by Lynn Hagen
If this situation wasn't dire, Leslie would have drooled at how badass he looked.
"Yeah. Sure. I'm an animal cop." Brady pulled the gun free. Leslie's eyes went round again.
"You're gonna shoot him?" Granted, Leslie wanted the panther out of his backyard, but he didn't think the cat deserved to die. Maybe relocated or sent to a zoo, but using a gun was overkill.
The stranger who had come with Brady grabbed Jimmy's arm and hauled him toward the house. When he reached the porch, he grabbed Leslie, too. "Both of you inside."
Leslie took Jimmy's hand and hurried through the door. He watched for a second before closing it and moving to his kitchen window.
None of this made any sense. There was a black panther in his yard, and Brady had shown up. He looked at Jimmy. "You heard the panther before we saw it, which is impossible, and you're not freaking out. What the hell is going on?"
Jimmy wouldn't look at him. Instead, he peered through the glass of the door. "How should I know what's going on?"
The guy was lying through his pearly-white teeth. Leslie would interrogate Jimmy later, but for now, he stared at Brady and the stranger as they advanced toward the panther.
When it attacked, Brady…Leslie's jaw dropped when Brady changed into a huge wolf. He rubbed his eyes and looked again, but the wolf was still there.
Leslie's eyes rolled to the back of his head before he passed out.
Chapter Three
Of all places the panther could have run, it had to be Leslie's house. Pierce tossed the unconscious shifter into the bed of Brady's truck as Brady looked toward Leslie's backyard and wondered if he should linger or get the hell out of there.
"I can take care of the panther if you want to go check on those guys," Pierce offered. "I'll swing back by after I drop him off at the prison to pick you up."
Brady grabbed his go-bag from behind the seat and pulled out a pair of jeans, boxer briefs, and a T-shirt. He dressed as he thought about Pierce's offer, then grabbed his boots from the truck and shoved his feet into them, then tied them.
There was no damn way Leslie hadn't seen him shift. While tackling the panther, he'd seen the male watching him from the window. His frightened expression wouldn't bode well for Brady. More than likely Leslie was having a meltdown, and Brady didn't want to deal with that.
"I think it’s best I go," Brady said, tossing his now-empty backpack behind his seat. "I'll have Matt send over someone to wipe Leslie's memory."
"You know them?" Pierce asked.
"Not really." Brady started for the driver's door when Jimmy raced through the gate.
"Leslie passed out." He shook his hands toward the house like he was a cop directing traffic away from an accident. "Can one of you put him in his bed?"
Pierce looked Jimmy over. "You're a leopard shifter. You got the strength to do it yourself."
"And mess my manicure up?" Jimmy held up his hands to show his fingernails. "Are you nuts?"
With a roll of his eyes, Brady walked down the alley and into the backyard. Jimmy hadn't followed him. "I'll catch up with you," he hollered to Pierce. "And don't put a scratch on my damn truck."
Brady let himself in and found Leslie out cold on the kitchen floor. He lifted him and looked around. "The little cat could have at least told me which room was your bedroom."
After searching the single-story house, he found Leslie's bedroom off the living room, and struggled to turn the knob with the unconscious guy in his arms.
Leslie woke, blinked up at Brady, then screamed as he scrambled to get free. He landed on his ass and scooted away until his back hit the wall. "Stay away from me!"
Brady sighed. He was so not in the mood for this shit. He'd had a long day and an even longer night. Dealing with a hysterical male was beyond what he wanted to do right now. "Calm down."
"You…you…you…"
"Changed into a wolf." Brady went into the kitchen and got Leslie a glass of water from the sink. He returned and held it out. "Drink."
"Did you put vodka in it? Because I need more than just water right now." Leslie pushed to his feet but stayed plastered to the wall as if he could sink into it if he needed to escape.
"Not unless vodka is in your water supply." Brady set the glass on the bookcase next to Leslie.
"Oh my god, did you just set that glass down without a coaster?" Leslie grabbed it and held it in his shaky hands. He looked at Brady, as though remembering he was supposed to be freaking out. "How did you do that?"
Brady shrugged. "I just set the glass down."
Even freaking out, Leslie was sexy as fuck. Brady wouldn't mind having this conversation while naked, but he highly doubted Leslie was in the mood for sex. Yes, Brady stayed horny. It was a billion-year evolutionary drive infused in his DNA. He'd want some ass while lying on his deathbed.
"No." Leslie shook his head, pulling Brady from his thoughts. "The wolf thing." He looked around, then moved toward the coffee table, where he extracted a coaster from the drawer. He put the glass down and turned to Brady. "I think I'm losing my mind."
"I think you are." Brady jabbed a finger at the water. "It's just a damn glass."
He should have let Pierce handle this. Brady was dead on his feet and ready to go home. At least Leslie wasn't hysterical. He knew that everyone dealt with stress in different ways. Apparently Leslie's method was bitching about coasters.
He frowned when Leslie moved closer and poked him in the chest. "What're you doing?"
"Nothing." Leslie snatched his hand away and slid it behind his back, his gaze bouncing around the room.
Brady gave a low growl. "If you want to touch me, let me get naked first, then you can do all the touching you want."
Leslie opened his mouth, then closed it as he blushed. "Not when I just…what did I just see?"
"My cock in your mouth." Brady walked to the kitchen. Since Leslie was fine, he needed to bounce. One of the mates was learning how to erase memories. Maybe Brady would call Stephen and ask him to practice on Leslie. He definitely didn't want the male to remember the events of tonight.
Brady spun when something soft hit him on the back of his head. When he glanced at the floor, he saw a decorative tan-and-dark-brown throw pillow at his feet. "What the hell?"
Leslie stabbed a bony finger at him, his eyelids lowered to slits. "How about…" He looked as though he was struggling with his thoughts. "How about my cock in your mouth?"
That was the lamest comeback Brady had ever heard. "Unless you're serious, I'll be going."
"Just like that?" Leslie's blond brows hiked. "I see a man change into a wolf and you give me a glass of stinking water, some crude words, and now you're leaving? You really suck at comforting people."
Tired and frustrated, Brady stormed back to him. "Comforting people isn't in my job description. I executed a warrant, which I'll be paid handsomely for, and now I'm going home and drinking myself into a week-long sleep."
Leslie's brows furrowed. "You had a warrant for an animal?"
Crap. Leslie had gotten him so pissed that the truth had slipped out. Fuck it. Since he'd already stuck his foot in his mouth, he might as well jam the entire leg down his throat. It wasn't as though Leslie would remember any of it when his memory was erased. "That panther is a shifter, just like I am. He's dangerous, deadly, and killed his own fucking mother. I'm a preternatural bounty hunter who goes after violent offenders like him. Be glad he didn't rip your heart from your chest. Next time a large cat jumps into your yard, don't just stand there. Fucking run."
Brady walked through the kitchen and out the back door, slamming it closed behind him. Jimmy sat in one of the chairs, drinking purple soda from a bottle.
"You should have known better than to linger in the yard," he snapped. "Even if Leslie doesn't know what you are, you should have kept him safe."
Before Jimmy could reply, Brady headed down the stone path and stepped into the alley. As he walked he pulled his cell phone from his pocket and texted Pierce to meet him in the town square.
"You're a rank asshole!"
Brady looked over his shoulder. Leslie stood in the alley, fists balled, glaring at him. If the male wasn't so short and scrawny he might've made an intimidating sight.
"Been called worse," Brady said as he tucked his phone into his back pocket.
His brows shot to his hairline when Leslie barreled toward him. Brady had an urge to throw his arms up to block any blows Leslie might throw. Or pull his gun and shoot the pipsqueak before Leslie had a chance to kick him in the balls.
"I demand that you…you need to…ugh, you're an asshole!"
"You already said that." Brady folded his arms over his chest, enjoying Leslie's feistiness. He wasn't sure why, either. Drama was something he tried real hard to stay away from, and Leslie looked as though he had drama written all over him.
So much for being meek and shy.
Leslie stomped his foot. "I don't like you very much."
"So are we gonna fuck or what?" Brady slid his gaze over Leslie as his cock hardened.
Leslie raised his hand, as though to slap Brady, but Brady caught his wrist. "You're only allowed to strike me if my dick is buried in your ass."
Leslie blinked at him. "You're…that's…I don't even know what to say to that."
Brady pulled him close, then cupped his ass and squeezed the tender flesh, eliciting a quick inhale and a groan from Leslie. "Yes is the only thing you have to say." He guided Leslie's hand to his erection as he grazed his lips over the male's soft ones.
With a moan, Leslie opened for Brady's tongue. They kissed all of five seconds before Leslie shoved him away. "You're—"
"An asshole." Brady gave him the finger before walking away.
* * * *
When Pierce lowered the tailgate of Brady's truck, the panther jerked awake and attacked. It had been a rookie move not to cuff him, but Brady had knocked him out and the prison wasn't that long a drive. But Pierce should've known better, and now he would pay for his forgetfulness.
The panther shoved his claws into Pierce's chest and tried to rip out his heart, but Pierce jerked back, slamming his claws into the panther's neck. His chest felt as though it was on fire. It throbbed and blood spilled as he tried to rip out the panther's throat. The panther shoved his paws into Pierce's body and dislodged Pierce's claws, then hit the ground and staggered to his feet.
The cat didn't have enough time to gather his senses and attack again. The guards swarmed from the back of the prison, shouting as they took down the panther. Pierce staggered backward, pulling a bloody hand from his chest. He dropped to his knees, trying to shift, but his wolf wouldn't come out.
What had the panther done to him? Why hadn't he shifted already? Shifters, when wounded, automatically took their animal form. Pierce stood there trying to no avail.
"Shift, goddamn it," one of the guards said. "You'll bleed to death if you don't."
"I…I can't." Pierce fell onto his back and stared at the stars as the panther yowled. The guard pressed his hands against Pierce's chest as he yelled for someone to get Dr. Whitfield. The vet wouldn't make it there in time. Pierce felt his blood leaving the wound too fast.
"And find out how that son of a bitch stopped Pierce from shifting," the guard shouted. Aaron. That was the guard's name. He was a lion shifter and had the prettiest green eyes and the most soothing voice.
"I can't find anything," another guard shouted back. Pierce turned his head and saw that the panther had shifted back into his human form. Of course no one found anything. The guy was completely naked. The only place he could hide something was his ass, and Pierce found the idea utterly ridiculous.
When Pierce looked back at the guard, Aaron grimaced. "I need to check your wound. Is that okay?"
Pierce fought not to close his eyes. He tried swallowing, but his throat had gone bone-dry. His vision had already grayed around the edges and the stars were no longer so easy to see. They were just a blur in the night sky. "Do what you gotta do."
After blowing out a short breath, Aaron stuffed his hand into Pierce's chest. Pierce screamed as the pain intensified but managed not to move as Aaron dug around. When he pulled his bloody hand back, a tiny piece of metal was between Aaron's fingers.
But Pierce didn't get a chance to ask what it was. The shift took over and everything went black.
Chapter Four
Leslie couldn't figure out why he still stood there as Brady walked away. He needed to let the man go, but apparently Leslie liked to torture himself because he ran after Brady.
Brady's walking-away act must have been some kind of game he liked to play because his strides weren't long and he'd taken his time. He threw a seductive smile over his shoulder as he looked back, telling Leslie he'd won this round.
"You really are an asshole." He grabbed Brady's hand and pulled him back toward the house. "And yes, we're fucking."
Brady's chuckle grated on Leslie's nerves, but a one-night stand might be just what Leslie needed to forget Ian…and that panther…and the fact Brady could change into a wolf, which was so farfetched and impossible Leslie was beginning to think he'd dreamed all of it.
The asshole had better be well worth the headache.
To Leslie's relief Jimmy was gone by the time they got back to the house. Not even his soda bottle remained. That was odd for him, considering Jimmy was a complete slob. He made sure he always looked spectacular—freshly showered, hair done, smelling and looking good—but his apartment was a pigsty. When he was at Leslie's, Jimmy repeatedly left his mess behind when he left.
Shoving thoughts of Jimmy from his mind, Leslie lifted his foot to step onto the porch, but his shoe caught and he fell forward. The floor came barreling at him, but Brady caught him in time and righted him.
"Thanks." Leslie had let Brady's hand go while he fell, and didn't grab it again once he stood on the porch. His anger fizzled while opening the back door. Leslie was a fairly even-tempered man who didn't rile so easily, so when he stepped into his kitchen, his nerves got the better of him. "Want some coffee?"
Brady didn't miss a beat. He pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it on the table. "I want some Leslie." He unfastened his buckle and left it dangling before he unsnapped his pants and lowered his zipper. "Didn't you say something about sucking dick?"
"My dick," Leslie corrected. His gaze fell to the open jeans and he saw a wet spot on Brady's boxer briefs, as well as an impressive bulge outlining them. His heart skipped a beat as his gaze slid up to Brady's bare chest. His muscles were amazing, his skin was tanned, and Leslie wanted to run his tongue over every dip and crease.
Leslie forgot about being nervous and slid his hands over Brady's pecs, licking his lips at the hard, yet soft, flesh under his palms. "So that means you don't want any coffee?"
"Do you really have to ask?"
Leslie's gaze swung upward into Brady's dreamy blue eyes. He looked at Leslie with a desire that made his cock harden. Not even Ian had looked at him with such need. This might be a one-off, but Leslie planned on enjoying every second of their night together.
Brady curled an arm around Leslie's waist and walked him backward into the living room, kissing and nibbling at his neck and jaw the entire time.
God, Brady's muscles. Leslie wanted to swoon over them. He couldn't stop touching Brady's naked chest as his back hit his bedroom door. When Brady lifted him, Leslie curled his legs around the man's waist, devouring his mouth as Brady opened the door.
They moved into the room and tumbled onto the bed, their limbs entwined as Brady unfastened Leslie's pants. His strong hand wrapped around Leslie's cock, and Leslie's nearly came from the contact. He didn't even care that he hadn't remade the bed or that the last time the mattress had seen sex, it had been between Ian and his skank whore.
Nothing mattered except what Brady was doing to him. Leslie's body was on fire and he desperately needed Brady to put out the flames.
Brady reared back and yanked off Leslie's pants and underwear. Next he finished u
ndressing himself, then stood gloriously naked in front of Leslie with his dick so hard pearls of pre-come clung to the head.
Unable to resist, Leslie slid from the bed and dropped to his knees. He took Brady's cock into his mouth and swiped his tongue over the saltiness, moaning as he worked Brady's erection down his throat.
"Fuck." Brady hissed and grabbed a handful of Leslie's hair as he thrust in short bursts. Maybe Jimmy had been right. Maybe taking a random home was exactly what Leslie needed. Although he hadn't brought Brady home. He'd shown up to…Leslie slapped those thoughts away because if he dwelled on them, he would freak out again.
"Not like this." Brady jerked back and his cock popped from between Leslie's lips. He looked as though he struggled to compose himself before he reached down and hauled Leslie to his feet.
They kissed again, but this time it was slower, more passionate, and Leslie's toes curled as Brady slid his hands over every inch of his back. Leslie loved being touched and petted, and goose bumps surfaced over his body as Brady lowered him to the bed.
They didn't break the kiss while Brady lined the head of his cock to Leslie's hole. He pressed his hands into Brady's chest as he tore his lips away. "Lube."
"Got it covered."
Brady nibbled on Leslie's neck as he felt something wet against his hole. "What the hell is that?"
"My natural lube." Brady nipped his ear. "Never leave home without it."
Leslie rolled his eyes but was fascinated, too. Brady wasn't human. Although he'd seen the guy shift, the fact he wasn't human still hadn't sunk in because Leslie couldn't wrap his head around what he'd seen.
His thoughts scattered when Brady inched inside him, his hole stretching to the point it burned. Leslie hissed as he dug his nails into Brady's biceps. But the pain morphed into pleasure as Brady took Leslie's lips in a soul-stirring kiss.
Leslie scraped his nails down Brady's back, devouring Brady's mouth as Brady thrust into him. Brady was definitely worth the headache, and so much more. At least while they were having sex. Afterward, the asshole could go home, but for now, Leslie was flying, electrical currents coursing through him as Brady punched his hips, sending Leslie closer to the edge.