This is in Tommys POV, just a reminder. And If you would please review, I'd like to know what you think and what you want to happen! Most of all I'd like to know if you like my story so review :) Enjoy!
I lose control, my body pulses and shakes into my human form. It's too late! Fuck!
I hit the ground with a thud, unprepared for the transformation. My breathing is rapid, uncontrolled. What the hell am I gonna do now! In my mind, I'm yelling at myself and racing for the door but in reality I'm paralyzed. But from what? Fear, surprise, or just the fact that I fucked things up, I don't want to leave this girl! Probably all of it.
I stare at the hard wood floor, too afraid to look up. I don't hear anything, not a scream or movement. Suddenly I fear she has passed out. Slowly I tilt my head upwards.
She hasn't passed out; she just stares at me; eyes wide, arms shaking. I expect her to start yelling at me, being that I am a naked man on her floor who used to be a dog. I stand up quickly to try and explain myself, at least try to get her not to call the cops. The sudden movement startles her making her drop the mug onto the floor. It shatters, leaving shards of yellow ceramic in a puddle of black coffee.
She then whispers, "Holy shit." Not quite the reaction I expected. I expected to hear screaming, to curse, I expected her to run.
I try to explain myself, the words come out rushed, "Uh, I'm really sorry, please don't call the cops! I'm not gonna hurt you, I just needed some shelter from the rain. I really don't know how to explain, uh, this…" I motion my hands at my naked form. For a second I thought of moving behind the couch or grabbing a pillow to cover myself, but realize there is no point. I am already bearing all, showing her all that I am: animal and person. There's no longer any veil of protection, this is me and I want her to see.
She continues to stare looking me over. The feeling of her eyes on me, the real me, is amazing. Her shaking slowly starts to subside, her posture begins to relax and she leans loosely against the counter top.
"Please say somethin'!" I plead. I need her to speak to me. Very suddenly she became a very important part of my life, she knows everything. She knows everything! What the hell am I gonna say to momma!
"Umm, I really don't know what to say," She says softly, "who are you?"
The question confused me, it wasn't 'what are you?' I have to think for a moment; struggling to find the words to say as I stare into her deep green eyes. The fear and longing that originally filled them have been replaced with curiosity and a sort of relief, maybe.
"Tommy, my names Tommy. I'm really sorry!" I apologize again, frantically trying to make things right. "I'll just leave."
"I'm Jane." she replies simply. Her voice is smooth and quiet; it has a calming effect on me.
"Jane." I repeat, feeling the sensation of her name on my tongue, memorizing it.
"Ya, just Jane." She says, the words come out sad. She looks down longingly. Then she brings her face back up and looks me in the eyes. She says quietly, "Please don't leave."
"So, you actually want me here?" I ask confused.
"I don't want to be alone anymore." She states, almost matter-of-factly. "Besides, it's cold outside. Well, it's cold in here too. Should I, uh, get you a blanket or something?" With this, a small smile breaks across her face.
"That would probably be a good idea." I smile back. She then drifts off toward an adjoining room, the big white comforter fallowing her the entire way. She comes out holding an old quilt. Then she looks down at the quilt and back up at me and my bare form. I like the way she eyes me, though I'm not sure if it's at my body or my scars, but the look she gives me seems in approval. She shrugs, as if she was responding to her mind, and hands me the quilt. I wrap it around my waist and smile awkwardly.
She sits down on the couch behind her and I sit on its mate. The couches are directly across from each other which almost force us to make eye contact. As I look at her, watch her, she brings her bare legs up onto the couch and wraps them tightly into her blanket.
"I have to ask, what…" she trails off.
"What I am?" I respond. I don't know how I'm going to be able to explain myself.
"Well, ya, but also what happened. Why are you out here?" Her voice is curious, not afraid.
"I, uh, well as for the 'what I am' question, I'm a shifter. That's they call us, well, that's what we call ourselves. I'm not supposed to tell anyone, but seeing as you already found out, I have no choice. And I'm out here because I got angry and ran, I don't know why exactly I am here in this very spot but I'm glad." I grin at her. She continues to look at me and raises her eyebrows.
"You still didn't answer the 'what happened' question." She prods. Then quickly adds, "I'm glad too."
I feel a sensation in my gut that I've never felt before. I guess its acceptance, no, that's not it. Maybe belonging, no it's more than that. I don't know but it feels really good.
I focus and try my best to answer her. "Well, I'm not really sure. I just couldn't stick in my dog form. It's like the look in your eyes called me out, I couldn't let you be alone. To be honest, that has never happened to me before. I mean, it has never happened to me like that before, if I'm drunk or falling asleep staying in another form is difficult."
"Huh, that makes sense I guess. This is all new to me." She smiles at me, but this time it is different. She continues, "Well, what made you run away?"
"I think it's my turn to ask you a question." I state, unsure if I'm ready to tell her everything; unsure if I want her to know about the pain.
"Ok." She replies quietly then buries the bottom half of her face into the comforter.
"Why did you let me stay? And what is with the sad smile?" I question.
"I've been alone for so long, stuck inside this house. Everyone is gone. It's a long story. So the 'sad smile' is because I'm so happy you are here, even if you're a crazy dog person, and I guess the sad part is that I don't want you to leave." She says, her voice full of melancholy.
"I don't have to leave." I say quickly, trying to bring the beautiful smile back to her face. I have to ask her the other question on my mind. "Why are you naked under that blanket?"
She giggles nervously, "How did you know that?"
"Well," I started, trying to think of a way to put it that wouldn't gross her out, "I, uh, can smell you. You know like dogs do." I look back up at her warily.
"Weird." She says quietly, then responds, "Well, you smell like wet dog!" We both laugh at that. Then she continues, "What is the point of getting dressed when you are the only one, when you're alone."
I can see the sadness in her eyes. The room is now filled with darkness, night pouring into the small house. The clock hanging above the oven reads 10:00. Normally I would stay up far past ten but after the long run, my body is exhausted. She seems to read the tiredness on my face.
"Will you stay the night?" She asks with a pleading look on her face. I can't imagine anything better.
"That would be great! You have no idea how great." I respond. Then ask, "Do you want me to sleep out here?"
"Uh, come with me." She says. Then she stands up smoothly and reaches her hand toward me in a way that reminds me of our first meeting.
I stand up and grab her hand gently. She leads me into the adjoining room. It's a small bedroom with pale yellow walls. A big bed sits in the middle of the room, taking up most of its space. The bed has an iron frame holding more blankets. On the opposite side of the room is a stool sitting next to a large window and old furnace. It feels comfortable but still cold.
"The furnace barely works." She states then looks at me cautiously. "Sit down."
I sit obediently. I watch her go around the bed and lay down. It becomes clear, she is offering to sleep in the same bed. My breathing starts to quicken at the closeness of our bodies. I lie down and roll over so that I am facing her. The darkness makes her feel even closer. She faces me and scoots closer so that our bodies are pressed together, the only thing separating us is our blankets. The body heat coming off of her feels so good. Now this close I can feel her body, her breasts pressing against my chest. I try not to get aroused, I can't ruin this, and I need her. This closeness feels just as good. Knowing the person laying next to me now is accepting me for what I am feels so good.
I watch her smile at me and close her eyes. I feel the rise and fall of her breathing slow as she falls asleep. This is where I'm meant to be. I ain't running back to my 'so called' family yet. This is better.
Next chapter is going to get pretty steamy, just a heads up! :)