Pain flashed in his eyes, but was quickly gone. “I love you, Tilly,” he began. Her heart started to race and she broke out in a cold sweat. “Love isn’t a trap. True caring means wanting the other person to be happy no matter what,” he continued.
Phoenix rolled from the bed and stared down at her. “So I’m letting you go.”
Her stomach dropped and she began to tremble. “What?” That’s the last thing she expected him to say.
He raked his hands through his hair. He was magnificent, his naked body the epitome of masculine perfection. But it was his words that were squeezing her heart.
“I’ll be here for you whenever you need me.” He leaned down and cupped her face. “I love you, Tilly. That means I never want to control you or hurt you. You’re free. Be happy.” He dropped a quick kiss on her lips, turned and strode into the bathroom, leaving her there on the bed totally dumbfounded.
He shut the bathroom door behind him and she stared at the cheap wooden panel. She’d gotten what she wanted. She was free. Unencumbered. Then why did she feel as though her heart had just been ripped from her chest? She rubbed the tender spot and tried to think.
Phoenix had said he loved her, but he was letting her go. Maybe he didn’t really love her and this was his way of getting out of any entanglement. Even as she thought it, she knew that was a lie.
What did she want out of life?
Tilly rocked back and forth, trying to order her thoughts. It wasn’t easy when she was surrounded by the smell of sex and the dark musky scent of Phoenix.
She unclasped her legs and slowly climbed out of the bed. The water came on in the bathroom, but she ignored it and left the small bedroom and padded to the other room. Her parents’ room. She placed one hand on the wall. She could almost feel the vibrations of her father’s anger. See her mother cowering in fear.
Tilly leaned against the wall and took a deep breath. She raised her hands in front of her and concentrated. It took a bit of effort, but tiny flames ignited at her fingertips. Maybe she couldn’t burst into flames like Phoenix could, but he was a part of her, as she was a part of him.
His possessiveness wasn’t to be feared. Tilly dropped the walls that surround her heart and barricaded her soul. Behind them, she found something she’d never thought she’d find—love.
The past was just that—past. She was no longer a child. The only thing holding her back was a memory. Was she brave enough to take a chance on love, on her and Phoenix? Because she did love him. There was no point in lying to herself.
Phoenix meant more to her than any man ever had. He’d become an important part of her life so gradually. He hadn’t forced his way in. He’d simply made a place for himself in her existing world.
“You’re an idiot,” she told herself. Phoenix was ready to walk away from her because he thought that was what she wanted. She’d come to know him well. He was an immortal warrior. He didn’t play games and said exactly what he meant.
Tilly pushed away from the wall and strode toward the bathroom. She didn’t bother to knock before she shoved the door open. Phoenix stood in the tiny shower, his back facing her. She knew he was aware of her. The tattoo on his back moved when he tensed.
Slowly, he turned to look at her. There was no expression on his face.
She knew she’d hurt him, but she would make that up to him. “I love you.” She blurted out the words she’d never said to any man.
He slicked the water out of his face. “What did you say?” His voice was incredibly deep, the way it got when he was aroused. She glanced down at his cock. Yup, he was definitely aroused.
“I said I love you.” She walked toward him, ignoring the water dripping on her and the floor. “I’ve never said that to another man.” She took a deep breath and let it out. “I know I have issues with commitment, but I want to be with you.”
“For how long?” He wasn’t making this easy on her.
“For as long as we both want.”
“I want forever.” He reached out, wrapped his muscular arm around her and dragged her into the tiny space. He pressed her back against the wall and loomed over her.
He really was huge, but his large size always made her feel protected, not threatened. And that really said it all. She trusted Phoenix. And she loved him.
She twined her arms around his neck. “I’d like forever too.” She couldn’t imagine a time she wouldn’t want him.
A huge smile crossed his face. He lifted her and slid his cock into her slick pussy. Because of her arousal and the water, he fit easily. She gasped and gripped his shoulders. “I think it will take me forever to be sated,” he told her.
Tilly smiled and deliberately clenched her pussy muscles around his shaft. He groaned and began to work his hips, pressing in and out. “I’m willing to try if you are,” she told him before she totally lost the ability to speak.
A long time later, they were curled up in bed once again. She was half lying on Phoenix. She knew the space was cramped, but he hadn’t complained once. “I think I’m going to sell this place.”
He tilted his head so he could see her face. “Are you sure?”
She ran her fingers over his hard jaw. “Yes. It’s time. The past is over and done with. I’m looking forward to the future.”
“That’s good.” One corner of his mouth kicked up. “And does this future include a bigger bed?”
Tilly began to laugh. “It does. Let’s get dressed and drive back to the city.” She walked her fingers playfully over his chest. “I bet we can find a bed or two there.”
He bolted from the bed with her in his arms, making her laugh. “I take it you’re in a hurry?” she asked.
He lowered her down until her feet touched the floor and then patted her bare butt. “Whatever gave you that idea?” he replied, totally deadpan.
She adored his dry sense of humor and laughed. “I have no idea. Maybe I’m mistaken.” She took a step toward the bed, but he wrapped his thick arm around her and yanked her back.
“You need to get dressed. The faster the better.” He nipped at her neck, sending shivers down her spine.
No, forever wouldn’t be long enough for her to spend with this man. “Since you can poof into your clothing—” which wasn’t really fair since she couldn’t, “—you can pack up the few things we brought with us and load them in the car.”
Phoenix dropped a kiss on her mouth. “Whatever my lady wishes.”
She knew he meant that. He’d never try to change her or control her. “I love you.” She needed to tell him again.
His gaze grew solemn and he wrapped his hands around her face. “You are my life. My everything.” Then he grinned. “Life with you will always be interesting.”
Tilly laughed, knowing he was right. She was strong-willed, but he was confident enough to handle anything she might throw at him.
Epilogue
Stavros sat on the fringe of the group, watching them all interact. Both Jessica and Tilly had been saved from Hades’ wrath, and Mordecai and Phoenix had claimed their women. Everyone was happy.
Everyone but him.
As always, he was alone. And he’d have to stay that way. No way was he going to get involved with a woman and bring Hades’ attention to her. No, he would not do something so selfish.
“Are you all right?” Phoenix sat down beside him and handed him a beer. He took the fermented beverage and drank deep. He rather enjoyed the brew. The alcohol had no effect on him, but he liked the flavor.
“I am fine.” He pointed the bottle at Tilly. “Your woman looks well.”
His friend gave a low rumble of pleasure and a satisfied smile filled his face. “She is perfection.”
Stavros wondered what it would feel like to be that connected to another person, a woman. All the women were now a part of their mates, shared their immortality. It was a gift from the L
ady of the Beasts, but one he could never avail himself of.
“Are you going in search of the Lady again?” Phoenix asked.
“Yes.” Whatever Hades was doing, he was still blocking their communication with their goddess. It might be months before she’d notice unless she needed to be in contact with them for any reason. And Stavros rather thought she was giving the warriors and their women time to enjoy themselves and discover their new lives. No, the goddess would not contact them unless there was an emergency of some kind.
“Be well, my friend.” Phoenix glanced toward his mate. “You will find your woman someday.”
Stavros shook his head. “I cannot. For how can I get to know a woman without drawing Hades’ attention to her? And if I can’t get to know her, how will I discover if she is the one?” It was a dilemma he could see no way out of.
Phoenix clapped his hand on Stavros’s shoulder. “Don’t give up. You will know if the woman is the one.” Phoenix placed his hand over his heart. “You will feel it here.”
Stavros said nothing, and Phoenix left him to his thoughts. His friend was wrong. He couldn’t allow himself to get close enough to any woman to discover if she was his mate. He’d seen enough death in his long life and now all he wanted was peace.
Lure of the Jaguar
Dedication
To all my wonderful readers. You’re the best!
Chapter One
Stavros studied the woman as she crept through high grass. She was quieter than most of the people who crossed his path, more in tune with her surroundings. He was perched high in a cypress tree, his dense body hidden by the Spanish moss that covered the limbs. He flicked his tail lazily as the woman raised her camera, peered through the lens and took a series of pictures.
He had no idea who she was, but she’d been creeping around the bayou for several days now, and he’d taken to watching her. She was entertaining, something to break up the monotony of his days. It was easy to follow her in his animal form. As a black jaguar, he could easily climb trees and blend with the shadows.
He was careful not to get too close to her. He didn’t want her to see him, not that it really mattered, he supposed. All she’d see was an elusive cat, one that wasn’t supposed to exist in this part of the world. No, it was more that he couldn’t allow himself to become attached to anyone. Ever.
Not with the threat from Hades looming over him. The god had shown himself a poor loser in the more than five-thousand-year-old war with the Lady of the Beasts and her seven immortal, shapeshifting warriors, of which Stavros was one. He and the others had survived a curse and a battle for their souls. Now they were safe. He was safe. But Hades was not done trying to get his revenge. The devious god had already attacked two human women that were close to the warriors.
Stavros wasn’t going to give Hades the opportunity to hurt anyone else.
Thankfully, both women had been saved by his fellow warriors. Jessica Miller and Tilly Ledet had found themselves mated to Mordecai and Phoenix, respectively. That was fine for them. Stavros knew his friends had deep feelings for their mates.
But he was alone.
There was no woman waiting for him. No one he wished to share his immortality with. And that had been the price of saving the women’s souls from Hades.
The woman below him straightened from her crouch, arched her back and stretched her arms over her head. She wasn’t very big, maybe five-three or so, but she was all woman. The jeans she wore emphasized her generously curved hips, and the khaki-colored T-shirt she wore clung to her full breasts. The man stirred inside the jaguar, but he fought for control and held his animal form.
Her hair was black as midnight and she kept it confined in a thick braid, which hung halfway down her back. Her skin was tanned from being outside, and that made her blue eyes appear even more vivid.
In truth, he was fascinated with her. But he would never approach her. To do so would bring Hades’ attention her way. Stavros had already spent way too much time observing her from afar. He made sure never to remain around her for long, spending much of his days and nights simply wandering the bayou.
As though sensing his scrutiny, she glanced up at the tree where he was perched. He froze, not moving an inch or twitching a whisker, confident that he was concealed from her view. Still, it was a reminder for him to be more cautious. She was alert in a way most hunters were, attuned to her environment. But then again, she was hunting. She simply used her camera instead of a gun to shoot her prey.
She looked away when an alligator bellowed in the distance. She nibbled on her bottom lip and, for a moment, he thought she might try to find the gator. Instead, she turned in the opposite direction. He gave a sigh of relief when he realized she was heading toward the cabin she was renting. He had no idea how much longer she would be staying in the area but hoped she would be leaving soon. It would be safer. For both of them.
He twitched his ears, listening to every sound around him, quickly sorting through and cataloging them. When he was certain he was alone, he made his way down the trunk of the tree. He landed on four paws, a silent wraith. He slipped through the tall grass, keeping low as he followed her to make sure she got home safely.
He didn’t question why he did such a thing. It was as instinctual as breathing.
Antoinette Richards glanced over her shoulder but saw nothing on the path behind her. That didn’t mean there wasn’t something there. She’d been a wildlife photographer her entire life, starting when she got her first camera at the age of six and took a picture of the robins that ate from the family backyard birdfeeder. Since those early times, she’d progressed in her chosen career and traveled all around the world for her art.
If there was one thing she’d learned over the years, it was to trust her instincts. And right now, they were telling here there was something out there watching her.
She wondered if it was the huge panther she’d caught sight of several times over the past few days. She’d seen the tip of a tail, a flash of a body concealed in the foliage and one partial track in the dirt. Technically, the term panther wasn’t even correct, even though it was used by many local people to describe cougars.
Whatever it was, it wasn’t a cougar, it was big and it wasn’t native to the area. She kept hoping she’d be able to catch whatever it was on film so she could finally figure out exactly what kind of cat it was.
She turned her attention back to the path before her and carefully placed her feet to do as minimal damage to the ecosystem as possible. She was respectful of the environments she worked in, knowing many of them were sensitive to any intrusion by mankind. But she did pick up her pace.
She hitched her camera bag higher on her shoulder and tried to contain her burgeoning excitement. The trip this morning had yielded her some spectacular shots. There was one of a bullfrog sitting on a log next to a colorful wildflower that was a sure winner, and another of a delicate butterfly perched on a blackened tree limb sticking out of the swamp. She’d also captured shots of several species of birds, a couple of small snakes and even a turtle. She’d have to research to find out the exact types of snake and bird, but she didn’t feel they were anything rare. More indigenous to the area.
Toni swallowed her disappointment at not crossing paths with the more elusive black bear or cougar, but there was still time for her to capture their images. She had three more days here in Louisiana before she headed back to Maine, where she made her home and based her business.
The small house came into view. It wasn’t much, but it was cheap and it gave her a roof over her head and a place to sleep. It also had a full bath. All in all, it was a heck of a lot better than some of the places she’d stayed in over the years. It sure beat camping out.
Toni quickened her steps, eager to see the images she’d captured on her computer screen. She made a good living selling her work to wildlife magazines, and some of her less-than-perfec
t shots were sold online as stock photos. But it was her art photography that was the heart and soul of her business. Those rare, elusive images that struck a chord in the hearts of people who saw them.
She hurried up the rickety steps and dug the key out of her pocket. When the door opened, she stepped inside and peered back out into the overgrown yard. The sun was almost at its peak and she squinted against the glare.
Was there something moving out there?
She raised her camera, the gesture automatic. Peering through the lens, she panned the area and studied it carefully. Nothing. Toni slowly lowered the camera and sighed. “You’re imagining things.” But she knew she wasn’t. Whatever animal was out there didn’t want to be seen. She shivered at the thought of a cougar stalking her. She wasn’t sure if it was from fear or excitement or a combination of both.
There were photos waiting to be viewed and she was starving. Her stomach chose that moment to growl and remind her she’d skipped breakfast to get outside just in time to shoot dawn rising over the bayou. She’d gotten some spectacular shots of birds taking off from the water. She really should get something to eat. Even more than that, she needed to drink. She’d taken one bottle of water with her this morning, but it was long gone. It was easy to become dehydrated in the Louisiana summer heat.
“Crap.” She dumped her bag, hurried to the kitchen, yanked open the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle of water. She tucked it under her arm and grabbed a granola bar from the box she’d left on the kitchen counter. Booty in hand, she hurried back out the open door and sat on the porch step.
If there was something out there, she wanted a shot of it. Black leopards were occasionally reported in the area, even though they weren’t supposed to exist here. Toni had visited South America a few years ago and captured a stunning black jaguar on film. She’d blown up the image and it hung in her bedroom at home in Maine. The creature had been huge and majestic and had captured her heart with its primitive, deadly beauty.
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