Big Cat Mates Leopard Territory

by Cynthia Sax

  “I didn’t think anything. I didn’t know about your party.” Jeanine played with the lapels of his jacket, her fingers long and slender. “I never know about company events until all of them leave the office together, smiling and laughing. They don’t do it to be mean.” She rushed to her coworkers’ defense, his mate extremely loyal. “It’s simply that I’m out here, alone, and they never think of me.” She pulled at a loose thread, unraveling his independence, strand by fragile strand. “But tonight, I’ll be one of them, won’t I?”

  “No,” Adar rumbled. “Tonight, you’re mine.” He held onto her, needing her more than he’d ever needed another being, not wanting to let her go, to be alone again. “Join my meeting with Royce,” he offered impulsively, uncaring what the Leone Media CEO thought of his receptionist joining their loan renewal negotiations.

  “You’d include me in your meeting?” Jeanine gazed up at him with wonder, and Adar mentally kicked himself for not including her sooner. “But the party…” She nibbled on her bottom lip, an action she undertook when worried.

  Adar skimmed his lips over hers, stopping the abuse, tasting mint and willing female. “The party is important to you, and there will be other meetings.” He reluctantly released her, forcing himself to be patient. He’d claim her… soon, tonight. “I’ll pick you up at six.”

  “Six?” Jeanine squeaked. “Oh gods.” He watched with amusement as she hustled to grab her purse from underneath the desk. “I won’t have time to get my hair done and put on my makeup and dress.” She fluttered her hands, his normally composed female adorably frazzled.

  “Then you should hurry,” Adar advised with a smile, counting on her not having time to dress, knowing he wouldn’t make it through an entire night without making her body his.

  “My driver will take you anywhere you need to go,” he added. Ensuring I know where she is at all times.

  “Six,” Jeanine repeated. “Oh, I’m going to a party. A party, Adar.” She flung herself into his arms, her slight shoulders shaking with excitement.

  “You are… with me,” he stressed, holding her close -- his mate, his female, his future.

  Jeanine gave him another hug, her eyes shining. “Thank you.” She released him and flew down the hallway, blasting through Leone Media’s stained glass front door, the hemline of her skirt lifting with each stride, flashing long lithe tanned thigh.

  She’s not thinking of that young cub now. Adar slid his hands into his pants pockets and fingered the red silk of Jeanine’s panties. He breathed deeply in and out, in and out, her scent centering him, focusing his thoughts.

  Time to protect what is mine. He surged through the entrance to the office, searching for Royce, determined to eliminate any possible threat to Jeanine’s safety. Her current situation alarmed him. Employees scattered before him, his well-earned reputation frightening everyone except his mate.

  Adar located the hard-working marketing mogul in his office, the large space smelling of sex and Royce’s voluptuous mate. As he entered, the lion shifter raised his head from the mountain of paperwork piled on the desk before him.

  Royce sniffed loudly, his nostrils flaring, and he groaned. “Jeanine is a great employee, Adar.” He raked one of his big paws through his shaggy blond hair. “And now --”

  “And now, I’m adding a security guard at the front door.” Adar lowered himself into the leather guest chair. “And a panic button under Jeanine’s desk.”

  “You want a security guard, and a panic button installed at my firm’s reception.” Royce’s forehead wrinkled, the CEO acting too damn casual about his employee’s safety. “How am I to explain this to the others?”

  She doesn’t feel safe, jackass. Adar maintained his blank expression, concealing his rage, determined to share his messy emotions with only one other being -- his mate. “I’m protecting my investment.”

  Royce blinked, that expression of surprise more human than cat. “Jeanine is purely business for you?”

  “She’s my number one investment.” She’s my mate, the future mother of our cubs. Adar kept that information to himself. Royce didn’t need to know his personal business. “I’ll do anything to protect her.” He met the lion shifter’s gaze, ensuring his message was relayed.

  Royce hesitated for a heartbeat, and Adar fought the urge to claw some sense into the lion. “I see.” The CEO nodded. “Then we hire a security guard and add the panic button.”

  “I hire the security guard,” Adar corrected, not trusting Jeanine’s safety to anyone else. “And my people will add the panic button.”

  Royce twisted his lips. “You’re a controlling bastard, Adar. Why did I ever do business with you?”

  Adar allowed himself a small smile. “Because you had very little choice and because I treat your investments almost as carefully as I do my own.”

  Royce grinned. “True.” The lion shifter looked toward the open doorway, his mate’s desk positioned in front of his office, where she was safe and protected. “And some investments are worth dying for.”

  Chapter Two

  Knuckles rapped against wood. He came. She straightened and set her hairdryer down on her bathroom counter. I’m truly going to the party. She ran in place, indulging in a naked victory dance only she could see, her bare feet smacking against the tiled floor.

  “I hear you, Jeanine,” Adar rumbled, his deep voice edging her excitement with arousal. The doorknob rattled. “Open up.”

  “I’m coming,” Jeanine squeaked. “But you’re early.” She wrapped a white terrycloth robe around her body as she walked through the small apartment. The rented space was smaller than Leone Media’s front lobby.

  “I’m right on time.” The rattling stopped. “You smell delicious, clean, and wet.”

  Jeanine’s face heated. “My neighbors can hear you. You shouldn’t…” She opened the door and stared, her protests obliterated by the intensity in Adar’s eyes. “Hi,” she whispered, feeling as giddy as a teenager on her first date.

  “Hello, kitten.” Adar’s presence filled the apartment hallway and sucked the air from her lungs. He was dressed in his standard black suit, white shirt, black tie, his face grim, yet something about him had changed. He’d become more striking, more hers, and her body vibrated with awareness.

  Adar broke a piece of wood off the frame. “I’m having your door replaced tomorrow.” He shut the door and slid the deadbolt home, the ringing metal signaling his intentions.

  He plans to fuck me. Trembling with need and want and anticipation, Jeanine stepped aside as he pushed forward, fate as unstoppable as her arrogant male.

  Adar prowled around the room serving as her kitchen, dining room, and bedroom. “The balcony doors will be changed also.” He glanced upward at the hideous cottage cheese ceiling. “And new fire alarms installed.”

  “Anything else?” she asked, unable to hide her sarcasm.

  “I vowed to protect you. I’m protecting you.” Adar removed his jacket and hung the expensive garment on the back of her thrift store chair. A gun holster accessorized his white shirt.

  He’s a dangerous male. A shiver of fear ran down Jeanine’s spine. “From whom? And why does a financier need a gun?” She played with the belt of her robe, aware that she wore nothing underneath the terrycloth.

  “I don’t lend to humans.” Adar placed the gun and holster on the table. “Shifters can sometimes be… excitable.” He slipped off his tie and unbuttoned his shirt, revealing tanned skin marked with silver scars, some of them round like bullet holes, some of them striped like scratches.

  Jeanine’s mouth dried as Adar shrugged out of his shirt, folded the white cotton neatly, and set it on the table beside his gun. “What are you doing?”

  Adar paused, his abdominal muscles flexing, all of him chiseled and unrelentingly hard. “I prefer to fuck with my clothes off.” His lips quirked upward. “Though I’m open to other suggestions.”

  Her face heated as her body pulsed. “We’re not having sex.”


  “You can’t lie to me, kitten.” He chuckled, the sound deep and arousing. “I smell your hot cream.” Adar breathed deeply, his nostrils flaring. “You’re gushing for me.” She pressed her slick thighs together, striving to smother the scent. “I can’t decide whether to eat you or fuck you first.” He unbuckled his belt and casually unfastened his pants.

  First. She licked her bottom lip as he dropped his pants. His long thick cock sprang free -- rich, black hair covering his base. To have that cock inside me… “Adar.”

  He moved with a daunting speed, his body blurring. He caught her as her knees buckled. “Is this a vote for eating first?” Adar swung her into his arms and carried her easily to the bed, his skin warm against hers, his musky cologne filling her nostrils.

  “No.” She gazed up at him. He wasn’t Tanner with his golden hair and laughing eyes. Adar was dark and intense and so much more. “This is a vote for fucking.”

  Adar placed her carefully on the bedspread. “Fucking first.” His eyes gleamed, his gaze thrillingly possessive. He looked at her as though she belonged to him.

  For this moment, I’ll belong. “We’ll be late for your party.” Jeanine untied her robe and spread the terrycloth open, shamelessly showing her body, hoping he found small breasts and narrow hips attractive.

  A rumble rolled up his chest, the primitive noise exciting Jeanine. “Fuck the party.” Adar threw back his head and released a mighty roar -- his fists clenched at his side, his cock hard, spots shimmering over his body.

  Jeanine gazed up at Adar with awe. “Definitely a vote for fucking.” She allowed her thighs to fall open, her pink folds glistening with moisture, her pussy aching to be filled.

  “You’re beautiful.” Adar stroked his rough palms up her ankles, calves, knees, thighs, her body trembling with need. As she pinched and tweaked her nipples, he crawled between her legs, spreading her wider, opening her more to his gaze, to his touch.

  “I won’t be able to last, kitten.” Adar threaded his fingers through her private curls and found her wetness. He strummed her up and down, up and down, heightening the desire within her.

  A dab of precum formed on his tip, and Jeanine licked her lips, hungry for a taste. He groaned. “Especially when you look at me like that. Have mercy on me, mate.”

  “Mate?” Her eyes widened.

  “Mate.” Adar clasped her hips and prodded her entrance with his cockhead, his teasing dissipating her thoughts. “My mate.” He pushed into her, her body stretching tightly around him, his girth too much, his movement too slow.

  Jeanine winced and drove her hips upward, seeking to speed up the torment. He groaned and lowered over her, sinking deeper and deeper into her, blazing a trail with his cock. The burn drew more moisture from her core. She dug her fingernails into his back, pulled him down on her. His chest flattened her breasts, his cheek slid against hers, his breath hot on her ear.

  I can’t take him. He’s too big. Panic coiled within her. She raked his back with her nails and Adar hissed, pushing relentlessly forward. “Adar,” she pleaded.

  His base touched her pussy lips and he stopped. “Shhh…” He scattered soothing kisses over her heated face. “It’s done.” His weight covered her, heavy and reassuring. “We’re one.”

  Jeanine rubbed the tip of her cool nose against his. “I belong to you.” But to belong to him meant being solitary, giving up her dream of a large extended family, of having a group she’d always belong to. She traced a scar on Adar’s face, sadness mixing with her joy.

  “I’ll protect you, mate.” He pressed a kiss between her eyebrows.

  “I know you will.” She summoned up a smile and tilted her hips. He eased deeper inside her, and they both groaned, their connection tightening.

  Adar’s legs shook and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. “I have to move.” He rocked, the slide shallow and short and exquisite. Jeanine learned his rhythm and then undulated with him. She wrapped her legs around his waist and dug her heels into his firm ass.

  Need grew within her, a need beyond their leisurely fuck, a need beyond anything she’d ever experienced with any other male, human or shifter. It was as dangerous and as ruthless as the leopard shifter stroking into her, the emotion demanding more than her body, spreading to her heart and to her soul.

  “Harder,” Jeanine demanded, seeking to feed that wild desire. “Faster.” She arched, smacking her breasts against his chest, her hips against his. Adar growled and complied, thrusting hard and deep, in and out, in and out, in and out, the friction eased by her pussy juices.

  The bed slid along the floor, and the headboard banged against the wall, the noise emphasizing each vicious drive forward. Jeanine panted, unable to drag enough air into her starved lungs. Adar grunted, his animal noises appeasing her savage passion.

  A sheen of sweat covered their bodies, slickening their skin. She licked the moisture off Adar’s right shoulder, tasting the proof of his exertion, and he shuddered, pale yellow fur softening his hard muscle, black rosettes decorating his torso.

  “Jeanine,” he growled, his leopard reflecting in his eyes. His claws pricked her skin, and she trembled, the quivering in her limbs building, building.

  “Adar.” She raised her hips into each thrust, meeting him stroke for stroke, fighting the release barreling toward her, determined to be this powerful male’s mate in every way, to find fulfillment together, as one.

  “Come for me.” He skimmed his teeth down her neck, shredding her control one strand at a time. She clung to him, focusing on the ripple of muscle under her fingertips, the slide of cock in pussy, the waft of hot breath against her skin.

  “Come now.” Adar bit the base of her neck, and she screamed his name, bucking upward, her world bursting into a tantalizing rush of light and pleasure and sound. She thrashed and she writhed, trying to bring him closer and then pushing him away.

  Adar thrust into the fury of her orgasm once, twice, three times and he roared, temporarily deafening her, hot jets of cum shooting from his cock, his body stiffening. He held that savage pose for five heartbeats, pinning her ass to the mattress, and he collapsed, flattening her.

  Her tremors eased and she lay still, covered by his comforting weight, his soothing heat, his cock limp and spent inside her. Jeanine petted the short fur on Adar’s back, enticed by the softness, a sense of belonging, of rightness settling over her.

  “I choose you,” she whispered, choosing solitude with Adar, a male she desired, a male she loved, over her lifelong dream of belonging.

  “And I choose you.” Adar licked the bite mark on her neck, easing the sting. “You’re mine, mate.”

  * * *

  “Do you know everyone here?” Jeanine turned her head, staring at the people crowding around them, her curiosity open, natural, real.

  The club was filled to near capacity. Waitstaff circulated finger food. Bartenders served brightly-colored martinis and mixed drinks. Music played softly in the background, allowing conversations to flow and business deals to cultivate. Males lounged, clad in dark suits. Females preened, seeking attention.

  None of them caught Adar’s gaze. All of his attention was focused on his sexy mate. Jeanine wore a snug-fitting black dress, high heels and nothing else. Her small breasts and tight pussy were delightfully bare under the clinging fabric.

  “They’re all our guests.” Adar breathed deeply, and a satisfied smile tugged at his lips. Before leaving for the party, he had rubbed his scent into every inch of Jeanine’s skin, primitively proclaiming to the paranormal world that she belonged to him and only him.

  “Because you often arrived for meetings alone, I thought…” She worried her bottom lip with her teeth.

  “Ahhh…” Adar nodded, now understanding more of his mate’s concerns. “You thought I didn’t play well with others.” He fitted her closer to him, savoring her slight curves. “Instead I merely wanted to have you to myself. I don’t like to share.”

  Her beautiful face flushed a delicate pink.
“I don’t either.” She gazed up at him, her lips parted in a clear invitation.

  An invitation he’d happily accept. Adar bent his head, intent on his prize.

  A glove-clad hand swatted his arm. “Enough of that.” Violet, Nikhil Baagh’s mate, grinned at him, the purple strand in her platinum hair draped over her right eye. “You can’t hog your mate.” Her gaze shifted to Jeanine. “You must be our latest member, Jeanine.”

  “Member?” Jeanine squeaked as she was pulled into the voluptuous woman’s enthusiastic embrace. She looked at Adar, her brilliant green eyes wide.

  Adar shrugged, having no idea what the hacker was talking about. Violet thrived on creating chaos wherever she went.

  “Member.” Violet laughed and hugged Jeanine again, almost bouncing with energy, her big breasts threatening to burst from her purple dress. “We’re the Big Cat Mates, you and me and Starr. We bagged ourselves some big game, and now we have to protect them.”

  “Prepare to be thoroughly investigated, Adar,” Nikhil advised dryly, the exotic technology billionaire’s doting smile belying his emotionless tone.

  “I investigated Adar months ago.” Violet waved her hand dismissively. “I know where all of his dead bodies are buried, and, in Adar’s case, I mean both literally and figuratively. He’s been a bad, bad cat.”

  Is she threatening me? Adar’s body temperature rose, anger heating his skin, awakening his cat. “Violet,” he growled, his claws pricking at his skin.

  “You won’t hurt him.” Jeanine stepped in front of him as though trying to protect him, her action distracting Adar, diffusing his anger. “Because you’d be surprised at what a receptionist hears.” She glanced pointedly at Nikhil.

  Adar stared at his mate, his cock hard and his cat howling his claim, yearning to be free, her defense of him so damn stimulating.

  Violet laughed. “I love you already.” She gave Jeanine another squeeze. “We’ll cause chaos together, you and I, but first we should talk to Starr. I have news.” Her smile wavered, and Adar stiffened, sensing danger.