by J. K Harper
“Do you have any idea where they are?”
The silence went on so long Marisa twisted her head to look at Riley face to face. His expression made her heart stumble. After a long moment, he shrugged. “Maybe. I caught their scent not that long ago.”
Marisa shot up straight. His eyes were still blue, but the darkness in them made her shudder. He held her gaze as he went on. “One of the many reasons I wasn’t sure about trusting you when you showed up during the bridge battle was because not long before it, I scented them nearby. One, at least. I know there were a few shifter hunters that went after Grace and the cubs back then, but only one was responsible for her death. His scent was all over the scene when I found her body.”
Marisa’s heart constricted as he said that even though his voice stayed calm. “He’s the one I’ve hunted all these years. I picked up his scent not that far from Deep Hollow about a month ago. I told Quentin, so we could try to track it as best we could. But there are so many shifters around here, all the guests, and their scents are all over too. It was murky. I let everyone know. We were on really high alert. It was pretty stupid of him to return here. After what he did, he had to know that I and every other shifter here would kill him on sight if he was ever caught back in this area. But it was only the one time.”
Riley frowned reflexively, clearly caught in the memory. “He might have just been scoping out the area again, then realized it was too hot for him to be able go after any of the shifters around here so he left. Who knows.”
He blew out a hard sigh then suddenly reached forward, gently putting his hand on Marisa’s cheek. He traced one of her eyebrows with his finger, drifted his fingers over her jawline. Despite the heaviness of the conversation, she leaned into his hand and smiled at him. “That feels good.” She let her purr rattle audibly into the room.
Riley turned his hand, tucking his fingers behind her head and pulling her toward him while he leaned forward as well. “I’m so glad you’re still here, beautiful woman. You stay in our lives.” His lips ghosted over hers, sending more chills and a thrilling desire through her. Pulling back slightly, he murmured, still looking into her eyes, “But I won’t ever be able to sleep comfortably at night until I know we’re all safe. I will find them, Marisa. I will avenge her death.” His voice chilled the room.
And I, she thought to herself, feeling badass kitty growl deep inside her, will find my brother and avenge what’s been done to both of us. But she didn’t say it out loud. She knew Riley would stand beside her, always, but like his vengeance for his mate’s death, this was her battle to fight. She refused to drag any of the Silvertips into more trouble.
Now that she and her cat were one, she could handle anything.
He kissed her deeply again, the soft noises of their lips touching making Marisa murmur and moan against his mouth. Finally, he pulled back reluctantly. She sighed as well and leaned her forehead against his.
“I should go,” she said just as reluctantly.
He nodded. “When you come over tomorrow night, there’s something I want to show you.”
“And what exactly would that be?” She could hear the suggestiveness in her voice.
His groan echoed in his chest, spilling out into a growl of need. “Oh, definitely some of that. The twins are spending tomorrow night at Slade’s house. He loves the crap out of them and tries to spend a lot of time with them every time he’s in town. So, we’ll have the place all to ourselves, my beautiful lion woman.” His voice was more than a suggestive tease. It was an erotic promise that made her thinking jumble up and her breath come quickly.
“But there really is something cool I want to say is happening tomorrow night. And then I might show you a little bit more.”
Marisa leaned into his kiss, losing herself in the moment. Eventually, she whispered back, “Deal, mate.”
15
Marisa stood beside Riley on the porch, his arms strong and warm around her waist as he gazed steadfast after the disappearing furry rumps of Finn and Laney. Their rumbled snorts of excitement drifted back on the still air as they bounced through the snow toward the welcoming lights of the cabin Marisa could see about a quarter mile away. Her eyes, which thanks to her cat had better vision in human form than she’d ever experienced in her life before she’d been turned, caught a shadow moving in front of the light of the faraway cabin. Slade, waiting on his porch for the twins to reach him.
She sighed as she snuggled in closer to Riley. “How wonderful for everyone here to have family right around, have everyone watching out for the kids here. It’s safe. So…” she struggled for the right word.
Riley’s large hand squeezed her hip, his fingers working slow circles on her upper thigh that sent the delicious thrill tripping through her. “So wonderful? Warm? Welcoming?” A smile teased his voice.
Marisa felt the smile tip up her mouth as she bumped her leg against his. “Yes. All of those things. You sound like a brochure advertising the wonders of the Silvertip Lodge.”
His laugh vibrated through her. “Pretty much. Those are words that are actually used on some of the brochures and the website. Abby’s been partially in charge of guest relations ever since she and Quentin got together, and though the lodge was pretty damned amazing before she got here, she’s brought even more to the place. Quentin is a lucky dog that someone as cool as Abby decided his sorry ass was worth something.”
A grin still rippled through his voice as he made fun of his older brother. Then it dropped into seriousness. Brushing a kiss across the top of Marisa’s head, he murmured in the low rumble that sent more delicious chills shivering through her, “But not half as lucky as I am.”
Marisa nestled her head into his chest, feeling his strong and steady heartbeat beneath her ear. A tumble of more shadows flickered across the lights of Slade’s cabin. “Is that them? Did they make it there?”
She felt Riley’s phone vibrate in his pocket where it pressed against her leg. He reached down, pulled it out, and swiped his thumb across the screen which glowed softly. Glancing down at it, he nodded. “Safe and sound. Now, beautiful woman,” he said, brushing another kiss across the top of her head before glancing toward the eastern sky. “We need to hustle so you can see what I want you to see. Come on.” He grabbed her hand and headed down the steps, gently pulling her along with him.
She let her fingers squeeze into his, feeling the smile that still busted wide open across her face as they crunched down into the snow and headed away from his home, angling left through the trees. There was no path—the last edges of twilight made everything dim—but she could see well enough with her enhanced vision. Her cat’s reassuring purr rumbled through her. Marisa sank into it, feeling the amazing world, being one with her mountain lion as she tried to keep up with Riley’s long strides. “You know my legs are shorter than yours. We in a race?”
His hand tightened on hers. “Sort of. I don’t want you to miss this. It’ll be pretty cool.”
“Where are we going?” Anticipation and excitement zinged through her as they hurried through the woods, the only sound their booted feet crunching on what must be a path beneath them that had been walked before.
“Up ahead. Almost there.”
Riley led her out of the trees to the edge of the meadow that sloped down to the east. A faint glow edged the tops of the pines that ringed the far end of it. Marisa looked at it, puzzled. “It’s not Deep Hollow, is it? There’s nothing in that direction. Unless there's a hidden city I don’t know about?”
In reply, Riley pulled her in front of him until her back was nestled into his chest. She let out a little sound of appreciation, pressing into his huge, warm bulk, her rear nudging right against the bulge in his jeans. His breath whistled in as he wrapped his arms around her, his hands crossed protectively over her belly, fingers splaying over her hips. “Not too much of that just yet, pretty lion girl. Need to see this before you make me lose my concentration.”
Marisa sighed, holding still but keepi
ng herself pressed into his comforting warmth and strength. She could be all about making him lose his concentration. It was definitely a fun thing to do. In fact—
The rounded edge of something glowing a burnished gold suddenly tipped above the eastern edge of the trees. Marisa gasped in delight. “The moon!” Even as they watched, it slowly rose above the trees, impossibly huge and glowing.
Riley’s breath whispered over her hair. “Super moon tonight, babe. It’s actually called the Super Snow Moon because it’s during the cold snowy season. Even just a regular moonrise is always incredible up here. But super moons are ten times as cool. I wanted to watch it with you.” He nibbled at her ear. “I wanted to see your reaction to it.”
The impossibly bright light bathed the entire meadow as they watched the moon rise all the way up above the trees. “It’s so big,” Marisa murmured, riveted as the huge globe slowly sailed upward in the sky.
“Definitely is,” Riley murmured back, pressing his hips against her backside, the large bulge of his cock pressed against her ass. With a cheeky grin, she wiggled her butt against it. He groaned.
“Okay, I can’t tease you anymore until we’re back at the house. Otherwise, I’ll just toss you down in the snow right here.” The deliciously rough scrape of his voice made goosebumps pop up all over her body.
“Mmm,” was all she said in reply.
But the grin stayed on her face. Sexy, sexy man. She could get so used to having him in her life like this.
In fact, she wanted that without question.
They watched together as the moon rose fully above the trees, spreading the reflected sunlight all around, creating the nighttime winter wonderland that even a human could see well enough in to navigate. The incredible beauty and peacefulness of the scene filled something in Marisa. She hadn’t even recognized the feeling as loneliness until right that moment. “Your home is so beautiful.” Tentatively, she added, “I really like it. I love it more every day that I get to live here too.”
He groaned, tightening his arms around her, huge sexy man, giving her such shelter. Such safety. “I want this to be your home forever, Marisa. It feels right, having you here.”
She nodded against his chest. “It feels right to me too.” She kept her voice a hushed whisper in the magical wonderland beauty of the moment. Her cat rumbled with purrs inside her, twining through Marisa’s mind with equal serenity. Happiness.
After several more moments watching in silent appreciation as the moon rose, Riley finally pulled himself away from her, though he slid his hand down to grab hers once more. Marisa was blissfully aware of every heartbeat, of the palpable energy rising between them. They turned and went back to the little path in the woods, now so brightly lit up that individual pine needles were clearly visible on the trees as they walked back. The serene hush of the place encircled them, cradling Marisa in a cocoon of warmth and delight. Pure, sheer contentment.
Home. Could it be?
Her cat purred, softly whispering through her with that deep connection that also felt better with each passing moment.
Yes. Yes, it could be home.
A deeper tingle of excitement flitted within her as well. Riley’s hip kept bumping hers as they walked back, the warmth and promise of that contact making her entire body buzz. Still in silence, they reached his house, walked up the few stairs to the front door, then went inside.
Gently, Riley let the door shut, wrapping them in the safety and quietness of his home. Together.
Watching each other, still wordless, they shucked their clothes right inside the doorway, leaving them dropped on the floor right there. Marisa stood naked in front of him, her breath beginning to come faster as his eyes drank her in. Their beautiful blue shade darkened with appreciation as the expression on his face turned to one of mingled intense lust and longing and elation all at once.
“Here,” was the only word he said, reaching for her as hungrily as she went to him. Their lips met in a tangled kiss of deep need, the quiet magic of the night shimmering through them both. He ran his big hands down her naked back, pausing over the bumps of her spine, stroking his fingers over her bony hips. He whispered into her mouth, “Gotta feed you more, woman. Need more of you to hold onto.”
Just the sound of his voice sent a deep ache straight between Marisa’s legs, the feeling of heavy, delicious fullness shivering with an urgent, insatiable need for him to be there.
“Riley.” His name was a throaty murmur, so deep it felt like it vibrated through her body. His own breath came sharp and fast as he looked at her. “Inside me. Now. Please.”
He didn’t waste another second. Reaching his arms below her ass, he lifted her up to his waist, where she wrapped her legs around him. She nibbled on his neck, drawing out a groan as he strode with his long legs up the stairs and down the hallway to his bedroom. She shamelessly rubbed herself against his waist, knowing she was leaving her wetness on him. Marking him as hers.
“Ahhh, babe.” His voice shuddered with desire. “Can’t wait. Going to give you what you’re needing the second I get you on my bed.”
She moaned in response, nipping at his neck, pressing her hands into the back of his head, frantically rubbing herself on his belly like a shameless cat in heat. Badass kitty purred deep inside her, urging her on to the overpowering need to have this man claim her. To claim him back.
He walked into his bedroom, still holding her tight against him, and went straight to his bed. As he gently set her down, he went with her onto the bed, her legs still wrapped around his waist. Keeping the bulk of his weight off her by propping himself up on his elbows, he curved his hands around the back of her head, fingers tangling in her hair, looking into her eyes. The sweet, excited arousal she saw in them matched her own, making her breath rush faster. He butterflied his lips against hers again and again until she was panting.
“More,” she said in a breathy, demanding whisper.
She felt his chuckle vibrate in his chest. “As you wish, babe,” he whispered before crashing his lips onto hers, kissing her senseless with every ounce of his being.
His tongue quested in her mouth, danced with her tongue, his lips sucking and stroking and pressing against hers until she wondered if it was possible to have an orgasm just from kissing. Tremors and sizzles zipped all over her body, making her shake with pure longing.
He ran his fingers down her side, stroking every inch of skin along the way, making her gasp into his mouth. He didn’t relinquish her mouth, still kissing her with a wild, fierce desire he’d held back the other night.
They’d been so tender with one another the other night, careful and gentle.
Not this time.
This time, he wanted to own her. And she was definitely, one hundred percent okay with that.
She pulled her hand away from his back and found his where it still stroked down the length of her body. Insistently, she pushed his hand down, trying to shove it between their bodies, trying to push his hand right on to her flaming pussy, which felt like it was going to explode if it didn’t get touched soon.
Riley pulled his head back just enough to murmur at her, his eyes brimming with the presence of his wild side, “So it’s like that, huh?” A thrill ringed his words.
She panted in response. She couldn’t find words. Sexy, sexy man. Her man. She wanted him. Needed him. Wanted every inch of him on this gorgeous, full snow moon night.
His fingers quested in, smoothed themselves over her mound, dipped into the heated spot between her legs that need to be touched right fucking now or she felt like she might pass out. He stroked his fingers into the warmth and wetness, dragging a cry out of her as he dragged his fingers through.
A savage, delighted grin raced across his face. “As you wish, my beautiful lion woman.” And in a heartbeat, he pulled his hand away, pulled his hips back, and thrust into her.
Marisa cried out at the welcome invasion, the thrill of having him fill her. Legs still wrapped around him, she put her arms aro
und him once more, feeling his broad back beneath her palms. “Mine,” she growled, meeting his thrusts with her own. She knew her cat had to be glowing out of her eyes as brightly as his bear glowed out of his. “You are mine, and I want this, Riley,” she said, her eyes searching his.
He gently thrust in, making her gasp. Then he slowly pulled out, making her protest in an inarticulate babble. Thrusting back in, he said quietly, “Are you sure?”
She nodded and pulled his head down to hers again. “Yes,” she hummed against his mouth.
He thrust into her again and again, so hard they both slid across the bed. It was wild, fierce, perfect. Marisa could feel the fire sweeping over her already, knew she would shatter with just one more thrust.
Abruptly pulling her head away, she reached for his neck and bit him.
Claiming her man.
Her mate.
Riley roared, once again slamming into her, his eyes a swirling hue of gold and blue as his orgasm thundered over him, leaving his powerful, sweet warmth inside her just as she exploded around him. In the midst of his shuddering and shaking, he growled, “Mine,” then turned and sank his teeth into her shoulder.
Marisa screamed in sheer bliss as another orgasm shattered over her on top of the first one, her entire body a paroxysm of joy as her mate claimed her back.
The two of them, spiraling together, joined together forever. She had no fear. Joy was theirs to have.
Throbbing waves shivered and shattered over them both as they clung to one another, gasping and sweating as the tremors slowly ebbed away. She felt her pulse bang so hard in her ears, she wondered if Riley could hear it. His heart thundered in his chest against hers, the rhythm matching her racing pulse, their mingled gasps of air.
Eventually, slowly, the sensations gently slipped away, leaving Marisa boneless in Riley’s arms. She sank into the bed, murmuring wordless little sounds into his face and neck, still clutching him tight with her arms and legs until she finally had to relax them too, her entire body spent with the power of what had just happened.