The Jaguar Prince

by Karen Kelley

  “It’s because you haven’t found each other yet. Sometimes it takes awhile for you to connect.”

  “Then I’m not a bunny?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Maybe? What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “When you take the form of your guide, then you will have a more solid connection with body, mind, and spirit.”

  Good, she was glad she probably wouldn’t be a bunny. It seemed rather demeaning. Not that she had anything against bunny rabbits. They were cute and cuddly—when they weren’t dropping pellets all over the floor.

  She sighed. “Shapeshifting hurts.”

  “Are you in pain?”

  She shook her head. “Not anymore.”

  Callie could hear Rogar’s heart beat through his shirt. It soothed away her fears. The warmth from the heat of his body enveloped her in a warm cocoon. It was cozy. She snuggled closer, feeling safe and protected for the first time in her life.

  It scared the hell out of her.

  A cool draft of air brushed over her from the bedroom window that she always left cracked open just a bit. Her eyebrows drew together as she realized something else.

  “I’m naked, aren’t I?”

  “Quite naked.”

  Chapter 7

  “It’s all right,” Rogar said.

  “No, it’s not okay that I don’t have clothes on,” Callie told him.

  “But I’ve already seen your body. I’ve felt it next to mine. You should be proud of how you look.” He still couldn’t understand why nakedness bothered her so much. Right now, it bothered him, but in a whole different way.

  She leaned a little away from him, attempting to cover her breasts. “Well, it does bother me, a lot. I hardly know you.” She sniffed.

  He tried not to laugh, but he lost the battle.

  “It’s not funny,” she complained.

  He sobered. “You’re right, it isn’t.”

  She was so beautiful. The moonlight was the only light in the room, but it cast her in mysterious shadows and wavering soft lights.

  And he couldn’t resist. He didn’t even try. It was the nature of the beast inside him. He lowered his mouth to her lips, wanting to taste her one more time, then he would let her get dressed, as much as he hated the notion of her covering that magnificent body.

  She stiffened, then slowly began to relax against him. Her lips were soft, then she shyly opened them; her tongue explored his mouth, cautiously caressed him. Her touch was innocent and bold at the same time.

  One kiss, then he would stop.

  But he’d forgotten about the heat that radiated from her lush body or that it would quickly ignite the flames of his desires. When she tangled her fingers in his hair, he knew he wouldn’t be able to stop at just a kiss.

  Callie gasped when he cupped her bare breast, but she didn’t pull away or tell him to stop. He ran his thumb over her nipple. She moaned.

  He ended the kiss, lowering his head until he could take her breast in his mouth. She cried out, arching her back, when he sucked, gently tugging her nipple with his teeth.

  She was driving him wild with need. His body ached to fill her, to plunge deep inside, and test the heat within.

  He laid her back on the bed. She scooted up farther, and he wondered if she would tell him to leave. By the ancient saints, by the gods and goddesses, it would drive him insane if she were to send him away without the release he sorely needed. Many a weaker man had been driven insane when they didn’t get fulfillment. Their race was a race that survived only by controlling the warring emotions inside them, keeping their animal instincts reigned in. It wasn’t always possible.

  His eyes narrowed as he tried to read what she was thinking. Would she save him from going mad with lust, or cast him away?

  Callie opened her arms. “Make love to me.”

  A low growl emitted from deep in his throat as his gaze moved over her naked body. He hadn’t dared look too closely when he didn’t know the outcome. What if she had turned away from him?

  She was beautiful, her breasts full, nipples tight. The curls at the juncture of her legs hid what he wanted to touch, to taste, but not for long. Soon, he would part her legs. He would listen to her sweet voice beg for more.

  He swallowed hard, and slipped off his jacket. She watched him, her gaze drinking in every one of his movements. He intentionally slowed as he unbuttoned his shirt, then let it fall to the floor.

  She drew in a deep breath when he reached for the button on his slacks and pushed it through, then drew the zipper down. Her eyes widened in anticipation. He kicked out of his slacks, then hooked his thumbs in the waistband of his briefs.

  Earth clothes were too bulky. On New Symtaria he wore loose robes until the climate turned cooler. But maybe wearing more clothes wasn’t so bad because watching Callie’s eyes widen, the way her chest raised and lowered when she began to pant, made him feel powerful, made him want her pleasure to be great.

  He pushed his briefs down, then let them slide over his legs and drop to the floor as he straightened again. She bit her bottom lip, but not before a moan escaped. He’d known she had a passionate side. It ran through the veins of all Symtarians. Her Earth blood could not dilute it. He planned to see just how strong it was. He kicked the briefs away, then climbed on the bed, lying beside her.

  “You’re beautiful,” she whispered.

  He frowned. Women were beautiful. If anything, men were handsome. But never beautiful.

  She tentatively lowered her hand and stroked down his length. His body jerked in response. Maybe it didn’t really matter how she thought he looked. They were just words. Callie pushed on his shoulders and he gave in, moving to his back.

  “You don’t look like an alien,” she said as she explored his chest.

  “Our races are very similar in many ways. That’s why our people were sent here when our planet was dying and we had to find another one.” He’d read some about Earth’s history and understood that women liked to talk before, during, and after sex. He didn’t mind this need. Symtarian women were much the same. He liked listening to their voices. They were softer, and most of the time, sweeter than a man’s voice.

  But there were times when talk wasn’t needed. He turned back to his side, brushing the back of his hand lightly over her body, moving between her breasts, over her abdomen, down to her hip, then her thigh, then repeated the moves as he journeyed back up her body. Ah, she was lovely to look at, to touch. Her skin was soft as the finest material.

  When she moaned, he knew she wanted more. He’d have liked to hear it from her lips, have her tell him exactly what she wanted, but maybe it was too soon. He didn’t want to push her, but some day he would have her telling him everything she wanted without embarrassment, and he would do the same until they knew instinctively what the other craved.

  He leaned forward, drawing her tight nipple into his mouth and sucking gently, then gave equal attention to the other. His hand moved down her body. He ran his fingers lightly though her curls. Her body stiffened.

  He leaned away from her. “Do you want me to stop?”

  She shook her head. “More,” she choked out.

  He smiled. “Yes, that is exactly what I plan to give you.” He fingered the fleshy part of her sex. She cried out, spreading her legs wider for him. He delved deeper, feeling her readiness.

  His own ache grew stronger. He moved between her legs, spreading them wider. The moon bathed her skin in translucent light. “Beautiful,” he whispered before lowering his head and running his tongue over her.

  Callie cried out, raising her hips, knotting the sheets in her fists.

  He slid his hands beneath her bottom, bringing her even closer to his mouth, sucking her inside, running his tongue over her until she quivered and cried out.

  Rogar had been too long without a female companion, and the sounds Callie made were pushing him to the brink of his lust. He moved so that he could easily slide into her moist heat.

  “Wait,�
�� she moaned.

  “You would stop me now?’ he croaked.

  She turned and stretched until she could open a drawer in the table beside the bed. She brought out a small packet. He could see her face had turned a bright red.

  “Condom,” she said, then tore it open and handed it to him. “It’s for your…you know.”

  He took it from her. Of course, he’d heard of this tradition. On New Symtaria, everyone took an injection to prevent any disease or children. When they were ready to have offspring, they took another. He would follow her customs.

  Rogar slid the condom on, then slowly he sank inside, letting the rush of heat flow over him. He closed his eyes, and gritted his teeth at the sheer pleasure she gave him. This was good. He didn’t mind so much the sheathing as he shifted his hips, and sank a little deeper.

  Callie cried out, and he was lifted out of his fog of passion.

  “Am I hurting you?”

  “No, it just feels so damned good.” To prove her words, she brought her legs up, wrapping them around his waist.

  He sank deeper. Gasped as pleasure rushed over him.

  “More.”

  Callie had gotten greedy. Not that he could blame her. He wanted more, too. He slid out, then plunged deeper. She rocked her hips. He knew he couldn’t hold back any longer, and sank back inside.

  His movements intensified until they both cried out at the sheer ecstasy of the moment. The world exploded around him into brilliant lights. He gasped for air as he rolled his weight off Callie.

  Mating with Callie had been more than he expected. It had been wonderful, it had been…

  The familiar ache began to burn inside him. He tried to stop it, but the burning sensation had already begun to consume him.

  Callie watched the changing expressions on Rogar’s face and knew he’d experienced the same thing that she had. She’d finally had the earth-shattering orgasm that she’d always thought some fanciful author had made up while eating a chocolate bar or something. No, this was the real thing.

  She turned on her side, watching him with more than a little wonderment. If there was ever a bumper sticker that read, ALIENS ARE A GALAXY ABOVE THE OTHERS, she was getting it. She’d never had sex like that. He was magnificent, superb…

  He suddenly doubled up, groaning.

  Oh, no, sex with her had been too much. She’d killed him. Been overly aggressive…or something. Was she doomed to never have another orgasm like the one she’d just had?

  “Rogar? Rogar!” She sat up, grasping his shoulders as he seemed to struggle for air. A thick fog rolled across the room. His shoulders began to sprout hair. Oh, crap, he was shifting. Maybe making love wasn’t nearly as good for him as it had been for her, and now he was going to eat her. Not good! Well, not when it was literal.

  She jumped up and ran for the bathroom door, slamming it closed, and then fastening the latch. She’d never realized how flimsy the door was. She started to unlock it and hurry through to the living room, but she heard a deep throated purr and froze. Okay, maybe it wouldn’t be prudent to leave just yet. She eased over to the toilet and plopped down on the lid.

  The purring grew louder, as though the cat was right outside the door. Cold chills washed over her. Not just from being nervous, either. She glanced around, then breathed a sigh of relief when she spotted her white terry cloth robe on the counter by the sink.

  Wrapping her arms around herself in an attempt to ward off the chill in the air, she tiptoed over and grabbed the robe. Pure bliss. Now if only Rogar would change back to human form.

  She stopped in the middle of tying the belt. It was true. Everything he’d told her about being an alien was true. And what was worse, she was part Symtarian, too. She’d changed into a bunny rabbit.

  A host of questions swarmed inside her. She nibbled her lip as she looked at the door. Was the black jaguar still in the other room? She really found it hard to think of the jag and Rogar as being one and the same.

  If he’d changed to a bunny, she wouldn’t mind opening the door. Bunnies couldn’t really hurt anyone. They ate lettuce and dropped pellets on your floor.

  Maybe he’d changed back and had fallen asleep. She’d felt tired when she’d changed back to herself. Well, until Rogar kissed her. After a few moments, she hadn’t even been thinking about how tired she was.

  But did she want to take that chance and possibly get eaten alive? Nausea rumbled in her stomach. She was a coward, so what.

  She knelt in front of the door and peered through the keyhole. Damn it, she couldn’t see anything. She lay down on the floor and moved her face as close to the crack at the bottom as she could get it, peering from underneath. Everything was black. She let out a deep breath. The blackness moved. There was a loud purr just on the other side of the door.

  She rolled away, probably looking like a white tootsie roll with arms and legs. She didn’t stop until her head banged into the side of the tub.

  “Ow.” She sat up, rubbing her head.

  There was another loud purr.

  Was the stupid jaguar laughing at her? She crawled into the tub, tucking her bath pillow beneath her head. It wasn’t as good as her pillow on the bed. This was just one of those cheap ones that you inflate. It was an indulgence, but it had only cost a dollar.

  She tried to get comfortable, but finally gave up. It was a lost cause. She sniffed. Her first major orgasm and what happens, the guy changes into a jaguar. She snorted. That was one for the advice columns. Maybe she should write Dear Abby. She could see it now.

  Dear Abby,

  What do you do when you have the greatest sex for the very first time in your life, and your lover turns into a jaguar? Is it a reflection on your performance?

  Need advice ASAP!

  Signed,

  One Who Sleeps in a Bathtub

  This was so not fun.

  Chapter 8

  What happened? Rogar’s thoughts filled the jaguar.

  Ahh, you’re awake, Balam communicated the same way. I had begun to wonder if you would ever regain consciousness.

  Where’s Callie? Fear filled him. Rogar wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he’d harmed her in any way.

  We didn’t eat her if that’s what you’re asking.

  Then where is she?

  I believe she’s in the other room. She slammed the door and locked it.

  Rogar felt relief wash over him. I’ve never lost control like that before.

  Because you’ve never lost control at all. It was not I who initiated the change. This sometimes happens with the males of our species when passions rule. Don’t worry, I have no desire to dominate.

  Don’t you? Rogar could feel Balam’s amusement. Guilt filled him for even having those kinds of thoughts. Balam was a friend, not just his guide. I’m sorry.

  You lead a more exciting life than I ever could. I don’t mind living vicariously through you. There was a deep sigh. Besides, our bond is stronger than most. It’s when man and beast don’t respect each other’s needs that trouble begins.

  You’re right.

  Of course I am. The jaguar jumped to the bed. You’d better go to her. I’m sure she didn’t sleep well last night.

  Rogar flinched. I doubt she’ll be happy with me.

  She’s very beautiful you know.

  Yes, I do.

  Rogar closed his eyes, felt the transformation begin, the damp fog as it began to roll in. He was used to it. The first time had been the hardest. At one point during the change, his thoughts were no longer entirely his. Rogar knew Balam experienced the same feeling. It was as though they stopped being two, and became one, if only for a moment in time. Never once had Rogar felt threatened—which made his guilt all the more harder to swallow. They’d always respected each other’s identity.

  He growled from low in his throat. It changed to a moan. A paw became a hand, a jaw that could crush a human head returned to human form, hair changed to flesh.

  Rogar opened his eyes, blinking several t
imes until the room came into focus. It was always the same—as if he’d walked from darkness into light. Tiredness washed over him in waves. He sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed, and waited for everything to come into focus. To catch up to being human again.

  He finally stood, remembered he was naked, and quickly slipped on his briefs and slacks. Rogar wasn’t quite sure if Callie would feel the same way about his nakedness as she did last night before they mated. And since she’d spent the night in the bathroom, he thought it might be wiser not to push his luck.

  When he turned the doorknob and pushed, there was a catch that prevented him from opening the door all the way. He peered through the small crack, but he couldn’t see Callie, nor did he hear her moving around. She might be sleeping. If he could manage to get inside, he would know for sure she was all right.

  He looked around, spotting a card on her bedside table that might work to unlatch the door. He picked it up, and slid it through the crack, then upward, unhooking the latch. He tossed the card on the bed, and opened the door.

  She wasn’t in the room. Had Balam lied and ate her after all?

  I don’t lie, Balam’s voice interjected into his thoughts. Try looking behind the curtain.

  Sometimes you pain me, Rogar told him. He knew Balam was smiling.

  Rogar slid the curtain open, making very little sound, then grimaced. Callie was curled in the tub, her knees scrunched to her chest. He leaned over and shook her shoulder. “Callie.”

  She stretched, groaning. “Oh, Lord, I feel like death warmed over.”

  He wasn’t sure what death warmed over meant, but from the pained expression on her face, he was pretty certain it didn’t feel good.

  Callie opened her eyes, then frowned. “Why am I in the bathtub?”

  “We mated last night…”

  She smiled. “I remember.”

  He felt heartened that her smile was full of satisfaction when she remembered.