Cadence sucked in her breath sharply, arching her back. She couldn’t think while surrounded by so much masculine power, so much naked skin. And the way his mouth, lips, and tongue felt on her neck…well, it made her forget everything else. “Jonah,” she breathed.
“You never answered my question,” he murmured against her throat.
“Question?” she asked weakly.
“Will you marry me?”
Would she marry him? Cadence had no doubt that she would follow him to the ends of the earth. “Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, Jonah, I’ll marry you.” Nothing in this world could prevent it.
“I love you, my Little Hellcat.”
“And I love you, Jonah.” She had to force her mind to concentrate. “It’s time we ate what’s in that basket, or we’ll never have the strength for your first lesson.”
With a groan, Jonah pulled back. “You’re right. I am feeling a little weak.”
“It’s your new metabolism. It takes a lot of energy to shape-shift.”
“I’ll get the basket and we’ll have a little picnic on the bed. That way, if we feel the need to—”
“Jonah!”
Grinning roguishly, he slipped his trousers on and went for the basket while Cadence scrambled into her chemise and dress. They had things to do and being half-naked would only serve as a distraction.
When he returned with the basket, Cadence spread a cloth over the quilt and laid everything out. Bless Mrs. Clemens and Mrs. Riley. There was an abundance of fried chicken, cornbread, cheese, apples, and even a whole cherry-rhubarb pie. No wonder that darn basket had been so heavy!
Cadence thoughtfully nibbled on a piece of chicken, admiring his handsome features, the way his dark hair tumbled across his broad shoulders. He hadn’t put his shirt back on and looking at the expanse of his muscled chest made her want to lick every inch of it. What woman in her right mind would let a man like him get away? But there was one thing she needed to know, not that she was sure she wanted to hear his answer.
They continued to eat in silence, while Cadence worked up the nerve to ask that nagging question. Finally, she asked, “Do you still love her?”
“Beth Ann, you mean?”
“Yes.”
“Back then, I believed I did love her. As time went on, though, it faded. I was left only with the bitterness and distrust. It wasn’t until I met you—” His gaze caught and held hers, the sincerity in his eyes plain to see. His voice softened. “It wasn’t until I met you, that I knew what it truly meant to love someone. I realize now that what I felt for Beth Ann makes a mockery of what I feel for you. It was mainly my pride that had been hurt.”
Cadence reached out and placed her hand on one of his. “Oh, Jonah. I’m so sorry you had to go through that.”
“Beth Ann told me that she’d fallen in love with Gavin, but she and I had already become engaged. She hadn’t known what to do about it. When I left, Gavin convinced her to elope with him. She felt so terrible about it, she continued to write to me, knowing it was what I needed while so far from home.”
“Well, she should have told you before you left,” Cadence grumbled.
“I can’t begrudge her for loving someone else and acting on her heart’s desire. If we’d gotten married as planned, we both would have been miserable, and I never would have met you.”
“You wouldn’t have become a U.S. Marshal?”
“I just wanted to get away from the two of them, so when an army friend offered me the job, I took it.”
“What about now?” She would go with him to track criminals, if that’s what it would take to be with him. “I won’t keep you from doing your job, if that’s what you want to do.”
“I don’t need the job, Cadence,” he said with wide grin. “I come from a wealthy family and I’m an extremely wealthy man in my own right.”
Cadence’s jaw dropped. She had definitely not been expecting that.
Twenty Three
JONAH SPRINTED THROUGH the thick foliage. Leaves and branches slapped against his fur as he dodged around trees and vaulted over fallen logs. Birds took flight as he passed, startled by his intrusion. His nostrils flared, allowing him to detect with keen accuracy, the presence of other animals, along with the stench of the bayou not far beyond the forest.
His lungs filled with much needed oxygen, bringing with it the distinct scent of his quarry. Using his superior eyesight, he was able to focus on the scene in front of him, processing everything with lightning speed, easily avoiding obstacles without even breaking his stride.
His chest expanded and contracted, his ears picking up the faintest sounds of scurrying creatures, the cry of a hawk in the sky far above the treetops, and as skilled as she was, Cadence running behind him, also in panther form.
For the last several of days, Cadence had instructed him on the nuances of being a panther. She’d made him practice shifting from man to panther and back again, over and over, until it had become practically second nature.
There’d been times when he could have throttled her, she was so relentless. He’d grow unbelievably weak, sweating and shivering like a newborn fawn, and then she’d snap, “Again! You must learn to control it under any circumstances. Your life could depend on it.”
She was only trying to help him survive his new state of ‘being.’ He admired her strength, was amazed by how much she knew about life as an animal. She’d cared for and protected her two younger sisters after the death of their mother, and now she was caring for him, making certain he knew how to handle himself.
It was a humbling experience. Her thoroughness was astounding, her patience never-ending as she guided him through a world previously unknown to him. During the war, he’d fought as a soldier, killed men with his bare hands and later, as a field-promoted officer, had led his men on mission after mission. Then as a U.S. Marshal, he’d tracked down some of the meanest and most dangerous fugitives this side of the Mississippi. Some of them he’d brought back alive, some he hadn’t.
And here was this small, deceptively dainty woman ordering him about like a four-star general. No wonder she’d taken her hanging and subsequent capture by him in stride. He cringed every time he thought about his treatment of her back then and how easily she could have torn him to shreds.
This was the world she’d been born into, had learned from birth. Not only did she have to learn how to survive as a human – a woman – but as a panther and to keep that existence from being discovered. She had the strength of several good-sized men within her, but she chose not to use it against anyone unless absolutely necessary. She had a kind heart and as he’d learned first-hand, the capacity to love unconditionally.
She’d taken him into the forest, conducting numerous exercises, one of which was to play a game she and her sisters had dubbed, ‘chase and evade.’ It was as obvious as the name implied. Sometimes she evaded his pursuit, sometimes she would chase him, teaching him how to find the best places to hide.
She also taught him how to stash a change of clothes in strategic areas. She’d explained with a smirk, “Just in case you’re caught without your knickers.” But since he’d only brought one set of clothes, that part had been relegated to theory.
He’d been so exhausted by the end of each day, he’d fallen into bed, already half-asleep, only to be awakened before sunrise to start all over again. There’d been no time – or energy – to make love, which had put him in a sour mood.
They’d finished off the food from the basket, as well as the small supply of provisions that were always kept at the cabin. Before they left, it would be re-stocked for the next time.
Today’s lesson plan included a hunt for fresh meat.
His mind snapping back to the hunt in progress, Jonah effortlessly closed the distance.
You can do it, Jonah.
Wait. What? He faltered, but recovered quickly. He was certain he’d just heard Cadence’s voice inside his head. Cadence?
You can hear me? She sounded incredulou
s.
Yes.
How is that possible?
I wouldn’t know. Jonah was sure his thoughts came out as dryly as he’d intended them to be. You’re the experienced shape-shifter.
But my sisters and I have never been able to do that.
I guess that makes us special. Can we focus on what’s at hand?
Of course. Now!
Jonah heard her command at the same time the muscles in his hind legs bunched, gathering all the energy there, launching him at his target. With a deep snarl, he sank his claws into the doe’s back, his long, sharp teeth cutting into its neck. Dinner.
He heard her voice again. Do it quickly, the way I told you.
The doe in his clutches thrashed with a last-ditch instinct to survive, and then it was over in a matter of seconds.
It felt good. He felt invincible. The rush of a successful kill flooded his veins with a sense of euphoria he’d never experienced before. Of course he’d hunted and killed his dinner so many times it wasn’t worth counting, but this was different. He’d chased that doe, ran it to ground and killed it with his bare – claws – and teeth.
It was exhilarating.
And arousing.
He turned his head to look at Cadence as she loped over to him. Congratulations, Jonah! You did well for your first kill.
Some of his intensity must have registered. She halted, staring at him with those mesmerizing green eyes.
He sent his thoughts to her. I want you. Now.
N-now?
Yes, now. It was a low growl that refused to accept a denial.
I’m all yours, Marshal.
He sauntered over to her and nuzzled her neck, nipping lightly. He heard her gasp in his head. He was already hard and aching, the lust brought on by the chase, the kill, and the scent of her desire, like a fever running through is blood.
Her tail twitched to the side in an act of submission as he moved behind her. All he could think about was to stake his claim on her, mark her, to show the world and the entire forest that she belonged to him. Rising onto his hind legs, he mounted her and entered her in one smooth stroke.
She lowered to the ground and as his animal instincts took over he bit the back of her neck to hold her place while he thrust into her tight heat.
Suddenly they were both in their human form, his chest to her back, skin to skin. His arms curled around her, one hand slipping between her legs, the other splayed over her breasts. He tried his best to protect her delicate skin from being abraded by the leaves and small twigs beneath her as he continued to pump into her.
He became lost in his need, unable to stop even if a hundred Indian savages decided to attack at that moment. He buried his face in the sweet-smelling curls at the back her neck, his lips finding and caressing the skin there.
He nipped her lightly with his fangs and she cried out, spasming around his cock, forcing his own release. He thrust one last time, burying himself to the hilt, his body trembling as he came with a low, deep groan.
They collapsed together, panting, oblivious to the bed of dried leaves in which they lay, naked and vulnerable to the world, like any creature of nature.
Good Lord, Cadence thought. That was the most amazing experience she could ever have imagined. It was mating at its most primitive level. When Jonah had said he’d wanted her – while in their panther form – well, quite frankly, it had frightened her a little. Even though she’d already thought about it, she wasn’t sure if it was something she’d actually want to do. She had never heard of such a thing – there was no precedent since they were the first male and female panthers to be bonded.
But once he came near her, it was as though she’d been caught in a spell, her arousal spurred by the idea of what they were about to do. She’d wanted him to cover her, to dominate her, to pleasure her. It didn’t matter what form he was in.
But then they’d both shifted to their human forms. That had been a surprise.
Her thoughts were brought back to the present as Jonah moved off her, the loss of his warmth leaving her chilled.
He placed his hand in the middle of her back, the heat of it seeping into her spine. “Are you all right?” His voice was hoarse, filled with remorse. “I didn’t hurt you did I? I don’t know what came over me.”
“Jonah.” Cadence started to rise, but his hand held her in place.
“There’s blood all over me,” he whispered, “and on your back, from when I—” He made a choking sound from deep in his throat. “It’s from the doe. God, Cadence, I’m so sorry.”
“Jonah,” she said again, trying to get a word in. “It’s all right. I’m fine. I can stand the sight of a little blood.” Couldn’t she? Ever since that experience with Robert Kincaid, the sight of blood had turned her stomach. Jonah remembered how she’d reacted to the rabbits. What a sweetheart. But what if she were to turn around only to be disgusted by what she saw?
“I’ll go clean up,” he said quietly. “There’s a stream not too far from here.”
No. She had to do this. She had to conquer her fear. Now. Right this minute, or it will control her forever. Without giving him a chance to stop her, she twisted around. Nothing awful happened. It was just blood. She’d hunted and killed for food many times. So had her sisters. It had never bothered her before. This was no different.
He was on his knees, watching her with a tortured expression, his eyes glittering.
He was magnificent.
His hair was damp with sweat and dangling over his forehead, covering part of his face. There were traces of blood on his chin, his neck, and a little on his hands. It was smeared across his chest in a telltale pattern, obviously created by what they’d just done. It made him look like some sort of ancient warrior, pagan and savage. It was a badge of his prowess, his skill, the mark of a successful hunt, and his ability to provide for his family. And rather than being repulsed by him, she experienced a sudden jolt of lust as it shot through her body. She reached her hand out, flattening it against his hard chest. “My God, you’re beautiful,” she breathed.
His surprised gaze snapped to hers. Through her hand, she felt him take a shuddering breath. “You’re not angry? The blood – it doesn’t—”
She stopped him with two fingers over his lips. “Shshsh. I’m not angry and no, the blood doesn’t bother me.” She gave an incredulous laugh. “It really doesn’t bother me!”
Suddenly filled with joy, she whooped, and then jumped into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck, her legs around his hips. The look of shock on his handsome face was priceless.
His arms came around her as she laughed and planted kisses all over his face. “I don’t care about the blood, Jonah. On the contrary, I’m bursting with pride over your success.” Her voice dropped lower. “And I expect to be bursting with something more pleasurable very soon, now.” She had never thought of herself as a brazen woman, but with Jonah as her mate, she knew he would accept her as she was.
Jonah made a sound in the back of his throat that was more animal than human and covered her mouth with his in a deep, scorching kiss. His tongue delved inside her mouth, exploring and tasting, while at the same time, he entered her below. She was still wet from his earlier release, making his penetration of her now a smooth, silky glide.
Her heart pounded as he left her lips to nibble his way down to her neck. He whispered hoarsely into her ear. “I love you.”
She lifted herself up and then slid back down to take him in all the way to the hilt. He growled and lifted his hips, driving himself even deeper. She was consumed by a sudden wave of possessiveness. He was hers and so long as they lived she wouldn’t want another. She loved him with every part of herself.
She tightened her hold on him. “I love you so much, Jonah.” Her breasts were crushed against his solid chest, the crisp hairs there teasing her nipples to hard points. She matched his powerful thrusts, their union turning into a frenzied pursuit for completion.
Her release came in a white-hot burst of
pure ecstasy that was accompanied by a grunt from Jonah as he spilled his seed into her yet again. At this rate, she’d be pregnant in no time. They had better get married, and soon.
She collapsed in his arms, her body draped limply over him as she rested her head on his shoulder. They were both breathing heavily, his chest rising and falling beneath hers. Their hearts beat together in a kind of erratic rhythm, gradually slowing to a normal pace.
Jonah laughed. “Christ, Cadence, you’re going to kill me yet. What with the training and the wild sex we keep having, I don’t know if I’ll make it out of here alive.”
Cadence lifted her head, afraid that maybe she’d been a little too brazen. But when she looked in his eyes and saw the approval and his very male satisfaction there, her apprehension instantly dissolved. She grinned. “You’re a strong man, Marshal. You’ll survive.”
He lightly slapped her behind with both of his hands. “I will at that, sweetheart, and long enough to make you pay.”
She squealed in mock indignation at his manhandling of her. He’d still been inside her, but her movement caused him to slip out, leaving her feeling disappointed. She loved being so physically connected to him. “It’s time to go find that stream, I think. We’re a mess. And then we have to dress that doe and get it back to the cabin.”
He gave her a crisp salute. “Yes, my sweet, sexy general.”
After they washed, Cadence shifted into a panther, and went to retrieve their clothes, while Jonah stayed to guard against scavengers. When she returned, they dressed quickly, and prepared the doe to be taken back to the cabin.
The doe was small and Jonah carried it easily on his broad shoulders as they walked side by side. Cadence’s thoughts turned to what happened while they were mating. “Why do you think we turned into our human forms while we were mating as panthers? I know I didn’t consciously do it. I don’t think you did, either.”
Twelfth Moon Page 22