by Marie Harte
“You expect me to believe that after all your lies?”
“You’ll believe what you want. It’s the truth.”
To his surprise, she seemed not to be lying. “How is killing Quince and staging a coup helping anyone but yourself?”
“A good question,” she said wryly, showing a sense of humor about herself he never would have credited her. “Before Lex arrived, I wanted to do more with our people. But Michael had things in hand, and you know how the elders are about change.”
He nodded.
“My family is rich. But my father scuttled me off to PR work looking pretty and not much else. I wanted to do more, to have a real impact. I could do that with the pride if I had a chance. But we’re still pretty patriarchal.”
“And you thought Lex would be a better change?”
“Lex was an asshole.”
“On that we agree.” Lex Gates had been a psychotic dickhead out for number one. He ran over and destroyed those who stood in the way of his pleasures.
“At first I thought he wanted me.” She flushed a becoming rose, yet Miles didn’t trust her humility. “But he was using me to get into the inner workings, using my connections and money to get closer to Michael, then Stacey.” No love lost between Alissa and his sister. She paused. “It hurt my pride that he’d choose her over me.”
He again sensed honesty in her quietly spoken words.
“I made a bad judgment call. I thought Lex would shake things up and give us an edge over those who would encroach on our territory. Michael always wanted to deal peaceably with everyone else, but I thought a heavier hand was needed. Make an example of those gray wolves just once, and everyone would get the message.”
She had a point. Too many pride wars around the country had decimated cat numbers. Hell, in Cougar Falls, they’d only had three felines in the pride before Miles’s sisters had moved in. “Michael didn’t agree, I take it?”
She shook her head. “He smiled at me and encouraged me to help financially, even socially with our females. But he never took me seriously, not like Lex appeared to.”
“Lex fooled a lot of people until it was too late. But Ayers?” Just a few weeks ago she’d thrown her lot in with the fool, thinking to take the pride from Quince.
“Ayers didn’t have the strength to rule. I knew that. I was using him to test Quince. I thought Quince could beat him, but he needed others to see he wasn’t weak.” She stared at him with cold dark eyes, her beauty as much a mask as her demureness.
Alissa craved purpose and power in equal amounts, and he started to understand how everyone had been so wrong about her. This woman rarely let others see her as more than a vain man-eater. “You’re not weak. Everyone knows you can and will do what’s necessary to better the pride. I’ve heard you don’t want to rule, but you will to help. That’s why everyone loves you, Miles. Because you’ll sacrifice your needs to do what’s best for the good of all.”
“Am I supposed to thank you for the compliment?”
“Not at all.” She ran a hand through her hair, the black stuff gleaming in the soft light from a nearby lamp. Darkness had fallen hours ago, and the household staff had departed just after dinner, leaving him in a mostly empty house while his lieutenants made their rounds.
Alissa stared at him, and he stared back, waiting.
“I’m here to apologize. I know no one trusts me, and I only have myself to blame.” When he said nothing more, she blew out a breath. “You’re not making this easy.”
“What do you want, exactly?”
“I want what I’ve always wanted. To do more than sit around smiling, the pretty face of Roberto Towers. I’d like nothing more than to help rule the pride. I have a lot to offer besides my money and my looks. I’m smart, I know people, and I have no problem doing whatever you need to help you.”
He hadn’t expected her to offer herself to him on a silver platter. Yet he sensed honesty in her words and knew he should tread warily in his reply. For all that she’d done to hurt his friends, she wasn’t an evil woman. Petty, yes, and spiteful at times. But her parents loved her, and she did have her share of friends.
It had never set well with Miles to be deliberately cruel, especially to a female. “Alissa…I’m not looking for a mate.”
She nodded. “I know that. But to rule you need one.” She bit her lip. “I, well, I know Zoe Castille is back. And there are rumors she plans to claim you, but I didn’t think you’d made up your mind yet.”
He frowned. “Claim me?”
Alissa nodded, her eyes clear. “She’s pretty aggressive, but I don’t hold that against her. I’m aggressive too. I think women should have a more equal say in the pride than we’ve had.”
“Something my sister agrees with.” He needed to look into exactly what Joy and the others were complaining about. He’d never sensed any issues, and they had females in the senior council. Even a judge or two. Yet here another woman complained about not having equality.
Still, Miles had no intention of being claimed. Ever. He was a man, damn it. When he decided to take a mate, he’d do the asking.
Alissa sat straighter in her seat. “I didn’t mean to offend you. If you’ve accepted the mating, I apologize. I didn’t scent it, but maybe because it’s so new. I don’t want to stir more trouble—”
“No. No claiming. When I’m ready to take a mate, I will. But no matter what the council says, I won’t be rushed.” He speared her with a look. “Not by them or anyone else.”
“I understand. Believe me.” She stood and shook her head. “I really am sorry about the past. I know I can’t make it right. Only with time will the others see I’m not such a bad person. Just a misunderstood one.”
He stood as well and escorted her to the door. He put his hand on her lower back out of courtesy, and to his bemusement, his cat didn’t like her perfume. Nor did the feline like him rubbing against her.
Not rubbing, just being courteous, he told it.
Rubbing, touching. The cat hissed. Wrong.
Alissa didn’t do anything unseemly. She didn’t try to get closer, turn and stumble into him for a kiss. She simply walked to the door, opened it, then paused. “I know you don’t trust me. Hell, I wouldn’t in your shoes. But maybe we could get together just for coffee or a drink. I’d actually like to talk about putting some of your designs in the stores in our hotels. But I don’t want you to think this is a play for anything. Despite what you might think, I take my business seriously. I don’t want to muddy up our association with an impression that I’m buying you. Besides, we both know you’re worth more than I am.”
Perhaps, but it was by a close margin. Miles kept on top of the pride’s finances, and he knew exactly how much the Robertos contributed and pulled in from their hotels.
“I appreciate your candor.”
“Thank you. And I appreciate you not throwing me out on my ass the moment you saw me.” She smiled, and he found her not unattractive. Just not as beautiful as he once had. Her eyes weren’t the right shade of gold, her hair not the blue-black he preferred.
He smiled back at her. “No problem. Everyone deserves a second chance.” He closed the door after her, lost in thought. Alissa Roberto could be valuable. She wanted a larger role in the pride, but he’d have to trust her to give her any responsibilities. Did he dare?
Unfortunately, he couldn’t stay focused on Alissa, because he couldn’t forget that nonsense about Zoe claiming him. He should have been flattered, but even his cat disliked the notion of a female making the moves. Miles would do the claiming and the choosing. He didn’t think of himself necessarily as dominant, but he sure the hell wouldn’t just roll over for a sexy feline, no matter how good she smelled.
Miles took advantage of his alone time to catch up on some mindless paperwork while he indulged in a forty-six-year-old bottle of Glen Garioch he’d been saving for the right occasion. After his day, he figured he deserved it.
Sometime later, when his eyes grew bleary, he heard Jace and Ellis a
rguing in muted whispers from the direction of the kitchen. June would no doubt have returned by now as well. If there’d been any trouble, someone would have alerted him. It came as no surprise that neither Quince nor Joy had shown up that evening, since they’d finished their move into their own home. With a smile, he readied for bed, glad his sister had a mate worthy of her.
He forced himself not to wonder what trouble Zoe might have gotten into as he undressed and slid between the sheets of his bed. Brain dead and exhausted, he fell into a dreamless sleep, comforted by the imagined scent of Zoe Castille nearby. “Sweet as candy,” he muttered and rolled over, hugging his pillow.
Zoe stared at him from a corner of his room, not surprised the big oaf hadn’t sensed her near. A small dose of Hunter mist had camouflaged her scent, allowing her to hunt for the raptors without giving herself away. She’d found them, as she’d suspected, holed up in the city just waiting to make their move.
Lisette wasn’t happy with how things had gone down last week. Her mate was less than pleased, but he’d wanted to return home. Good old Oscar. More comfortable with spreadsheets and databases than usurping anyone’s throne.
Lisette’s brother, however, would prove the real threat. Brian had an aggressive streak a mile wide, and having gained a foothold in Philadelphia recently, he sought to further his empire. She’d never liked the lecherous jerk, and the way he used his people sickened her. Before this thing with those damn birds ended, she had a feeling Bill and others she knew and liked might be hurt.
Bad enough she’d had to spy on the birds while Jace and Ellis policed some unruly cats tonight. Then she’d returned to make her play for Miles, only to find him cozied up with that woman.
All dolled up, wearing hooker heels and offering herself like that. On the one hand, Zoe appreciated Alissa’s stance. The woman admitted to her mistakes and openly announced she’d be interested in mating the man. Well, played, Whoreberto. That attitude of “letting him call the shots” put a definite kink in Zoe’s plans.
Who the hell had asked Alissa to mention Zoe’s plan to claim him? Miles hadn’t taken to the idea at all, and now that Alissa had planted the seed, he’d be that much more stubborn when Zoe tried to nab him. Would he consider Alissa’s offer instead?
Glaring at Miles who slept so soundly, she yanked off her clothes and let them pool at her feet. Man needs a friggin’ keeper.
Inside, her cat grunted her assent. Time to get started on this wooing crap. She wanted to sex him up and keep him. But no. Miles would make this as difficult as possible. Her crush on the stubborn cat was morphing dangerously into deeper affection. She actually respected him, and God knew, she desired him like no other.
Zoe was gorgeous, as smart if not smarter than him, and wanted the position of pride leader—something he wanted desperately to let go of. She didn’t know why a mating between them needed to be complicated. They each had needs the other could provide. Yet she knew without a doubt, if she approached him first about mating, he’d reject her before she could finish asking.
Stupid male ego.
So she’d do what she did best. Seduce a yes out of him.
At the thought, she grinned. This might not be easy, but it would be a lot of fun. Strutting toward the bed, she stopped and dragged the sheet down his back to bare his golden body, inch by inch. She didn’t stop until the sheet hit the floor, showing off the expanse of his muscled back, ass and thick thighs. He murmured something and shifted, raising his leg on the bed, and she caught a glimpse of that male part of him.
She tingled from head to toe and forced her scent to escape the Hunter’s mist she’d earlier doused herself in. Time to play with her prey before she pounced.
Chapter Nine
Miles was having the best dream. In it, Zoe’s scent layered over him, and then her hands followed suit. She stroked his feet, his legs, his ass and shoulders. She rumbled her approval and purred as she rubbed herself against his back. Her breasts felt hot against him, and he swore her nipples poked rows of desire into his skin.
Now hard and wanting the release always out of reach when dealing with her, he shifted and found himself pinned. Strange. Roused out of his sleep, he blinked down at his bed and felt someone spread his legs.
Her scent hit him hard, and he sucked in a breath as warm hands cupped his balls and massaged him.
“That’s nice,” she whispered and dragged those skilled hands under his body to grip his hard shaft. Then she withdrew her touch and started kissing her way up the inside of his thigh.
Dream or reality, Miles didn’t care. This felt too good to ignore, and he’d suffered for long enough. No more cold showers that didn’t work. No more jacking off to memories of her blowing him, of him licking her. Now he’d ease this incessant desire and bury himself inside her. The lustful curiosity was killing him and his cat.
When her lips touched his balls, he arched his hips off the bed, trying to give himself some respite from his aching shaft. But then she sucked him, and he couldn’t move, caught in extreme frustration.
She made low moans in the back of her throat and continued to lick her way around him. Up his sac, over his buttocks to his lower back. She shoved him back down onto the mattress and nibbled up his back, rubbing those round breasts all over him.
“You’re naked,” he said stupidly, needing to kiss her.
“Yeah. Just like you.” Her husky voice entranced.
He bucked under her, enough to move her so that he could flip onto his back.
She settled over him once more, straddling his groin with a wet pussy, and he was well and truly ensnared. The woman wanted him. Her sweet scent called, and he intended to answer.
He yanked her down and met her hungry kiss with his own. They ravaged each other’s mouths. All the while, he ground up into her pussy, his hands on her waist to hold her down. When she nipped his lip and sucked his tongue, he growled approvingly. But Zoe being Zoe had to take things one step further.
She started riding him, grinding against his cock with sure, slick movements. And he feared coming before entering her. Too fast, too much need.
He pulled her up over his body, so he could suck on her nipples the way he’d been dreaming about.
She cried out while he sucked and teethed, giving both breasts equal attention. Then her clever hands found his cock, and she gripped him tightly enough that he had to fight not to explode.
He stopped sucking and closed his eyes, overwhelmed by her touch and scent. He was fast losing control, and he didn’t like it. No woman had ever done this to him, and no woman should.
Too wild, too—
“Fuck.”
She eased over his cock, taking him inside her wet heat and scorching him with need.
He lost it. Miles swore as he slammed up into her, then pulled them back down to the bed. He tugged her hair to get her face closer, and when her glistening lips parted and she moaned his name in surrender, he started to purr.
He kissed her and fucked her, thrusting up to meet her every time she slammed over him. Their coupling was fierce and rough and perfect.
When she cried out and came, squeezing him snugly, he didn’t even try to hold back. He kissed her, hugging her torso to him as he climaxed in relief. She pulled up and watched him, and he continued to come, her body milking him of the tension plaguing him since he’d first laid eyes on her.
She shifted, and he sucked in a breath, the sensitivity squeezing another jolt of pleasure from his system.
“Oh my God.” She stared down at him, her eyes glazed with pleasure, and he knew she hadn’t faked a damn thing.
Why she was naked and in his bedroom mattered less than the rightness of being inside her. Drowsiness overcame him as he pulled her close for another kiss. He didn’t bother to pull out, but gathered her on top of him and held her head to his chest.
Her soft sigh teased him into sleep once more.
Miles woke to a heavy weight holding him down and a soft snore that didn’t belo
ng in his bed. He blinked at dark hair over his cheek and the scent of a well-pleasured female. Her essence permeated the room, as did the subtle beginning of a mate bond, if he wasn’t mistaken. Odd, but not unpleasant.
He should have been running for the closest exit. Instead, he stroked Zoe’s soft hair and shifted her to the side. To his surprise, he slid out of her. Naked. Sex. No protection.
He might have impregnated the female last night, but he couldn’t find it in him to panic just yet. The endorphins continued to give him that pleasure high, one he wanted to feel again. A glance at the clock told him he had time. He hurried to the shower and cleaned himself up, curious that her scent had yet to fade.
He’d gone to bed the previous night thinking about her, but he hadn’t scented her or seen her. She’d come into his room while he slept and taken advantage, seducing him awake until he couldn’t breathe but for want of her. The sly woman.
He chuckled under his breath and turned off the shower. After drying off, he joined her again in the bedroom. She lay on her back, gloriously naked. And perilously close to landing in an unfortunate wet spot on the bed. Using his towel, he covered it. Then he returned to the bathroom for a washcloth. After wiping her up and acknowledging his startling satisfaction at seeing her filled with his seed, he considered what to do.
She’d obviously seduced him. But why? Because he hadn’t jumped when she’d expected? Because, unlike the other randy assholes in the pride, he hadn’t fallen in line and danced to her tune…until now.
Alissa had mentioned that Zoe intended to claim him. He caught the subtle scent still on his skin. Yet to wear it, some part of him had accepted it. His stupid cat, no doubt.
She frowned in sleep, looking like a vexed kitten.
No leading me by the balls, Candace. We share a connection, you and I. Time to make you see that you’re as helpless as I am about it. With a smile, he tossed the rag and decided he could give as good as he got. He released scent into the room, the arousal of a sexually needy cat, and loomed over her. Just as she opened her eyes, he settled between her legs and licked her.