Heart of the Jaguar

by Katie Reus

  Right now was all about pure pleasure.

  Her paws pounded against the soft earth, crunching over fallen leaves and sticks until she finally reached her destination. The small cabin was rarely used, and they never kept the doors locked. There was nothing of value in it.

  After bounding up the short set of stairs, she shifted to her human form. Adrenaline pumped through her at lightning speed. Turning, she scanned the dark forest but didn’t see anyone. She knew he was there, though. His earthy scent tickled her nose and she could practically feel that hot gaze on her, tracking her entire body from head to toe. Her lower abdomen clenched at the idea of him watching her.

  Grinning into the darkness, she reached out behind her and grasped the door handle. It opened with a slight snick. She left it open and disappeared inside. It wouldn’t take him long to find her. With his extrasensory abilities, he’d be able to track the scent of her desire from a mile away.

  * * *

  Elias silently crept up the stairs of the cabin. He’d shifted to his human form in the woods and was now tracking Cindy in that shape. He was beyond surprised she didn’t want to talk first, but that was fine with him. They could talk in the morning. He hadn’t realized it at first because the feeling had been so intense, so powerful, but this was definitely the mating call. From the time he was young he’d been taught that if he ever did find his true mate, the hunger would slam into him without warning and he’d just know.

  It stunned him since they were different species, but his own friend had just mated with a jaguar, so what the hell did he know. None of that stuff mattered. He could choose to ignore it—hell, they both could—but he didn’t plan to. Why would he? Finding a mate was so damn rare he’d resigned himself to never settling down anyway. He couldn’t tell if she understood what this pull was between them, because she didn’t want to talk.

  His entire body was aching with the need to touch and stroke the soft curves of Cindy’s body. When she’d stripped like that, his brain had short-circuited and he’d lost the ability to talk.

  Her scent called to him on the most primal level. As he strode through the cabin, he didn’t bother turning on lights. There was a small kitchen, a living room and a hallway that he guessed led to bedrooms.

  Stepping into the hallway, he inhaled deeply as her scent wrapped around him. A few steps and he stood in the doorway of a bedroom. Stretched out on a soft-looking patchwork quilt, Cindy was completely bare. Her dark brown nipples were beaded tightly and her breathing was shallow and uneven as she watched him.

  The blinds of both windows were open, letting the moonlight stream in unfettered. With her long hair spread out around her and the light illuminating her, she looked like a pagan offering.

  All for him.

  A low, territorial growl built in his throat. Wordlessly he crossed the short distance to the queen-size bed. Her breathing increased, and that potent scent of hers intensified until it was all he could smell.

  Even though she was stretched out, obviously willing and into this, there was something completely vulnerable about her expression. He could see the nervousness in her dark eyes as it battled with the need emanating from her.

  As he kneeled on the bed, he stilled instead of covering and claiming her the way his body demanded. “We’ll go as slow as you want and stop whenever you want.”

  At his words, she propped herself up with her elbows. “I’m not going to want to stop,” she whispered.

  He could scent the truth of her words, but that damn vulnerability on her face cut into him. They didn’t know anything about each other with the exception that they both desperately desired the other, but he could still see how much it was taking for her to lay herself open like this.

  Keeping his movements steady was a strain on his control, but he slowly crawled up her body. Her thighs fell open, welcoming him, and he swallowed hard. If this truly was the mating call he felt, he was going to make sure she came before he pushed inside her. He had to prove he could satisfy her.

  Covering her body with his, he shuddered as she wrapped her arms and legs around him. Her body was soft, welcoming and, right now, all his. She might look delicate, but he could feel the underlying strength in her as one of her hands gripped the back of his head. She pushed up to meet his mouth with hers.

  Their lips and tongues clashed in a frantic dance, his teeth nipping and tugging her bottom lip as she moaned and writhed beneath him. She tasted sweet, like the wine she’d sipped earlier. As her back arched, her breasts rubbing against his chest with each movement, his cock jerked against her abdomen. It would take only a few seconds to push right into her. He’d get to feel that tight sheath wrapping around his cock, milking him. Of course, that would make him a complete asshole.

  Slow it down, he ordered himself.

  Somehow, he drew his head back from hers. Her eyes fluttered open and she watched him, unsure. “What’s wrong?”

  “Not a damn thing, sweetheart. I just want to make sure you’re ready.” Did he ever.

  “I’m more than ready,” she practically snapped, her voice trembling with need. “It’s been two...” Her eyes widened a fraction as she trailed off and snapped her mouth shut.

  He reached between them and cupped one of her breasts. They were small but full and round. Gorgeous. Holding her gently, he strummed a thumb over her hard nipple. A shudder rippled through her body, her legs tightening around him. He loved that she reacted so strongly to his slightest touch. “Two what?”

  “Nothing,” she whispered.

  He stopped his thumb.

  Frowning, she arched into his hand, clearly trying to force him to move. “Don’t stop.”

  He shook his head at her demanding tone and desperation, a grin tugging at his lips. “Answer me first. What were you going to say?”

  Giving an exasperated sigh, she rolled her eyes. “Two years.” Her shaky voice belied her attitude.

  Two years? He didn’t know how that was possible, but he wasn’t going to question her. He was just glad she’d chosen him. He could tell the admission bothered her, so he dipped his head and sucked one of her nipples into his mouth. Hard. He didn’t want her thinking right now, just feeling how good things could be between them.

  She let out a gasp that quickly turned into a long moan as she threaded her fingers through his hair. Gripping him tight, she writhed beneath him, letting out the most beautiful sounds. Lord, it sounded as if she was practically purring.

  And he hadn’t even gotten started.

  Cupping her other breast, he began stroking that nipple in slow, rhythmic little circles as he tugged on her other one. He kept the pressure harder with his mouth but gentle with his fingers.

  If her squirming and panting was any indication, she loved it. The scent of her desire grew even stronger, and he knew she had to smell his own. There was no way in hell to hide it even if he’d wanted to.

  “I could come just like this,” she panted, rolling her hips and rubbing her wet slit along the length of his cock.

  Hell, he could too if she kept talking like that. All his muscles pulled taut in restraint. It would be so easy to slide into her, but not yet. Continuing his teasing on her breast with his mouth and teeth, he reached between them and drew his finger down her slit. He briefly teased her opening, but instead of penetrating, he slid his finger back up and circled her clit with her own wetness.

  “Oh...” She trailed off in a string of incoherent words. He couldn’t believe how sensitive she was. When she came the first time tonight, he wanted to taste it.

  Though he hated pulling away from her sensitive breasts, he slid down the length of her lithe body. She let out a frustrated moan until she realized what he was doing. Kneeling between her spread legs, he was still lightly circling her clit with his finger. The little bud was swollen, and each time he rubbed it she let out a purring sound that was driving him crazy.

  When he shot a glance at her face, he realized her eyes were closed and her expression was
one of pure bliss. Well, he could make this so much better. Dipping his head, he captured the bud with his mouth and began stroking the sensitive bundle of nerves with his tongue harder and faster.

  Her fingers slid into his hair again as she grasped him tight. The more she moaned things like, “oh yeah” and “just like that,” the faster he stroked his tongue against her. When he could feel the trembling in her body increase and he realized she was about to climax, he slid a finger into her wet sheath.

  She let go.

  Her fingers dug into his head as her inner walls clenched tightly around him, milking him harder and harder as her climax punched through her. As she slowly came down from her orgasm, he withdrew his fingers but didn’t move away. He dipped lower, continuing to stroke his tongue along her slit as he tasted her climax. It was sweet and he knew he’d never taste anything so wonderful in his life again. Something possessive clicked inside him. Something he’d never thought to experience, though he did all the same. He wanted to claim her and learn every little thing there was to know about this woman. Her secrets, her dreams. Everything.

  Finally he lifted his head to find her watching him through heavy-lidded eyes. Her dark gaze was practically sparking with hunger. Taking him by surprise, she pushed at his shoulders until he rolled onto his back. She couldn’t have moved him unless he wanted to, but he definitely wanted to see what she had in mind. He was desperate to feel her around him, to find release in her sweet body.

  Grinning wickedly, she quickly straddled him. “Now it’s your turn.”

  Chapter 3

  Stretching his arms above his head, Elias let out a satisfied groan as he opened his eyes. Sunlight streamed in from the open windows, warming his face and naked body. Rolling over, he went to pull Cindy to him and realized she wasn’t there. He was surprised he hadn’t heard her get out of bed, but they’d made love five—no, six times—last night. He couldn’t remember being so worn out.

  Or satisfied.

  Swinging his legs off the bed, he sat up and paused. He couldn’t hear her and her scent had started to fade. He quietly walked out to the living room, but there was no sign of her. “Cindy?”

  No answer. Frowning, he strode across the room and into the connected kitchen. A white piece of paper sat in the middle of a small, round wooden table. Maybe she’d gone to get them breakfast or something.

  His inner wolf snarled as he read the note. Then he read it again for good measure.

  Elias, last night was beyond amazing. Thank you for the wonderful time and for being such a generous lover. I thought about waking you, but you looked so peaceful I didn’t have the heart to. I have to get to work, but the cabin is yours for as long as you need it. I’m so glad we met, and I hope your trip home is safe and uneventful. XO, Cindy.

  As her words registered, he realized that she’d assumed he was leaving. This had been about just one night for her. The knowledge was a jolt to his system. What. The. Fuck.

  After the intensity of last night, how the hell could she walk away so easily? He’d had her so many times and he still wasn’t sated. The need to be with her was like a growing thing inside him.

  Crumpling the piece of paper, he started for the door, ready to find her, but stopped as he reached it. The attraction between them was scorching. No denying that. And he couldn’t believe that she didn’t feel at least some of the same pull he did. Not after a night like that. Hell, he’d let his guard down with her in a way he never had with other lovers. He’d even let the little vixen ride him with the illusion of control, something that went against his dominant nature.

  So, he could chase after her like some puppy dog and get rejected. Or, he could carefully hunt her like the skilled predator he was. The most primal part of him wanted to connect with her on every level, and he’d be damned if this ended before it had even started.

  If that meant taking a step back and putting sex on the back burner while he courted her, he was more than up for the challenge. He would do whatever it took to convince her they were meant to be together.

  * * *

  Cindy dropped her keys into her purse as she stepped away from her office building. She had a private office behind her house that was only for shifters—one that the humans in town definitely didn’t know about—but this was her main practice. Today had been packed. It had been so crazy that she could almost forget about Saturday night and the early hours of Sunday morning.

  Almost.

  It was now Monday, but she couldn’t forget one second of the time she’d spent with Elias. The moment she’d left in search of her discarded clothes Sunday morning she’d wanted to turn back and jump right back into bed with him. But she’d known if she had she would eventually regret it.

  Why try to turn one night of pleasure into anything more? The man was in town only for the wedding, and making a clean break had been best. Besides, what if she’d given him her number and he promised to call but never did? That would be harder to deal with. But if she was being totally honest with herself, she couldn’t put herself out there, especially with a virile male like Elias. She was very skilled at locking her emotions down when need be, and letting a man like that under her barriers would be stupid.

  He was the kind of wolf who would want a house full of cubs and... she sighed and put those thoughts on lockdown. No sense in dreaming about things she’d never have. Right now all she wanted was a glass of wine and a hot bath. But she’d settle for the wine.

  As she started down the sidewalk, her boots clicking against the pavement, she froze in front of a closed pet store. A familiar, intoxicating scent surrounded her so suddenly she felt almost light-headed with need and want.

  Before she could turn around and search out where the source of that scent was, she felt Elias behind her.

  His big, muscular body lined up flush with her back as his mouth grazed her ear. “What the hell was that note you left?” he growled.

  Surprise punched through her at his appearance and his anger. Despite the irritation in his words, a delicious shiver rolled through her, making her nipples pebble. Just being near him made her body flare to life. Oh yeah, this man could be so bad for her. Sucking in a breath, she turned to face him. Given his close proximity, she had to look up. Her inner jaguar actually flinched at the anger in those eyes. Right now he was pure wolf looking back at her.

  “What are you talking about? That note was nice.” She’d rewritten it about a dozen times before forcing herself to get the hell out of that cabin. She’d been so afraid he’d wake up and find her—which would have killed her resolve to leave. “And what are you still doing in town?”

  “That note was bullshit, but we’ll talk about that later.” She could hear the wolf in his voice, but his expression was shuttered now.

  Cindy held her purse in front of her body as if it could somehow provide a barrier against him. She nearly snorted at the thought. “There’s nothing to talk about.”

  He made a tsking sound as he slowly shook his head. Those green eyes of his sparked with a swirl of emotions. Desire and anger were warring with each other. She shouldn’t care, but she really wished desire would win out. Maybe he’d decided to stay an extra day or so, and the thought of spending more time in bed with him...the ache between her legs increased at that thought. Ugh, what was wrong with her? She’d never been driven by sexual need before, but after having a taste of him she wanted more.

  “I’m not sure why you assumed I’d be leaving town.” There was a note in his voice she couldn’t define.

  She drew her eyebrows together. “You said you were in town for the wedding.”

  “I was in town for the wedding. I’m also moving here permanently. As Owen’s second-in-command. He made the announcement this morning—which is probably why you haven’t heard yet.”

  Oh...crap.

  Chapter 4

  Elias took another step closer until Cindy found herself flat against a car parked along the curb on Main Street, caged in by his big body.
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br />   She wanted to look around to make sure no one was watching them, but she couldn’t drag her gaze from his. Not when she was desperately trying to process his words and somehow reject them. It wasn’t possible. He’d said... hell, he was right. He hadn’t actually said he was leaving. She’d just assumed. “Oh. Well, congratulations. Owen seems like a great Alpha.” Okay, that sounded lame, but what else was she supposed to say? And why was he here following her?

  His hands came to rest on the car right on each side of her head. But he wasn’t actually touching her, just hovering really, really close. “That’s all you have to say?”

  She swallowed hard. “What else should I say?”

  He gave her a long look, studying her before speaking. “Have dinner with me.”

  Her eyes widened at the abrupt change in topic, a spark of annoyance igniting inside her. “Are you ordering or asking?”

  “Ah, sorry, asking. Please have dinner with me? We can walk right across the street to the Italian restaurant.” His expression softened as he reached out and cupped her cheek. He gently rubbed his thumb along her jaw, making her shudder. “Why’d you leave like that? I woke up and...” He trailed off, and for a moment she saw such a raw vulnerability in his gaze that it sliced right into her. But then it was gone and the hunter was back in its place.

  She wanted to say yes to dinner so badly but knew she shouldn’t. “I’ve had a long day and I’m really beat. Maybe some other time though?”

  His jaw clenched once, but he nodded and stepped back. “Why do I get the feeling you’re brushing me off?”

  “Look, Elias, we had a great time. I thought you were leaving so...” She hated admitting this but didn’t want to lie. “I figured we’d have a great night and that would be it. I don’t want anything complicated.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “And dinner’s complicated?”