She Shifters

Natalie checked her body-hugging, nearly see-through leotard, adjusted the cat ears nestled in her mane of tawny gold hair, and dared to smile for what felt like the first time in a year.

From her room’s window in Hotel Eden, she glimpsed the beauty of nighttime in Venice. Lights reflected off the still canals, the occasional motorboat cruised by, barely stirring a wake. A gondola skimmed the inky, black waters, its oarsman guiding a young couple through the watery streets of the ancient city, a deep, otherworldly song echoing off the decaying buildings.

A year ago she’d sat in this room, dressing to go out on the town for a little fun at the annual Carnevale di Venezia. Eager to dance among the elaborately costumed patrons, she’d hurried out her door and down the hallway to what she thought was the exit. Just one wrong turn was all it took to change everything.

With a last glance in the mirror, Natalie picked up her clutch containing a photo of her mother and father and the blood-red ruby ring and letter her grandmother had left to her. She slipped the ring on her finger, recalling the message contained in the letter.

My darling Natalie, as I reflect on my life, I have but one regret—not following my heart. If I could bequeath only one thing to you, it would be the strength to make the right choice in love, even if it means leaving behind all things familiar and safe. The ruby ring is a family heirloom. Some say it is only a ring. I choose to believe it has magical qualities. Wear it with love and let it guide you to your heart’s desire.

Within days of giving her the letter and ring as an engagement gift, Natalie’s grandmother had passed away. Natalie had worn the ring to Italy on a working vacation prior to her wedding. It was in Venice she’d discovered magic, both in her grandmother’s bequest and in the city of love. What she had intended to be a one-week working holiday had changed her life forever.

Engaged to a man patiently awaiting her return to the States, Natalie had been hesitant to accept the gift the ring and Venice had offered. Now, a year later, she prayed she wasn’t too late.

Heart pounding, hands clammy and shaking, she stepped into the hallway and opened the secret, mirrored door. It led down a dark corridor to another door marked Room 307.

Natalie twisted the ruby on her finger, trying to recall exactly what she’d done over a year ago, the precise way she’d touched the ring and then the doorknob to the secret room. With her breath lodged in her throat, she twisted the knob and pushed the door open. Instead of a hotel room, steps led down into an alley.

Natalie descended, leaving the door ajar. If her plan didn’t work as hoped, she’d go home, back to her world, and live the rest of her life wondering what would have happened if she’d been less cautious back then.

Darkness engulfed her, more pronounced than anywhere else in the city. A gas street lamp flickered to life as if beckoning her. Heart thumping, she abandoned the doorway.

She pursued the silhouette, at first moving slowly. Soon she ran to keep pace with the aberration flitting amongst the murky streets.

Several twists and turns later, Natalie lost the mysterious form and slowed to a halt. She stood at the base of a bridge arching over a narrow canal. For the first time, she realized she was completely alone. A cold finger of apprehension slithered down her spine. Had she made a mistake? Was this all a trick?

Trick or not, she had to find her. Had to get back to that magical place that had captured her heart, imagination, and desire. She glanced behind her one last time, squared her shoulders, and crossed the bridge.

Lights and music streamed from an ancient palace, rising up before Natalie. Its Roman columns and gilded frescos spoke of wealth, beauty, and enchantment. The decaying buildings of Venice vanished with the darkness, revealing an island city so bright and beautiful, Natalie’s heart suspended, beating as she drank it all in. Nothing had changed from her previous visit.

She blinked to clear her vision and climbed the steps, lured by music and laughter, her chest swelling with hope and purpose. As she neared the stately doors, they swung open. A gasp slid past her lips as the view below her exploded in an array of twinkling illumination and sound. Beings of different shapes, colors, and sizes glided around a grand ballroom, dressed in every manner of clothing, costumes or nothing at all. Before her lay a sea of creatures both human and not so human, their bodies swaying together to the music filling the cavernous space.

Natalie entered the ballroom from above, her gaze panning the faces of those dancing and talking as they spun around the floor. She searched for one unique face, one that had haunted her memories, reminding her of all she’d walked away from.

After several minutes, Natalie’s excitement waned, and she sighed in frustration. She hurried to the sweeping staircase leading to the ballroom floor. Adjusting the headband holding her cat ears in place, she descended the stairs one deliberate step at a time, her hand sliding down the smooth balustrade, all the while looking for the one.

Had her lover changed? Would Natalie still recognize her? Would she have moved on and found someone else to love when Natalie had gone back to the States?

Natalie’s breathing grew labored, tears wadding like a sock in her throat as she stepped out on the dance floor. She stopped a cat-man gliding by with a smile and a tail that twitched with each step.

“Bella?” The creature looked over his shoulder and pointed. “Near the orchestra. You can’t miss her.”

“Thanks.” Butterflies swarmed Natalie’s belly as she crossed the crowded floor, weaving her way through Carnevale merrymakers. Just when she thought she’d never find her, the crowd parted, and she spotted Bella mingling with a group of revelers, her head thrown back, laughing merrily.

Natalie halted, mouth dry, pulse racing, her mind unable to form a coherent thought but for the incredible beauty standing before her.

Long, pale blond hair hung down around her waist in cascading natural curls. Ice-blue eyes with the strange elongated irises twinkled in the party lights. The fine sheen of hair coating every inch of her supple body glistened like silk. Scraps of a dress she wore barely covered her nipples, hugging her waist and falling to just below the juncture of her thighs, her perky tail flicking gently from beneath.

A tall, lean male with the distinct coloring of a Bengal curled his fingers around her hip. Pulling her against his body, he whispered in her pert, pointed ear.

Natalie’s heart plummeted, her hand rising to touch the fake cat ears mounted on a headband tucked into her hair. How could she compete with the real thing—creatures she’d never known existed and didn’t in the world beyond the mystical bridge?

Natalie tensed, her heart hammering against her ribs. Her breath froze in her throat, waiting for the moment...

Music faded into the background, the people dancing around her blurred, and all Natalie saw was the cat-woman who’d haunted her dreams.

Bella’s hand rose to her chest, her eyes blinked closed, then opened quickly, as if she was afraid what she saw wasn’t real. “Natalie?”

Natalie’s head raised and lowered. Her body quivered. Could it be Bella hadn’t forgotten her? Could she still share the same feelings they’d explored for that incredibly magical week of Carnevale? Hope burgeoning, Natalie moved forward at the same time as Bella.

Bella stopped after only a couple of steps, a frown pulling her pretty brows together. “What are you doing here?”

Her heart plummeted to her belly. Natalie closed the distance, her footsteps faltering, hope and joy evaporating at the flash of anger in Bella’s eyes.

The Bengal who’d been holding Bella a moment ago stepped behind her, his lip curled in a snarl. “What do you want with mia Bella?”

Her belly flipped over the male Bengal’s claim to the beautiful Bella, but Natalie remained firm. “We had feelings for each other...once.” Natalie’s gaze flipped from Bella to the Bengal and back. “Perhaps those feelings were on my part alone.” Head held high, Natalie turned to leave, her heart breaking into a million pieces.

Natalie stood with her back to Bella. “Why? It’s obvious you belong to him. I should have expected someone as beautiful as you would move on after so long. There’s nothing here for me.”

Bella’s hand tightened on her arm. “I belong to no one.” She tugged on Natalie’s elbow. “I choose who I want to be with.”

That desperate spark of hope flared in Natalie’s gut. The hand on her arm reminded her of all they’d shared. She turned to face Bella.

A stab of jealousy pierced Natalie’s heart. “Are you sure you belong to no one?” She leaned backward, tugging her arm loose, praying she wouldn’t break down in front of Bella and the Bengal.

Natalie’s jaw tightened. She was with Bella—the one she loved—a relationship worth fighting for. She couldn’t give up now.

Bella grasped her hand. “Please. Stay. Perhaps my welcome was less than polite. Come, we will find a quiet place to talk.”

Bella hooked Natalie’s elbow and guided her to the end of the ballroom. A corridor branched off, leading deeper into the palace. “Come to my room. We can talk there.”

When Natalie hesitated, Bella moved to stand in front of her, a hand rising to cup Natalie’s cheek. She stared at Natalie with unblinking blue eyes. “When you left, you broke my heart. You can understand my hesitance to give it away again, no?”

Natalie nodded, her gaze straying to the well-muscled Bengal. “You’ve obviously found someone else. Why bother with me?”

Bella raised another hand to trail across Leandro’s chest. “I have much love to give.” She laughed and dragged Natalie down the corridor. “Come, I will show you.”

After climbing several flights of stairs and racing down a long hallway, Bella pushed a door open to a spacious room with lofty ceilings. An enormous bed commanded the center, draped in plush throws and satin sheets.

Throwing her arms out to her sides, Bella danced into the middle of the floor. “See? There is more than enough room in my home and heart for both of you.”

“Then how do you know?” Bella laughed. “A year ago, did you think you’d make love with a cat-woman like me?” Her hands rose to loosen the bow around her neck. The front of her dress fell to her waist, exposing voluptuous breasts, pert nipples pointing tightly. The fine sheen of fur coating her body blended so well with her skin tones, Natalie could barely tell Bella wasn’t human. Memory reminded her of how soft and silky she was.

Her core heated, juices stirring to life. Natalie clenched her tingling fingers and glanced at the cat-man leaning against the door.

“If you want me, you must do as I say.” Bella crossed her arms over her lovely breasts. “Do you want me?”

“Take off your costume and show Leandro how beautiful you are.” Bella’s lips curled, and her eyelids drooped in a secretive smile.

Natalie hesitated, her gaze moving from Bella to Leandro. To prove she was earnest about coming for Bella, Natalie’s hands rose to the neckline of the leotard hugging her body. She tugged the stretchy material over her shoulders and pushed it down to her waist, exposing her nakedness. The cool air of the room wafted across her skin, teasing her nipples to attention.

Leandro stepped up behind Natalie and peeled the leotard down her body. His hands skimmed over her body, down her legs and calves to her feet, where he helped her slide out of her sandals and the outfit.

Natalie refused to look at him, her gaze on Bella. She had no interest in the Bengal, yet his furry hands on her skin made her want Bella even more.

Bella tapped her finger to her chin. “Leandro does not make your blood burn? I am told his touch has inspired birds to sing and cats to purr.”

“I’m not here for him.” Natalie stood naked, her shoulders thrown back, her heart pounding. “I came for you.”

Bella closed the distance between them. “You left me once for a man. How can I be so certain you will not leave me again?” She leaned in and nuzzled Natalie’s neck, sliding upward until their bodies pressed together, breast to breast.

Natalie’s breath caught in her throat, and she fought to keep from reaching out to touch Bella. “I called off my wedding because of you.”

“I’m here, aren’t I?” Natalie went after Bella, grabbed her arm and hauled her back against her, her heart rejoicing at the feel of her silken body. “I came back because of you.”

“That didn’t make a difference the last time we were together.” Natalie’s hands settled on Bella’s hips, all thoughts of Leandro pushed to the back of her mind. She pulled Bella close, the softness of her fur caressing Natalie’s skin. Her fingers convulsed, her pussy creaming.

Bella leaned into her, her long blond hair sweeping across Natalie’s chest. “Our species didn’t matter then.”

“Does it now?” Natalie’s fingers rose up Bella’s sides, luxuriating in the sleek, silky fur. She palmed Bella’s breasts, weighing each before tweaking the taut nipples into tight little buds. “I love your hair, the fine fur coat covering your body, the way your eyes glow in the dark.” Natalie buried her face in Bella’s throat, rubbing her cheek against her neck.

A soft rumbling resonated from Bella’s chest, rising up to escape her lips. “I remember.” She pushed one of Natalie’s hands lower, to the juncture of her thighs.

Joy leaped in Natalie’s heart as she parted Bella’s folds, pressing two fingers into her, swirling in her juices. “You make my blood run hot.”

“I’m sorry.” Natalie cupped Bella’s face in her hands. “I promise never to do it again, if only you let me love you.”

“What about Leandro?” Natalie glanced over her shoulder at the cat-man with the fierce frown creasing his brow.

“If that’s what it takes to be with you, I will.” Natalie waved a hand in Leandro’s direction. “Would you like him to join us?”

“Not now. I want you to make love to me alone.” Bella clutched Natalie’s hand and led her toward the giant bed. “Show me how much you missed me. Perhaps then, I can open my heart to trust you again.”

Bella stopped beside the mattress and faced Natalie. Her furry hands slid across Natalie’s shoulders and over her breasts. She pressed a kiss to Natalie’s collarbone, trailing her lips lightly downward to one distended nipple.

Natalie inhaled deeply, her breasts rising to meet Bella’s coarse cat-like tongue. The roughness made her skin tingle, her nipples beading into tight little nubs. “I love it when you do that.” She cupped the back of Bella’s head and pressed her closer until the cat-woman sucked more of her breast into her mouth.

Every cell in Natalie’s body burst to life. Her hands closed on Bella’s shoulders, and she forced her away. “Get on the bed.”

“But I thought you liked that.” Bella shook her head, her blue eyes glazed, and her pretty pink lips wet and full.

“Too much. I want to make you feel as good.” Natalie walked her backward until Bella’s legs bumped against the mattress and she sat down. Knees draped over the sides, Bella smiled up at Natalie and opened her thighs, dropping to her back on the bed. Her hand skimmed over her belly and down to part her folds, fingering her clit.

A wash of desire burned across Natalie’s chest and spread downward to her core. She wanted to be with Bella in every way imaginable. Her own knees buckled and she dropped to the floor, hooking Bella’s thighs over her shoulders. Then she touched her tongue to the inside of Bella’s legs, the layer of fur thinner there, allowing her to taste the tender skin beneath.

Bella clutched her hair, her hand closing around the fake cat ears. She laughed and tossed the headband to the corner. “You don’t need to be anyone but you, my lovely.”

“Good, because I want only me inside you.” Natalie slid her tongue inside Bella’s cunt, swirling around the walls of her channel, thrusting in and out. She traced the ring of Bella’s ass with her finger and poked inside, mimicking the rhythm of her tongue strokes.

“Oh, my!” Bella’s back arched off the bed, her purring transitioning into squeals as Natalie intensified her assault. By the time Bella climaxed, she would know Natalie wasn’t going to settle for less than forever.

Natalie licked her way upward, pushing Bella’s hands aside and replacing her finger strokes with long, wet caresses, interspersed with nibbles and nips. With one digit in Bella’s ass and her thumb pressing into her vagina, she had Bella crying her name out loud.

“Natalie!” Bella’s body rocked the bed, faster and faster. She drew her knees up, digging her heels into the mattress, her fingers threaded into Natalie’s hair. “There! There! Oh, yesss!” All movement stopped but for the thrusts of Natalie’s tongue. Bella stiffened, every muscle trembling, cum coating Natalie’s thumb.

When Bella fell against the blankets, her golden hair spread out in a silken fan around her, Natalie climbed up beside her and pulled her into her arms. “I came back for you. Do you believe me now?”

“No.” Bella sat up and pushed her hair out of her face. “Not until I show you how much I can love you in return. I will never be able to go with you to the other side.”

“I wish.” Bella touched Natalie’s breast. “I’ve been a bad girl. You two haven’t been properly introduced.”

Natalie tugged the covers over her breasts as Leandro approached the bed. She sat up, clutching the blanket. “Hi.”

Leandro grinned, his gaze sweeping over her. “The pleasure is mine.” He clasped her hand and bent to kiss it.

Bella laughed. “He feels some misguided sense of responsibility where I’m concerned and gets all protective.” She leaned up and touched him, her nakedness not bothering her in the least. “I love him dearly and would gladly share him with you to satisfy your...other needs.”

Natalie frowned, her gaze drifting down Leandro’s torso. “Thanks, but I like what you and I have together.”

With a shrug, Bella drifted back against the pillow and sighed, her hand reaching out to cup Natalie’s breast. “Then let me please you this time.”

Alone at last, the cat-woman sighed. Her fingers drifted across Natalie’s cheek and down the length of her throat. “I’m afraid if I close my eyes, you will disappear again.”

Bella didn’t need more encouragement. Her fingers parted Natalie’s folds, and she stroked her clit. She leaned close and captured Natalie’s lips in a tender kiss. “I’ve missed you more than you can know.” She brought her long, sleek tail up to Natalie’s mouth and drew a line across her lips, dragging the fur downward, following the contours of Natalie’s throat. “I was inconsolable for months.” The tail slid lower, skimming over the swell of Natalie’s breasts, flicking several times over each.

Natalie stopped breathing, the touch of Bella’s tail so erotic she couldn’t suck air into her starving lungs.

“My brother couldn’t cheer me.” Bella captured one of Natalie’s nipples between her teeth and scraped her sharp incisors over the delicate tip.

Natalie’s back arched off the bed, pressing her breast into Bella’s mouth. “I was engaged,” she gasped.

“You made love to me.” Her teeth nipped harder, sending a delicious stab of pain rocketing across Natalie’s nerves.

Bella’s tail brushed beneath Natalie’s breast and across each rib as if memorizing the rise and fall of skin over bone. As the trail edged lower, dipping into her belly button, the short silky hairs tickled.

Bella’s tongue followed the tail’s lead, coarse where the tail had been soft, a titillating contrast that set Natalie’s nerves on fire. She writhed against the sheets, wanting to touch the cat-woman and make her just as crazy.

As Bella worked her way down Natalie’s body, Natalie positioned Bella’s knees on either side of her head, sliding beneath her, urging Bella to widen her legs, dropping her low so that Natalie could tongue the center of her desire.

A single stroke on her clit made Bella jerk and cry out. She captured the cat-woman’s hips, fingernails digging in, pulling the fur-clad body close enough to suck the swollen nub into her mouth. She gnawed on the delicate flesh, savoring Bella’s sweet musky scent.

Teeth grazed Natalie’s folds; sharp claws sank into her thighs, parting them wider. Her tongue snaked out and entered Natalie’s pussy. The coarse texture, as it scraped the slick lining, added to the barrage of overwhelming sensations blowing Natalie away. Longer than a human’s, Bella’s tongue slipped deep inside Natalie.

Natalie’s nails dug into Bella’s hips, holding her steady, as she tongued her clit. The pretty cat-woman bucked and thrashed above her as waves of lust washed over Natalie, pushing her higher to that tingling explosion of the most magnificent orgasm she’d ever experienced.

Her body pulsing with the aftershocks, Natalie drifted slowly back to earth, in a bed with Bella, not flying high among the stars. “I didn’t know you could do that,” she whispered.

Bella collapsed beside Natalie, her hand resting on Natalie’s mons. “I didn’t know anyone could make me feel so complete.”

Natalie lay for several long minutes, spent, too tired to move. She wanted to say so much, to tell Bella of all that had happened since they’d last seen each other, but she couldn’t find the energy. Time was on their side. Natalie would never cross over the bridge again. Her heart and home was with Bella. She knew it now; she’d known it a year ago, even as she’d re-entered her own world.