Eye of the Tiger

by Crissy Smith

  So different but connected all the same.

  She resumed her bathing of him, just letting him relax next to her body.

  Zak didn’t think he’d ever had someone so lovingly attend to him. With the memories of his father and uncle so fresh on his mind, he’d been terrified when he’d first spotted Abilene.

  It was actually the tiger that had recognized her acceptance first. They were of one mind, of course. It wasn’t like his animal form had different thoughts, but the tiger side of him relied more on instinct than brains. A great need to touch her and have her human hands on his fur had driven him to make the first move. Abilene had responded with ease. Her fingers had felt like heaven. And once he’d known his tiger was as content as he was, he’d decided to take a chance.

  She’d wanted to shift together earlier and now they could. He had already been in his other form. He hadn’t hurt the fragile human and had no desire to fight. When she’d started to follow his direction and transformed, Zak had had a touch of regret that he’d kept this form of bonding to himself. Jamie would have been strong enough to keep Zak under control. Cody had the ability to fly away if need be.

  Instead of allowing himself to enjoy what was a part of him, he’d resisted shifting.

  Now he lay on his back lawn with Abilene as she gently groomed him. And her tongue was not only giving his human brain ideas but his cat’s body was responding. Pulling away slightly, he bumped his nose against Abilene’s playfully.

  She responded by wrapping a foreleg over his neck, leaning her weight on him. He rolled the two of them gently, mindful that he had to be careful with his size. When she was on her back he head-butted her stomach before leaping away.

  Abilene would be quick in her current form, so it wasn’t like he could get away. With agile movements, she was on her feet and hopping toward him with the cutest chirping sounds.

  He laughed and swiped a paw at her before darting away.

  She cut him off. Zak used his bigger form but remained gentle as he brushed past her. Abilene was right on his flank as they covered the yard in long strides. He cut right before turning left, even though he knew she would be better at cutting from side to side. Her agile body was made for this kind of play.

  His tiger wasn’t much of a runner. He really wished he had some big trees in his yard so he could leap up. Maybe that was an investment he needed to make soon.

  Abilene knocked his back legs out from under him, sending him rolling.

  Zak recovered quickly, jumping back on all fours.

  Abilene crouched before chirping again. She took off and he chased her this time.

  They played for what seemed like hours but what was probably more like twenty minutes until Zak was tired and collapsed where they’d started. Abilene sat by his side, her breaths coming out hard.

  He had never had so much fun. The tension and stress from earlier had disappeared and he felt free for the first time in his life. He would be forever grateful for Abilene showing him he could still be with others in his tiger form. Meeting Abilene had turned out to be such an unexpected surprise. Not only did she keep him aroused and craving more but she had opened his eyes to what his childhood fear had kept him from.

  As much as he was enjoying their fun he needed to actually say the words to her. With a heave of his body, he stepped a few feet away and started to change back. She began to follow suit.

  He couldn’t help the grin on his face as he stood in front of her, both of them naked and excited. He reached for her and she came willingly into his embrace. “Thank you,” he whispered. “I can’t tell you how much that meant to me.”

  “I was afraid you’d get mad I followed you. I just wanted to talk but when I saw your other form, I couldn’t help myself.”

  “No”—he cupped her face—“I’m glad you did. I’ll tell you my story some other time but just know that you helped me tonight.”

  Her grin was stunning. “Really?”

  Bending so he could kiss her, he answered against her mouth, “Yes.” He pressed his tongue against the seam between her lips, forcing her to open for him. Drawing her tongue to meet his, he sucked and nipped.

  Abilene pressed closer. Her full round breasts were trapped against his chest while he ran his hands down her sides to grasp her hips. He rocked his body into her, dragging his cock over her stomach, applying a teasing friction. She hummed for him, and he swallowed the sound as he continued to attack her mouth. Her arms came up around his shoulders to hold on tight as he started to lower their bodies to the ground.

  He covered her body with his. Felt the softness under his harder bulk as he covered her. He trailed his kisses down her chin, following the path of her slender throat. She arched, granting him better access.

  He knew it was impossible, but he could have sworn at that moment that he could taste the cheetah hidden behind. That hint of wild excited him.

  Zak rocked his hips, brushing the head of his cock against her pussy.

  “Yesss,” she hissed.

  He wanted to take her but not yet. Palming her full breasts before tonguing the tips, he shivered as she cried out.

  Arousal sparked up his spine. It was hard to hold back, however he had something to prove. Sliding lower, he paid close attention to the dip in her stomach before nibbling on her hip. Using his right hand, he rubbed through her folds to press into her. She bucked up.

  Chuckling against her flesh, he peered up at her.

  What a picture she made. Head tilted back with her hands buried into her curly hair, tugging. Oh yes, he was playing her body well. Keeping two fingers deep, he sat back on his heels.

  “Turn over,” he ordered.

  She complied, having to crawl and maneuver since he refused to remove his digits from her pussy. Once she was on her hands and knees, he laid his body back over hers. He wrapped his arm around her hip to continue to pump his fingers into her. He dragged his cock through the crease in her ass.

  “I’m going to fuck you, hard,” he told her.

  She pushed back. “God! Please!”

  “You’re going to take it—take me—and just when you think it’s too much, I’m going to demand more.”

  She whimpered. Damn, that was music to his ears.

  Starting at her shoulders, he ran his nails down to her hips. Her moan filled the backyard.

  He gripped her hip with one hand while grasping his cock with the other. Scooting forward, he teased her folds before slowly pushing in. He slid through her wetness in one smooth stroke.

  “Zak!”

  “Yeah, baby.” He didn’t normally use pet names but he couldn’t help it. This connection between the two of them had him doing and imagining all kinds of new things.

  He pulled out almost all the way before thrusting forward. Then did it again and again.

  Her hands tore at the grass as she rocked back to meet each plunge of his cock deep inside her pussy. His pulse sped up and he stared down at her flawless back. Clasping her hips tighter, he increased the power with which he rode her. This wasn’t about making love. He’d show her that later in bed.

  This was primal—to show her that she belonged to him and him alone.

  The slap of their bodies was animalistic and raw. He thrust deep while rumbling. He propelled deeper, faster, chanting her name until she exploded, screaming so that the neighbors could most likely hear.

  Her inner muscles clamped down on his cock, but still he rode her through her climax.

  She went lax, but he wasn’t finished. He had a promise to keep.

  He slipped his arms around her waist to pull her up so her back was plastered against his chest. The move changed the angle of his thrusts.

  “Oh God!” she said. “Zak.”

  ‘Oh God’, was right. He was close. His cock was so hard. He needed to spill inside her. Wanted his seed to coat her and leave his mark. He wanted every other shifter out there to know she belonged to him.

  He tightened his hold even more. “Mine!” he sh
outed.

  “Yes!” She went over the edge once again but this time she hooked him and dragged him along for the ride.

  Sparks lit up behind his closed eyes. He desperately slammed into her before freezing and coming harder than ever before in his life.

  They fell onto the ground still wrapped together. He shifted so his shoulder and hip were taking the majority of their weight.

  “That was unbelievable,” she murmured.

  “Hmm,” he managed. He was beyond words.

  He slid out of her, turning to lay flat on his back. She rolled over, propping herself up on her elbow. “So…”

  “So?” he questioned.

  “I’m hungry.”

  He laughed. “Shit, you’re one of those people that is energized with sex, aren’t you?”

  She bent down and kissed him. When she pulled away she was smiling widely. “I so am.”

  “Fuck!” he grouched. “I guess I’ll make you dinner then.”

  “You cook?”

  He wasn’t sure how he should take the surprise in her voice. “Yes I cook—very well, if I say so myself.”

  “Wow!” she said. “The best sex in my life and dinner. I may never leave.”

  He’d expected that a statement like that would make him uneasy, but instead he was swamped with pleasure. Satisfied that he’d put that awe in her voice.

  “Come on,” he said, climbing to his feet. He held out his hand.

  Her palm met his and he lifted her to her feet.

  “Let me… Uh, there are my pants.” She wandered off to start to collect her garments.

  Zak watched her, just enjoying the view of her bending over to gather up her clothes.

  “Are you just going to continue to stare at me?” she asked without turning.

  “Yep.”

  She giggled. “Okay.”

  Shaking his head, he walked toward his clothes that he’d folded on the deck chair. A ringing started and he had to dig around to find his cell.

  Cody’s name popped up on the screen. Abilene was strolling over to him so he answered while holding out his hand to her.

  “Hey, buddy,” he greeted Cody.

  “What’s going on? I thought we might grab some dinner but Jamie said you took off like your ass was on fire.”

  Jeez, had that only been a couple of hours ago? It seemed like days if not weeks since he’d freaked out on Abilene. “I’m good. Had to get home and check on something but everything is fine.”

  “Sure.” Cody didn’t sound like he believed him but seemed okay with letting it go. “So dinner? Aubrey said she’d meet us.”

  He wanted to spend time with his friends. Really he did, but he’d much prefer staying in with Abilene.

  “Zak?”

  “It’s just I was about to make dinner and…”

  “And you’re not alone?” Cody finished.

  He chuckled. “I’m not alone.”

  “Say no more. I’ll tell Aubrey you already made other plans.”

  “Thanks, man.” He had great friends.

  “Have a good time.”

  Zak pulled the phone away from his ear. “How about some food?” he asked Abilene.

  “Sure.” She rubbed his stomach. “We’ll take care of one hunger before the other.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Key in the lock, Zak secured his house before turning and grabbing Abilene’s hand. His body was still loose and limber after the morning shower they’d shared where he’d had her against the shower wall.

  He couldn’t see himself ever tiring of having her close. That worried him since he wasn’t certain what kind of future the two of them could have. Abilene had a job that could take her away for long months at a time. ATF operations took place all over the country. Plus his own work made it hard to keep any relationship going for long. Even if she didn’t live over an hour away they probably wouldn’t see each other that much if their careers took them into investigations like the one that had brought them together.

  He’d have to really think about what he could do to ensure that he and Abilene had a real chance at something lasting. He’d seen the way that Cody and Aubrey had struggled to keep things together but Zak was just as determined as Cody had been. Even Jamie was happy with Brandy, who had no connection to his job. If anything, Zak was lucky because he knew that Abilene understood what he did and why he couldn’t pass off some of the more crazy assignments.

  He led her down the walk to where she’d parked then opened the driver’s side door. She paused before leaning forward and kissing him. “Thank you.”

  “You’re very welcome,” he told her, enjoying the tingling her mouth left on his. “I’ll see you at the office.”

  She nodded. “I just have to run to the hotel and change clothes, but I’ll be there soon.”

  “You know…” he started before he could catch himself.

  She glanced at him.

  Hell, he might as well finish. “If you brought your bags over here, you wouldn’t have to go back and forth. You could leave straight from here in the mornings.”

  She smiled. “That would save some time,” she agreed. “Are you sure?”

  Was he? It was probably crazy and he knew it was way too fast but yes, he wanted Abilene with him all the time. “I’m sure.”

  “I think I’d like that. We still have a good amount to work on with the case. Jamie and I will finish up some of the initial reviews but the District Attorney will start the charges. Cody had better luck with the interviews from Robbie, Scott and Bud. They’re not staying silent like the group from the bust. Since we’ve finally got some information we can use, it might be a little while before we’re done. I might wear out my welcome.”

  Cody had called the night before and caught them up on his interview. They’d caught their first break and finally they had some intel on Mike Timmons. They still didn’t know where he was but they had several safe house locations.

  Zak was shocked to realize that he actually wanted the case to go on longer just so he could keep Abilene close. “I don’t think you’re in danger of wearing anything out but me.”

  Her soft laugh sent warmth through his stomach.

  “Is the big bad tiger tired?”

  He growled. “And hungry! So get going and I’ll stop by and grab us something from the diner. I’ll meet you in the conference room.”

  She rose to her toes one more time, but only gave him a loud sloppy kiss on his cheek. “My hero.”

  He mock grumbled, shoving her gently into her seat before slamming the door closed. He stood in the street watching as she pulled away from the curb and out of his neighborhood.

  Wow, what a difference a few hours could make. When he’d arrived at home the night before, he’d been sure he’d fall back into depression and anger. It always happened when he thought about his past. They’d gotten him counseling when he was younger and living with a foster family. The family had actually been pretty decent to him. They’d clothed and fed him—made sure he got an education, but they hadn’t loved him.

  Until he’d met his two best friends he didn’t think anyone had truly cared about him. Now that he had Abilene, he could see the difference in what he’d thought he’d wanted and what he now hoped for.

  Twirling the key ring in his hand, he started toward his truck. There was a diner that wasn’t far from the office that served the best breakfast sandwiches. He could drink a cup of coffee while he waited on his order. He’d even get a few for the others that would be working with him.

  Two steps from his truck, Zak froze.

  In his excitement about Abilene, he hadn’t picked up on the quietness of his neighborhood. There were no dogs barking, no sounds from anyone. He glanced at his watch. While it was early, he should be able to hear people out and about.

  And he could feel himself being watched.

  Not in the curious sort of way that some neighbors viewed him but with real menace. He slipped his hand down and toward his back.

>   “I wouldn’t go for that weapon you’re reaching for.”

  Zak stopped. He turned toward the small set of bushes between his and his neighbor’s house. Mike Timmons stepped into view.

  “Don’t make me shoot you,” Timmons said. “I could have easily taken out that pretty federal agent that just left. Instead I waited until you were alone.”

  How had Timmons found him? How long had he been at Zak’s house? As those questions ran through his head he felt nauseous. Neither he nor Abilene had picked up on anything.

  “What do you want?” he asked, remaining calm. He knew what to do when he was being threatened. He’d been trained to deal with his cover being blown.

  “You have something that belongs to me. I want it back,” Timmons told him.

  Taking a good look at the older man, Zak noted how much a few days had changed him. Instead of the expensive suit, Mike Timmons now wore jeans and a button-down shirt. He also hadn’t shaved in several days and, by the smell of him, he hadn’t showered either.

  “I didn’t take anything,” Zak replied.

  “Don’t fuck with me. I gave you my trust and not only did you betray our group but you took my brother-in-law down with you!” Mike yelled.

  He could only be talking about Logan. Zak hadn’t caught the family connection before so this made the situation worse. With Timmons’ hand shaking as he pointed a gun at Zak’s head, he’d say Timmons was just about to lose it.

  A desperate man was dangerous in a fight.

  Zak’s cell started to ring, making Timmons jump.

  “Don’t answer that!”

  “Okay,” Zak said. “The phone is in my pocket. Look! I’m keeping my hands out and in front of me.”

  “I’ll kill you! I should just go ahead and do it but first you’re going to help me.”

  He nodded. “What is it you want me to do?”