Under the Panther's Protection [Black Panthers 3]

by Leah Brooke

  * * * *

  Fiona woke, frowning at the feeling that something was wrong.

  Finding herself alone, she slid from the bed, pulling the blanket around her as she went in search of Joshua.

  When her feet hit the floor, she stopped abruptly, looking down in surprise.

  She’d expected to feel the cool hardwood floors and instead found herself ankle deep in a thick furry carpet that felt like heaven on her bare feet.

  He knew her feet were always cold and had gotten the rug for her.

  After taking a moment to savor the sensation, she started down the hallway, looking into the kitchen for the coffee maker Joshua had told her about.

  She picked it out right away since it was the only thing on the counter, but a splash of color out of the corner of her eye had her whipping her head around to the living room.

  Standing in stunned amazement, she took in the changes he’d made—changes he’d made for her—finding it hard to believe she’d been so involved in Joshua’s kisses when they’d arrived that she hadn’t even noticed.

  The overstuffed sectional sofa and matching ottomans were big enough for Joshua to be comfortable and stretch out while she could get lost in them.

  The dark brown color suited him, but the turquoise and cream pillows in a variety of shades and sizes and throws had been added for her.

  She moved closer, lowering herself to the sofa and reaching out to smooth her hand over one of the pillows to find it even softer than it looked.

  The throw tossed over the back of the sofa, in shades of cream and turquoise, was even softer.

  Curling her toes into the large, cream furry rug beneath her feet, she smiled when she noticed another, even thicker one spread in front of the fireplace.

  She could easily imagine making love with Joshua in front of a roaring fire.

  He was a big, strong, hard man who wanted to surround her in softness.

  It only made her love him more.

  Tracing a pattern in the pillow, she realized that she’d loved him almost from the beginning.

  It felt so natural that she hadn’t even noticed it happening.

  Now, the emotions overwhelmed her.

  “Do you like it?”

  The sound of Joshua’s deep voice had her whipping her head around to the doorway.

  Taking time to admire the sight he made, standing barefoot and shirtless, with the afternoon sun gleaming off of his shoulders, Fiona drew a steadying breath.

  “I didn’t hear you.”

  He bent to set her suitcase on the floor, the glow of the sun on rippling muscles making her hands itch to stroke him. “I didn’t want to wake you, but I thought you might want to take a shower when you woke up. So, do you like your surprise?”

  Smiling, Fiona got to her feet, letting the blanket fall from her shoulders to reveal the upper curves of her breasts. “I love it. Everything’s beautiful. How did you know I like soft things?”

  His eyes lowered, flaring as his gaze moved over her shoulders and settled on the skin she’d revealed. “Because even in that dump I took you from, you had soft things all around you.”

  He reached out a hand as she moved toward him, his fingertip tracing along the top of the blanket and over the upper curve of her breast. “You’re a very sensual woman.”

  She took another step closer, letting the blanket fall and reaching up to caress his chest. “I like hard things, too.”

  Cupping her breast, he ran his thumb back and forth over her nipple. “I’d hoped you’d sleep longer. It’s only been about three hours. It’s not much sleep for a pregnant lady who was up all night driving.”

  Sucking in a breath at the friction against her nipple, she squeezed her thighs together against the sharp stab of pleasure. “I missed you.”

  He slid his hand down to cover her abdomen, his eyes warm with an affection and tenderness that made her heart swell. “Did you?”

  “Yes, and I love my surprises. Thank you.”

  Relief flashed in his eyes, his uncharacteristic show of nerves making her fall just a little more in love with him. “You’re welcome, but your surprise is better.”

  He lifted her high against his chest, bending to retrieve her suitcase before starting from the room and down the hall. “I want you to be comfortable here.”

  Sliding her hands into his hair, Fiona brushed his lips with hers. “About my surprise…”

  Joshua stopped abruptly in the middle of the hallway, his features hard. “Is something wrong? Did the doctor say there’s a problem?”

  Fiona leaned back with a frown, startled by his reaction. “Of course not. Why would you think that?”

  His features relaxed, a smile playing at his lips, but his eyes remained filled with concern as he carried her into the bedroom, dropped her suitcase on the bed, and set her on her feet. “I worry about you. I’ll be glad when you’re back here for good. What were you going to say about your surprise?”

  “I was going to ask you if we could keep it just between us for now.”

  He ran his hands through her hair, pushing it back, and lifted her face to his. “Is there a reason you don’t want to tell anyone?”

  “I just want to wait until I get back. It should be only a week or two. Glenna just had Jonas, and I don’t want to take any attention away from them right now. Besides, I like the idea of keeping it just between us for a little while.”

  Joshua frowned. “Okay. I’ll go along with waiting a week or two, but I want something from you in return.”

  “Oh? What?”

  “I want to tell Mitch. I want him to be your doctor, and I want him to be in charge of your pregnancy from the very beginning. He won’t tell anyone, but your safety and the baby’s comes first.”

  “Okay.” Running her hands down his chest, she reached for the fastening of his jeans. “I’m going to take a shower. Want to join me?”

  “Absolutely.”

  He threw off his jeans and carried her to the shower, kissing her with a passion that fueled her own.

  With the steam from the shower surrounding them, they ran their hands frantically over each other, every touch fanning the flames burning inside her.

  Bracing her against the shower wall, Joshua thrust into her with a groan. Breaking off his kiss, he sucked in a breath. “Every time I take you, I want you more.”

  “Good.” Grabbing fistfuls of his hair, she tightened her legs around him, her breathing harsh as one kiss blended into another.

  The heat and vibrations from his cock rippled through her, driving her ruthlessly toward the edge with a speed that astonished her.

  Breaking off their kiss, she sucked in a breath, filling her lungs with his scent. “I’m gonna come. Joshua. Please. I want it to last.”

  Fisting a hand in her hair, he leaned her back and pumped into her, his features appearing carved in stone. “Afraid that doesn’t seem to be an option for us. Come for me. Let me feel that soft pussy milk me.”

  Her orgasm hit her hard and fast, the force of it tightening her entire body as Joshua continued to pump into her.

  “That’s it, my mate.” He braced a hand on the wall over her head, his hand clenching on her bottom as he thrust harder and deeper than ever.

  With a deep, throaty growl, he poured himself into her, the pulsing of his cock inside her setting off another series of ripples that milked his cock as if desperate for every drop of his seed.

  Gathering her close, he groaned and brushed his lips over her temple. “I have to be careful with you.”

  “I hate that you don’t give me all of your cock.”

  “Little by little you’re taking me. Hell, I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You don’t.” She lifted her head, blinking against the spray. “You’re so gentle with me. I can’t imagine you hurting anyone.”

  He set her on her feet, his lips thinned as he looked away and reached for the shampoo. “Don’t put me on a pedestal, Fiona. I can be ruthless.”

  Th
e tension in his body and apprehension in his eyes both surprised and alarmed her.

  Combined with what he’d said in the past, about not wanting to scare her, vehemently telling her that he would never hurt her, and the odd remark that he would die to protect her, his apprehension made sense.

  Needing to comfort him, Fiona reached up to cup his face, urging him to look at her. “You would never be ruthless unless you thought it was necessary. You’re a good man, Joshua.”

  Uneasy at his stillness, she studied his features, smiling to hide her unease at his closed expression and the cold anger in his eyes. “I’ve known you’re a dangerous man from the first time we met. You kidnapped me, remember? Do you really think you scare me?”

  He poured shampoo into his hand, taking his time to set the bottle back on the shelf. “I’m very afraid that I will, and when I do, you’ll never look at me the same way again. Come on. Let’s get cleaned up. You need to eat, and your sister is probably anxious to see you.”

  * * * *

  Joshua knew he hovered, but he couldn’t help it.

  He made sure that Fiona ate enough as she talked to her sister and kept a sharp eye on her while he took Mitch aside to explain the situation.

  “She wants to keep it quiet until she gets back. She wants the attention to be on Glenna.”

  Mitch nodded. “She’s very protective of her sister.”

  “And downplays her own problems. It worries me. I’m afraid that she’s going to try to keep things to herself so she doesn’t worry anyone, which means I’m going to have to keep an even sharper eye on her.”

  “I will, as well, and once you share the news, I’ll make sure to tell the others what to look for.” He looked up at Joshua with a smile. “Now you know why Joe and Leland watch Glenna the way they do. Don’t worry. The pack will watch out for your mates the way we’ve always watched out for each other. You’re not alone. Glenna and Fiona are part of the pack now. You’re going to have to tell Fiona the truth soon.”

  “I know. I would tell her now, but I’m worried about her leaving again. I don’t want her to be alone while she’s trying to absorb all of this. As soon as she comes back, I’ll tell her. At least then she’ll be here and I can keep an eye on her.”

  “Sounds like a plan. I’ll be in the medical building waiting for her. I need to start a file for her.”

  “We’ll be there as soon as she finishes eating.”

  Minutes later, with the excuse of taking a walk, Joshua led Fiona to the medical building they’d recently constructed.

  It was a large outbuilding that they’d all worked on together while Mitch worked on getting the equipment he’d need.

  Two hospital beds had already been installed, along with an examination table and a wall filled with cabinets that Mitch planned to fill with the supplies he thought they’d need.

  “Wow. I’m impressed.”

  Mitch smiled and led her toward the scale. “We’re not finished yet, but everyone’s been working hard to make this happen.”

  “Why not just go to the hospital?”

  Mitch shrugged and noted her weight. “You will when the time comes, but it’ll be easier and more convenient to take care of you here.”

  Frowning at her weight, Joshua helped her to the examination table, lifting her to sit on it. “Mitch used to patch everyone up in the kitchen, but now with women and children on the farm, that isn’t exactly the best option. Shouldn’t she weigh more?”

  Mitch nodded. “Yes, but we all know that they spent a lot of time without enough to eat, especially Fiona.” His eyes narrowed, but a small smile tugged at his lips. “We know that she gave up food to make sure Glenna had enough.”

  Fiona blinked. “Wouldn’t you have done the same?”

  “Yep.” Mitch took her blood pressure, glancing up at Joshua. “You’re hovering.”

  “I know.” Joshua nodded and rubbed Fiona’s back. “You need to eat more.”

  “If I eat any more, I’m going to explode.”

  “I know it’s early, but I want to know if you start having bouts of morning sickness. We’ll see what we have to do to ease it.”

  Fiona smiled. “We tried everything with Glenna, but the only thing that worked was chamomile tea.”

  Mitch’s brow went up. “Really?”

  “Yeah. We tried saltines, toast and ginger ale, but none of them worked. I took several samples of tea from the hotel when I worked there, so we tried those. The chamomile did the trick.”

  Mitch jotted that down and glanced at Joshua. “Do you have any chamomile tea?”

  “Not yet, but I’ll get some.”

  Fiona frowned at Mitch. “You’re writing that down? Is chamomile tea that important?”

  Mitch looked up from his notes, giving her one of his bland doctor smiles that gave away nothing. “I just want to be thorough. I’m going to give you some vitamins to take.”

  “The doctor in Florida already gave me some.”

  “I’m your doctor now, and I want you to take the ones I give you.”

  “You’re bossy.”

  “Yes, I am. Remember that when you try to give me a hard time regarding your care.”

  “She’ll do what she’s told.”

  Mitch grinned. “I’m sure she won’t have much choice.”

  Fiona walked with Joshua back to his house, pausing by the ravine. “Wow. The fence is almost done. I’m glad. I’d hate for Jonas to fall in that ravine.”

  “He’ll be watched.” Joshua slid an arm around her and turned her toward his house. “You all will.”

  “The path is beautiful.” The concrete pathway led from the farmhouse and was indeed wide enough for several people to walk comfortably. Lined with stones, it had a small light about every five feet or so that would light the pathway in the dark. “It looks like it was a lot of work.”

  Joshua shrugged. “You’d be surprised how quickly things go when there’s so many of us to work on it.”

  “It looks like having us here is causing you all a lot of trouble.”

  “It’s worth it.”

  “Is it?” She stopped, turning to him and lifting her hands to his shoulders. “You worry too much. I’d rather you just enjoyed me.”

  Joshua grinned. “Oh, I plan to enjoy you, my mate. As soon as we get back to my house, I’m going to strip you and bury my face between your thighs.”

  Fiona sucked in a breath, the surge of need weakening her knees. “Damn it, Joshua! You did that on purpose!”

  Lifting her into his arms, Joshua started toward his house again. “Did what, my mate?”

  “You knew what saying something like that would do to me.” Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pressed against him and nibbled at his bottom lip. “I think being pregnant makes me horny.”

  “It better make you horny only for me.”

  Her past experience with a man who couldn’t keep his dick in his pants had her rushing to reassure him. “You don’t have to worry about me wanting anyone else. I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want you. Honesty is very important to me. I hate lies.”

  “I know, my mate. I know.” He strode inside and headed for the sofa. “Let’s try out our new sofa.”

  He laid her down gently, searching her features. “Are you okay?”

  Fiona kicked her shoes off and sat up to remove her bra and sweater. “No. I’m horny. I swear, if you treat me like I’m fragile, I’m going to buy myself a vibrator and bypass you altogether.”

  Joshua’s eyes flared, his movements becoming rougher as he unfastened her jeans and yanked them off. “Don’t even think about it, my mate. Your pleasure comes from me.”

  “Then hurry up and do your job.”

  Hooking a thumb in either side of her panties, he ripped them off, tossing them aside with a low, growly sound. “You just love to challenge me, don’t you?”

  “Do I?” Sitting up, she reached for his shirt, but he pushed her hands away to do it himself. “Damn it, Joshua. I want to touch
you.” She reached for him again, stunned when he grabbed her bra and used it to tie her hands together. “What the hell are you doing?”

  “Making you pay for challenging me.”

  He grabbed one of the larger pillows and lifted her hips to shove the pillow beneath them. “I’m going to make you as crazy as you make me.”

  Delighted with his reaction, she reached for him, running her hands through his hair. “Untie me.”

  Joshua grinned and pushed her thighs apart, slowly lowering his head between them. “No.”

  He ran his tongue through her slit, his hands flat on her abdomen, and with a groan, he slid his tongue into her pussy.

  The heat of his devious tongue drove her wild, his enthusiasm much more than she’d bargained for.

  “Joshua!”

  Lifting his head, he flicked his tongue over her clit. “Quiet. I’m having my dessert.”

  His tongue stabbed into her repeatedly, pushing at a spot inside her that was so sensitive that every stroke of his tongue forced a cry from her.

  “Joshua, I’m ready. Take me.”

  Joshua stilled, slowly lifting his head with an incredulous look on his face. “I’m not even close to being finished here. I’m enjoying the taste of my mate, and you’re going to come so I can have more. I’m not in a hurry here, Fiona, so if you think this is going to be over soon, you’re sadly mistaken.”

  He lowered his head again, wrapping his hands around her thighs and lifting them higher, using his tongue on her with a ruthlessness that had her writhing in helpless abandon.

  He used his tongue on her clit with a decadent expertise that drove her higher and higher toward orgasm.

  Just when she thought one more stroke would send her over, he slid his tongue lower, stabbing it into her again and again.

  She tried to free her hands but gave up, fisting them in his hair. “What are you doing? Dear God. You’re driving me crazy. Please, Joshua. I need to come. Please!”

  Lifting his head again, he smiled, his eyes glittering with amusement and hunger. “Already? Poor baby. I’ve barely started.”

  “Please! Joshua, you wouldn’t make me wait, would you?” She kicked at him, her pussy clenching as the need to be filled became overwhelming.