“His name is Cade and I know I’ll never see him again, but last night... oooh!” She shivered just thinking about it. “It was wonderful. I’ve never done anything like it and I probably won’t again, but it was just what the doctor ordered. He was so... so wild, untamed, passionate. Mm, my body is still sore from...”
Fiona blushed. The lion growled low in his throat.
“To tell you the truth, King, I’m actually glad I won’t see him again. You know, I don’t really need the complication of a man right now and he would definitely be too much of a distraction.” As she said the words, Fiona wondered if she was trying to convince King or herself. Even now, with her insides stiff from his claiming, she wanted him again. “Besides, my father called this morning and he has this colleague of his he wants me to start seeing. The man’s probably a bore if he works with my dad. I guess I don’t really have a choice, do I?”
King’s head lowered and his eyes narrowed. Fiona quickly backed away, recognizing the look. “Whoa, easy there, fella. Don’t get edgy, I’m going.” She gave a nervous laugh. “You’re not much for long conversations, are you, boy?”
King continued to glare at her as she made her way back toward the tigers. What was wrong with him? Was he just unstable? Maybe he’d been caged up too long. It was kind of sad seeing all the animals stuck in cages. Fiona kept a steady eye on the lion. When she finally turned the corner, she took a deep breath, glad the lion didn’t charge the fence again.
* * * *
Cade paced the den, angry beyond belief.
How could she? She is mine! MINE!
Fiona planned on going out on a date, did she? With one of her father’s rich buddies. Yeah, he knew all about her rich ‘daddy.’ That morning, before going back to his cage, he’d stopped by to see Eve. She’d filled him in on Fiona’s background, but only after he begged her for nearly fifteen minutes and then resorted to whining. Viktor had merely stood behind his wife grinning like a fool. If he hadn’t been in such a great mood, he would’ve decked the man for laughing at him.
But Cade wasn’t smiling now. With the rage forming in the pit of his stomach, he’d be able to tear someone to shreds in the blink of an eye. And he planned on starting with Fiona’s date.
* * * *
Fiona smiled at Joe Gutterman, doing her best to look interested in what he had to say. He worked with her father and, according to him, was an ‘indispensable asset to the team.’ He was cute, with a nice body and an easy smile, even if it was a tad on the smarmy side. His dark brown hair was cut short, slicked back in a style that befitted his business suit—or a used car salesman. When she looked into his blue eyes she imagined green ones, and when she heard him speak she remembered the lower, husky tone of Cade’s voice.
It was crazy to miss a man after just a one-night stand, wasn’t it?
Mm, Cade...
“...dropped the account. Oh, man, it was classic. I can’t wait to see that in the interoffice memo,” Joe said, laughing heartily.
Fiona blinked in surprise, realizing she’d been about to fantasize about her motorcycle man while she was supposed to be pretending to listen to Joe. She nodded at his expectant look and chuckled politely, but hadn’t heard a word the man said. All he talked about was work, just like her father. In fact, the man reminded her so much of her father that it was a little unnerving.
No wonder dad likes him.
Ugh, no wonder I don’t.
The restaurant he brought her to was nice, not New York five star nice, but pleasant enough. Music played overhead, light guitars and harps. Joe had ordered for the both of them. Why men believed that was a romantic gesture on the first date was beyond her. Her father didn’t even try to order for her when they were out—which wasn’t often. Joe didn’t even know what she liked—proven by the escargot now in front of her.
Ick, snails!
She pushed one of the little things around on her plate, refusing to put it into her mouth. Did Joe actually think she’d be impressed by a man ‘sophisticated’ enough to eat slimy mollusks? She would’ve preferred a greasy cheeseburger and french fries, but a free meal was a free meal and a broke girl couldn’t be too picky. Poking a snail with her fork, she shivered.
Okay, maybe I should just starve.
“I must admit, I was a little surprised when Mr. LaSalle asked me to take out one of his daughters. I haven’t seen pictures of you around the office and was actually scared you’d turn out to be...” Joe’s words trailed off.
“Fat?” Fiona filled in for him dryly, arching a brow. How superficial could this man be? “Ugly? Hideous?”
“Well, yeah,” Joe said, laughing louder.
Ugh, did I just think that he was passably cute a minute ago? Listen, buddy boy, can we skip the flirting and get right back to you talking about you and your boring job?
“Something wrong?” Joe asked.
Fiona shook her head, tapped her throat as she took a hurried drink. Choking slightly, she said, “Ah, no, just something in my throat.”
It was a boldfaced lie, but her father would be really upset if this date didn’t go well and she really couldn’t afford to be cut off. She looked at the man, forcing her smile to widen. It was easy after the years of practice she’d had under the guidance of her socialite mother.
Damn you, James, for putting me in this situation.
“Ah, who am I kidding?” she mumbled. “I did this to myself.”
“Excuse me?” Joe asked. “Did you say something?”
“Who? Me?” Fiona forced a fake laugh. “No, I didn’t say anything.”
Joe’s eyes narrowed and he turned to his plate. It was all she could do not to lose her water as he popped another snail into his mouth.
* * * *
Cade watched Fiona’s head tip back on her shoulders as she laughed at something the asshole in a suit was saying. Just being this close to her made his cock itch to claim her and seeing her smile at someone else made the animal in him want to stake his claim right there in the restaurant—right after he ripped the man’s throat from his weak little neck.
Clenching his hands into fists, he pushed past the very worried looking maître d' and headed straight for Fiona’s table. The Alpha in him wanted to show her who was boss, who her mate was. Did last night mean nothing to her? The man in him was hurt that she could forget him so easily. The animal was pissed.
The second she saw him, he knew. Her face paled and her wide eyes rounded in shock. A waiter charged him and he thrust out his hand, knocking the insolent man back into a table. Cade didn’t break stride. Fiona gasped, shooting to her feet.
“Cade?” she asked. Her voice was weak, but somehow he heard it through the blood rushing in his head. He turned to glare at the man she was with and drew up his fists. Fiona gasped and grabbed his arm. “Cade, no! Joe, stay back.”
“Hey, man, easy,” Joe said, backing away.
“You think you can just date my woman and I’m going to let you?” Cade yelled.
“What?” Fiona asked, her jaw dropping in shock when he looked at her to make sure she was out of harm’s way before any fighting started.
“Hey, listen, man,” Joe said, backing away like a coward. Cade’s lips snarled at the man. He reeked of weakness and cheap cologne. “She’s just my boss’ hard-up daughter. The girl means nothing to me.”
“Hey!” Fiona said, sounding irritated. She charged forward and Cade automatically grabbed her arm and pulled her back to safety.
“I’ll deal with you later,” Cade told her with a growl.
“Wait, deal with me?” Fiona asked, her voice rising. “Who the hell do you think you are, buddy boy? I’m not yours to deal with.”
“I’m the man that fucked you last night,” Cade answered, just as angry. Her words broke his concentration and that brief second was all her date needed to slip closer to the door.
“Hey, I don’t want in the middle of this.” Joe backed away, holding out his hands. When he was by the door, he took off
running.
Fiona made a weak noise, stopping Cade from following the man outside. He turned to her, suddenly realizing what it was he’d said to her. She looked mortified. Glancing around the silent restaurant, she sniffed back tears and pushed past him, unable to look anyone in the eye as she ran for the door.
“Ah, damn it! Fiona, wait,” he called.
Without thinking, Cade grabbed his wallet and threw cash down on the table. He was used to paying for damages after his temper flared and the gesture was automatic. Following Fiona outside, he caught her scent easily. She was halfway down the block when he found her.
“Wait,” he commanded, jogging after her. “We’re not done here. You have some explaining to do.”
“What?” Hands on hips, she turned back and charged him. Taking her purse, she whipped it violently at his face. Cade grinned, watching her breasts bounce under the tight little black dress she wore. The handbag glanced over his shoulder, striking him hard but not hurting. “Are you psycho? What do you think you’re doing?”
“Hey, I wasn’t the one having a date,” he said.
“What?” Fiona asked in openmouthed surprise, shaking her head. She pressed her lips into a harsh line and looked confused. As if she lacked anything better to do, she hit him again with her purse, swinging it hard. The bag glanced off his arm, not hurting him in the least. “Get away from me, psycho.”
“Fiona,” he warned. What was wrong with her? One minute she gets on the back of his bike like she knows what’s between them, the next she’s pissed when he proved his dominance as her mate? It made no sense.
Taking a deep breath, Cade had to remind himself that things were different in human form than in cat. In the cat world it was simple.
“I forget. I’m sorry,” he said, doing his best to explain and calm her at the same time. “Things are not so complex in the wild.”
“The wild?” she asked, backing away from him.
“Where I’m from,” he rushed, doing his best to remember she didn’t know about who he was. It was just so hard to concentrate on his words when his body recognized her scent and wanted to claim her again and again. His cock pressed against his jeans. He’d worn looser denim, but it didn’t help. His erection still hurt with the need to be freed. “Where I come from, it’s not so complicated. If you are hungry, you eat. If you are tired, you sleep. If you are threatened, you fight.”
“And just where do you come from?” she demanded.
Cade frowned. “Ah...”
“Yeah?”
“Texas,” he said weakly.
“Texas,” she repeated in disbelief. “Things are less complicated in Texas?”
“Yes,” he answered, debating on whether or not he should tell her the whole truth—or perhaps show her. He glanced around the busy street. A few people had come out of the restaurant and were watching them with interest. He lowered his voice. “And, if you love, you mate for all eternity.”
“Okay.” The words sounded forced and she edged away from him. “I’m not sure how they do things down south, but here you can’t act like a Neanderthal. We had a nice time. That’s all. I’m sorry if you thought it meant more than it did, but we didn’t even talk—“
“Miss, are you all right? Do we need to call the cops?” someone yelled.
Cade growled, ready to roar at the gathered crowd until they went away.
“I’m fine,” Fiona said, only to add in a softer tone. “I am fine, aren’t I? You’re not going to pull anything weird, are you?”
“I would never hurt you, kitten.” Cade tried to control the volatile combination of rage and desire running rampant in him.
“Listen, Cade, I know we made love, but that doesn’t mean we’re an item. It was just sex—really good, hot sex.”
Okay, why did he want to strangle her for saying it like that? Her tone all condescending and worried. She took another step back and he tilted his head to the side, watching her. He felt the shift coming, the animal inside him wanting to take over.
“You’re mine,” he said, knowing that he sounded like a caveman about to hit her over the head with a club.
“I’m no man’s.”
“What about your father? Weren’t you dating his golden boy in there? Do you honestly think that a passionless little worm like that could make you happy? I felt the passion in you. I know what you like. I know what your body needs.” He lowered his voice, taking advantage of her stunned hesitance to close the distance. Reaching for her face, he cupped her cheek. Her skin was so soft, so sweet. He couldn’t resist as he leaned in to kiss her. Her eyelids grew heavy as his mouth brushed along hers. He took it slow, making her bring her mouth to his. Lightly running his tongue over the seam of her lips, he waited.
To his great surprise, Fiona pulled back. “Stay away from me, Cade. We are not a couple. I don’t even know you.”
“But—”
“No.”
He watched her walk away. What the hell? How could she not feel the attraction? He smelled her desire for him. She was his woman, his mate and soon she’d be his wife. There was no turning back. He loved her. It wasn’t logical or reasonable, it just was. He’d seen her and his heart just knew. She was his.
Frowning he stormed after her, feeling a shallow victory in the fact that he’d ruined her date with daddy’s golden boy. As he passed the restaurant he growled, letting his eyes shift to yellow as he stared at the crowd. They gasped in unison and he stalked off to the sound of them shuffling to get back inside the building.
What on earth do I have to do to make her know she’s mine? Pee on her damn leg?
Chapter Four
Fiona marched down the darkened street. Joe had picked her up at her apartment, so now that Cade chased her date away, she didn’t have a ride. And since she was broke, she couldn’t call a cab. She’d have to walk the half mile home.
“Stupid... overbearing....” she mumbled, cursing Cade.
“You didn’t seem to mind me last night, kitten,” Cade answered, his voice tinged with anger. She stopped. He was so stealthy, she hadn’t heard him approach. Glancing over her shoulder, she caught sight of his handsome face in the streetlight.
“Don’t call me kitten,” she hissed. “You have no right to be so controlling of me.”
“Can you honestly say you like that man?” Cade asked, drawing closer to her. Fiona gripped her purse.
“It’s not a matter of what I think,” she said. “It’s what my father wanted.”
“Do you always do what daddy says?”
“Shut up,” she growled, hating her situation. Her life was out of her control and she couldn’t do anything about it. Seeing Cade, she knew that part of the thrill of their night together had been because she’d chosen to be reckless. So help her, he was still damned sexy and her body wanted her to be reckless again. His possessive show in the restaurant turned her on, even if she’d have preferred he didn’t tell the whole city that they’d fucked the night before. “You know nothing about anything in my life. And stop following me!”
“Mm, well,” his voice dipped, causing a ripple of pleasure to run up her spine, “if you’ll recall, kitten, I know a few things about some things.”
His hot gaze picked up the light, seeming to glow, as he purposefully looked over her body, lingering in all the right spots. She shivered. Cream pooled in between her thighs and her flesh tingled with desire for him. With just a look he could get her hotter than anyone she’d ever known.
“Damn,” he murmured, coming so close their chests touched. He caressed her cheek. “I love your smell when you’re aroused, kitten. I’ve been thinking of you all day.”
“What have you been thinking?” she asked, knowing she should push him away. Fiona couldn’t do it. He was a possessive, borderline psycho, and yet she couldn’t resist. Maybe she was a glutton for punishment in choosing the wrong kind of man. Though, when she looked into his green eyes, she instinctively knew he wasn’t like James. His smell wafted over her, as p
otent as before. Her body pulsed, each nerve taut with anticipation of being claimed.
“How much my cock aches to be buried inside you again. Of how tight you were around me.” Cade’s chest skimmed her nipples through their clothing as he took a deep breath. “Of how I want to fuck you and keep fucking you until you can’t walk.” Fiona’s knees weakened and she nearly collapsed. Cade caught her and held her up. Chuckling, he said, “Or perhaps longer.”
Fiona blushed. What was it about him that made her forget reason and sanity? Looking over his tight body, she knew the answer. She bit her lip, her mouth watering to taste him again, to drink down his release.
“Where?” she sighed, glancing around. Besides the restaurant down the street, most of the businesses were closed.
Cade grinned, rocking his hips into her as he touched her waist and held her close. “How picky are you tonight?”
Fiona felt the heat rising under her skin. Cade’s fingers worked along her black dress. “There’s an alley over there.”
Cade chucked. “Mm, I like you eager for me.”
Taking her hand, he led her into the darkness. Instantly, he pressed her up against the wall. She couldn’t see into the alley, but could make out the bricks at her back and the hard pavement under her feet. The light framed the entrance to the street so they could see out, but no one looking in could see them.
His mouth pressed against hers as he made love to her against the cool wall. Their hard breathing mingled as they kissed, his tongue warring with hers in passion. Their bodies were a frenzy of hands and hurried caresses. Cade pulled up her skirt as she fumbled with his zipper. Urgency overcame them and before she knew it, Fiona was lifted up against the wall. Her legs dangled along his waist as he held her by her thighs. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
His cock brushed her wet slit. Her body jerked in anticipation of that first thrust. Cade’s mouth unexpectedly lightened on hers.
“Tell me this is what you want,” he whispered and for a moment, she thought to see his hot eyes glowing like a cat’s from the darkness.
Carnal Instinct (A Ghost Cat Book) Page 4