by Jenika Snow
When he exhaled roughly and turned from her, she let herself breathe. It was like watching a caged animal as he paced his office. The square room seemed tiny in comparison to his massive frame. He speared a hand in his tawny hair and gave it a tug before turning back toward her.
A frustrated sound came from him, then he strode toward her. Hands on her arms, Leo led her over to the leather couch against the far wall. He gently pushed her down on it and took several steps back.
“Leo?” Looking around, she felt the air become filled with something strange.
“You said you want to know what I see when I look at you?” She nodded. “Fuck, this is so much harder than I thought it would be.” He went back to pacing.
“Leo, can you please stop that and just tell me whatever it is you’re struggling to say?”
He stopped and looked at her for several long moments. He then started to unbutton his shirt.
Holding up her hand, she felt her mouth dry at the sight of the tan, hard flesh that was revealed. “Leo, I don’t think now is the time for this.” Her panties were uncomfortably wet and became even more soaked when he gave her a lopsided grin.
“Baby, we aren’t going there, even though that sounds like a fantastic idea.” He rolled his shoulders and moved his neck from side-to-side. “I need you to promise me something.” He moved until he crouched on his haunches before her. Her hands in his, she stared into his eyes. “No matter what you see, you will try to not freak out.” She felt her brow furrow at his words. This whole situation went from strange to fucking bizarre.
“I’m not sure I know where this is going, Leo.” He leaned in and kissed her. Tatum wanted to push him away, to get on with why she actually came here, but she knew that whatever Leo tried to get across to her was important to him.
“I promise everything will be answered in the end.” He tightened his hold on her hands and leaned back. “I just need you to trust me.” That was easier said than done. “Please, Tatum.” His voice sounded sharp like shards of glass, yet his words were smooth. She had no idea what was about to happen, but she felt herself nod in agreement.
“Okay. I trust you.”
He stood and took several steps back again. His hands went to his belt, and he deftly undid it. When he became completely nude in front of her, she felt her arousal heighten. Tatum had no idea what in the hell Leo planned on doing, but whatever it was caused her insides to turn to mush.
He moved to his desk, pressed a button beneath the top, and a click sounded as the lock on the door slid shut. Leo stood in front of her again. She didn’t speak, just sat there with her hands in her lap, her heart beating wildly. Suddenly, the air thickened, became charged with electricity. The hairs on her arms stood up, and the flight-or-fight instinct instantly kicked into overdrive.
Whatever was about to happen had her urge to run strong.
Gripping the arm of the couch, Tatum felt her breathing increase as the man before her started to change into something that she could not wrap her mind around. The sound of bones breaking filled the room in a sickening rush. Muscles stretched, popped, grew, and reshaped. Thick, caramel-colored hair rippled along his massive body.
She blinked several times, not knowing if what she saw was actually real. The wild animal in front of her should have been roaming the Kalahari Desert, not pacing back and forth in front of her.
A lion. There is a fucking lion standing in front of me.
15
Tatum’s survival instincts told her to get the hell out of there, but awe filled her at the unbelievable situation in front of her. Familiar blue eyes stared back at her with intelligence. For that one moment she could see Leo behind those eyes, watching her, gauging her reaction.
The size of him was immense, far bigger than what she knew a normal lion to be. The thick mane of hair around his face looked soft. Shaking her head, she knew none of this could be real. What she needed to do was get out of there.
Standing slowly, Tatum felt everything starting to spiral out of control.
This isn’t real. This isn’t real. This isn’t real.
Over and over, Tatum said it, like a mantra meant to soothe her. As she edged closer to the door to freedom, the large beast watched her with intelligence. A low rumble sounded deep within its chest. She knew that sound, had heard it come from Leo many times before.
How could this even be possible? Every romance book she had ever read with wolves and vampires had all helped to flame her fantasies, but this was reality. Keeping her eyes locked with the wild animal’s, she felt the door greet her back.
Hands reaching behind her blindly, Tatum tried to wrench the door open, but the damn thing wouldn’t budge. Her frazzled mind remembered Leo locked it just moments before he shifted into the beast before her.
She closed her eyes tight, felt sweat make a slow trail between the valley of her breasts, and prayed she would wake up. This had to be a dream, right?
Warm breath tickled her arm, and she squeezed her eyes tighter. No, that animal was not in front of her. No, no, no, no. The low purring had her slowly opening her eyes and staring into blue ones. He butted his head against her hand, and she snatched it back, cradling it against her chest. The sound of her heart slamming against her ribs and working its way up her throat and into her ears drowned out every other sound around her.
He sat on his hind legs, but despite his sitting position, the animal’s huge head reached her chest. Tatum half expected him to bare his teeth or unsheathe his claws, but when he did nothing but sit there and stare at her, she felt a miniscule amount of her fear slipping.
He just sat there, watching her with those intelligent eyes, waiting for her to make a move. What she really wanted to do was run the hell out of there and never look back.
The heavy thump of the music from the club sounded like a dull hum compared to everything else. Whatever came over her, whatever courage suddenly spiked within her, had her lifting her hand. She could see her fingers shaking out of the corner of her eye as she moved closer to the animal. Who was this woman, the one actually reaching for some man/beast out of a book or movie?
No doubt Tatum was crazy, certifiably insane for what she was about to do. Maybe it was the fact that those blue eyes, so familiar and warm, watched her without malice or hunger. Sitting right in front of her was a gentle giant, or at least she perceived it that way. Maybe it was just her optimistic thinking that had her hand spearing into the silky, thick hair.
The purr that came from him grew louder, and his big eyes closed.
Everything on the lion was large, even the massive paws that could crush bone, no doubt. His head lowered, and she let the thick, lustrous strands of fur sift through her fingers. He dropped lower until he lay in a relaxed position at her feet. Tatum let herself lower until her ass hit the floor. She was now face-to-face with the frightening beast, but at that moment, as their eyes locked, his loud purr of contentment filling the room, her hand still buried in his fur, she didn’t feel fear, only awe.
The muscles in his incredible body flexed as she moved closer and rested his monstrous head in her lap. The weight was substantial, and she forced herself to breathe evenly. She closed her eyes and felt the rough scrape of his tongue as it ran along her arm.
The sandpaper feeling of it reminded her of the time Leo had done the same to her body. God, just thinking about this being possible had her brain hurting. The urge to run was still inside her, but then what would happen next?
The hair on her arms and the back of her neck stood at attention again, and she felt a powerful jolt go through her. A large, human hand cupped her cheek, and she opened her eyes. Leo’s beautiful, masculine face was right in front of hers; blue eyes that had only looked upon her with care and gentleness stared back at her. This time, those intense blue pools appeared worried as they searched her face.
“Say something.” He spoke softly, as if he thought he’d spook her. She snorted inside, knowing she was far from being spooked. She was d
ownright scared shitless by what she had just seen and how she felt.
Here was a very naked Leo, his body so strong he could destroy anything in his path, yet the way he held himself and his softly spoken words made him look and sound so vulnerable.
“I don’t know what to say, how to feel.” Tatum shook her head, feeling tears of confusion rise up. The fact that she could have cried at that moment didn’t make sense to her. All she had ever known seemed so inconsequential at this moment. All her worries and problems were meager in comparison to this man who had changed forms, changed species, right in front of her.
His thumb brushed the spot below her eye as the crease between his brows intensified at her silence. “I didn’t mean to frighten you, but I didn’t know how to tell you what I really am.”
“You could have just come out and told me, you know, over coffee or something.” She tried to tease when she felt anything but humor.
His eyes searched her face again, but he didn’t smile. Clearly, he didn’t find any humor in this situation either. “Somehow, I don’t think you would have believed me any other way.”
Closing her eyes, Tatum rested her head back on the door and inhaled deeply. “I don’t even know how to accept this.” The feel of him stroking her face with his thumb had a lulling effect on her. His uncanny ability to calm her nerves when she felt frantic inside had her opening her eyes and looking at him. “What is happening?” She didn’t need to elaborate on what she meant. The look on his face told her he knew she wasn’t talking about the situation in general, but the connection and chemistry between them. Of course his transformation act played a big part in it all.
He moved in closer, and his body heat wrapped around her like a thick blanket. “For me, there is no one else, Tatum.” His lips pressed to hers. “No. One. Else.”
The finality in his words twisted her heart and stomach.
The fact that he kissed her, after what she just witnessed, should have had her shoving him back and demanding to be let go. Of course she did none of that. Maybe it was stupidity, or maybe it was shock, but either way, she stayed right there, letting Leo pepper her with kisses.
The tears fell down her cheeks, and he kissed them away. His tongue laved at her flesh, the act having her cry harder as her emotions bombarded her.
“I’m not just human, but I am a man, Tatum. A man who wants whatever you’re willing to give.” He pulled back to look her in the eyes. “You’re mine, Tatum. I just want you to say you’ll be there with me, wherever this takes us.” The earnestness in his eyes undid her. This was a crazy, messed up, and unbelievable situation, but at that moment, all she could think about was the reason she had come here to begin with. Slamming her mouth on his, she poured all her feelings into that kiss.
Fear. Pain. Arousal. Everything rushed out of her in a torrent of actions.
“This is so fast,” she said between kisses. He groaned and wrapped his arms around her, bringing her onto his lap. Her legs straddled his waist, and she pressed every inch against him.
It seemed she couldn’t keep her hands off him.
16
“I know.” Those two words came from him with all the heat she felt. At least they were on the same page.
Their lips meshed together again, their tongues sliding back and forth between their mouths. The taste of him exploded against her tongue, and she wanted more of it. He started unbuttoning her shirt with sure, quick moves. When the offending material was tossed aside, his hands molded to her lace-covered breasts.
“I love how you fill my hands.” Breaking the kiss, he started trailing his lips down her neck. The drag and pull of his tongue on her sensitive flesh sent chills racing across her limbs. He moved his hands down to grip her hips. She didn’t feel anything but being desperately wanted at that moment. Fingers curled into her body. “I love… everything about you.” Suddenly, he shoved her skirt up her thighs and over her hips. Her panties were ripped away, and she watched in stunned arousal as he brought the tattered remains of her panties to his nose and inhaled deeply.
Her face became hot as he dragged his tongue up the center of the silk. Tatum should have felt embarrassed but only felt raw lust. He licked the wetness of her arousal off the curled remnants of her panties he held.
“I love the way you smell.” He dragged his nose up the center of her throat, inhaling deeply as he went. “The way you taste drives me insane with need.” Teeth nipped at her, and she gasped.
Letting her head fall back, she gripped Leo’s broad shoulders and held on as he brought her body to a raging inferno. The feel of his thick length settled between her slick folds. Unabashedly, she rubbed herself against him, loving how he growled in response.
“You’re tempting an animal, baby.”
His words had her heart stopping and her pulling back. Both of their breaths grew ragged. Hearing his words was like being doused with cold water.
“Don’t look at me like that, Tatum.” He took her hand and placed it over his heart. The steady beat of it and the warmth of his skin helped to calm her. “I am just a man.” He tightened his hold when she went to remove it. “I am just a man who has found the woman he wants in his life.”
They stared at each other for several long moments. Pushing her fears and uncertainties away, she placed her other hand on his chest and pushed. He gave little resistance as his back met the floor. With him in this position, she felt in control of the situation, a first for her.
Moving down his body, she made sure to keep eye contact with him. When his cock was right in front of her, she saw the way his throat worked as he swallowed. His heavy-lidded gaze was trained on what she was about to do.
Tatum licked her lips and gripped his thick shaft. The girth was substantial, and a thrill went through her over the fact that her fingers wouldn’t touch. Tearing her gaze off Leo’s face, she looked down at the impressive length between his legs.
Thick, hard, and long, Leo was all man. The head flared and was painted red from his need for her. The veins that lined his shaft seemed to pulse from the increased blood flow. She wrapped her mouth around the bulbous crest and hollowed out her cheeks. The burst of saltiness that claimed her taste buds had her moaning and lowering her mouth down his erection.
Hands speared into her hair, pulling at the strands yet seeming to push her more firmly onto his cock at the same time. The part of him she couldn’t reach with her mouth, she worked over with her palm.
“Christ, baby.” Lifting her eyes to watch Leo, Tatum loved the fact that he seemed to be unraveling right before her. Neck arched and tendons strained tight, Leo looked like a man in the throes of ecstasy. Biceps bulged, pecs flexed, and his six-pack rippled as his whole body bowed toward her mouth. Another spurt of his pre-cum bathed her mouth, and she swallowed it. Tatum needed more of it, wanted the thick liquid to coat the inside of her mouth right before it came down her throat.
The tip of him bumped the back of her throat, and the urge to gag took hold. But she forced it down, refusing to give up the incredible sensation of him in her mouth. Moving her head up and down his shaft, Tatum worked him like she couldn’t get enough. He started lifting his hips in time with her descending mouth, fucking her face like he had done between her thighs.
“Yeah. That’s it, baby.” His fingers tightened in her hair, and she knew he was close to getting off. Leo’s thighs tightened beneath her, and she had never wanted to taste a man like she did at that moment.
Reaching lower, she found the heavy weight of his balls and rolled them around in her hand. He grunted in response.
“You gotta stop, Tatum.” His words had her moving her mouth along him faster. “Fuck.” Hands gripped her biceps, and he lifted her off him. Her mouth felt swollen and tingled from the increased blood flow.
“You didn’t like it?” If he had, why would he pull her away?
“Oh, I liked it, baby. I liked it a little too much, and if I didn’t stop you, I’d end up coming in your mouth.”
&nb
sp; A shiver worked through her. A glance down at his cock showed a bead of clear fluid at the tip. Leaning down, she ran her tongue over it and collected the cum, moaning at the flavor. Leo ran a hand over his jaw and sucked in a breath. She couldn’t help but smile.
“You’re such a tease.” His face sobered, and he said, “Come here.” When their faces were inches apart, he lifted his head and slanted his lips on hers. His hardness was like a hot poker between her legs, demanding entry that she was happy to give. Leo’s hand moved to her pussy, stroked her clit back and forth before sliding it down her cleft to her hole.
“Goddammit, baby. You’re fucking soaked for me.”
“Mmm,” she murmured against his mouth. The head of him aligned with the opening of her body, but before she allowed him entrance, she lifted up. “What about a condom?”
He cupped her cheek and ran the tip of his nose along hers. “If it makes you feel better, we can use one, but my kind doesn’t carry human diseases, Tatum.”
“What about pregnancy?” There was so much they needed to talk about, and although sex right now didn’t seem like the smartest thing to do at the moment, it was the only thing that kept her grounded. She needed to feel the man she had grown to care about moving inside her, reassuring her that he felt the same thing for her.
“I’d be able to tell if you were fertile, which you’re not.” His lips moved along hers. “Besides, when that time comes and we’re ready to take that next step, we will make that decision together.” One would think a conversation like this would turn her off, but it was clear Leo had thought about this, and that had the girl inside her swooning.
Not responding with words, Tatum wanted to show him that she was right there with him. Now, it was her turn to grip his cock and realign it with her opening. She lifted up slightly and lowered herself on him.
The feel of his cock filling her, of his length stretching her insides, had her eyes rolling back as pleasure washed through her. Hands on his muscular pecs, Tatum started rising and lowering on Leo. Hands landed on her hips, and his biceps bulged as he lifted her and brought her back down on him.