His eyes widened. “Rayah, your leg.”
“I don't care.”
“I care.” He attempted to ease me off.
I grappled his wrists and pinned his hold to my hips.
“Trust me; I want nothing more than to ravish you but now is not the time.”
“Just shut up and kiss me, Thane.” And he was worried Luther was pushy. If I wanted something, in this case, someone, I had no problem reaching out and taking it. My grandfather taught me never to let anything get in the way of what I wanted. So, fuck the Shifter Elite and this injured leg. I wanted to kiss Thane, so I was going to kiss Thane. Crowd or no crowd.
His hands followed the curve of my hips around to my ass and squeezed, pushing a moan from my throat. “What a bossy minx you are.” A hand traveled from my ass up to my back and into my hair. He wrapped my hair around his wrist and jerked my head back with such power it frightened me and made me wetter all at once. His lips met the exposed skin on my neck and trailed his tongue up to my chin. His hold on my hair relaxed, and our eyes were linked for a long moment. Then he leaned forward, his lips an inch away from mine. “But I fucking run shit around here, and I said not now. Get. Up.” His deep voice reverberated through me, and I got up as fast as I’d sat down. He stood, pulling the radio from his pocket. “Zach?” he barked with a snarl, his eyes still glued to mine.
“Yes, sir.”
“Could you meet me at Kiki's Korral and escort Miss Rayah to my cabin? I have a baby calf to tend to.”
“Wait. You are making me leave?”
“Yes, Rayah. I have a job to do, and you are distracting me from it.”
“I see.” Ouch. "Well, tell Zach, don't bother. I'll get my stuff and be out of your hair in no time." With a knife shifting around in my heart, I turned away. My fantasies blown to smithereens. Thane Parker was off the market. He was married to his job, which was fine. I just felt I no longer had a reason to stay. Maybe my leaving was a good thing; I needed to find my grandfather anyway—or at least I hoped he knew me well enough to find me here.
His hand met my wrist; he coaxed me back to him. I couldn't bear to look at him, blinking back the tears threatening to fall from my eyes. My whole life, I had felt out of place, the girl in the group that didn't belong, who was just there to look pretty. No purpose. But being here, even for a short period, I got carried away with belonging to something bigger than me. To someone. To Thane, to Luther, to both. I wanted that fairytale swept-off-your-feet romance my grandparents shared before my grandmother was taken away from us. A love that was going to stand the test of time.
“Rayah, look at me, please.” He lifted my chin with his finger.
“I can't. It hurts too much.”
“I'm sorry. That came out harsher than I intended. I don't want you to leave. I've enjoyed spending time with you. I just need to get back to work to spend more time with you at the end of the day. Okay? Please. Stay.” Both of his palms cupped my cheeks as he rested his forehead against mine. “I never meant to hurt your feelings.”
“Okay. I will stay. Just until tomorrow.”
“Thank you.”
Shortly after, there was a knock on the door, and we instinctively pulled apart.
“Rayah, Zach. Zach, this is Rayah.”
He stepped farther into the view box. "Nice to see you out and about, Miss Rayah. You gave us quite the scare last night. How are you feeling?"
“Nice to meet you, Zach. And I'm feeling much better. Thanks for asking.”
“Great. Well, let's get you out to the cart and up the hill.”
“Thanks again, Zach, for escorting her. I have a baby calf to examine.” He patted Zach on the shoulder and gave me a curt nod before stepping out the door, taking my bruised heart with him. Hopefully, this so-called cabin housed more entertainment than the last place I was cooped up in.
Once in the cart, Zach pressed the pedal, and we cruised up the hill, passing by the Asian elephant habitat and Primate World.
“So, you and Dr. Parker seem close. Have you worked here long?”
“Oh, yeah. Dr. Parker and I go way back. I worked here even before his dad retired and left the zoo to him. Being a zookeeper is my dream job. I can't imagine being anywhere or working for anyone else. Dr. Parker is a good man."
“That's what I keep hearing.”
“You don't think so?” Zach looked at me like I had just insulted his mother.
“Um, I want to believe so, but I barely know him.” Yet, my body responded to him like I was born to love him.
“That's fair. He may not be the most patient man, can be a little overbearing at times, but trust me when I say it all comes from a good place. He's part of the reason I am so good at my job. He and his father taught me everything I know.”
We shared a smile. “Okay, I believe you.”
We turned onto a dirt path between a forest of trees and went up a curvy road on the side of the mountain. An A-frame cabin came into view with a wraparound porch.
“Here we are. Dr. Parker's cabin. He and his father built it.”
I love a man who's good with his hands. “It's breathtaking.” My eyes scaled up the length of it as he parked in front of a cobblestone walkway, which led to the front door.
“So, he lives here?”
“Yes.”
“Before the collapse, did he ever leave to...you know...shop, go out to eat, spend time with friends? Family?”
He shook his head with a smile. “Nope.”
“So, he's a recluse?”
“Pretty much.”
“Oh, great.” I rolled my eyes, and Zach let out a hearty laugh. It seemed, other than work, Thane didn't get much social interaction. Then what he had said earlier about Zorro popped into my mind. I see you’ve met Zorro. He seems to have taken a liking to you. Usually, he shies away from visitors.” Thinking about the hypnotic color in his eyes matching the glow of the tiger I'd seen last night and his personality, in general, confirmed my suspicion of him being a shifter. Not just any shifter. A tiger shifter. Which ironically was my favorite animal, aside from lions and wolves.
“Are you ready to go inside, Rayah?”
“Oh, yes. Sorry.”
“No worries, I figured all this must be overwhelming for you.”
“No kidding.”
After that, Zach helped me to the door, unlocking it to an immaculately clean and organized space that was entrancingly beautiful with vaulted ceilings and exposed pine beams. Yet it felt sterile like an actual surgical suite. I was afraid if something were out of place, he would know as soon as he walked through the door. And he has OCD.
“Are you sure it's okay for me to be here?”
“I know what you're thinking. The man's a psychopath, right? Honestly, he just sleeps here from time to time, spends more time on the grounds or in his office. It'll be fine. The cleaning crew just left not too long ago, that's why it's spotless. So, make yourself at home.”
I exhaled the breath I was holding. “Ah, that makes sense.” I need to get that man to take a break. Even if it's for a little bit, he will run himself into the ground.
“Is there anything you need before I go?”
“Yes. I want to do something nice for Dr. Parker to thank him. Do you have any suggestions?”
“Hmmm...you can never go wrong with food. You know what? I can have Braxton whip up a special dinner for you guys tonight and have it delivered here.”
“Oh, that would be perfect. Thank you, Zach.”
“Not a problem. Now go prop up that leg and get some rest. Doctor’s orders.” He winked before closing the door behind him. Glancing around with a sigh, I took in my surroundings, feeling I could get used to this, being here with Thane. My grandfather would like it here, too.
Staying in a cabin, going fishing, and visiting the zoo were our favorite pastimes when I was growing up. Now, I was alone again without him, and suddenly, there was a chill in the air around me. Wherever he was, I hoped he was fairing a lot better th
an me.
I walked over to the freezer and picked out an ice pack, grabbed a hand towel from the counter, and sat in the blue recliner near the fireplace. I propped my leg on a pillow and wrapped the sizeable gel-filled ice pack over my bandaged leg. The coldness seeping in soothed the throbbing. As the minutes passed by, it was harder and harder to keep my eyes open.
Chapter Seven
Thane
Nightfall crested over the mountainside. My work here at the zoo was never done, but I looked forward to seeing Rayah after a lengthy and exhausting day.
Simone was growing suspicious when the X-rays showed nothing and Luther’s bloodwork was unremarkable. He ate several pounds of meat for dinner to get her off our backs. Not that he minded at all. Fortunately for him, she decided to go back to her living quarters instead of staying overnight to monitor him for any more signs of illness.
Since Zorro's parents died mysteriously, we were consumed with worry whenever one of the animals showed any sickness signs.
When I pulled in front of my cabin, my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach. None of the lights were on. My first instinct was something terrible had happened to Rayah. In a split second, I was out of the cart and inside the cabin. Glancing around in the darkness, I noticed everything was in its rightful place, except a hand towel was missing from the kitchen counter. I snuck around the corner; I heard breathing, smelt dried blood, and my eyes immediately spotted someone sleeping in the recliner. I exhaled a breath; Rayah. I grabbed a blanket from a nearby couch, removed the ice pack and towel from her leg, and covered her with the fleece blanket.
She was even more precious when she slept. I bent over and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Goodnight, my sweet girl.”
So much for spending time with her. I walked into my master bedroom with a sigh and stripped down to nothing; my clothes ended up in a pile on the floor. I turned on the shower and stepped in under the oversized showerhead, letting the steady stream of water massage away the strain in my neck and back.
Once out of the shower, I was in the middle of grabbing boxers out of my drawer when I heard light footsteps pit-patter across the wood floor.
There was a subtle knock. “Thane?”
I smirked. Maybe my night wasn't over, after all. I pivoted on my heel, the towel still wrapped around my waist. I knew it had only been half a day, but those hours were empty without her. “Hey, sleepyhead.”
“Hey. I'm glad you are home.” Her hungry eyes trailed the length of me, lingering on the outline of my cock. She licked her lips, and a pulse shot down to my tip, my tiger clawing to come out and play. “I'm sorry, I can—”
“No, it's fine. Come in.” I cleared my throat. Earlier, she behaved like an animal in heat, so things were about to get really interesting. I was off the clock now, so we weren't bound by any rules, but I was still hesitant about letting my emotions and urges roam free. Where could this possibly go if she was planning on walking out of my life tomorrow?
She stalked toward me then stopped mid-way, her head twisting to the right. “Oh my. That's the largest shower I've ever seen.” She took a step in the direction of the bathroom. “Is that a waterfall function?”
I chuckled, following behind her, loving my view of her ass outlined by her washed-out shorts. “Yes, the rainfall showerhead has three modes, easy to switch in between with just the push of a button.”
“That's amazing. Did you build this?”
I nodded, blushing slightly. Zach must have mentioned how my father and I had built this together in my mother’s memory after she died from brain cancer. She always loved cabins.
“I've always wanted one of these.”
“I mean, did you want to take a shower? You are smelling kind of ripe.”
She punched me in my arm; I winced even though I hadn't felt a thing. “I see off-duty Thane got jokes, too.” She undid her bun, letting her dark brown curls cascade down her back. “I guess the answer is yes then. I don’t want to stink.”
I laughed. “I'll have to remove your bandage and check your wounds first. I can always add a waterproof adhesive over it until you are out. So, don’t worry your pretty little heart.”
“My heart's not little. I have a lot of love to give.”
Our eyes met in an intense dance, and my heart stammered against my chest. “I'm sure you do, Rayah. Have a seat.” I weaved my fingers through hers and led her over to the toilet. Opening the cabinet, I grabbed my medical kit, taking out the scissors to cut off the bandage. Around her bullet wounds were some minor swelling, but overall, they already seemed to be healing nicely. I applied a temporary bandage. Rayah quivered slightly when I touched an unscathed section on her smooth and supple skin. “You’re so lucky, Rayah. The bullet was a centimeter from piercing your femoral artery.”
Her jaw hung open, and her eyes began to water. She instantly closed them, trembling.
I mentally kicked myself for ruining the moment. I just wanted her to be aware of the situation. Now, I needed to kiss her and make it all better. Bide my time before I asked the heavy stuff. When I found out who did this to her, I would make them suffer a fate worse than death.
Gently I lifted her leg, inching her succulent flesh closer to my lips. Delicately, I trailed soft kisses from her inner calf up to her inner thigh.
"Oh Thane." A soft moan escaped her lips; my cock responded, blood filling it fully like I wanted to fill her taut frame. The towel was unraveling from the strain against it.
“Do you want me to get in with you?”
“Yes, please.” Rayah's answer was a throaty hum.
“Consider it done.” I stood, the towel falling off me. I helped her up and pulled her blue shirt over her head. She turned around, moving her hair away as I peppered her bare skin with more kisses. Unsnapping her black bra, I slowly slipped it down her arms, letting the lacey fabric fall to the floor.
When she faced me again, I sucked in a breath as we drank each other in, the sexual tension filling the air like steam. Her eyes widened. “You are—”
“Well-endowed,” I smirked.
She gulped. “Yep. I'm ready to get in the shower now.”
I chuckled to myself, reaching for the knob to turn on the waterfall and selected the spa-mode option for the showerhead. Gentle steam floated through the confined space made of multi-colored slate as I helped her step in, guiding her over to the waterfall.
She squealed, sticking her hand through the water. Being around water livened up my tiger's playful side, and seeing her smiling amplified it. My resolve was quickly going down the drain with the run-off. Even my thoughts of what I wanted to do to her were downright lewd. I craved to claim every hole of her body as mine.
Her bright eyes met mine again. “Thank you, Thane, for taking such good care of me.”
I moved her hair away from her eyes. “Don't mention it.” My hand trailed down the side of her face. Next thing I knew, she was sucking on my ring finger, twirling her tongue around it. “Damn, Rayah. That tongue.” A guttural growl left me before I could stop it.
However, she only smiled back at me, taking my finger farther into her mouth. “Easy, tiger. I'm only getting started.”
So she knows... The tension in my shoulders dissipated. She figured out my secret, but I still needed to figure out hers. Not now. My mind was scrambled, trying to cage my tiger from slamming her up against the wall, showing her what my animal was truly capable of.
Her mouth released my finger and zoomed to my chest. Every kiss she planted broke me down bit by bit, my cock pulsating up and down, searching for her center. She went lower and lower, and soon Rayah was on her knees in front of me, her eyes pleading for a taste of me. “I want to show you how thankful I am, Thane.”
Precum leaked from my crown, and she caught the drop on the tip of her tongue. The word "Fuck" ripped from my throat. I nodded, threading my hand through her hair, bracing myself for the pleasure she was going to serve me.
Without taking her eyes off mine, her swee
t little mouth and lips took me in. One hand pressed against my thigh for support while the other was gripped around the base of my cock, her fingertips barely touching. The muscles in my legs were clamping and relaxing with every pull and suck of her hand and mouth as she took me farther into her.
Her moaning against my flesh sent my mind spiraling, my breathing choppy as she sucked and pumped me harder, my grip tightening, my control loosening. My hips bucked into her, our surroundings blurred by the steam. Her name was the only word I could remember while she was on her knees in front of me, worshiping my cock better than anyone ever had.
I'd been sucked off.
I'd eaten pussy.
I'd fucked.
But I had never kissed a woman, made love to a woman. Too intimate for me. But Rayah...was I going to kiss and make love to her?
Abso-fuckin-lutely.
Chapter Eight
Rayah
I must have been dreaming. Was I here with Thane, naked, in the shower pleasing him as if my life depended on it? I wedged my hand in between my thighs, the evidence that this was indeed happening slicked down my fingers. My jaw and legs were burning, but I didn't care. I needed this man like my lungs burned for air, and I hoped eventually he'd feel the same. His groans and whimpers from me sucking him deeper into my mouth, told me I was in the right direction. Though, what I desired more than anything was to kiss him, invisibly connect our lost souls as one.
Hot spurts coated my throat, and I swallowed every single drop.
My prayers were answered because now he had me pinned up against the wall of the shower, the coolness of the slate tile soothing my spine. His green eyes bore into mine, swirling with that mesmerizing glow. My heart was beating so loud I couldn't think. I didn't know whether he wanted to devour me whole or kiss me.
A gush of air escaped my lungs as his thumb grazed across my swollen bottom lip. “Your mouth just claimed my cock. Now, it's my turn to claim you, all of you.”
“Fuck! Yes, Thane, claim me.” I sounded pathetic begging, but Thane wasn't just any man. He was my man. He said I had claimed him—my shifter. And allowing myself to be vulnerable meant we were solidifying our bond. I realized I did trust him, with every fucking beat of my heart.
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