The Jaguar Prince

by Karen Kelley

  He scanned the area. The house was shielded on both sides by trees. It wasn’t as secluded as he’d hoped, but he supposed as long as he had a chance to talk to Callie about New Symtaria, and other things, then it would do.

  “Come on, let’s go inside,” she said.

  He eased himself out of the vehicle, even though he was certain his leg was now completely healed. There wouldn’t even be a scar as a reminder of what had happened.

  “Three steps, do you think you can make it?”

  “I’ll try.” It felt good to have Callie this close to him. The heat from her body was like a soft touch. As they moved toward the cabin, it became more than a touch as she inadvertently rubbed against him.

  Thoughts of her naked body pressed against him filled his head. A moan slipped from between his lips as he remembered what it felt like to sink deep inside her body.

  She gripped him a little tighter around the waist. “I was afraid the drive would be too long, but this really was the only choice we had.”

  She thought his pain was from the wound. If she only knew, but he wasn’t going to tell her. He rather enjoyed that she was so concerned about his health.

  “As soon as we get inside, you can stretch out on one of the beds.”

  He nodded, gritting his teeth for effect when she glanced up at him.

  “Then I’ll get that bandage changed. I only hope it’s not soaked with blood.”

  He stumbled on the last step.

  “Careful.”

  If she changed his bandage, she would see the wound had healed, and he had a feeling she wouldn’t be happy he’d taken advantage of her kindness. In fact, he had a feeling she’d be very angry with him. That wouldn’t endear her to the Symtarian race. He’d just have to think of a way to keep her from seeing his leg.

  They made it inside. Callie was right, these bluebloods lived differently from other people. He had a feeling if he downloaded an image of the room, it would come up under the title of luxury at its finest.

  “It’s a lot to take in, I know, but DeeDee’s folks are actually really nice. Not quite as stuffy as some of their friends. And all this?” She shook her head. “This is their idea of roughing it—no formal dining room. It’s an open floor plan.”

  “Strange people.”

  “Let’s get you in bed. I can’t believe I’m standing here keeping you on your feet.”

  They made their way to the back of the spacious cabin, and into a bedroom that housed another large bed. The beds on New Symtaria were not quite so large. Couples liked to be close to their mate, even in sleep.

  With Callie’s help, he made it to the bed and laid down, exhaling an exhausted sigh for effect. When she smoothed the hair off his forehead, he took her hand and brought it to his lips, inhaling the light scent of the sweet fragrance she wore, before letting his lips brush across her palm. He felt the shiver that went through her, and knew that his touch affected her as much as hers did him.

  “I want to mate with you,” he whispered.

  She inhaled a sharp breath, tugging her hand free. “Your leg…we…uh…can’t.”

  He almost blurted out that he was healed, but then remembered that Callie would kill him if she knew the truth. And she might not accept his help. He was stuck in a cage of his own making. He now had to decide what was more important, mating, or teaching her the skills she might someday need.

  It was tempting to throw caution away, but those same skills might be the only protection she would have if Zerod or one of his followers discovered where they were. He couldn’t risk her life.

  “I’ll just fix us something to eat.”

  She hurried out of the room. Rogar was left staring at the very opulent bedroom. There was a mirror above the bed. Why would anyone need a mirror above their bed? Earth people were strange.

  Callie leaned against the wall so she could catch her breath. Rogar had said he wanted to mate with her. She trembled all the way down to her toes with need. When he’d spoken those words, a picture flashed across her mind of his naked body pressed against hers.

  She tried to swallow, but couldn’t, and finally pushed against the wall, and went to the kitchen. There were sodas in the refrigerator. She pulled one out, and popped the tab. As soon as it stopped fizzing, she brought it to her lips and took a long drink. The bubbles tickled her nose, but she was just grateful for something cold and wet.

  There would be no mating, she thought to herself as she set the can on the counter. At least, not until his leg healed, and maybe not then. She would have to be careful to keep her distance. She was here to learn, to find her animal guide so she would have some measure of protection from Zerod. She had to keep Rogar at arm’s length.

  She rested her elbows on the counter and stared out the window into the woods behind the cabin. She was not in love with Rogar. It was only infatuation, temporary insanity, nothing more.

  But he would be easy to fall in love with. He was really hot. And she’d never had sex like that before. Her nipples tightened just thinking about when they’d made love. A deep, yearning ache settled in her lower regions.

  She quickly came back to her senses and pushed away from the counter when someone knocked on the door. With a deep sigh, she walked over. She’d wondered how long it would take for someone to stop by and see who was staying at the cabin. Instead of neighborhood watch, they should call these people neighborhood snoops. She pasted a fake smile on her face and opened the door.

  “Yes?”

  A tall, thin woman stood on the other side and with her was an equally tall, thin man.

  “Oh, we expected the Jacksons.” She raised a lofty eyebrow. “And you are?”

  “Ms. Crane, don’t tell me you don’t remember me?”

  The woman’s brow knit.

  “DeeDee’s friend, Callie Jordon.”

  “Ohhh…” Her shoulders stiffened as though rigor mortis had set in. “I’m surprised that…uh…” Her look was more than a little condescending as her words trailed off.

  “What? That they would let someone like me use their cabin?”

  Ms. Crane’s husband wore an expression similar to that of his wife. “Of course we weren’t thinking that.”

  Callie hoped her smile was just as insincere as she felt right now. “Of course you wouldn’t think that. Why that would make you both snobs, now wouldn’t it? Forgive me if I gave that impression.”

  “Certainly.” Ms. Crane sniffed. “It has been a long time since you’ve been here.”

  “Yes, it has.”

  She looked around the room. “And you brought a man with you. Did you get married?” she continued to grill.

  Callie smiled. “No.”

  Her eyebrows shot up. “Oh, you’re not married?”

  “Callie, I thought I heard voices,” Rogar said as he limped toward them.

  Great, what was he doing up? He should be resting. She looked at the Cranes, who weren’t even trying to hide their curiosity. More fodder for their tight little group. She’d bet they would run straight to everyone and have a field day telling them about how the Jacksons were letting just anyone, and everyone, stay at their cabin in their exclusive little resort. She wouldn’t doubt they would have a get together to ban this from ever happening again.

  Oh my God! What if she actually started dating one of their sons? Or befriending one of their daughters?

  They were as bad as Zerod. It would seem she was considered just as impure here as she would be on New Symtaria.

  “And you are?” Ms. Crane asked, looking down her very straight and narrow nose.

  “Rogar Valkyir.”

  Their condescension didn’t lessen, in fact, it seemed to increase. Callie realized it must be his accent and his name. Not only was he staying with Callie, but he was also a foreigner. Oh, they were going to have a good time relating the gossip they would gather today.

  Rogar suddenly bowed at the waist. “Prince Rogar Valkyir, at your service.”

  The Cranes’ mout
hs dropped open.

  Callie could feel the color draining from her face. This was so not good.

  Chapter 18

  “You’re a prince,” Ms. Crane said, her hand fluttering to her chest.

  “A prince?” Mr. Crane looked a little more skeptical than his wife.

  “A small country.” Rogar held out his hand to the other man.

  Callie was grateful he’d at least said country, rather than telling them he was from another planet.

  Mr. Crane hesitated, then apparently decided if Rogar were telling the truth, he didn’t want to offend him. They shook hands. His gaze dropped to the medallion Rogar wore.

  Rogar noticed his interest and looked down. “My family’s crest. A trinket my mother insists I wear as the eldest child.” He held it up for a moment. The sun caught the diamond and other stones, creating a prism of beautiful colors on the wall.

  Oh, Lord, Rogar was playing his royal card.

  “Can I see that?” Mr. Crane asked. “If you don’t mind. I mean, it’s very unusual.”

  “Of course.” Rogar slipped the golden chain over his head, then handed it to Mr. Crane. Mr. Crane reached into his pocket and brought out his jeweler’s loupe and closely examined the medallion.

  Ms. Crane gave an embarrassed laugh. “My husband is in the jewelry business.”

  Rogar raised an imperial eyebrow. “Oh, he works for a living.”

  Ms. Crane’s cheeks turned rosy red. Callie barely restrained her snort of laugher. It was about time Ms. Crane got a dose of her own medicine.

  “Very unique,” Mr. Crane mumbled as though he hadn’t heard Rogar’s remark. “The diamond is the most perfect I’ve ever seen. The clarity is outstanding. The other jewels are equally beautiful. It’s probably worth millions.” He slipped his loupe back in his pocket, and handed the medallion to Rogar. “Beautiful workmanship, Your Highness.”

  “Thank you.”

  Ms. Crane perked up when her husband called Rogar, Your Highness. Apparently, since he was wealthy, it stood to reason he would also be telling the truth about who he was, a blueblood like them, and worthy to be accepted into their ranks. It would seem she had forgiven him his earlier comment.

  “We’re having a dinner party of sorts tomorrow night if you’d like to come,” Ms. Crane said, her gaze fixed on Rogar. Callie had no doubts the invitation did not include her.

  Rogar put his arm around Callie and pulled her close to his side. “I’m afraid my fiancée and I won’t be able to attend. We want to share this time together before we have to return to the castle.”

  Ms. Crane’s eyes rounded. “Fiancée? Castle? Oh, my.”

  Callie was going to kill him.

  “Maybe we can join you another time. I leave most social decisions to Callie, so check back with her. Now, if you’ll excuse us.”

  “Certainly, Your Highness.” They backed up, and Rogar shut the door in their face.

  Callie heard Mr. Crane admonishing his wife for her nosiness, and Ms. Crane telling her husband it had been crude to examine the prince’s medallion, then she asked if it was really genuine and worth millions.

  Their voices drifted away as they got in their golf cart. As soon as it started, Mr. Crane floored it. Well, as much as you could speed away in a golf cart. Callie’s ears were already burning.

  She turned away from the window, planted her hands on her hips, and glared at Rogar. “What the hell did you think you were doing?”

  “I heard them when they were talking to you. Even I could tell they weren’t nice people. They needed to be put in their place. Aren’t you happy I treated them as inferiors?”

  “They deserved everything they got, but we’re supposed to be keeping a low profile. They’ll tell all their friends.”

  “We’re safe from Zerod while we’re here.”

  “Yes, but you just encountered a far worse predator—the Cranes. And how do you know about castles?”

  “I looked up romance on my database on your birthday. Cinderella went to live in a castle with her Prince Charming.”

  He suddenly grimaced, reaching toward his injury.

  Damn, what could she have been thinking? “We need to get you back in bed. Is the pain bad?”

  “I can tolerate it.”

  She’d noted his hesitation so she was sure he must be in excruciating pain. “I told you, I don’t need a hero, so quit coming to my rescue.”

  “Sometimes I think you are more in need of a hero than even you know.”

  “Well, you’d be wrong. I’ve been on my own for a long time. I work better without a partner.”

  “Then it’s a good thing you have DeeDee. I’d hate to think you’d never had anyone to call friend.”

  “Only because I couldn’t beat her off with a stick.” The corners of her mouth turned down. DeeDee had come to her rescue, too, and then had hung around for the last ten years. She usually brought little care packages containing specialty foods, teas, and chocolates.

  Wow, she must seem pretty pathetic to people.

  “Like I said, I don’t need a hero.” She helped him onto the bed, and turned to leave, but he grabbed her arm.

  “Don’t go.”

  She hesitated. His hand was warm against hers. Maybe she needed the touch of another human being more than she had thought. But no, she couldn’t stay. She felt vulnerable right now, and if she stayed…No, she couldn’t.

  “You said you wanted to learn more about New Symtaria, and how to protect yourself. We can start now.” When she didn’t say anything, he hurried on, “I’ll go stir crazy alone in this room.”

  She knew the feeling. Sometimes she felt as though the four walls inside her house were closing in on her, and if she didn’t get out, she would go bonkers. More times than not, she would find herself back at the zoo. Sheba was a great listener.

  “Okay, I’ll stay.”

  He scooted over, then patted the bed beside him. She laughed. “I don’t think so Casanova.” She dragged a comfy chair closer to the bed, and sat down, then saw that he held the small machine he called his database. When he looked at her, he was smiling.

  “What?” she asked.

  “Casanova?”

  “What about it?”

  “You think I’m the world’s greatest lover. I accept your compliment.” He bowed his head toward her.

  “That’s not what I meant! It was only an expression.” Her brow furrowed. “He was also a womanizer.”

  Rogar raised the database again. “Yes, I see that now.” He glanced at her. “You think that I would”—he looked again at the screen—“taste the charms of many women, never content with just one?”

  She threw up her arms. “I didn’t mean it literally.”

  “So you didn’t enjoy when we mated.”

  “Yes, I did. Very much.”

  He smiled again. She could feel the heat rise up her face. “Could we just get started?” His gaze became more intense as it lingered on her. “Teaching me how to protect myself,” she quickly added.

  “If you’re positive that’s what you want to do.”

  “I am,” she said, keeping her voice firm in case he thought otherwise.

  He sighed. “I’m not sure where to begin.”

  “Why not start at the beginning, when you shipped my ancestors off to Earth.” That had come out a little more sarcastic than she’d planned, but she felt as though their own people had dumped them. Much like she’d felt all those years at the orphanage.

  He plumped a pillow and leaned back against the head-board. “I wasn’t born yet, Callie, but I stand by what they had to do for survival. I wouldn’t call it shipping them off, either, as much as I would say it was saving their lives, and the lives of others. They voluntarily decided to go.”

  “Why?”

  “It was a dark time for our people. The planet was dying. The air had grown thick with poisonous gases. I’ve heard that staying outside without protection for any length of time could be lethal. The specialists conducted te
sts, and knew it was only a matter of time before the planet imploded.

  “They took very little with them. There were only so many space crafts. They were lucky that everyone escaped.”

  “What happened to the planet?” she asked. “Did it die?”

  “They say it did. Once I tried to find it using the old coordinates but there was nothing there, so maybe it did.”

  She leaned back in the chair and crossed her legs. “I can’t imagine how that would feel. I mean, it would be hard leaving Earth in search of a new home, and knowing that the old one was dying.”

  “Sometimes change is good, though. The leaders found New Symtaria, and once again the air was clean and pure. There are oceans, like you have oceans on your planet. There are valleys, and mountains so high they are capped with deep snow.”

  “You know snow?”

  “We have changes in climate, just as you.”

  “How many of my ancestors did they…volunteered to leave?”

  He reached for his database. “We can look. Give me your finger.”

  Her gaze narrowed. “What are you going to do?”

  “I won’t hurt you. Trust me.”

  She wasn’t so sure about trusting him. He was just too sexy. Okay, so maybe she trusted him, but maybe not so much herself.

  She stood, walking nearer to the bed, and stuck her thumb out. When he reached for it, she jerked it back. “This won’t hurt will it? I mean, you’re not going to draw my blood or anything, are you? I hate needles.” Yes, she was a coward, and she knew it.

  “No, I’m just going to do a thumb analogy of your ancestry.”

  “You can do that? I mean, like looking at my family tree?”

  “It’s not that difficult.”

  He didn’t know how hard she’d tried to find information on her birth mother, but to no avail. But now, he could tell her about some of her family. Did she want to know? They could be mass murderers. Or like Zerod, for all she knew.

  “It will be okay, Callie.”

  She studied his face for a moment and saw the truth of his words. Maybe she would only discover they were animal keepers or something mundane. Oh, what the hell. She stuck out her hand.