by CatNip (lit)
Lynx looked down and grimaced. “No, I guess you’re right, but they’ll be fine as long as we don’t go into the pasture. Or behind the barn. Or into the woods.” Lynx laughed.
Craig pulled her closer to him. “Hell, I’ll just carry you if I need to, little minx. You look like you’re light as a feather.”
“I can still kick your butt, Marozi. I don’t need you to carry me,” Lynx grumbled half-heartedly. He noticed she still snuggled closer, though.
Craig tucked Lynx firmly against him, holding her hand. He felt a sharp tingle of awareness buzzing through him. Did she feel it, too? The hum of her blood was like a distant thunder in his ears. A storm of warm awareness surged through his veins. Did her heart beat the same way when she was with Leo?
Craig could feel the pulse erratically pounding at Lynx’s small wrists. They had wondered past the garden of blooms. They were far enough away from the house not to be seen, near the barn at the far edge of the property. Craig stopped at the small grove of orange trees to the left of the barn and pulled Lynx around to him. He looked down into her wide, hazel eyes and tilted her chin up so he could study them.
Lynx looked up at him. Her hazel eyes met his, soft and trusting. She felt familiar and right in his arms. Yet, looking at her, need and arousal roiled through him. How was he supposed to fight the feelings he had for her, old and new? He longed to touch the gentle lines of her face, to tangle his fingers through her long curtain of hair, to draw her close. He longed to love her. But could he now? Did she feel as he did?
“Whatever are you thinking, Lynx?” Craig asked softly. “I can almost hear your mind going a hundred miles per hour. Your heartbeat’s nearly as fast, but the scent of you is plain driving me crazy.”
On a groan, he tilted her chin up. Craig lowered his lips to hers, unable to resist the desire that flared in her provocative, mysterious eyes. Sweet goddess, how was he supposed to resist the provocation of her tempting, lush lips so close to his? His tongue delved, dragging a soft, strangled moan from her in response. The sound echoed from his as he deepened the kiss.
He had to taste more, slide deeper. Craig doubted he’d ever get enough of Lynx’s sweet mouth, or her rosy lips, or those delectable elfin ears of hers above her tempting throat. His teeth nipped and teased. He took his time, pulling from the drugging sweetness of her kiss. He was a thirsty man, dying of thirst at the fountain of life. He dragged Lynx closer, aligning his body to her body, his tongue to hers.
Lynx trembled in his arms, but she didn’t resist. He drank his fill, nearly overwhelmed by the soul-deep hunger that shook him. Each nibble he took, every touch of his lips to hers, was better than the last. Need became an ache. He felt it growing, burning, unrelenting. The fire had been stoked. Craig knew there was no going back for him.
He could not keep his hands still. The feel of her body against him was perfect, everything he’d imagined it would be. As she clung to him, Craig trailed his hands to her waist. He bent to the curve of her hips, drawing her closer to him with one hand, touching and exploring with the other.
Before Lynx could protest, the robe she’d been wearing was in a puddle at her feet. It fell on the grass, forgotten. Craig drew lazy circles above the lace of her nightgown. Smooth as silk, he fluttered the straps of the gown down over her one shoulder, cupping her warm breast in his hand. The nipple strained to taut attention under the caress. He circled it teasingly, lazily. Gently, he tugged the hard point between his fingers. She gasped.
He nipped her ear and tugged again. He was about to bend in for a taste of the morsel tempting him when he heard an eerily recognizable sound. Craig bit back the answering snarl of warning.
~ CatCall ~
Lynx heard it too, distantly, but her body was held captive by too many pleasurable sensations. Hot cream pooled, as her arousal heightened. Craig’s fingers streaked pleasure that spiraled straight to her pussy. Each tug of them at her nipple made her clitoris ache and her body prepare. She was wet, again.
Lynx could feel liquid heat gathering in response. She swayed toward him. Craig’s lips trailed over the sensitive spot on her neck. It was Leo’s mark.
At the memory of her earlier rendezvous with Leo, Lynx stiffened. What kind of woman was she? How could she love Leo and then feel this way for Craig? How had this happened?
Seconds later, they both heard the eerie sound of a large cat’s cry. It sounded closer this time. “What the hell is that?” Lynx asked, with renewed alertness. Then, she noticed her state of dishabille. She pulled back, the seductive moment gone. Lynx quickly adjusted her nightgown back in place.
“I guess we’d better get you back to the ranch, little minx,” Craig said. His voice sounded tenderly regretful. “I wouldn’t want to take any chances with you. Are you all right?” The last query was made right before he bent to give her a last, lingering kiss. It left her weak.
It shook Lynx. “I’ll be fine,” she murmured, albeit a little nervously.
“Good.” Craig picked up her robe and helped her into it. He pulled her back against him as they started walking towards the rear of the sprawling ranch house. As they neared the porch, they could see the small flickering light of a candle that now burned on the teak table.
“Well, somebody’s up,” Craig murmured.
Lynx tensed. “Looks like. We could have some explaining to do.”
Craig reassured her. “Don’t worry, Lynx. I’ll think of something. Let me do all the talking.”
“Okay,” she whispered back to him.
Leo sat comfortably on one of the porch chairs, languorously awaiting, it would seem, their return. He’d been asleep when she left, or so she had thought. Maybe Leo had noticed her absence. Coming up to the house, Lynx stepped out of Craig’s embrace.
Lynx could only hope Leo had missed their show of affection earlier. Judging from Leo’s genuinely guileless smile, it seemed as though he had. He pulled out the chair for her to sit in.
“So, I take it neither one of you could sleep tonight? Must be something in the air,” Leo said equably, conversationally.
Craig cleared his throat. “Yeah, I wasn’t getting much rest. The full moon, the wonderful breeze…Well, seemed a shame to waste it on sleep. I went out for a run, and I came back to find Lynx here. Seems she couldn’t rest tonight, either. So, I thought I’d show her your lovely garden and how tranquil it can be by moonlight.”
Leo glanced over at Lynx. “So, Lynx, what did you think of the gardens by moonlight, then?”
“They’re every bit as beautiful as they are by day, Leo. But I’m sure you know that better than anyone.”
Leo regarded them both somewhat seriously for a moment, and then turned to Craig. “I hate to be bringing it up, but I probably should. Demar patrols the grounds, and everything is fairly secure here at the ranch.” Leo paused and sighed. “Still, it would be best if we maintain a buddy system out of the house. Between Lynx’s near-abduction and the odd activities in the woods lately, why take chances? Going out in pairs is the best idea, but at night especially.”
Leo paused again, and then added, “Craig, I’m really thankful you walked with Lynx tonight. Did either of you happen to hear or notice anything unusual?” Leo asked the last casually. Leo was looking at Craig when he spoke, but Lynx didn’t wait for Craig’s response.
She chimed in before Craig could get an answer out. “We heard something that sounded like a large cat right before we headed in.” Craig frowned. Lynx ignored his admonishing look. It wasn’t like she had to let him do the talking, was it? She could answer questions, too!
~ CatScan ~
Leo managed to restrain his smile. He had noted the look that passed between them, the parsimonious glance between Craig and Lynx. In fact, the whole exchange amused him. He was learning exactly how well Lynx listened, or didn’t, rather.
“Well, you do realize that with any large body of forest in Florida, there is a good possibility of cougars and other large, dangerous beasts.” Leo said it in
his characteristically low-key, matter-of-fact manner. But the surprised, “oh, fuck he didn’t just say that,” expression on Craig’s face, however fleeting, was even better than Craig’s reaction before.
Oh, this was fun. Leo bit back another smile.
Craig must have a struggle on his hands. Leo could identify. It was definitely more fun being on the other side of things, though. He remembered trying to sort through the few disconcerting facts at his disposal after his initial shift. Craig’s night had probably not gone as planned. Hell, if Craig’s shift was unexpected, and it most likely had been like his was, Leo could guess what Craig must be feeling.
Craig probably wondered if he was going a little crazy right about now. His first shift had been dreamlike, Leo remembered, almost surreal. Either way, Leo could only guess what Craig’s cougar had thought of Lynx, his mate.
~ Cat and Mouse ~
Craig had the oddest sense that Leo was toying with him and Lynx. Was it possible Leo had noticed something? Perhaps Leo was clued into their growing attraction and had decided to play with them now? If so, how could he know about Craig’s odd changes earlier? Goddess! Craig ran his fingers through his hair, hoping to clear his thoughts. Although not that tired physically, he was exhausted by the list of questions running through his head. Craig, admit it, you’re confused, conflicted, and tired. Tomorrow, dude. His inner voice was right, as usual.
Craig made a show of yawning big behind his hands. “Cougars, wow, guess with a stretch of forest behind you like that, anything’s possible.”
Leo smiled, not giving away much. Then, Leo changed the subject abruptly.
“Hey, are you two night animals ready for some sleep yet, or do I need to go get us some more chamomile tea from the kitchen?”
Lynx looked ready to escape from her corner. Craig could see her barely stifled yawn. Apparently, she was eager as he was.
Lynx latched onto the offer of tea. “I’m ready now,” Lynx said, this time not trying to hide her yawn at all.
Craig could see an out when he was given one, too. He didn’t need the rest nearly as much as he needed time to think over the events of the evening. “Yeah, me too. I’ll see you both of you in the morning. I’ll just take these cups to the kitchen.”
“Thanks, Marozi,” Leo said as he stood up and took Lynx’s hand. Lynx stood up, nodded at Craig.
“Goodnight, Craig,” she said as she bent over the table and blew out the lone candle’s guttering flame.
Back in his room again, Craig punched the pillow for the third or fourth time, trying to get comfortable enough to go to sleep. Tomorrow, Yes, tomorrow will be a good enough time to analyze tonight’s events. Still, his troubled thoughts and questions followed him into equally elusive dreams.
~ Caterwaul ~
Long after sleep finally overtook the residents of the Lascaux Ranch, a roar rent the night air. It shook the dark and the forest behind the ranch The sound echoed deep in the seclusion of wood, stream, and sky. The saber-tooth watched where the moon’s light illuminated the shadows of branches, trees and all matter of other wild things. Unsettled, Adonis stalked back and forth under the cloak of the forest. Sleep was the last thing on his mind.
Chapter 12
The sun’s golden light had replaced moonlight by the time Lynx rolled and stretched languorously, purring in satisfaction. With a start, she realized she sounded exactly like Daniel’s feline Soxy did any time anyone would pet him. Soxy was not at all a discriminating lover of humans. Whoever petted him, Soxy loved unabashedly. Shaking her head almost reflexively, Lynx disabused herself of the notion. Surely, she had only hummed.
Leo was no longer in bed with her. Lynx looked at the bedside clock. No surprise there, she had really slept in. It was after nine already. Well, ranches didn’t run themselves.
Idly, Lynx stretched one more good time before rolling out of bed and getting up. She couldn’t do this every day, she mused. But, she had to admit, sleeping had felt heavenly.
She padded to the bathroom to brush her teeth and find her robe and slippers. Still struggling to wake up, Lynx pulled on the robe and stopped dead in her tracks. The memory of last night’s interlude with Craig flooded back to her, and she swayed, unsteady, the blood rushing to her cheeks. Oh, what had she nearly done? What was she going to do now? How in the hell was she supposed to choose between Leo and Craig?
These thoughts and more tumbled through her head as she methodically brushed out her hair in long strokes, reminiscing over the previous evening. Lynx was so deep in thought she didn’t realize she had company until she saw his face in the mirror behind her. Lynx squeaked and jumped. Despite the fact that her senses seemed to be absurdly heightened since coming to the ranch, Leo still had the ability to sneak up on her, it seemed.
Leo bent his head and nipped the exposed skin of her neck. Lynx groaned. Shivers followed. And it was entirely too arousing the way he licked his way up to her earlobes.
“Sleep well, little minx?” He growled at her ear.
“Mmm…very well, actually.” Lynx could barely speak at first. It took a concerted effort on her part to answer him as he tongued the sensitive shell of her ear. His erotic nibbles sent electric pulses skittering over her skin in every direction. Her nipples pebbled as waves of heat flooded her clit. He ravished her responsive lobe skillfully.
Leo’s next move, however, caught her off guard. He whispered huskily, “So, what did you and Craig talk about on your little moonlit walk last night?” The timing of the question was unexpected. Lynx had expected it the night before, when she and Craig had walked up and found Leo waiting for them. But the questions she’d assumed would be asked last night had not materialized. Now, only half-awake and surprised, she was ill-prepared to lie. Craig wasn’t here to answer for her now, either.
“Um, we didn’t really talk all that much, Leo. We mostly just enjoyed walking in the gardens by moonlight.”
Lynx wasn’t about to lie, but she wasn’t prepared to tell the whole truth, either.
~ CatFood ~
Leo doubted Lynx and Craig spent the whole time just talking. He had known Lynx was highly aroused when she’d returned to the veranda, just by her scent alone.
Craig, Leo had noted, had given off some very telling olfactory scents, too.
He would have to carefully ease into this discussion with Lynx and Craig, though. Neither understood the gifts that came with their ability as shifters. Neither fully knew their gifts’ ramifications, either. Soon, but meanwhile, he had some ranch business to clear up.
“That’s nice,” Leo said. “Glad you enjoyed the gardens with Craig, kitten.” Leo nipped the lobe of Lynx’s ear playfully. She gasped. Leo changed the subject abruptly. “Speaking of Craig, he was kind enough to help Demar and I search for some lost bovines.”
Lynx’s eyes crinkled up when she was confused. Leo hid his amusement. He waited for the expected question. It didn’t take long.
“Lost bovines? What exactly are bovines, and how did they get lost?”
Leo hooted with laughter, abruptly stopping when he saw Lynx’s crinkles become a scowl. ‘Bovines’ is just another word for cows.” Turning serious, he continued, “I’m a little concerned, actually. Bovines just don’t go missing.” He absently stroked the slope of Lynx’s shoulder and arm under her robe.
Lynx nudged her way back against him, the curve of her hip rubbing him. Leo felt the caress all the way through his jeans, straight to his cock. The friction was damn distracting. His cock didn’t mind.
“So, did you, Craig, or Demar find anything helpful to do with the ‘bovines’ disappearance?” Lynx asked, and then added, “Oh, and FYI, I know lots of big words, so don’t get too cocky on me, you erudite beast. I’m just not necessarily familiar with your ranching lingo.”
Leo groaned as Lynx deliberately rode her hips over the bumpy ridge of his jean-covered cock. Torturous little minx.
Leo made a few well-aimed thrusting motions that he knew registered an impression
through the thin silk of Lynx’s robe. Her sexy moan at contact proved him right. He repeated the motion for good measure. Her robe parted, revealing an inviting mound, already slick with desire.
Judging from her enticing scent, increased sexual responses, and appetite, she was getting closer to heat. A low growl escaped his lips. Given the predatory roar they’d all heard last night, Leo sure didn’t want to be caught off guard. The fact that he’d seen Adonis Cervantes just days ago and within such close proximity to his own ranch was hardly reassuring. His time of half-sheltering Lynx from the truth of her genetics and latent abilities was nearly at an end, natural or otherwise.
Leo felt the Goose bumps emerge on Lynx’s legs at his growl. He could feel himself growing restless. His jaws ached and his fangs itched.
He hadn’t shaved yet, and he knew it was prickly. However, Lynx’s neck was too tempting. He added to the rasp, lightly scraping his teeth as he moved towards his target. Lynx arched to him, offering the smooth column.
Leo paused on the brink of sinking the sharpening fangs of his incisors into her neck there and then. No big cat worth his claws could ignore when his pussy acted like this. But that thought only made him realize Lynx in heat would be impossible for Adonis to resist. It didn’t matter what the rogue’s original motives were for being nearby.
What big cat in a fifty mile radius could resist a female in heat, alpha or not? There were feline enemies right at their borders, waiting for either Lynx or retribution against Leo or both. Leo’s guess was that it was personal this time, damn personal.
Either way, Leo knew Adonis and his pack of saber-tooth rogues would not just go away quietly. The threat was very real. His ranch, the people working for him, and Lynx were all in danger. But Lynx very possibly faced the gravest danger of all. He needed all the help he could get to protect her. He needed Craig.