by Renee Rose
Right now, I’m dying to give Nash another healing.
I nip his lower lip and work the button on his jeans.
“Careful, baby,” he rasps. “You sure you want me off my leash?” He pulls my shirt off over my head.
I arch a brow at him. “Pretty sure I can handle you.”
The corners of his mouth tilt into a lopsided smile. “I doubt it, baby.” He backs me up against the kitchen counter and turns me to face it. When he grabs a wooden spoon from the utensil bin, my heart starts to thud with excitement. This is the side of Nash I crave. The dominant alpha taking charge.
As much as I appreciate his respect for my boundaries, in my dreams he never takes no for an answer. Never lets me push him away. He demands his rightful place in my life. But those are just fantasies.
Nash taps my ass lightly with the spoon. He’s testing me. Waiting for a reaction.
I look over my shoulder at him. “Are you going to actually use that spoon, or should—”
He moves swiftly, pinning my hands behind my back and forcing my chest down on the counter. I laugh as he smarts my ass with the wooden spoon. I’m a shifter, so pain is fleeting. In this moment, it registers only as stimulus, augmenting my desire.
Nash nudges my feet wider. “Spread those long, lovely legs. Show me the place I’m going to make sore tonight.”
I bare my teeth and growl at his dirty talk, my core turning molten.
Nash brings the spoon up between my legs, spanking my pussy. I jerk against his hold, not that I really want to be free. It’s intense, but wonderful. Pain that blooms right away into pleasure.
“How do you think it will feel to take your mate’s big lion cock after your pussy has been thoroughly spanked?”
I seriously don’t know how I keep from passing out. I’m hot and dizzy with lust, frantic to get my shorts off. To remove all the barriers between us.
“Why don’t you show me?” I dare.
He keeps spanking my pussy with firm taps of the wooden spoon. Then it suddenly clatters to the floor and he shoves my shorts and panties down my hips. “It’s been hours since I last fucked this pussy,” he says, like that’s way too long. But I remember from our cell he had no shortage of stamina.
He releases my wrists to roll on a condom and I wriggle out of the shorts and panties tangled at my feet. I brace my hands against the kitchen counter and return to my position, feet spread wide, ass out.
Nash slaps my bare ass and I shush him. “Too loud,” I murmur.
“Oh, it’s going to be loud,” he growls right before he impales me with his cock. He covers my mouth on the next thrust. “Because I definitely plan on making you scream.”
My nipples scrape the inside of my bra, hard as diamonds. Nash wraps an arm around my hips to protect them from banging against the counter, all the while rocking me up to my toes with each savage thrust.
“You needed to be claimed by your mate, didn’t you, baby? Did you need a big lion cock to fill you up?” This ungentlemanly side of him is so in contrast to the lion I mated with, yet it turns me on just as much. No—way more.
“Yes.” My lips move against his hand.
I do need it. I need it so badly I’m ready to weep or beg for him to bring me to climax.
His thumb slips into my mouth and I suck on it, hard. He continues to ram into me, slapping my buttocks with his loins, lifting me to my toes with each powerful instroke. I want—no, I need—to take him deeper. Deeper than this position allows.
As if he senses that I’m restless, he pulls out and whirls me around. I cat-attack him—leaping to straddle his waist, arms wrapped around his neck. He stumbles back, eyes glowing with appreciation.
“You need to be on top, my queen?”
I bite his neck savagely. He hits the table and stumbles, then crashes to the floor, careful to keep me on top.
Satisfaction spreads through me. As much as I love when he takes charge, a surge of power rushes through me with the roles reversed. I pin his arms down and he lets me, even though I know he could easily best me. I straddle his hips, lowering myself onto his stiff erection.
“Ride me, little lion. Show me how greedy you are for this cock.” He thrusts his hips up and I gasp when he hits my inner walls.
I snarl as I slide over his thick manhood, dig my nails into his forearms. I grind my clit down on the base of his shaft each time I sweep up.
Nash pants, sweat gathering at his trimmed hairline, but he doesn’t surrender to his own pleasure. He watches me intently, fascination playing over his expression. I feel beautiful. Feral. Wondrous. I’ve never disliked my life as a shifter, but I’m not sure I’ve reveled in it before. In this moment, I wouldn’t trade who I am for anything.
A wild, dangerous beast in the body of a beautiful woman. I am glorious, sensuous power. I am victory.
I am queen of the jungle. Marked mate to Nash.
There’s no denying our bond. Not when I feel what he does to my animal. How he sets me free. Our bodies were made for one another.
Fate may have brought us together in the worst possible way, but he’s mine, and I’m his.
I throw back my head and clench my teeth down on a scream. The moment my muscles start to tighten around Nash’s cock, he throws off my hold on his arms and grips my hips, yanking me down over his cock with enough force to split me.
My eyes roll back in my head at the sheer ecstasy of it. The satisfaction.
Nash closes his mouth breaking off his shout and jacks his hips off the floor, lifting me into the air like I’m riding a bucking bronco.
A breathless laugh tumbles out of me when he collapses, limp, beneath me. I lower my head to kiss him.
Nash
I caress her powerful legs, the tight curve of her ass. She does the same, running her palms down my pecs with an approving murmur.
“So strong. Fighting suits you.”
“King of the Beasts,” I say. “That’s why that call me in the ring.”
“King,” her eyes light. “So that makes me your queen?”
Catching the nape of her neck, I draw her down for a kiss.
“Shhhh,” she goes quiet and listens and I hold still, my cock still inside her. She relaxes and rocks against me. It’s not Nolan. “Momma radar,” she says with a little smile. “You get it at birth and wake up at the slightest noise every night for the rest of your life.”
I consider this. Will I get some sort of similar dad ability? Or is it too late?
Then she rocks against me and I lose all ability to think.
“I told Nolan you’re his dad.”
I go perfectly still. In fact, I think my heart stops completely. “You did?” I sound choked.
“Yeah. He asked, and I just didn’t feel right lying. I know I asked you not to tell him, and I appreciate you honoring my request. But you don’t have to keep it secret anymore.”
I still don’t know how to breathe. “Yeah? What’d he say?”
“He asked me if you’re going to live here.”
I watch her face closely for signs of what she thinks. What she wants. She’s hard to read. “It’s my duty to protect you whether you choose to let me stay or not.”
Her eyes narrow. “Are you here out of duty or desire?”
I grasp her hips and thrust my semi-hard cock inside her. “Do you have to ask?”
She’s not having it. She shifts to the side and dismounts. “I mean for Nolan.” She doesn’t look at me when she says it.
My gut twists up in a knot. I climb to my feet and dispose of the condom.
I don’t fucking know.
I don’t know the answer to that question. I don’t have a clue how to be a father. Before I chased them down, I was barely surviving.
“I want to do what’s right by my son,” I choke. That’s the truth.
She folds her arms across her chest. “That’s not the same thing,” she snaps.
I hold my hands up. “Whoa. Whoa. I’m not saying I don’t want to be a fat
her to him. I do. Please remember I only found out about his existence a few days ago. If I’m not ready to pin the Father of the Year badge on it’s because I don’t have a fucking clue how to be that for him. That’s all.”
Her shoulders drop. “You’re right. I understand. Forgive me, I’m just protective of Nolan.”
I walk over and pull her into my arms. “Of course you are. I wouldn’t expect anything else. We’ll take things slow, okay? For now, I can sleep on the couch and guard you both. The rest we’ll figure out.”
She melts into me, wrapping her arms around my waist. “Thank you,” she murmurs against my shirt.
I stroke her soft curls. “Thank you, baby. I’m just grateful you’re letting me in the house. Not that I didn’t love having your neighbor shoot at me.”
She giggles and smiles up at me and I catch my breath and how fresh and beautiful she still looks. Like Data-X never happened.
Meanwhile, I’ve withered to a shell of a man, haunted by flashbacks and urges for violence.
Nolan and Denali deserve so much better than what I have to offer.
I sure as hell hope I don’t fuck this up.
Agent Dune
Charlie leans back, eyes crossing from reviewing hours of meaningless video feed. His phone buzzes and he picks it up.
“Agent Gray.”
“Dune. I sent you a link. The Mexican lab didn’t house any humans. They were doing animal testing there. Wolves.”
Ice pours across the surface of his skin.
Wolves.
A memory, long buried. His grandfather and uncles pulling down their shotguns to hunt a wolf.
Jesus.
What is he thinking now? There isn’t such thing as a wolf-man.
A werewolf.
“I have the name of the funder. Looks like he was a major funder of Data-X as well. Santiago Rodriguez. Formerly of Lobo Mountain, Mexico. Currently resides in Honduras. Also funds an animal testing lab in Barcelona. It’s all in the files I uploaded.”
“Thank you.” His voice sounds gruff because his mind is stuttering and repeating and stuttering again over the wolf thing. “Gray? Were there animals at any of the Data-X labs?” He clears his voice. “Wolves?”
“That information is all redacted.”
Yeah, but you could probably get into it.
They both pause, and he knows she hears his unspoken sentence.
“I’ll see what I figure out.”
“Thanks, Gray. I appreciate it.”
“Don’t thank me yet.”
7
Denali
I wake up to the sound of the door opening and shutting and heavy footfalls. I stretch, my lioness more than content with having a male in the house.
I didn’t really feel right making Nash sleep on the couch, but if he moved straight into my bedroom, Nolan would really think he’s here to stay. And that still remains to be determined.
I get out of bed and jump in the shower. My routine since Nolan’s birth has been to try to get my shower in before he wakes up and needs me. Of course, there’s another adult in the house now if he wakes. Not that Nash would know what to do with Nolan.
Nolan wakes up and comes into the bathroom just as I’m finishing. “Momma?”
“Yes, baby?”
“Nash is still here, and he bought donuts.”
“Did he now?” Well, my kid doesn’t need the sugar rush, but the thought was nice.
“He said I have to ask you before I can have one.”
“You can have one after you drink a cup of milk. Go ask Nash to pour some milk in one of your sippies.” I’m hoping Nash can handle that. I guess I’m testing him a little.
When I come out, I find Nash and Nolan sitting at the kitchen table, each with a donut and a cup of milk. They’re discussing cars. I don’t know whether little boys find locomotion so fascinating because it gets pushed on them, or because there’s some innate male attraction to it, but my kid sure has the itch.
“I like articulating tractors,” he tells Nash.
Nash wipes the milk from his mouth with the back of his hand and glances at me. “He just said articulating.”
“I know. Isn’t it cute?” I know my grin is goofy, but wings flap in my chest at the simple pleasure of having someone to share our son’s adorable brilliance.
“I got you a coffee. Wasn’t sure how you take it.”
“Thank you. I like cream, no sugar.”
Wow. Are we really going to be learning how to make each other’s coffee here?
Things just got real.
I pick up the warm paper cup and take a sip. Nash bought a dozen donuts of all different varieties. I pick out my favorite, a bear claw, and sink my teeth into the sweet doughy treat.
“So, ah, what are you doing today?”
His gaze flicks to Nolan, then back to me. “Working.”
Ah. A fight.
“What time?”
“Two in the afternoon. I’ll drive down to San Diego and make it back here in time to take you to dinner. Okay?”
I chew the bear claw. “Are you asking me out?”
“Can I have another donut?” Nolan interjects.
“No,” I say.
“Drink your milk,” Nash says.
I hide my smile. We sure sound like a married couple.
“Yeah, I’m asking you out. I want to buy you a nice meal somewhere.”
“Both of us?” I ask doubtfully. Nice meals don’t work well with three-year-olds.
“Yeah?” He looks unsure. He doesn’t have a clue what it’s like to entertain a preschooler while waiting for food at a restaurant.
“I’ll see if I can get a sitter.”
“A sitter. Okay, right. Good idea. I’ll be back here by six.” He unfolds his long frame from the kitchen table and even though I need him to leave so I can get Nolan and myself out the door on time, I find myself disappointed.
He hesitates, like he wants to kiss me goodbye, but knows better. Instead he lifts his hand. “See you later.”
“Later, alligator,” Nolan says.
Nash smiles and leaves, his broad shoulders filling the doorframe as he walks through it.
Crazy man.
Sexy, beautiful lion.
Nash
I get back to Temecula in time to hike in the hills behind Denali’s house and pick wildflowers. I’m acting like a fucking teenager going on his first date. And honestly? I feel that out of my depth. I don’t know the first thing about being Denali’s mate or Nolan’s dad. But I definitely want to learn.
Mrs. Davenfield watches me through her window as I hike down the hill with the flowers in hand. I’m pretty sure I see her smile, so I figure I’m safe from the shotgun for tonight, at least.
I knock on the door. Denali answers wearing a slinky red wraparound dress. The kind that dips low in the front and shows off every curve or her delectable body. Yeah. I’m definitely going to have a hard time concentrating through dinner.
I hand her the wildflowers and a smile lights up her beautiful face. I don’t get a hello kiss or anything, but then, we have an audience.
Nolan’s losing his shyness. He runs over and stops next to his mom. I hold out my knuckles and he gives me a fist bump.
A young woman sits on the couch, fiddling with her phone.
“This is Ashley,” Denali says. “She’s going to babysit Nolan while we go out.”
I give her the hairy eyeball, because I don’t trust anyone to watch our kid. But then, I know jack about watching a kid, so who am I to judge?
“We won’t be long,” Denali tells Ashley as she puts the wildflowers in a vase of water.
I place my hand on her lower back as we head out to my car. It’s been years since I’ve had a date. Maybe since high school. But being a gentleman to Denali comes easy to me. I must be channeling my last foster father, a geeky but kind man who modeled perfect manners at all times. I felt like such a fish out of water with them. I know now it was because I was a shifter, I
always had that sense I didn’t belong. I couldn’t understand all the nice people living placid lives.
No wonder I joined the Marines straight out of high school.
I open the door for Denali and wait for her to get in.
“What are you thinking about?” she asks when I climb in my side and start the car.
I laugh. “Truthfully? I was remembering how my last foster father used to hold doors open for his wife. He was a good man.” I pull out and head toward a restaurant Laurie picked out for us. He promised it would be romantic.
“What happened to your parents?” Denali asks gently.
I shrug. I haven’t told anyone in years. Since high school, probably. “My dad killed my mom.” My throat closes on the words and a shudder runs through me.
I’m grateful Denali withholds the usual gasp. She does lay her slender hand on my knee, though. “Were you there?” Denali whispers.
“Yeah. I mean, I think so. I don’t remember the actual killing. But I remember her body. Her throat was torn out. I couldn’t believe how much blood there was. I know now he must’ve been the lion. And his animal killed her when he was in a drunken rage.”
Denali clutches her stomach.
“I know. It’s disgusting.”
“I’m just… sorry. I’m sorry you went through that.”
“So you were raised by humans?”
I nod. “Yeah. Had no idea I was a shifter until the war. But this isn’t date-worthy conversation.”
“No, it is.” Denali sounds firm. “We don’t really know each other yet. We shared a traumatic experience and have a wonderful kid to show for it. But other than favorite cookies and flowers and color, we don’t know each other.”
“You’re right.” I pull up at the restaurant and park. Suddenly I feel trapped by our past. I don’t know how to ever move past it and into something brighter.
Red flutters on the edges of my vision, and suddenly, I’m back in the bowels of Data-X.
I’m strapped to the table, head and limbs secured. My gut is on fire. Even if I could move, I’m not sure I want to look.