Rakahnja's Haven

by Nicole Austin

  She’d gone through the motions each day, but her heart and soul lived elsewhere, with her lover.

  Every night her sleep had been fitful at best, filled with incredible dreams of a dark, sexy man who could shift into a black jaguar. Hot fantasies of heart-pounding sexual encounters with both the man and the big cat haunted her. Often she’d woken up on the edge of orgasm, her pajamas sticking to her sweat-slicked body.

  Still, one word had echoed repeatedly through her mind in a sensual male voice.

  Rakahnja.

  * * * * *

  Lying in the tall grass, Kahn watched a gray hare race out into the meadow. The small animal came to a screeching halt for a moment after spotting him before quickly hopping away. The fierce predator within him didn’t even stir for the temptation. He couldn’t care less about an easy kill. There was only one thing he wanted and he couldn’t have her.

  The man knew it had been a few short weeks since he’d left her at the hospital. The jaguar only knew it had been an eternity of endless days running one into the next. No matter how much he wanted to give up hope, he found himself stalking the places he’d seen her in the past, watching for any sign she’d returned to the mountain. While he’d come across several humans, Anita had not been among them.

  Turning his face up to the sky, he growled. It was a long, pain-filled and mournful sound. Quite pathetic really. He was supposed to be a powerful predator, dominant feline, a true loner who needed no one.

  All he felt was lonely and lethargic, unable to summon any interest in anything. The heat of the sun on his furred hide made his skin feel too tight, yet the nearby stream didn’t entice him into taking a refreshing swim.

  The scent of a female mountain lion in heat drifted to him on the gentle breeze but left him feeling repulsed. He was no longer able to fathom joining with any female other than Anita.

  Kahn let her name roll around on his tongue, enjoying the sweet sound that had echoed through him since first hearing it.

  Whether awake or asleep, Anita preoccupied him. She was constantly on his mind. Hell, he even imagined detecting her clean, feminine scent in the air. Of course, the phantom fragrance stirred his cock to life as blood rushed to fill the organ.

  Moving to his feet, he lazily prowled the area. Lord, how he ached, every part of him—body, heart and soul.

  Leaving her had been the hardest thing he’d ever done, but it had been the right thing. She’d needed care he was unable to provide, so he’d kept his vow.

  With each step he took toward his home, her distinct scent penetrated his senses a little deeper. By the time he reached the stream, Kahn thought he’d go insane with the desire to see her again, just once. Deep in his heart, he knew he’d give up the rest of his life to touch her one more time.

  If she remembered anything from the days they’d shared, there was no way she’d ever set foot on the mountain again. It would not have taken long for Anita to realize something had happened to her out here. She would likely be revolted to know she’d made love with an animal.

  Not for the first time, he wondered if she remembered him, even fleetingly.

  Yeah, right. Why not just repeatedly bang his head against a rock. That made more sense than hoping for a miracle. Might even manage to knock some logic into his thick skull in the process.

  Breaking through a deep copse of trees near the stream, Kahn froze mid-step, paw dangling uselessly in the air. His breath locked up in his throat, heart at first stuttering, then starting a frantic pounding against his ribs.

  Anita.

  He couldn’t believe his eyes. She was there, before him in the flesh. She’d come back.

  Every animal cell within his being screamed for him take action, charge across the short distance, pin her to the ground beneath him, force her to submit while he slammed his hard cock into her from behind and sank his teeth into her neck—staking his irrefutable claim. Yet all he managed was to stand there and stare, then follow at a discreet distance as she headed toward his home.

  Chapter Seven

  Her hands shook with violent, nervous energy as Anita moved around the cavern. She detected subtle differences from what she remembered. There was a different blanket on the makeshift bed and a metal canteen stored with the other cooking implements.

  Just being there brought her wild dreams and fantasies back full force.

  God, she would have given anything for him to be here—to see him again. She wanted Rakahnja more than she wanted to live and would accept him in any way, shape or form. The loving male who’d cared for her so sweetly, made love to her so passionately. All that mattered was grabbing on to him and never letting go.

  She felt so sexually keyed up. Each day and long into the night, she’d thought about the little bits and pieces of their lovemaking that had stayed with her. And she harbored no doubts about it. She had made love with her fantasy guy, cat…whatever.

  Sitting on his bed, her felt her blood heat as she thought about the way he’d made love to her. He’d reached places inside of her and ignited nerve endings that cried for his delightful loving. She remembered him filling her with his warm cum then sliding down between her legs. His tongue had parted her flesh, hungrily gathering as much of their combined release as he could find and greedily devouring every last drop. It was the most amazing sexual experience she’d ever had.

  Her panties flooded with thick cream and she was having difficulty breathing. Every inhalation carried his slightly musky essence into her lungs. It was a scent that had stayed with her over the past days and nights. Anita picked up his blanket and held it tightly against her chest, burying her face in the scratchy material, taking a deep breath.

  Oh, God. She needed him so badly. Just his distinct scent brought her clit to attention, peeking from under its hood. Blood pooled, swelling her pussy lips and pulsing in the tiny bundle of nerves.

  Being in the city, going through the motions of life for the past weeks had been pure hell. She’d never been happy with city life, but now it was an unbearable torture. Every cell in her body screamed for the freedom of the wilderness.

  Anita easily pictured herself living a simple existence in the woods, communing with nature. She saw herself walking naked and unashamed near the stream or lying in a grassy meadow under the sun.

  Curling up in a tight ball on his bed, she prayed he’d return to her, and even called out his name.

  * * * * *

  Anguished pain ripped through Kahn’s chest, stealing his strength. Why? Why the hell has she come back? Why did she go into his home? It was a cruel torture he may not survive, even if it was something he’d desired.

  His natural predatory instincts kicked in and Kahn went on the prowl. The need to stalk prey, chase it down then rip it to shreds flowed through his veins, spiking inherent needs he’d tried to curb.

  Through the red haze of his anguish, he heard the plaintive cry of a young deer. Moving with soundless stealth and feline grace, he made his way unhurriedly to the edge of a small clearing, gaze zeroing in on his target.

  There in the center of the clearing stood a tiny fawn. It really wasn’t worth the effort. The pathetic creature barely had any meat on its bones, but the blood thirst had seized Kahn and wouldn’t let go, demanding he hunt.

  Crouching down, he was poised on the balls of his paws, powerful legs ready to propel him forward at just the right moment. A low growl rumbled through his chest as his keen eyes kept close watch on the small creature.

  Like a bullet exploding from the barrel of a gun with the firm squeeze of the trigger, Kahn erupted into motion, outrunning the wind.

  The weak animal didn’t incite much of a chase. It stood there, frozen for long moments before finally deciding to make a run for it, but it was too late.

  Within seconds, Kahn had the fawn’s throat firmly held within his powerful jaws, its scrawny body captured between strong paws. His deadly sharp canines were pressed against soft, vulnerable flesh, prepared to rip open delicate tissues a
nd end its young life when his stomach soured.

  If Anita saw him now, she’d never want him. Yet this was a major part of who he was, how he survived. In the wilderness, it was survival of the fittest. The strong thrived off the weak and taking life extended your own. This is why she’d never accept him, even if he were to break his vow. It was how he lived, day in, day out.

  He lay down with his catch, keeping enough pressure on its throat so the fawn was unable to make a sound. His big paws firmly pinned the animal, limiting its movement, the frantic beating of its heart radiating up through his forelegs. All he had to do was close his jaw to crush its airway, jerk his head to the side to snap its spine. Such was life.

  Anger roiled through his gut with the thought that his natural instincts would disgust Anita. It would make no difference she was his mate, or that he also had a human side. The fact he’d loved her from the first time he’d seen her would be irrelevant. This part of his nature would drive her away, as surely as the fact he was unable to survive in the human world.

  His grasp on the fawn loosened. Eventually, he let the poor animal escape as his train of thought eased the bloodlust’s grip on him.

  He’d just given up an easy meal for the love of a woman who would never be his own. He was the pitiable creature, not the fawn. A predator unable to hunt and kill would not live. Love certainly would not feed him.

  Survival was what it all boiled down to. Love was a trap. One that would lead to both their extinction. No matter how her scent called to him, how much he longed to taste her or to pound his aching cock into her hot body. Neither would survive in the other’s world.

  As long as she stayed in his home, Kahn would watch over his love, his heart. He’d protect her at the risk of his own life, provide nourishment and see her safely on her way when she left. And there was no doubt in his mind she would leave. It was only a matter of time. She didn’t belong here.

  * * * * *

  A frustrated scream welled within her throat. The smell of Rakahnja on the bed, blanket, towels and all over his home was making her insane with need. All of her attempts to lure him to her over the weekend had been in vain. Each morning she found wild roots, fruits and vegetation along with fresh fish just inside the mouth of the cavern, knowing he’d provided these things. Yet he didn’t come to her.

  She was so horny she was walking funny, each step bringing an exquisite friction against her aching clit. Her panties were constantly soaked with the hot juices gushing from her empty pussy. Her breasts were swollen to the point of pain, her nipples sensitive to every brush of her clothing over the puckered peaks.

  Unable to stand the offensive material anymore, Anita stripped away every stitch then headed for the stream. She needed to cool the constant heat zinging through her blood.

  A small gasp escaped her throat as she stepped into the chilled mountain water. It took a long time to ease her body deeper. Each movement became more difficult, but she began to feel better once she’d managed to sink all the way into the refreshing stream. She floated on her back, breasts bobbing above the water line as her wrists and hands performed a continual sculling motion to keep her afloat.

  The cold water did nothing to tamp down the heat raging within her body because everything reminded her of Rakahnja. Just relaxing in the stream brought to mind one of the many facts she’d learned about jaguars. The large animals were strong swimmers, not shying away from water like many other cats.

  Christ! Nearly every thought she had led back to him and heated her blood. She needed some damn relief.

  Standing up, Anita enjoyed the caress of the water as it sluiced over her skin. She walked to the nearby tree where her towel hung, but didn’t dry her body. Instead, she spread the cloth on a sun-dappled strip of earth and lay down.

  Finger-combing her wet hair, she slicked the short strands back from her face. The warmth of the sun heated her damp flesh and made her skin feel tight. A gentle breeze teased her nipples into firm, puckered buds.

  She took her time, drawing out the pleasure of the moment as her hands slid over her belly. Anita massaged her soft breasts, letting the heat build from within. Her nipples ached for some attention, but she forced herself to wait.

  Calmly pleasuring her breasts, her fingers inched closer to her rosy areolas, finally capturing her rigid nipples. Using the firm touch she enjoyed, she plucked at the turgid peaks, moaning as searing jolts of pleasure shot straight to her clit.

  Longing to feel the warmth of a mouth, she propped herself up on her elbow. Anita pulled her breast forward and lowered her head, drawing the nipple to her lips. Never hesitating, she captured the plump bud between her teeth, sucking with her lips, feeling each hot lash of her tongue spread heat through her pussy.

  She alternated between her breasts, giving each the same treatment before collapsing onto her back once again. She lifted her knees and let her legs fall open, the heat of Rakahnja’s gaze warming her needy flesh even more.

  It was not just a suspicion. The weight of his stare and restrained lust rose around her and she used the opportunity to tempt him.

  The fingers of one hand parted her slick, swollen folds as those of the other stroked along her slit. Gathering her cream, she spread it around her clit, crying out as her fingernail made tight circles around the small bundle of nerves.

  Damn, that feels good!

  Anita imagined the two fingers she plunged into her heated depths were his. Keeping her folds spread wide, she thrust deeply, the heel of her hand rubbing against her clit. There was nothing tentative in her movements. She used all her strength to ride her hand, digging her heels into the ground and bucking her hips in a matching rhythm.

  Knowing he watched was intoxicating, driving her toward the pinnacle at a breakneck speed. When she crested the peak, soaring over the other side into a blissful release, Anita screamed his name.

  Kahn had been thrust into the deepest, darkest, most vile pits of hell. Watching his mate lying in the sun pleasuring herself was more than he could take. He shifted into human form and grasped his painful erection, stroking it in a tight fist.

  Matching her rhythm, he pumped his cock while devouring Anita with his gaze. She was more beautiful than anything else he’d ever seen.

  With each stroke, his thumb slid over the head, gathering the fluid leaking from the slit. Every primitive, animalistic instinct within his bones screamed for him to join with her, thrust his needy cock deep into her welcoming heat. He wanted nothing more than to fill her with his cum, mark her with his scent and possess her.

  Although his resolve weakened, Kahn managed to keep his distance—no small feat. Each breathy moan and whimper to pass her lips slashed at his heart like sharp claws intent on destruction.

  No matter how many times he achieved release, nothing satisfied his need. Feeling battered, bruised and thoroughly abused, Kahn gave into his anger, lashing out silently at the cruel fates that had chosen a human as his mate. He bemoaned his own shifter nature, which would not allow him to mesh in the human world and the cruel ways of intolerant people.

  Frenzied need rode him hard, but Kahn would not give in to the demands of his body or the jaguar.

  Chapter Eight

  Desperate times called for drastic measures. Somehow, she would find a way to draw him out. But solving the puzzle of how to become irresistible to a fantasy escaped Anita.

  She’d never been much of a sexual creature. Sure, she’d taken lovers over the years, mostly on a casual fuck-buddy type of basis—nothing serious. They had all been men she’d been friends with for some time. Men she knew and trusted.

  She was not the type of woman to vamp herself up to go to clubs hunting for a sex partner and was not very familiar with the ways of seduction. It was just not her style, which was probably why she was now failing terribly. How was she supposed to sex herself up for him and make Rakahnja hot enough he couldn’t stand it another minute? Hot as she constantly felt for him.

  Anita was prepared to try s
omething different, take things a bit further. If he was able to resist stepping into the baited trap she flaunted before him this time…well, then she didn’t have much hope left.

  Anticipation over what she planned put her on edge as she returned to the stream once again. Her breasts were already swollen, nipples distended, pussy inflamed. Heat pooled between her legs and her thighs were damp with her juices.

  Spreading out a soft blanket on the ground near the stream, she set her backpack on one corner. She sat in the middle of the blanket and began to spread the items she’d brought around herself. The erotic picnic consisted of a plastic, bear-shaped squeeze bottle of honey and a banana—the last of the food she had. The final item was not edible, but was the one sure to do the trick—her long, thick vibrator.

  Bringing the purple wonder along had been a spur-of-the-moment decision, hoping to use it with her love. Now she was very glad to have the item to tempt him.

  After peeling the banana, she removed the little cap from the honey, exposing the nozzle. Without giving herself time to back out, Anita began to drizzle the sticky golden liquid over her breasts. She was mesmerized by watching fat drops dangle from her hardened nipples before dropping down onto her abdomen. Just for the fun of it, she squeezed a gooey drop into her navel before moving lower.

  Spreading her legs wide, she used one hand to expose delicate folds before generously drizzling honey over her clit and labia. Finally, she lowered the nozzle to her needy entrance, inserted the tip and filled her pussy with the warm, sugary treat. The liquid slowly trickled from her pussy and slid in a golden path over her perineum and puckered rosette.

  The whole seduction made her feel like an exotic delicacy set in the middle of a table before a hungry audience. And there was no doubt she had one totally enthralled spectator. The heat of Rakahnja’s gaze scorched her skin.