The Mating (Black on Black, #1)

by BJ Cunningham

  A growl escaped his lips as she teased his ear. “Something like that,” he said gruffly.

  Growling softly against his ear, she pulled back, rubbing her face against his. “Something like?” Smiling she pushed his back against the sofa and turned to straddle his hips, grinding into the hardness she could feel going on behind his zipper. Cupping his face between her hands, she kissed him again as her body melted against his. “How do we make it exactly like that?”

  Her boldness shocked him but also set his body on fire. Growling, he fisted her hair, kissing her hard and letting his tongue dance with hers. His length strained against his jeans. Her scent filled his nose, making the animal in him want her badly.

  Her body burst into flame, burning out of control as his control finally snapped. This was what she wanted, his panther side. Hard. Raw. Anything but restrained. And fuck if that didn’t leave her wet and aching for him. Growling into his mouth, she ghosted away his shirt letting her hands explore his skin, and it felt even better than she’d imagined. Grinding against him, she shuddered. “Please, don’t stop now.”

  As his shirt vanished and her hands slid over his skin, Jared cupped her ass with his free hand. The other still fisted her hair. He pulled her blond mane, exposing her neck to him and waiting for her Panther to balk at the move. Licking her throat slowly, he kissed her jawline.

  Serra purred as he pulled her head back and made her offer him her throat. His tongue slid over her skin, making her wetter and the ache for him worse. Skimming her hands over his washboard abs, her fingers worked to undo the button of his jeans, dipping inside to curl around and stroke his cock. “I want you, Jared.”

  Hearing her words, he looked into her eyes. There was something about her that made him forget the past and the fact that he didn’t normally do this kind of thing. As her fingers touched his tip, he growled a bit. “I want you too. You just tell me what you want and where you want it. And you’ll get it, Serra.” Her name purred over his lips like he had been saying it forever.

  She was losing her ever loving mind. The need to feel him inside her was almost too much to take. When his eyes met hers, her panther side came completely unleashed. Giving his cock a squeeze, she ghosted away the rest of their clothes and leaned forward to lick at his lips. Her breath came in short pants. “Here. Now. I need to feel you inside me, Jared.”

  Staring at her, he cupped her ass with both hands and lifted her up and moved her over his length. Their eyes locked as he lowered her down on him slowly not wanting to hurt her. The feeling of her around him was perfect. He held back a moan and kissed her as she settled fully onto him. His hands ran up her back slow, almost feather light.

  Her eyes widened and locked on his as he filled her slowly. A shuddering moan slid through her parted lips as she almost came apart from that alone. Sinking back to sheath him fully as his tongue swirled with hers, she began rocking her hips, sliding his length in and out of her core. Her nails dug into his shoulders as she lost herself to how fucking good it felt to be with him. Even the memories that she ran from fell silent leaving nothing but the two of them at this moment.

  Holding her, he moved her back so his mouth could explore more of her body. Licking and teasing her breasts with his tongue as she rocked on him, a growl of pleasure mixed with her moans. Thrusting a bit, he was unable to help himself. The animal in him wanted to take her hard and fast. Animalistic thoughts filled his head as the scent of her, and her arousal hit him hard and made him thicken more into her.

  She growled, feeling him become larger and when he thrust into her she arched back, gripping his thighs to take him deeper as she came hard, growling his name. Her chest heaving under his tongue, she surged down over him again. “Don’t take it easy on me panther,” she panted. “I’m not going to break.”

  The feel of her release and her words set him off. Grabbing her, he turned and laid her on the couch. Gripping the couch arm and thrusting into her hard and fast, his hand gripped the arm tight. He heard the wood crack and growled. So much pent up emotion came pouring out of him as they made the couch rock hard.

  Wrapping her legs around his waist to stop herself from being bucked off him completely as he came unhinged, wave after wave of blinding pleasure crashed over her to the point that she couldn’t tell if she lost count of how many times she came or if it just never stopped. He was rough and wild, and it was such a fucking turn on. Letting go of him before she ripped his back to shreds, even more, she tore into the cushions, and his name became a chant from her lips.

  Sweat beaded on his chest and arms as she laid into his back. Growling her name, he felt himself on the edge. Slowing down to tease her and himself, he watched the look on her face as the blond hair fell over her face. He smiled as she moaned loudly.

  Blowing the hair out of her sweat slicked face, she smiled breathlessly at the teasing glint in his eyes. Pulling his lips to hers, she plunged her tongue into his mouth, sliding against his with an insatiable hunger that this panther caused. “I think you are toying with me panther.” She growled biting his lip.

  Jared smirked and kissed her but didn’t change his pace.

  Growling, she kissed him and tightened her legs around his waist pulling him into her hard, smiling at the look of surprise on his face. “Oh fuuuuck.” She growled out as her body shuddered again.

  He slammed into her as his release hit him hard. Growling, he bit her shoulder gently.

  Closing her arms around him tightly and loving the feel of his weight on her, she nuzzled his neck. “We have got to do this again.” Serra smiled as his teeth scraped against her shoulder. “Seriously.” Pulling back against the cushions, she kissed him softly.

  Kissing her, he moved back and pulled her into his lap. “If that’s what you want, then yes we can.” His body was still turned on, and he was trying to calm himself, closing his eyes with her scent still fully assaulting him.

  Leaning her head against his chest, her fingers stroked his thigh. “I want to and often.” Turning her face up, she purred and nipped at his neck. Glancing at the broken sofa, she began to laugh. “Only one casualty. Not bad.”

  Jared laughed. “Sorry about the couch. I’ll get you a new one.” He eyed the mangled arm.

  Waving a dismissive hand at the sofa she smiled. “Don’t worry about it. I’m not.” She kissed him again.

  “Okay, so now what?” Jared was unsure what to do.

  “I don’t know. Does there have to be a plan? What’s wrong with just enjoying this, whatever it is?” She laced her fingers with his and met his eyes.

  He kissed her neck “Right. We can just go with it.”

  Purring, she closed her eyes. “We make our own rules.” Yawning, she pulled him to his feet. “Come and lay down with me Jared. You’ve earned the rest.”

  Jared joined her, suddenly exhausted when he realized that the bone crushing tension of the last year had momentarily left his body and for the first time, in what felt like forever, his mind was quiet.

  Reese’s brow arched as she watched the grid of monitors showing every corner of Serra’s new home. Rycker had rocked it. Not a surprise, but what she was seeing was. She’d read the report that Serra and Jared had run into one another, but Intel was that it hadn’t gone well. Either she was misinformed, or things had changed. Reese chuckled. That, what was happening on camera eight, wasn’t ‘not getting along.’

  Minimizing the square of the living room, she let her pale blue eyes scan the others, giving the couple a little privacy and still keeping watch for intruders. Serra had done everything that they’d asked of her. She had embraced the mission and definitely done her part. She was getting out, being visible and drawing an ass load of attention. Not that the panthress knew. She was oblivious to any of the eyes that followed her, except for Jared's. Reese uncapped her bottle of SmartWater and took a long drink, wondering if this was a hit it and quit it, or if Jared would be sticking around.

  She didn’t care. It was none of her business, but
having the panther on the inside wouldn’t hurt and made her job easier. Her conscious chose now to complain that she should warn the panther. This female was nothing but trouble with a capital T, and after what he’d been through, he didn’t need it. Her eyes were drawn back to them, entwined and breaking the furniture. Who was she to get in the way of him getting some? Maybe it would chill him the fuck out a little. Probably not. Shaking her head, Reese smirked and leaned back in her chair.

  Blinking at the ceiling, Serra yawned and shifted human. Stretching her arms over her head and her toes as far down the bed as she could reach, she groaned. Her entire body ached in the best possible used hard kind of way. Smiling to herself, she rolled onto her side and reached out to scratch the still sleeping panther under the chin, watching him as he slept. She should get up, hit the shower and get the day started. Screw that. She didn’t want to. Snuggling up with the sleeping cat, she closed her eyes, breathing in that scent that both calmed and excited her at the same time and purred as she stroked his fur. For the first time in a long time, she felt free.

  Jared felt something move next to him and opened his eyes seeing her and remembering last night. He waited for the panic to set in and was surprised when it didn’t.

  Hearing his breathing change, she pulled her head back to find him watching her. “Morning.” Smiling slowly, she kissed his nose and stroked his face. She would never admit it out loud, but she was all but holding her breath. She had no regrets, but that didn’t mean that he didn’t. There was nothing she could do about it, either way, so she tucked her head back under his chin and enjoyed it while it lasted.

  ‘Morning.’ He shifted to human form and looked at her. There was no logical reason that she should look this stunning so early in the morning.

  Rolling against him, loving the warmth of his skin against hers, she pulled his arm around her and kissed him softly before dropping back to prop her chin on her hand against his chest. “I gotta say, I have a whole new appreciation for Sweet Child o’ Mine, thanks to you.” She snickered and teasingly nipped at his chin.

  “Is that so?” He teased her and stretched a bit.

  “Uh huh.” She nodded with a grin. “So how are you feeling this morning, Jared? Has the urge to chew your arm off to get away, hit yet?” Tilting her head to the side and trying not to laugh she watched his face as her nails softly kneaded his chest.

  “No. I’m feeling good. You?”

  Serra pointed at the smile she couldn’t shake. “What do you think?” She smirked, no fight or flight instincts kicking in first thing in the morning was always a good thing. “I believe we should do this again. But maybe not on the sofa.” Her smile spread as she laughed. Pushing herself up, to hover over his lips, she kissed him, sliding her tongue slowly against his before pulling back and biting her lip. “You down with that?”

  Jared kissed her back, purring. His muscles relaxed. He’d didn’t know what he’d expected. Yelling, screaming, tears or maybe a knife to the chest when she realized what she’d done and with who. Not getting anything but a smile and an invite for an encore was a pleasant surprise. He didn’t get it. Why him?

  Laying her head against his chest, she smirked. “So that you know, I’m taking that as a yes.” She scraped her teeth over his skin.

  “I normally don’t have fuck buddies, but...” He trailed off, realizing how that sounded.

  Lifting her head again to see his face, she laughed. “I’ve been called worse.” She shrugged.

  He arched his brow, expecting her to be offended. “Let’s see what happens.”

  Serra nodded with a grin. “Works for me. Like I said last night, no pressure. But,” she nuzzled his ear. “I only play in one sandbox at a time. Until we decide it doesn’t work? That’s you.”

  “Ditto. I don’t bed hop.”

  “Good to know.” Sighing happily, she cuddled against him. “So what are your plans for the day, Babe?”

  “I have to get my Cubs and check on Daniel. You?”

  Groaning, she covered her face with her hand. “Going to brave the toy store. After that, I’m thinking a good run through the spot you told me about the other night. Then, who knows?” She picked up his hand and played with his fingers. “I love cubs. If you need help with them or a break, I could help out.” Her face flushed. Way to go Serra. Just shoot me now.

  “Toy store, oh fuck. Good luck.” He laughed “There is a list for the Cubs.”

  Sighing, she fell back on the bed. “I know right? I have ten to buy for at last count. If you gimme your list, I could take one for the team, since I’m already there.” Shaking her head and rolling it to look at him she groaned again. “The not killing anyone is the tricky part.”

  “Taser.” He laughed “It’s handy!”

  Serra nodded thoughtfully. “I have got to get one of those.”

  Jared smiled. “Be careful with it.”

  “Are you calling me clumsy, Panther?” She bit his arm playfully. “I mean okay, so there was that one time I fell into the leopard exhibit at the zoo. But it only took Pops a couple of days to get me back out.”

  “You’re a chick!” He laughed.

  “Hey!” She swatted at him, pretending to be offended. “Lucky for you I am, Buddy. Unless you’re wishing I was a dude?” She gave him the hairy eyeball and tried not to laugh.

  “Dick is good too.” He said seriously.

  She arched a brow, a smile playing at the corners of her mouth. “I know I’m a fan. Look, another thing we have in common!”

  Jared laughed hard and sat up. “Where is your restroom?”

  Stretching again, she pointed to one of the two closed doors across the room. “If you find shoes, it’s the other door.” She smirked and slowly rolled up, arranging the pillows behind her to enjoy the view of him naked. “Clean towels are hanging up if you were thinking shower.”

  He kissed her and went to get cleaned up.

  She crawled to the edge of the bed to watch his fine ass for as long as possible, proving that she was clumsy when she almost fell over the edge. Laughing at herself and glad that he’d closed the door before he saw that, she padded down the hall to the other bathroom and stepped into the stall. She should have followed him. Growling at herself and the fact she hadn’t thought of that until now, she turned the water on, keeping it on the cool side of warm, because just being around Jared made her hot enough.

  Jared showered and dried off. Ghosting on clean clothes, he went into her living room to sit. His eyes drifted around the room, seeing no personal items. That’s right. She didn’t intend to stay. That was probably good. He didn’t need a repeat of the last time.

  Rubbing a towel against her hair, she left the bathroom, goosebumps from the cold water making her skin tingle. Wearing her usual morning attire, an old Megadeath t-shirt three sizes too big, she beelined for the coffee maker. Smiling at Jared sitting in a chair and eyeing the broken sofa. She laughed, surprised he was still here. “Can I get you anything?” She draped the wet towel over the back of a stool in the breakfast nook, before growling and stalking across the room, to kiss him one more time. Yeah, she was that pathetic.

  He kissed her back. “No, I’m good.”

  Shrugging and biting her bottom lip she padded back to the kitchen. “Seriously Jared, help yourself to anything you want. Mi casa es su casa.”

  Jared shook his head no. “Manners and all!” He laughed.

  “Suit yourself. Pops would ring my neck if I was rude to the talent.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “And you have skills, Babe.” Sipping her coffee as soon as the machine stopped, she glanced at him and realized that she liked him being in her space. Not good. She finger combed her hair back from her face and tried not to think about it. A hormonal surge was all it was. Nothing more. “If you have stuff to do, don’t worry about hurting my feelings. When I wear panties, I always pull on my big girl ones.”

  Jared laughed and wrote down his number. “Call me tonight okay? I need to pick up my kids.”

>   “You’ve got it.” Taking the piece of paper, she grabbed the front of his shirt and dragged him in for a final kiss. “See you again soon, Babe.” She pushed against his chest playfully with a laugh. “Now get.”

  He smiled and ghosted out.

  CHAPTER 6

  Ghosting home from Serra’s place that morning, Jared was feeling pretty good. He unlocked the door, and once he opened it, he was pounced on by the twins.

  “About time you get home, Old Man,” Daniel said shaking his head.

  Jared closed the door and picked up the twins. They mewed at him and licked his ears. Justice nipped him. “I’m sorry, Princess. I’m sure your big brother took good care of you.” The Cubs looked at Jared and then at their older brother. Laughing, Jared set them down and dropped his keys to the SUV into the dish by the door. “I gotta get ready for work.” He gave Daniel his check as he passed by him.

  Daniel looked it and arched a brow at his father. He could smell the female on him, but said nothing. Daniel had his own female troubles. “Okay, Old Man. Don’t drown in the shower.”

  Jared gave him a playful shove and went to his room to get his clothes. He emptied his pockets on the bed. He’d forgotten to check his phone. Picking it up, he turned it on. While it did its thing, he stripped his clothes off. Opening the top drawer of his dresser, he pulled out clean socks and a pair of red boxer briefs. Closing the drawer, he looked back at the bed when his phone went off like mad.

  Jared shook his head and opened the next drawer to hunt for a clean work shirt. Not seeing any, he closed it and got his jeans from the closet. Taking what clothes that he could find, he placed them on the bed and went into the master bath. He showered, even though he didn’t want to. Serra’s scent was still thick in his nostrils. Thinking about last night, his body started to harden for her. Sticking his head under the spray, he tried to think of things other than her gorgeous body and those blue eyes full of passion and fire. A growl started in his chest. The panther in him wanted to have her again. She was different than any other female he’d ever met.