Protected Mate (Catamount Lion Shifters #1)

by J. H. Croix

  Jake nodded slowly. “That’s putting it lightly. I’ll call you tomorrow,” he said, swinging his chair back around and immediately clicking onto his computer again.

  ***

  “Who are you talking about?” Dane asked Chloe.

  They were at dinner at The Trailhead, and Chloe was telling him about a man she met at Roxanne’s today. Dane felt his hackles rise for what appeared to be no reason. All he knew was his gut pinged loudly when Chloe mentioned the man.

  She’d just taken a bite of food and held a finger up while she chewed. After a quick sip of water, she glanced up, her mossy green eyes temporarily distracting him. He could look at her all day every day and never tire of it. She was so damn beautiful and completely unaware of how sensual she was. She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “I thought he was someone else from Catamount. He said his name was Seth. Honestly, I assumed he was a shifter. Now that I know they’re real, I’ve been paying attention. Like how you, Shana and Jake all have eyes that tip up at the corners. And you move like a cat.”

  Dane choked on his water. “I don’t move like a cat when I’m not in lion form.”

  Chloe wrinkled her nose and shook her head. “Yes you do. Anyway, back to this guy. He was asking me how I met you and stuff. I figured he knew you. It’s not crazy I’d think that. Half this damn town asks me nosy questions about you. They’re all protective and stuff. As if I’m somehow a risk to you,” she said huffily. “When seriously, I’m not the one that can shift into a mountain lion. I’m just a plain old person with a bum ankle.”

  Dane grinned at her comment. Catamount wasn’t too small, not anymore, but locals were protective. He knew those close to him weren’t worried about Chloe the way she meant. They were worried the way all shifters worried about humans finding out about their existence. He didn’t expect the dust to settle on that until he and Chloe were a sure thing. Until then, there would be fears she’d reveal them to outsiders. His mind turned to this man Chloe mentioned. He didn’t know anyone named Seth. It made him seriously uncomfortable to know this guy clearly knew who he was. On the heels of what Jake had discovered about Callen’s dealings, Dane’s instincts were on high alert.

  Chloe tilted her head, her eyes assessing. “Why do you look so worried?”

  He looked across the table at her—her open eyes, her warmth, everything about her was straightforward. Her default was to trust others. He loved that about her. The only place where she seemed leery was when it came to love. He needed to cue her in however he could. Not just to keep her safe, but he didn’t like hiding anything from her. He was determined to show her she could trust him.

  “Because just like there’s good people and bad people, there are good shifters and bad shifters. I don’t know anyone named Seth, so whoever this guy is he was trying to make it seem like he knew me when he doesn’t. That’s usually not a good thing.” He paused and took a breath, watching her carefully. Her eyes were serious, but not frightened.

  She circled her fingertip around the top of her wineglass. “Is this about whatever it is that’s got you so worried?”

  “How do you know I’m worried?”

  Chloe’s shoulder rose and fell in a tiny shrug. “I know we haven’t known each long…” When she paused, her cheeks were pink. “But I feel like I’ve known you a lot longer. You’re not telling me something. If you want me to give us a chance, like you say, it’s not going to help if you hide things from me.”

  Dane looked at her carefully. “I don’t want to hide anything from you, so please don’t think it’s that. I’ll try to explain as much as I can. I’m sure you’ve heard how people are pretty upset about Callen’s death.” At Chloe’s nod, he continued. “I don’t even think I had a chance to explain he was a shifter. It’s true he died in a car accident, but he was the mountain lion that got killed on the highway in Connecticut.”

  Chloe’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh my God. That’s awful! What happened? Why was he there?” Her questions tumbled out, the same questions so many others had asked.

  Dane’s stomach felt like lead to consider Callen’s death in the context of what he knew now. “I don’t know why he was there. None of us do. So that’s got me and plenty of other people freaked out. Jake’s been helping me look into some of Callen’s computer files. I can’t go into the details now, but I’ll tell you that I’m far more worried than I was to begin with about how and why Callen died and what it might mean for us here. We’re not the only mountain lion shifters in the country. There are others. Callen was trying to find them and make contact. We’re worried he may have made the wrong connections. That’s why this Seth guy approaching you and acting like he knows me has me worried. I wish I could tell you more, but honestly I don’t know much more.”

  Chloe swirled her finger around the wineglass again, her expression pensive. “Wow. I didn’t know that’s why everyone was so upset about Callen. I figured he meant a lot to people and they were grieving. Knowing there’s something else behind it is scary. Does everyone know about this?”

  Dane shook his head. “Everyone knows he was looking to make contact with other shifters and is pretty scared about how he died and how he got tagged. Jake and I are working on this and need some more time. I haven’t even given you all the details because I can’t yet. I wanted to tell you what I could. I don’t want to put you in danger.”

  Chloe nodded slowly. “I understand. Thank you for telling me what you could. You don’t have to give me all the details, but it helps a lot to have some idea. Otherwise…well, my mind had all kinds of ideas and most of them have nothing to do with that.” She shrugged again, pain flashing through her eyes. “You’re nothing like Tom, but what he did makes me question that anyone would want me. When I’m with you, I don’t think about things like that. But when I’m not, my mind can go all kinds of places.”

  “Chloe, I understand why you might think that because of what Tom did, but he was an idiot. You’re absolutely amazing. All I want is you. I’m only holding back so I don’t scare you,” Dane said flatly.

  Chapter 9

  Chloe walked into Dane’s house ahead of him, his hand warm on her low back. She thought about what he’d said at dinner and wondered if she had the courage to take the leap he was asking of her. She’d felt it the first time she saw him in the shadowy cave—a magnetic pull. Behind it lay the sense that she couldn’t shake—she was meant to find him. If she kept her head quiet, her heart knew she’d likely never feel what she felt with anyone else. She’d believed she loved Tom, but when she considered her feelings for him in context now, they were but a shadow, a thin imitation of what she felt for Dane. It was a connection on a level beyond intellect. It was the depth of their connection that cushioned her fear when he explained who he was and showed her.

  Dane closed the door behind them, the sound echoing against the tiled entryway. She glanced up and around the room. The home had a formal entrance with stairs winding up along a curved wall that led to the landing on the upper floor. He’d explained he’d inherited the home from his parents after they both passed away. The home had been built by his great-grandparents and was a sprawling, elegant colonial home. It had been updated with modern appliances and was furnished with a mix of antique heirlooms and modern furniture. Chloe sensed Dane loved the home for the comfort it offered, but it felt lonely, as if it needed much more than his presence to fill it.

  She’d called her mother the other day to check in, letting her know her ankle was mostly healed, and she was considering staying in Catamount. She hadn’t told Dane how seriously she was considering it. She turned the pebbles of her thoughts in her mind. Her mother had been nothing but supportive, as she always was. She’d been puzzled when Chloe abruptly quit her job and began planning for her hike, but her mother had surprised her with her openness. She seemed relieved to know Chloe was in one place before winter set in.

  Chloe turned to find Dane watching her quietly. The entrance was shadowed w
ith only one light on by the stairs. His blue-gray eyes met hers, her heart leaping in response to the bare want she saw in their depths. After so much doubt about herself after what happened with Tom, she felt desired and desirable when she was with Dane. Doubt never crossed her mind when they were together. What lay between them felt so right, so true and so powerful, her mind didn’t have a chance to convince her otherwise. She tugged his hand into hers and turned to the stairs.

  “Come on,” she said softly.

  He followed without a word until she stepped onto the landing and felt his hands curl around her hips and slide down to cup her bottom. Just like that, and she was wet. She was almost always toeing the edge of full-blown desire when she was near him, but when he touched her, she was gone. A throaty sound came from him. She’d gone shopping yesterday and wore a skirt she’d bought. After so many months of dressing in nothing beyond what was practical, she couldn’t resist wearing it tonight though it wasn’t practical. It was bordering on too cold, but she’d worn the green gauzy skirt that twirled around her knees anyway. Though Dane would dispute this, she did make an effort to be careful with her ankle and had worn the skirt with a pair of low heels though they weren’t as feminine as she’d have liked.

  She gasped when she felt his heated hands slide up her calves and under her skirt. With no hesitation, he hooked a finger on the edge of her panties and slipped them down. He steadied her and helped her step out of her shoes. With a flick of his wrist, her panties slid across the hardwood floor. Her efforts at wowing him with the lacy thong she’d purchased were wasted. She began to turn and he held her still.

  “Wait,” he said, his voice low and taut.

  He stepped up to the landing and turned her to face the railing. Her hands curled around it, the wood cool in her grasp. His hands cupped her bottom again, this time through her skirt, which had fallen again. The heat of his palms stoked the fire inside of her. Delicious anticipation curled through her. In a swift move, one of his hands came around and tore at her blouse, the buttons coming undone, some flying off, echoing in the hall as they hit the floor. Another flick of his hand and her bra fell to the floor. His other hand tugged her skirt down until it pooled around her ankles. She was bare now, her skin pebbling in the cool air, a relief against the flushed heat of desire racing through her.

  The denim of his jeans brushed against her when he pressed his hips into her. She could feel the heat of his cock and couldn’t stop her hips from pushing back into the cradle of his. He groaned before moving away and sliding a hand down around her bottom and into her folds, drenched with the evidence of her desire. Her back arched as she pushed into his hand, his fingers stroking in and out of her.

  His other hand toyed with her nipples, while his lips landed on her low back and moved up her spine in a meticulous and devastating path. She couldn’t have known that slow kisses marching up her spine would bring her to the edge of desperation. His fingers moved in and out of her at the same pace, his thumb cresting across her clit again and again. When he reached her neck and softly bit her, she tumbled over the edge, shattering with a scream that echoed in the entryway.

  His head fell into the dip between her shoulder and neck, his breath gusting against her skin. They stayed like for long moments. The heat of his arousal pressed against her hips. Her senses were scrambled, but her mind finally pulled itself together enough for her to lift her head. With a small turn of her face, her lips met his. Before she could speak, he lifted her into his arms and carried her down the dark hallway into his bedroom. A room she’d come to think of as theirs. Her mind shied away from that thought.

  Dane flicked a light on and carried her to the bed. When he set her down, she took matters into her own hands and immediately tugged him to her. She cupped his heated length through the rough denim on his jeans and glanced up at him. He closed his eyes with a deep breath and began to step back.

  “No,” she said firmly, moving quickly to tear his jeans open and free his cock. Without giving him more time to take control, she leaned forward and took him in her mouth. He groaned deeply and gasped her name.

  With a soft hum, she took him all the way into her mouth, the head of his shaft bumping the back of her throat. She tugged his jeans down, hooking her toes over the waistband once she got them past his hips and dragging them to the floor. He again tried to shift back. She’d come to learn he liked to take charge when they made love. He did it so masterfully, she not only didn’t mind—she luxuriated in it. But now, for just a little while, she wanted to have him at her mercy.

  She cupped his balls in her hand, rolling them softly. She pulled back slowly, maintaining wet suction as she did, and commenced to stroke her tongue up and down his shaft. She wrapped a hand around him and began to slowly glide up and down. Dane’s breathing was ragged, his head thrown back.

  “Chloe…” he choked out. “Just...let me…”

  She giggled when his words trailed off as she curled her tongue around the head and took him back in her mouth in one deep glide to the base. She swiftly pulled away and paused, dragging her thumb in a slow stroke up. A drop of cum glistened, and she brought her lips in soft kiss to take it in.

  Suddenly, he moved swiftly. She was lifted up and back, landing in the pile of pillows on his bed. He turned her so she faced away and propped a pillow under her hips. In seconds, she was on fire and desperate for him to fill her. He toyed with her nipples, one hand coming underneath and tugging softly on them. His other hand trailed in lazy circles on her bottom, barely coasting past where her wet center ached for him. In increments, he teased her thighs apart until she was spread wide for him. He was devastatingly gentle and rough at once—so arousing, she was consumed with want.

  Just when she didn’t think she could bear it, he shifted behind her. She heard the distinct sound of a condom wrapper and felt his heated shaft against her cleft before he surged inside. He thrust to the hilt, seating himself deeply. She almost came instantly, but he became still for a long moment. And then…slow, long, hot, and deep strokes. She lost herself in a haze of arousal and aching pleasure. Each stroke was flint against her desperation until she quivered and exploded in release. He plunged deeply once more, a guttural cry burst out as he convulsed inside of her. He remained behind her, their breath echoing in the quiet room.

  He finally withdrew slowly, standing to dispose of the condom in the bathroom and returning. She was so limp from her release, she remained collapsed on the pillows. When the bed shifted under his weight, she turned her head to find his blue-gray eyes on her.

  “I suppose I should move,” she said softly.

  “You’re getting cold,” he replied, running his hand down her arm, making her aware her skin was pebbled from the chilled air.

  Chloe had been rendered almost incoherent and hadn’t even registered she was cold. With a sigh, she rolled over. Dane tugged the comforter out from under them while she rearranged the pillows. She collapsed against his chest once he tucked the fluffy down quilt over them. His body was a furnace, always emanating heat. She tangled her legs in his and snuggled close. His warm palm moved in lazy strokes up and down her back. In moments, she was warmed through.

  He spoke softly. “Chloe…”

  She glanced up from where her head rested on his shoulder. His eyes were serious eliciting a flicker of concern inside of her. While diving into the depth of passion between them and following her heart’s lead to trust him, her mind had its moments of concern.

  At her glance, he cleared his throat. “I don’t know how much longer I can do this if I don’t know what you’re thinking about us.” His words were weighted. She sensed he was torn.

  She looked at him. The lamplight cast across his skin, which always looked as if was glowing from within—a warm, golden tone. His dark gold hair fell in a rumple across his forehead. His eyes, oh those eyes. She could look at them all day and night and never tire of it. Intent, focused and so compelling it took her breath away. If anyo
ne would have told her she’d meet a man and she would know, almost instantly, that they were meant to be together, she’d have laughed. Under that laugh would have run the vein of bitterness laid in the grooves of her heart from coming face to face with what trying to do the right thing had shown her.

  On the surface, Dane was everything she would have once thought ridiculous. He was a sexually charged man who emanated that charge wherever he went. His confidence was complete. Not even taking into consideration that he was a mountain lion shifter, she’d have steered far clear of him in the days when her tidy, planning brain ran her life. But now, her heart told her what her mind would have thought to question. He was the most logical choice ever because no one else would be, or could be, what he was to her, what they were together.

  She met his blue-gray eyes in the soft light. “I’m staying in Catamount,” she said simply. “I’d like to stay with you if that’s okay.”

  Dane’s eyes held hers, the connection between them arcing. His gaze was fierce, so focused it startled her.

  “Is that okay?” she asked, suddenly not sure.

  Dane nodded sharply, tugging her hand into his and placing it over his heart, which pounded fiercely under her palm. “It’s more than okay. It’s everything I wanted, but I didn’t want to push too fast.” His voice was gruff, his eyes pinned to hers. His features softened slowly, and he tipped his head forward, and he took her lips in a slow kiss before tugging her head into his chest and wrapping his arms around her tightly. His heart pounded against hers. She fell asleep to the soft drum of his heartbeat.

  Chapter 10

  A few days later, Dane shouldered through the door at Roxanne’s first thing in the morning and headed to the coffee counter. The tables there were filled with locals, but one man was definitely not local. Dane wondered if he was the Seth who’d approached Chloe asking about him. He had light brown hair and gray eyes. Dane knew at a glance that the man was a shifter. He lounged at a table, his manner feigning nonchalance while his energy was coiled tight. Dane walked to the counter and leaned on his elbows.