by Danica Avet
“You can’t tell me you didn’t smell him beneath all that damn perfume she’s wearing. This young man obviously marked her at some point and I want to know why she’s pretending like it never happened.” She pinned Ram in place with a hard glare. “And trust me, I will find out what’s going on.”
Chapter Five
Daisy roamed the woods after two long, horrible days at work. The scene in her mama’s office had only been the start of two days of hell. The perfume she’d put on to mask Ram’s scent had worn off in the middle of taking statements. That had led to a round of twenty questions by the females who’d been fighting over him. Was Ram staying permanently? Was he starting a pride? Would he consider adding a fox/wolf/falcon and any other number of shifters?
She’d fled her mama’s shop, feeling sick to her stomach. Then she’d run into Monk on a routine traffic stop and he’d had a few things to say about how wonderful it was to finally have Red House off his hands. She’d probably be facing an inquest if Monk filed a complaint against her. Daisy wouldn’t take it back though. The curl of his beautiful paint job beneath her claws had been the sweetest revenge she could come up with on short notice.
Her shift today had started off decently but gone downhill. Some reporters had called the station asking about Ram, if he was in town, where he was staying, and so on and so forth. She’d warned her dad that they might be facing a surge of media and he’d promised to handle it. Then she’d gone on patrol and thought the day could only get better until she’d come across an accident on one of Pointe-Aux-Chat’s back roads. The only reason she’d known an accident had happened was the broken vegetation and the flash of white in the water next to the road. She’d hoped like hell the driver had gotten out before the vehicle was submerged, but when they pulled the truck out of the bayou there was a human male slumped behind the wheel.
Her stomach cramped at the reminder but she shoved it away and concentrated on the beauty of the woods surrounding her. It wasn’t the first time she’d come across a dead body in her job and it wouldn’t be the last. The bayous were a lot deeper than they looked and some of the curves were deadly. South Louisiana was beautiful, but for those who weren’t careful, it could also be dangerous.
The minute she’d come home, she’d stripped and shifted, heading for the woods she’d sought solace in for most of her life. The familiar scents wrapped around her, comforting her and easing some of her bitterness over Ram’s barbed words and the waste of life she’d been witness to.
Unfortunately, Ram’s words continued to echo in her ears, muffling the ugliness of her job. She hated herself for almost not caring if Ram started a pride, just so long as she could be part of it.
It went against everything she believed in, everything she wanted for her life, but she couldn’t deny that her soul craved him any way she could get him. Her brain, though, forced her to remember her pride, her dignity. She might not be a prize to most males, but she wasn’t some weak female who begged for a male’s attention. Even if she wanted him more than she wanted air.
Daisy found her old log nestled deeply in the mud beside a shallow pond. She’d made it hers when she knocked it down as an exuberant cub and it was the one place she came to when she needed to think. Carefully easing onto the old wood, she stretched out her long body and rested her head on her paws.
The bear wanted to go find the lion, to mark him as hers before another female did. Daisy thought that was a stupid idea. If she could forget, just for a minute, that he was a lion, she still had to deal with the fact he was a famous musician. His life wasn’t here in south Louisiana. He was meant to be in LA with the rest of his band. He’d tour the country to support his albums and each place he went would have females willing to do anything to get into his bed.
Even if they could work out a relationship there was no way Daisy could go with him. She loved being a deputy in her small town, had always wanted to follow in her daddy’s footsteps. Leaving for a big city for short jaunts was a lot different from living in them, especially if she had to contend with gorgeous humans and shifters who wanted a piece of her male.
No, there were too many obstacles blocking any type of relationship she could have with Ram. She’d have to stay away from him. In time, he’d forget about her and either find another female—or many—or return to the bright city lights. Daisy would stay here in the safety of her town and…mourn him.
After a while, she shifted back to her human form and enjoyed the soft breeze on her skin. Kicking up her heels, she pouted at the pond. She wasn’t the type to mope but everything in her, except for her constantly churning brain, urged her to take whatever Ram had to offer. A shiver danced over her skin as she remembered how he’d felt inside her.
Despite him buying Red House, she knew he wouldn’t stick around. A male who’d lived the life he had would become bored in no time and return to the big city without a backward glance. He’d only be here a little while. Hell, as soon as the press knew he was here for certain, he’d take off like a bat out of hell. Sure, he claimed she was his mate, but once he was away from her the urge to cement his claim would dissipate.
In the meantime what could she do? Hide from him every chance she got? Maison Rouge wasn’t big enough to play hide and seek with a lion who could sniff her out no matter where she went. If he wanted to find her, that was. After the way she’d acted at her mom’s salon she wouldn’t blame him if he avoided her like the plague. So what if he put his scent all over her? It didn’t mean they were mated. It only meant he wanted to warn all other males away from her. Maybe he hoped to enjoy an affair or something while he was in town?
Her body tingled at the thought. Could she do it though? Live in the moment and let him go when he was ready? In her current state of mind, she wouldn’t have any luck finding a mate. Not when she was so stuck on Ram. Taking him as a lover would help ease some of the excitement. Didn’t familiarity breed contempt? Her heart thundered as an idea formed. Maybe she could have the children she’d wanted after all. Ram was not only sexy as hell he wouldn’t be sticking around for long. And she’d definitely enjoy making babies with him. It seemed like a diabolical plan, to purposely get pregnant, but she wanted Ram enough to want to have a little something of him to remember him by.
A twig snapped in the brush. Daisy turned her head in the direction of the sound. She peered at the shadows, trying to get an idea of what was watching her, but couldn’t see very well in the deepening darkness. She was also upwind of whatever it was, rendering her enhanced sense of smell completely useless.
She tensed, ready to shift if some rabid wild animal attacked but nothing appeared. She made it a habit to leave the non-shifting predators alone. She hunted sometimes, though she was careful to time her hunts around breeding seasons to avoid fighting with the animals for food they needed more than she did. Wondering if it was one of the reporters she’d spoken to earlier, she decided retreat was the best option. Uneasy, she slipped off her log and started for home on two feet. She was a lot quieter in human form than in her bear skin but she kept her eyes and ears alert for attack.
Moving on swift, silent feet Daisy slipped through her familiar woods, making good time. She’d gone a few hundred feet when she sensed movement behind her. Spinning, she prepared her body to shift, to defend herself, but was tackled to the ground before she glimpsed more than a lot of golden skin and dark hair.
They hit the ground in a tangle of limbs. The scent of Ram surrounded Daisy, washing away the urge to fight and replacing it with the need to have him. Gone were all thoughts of mating and babies, replaced by near painful need. He made a move as though to get off her but she wrapped her arms and legs around his body and kissed him.
Ram froze for a split second, too shocked to do anything but feel Daisy’s soft lips whispering over his in a sweet, delicate kiss. He hadn’t meant to chase her, but the minute she’d begun moving so quickly and silently the cat in him couldn’t resist going after her. He’d only followed her scent her
e to make sure she was okay, but plastered against her warm body Ram knew he’d only been lying to himself.
He hadn’t seen her since the scene at her mom’s salon and guilt had flogged him all night and day. Ram made it a point to study people, both human and shifter, and Daisy’s attitude toward him pointed to some deep pain. He wanted her to confide in him, but that would never happen if she avoided him. As she’d been doing before he tackled her.
The lion purred, glorying in the feel of his mate beneath him. He should have gotten up, explained he’d only wanted to talk to her, but he couldn’t.
He wanted to be right here. His cock nudging against her slick folds, her limbs wrapped around him as if she never wanted to let go. It was more than he’d hoped for when he’d set out to find her and he’d damn well appreciate it.
Sinking his hands into her thick hair, he cradled the back of her head, taking over the kiss. She sighed against his lips, opening to him, surrendering. The lion wanted to roar his triumph but Ram had other, more important things to do. Like taste his mate.
They kissed, their naked bodies sliding together without penetration. It was a tease, pure and simple, a promise of things to come. He explored every inch of her mouth, their tongues tasting and playing, forcing the hunger higher and higher until Ram pulled his mouth away to breathe.
She looked gorgeous as always, her dark hair spilling over the bright-colored leaves beneath her. Her kiss-swollen lips were moist and parted as she panted for breath. Ram’s mouth roamed over her face and neck, nipping at her silky skin, leaving little passion marks behind. She’d probably be pissed when she saw them but for now they helped appease his animal’s need to mark her.
“God,” she moaned when he reached her nipples. She arched her back, offering herself to him, her long legs coming up to encircle his ribs. “Please.”
More than happy to follow her commands, especially when she used that low, husky voice, Ram caught her nipple between his lips and tugged. She shivered, a burst of moisture seeping from her to coat his stomach. Need drowned out all sense of going slow, of enjoying the moment. His woman was wet and hungry for him and he was helpless to do anything but assuage her need.
He coasted a hand down her belly, feeling the way she trembled, enjoying how quickly she responded to him. She might not accept him as her mate yet but she couldn’t deny the power of their attraction. Sliding off her, Ram grabbed one of her gorgeous legs and spread her wider as he came to his knees. The delicate folds of her sex were unfurled by her position. He watched in fascination as he stroked his fingers over her glistening pussy.
His hand looked so wrong, too hard and masculine to be gentle enough with her but Ram couldn’t deny that watching two of his fingers penetrate her snug channel was one of the most erotic sights he’d ever witnessed.
“Ram!” she gasped, the muscles in her legs tensing as he slowly thrust into her with his fingers. “Please, I need more.”
“Hmm.” She was so pretty and soft.
He stroked his thumb over her swollen clit, thoroughly enjoying the way her body tightened. He kept the thrust of his fingers slow and easy, swirling his thumb over her distended flesh. She shook, moisture seeping from her to ease his way.
“Ram! Oh God, please…do something.”
“I am doing something,” he countered and carefully eased three fingers inside her.
She squeaked, her hands gripping his thighs, her nails digging deep as her muscles stretched to accommodate him. The only sounds he heard besides the roar of the blood through his veins was the slick glide of his fingers in her pussy as he fucked her a little faster. His cock throbbed, wanting in, in, in, but he had a greater plan. At least he thought he had a greater plan. At the moment, all he could think about was how fucking beautiful it was to watch his female twist on the ground, the scent of her arousal blending with the deeper musk of soil.
He curled his fingers, finding the patch of tissue different from the rest of her silky channel and rubbed. Daisy splintered apart, her shriek echoing around them and silencing the wildlife. Her inner muscles tugged and squeezed his fingers until he thought she’d rip them off.
She went limp, the tension flowing from her body as though he’d sapped her completely of strength. Ram’s balls were tight with the need to come, the crown of his cock slick with pre-cum and he feared even the slightest breeze might set him off. Forcing his mind to other things he gently eased his fingers from his mate’s tight hold. She twitched, another moan escaping her at the friction.
Her arousal glistened on his skin. He glanced up to see her watching him through drowsy, half-closed eyes. Keeping his gaze locked with hers, he brought his hand to his mouth and bathed her dew from his fingers. He closed his eyes at the remembered taste, a purr of contentment rumbling out of his chest. He shouldn’t have looked away from her because before he could react Daisy flipped her body around and sucked his cock as far down her throat as she could.
“Gunh,” he mumbled around his fingers.
His eyes rolled to the back of his head at the sensation of her hot, wet mouth engulfing him. She gripped his base with one strong hand, squeezing and holding him in place for her.
“Fuck,” he whispered. The taste of her was still on his tongue when he pulled his fingers away from his mouth. His other hand had buried itself in her hair to guide her and to steady himself. “God, Daisy.”
She lifted her head, her tongue dragging along the underside of his cock and wringing a groan of pained pleasure from him. Her long hair swept down, tickling his thighs and hiding her face from him. Ram couldn’t have that. He had to see if she enjoyed tasting him as much as he’d enjoyed tasting her.
He smoothed her hair away from her face, only to see her cheeks hollow as she sucked on the very tip of his cock. Pleasure exploded, his balls tingling with the need for release.
“God, that’s fucking sexy,” he rasped, gently thrusting deeper into her mouth. He hissed when she grazed him lightly with her teeth. “Fuck, baby. Suck me. Deeper, deeper, you can take me.” And she did, her mouth swallowing him until her lips met her fist still curled around his base.
Her throat convulsed, the movement squeezing his cock and he blew up. Hips arching with the force of his orgasm, Ram shot into Daisy’s mouth. The teasing flick of her tongue, the soft, greedy sounds she made around his shaft set off another round of near-painful convulsions as he emptied everything he had into her.
She pulled away, her tongue laving at his cock, cleaning him before she pressed a soft kiss to the head and trailed her mouth up his stomach and heaving chest. Ram shuddered, his hands still caught in her hair as she licked her way up his neck and jaw. Daisy pressed her mouth to his again. This time she tasted of him. Of her.
She pulled away, a sexy, flirtatious smile playing about the corners of her lips. “God, you’re gorgeous,” he breathed.
Her cheeks turned soft pink and her lashes swept down to hide her eyes. “You’re the gorgeous one,” she murmured, skimming one of her hands over his chest. “Is this why you came looking for me?”
With her hands on his body Ram’s brain threatened to burn out. “No,” he forced himself to say, his arms sliding around her waist to pull her closer to him. “I wanted to apologize for what I said yesterday.”
She looked up at him, her dark eyes wide with surprise. “You’re apologizing to me?”
Ram frowned. “Well yeah, it was an asshole thing to say.”
Those amazing lips of hers stretched into a surprised grin. “I’ve never met anyone like you before. Most males I know don’t say they’re sorry so easily.”
He didn’t like hearing about other males, but on the other hand, she was with him, not them. Because they didn’t know how to apologize. Fuck, he’d tell her he was sorry from sun up to sun down if she kept looking at him like that.
She licked her lips and his cock leapt.
“What’re you doing tonight?” she asked him in a husky voice that called his erection back to life. With her
tousled hair, those sleepy eyes and pert nipples she looked like every fantasy he’d ever had.
He almost dragged her down to the ground and took her like the animals they were. He could easily picture her on all fours, her back arched as he slammed into her. He reached for her—and then he remembered he was supposed to have dinner with her parents. His heart thumped as he stared at the female who watched him with hungry eyes.
Daisy and sex or her parents and finding out more about her? His body wanted to stay here with her, or even better, head back to her place and a soft bed. He didn’t want to miss out on a single second of this eager Daisy but their future was at stake.
He had to turn her down. “I’m having dinner with some, uh, friends.”
Her warm, brown eyes turned cold in a heartbeat, the scent of sated woman disappearing beneath a flash of anger and jealousy. Ram’s lion preened to know she was jealous, while his more logical self knew this was bad, bad, bad. But he couldn’t exactly tell her he was going to her parents’ house to scope out the enemy camp. She’d show up and he’d never learn anything about her.
To his surprise instead of going ballistic on him, she smiled, showing a great deal of teeth. “Well then, you have fun,” she said with false sweetness as she climbed to her feet.
Ram’s brain went on hiatus with her mound level with his eyes. He could still scent the sweet musk of her arousal and his cock gave another twitch of interest. Her hands swept over her body with quick, impersonal strokes that only whet his appetite for more. The worst part was she was pissed off, not trying to entice him. But she still managed it.
By the time she’d finished cleaning the soil and leaves from her body Ram was hard, harder than he’d been before. He was tempted to grab her and take her to the ground again. In fact, he’d just reached out to snag her when she flipped her hair over her shoulder with another one of those smiles.
“I have to head home and shower anyway,” she said as she turned away. “I have a date tonight.”