her legs, forcing her to experience more sensations than she'd ever gotten from her best vibrator. Mewling out a strangled sigh of relief and an erotic moan, she more felt than consciously let her fingers slide up his chest. The hard plates of his chest flexed under her touch, and she was delighted when he let out a strangled grunt of approval.
So, he wasn't all the way unaffected by her touch?
Feeling bold, she pushed her hips forward, reeling in the sensation that the friction created. He let out a mix between a grunt and a sigh, releasing her lips--- only to explore her sensitive neck with more of his kisses. She knew she was going to feel and see some of those harsh nips in the morning, but right now, she didn't care. She wanted to give herself to him. And for a shifter, there was only one way to do that…
She tilted her head, giving herself over to him and exposing her throat to her mate. A growl reverberated in his chest, making her fingers tingle. But it was his rasped, low word that was her real reward. Because the one word he growled, was a resounding "MINE!"
Her back hit something hard and she felt his hand roam down her body. She felt him hike up the fabric of her dress and---
And panic slammed into her like a bucket of cold water. Sure, she'd gone to first and second base with a guy. She'd even let him go down on her and she'd gone down on him. Of course, that "guy" did have ulterior motives in letting her keep her virginity, but there was no way she was ready to go a "home run" with Magnus.
Mate or not – she wasn't ready!
"Magnus," she breathed, pressing her palms against his chest. "I---"
She wasn't sure what she was going to say. And while she knew it wasn't her strength that made him back away, he did so anyway.
"Too fast?" he asked, his voice breathless and she realized that they were both panting hard. For mates, no. This wasn't fast. This was the opposite of fast, actually. If she had her shifter abilities and he'd recognized her on sight, they would have already been mated by now. They wouldn't have gone on a single date, not waisted a single second, because they both would have known that they were meant to be; for life.
But there was nothing "ordinary" about this…
"No, it's not that! It's--- I-I've never…," she stuttered, trying to find the right words to tell him, but couldn't find them. So she blurted the first thing that crossed her mind: "I don't have much experience with men. As in none at all."
He stilled for a second, before he took a step away from her, looking at her with a mixture of awe and surprise. Humiliation and embarrassment welled up in her and she felt the redness spread over her entire face. Hell, at this rate she wasn't going to need the oven to heat their dinner – her cheeks were warm enough to heat the entire complex.
Did he now think she was some kind of picky freak? That she was a loser? That she was too inexperienced for his taste? That she wasn't worth the bother---? And while those thoughts assaulted her, her mind manifested an angry counterpart, that bristled at those thoughts. Well, excuse her for not being a total slut back in high school. And that by the time she was ready to move forward with her college boyfriend, he was trying to sacrifice her so he could immortal life. She'd waited for her mate - for him damn it, and if he was going to make fun of her for it, she could just as easily show him the door!
"Wha---erm… H-how?" he stuttered, before slightly shaking his head as if that would help him think clearly. "I mean, you're beautiful."
He looked at her again and--- and to her stunned surprise, he wasn't looking at her with anything but tenderness and--- and was that a little male pride glinting in his eyes? Like she'd just told him something that pleased him immensely?
Damn alpha male shifters…
"I mean…," he chuckled nervously and ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "I'm not doing this very well, am I?"
"Complimenting me?" Kat countered, despite feeling hot with embarrassment, she hadn't forgotten his words. "I don't mind. In fact, keep doing it and it will score you plenty of points."
"What I meant to say was," he tried again, this time stepping closer and once again letting his fingers grace her cheek. "How is it possible that guys weren't worshiping at your feet all your life? You're stunning…"
Oh, he was good!
And when sis gaze raked over her, it made her body shiver with need. But for more than one reason, she couldn't give in.
"Never met the right guy, I suppose," she replied with a shrug, feeling a little more relaxed now. "My resume mostly consists of a jerk, a liar, and the one who forgot to mention his other crazy-ass girlfriend." It was the closest thing she could get to the truth, and the last thing she needed was more lies between them. "Then I was just put off dating and meeting other guys, until…"
Until I met you, she was just about to confess but took it back at the last second. That was probably taking it one step too far and would definitely make her sound like the "crazy-ass girlfriend". And without even thinking, she plowed ahead: "Anyway, I'm--- this isn't my natural element. Flirting, that is. And---"
Oh lord!
Who needed a crazy past, lies, and a curse when they had projectile word-vomit like she had?
"Open mouth and insert foot," she groaned and hid her face in her hands, feeling herself grow impossible hotter. "I'm so sorry! I just blurted all that out. I---"
Before she knew what was happening, his fingers gripped her chin and tilted her head upwards. He brushed his lips in a light caress against hers, making her moan at the sensation it spread throughout her body. But instead of taking her obvious invitation, he stepped back, glancing down at her with eyes rimmed with gold.
"No, you will open that lovely mouth of yours for me one day, sweetheart," he said, and the promise in his voice made her hot and heavy for a whole other reason entirely. "And I'll feel those lovely red lips of yours taking every inch of me. One day, love. Soon."
Soon? Like now, soon?
Because with a promise like that, Kat found it hard to breathe. Hell, her keens were already flexing to bend, wanting to go down on him so badly, she ached. She wanted to know what other parts of him tasted like. To know what other parts of him would feel like.
Inside her…!
But instead of taking her up on her silent offer, he just leaned closer. And instead of claiming her lips, he just brushed them against her cheek; she could feel him smiling when he whispered in her ear.
"Don't worry, Kat," he said, his breath sensually fanning her earlobe. "I can take things at your pace. Because I know, you'll be worth the wait."
Suddenly feeling it harder to breathe normally, she was glad for the reprieve of his closeness, when he pulled away from her and pulled her away from the kitchen counter that he had her pressed against.
"It doesn't bother you?" she breathed, her mind still whirling with everything that had just happened. "That I'm a virgin?"
"No," he replied, shaking his head for emphasis. "I want you. All of you. Waiting will only make it that much sweeter when you're ready for me."
Ok! She was officially in love!
Because if that wasn't the sweetest, most endearing thing she'd ever heard. And yeah, he might just be a silver-tongued devil, but there was something in his eyes and she just knew he was telling her the absolute truth. He'd wait for her. Until Kingdom come if necessary.
Because they meant something…
"Now," she continued and gave her a wry smile. "Didn't you have something for us to eat?"
Eat? Food?
Wait---!
"Shit!" She hissed, and jumping away from the counter, she hauled ass over to the stove--- and let out a relieved breath, when she realized that the appliance had turned itself off, so the food wasn't burned.
"Thanks, oven," she whispered, and she could have sworn, the thing winked at her. Grateful, she took out the medium-rare steaks with sweet potatoes and turned to her mate. Magnus smiled at her – looking like he wanted to eat her instead – and while that wasn't happening, she still had a feeling that tonight was going to be a night to remember.
They ate and chatted and after dinner, he even helped with the dishes, despite that they had a washing machine. He was witty and forward, two things she really liked about him. And best of all, he never made her feel like she was pressured into anything. The way he held her was intimate, but not suggestive or pushing for more. When he brushed against her, he let her know how much he needed her but respected her space.
It was the most delicious torture she'd ever experienced.
Because despite being nervous about her first time it wasn't just a question of her willingness. She had a curse to get rid of and ready or not, it had to be done on a full moon. And by that time, she also had to tell him the truth. But as it turned out finding the right time to tell your mate – who couldn't feel that you were his soulmate – that he had to pop your cherry and mate you at the same time… Yeah, the right time to bring that up never really seemed to come. And as fate would have it, it wasn't really a subject that just popped up in a casual conversation either, so there was that. Not to mention that she'd already proven she was an expert at procrastination…
"There's a TV in my room," she said, nervous and not sure what to say with him being this perfect gentleman. "Want to watch a movie?"
"So we are ending this in your room?" he immediately jumped on the chance to tease her. But jumped away when she tried to slap him with a dishtowel. "Just kidding," he teased, grabbing the towel and pulled her closer. "And I'd love to."
His lips brushed against her again, making her knees feel like jelly. But before she could deepen the kiss – or demand something outrageous, like help her come all over his face – he pulled away and took her hand in his.
"Lead the way," he said and while every feminine fiber in her body screamed in protest, Logical Kat pulled herself together and took him down the hall to her bedroom.
On the way there they passed Bella's room--- and abruptly stopped, when Magnus suddenly backtracked a few steps, glancing at---
"What happened there?" he asked with worry in his voice and his eyes wide, as he watched what was right in front of him. Kat followed his gaze--- and paled when she realized what it was. Bella's room was crazy messy on a good day, not even her magical furniture's were able to keep up with her clutter. But today, it actually managed to take the cake, considering the enormous number of boxes that littered the room from basically top to bottom.
"That…erm," Kat tried to explain, quickly making up an excuse that didn't pain her friend like some kind of weirdo. "Belongs to my roommate. She---"
But how the hell did she explain this? Truth was, that she had shown Bella how the TV-remote worked a few days ago, before she turned back to a cat. And while she was in 12-hours cat-form, Bella had found the infomercial channel.
And decided that she needed one of everything!
It had been a nightmare to deal with! Luckily most of Bella's knickknacks from the 17th century were worth several thousand dollars now so she luckily got them covered. But Kat then had to have a long, long talk with her new witch friend about not falling for ads and commercials.
Which then suddenly struck her with an idea!
"She does commercials," she exclaimed as a way to explain the mess. Magnus nodded, accepting the idea and she got to drag him to her room. They both settled onto her bed and while he chose a movie for them to watch, she once again found herself wondering if he truly was ok with all of this. She didn't want to be a tease just to frustrate him. And while he hadn't made an inappropriate move towards her since then, she'd noticed that he had to adjust the front of his pants more than once that night.
"You sure, you're not disappointed that we're not doing anything else?" she asked, glancing up at her mate. But he just smiled and kissed the top of her head.
"I'm with you," he said, low and husky. "That's all I need."
Relieved when she sensed the truth in his voice, she leaned into him and while the movie played – she had no idea what she was watching! – she relished in the feeling of being with the person meant just for her…