Human or not, Jackie belonged to him now. And he wasn’t going to let her go. Ever.
Jackie’s jaw hung open as she propped herself on her elbows to look up at him agape, and for the first time in his life, Max was glad he had a body practically made for attracting human women. Until then, it had just been, at best, mildly flattering. Usually, it was just a downright annoyance as people tried to come on to him. But now, seeing her eyes go open as her gaze flitted from his shoulders to his chest to his abs and lower, he couldn’t help smiling a little that he had that effect on her.
Heaven knew Jackie had that same effect on him. And now, seeing her lying back on his bed, wearing panties and nothing else, his member throbbed with arousal at just the very sight of her beautiful, curvy body.
Damn, even if life had shafted him in certain ways, he knew he was lucky to have crossed paths with such a wonderful woman.
He came back to the bed, the lion in him roaring in response to the proximity of its mate. But even if he knew that, he needed to be more careful bringing up the whole matter.
In the meantime, he’d just have to keep pleasuring her in the privacy of his room.
Unable to go slow any longer, he tore away the thin material of Jackie’s panties, tossing them aside. She gasped in arousal, breasts bobbing from the sharp intake of air and teasing him. But instead, he parted her legs and came lower down her body, wanting to truly taste her arousal, not just experience it.
Jackie’s entire body tensed, likely from anticipation, until finally his mouth covered her mound in a deep kiss. She cried out in pleasure, hips bucking slightly. But he just held her in place, placing another kiss, then another, worshipping her sex with his mouth.
Then, using the tip of his tongue, he found the small nub of her clit and licked upward against it. This time, Jackie’s entire body arched from the sensation, one hand grasping at the sheets to her side while the other made a fist that she bit down on. But he didn’t pull back, the feel of her need for him so erotic nothing could ever match it. Instead, he used different motions, making tiny circles slowly, then quick flicks followed by long, intense licks that covered her clit for long moments with the entirety of his tongue.
It didn’t take long for Jackie to come against his mouth, entire body writhing into the bed as if it could hold her in place from the swath of things she was feeling all at once. Max just stayed still, taking in everything as she shut her eyes to the outside world and tensed and released in impossibly quick succession.
Even with the lights off in his room, his cat eyes made it possible for him to see the shape of her hourglass perfectly. Every movement, every rise and fall of her chest with each breath, every twitch of muscle from arousal. All of it was his.
Gradually, she relaxed back onto the bed, going limp and letting her arms splay out to her sides. Her entire body glowed from arousal, so beautiful like this that the image of her was burned into the back of his mind.
For a moment, Max considered whether or not she wanted to continue where he’d left off. So long as she wanted, he could keep pleasuring her like this until the sun rose.
But she didn’t even know what he was yet. She had no idea how different their lives had always been. It wouldn’t be right to mate her just yet.
He pulled her in against him, pressing their naked bodies together in a way that made him feel whole. Only one thing could feel better, and he just couldn’t risk it yet.
If he was to orgasm, even with protection, the cat in him might try to mark her, and he couldn’t allow that without her consent.
So he just held her, enjoying the warmth of her afterglow, trying to convince the cat in him to calm down.
She turned over in his arms, confusion in her dark-brown eyes, her cheeks still flushed from release. “I wasn’t done yet. I don’t want to be done.”
“There’s… so much you don’t know about me. I can’t… We can’t…”
“Risk anything?” She looked a little disappointed by his reasoning.
He shook his head. “It’s complicated. I just… I want you to be mine. I want to have your body coming apart in my arms. I want to show you how I could make you feel. But going further… I can’t tonight. We can’t.”
He was hard and throbbing as he pulled her in against him again, hoping she understood.
His actions tonight had been motivated by a jealousy so primal he wasn’t sure he could explain it if he tried. He’d needed to know, despite all the other men who wanted her, tried to touch her, she was his and his alone.
That she would only let him do these things to her.
He cupped her cheek softly, brushing back an errant curl. “Mine and mine only, right?”
She nodded. “Of course.”
“I’ll kill anyone who tries to touch you.”
She smiled. “If I agree, can we do more?”
He had to think for a moment. Even though things were moving fast, she had seemed okay with them. Would she still run later?
And lots of shifters seemed willing to have sex with human women and go all the way before mating them, but perhaps Max was old-fashioned.
When he took a mate, it was forever. He’d always known that in his heart.
Until he knew more about her and she knew more about him, they shouldn’t rush things.
At least now that she knew some of what he could offer, she should be content.
“I get it,” she said, putting a hand on his chest to soothe him. “God, your heart is pounding. Are you sure you’re okay?” Her hand moved lower to his erection. When she touched it, his entire body went rigid with want. “Because I’d be happy to finish you off.”
And she would finish him. If she kept stroking him like that, his whole heart felt like it was going to explode.
But he wanted to bury himself deep inside her. He wanted to give her cubs. He wanted so many things, and he had no idea how to explain it to this little human who didn’t know he existed only a few days ago.
He didn’t know how to explain that he knew she should be his forever.
So he simply shook his head and moved her hand away gently. “Not tonight. I’m sorry.” He wrapped his arms around her tightly. “For now, this is enough. Just let me hold you until it’s time to feed Lionel.”
She giggled as she settled into his arms. Just her breaths and the rise and fall of her chest were so comforting to him.
If only he could take her home and show her Pride Island sometime.
But no.
“It’s okay,” she said, wrapping her arms around him. “Don’t be nervous. No matter how we take this, it’s just for us. We can go as fast or slow as we want.”
That was true, and it made something relax inside him.
“But promise me we get to do that again soon. And then some,” she said, yawning slightly as her body began to relax.
“I promise,” he murmured into her neck, making her arch in response to the sensation. “It can only get better from here.”
“That’s impossible,” she said, sounding drowsy. “But I guess with you, I believe just about anything.”
“I hope so,” he whispered, but she was already drifting off to sleep.
Far off, beyond human hearing, the low pulsing of Club Crimson’s music resounded in his ears. Outside his window, a flickering lamplight slowly dimmed, and he watched it, all senses on alert as if he held the most precious treasure in the world in his arms.
And for the first time in Max’s life, his sparse apartment in the industrial district of this no-name city so far from the place of his birth felt like home.
And Max, who’d been watching on the outside, starved and separate, had finally found a place where he belonged.
Chapter 16
“Hey, sexy, get out here. I’m hungry.”
Jackie stirred from her spot on the bed where she’d been sleeping, blinking as she recognized Tasha’s voice.
She looked down to see she was lying next to Max, her hand still resting on his ch
est as she slowly pushed herself up.
He was sleeping soundly, his beautiful hair tousled over the pillow, his broad chest rising and falling with his calm breaths.
She snuck out of bed, grabbed the night bag she’d set in the bedroom, and went to take a quick shower. When she was done, she pulled on a fresh pair of sweatpants and her typical gray hoodie and walked quietly out into the hallway, shutting the bedroom door carefully behind her.
Tasha folded her arms, looking impatient, but there was a twinkle in her sparkling blue eyes.
“So how did last night go?” Her grin widened somewhat.
Jackie felt a flush spread over her face as she remembered, then decided to change the subject instead. She didn’t think Max would want her to kiss and tell. “I’m sorry I didn’t wait up for you. Did you make it to the guest room all right?”
Tasha smirked as she took a seat at the kitchen counter next to a steaming mug of coffee. “I got in pretty late. I was hanging out with Benny and Harley. We figured you two would want some time alone.” She glanced toward the bedroom. “Seriously, do you want me to make myself scarce? The last thing I want is to come between you and your boy.”
“No, it’s fine,” Jackie said. “I need to go into work anyway. I’ve taken a couple days off.”
Tasha passed her a mug of coffee. “You deserve some days off. So is that Lionel?” She pointed to the little crate in the corner just as a tiny mew sounded.
“Yes, oh my gosh,” Jackie said. “We got so carried away last night… but I’m sure Max went out to feed him before bed. He’s good like that.”
“He’d be a good father. Not a lot of men like that around anymore.” Tasha sipped her coffee thoughtfully.
“Would he?” Jackie wasn’t sure. Max was an amazing person, but he was also a club bouncer with a very harsh demeanor.
Still, she’d had the same thoughts while watching him take care of Lionel before.
“Yeah, he’s all protective and responsible and shit,” Tasha said. “But enough of that. I’m more interested in how good he is in bed.”
“I shouldn’t kiss and tell…”
“There wasn’t much to tell before,” Tasha snapped. “Come on. You owe me. I’ve told you my stories before.”
Jackie laughed. “Not because I asked you to.” She sent a look at the bedroom, relieved when she saw there was no movement. She did kind of want to process what had happened a little bit…
“Spill,” Tasha said eagerly, obliterating the last bit of Jackie’s self-control.
“It was amazing,” Jackie said, feeling breathless just recalling it. “But… we didn’t go all the way.”
Tasha’s look of disappointment was supreme. “Why not? Something stop you?”
“Max did,” Jackie said. “He made me feel amazing—don’t get me wrong—but he seemed nervous about going further.”
“So he gave you orgasms and did nothing for himself?”
Jackie nodded, praying Max couldn’t hear them right now.
“Dang, that is one different kind of dude,” Tasha said. “Most men can’t even be bothered with foreplay. They just want to get their rocks off as quickly as possible.”
“That wasn’t Max,” Jackie said. “He was so passionate. Everything he did, it was like he was trying to tell me something. Show me how good he could make me feel. Like he was owning me from the inside out.”
Tasha fanned her face, her cheeks turning a deep red. “Damn, girl, I don’t know how you let him stop in the middle.”
“Max is interesting,” Jackie said. “And I want to respect his wishes.” She pressed her legs together discreetly under the counter. “But I do want so much more. Hopefully, next time. He seemed really jealous after the club, and I think he wanted to wait to go further until he felt more collected.”
“Darn, because heated crazy sex is the best kind,” Tasha said. “Hopefully you’ll get that as well at some point.”
“Hopefully,” Jackie said. “I mean, I want to keep seeing him.” She wrapped her hands around her coffee nervously, feeling the warmth. Then she met Tasha’s eyes. “Do you think I’m crazy rushing in with him like this? I don’t have a lot of experience in the dating world. I never saw myself in a relationship like this.”
“That’s what makes it awesome,” Tasha said. “Live a little. I think this big, hot bouncer is exactly what you deserve. Just next time, convince him that turnabout is fair play. Get your hands on that big penis.”
Jackie laughed, fully embarrassed at that point. “I guess so. We’ll see.”
They were startled by the sound of the bedroom door opening abruptly, causing it to slam into the hallway on the other side.
Max stepped out, looking panicked, and Jackie let out a sigh at how good he looked shirtless, in only a pair of checked pajama pants, his hair loose over his shoulders and his jaw taut with worry.
“Jackie?” His golden eyes relaxed when he saw her, and Jackie felt Tasha give her an amused look.
“Sorry,” Jackie said. “I came out to be with Tasha.”
Max let out a visible breath of relief and then crossed over to press a kiss to her forehead. Jackie caught Tasha giving her an exaggerated thumbs-up as he then turned to walk over to Lionel.
“Time for food,” he said gruffly, pulling the little kitten out and into his arms.
Jackie let out a sigh as Max walked into the kitchen to grab a bottle and heat it up for Lionel.
“That’s a lot of work you two took on,” Tasha said. “Really nice of you.”
“Not too much,” Max said. “He mostly sleeps at this age.” He put the bottle to Lionel’s mouth, cooing softly.
Tasha turned to Jackie and mouthed, “Oh my God.”
Jackie bit back another sigh as she saw what Tasha meant. Standing there in the kitchen, gently swaying as he fed Lionel, Max couldn’t have looked more attractive. His bulging muscles were a contrast to the little ball of fluff, and his expression was so gentle as he looked down.
Jackie felt her heart was going to swell out of her chest. Had that man really been making raw, passionate love to her the night before? If so, he was just perfect.
Where was the catch?
Tasha did let out a sigh. “Well, I should get over to my training. Want me to drive you to your car?”
Max looked as if he would protest but couldn’t because he was holding Lionel.
“Sure,” Jackie said. “It’s just across the street.” She hooked her arm through Tasha’s. “I’m going into work today,” she said to Max. “But I assume I’ll see you tonight?”
Max nodded. “I’m not working, so that’s fine.”
“Oh,” Tasha said. “Well, if the two of you want to be alone…”
“No, it’s all good,” Jackie said. “It’ll be fun to all hang out together. We can even go over to the club if you want.”
Max let out a little growl.
“Or anywhere else.” Tasha amended. “Anyway, we can figure it out later. Let’s go get your car.”
Jackie crossed shyly over to Max and got on her tiptoes to give him a kiss good-bye since he had his hands full. He leaned down to her, and his kiss was gentle and passionate at the same time.
When she pulled back, her heart was full. It would be hard to focus on a boring day of IT work after spending all this time with Max.
Still, she needed to make a living.
“All right,” she said. “I’ll see you later.” She turned to Tasha. “Let’s go.”
Chapter 17
“I want to mate her,” Max said, watching Lionel toddle over to Benny across the blanket they’d strewn over the bar. “How long is the usual waiting period with a human?”
Benny laughed as he picked up Lionel and nuzzled him. “I don’t think you should call it that, even if it’s kind of true when it comes to the difference between shifters and humans.”
“They don’t know right away, right?” Max asked. “So we have to wait for them.”
“I haven’t mated on
e myself, so I wouldn’t know,” Benny said. “But I’ve seen a lot of couples here, and the time really varies. I wouldn’t say there’s one time frame overall.”
“Hmph.” Max leaned on the bar with a dark expression. He wasn’t sure how long he could stand not knowing if she’d agree to be his forever.
“She’s crazy about you. I can tell,” Benny said. “Maybe she’d be fine with things already. Why not just tell her who you are and make her your mate?”
“It’s not that easy,” Max said. “Jackie’s a very logical person. She doesn’t rush into things.”
“She rushed into things with you.”
“Because I pushed her,” Max said.
“She rushed into taking care of Lionel—”
“That’s true, but—”
Benny shook his head as he gave Lionel a scratch under his tiny ears. “I’m just saying that maybe you should listen to your heart over your head on this one.”
Max let out a deep sigh. “I’m just not sure. I need her to not run when she finds out I shift into a lion.”
“She’s lucky,” Benny said. “Lions are a huge catch in the shifter world. Their charisma is unmatched. Why do you think people like you even when you’re a grumpy bastard?”
Max shrugged. He’d heard rumors of such things, but since most lions never saw the human world, it wasn’t well known. “With my position, I might as well not be a lion.”
“You’ll always be a lion,” Benny said. “Banished or not. And fuck those snobs on Pride Island. They’re out of touch with the world, and the rest of us are going to leave them behind.”
Max was surprised to feel only a vague echo of defensiveness in response to an insult to his kind. Benny was right. In a way, he was glad he had come here. The lions of Pride Island had been focused on infighting and petty wars rather than doing their duties in the shifter world.
Shifters like Benny, focused on creating ties with humans, would fill the gaps lions had left.
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