by Alexa Silver
The lying bastard assured me that he was unmated. The prick stole my innocence, giving me my first—only—orgasm. My freaking Lit Professor, a purebred male lion shifter. A male whom my family would approve of as a proper mate. And he crushed my heart as if it were nothing.
Later, I learned he had not one mate but seven, all former students. He intended to make me number eight. Thank God for that pissed off female interrupting what would have been a disaster! If not for her, I would have been stuck with his lying ass forever.
Lorelei shoves me into a thickly padded recliner and sits on the armrest, stroking my hair while I struggle to shove the past back into the dark corner of my mind where it belongs.
“You want to tell me what just happened?”
“No.”
Carson lurks in the doorway, a hulking male presence. I watch him warily. His expression is hard, promising violence. He appears ready to shift and rip someone’s throat out. A shiver racks my body.
Noticing my reaction, my sister points at her mate and orders, “Out!”
“I want to hear this too.”
When he doesn’t budge she adds, “We don’t need males around for this conversation. Go. If someone needs to be killed, I promise to let you go after him.”
“I’ll be in the hall if you need me,” he grumbles and reluctantly leaves us alone, closing the door with a quiet snick.
I watch Lorelei walk over to built-in cabinets and pull open the door to a fridge. Perusing the bottles, she pulls one out, grabs two glasses and pours a healthy amount of clear liquid in both before returning to sit on the armrest. Handing me an icy cold glass she says, “I have a feeling we’re both going to need this. It’s salted caramel, your favorite.” She clinks her glass to mine. “Bottoms up.”
Knowing a drink will go a long way toward soothing my frazzled nerves; I put the glass to my lips and swallow a mouthful of the flavored vodka. With my eyes closed, I savor the bite of the cold liquid over my tongue. The alcohol glides down my throat slow and smooth, at first leaving a shock of cold in its wake before turning warm. Soothing, heated fingers begin in my chest and spread outward, relaxing some of the tension and breaking the past’s hold on me.
With a sigh, I blink up at my sister. The idea of telling her about the horrible experience I’d never shared with anyone is daunting but inevitable. She won’t let my crazy reaction to the male go without explanation.
“I have no idea where to begin.”
She gives me a reassuring smile. “At the beginning. Take your time. And know that no matter what you say, I’m here for you.”
I nod and bite the bullet. At first the story comes out in stops and starts. With the unconditional support clear in her expression the telling becomes easier. When her face contorts in anger, I worry she blames me for what happened. Still I keep talking, getting out every horrible detail. Sharing the burden with my sister feels good, relieving some of the heavy weight from my shoulders. I’ve carried it alone too long. By the time I finish we both have tears streaking our cheeks and she holds me in a tight hug.
After drying our eyes and blowing our noses, Lorelei turns deadly serious. “So why did you freak out about Jase? It’s not that he’s a shifter. I’ve seen you around males before and you’ve never gone Fruit Loops.”
Yeah but I’ve never experienced such a strong attraction to any other male. Not even professor Mikos. And the magnetic pull both my lioness and I share for Jase scares the hell out of me. Then there’s his scent. A trace of feline but mostly something else I can’t identify. It’s completely lust inducing. And none of that is coming out of my mouth. No way.
“I’m not sure. What kind of shifter is he anyway?”
Lorelei shrugs. “Never asked. So will you let me send the twins after the professor?”
I laugh half-heartedly, loving her more in that moment than I’ve ever loved anyone. “Thanks but his mates took care of the problem. He missed classes for the rest of the term and when he came back to school, he looked like he’d been run through a meat grinder.”
“Eh, a good start but he’s still out there, possibly preying on other innocent young females.”
“Thanks, Lore.” I squeeze her hand. “I appreciate the offer but I prefer to try and keep it in the past.”
She snorts. “Yeah, and how’s that working out for you so far?”
Chapter 2
I came to Houston at Lorelei’s request to upgrade Davenport Restorations’ accounting system and keep an eye on things while she goes on a combination car scouting trip and honeymoon with her mates. Since tax season is over the timing is perfect, giving me a much needed break.
Last night, after hearing my story, she didn’t want to leave. Took a lot of fancy tap dancing to get them out the door this morning. Waving goodbye to the happy trio as they drive away, I feel a wicked grin stretch across my lips. The authority figures are away and I feel like a kid set loose in the candy store. Rubbing my hands together, I head to the showroom and debate where to start. My eyes are drawn to the orange and black racing bike but there’s no way I’m touching Jase’s ride. Not when I’m doing my best to avoid thinking about him and the disturbing affect the male has on my previously dormant hormones.
Picking a flashy lime green rice-rocket, I hit the button for the big garage door and slip on my helmet, walking out onto the blacktop before kick starting the powerful engine. Straddling the bike, I rev the engine, relishing the heady sound along with the vibrations flowing through my body for a moment then shift into first gear and burn out. Stopping briefly to open the gate, I take her out onto the track and lose myself to the sheer exhilaration of flying over the asphalt.
With my head clear, my thoughts turn to the hated past, only since my talk with Lorelei, I now see my time with Professor Mikos in a different light. What I had naively thought to be true love had been nothing more than a bad case of hero worship and a desire for the male affection I’d lacked. Our father wasn’t a big part of my life growing up. Pretty typical for pure bred lion shifters who have multiple mates, and yet I hadn’t realized I’d harbored an unfulfilled need for male attention.
The insight is startling but makes sense. Aching for love from a male, I transferred that need to the first one who caught my eye. Professor Mikos saw my vulnerability and exploited it, taking advantage of my immature emotions as he had with so many others.
A sense of freedom bursts through me as the weight of the past lifts from my shoulders. I whoop and open the bike up full throttle. Everything other than the blacktop and the bike blurs as I soak in all the joy bombarding me. I narrowly escaped a bullet in college and now feel stronger for having survived, scathed yet whole.
I exchange the rice-rocket for a sweet dirt bike and head for the dirt track. Catching air off the jumps, I holler and practice some high-octane moves like going superman while holding onto the seat. The sensation of soaring increases my newfound feeling of being free. At least until I notice the dark-haired male watching me with a stern frown, body rigid and his hands balled in tight fists. Talk about a downer.
Pulling up to the shop area, I set about cleaning the bikes, making them shine as they did before my ride. A few of the employees stop by while I work.
Mike, from the paint shop, gives me an appreciative once-over. “You’re got some crazy mad skills, Haidee.”
“Thanks!” I don’t even try to suppress the huge grin splitting my lips.
“Some of us are going for a ride along the coast Sunday,” Lindy, a female feline informs me.
Mike, who is all human and thus no threat, eagerly provides more details. “We ride Galveston Island to Surfside Beach and stop at a great little seafood place before heading back.”
“Sounds like fun.” I feign indifference while polishing a fender and hope for an invite but don’t want to appear overly enthusiastic.
“The bosses are gone. You can take a little break from working, right?”
Glancing up, I meet the hopeful look in Mike’s dark
eyes and catch Lindy’s smile of encouragement.
“Sure. I can’t work 24/7.” They are polite enough not to mention I have yet to put in any time actually working.
“I suggest you all get back to work then and finish your projects,” a distinctive deep voice grumbles, scattering the employees. Damn, even when chastising that sexy voice creates fluttery sensations in my lower abdomen.
Waving a finger at Jase, I warn, “Don’t even.” We’ve skirted around each other since my arrival the day before and I really don’t want to face a repeat of that embarrassing scene.
Ignoring my warning, he moves closer and I’m hit full force with his intoxicating scent. My blood heats in my veins and my entire body vibrates with sexual energy I fight to keep in check.
“You’re a balls out, reckless menace on a bike. Our sedate Sunday ride will bore you. Better stay behind and work on the programming.”
I slowly rise to my feet, never breaking eye contact as fury spikes my temper to the boiling point. Standing with my feet shoulder-width apart and rocking on the balls of my feet, I face off against the big male. “Excuse me? I must have heard you wrong.” My voice is soft, even and deadly calm. “Did you just call my riding reckless?”
I see red and my lioness claws at my skin, eager to go round with the big jackass. If he knew anything about me, he’d be wary of my tone and stance. But he doesn’t know me. And he sure as hell knows nothing about my years of training with one of the best, most bad-ass free-style moto teams.
Either not sensing the danger or not caring, Jase adds fuel to the fire. “No, I said you are a reckless menace.”
Oh no he didn’t.
My temper skyrockets and we are toe-to-toe before the intent to move even registers in my brain. Extending my index finger, I poke him in the chest. “Name one time when I was not in complete control of the bike.” I poke him again for emphasis. Damn is he ever solid.
“That’s not the point—”
“Oh, yes it is.” Rising up on my toes to get more in his face, I hiss, “It’s the only point.”
“Back down, hellcat.” Jase’s voice rumbles out of his chest in a menacing growl. “I promised to keep my distance but you’re reaching the end of my restraint.”
Stunned, I rock back on my heels. Jase promised to keep his distance, from me? “Promised who? Why?”
“Who do you think? Your sister and her mates believe you’re fragile and need space.”
Oh great, one little meltdown and I’m fragile? I snort in disbelief and slap a hand over my mouth, startled at having let the sound escape.
Humor sparkles in the male’s blue eyes and my temper snaps. Poking his chest again, I declare, “To hell with space. I am strong enough to handle whatever you dish out, big boy.”
There, take that!
Before I know what’s happening, I am crushed between Jase and the wall, his hands are in my hair, angling my head, and his lips are on mine. His kiss is hard, hot and full of unrestrained passion. My startled gasp allows him to take my mouth in a carnal kiss, tongue thrusting, tasting, filling me. Claiming me with an insatiable hunger beyond my most sensual dreams.
I am ready to participate and fully delve into the best kiss I’ve ever had but it’s suddenly over. I’m back on my own feet, boneless and panting, leaning against the wall for support, feeling like I have whiplash. And I can only stare in shocked silence, observing the flex of his superb ass and defined muscles across his broad back while Jase stalks away as if he didn’t just rock my world. I’m not positive but I think he mumbles, “Handle that.”
*****
A huge yawn cracks my jaw open wide as I impatiently wait for the coffee to finish brewing. I’ve gotten little sleep in the four nights since my arrival and don’t hold much hope of better success tonight. Ever since Jase laid that earth-shattering kiss on me, I’ve been plagued by erotic dreams of the big, grumbly, sexy-as-all-get-out male.
Pouring a mug full of the strong brew, I add a sweetener packet and pour in a liberal helping of chilled creamer before blowing across the top and taking a long sip of the life-giving elixir. “Ahhhhh!”
Cam and Cars have a pretty sweet setup here. The office I’m using has a TV, Murphy bed and full en-suite bath. Moving over to the wall of windows, I stare down from the kitchenette into a warehouse divided in sections for mechanical, body, upholstery and paint work along with a huge showroom.
Everything I need is here on the upper-level so there’s really no reason to push open the door and descend the steps to the showroom or slip through the garage area, but I do it anyway. This nocturnal stroll is how I end each day at Davenport Restorations. I love prowling the building in the quiet hours after the staff has left. It’s my private time to assess the progress of the various restorations, drool over the incredible craftsmanship and marvel at the attention to detail lavished on each vehicle.
Stopping to sit on the stool at the center of the garage has nothing to do with the male who runs the show from this perch. My deep breaths are taken to breathe in the essence of the shop, not to tantalize my senses with any lingering trace of the annoying male’s drugging scent that has been driving me out of my mind with lust.
Hey, my delusions and I co-exist happily, thank you very much.
Admit it girl, you are all kinds of messed up.
At the trilling of my cellphone, I pull the device from my jeans pocket, make note of the caller id and swipe a finger over the screen. “Hey, Lore. How’s the honeymoon?”
“Nice but I haven’t gotten to do any sightseeing or shopping because Cam and Cars barely let me out of bed. Not that I’m complaining or anything.” Happiness rings clear in her voice. “How are things there?”
“It’s all good. I’ve got the new accounting software installed. Running both systems simultaneously to make sure everything’s working smoothly before switching the accounts over.”
“Uh-huh. And how are things with Jase?”
I scowl at the male in question’s work table and ask, “What things? There are no things with Jase.”
“You know—”
I hear a scuffling sound and a muffled, heated conversation ensues before Lorelei returns to our conversation. “Never mind. I’ll stay out of your business. I know you’ve been through a lot and are afraid of taking a risk and putting yourself out—”
I hiss her name. “I’m not afraid—”
“Yeah, yeah. I know. Fear wouldn’t keep you from working out your sexual frustration with that fine hunk of a male.” This is followed up with more muffled arguing.
“Damn it, Lorelei. I am not afraid of anything.”
“Yeah, sure. My fearless biker chick sister.”
Rising from the chair, I huff, “Lorelei Amara Stefanos,” and stomp my foot.
“Fine, prove you’re not afraid. Get him out of your system. Have sex with Jase. A naughty little spring fling.”
My mouth drops open before snapping shut as my spine goes ramrod straight. “Don’t do this.” Lorelei knows damn well I won’t back down from a challenge, and this one is too delicious to ignore. Even more so because of the inherent danger.
There’s more muttering and then my dear sister says the three words I simultaneously dread and am anxious to hear.
“I dare you.”
Closing my eyes, I take a deep cleansing breath only to get a lungful of Jase’s scent. “Shit, I have to run.” Literally.
“Do it, Haidee. Fuck him good.”
“Damn you!”
My phone hits the table with a satisfying clatter that reverberates in my ears as I head for the door, peeling off clothes and shifting soon as my toes meet soft, damp grass. I give my lioness control and we race across the dirt track then into the woods at a breakneck pace.
Chapter 3
Springing over downed tree trunks, I race along the edge of a stream under the hazy light of a full moon. Beyond the scents of nature, I detect a faint trace of salty air carried inland from the coast on the humid night breeze.
Other animals hide or run in the opposite direction, avoiding the unfamiliar yet clearly dangerous predator in their midst.
I love being in my feline form. My lioness is strong and nimble on her feet, running for miles without tiring. Surrendering to primal instinct, I give chase to a fluffy brown rabbit until it disappears into its underground home. The woods are teaming with life, from busily buzzing insects to other predators on the hunt for their next meal. Yet they all give me a wide birth. Except for one.
A colorful butterfly lands on my nose and suddenly the game is afoot. I leap into the air, snapping powerful jaws then scampering after the tiny creature. Crouching down in tall grasses, I hide from the orange and black insect. Its coloring triggers memories of Jase’s racing bike and my thoughts turn to him.
I can’t help wondering if Lorelei doesn’t have the right idea about fucking him out of my system. It would only take one time, because while I detect a bit of feline in his scent, he’s something else. Only a male feline with a barb or a true mate can get a female feline off. The sex will be no frills and orgasm free, excising him from my hormonal radar with the precision of a surgeon’s scalpel. Neat and clean, no fuss, no muss. Done and move on.
So why does the idea of getting him naked have my blood heating in anticipation? No doubt the male is ripped with corded muscle beneath all that sun-kissed skin. I bet he has those luscious deep grooves running from his hips in a perfect v, framing his groin and that impressive package I’ve noticed behind the fly of his jeans.
No, my head denies, his hot bod has nothing to do with it. My sister laid down a challenge, that’s why I’m getting hot. I always get wound up when there’s a dare on the table. It has nothing to do with the male and everything to do with my competitive nature. I’ll take Jase to bed, endure some snore-worthy sex then cross him off my to-do list. Easy peasy, not even a true contest.
