Ciaro (Big Cats Book 3)

by Crystal Dawn

  “Hello, Trouble.”

  “Yeah, you’re more trouble than I am.” Mairi said.

  “Got something good for me?”

  “Not sure how good, but it’s a kitchen full of aqua appliances and a matching sink. You can take all or some in the morning if you get here early enough.”

  “Otherwise I know you’ll set them by the dumpster for me like you have before.” Trey said.

  “Just try to be early so you can unhook them. My crew isn’t all that gentle. I’ll tell them to clear the rest of the house first. Okay? There’s also some odd and end furniture you might want. Who knows?”

  “You usually do. I’ll get there early with my truck and trailer. Will that do?”

  “It will fill it up, but it should all fit.”

  “See you tomorrow.” Trey was gone, but she had one less thing to worry about.

  There was the sound of a vehicle coming down the driveway so she walked outside. It was Ciaro and he was alone in his SUV. “How come you always find me no matter where I am?” She asked.

  “How come you always avoid me?” He asked.

  “I don’t avoid you. I’m just busy all the time. You know why I’m here. When is Liaro coming?”

  “He says Wednesday, but it could be sooner. My siblings like to surprise me.”

  “How many people are living in your house now?”

  “You know Jezzie is there. My sister arrived yesterday with a friend that lives with her. Ramey has a daughter that lives with her named Carey. All three are with me, but I understand she’ll be moving out tomorrow sometime.”

  “Yes, she will. We’ll do a walk through then if she likes it the paperwork will stand and the deal will be done.”

  “I have a cousin, Jodspur that is with me right now and he also has friends. His friends are three males also living with me. As soon as Unis leaves, Liaro will arrive and Tunis, another sister is coming soon.”

  “I always wanted siblings when I was little, now I’m happy with cousins.”

  “You have one of them living with you.”

  “Kayla is just one persona and she’s a sweetie. I actually like having her around.”

  “Maybe I could stay with you at your house. I’d make sure you enjoyed having me around as well.”

  She felt tempted, but it wasn’t part of her plan. “It’s too much like mating.”

  “How about just tonight? I have groceries so I can fix you supper.”

  Damn that male was just too sexy. “Okay. You can cook me supper.” That sounded weird, like she was doing him a favor letting him cook. Thank goodness the kitchen was finally done. There was still plenty left, but the kitchen was now a gourmet’s dream.

  She locked up her new property and drove home with Ciaro following all the way. Was it a mistake to let him come to her home? It didn’t seem to feel like one. She enjoyed the thought of spending time with him. Pulling into the driveway, she saw Kayla was home. Kayla would tease her about this forever.

  Mairi pulled into one of the parking spots and Ciaro pulled into another. He smiled at her and it lit up his whole face. This male was dangerous to her heart, but maybe it was already too late. Kayla was at the door as the two of them entered both piled high with groceries. He’d not wanted her to help carrying them in, but she’d insisted.

  “Did you buy out the grocery store?” Kayla asked.

  “Not me, Ciaro. You know about shifter appetites, don’t you?” Mairi asked.

  “Is he moving in?” Kayla wondered.

  “You’d like it if he did, he can cook.” Mairi admitted.

  “Are you sure?” Kayla questioned.

  “Yes, he has brought things for the crew for lunch that he cooked. Ciaro has a bunch of Spanish dishes that are fabulous.” Mairi admitted.

  “My family moved to Spain for a while before we moved here. My mother loved to cook and felt even her sons should know how to cook several complete meals. Her specialty was Spanish dishes. I’ve learned a few Italian and even some German. Now lead me to the kitchen so I can get started. I’m hungry.” Ciaro demanded.

  “He’s a keeper.” Kayla whispered as she led the way.

  “This kitchen is perfect.” He praised.

  “You’re lucky. It was completed recently. I’m working on the dining room now, but we’ll eat in the kitchen.” Mairi suggested.

  “How large is this house?” He asked as he emptied the bags. She raised her brow at the variety and amount of food on the counter. “I plan to give you several choices.”

  “The house has two full stories. Only a small corner on the second floor was left as storage. There is an office, viewing room setup with a telescope. Three bedrooms, one has its own bath the other two share one. There is a living room with a kitchenette upstairs too. Downstairs there are all the living spaces you see, a master that is a single story because it was added on later and three bedrooms with one bath. There is a full basement that has the plumbing for a laundry and a bathroom. I might add a family room downstairs if I want to.” Mairi explained.

  As Ciaro worked with the food in front of him, he asked questions. “What of all the outbuildings?” He was using premade wraps, but she saw him making filling for tamales and enchiladas. There was also rice cooking.

  “They were all present when I bought the property. One I use as a chicken shed, one is a barn, and the other three are usable for storage. There is a small orchard that needs a great deal of work. I’ve begun to prune and treat the old tress. A garden spot lies beyond the barn. I couldn’t do anything with it this year, but it has some established plants. I did harvest those. There are also hickory and black walnut trees all over the property. I have cousins who have been picking those and making some money from them. Only the black walnuts are bought in bulk, but some people will buy bags of the hickory nuts.”

  “I saw a sign about the black walnuts and didn’t know what it meant.” Ciaro admitted.

  “They set up to shell them and they will buy them by weight or you can pay them to shell them for you. I buy some off my little cousins once they’re shelled. I love black walnut ice cream. Some of the old timers dump them in their driveways and run over them to remove the hulls, but it’s a lot of work and they stain your hands dark brown.” Mairi admitted.

  “Sounds like personal experience.” Ciaro observed.

  “Most kids around here pick up walnuts for money to get school supplies. In the summer, some pick blueberries down by the river. They often eat as many of those as they pick.” Mairi said and she and Kayla laughed.

  Ciaro opened the oven putting food in it to cook. “We should have asked if you needed any help.” Kayla said.

  “We’re getting lazy. Let us help you clean up while stuff cooks.” Mairi offered.

  “I still have to make the salad and finish the rice.” Ciaro said.

  “Everything smells good already.” Mairi admitted.

  “Some is already partly cooked. I’m going to make some nachos for you two hungry ladies and me to snack on while the food cooks.” Ciaro explained.

  Mairi and Kayla cleaned up and put away the items he didn’t use or only used some of. Mairi had a feeling her bed would be warm tonight. It was sexy watching him work with his hands cooking a meal for them. She could imagine him fixing a meal for their family. Maybe she didn’t need someone who has a Mr. Dad after all. If he was willing to help and they hired someone to help as well, maybe that would be good enough.

  Ciaro was slowly changing her outlook. He was seducing her from the inside out and showing her how good he could be. She was also forming a bond to him that might prove to be unbreakable. Mairi shivered, the male was just that hot.

  The meal was fabulous and she and Kayla both told him so. He’d even made dessert, strawberries dipped in chocolate. Those hadn’t lasted long and half had been eaten before the meal. They’d done the dishes, it was no problem with her new commercial dishwasher. Kayla had bragged about his cooking the whole time.

  She’d appreciated
the fact he hadn’t minded Kayla being there. They’d sat in the living room drinking tea and watching an action flick. Once Kayla went to bed, Ciaro was ready to go to bed too. Mairi went to take a shower, but Ciaro didn’t want her to do that alone. Once they were both naked, her mouth watered as she looked at his body. He was long and lean with a cock that just didn’t quit.

  The water was hot too as she stepped into it and he followed her in. Naked and gorgeous was what she saw as she stared at him. He soaped up his hands and started by shampooing her hair. Once he was done with that he began to rub soap on her body making her nipples get hard and her whole body ache with need.

  She soaped up her hands washing his hair first then having him rinse it clean. Now she soaped up her hands again washing him everywhere. Mairi was careful not to rub him anywhere too much. It was obvious he wanted more.

  Chapter 7

  Wanting Her

  Ciaro’s arms snaked around her and he pressed his naked body up against her. Mairi turned in his arms laying an extremely passion kiss on him. He had to have her now and he lifted her against the wall taking her hard and fast. His female clung to him as her fingernails dug into his back. The pain only made him want her more as she moaned every time he slammed into her. Before long she screamed his name as her climax hit her hard. Soon he followed her unable to hold back any longer. It was a struggle to stay standing with the force of his release. His toes curled and he felt dizzy. This female would be the death of him if this overload of pleasure continued.

  He clung to her for a moment so they could catch their breath and attempt to regaining their control. It was time to rinse off now so they could dry and fall into bed. He loved everything he did with her even something as simple as running a towel over her delightful curves. Her room was the master and the colors she’d chosen calming. The bed was comfortable, the sheets soft and they coaxed him to sleep. There they lay, naked and pressed up against each other and all he wanted to do was sleep with her in his arms.

  In the morning, before their day started, he would make sweet love to her. Every one of his days should start so beautifully. They both slept as only the truly tired do. Nothing disturbed them until Mairi woke at her usual time. Ciaro felt her move and instantly he was awake. He’d carried a change of clothes in with the groceries, but left them in the kitchen.

  Mairi was getting dressed so he took a towel fastening it around his waist then got his bag from the kitchen floor. He was grateful Kayla hadn’t seen him. Now he returned to Mairi’s room where she was already dressed and he dressed too. They worked together in the kitchen. She started the coffee while he began to cook breakfast. Setting plates next to him, she got them both a cup of coffee. His was black and he realized she had no idea how he drank it.

  “Just a splash of cream for me.” He directed. She did it and set the cup next to him where he took a quick sip. “What is this?” He asked. It tasted different, but he liked it.

  “Hazelnut. I have a bunch of flavored coffees. I intended to get the regular one, but grabbed the wrong kind. Do you like it?”

  “I do. I’ve never had it before.” He admitted. Hearing a noise, he saw Kayla looking half asleep and making her way down the stairs.

  “I smell coffee.” Kayla said.

  “That’s the best way to wake her. I make coffee first so she gets her ass out of bed.” Mairi shared with a giggle.

  “Not funny. I’m not a morning person, but everything I do requires early mornings.” Kayla admitted.

  “You need to adjust your thinking.” Mairi suggested.

  “I’ve tried, it just doesn’t work.” Kayla complained.

  Ciaro put their food on their plates then set them on the table where everyone dug in. Both females ate quickly as he did. It surprised him when they both began to do the dishes and clean up insisting he stay seated until they were done. His female even brought him a second cup of coffee. It made him feel spoiled.

  This was the life he wanted every day and he needed to figure out how to cement their relationship. He never wanted to have to do without his lovely Mairi. Now he only needed to find the way to her heart. It would not be now as they all three hurried to start their day. Kayla said she was going to college, Mairi was doing her usual work on the apartment building for Ariel, and he needed to go home to see who was there now.

  One of his mate’s crews would be working on the house for Liaro. He liked the house and had he not suspected he would be living with Mairi soon he would have wanted that house for himself. Hopefully his brother and his other siblings knew how lucky they were. Mairi seemed to have an instinct about the houses his people would like best. Many of the lions had gotten houses in town which he and the other panthers would not prefer.

  Mairi had even managed to get his sister a house that was still accessible to customers but had no close neighbors. The only bad part was it had no large land holding with it. He thought it was on five acres or less. It was still large enough to work for a business and a residence and he was certain she would love it.

  His brothers’ places, either of them, suited him more. They each had some acreage and were private. Shifters needed someplace to shift and let their animals run. Yes, the pack lands were available to all his people, but sometimes being able to run at home was the best.

  Kayla rushed out because she had to drive to Branson. He left at the same time as Mairi pulling her close for a kiss before he left. It would brighten his whole day. Nothing made him feel as good as being with his female. Once he reached his house, Jezzie was waiting for him in the kitchen with a second breakfast.

  “Thank you for cooking for me. I didn’t expect it.” He said as he sat down and ate it anyway. Lunch would just be a lighter meal. “Tell me what is happening now.”

  “Uncle Liaro is here. He arrived earlier this morning and he and his friends are sleeping. Aunt Unis called and will be here by lunch time. Quiaro called and he will be here by weeks end and I reserved a room in the party house for him. Aunt Tunis will be here by next Monday. She wants a set up like Unis has. I hate to say it, but I’m glad grandma didn’t name me or my siblings.”

  Ciaro laughed. “You’re good for me. The only bad things about the names is the repetition and rhyming. It is confusing. Your grandma has always considered herself a poet.”

  “Only with names.”

  “Not true. She published several books with poems about our people and their ancestral home in Africa. Some of her poems touch the heart of our people. One talks about the beauty of the land for a predator. It tells how the panther stalks its prey. Another tells about how we were driven out of our homes to roam the Earth with no place to keep us.”

  “Why have I never heard of this before?”

  “Need you ask? Your father blames our parents for all that is not right in his life. This was a problem before your mother left. He blamed them because he didn’t have what he needed to keep her happy. I suspect nothing would ever make that one happy. I’m sorry. Sometimes I forget myself. She’s your mother, you love her.”

  “It’s true that I love her, but I have no respect for her.” Jezzie admitted. There were tears in her eyes and Ciaro felt responsible. “How goes the mate hunt?” She asked out of the blue.

  “I would say good, but the woman is hard to read.”

  “Hopefully, you will win her. I like Mairi.”

  Ciaro noticed everyone liked Mairi. She had a way about her that made her entertaining at times. The female was also good at everything she tried to do. The males that worked wither tried to please her and it was only a rare female that she had trouble with. Usually it was jealousy. It was hard to compete with someone who had a personality larger than life. He also had to admit without even being his mate yet, she had helped ease his load in this major move.

  She’d found jobs for several of his people outside of her crew and even more on it. Her help with the housing was amazing. Her camper park had taken several of his singles and he’d heard she’d bought another cabin sty
le hotel just a little further up the road. Apparently they’d been popular in the fifties and for several decades after that. The drop in tourism recently had made many owners stop maintaining them so now they were too expensive to fix. That was why many were going up for sale.

  There were some of his older people that might find these cabins a good permanent place to live. Young singles could stay until they found their mates. He didn’t see where Mairi found the time to run so many projects, but that she did helped him and his people.

  “Looks like Aunt Unis just pulled in. She’s not alone.” Jezzie said.

  Unis walked up to the door followed by Carol. That just ruined Ciaro’s day. Carol had chased him for years not understanding the word no. He’d finally had to get nasty with her. “I told Unis you would be glad to see me.” Carol whispered.

  “Why did you tell her that?” He asked.

  “Because we left things unfinished between us.” Carol insisted.

  “There has never been anything between us. I told you that and it’s still true now. I’m seeing someone who I plan to mate.” Ciaro informed.

  “I didn’t know.” Unis said.

  “I’m sure you didn’t. Carol can stay at the party house. Jezzie will drive her there while you and I discuss your place.” He held out the keys to Jezzie who grabbed them and led Carol away. It couldn’t be far enough.

  “What went on between you and Carol?” Unis asked.

  “Nothing. She was interested and pursued me shamelessly. I came home and she was naked in my bed several times until I had to hire guards to keep her out. I finally told her in no uncertain terms to leave me the hell alone. That was three years ago.”