Claiming Their Cat

by Maggie O'Malley

  Rio was smiling. She couldn’t believe it. Where was the killer no one defied? Cat stretched her legs to get out of the bed and flinched. Ow. She glanced at the bandage around her leg.

  “It’s not too deep, but it’s probably going to hurt for a while.”

  Enough. She pushed away from him to see his face. “Why aren’t you screaming at me?”

  He shrugged.

  “I want to know.”

  “You’re injured and obviously had a horrific experience in the woods. I think you’ve been punished enough.”

  Horrific didn’t even come close to describing her ordeal. It was so dark she couldn’t tell if her eyelids were rolled up or down. When she had run through the desert, it was never that dark. And how did he know she was terrified? Did she writhe in her sleep revealing her terror?

  “Except,” he said softly.

  Okay, here it comes.

  “You know I’ll have to spank your pretty little ass for running from me.” A smile played around his lips.

  She should have known her punishment would be sexual. Men, that’s all they thought about.

  “And you have to swear not to run into the woods again—especially at night. There are black bears, wolves, and mountain lions. It’s not safe.” He pulled her against him. “Promise me.”

  She snuggled closer, thankful she hadn’t run into anything like that. “Oh, I promise.”

  “Good. You want to eat first or a bath?”

  “Eat.”

  “Stay here. I’ll be right back.”

  Cat watched him leave. How could a huge man move on silent feet? How? Why? Those were always on her lips. She should be grateful she had a nice, warm, dry place to stay with plenty of food. But that was the reason she had to leave. It wasn’t that she didn’t appreciate it, but facts were facts. Alvarez would kill Rio when he found out he was helping her. Knowing Alvarez, he’d ensure a slow death just to make a point. She couldn’t let that happen to Rio or anyone else. There was enough death on her conscience.

  It didn’t take long for Rio to return. Her mouth watered at the wonderful smell. She wolfed down the scrumptious lasagna surprised to learn Rio had made it the last time he was home and stuck it in the freezer. A killer who could cook. It was hard to convince herself to hate this guy because Rio wasn’t helping. Remember, he’s a killer for hire. He’ll probably turn you in for the money when he gets tired of feeding you, clothing you, medicating you,—fucking you.

  Cat would not give up escaping. She just wasn’t going to do it at night…on foot…in the woods.

  He handed her the pills, and she downed them. Antibiotics should help with her new wound. She’d had more injures the past week than she’d had her entire life.

  “You ready for a bath?”

  “Lord, yes.”

  Rio helped her maneuver to the bathroom, her thigh aching with every step.

  “I think a shower would be better for your wound.”

  She nodded. When he was satisfied with the water temperature, he stepped aside so she could enter. The shower was like everything else in his house, extravagant. It was cream marble probably four by four feet with several showerheads on two walls. A seat ran the entire length of one wall. She stepped under the rain head and welcomed the warm water. The next thing she knew, strong arms engulfed her.

  “You scared me today,” he said.

  “I scared myself.”

  Rio grabbed a sponge and loaded it down with body wash. The sponge slowly sliding over her skin was somehow sensual. He washed her legs, her feet, and her back.

  “Why did you run?”

  He was behind her, so she couldn’t see his face, but he sounded like he was…hurt. What could she say? I’m trying to save the life of the most notorious killer. He wouldn’t understand, but she gave it a shot anyway. “You’d be better off without me. Alvarez wants my baby, and if you stand in his way, he’ll mow you down and make an example of you.”

  “I’m pretty hard to kill.”

  She couldn’t resist rolling her eyes. He ran the sponge over her breast, the material snagging on a nipple, and she couldn’t help but lean her head back against Rio and sigh. Why did he affect her so?

  His free hand wandered over her belly and down to her clit. “I want to take care of you. I’ll handle Alvarez when the time comes.”

  “I don’t want you to handle him. I just need to disappear.”

  “I can’t let you do that.”

  The water falling on her skin was a gentle caress. Rio’s hard cock pressed against her back. His finger swirled over her extended bundle of nerves. Desire pool in her belly.

  “I will take care of you even if I have to tie you to the bed.”

  His voice wasn’t harsh, but she knew he meant what he said. A shudder rolled through her. She’d been tied down before and raped by Alvarez, but she knew that Rio had something different in mind.

  “It’s time for your punishment. Go place your hands on the seat, and spread your legs.”

  As excitement coursed through her, she did what he asked. He moved the rain head so the warm water was falling on her back.

  “Is your leg okay?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’ve been bad, my beautiful Cat.” He rubbed his hand down her ass. “And I’m going to punish you.”

  A hand landed on her ass, a pleasurable sting. Another slap on the other cheek. “Do you promise not to run away again?”

  “Yes.” Not at night. Not in the woods.

  Another smack. “I think you’re lying to me.”

  How could he possibly know? “I promise not to run away.” At night...into the woods. Please don’t ask me for more?

  His hand landed again, harder this time. “Promise me that you won’t run away at all.”

  She shook her head. “No. I can’t promise that.”

  “Don’t make me chain you to the bed, Cat.”

  “I’m sorry. I won’t make that promise.”

  He was silent, too silent, and she wondered if he were dragging out the chains.

  “We’ll discuss this later. Right now, I have a surprise for you. Have you ever heard of anal beads?”

  Cat glanced over her shoulder. He was spreading lubricate over a long, bumpy, black thing. “Don’t worry, you’ll love it.”

  She probably would. Hell, she’d loved everything he’d done to her so far. She felt pressure against her anus. Cat shuddered when the first bead slipped in. The feeling was so wicked. She wiggled her butt as more beads entered her snug channel. Erotic sensations swirled in her core.

  “Now Cat, take all of me and let’s ride.”

  Rio nudged his cock into her pussy and pushed in until she was full. His hips pressed against her backside.

  “God, your cock feels wonderful.” She loved the hardness of him, the stretch that promised pleasure.

  “I love the way your pussy feels around my shaft. It’s soft and hot and wet just for me. Tell me what you want, my wildcat.”

  She pushed back against him, but he held her steady with his big hands. “Say it.”

  Cat recognized the order, but was powerless to resist. When he was inside her, he owned her. “Please fuck me, Rio.”

  “You don’t sound too convincing. Beg me, sugar.”

  She tried to wiggle, but he held her still. She whimpered. She needed to come. A slap landed on her rump, and her pussy tightened around his cock. She couldn’t wait any longer. “Rio, please fuck me with your cock. Hard. I need it hard. Please.”

  A laugh rumbled behind her, and she knew he was grinning. Finally, he started to move. Slow. “Faster, please.”

  Rio pulled out and slammed back in.

  Her walls contracted around him. “Again.”

  He did.

  “Now, faster.”

  Rio complied. The sound of his flesh slapping against hers bounced off the shower walls. Her breasts jiggled with each slam into her. It was hard and forceful—just what she wanted. A slap landed on her ass.

&n
bsp; “Again. Spank me again.”

  The burn from his hand was pure pleasure.

  “Come for me, Cat, ‘cause I still have a surprise for you.”

  What? Nothing could get better than this. Her core contracted as sweet, hot pleasure rolled up her spine. She threw her head back as waves of ecstasy exploded through her. And then she felt it, the beads pulling from her ass, each one caressing sensitive tissue. The sensation fed her orgasm, sent her even higher.

  “Yes,” she hissed as she rode out her orgasm.

  The beads clattered to the floor, and Rio gripped her hips. She felt his cock swell right before his seed shot against her womb. “Fuck yeah,” he bellowed as he ground into her.

  Cat loved it hard and fast, something she was sure no other man could do.

  Rio pulled out of her, and she immediately turned and sat on the cold, hard tile. “You wear me out.”

  He sat beside her. “No, you wear me out. How’s your leg?”

  “Fine.” At that moment, Cat2 did a flip, and her belly jumped.

  “I saw that,” he said. “Amazing.”

  Yeah, it was. A precious life grew inside her; a life that she had purposely conceived to use against Alvarez. Pushing those thoughts aside, she asked, “You want to feel?”

  “Sure.”

  She took his big hand and placed it on her tummy. It didn’t take long for Cat2 to kick. It felt weird at the same time that it felt right. Rio was destroying all the thoughts she had about killers for hire. He wasn’t some mean-ass brute who abused women—pregnant women. Cat wanted to hate him; she really did.

  “I’ve still haven’t tasted your pussy.”

  Okay, that was unexpected.

  “After you have the baby, I want you bare.”

  “What?”

  Rio pulled her into his lap, her back to his chest, and grabbed a flexible showerhead. He sprayed the warm stream on her privates. Even that caused her pussy to contract. When she was totally wet down there, he wet her hair and then applied shampoo. His muscular fingers kneaded her scalp. Her eyes fluttered closed. “I want your pussy bare, as in no hair. I’m sure we can find someplace that does private waxes.”

  What did he say? Pussy bare. “Then I want you bare as in no hair, too.”

  He stopped moving his fingers on her scalp, and a shudder ran through him. She grinned wishing she could see his face.

  “I’m sure some men do, but I’m not going to be one of them.”

  “Why? I’ll do it if you will.”

  She wiggled her head to get his fingers moving again.

  “Women shave their legs and their underarms. I’m just asking you to add one more spot.”

  “Well, men shave their faces, and some shave their heads. I’m just asking you for one more spot.” This conversation was getting ridiculous, but she had to admit being exposed did have some appeal.

  “Okay, if I shave my head, will you shave your pussy?”

  That would never do. She loved everything about his hair, the color, the length, the shine, the body. Really, what’s not to love? “Please don’t shave your head.”

  “Okay, but will you shave your pussy for me. Please.”

  A killer asking ‘please.’ That had to be a first. “I’ll think about it.” She had to have the baby, and she still had to be here.

  “Take all the time you need.”

  Time was the one thing she didn’t have. Rio stood up and edged her under the rain head. She leaned her head back and rinsed out the shampoo. Holding her steady, he grabbed the conditioner. He worked that in too, and then helped her rinse.

  “We need to get you out of here before you turn into a prune.”

  “Just dry me off and throw me in the bed.”

  He helped her out, dried her off with a big, fluffy towel, and sat her on the toilet seat. “Can you stay awake long enough for me to dry your hair?”

  “I can’t make any promises other than I’ll give it my best shot.”

  Rio somehow managed to negotiate a brush through her hair without pulling out any of it, and it was so soothing, her eyes crossed as she tried to stay awake. Maybe beautician traits ran in his family. The fact that he owned a hairdryer was a surprise. Probably left by one of his previous lovers. Hell, she didn’t want to think about all the beautiful women he’d been with.

  When her hair was dry, he scooped her up and deposited her in the bed. “Let me change your bandage.”

  “You can do whatever you want to do as long as you don’t wake me up.”

  “Hmmm. I don’t think you can sleep through what I have in mind.”

  She grinned. “I’m sure.”

  Cat barely felt the bandage come off, but she did feel something being dabbed on it. “That hurts, you know.”

  “Sorry.”

  When he was finished, he said, “I have three surprises for you, but I think you’ll only be awake for the first one.”

  “I’m game…if I can go to sleep.”

  “Just close your eyes and I’ll be right back.’

  “That I can do”

  She knew he went back into the bathroom, but she didn’t care. Sleep. She needed sleep. Cat rolled her head to the side when he picked up her leg and rubbed body lotion on it. “Where did you get the lotion?”

  “You’ll have to thank grandmother for the shampoo, conditioner, hairdryer, brush, and body lotion.”

  “Don’t let me forget it.” Ila was a blessing.

  Rio worked her calf and then the bottom of her feet being protective of her toes. Her bones melted into the mattress.

  The last thought she had was…he’s too good to me.

  Cat was asleep by the time he got to her belly. He placed his palm on her stomach hoping for some movement and at the same time, hoping her child would let her sleep for a little while. After pulling the covers over her, he left her to rest and hoped his dick would take a break. Caressing her had made him excruciatingly hard.

  Rio pulled a beer from the fridge and punched in Draco’s number. It would take him a day or two to put a team on Cat’s family—or kill a boyfriend. Hell, she may have a husband for all he knew. Nah. Cat and infidelity— his gut told him that would never happen.

  “Rio, it’s about time you called.”

  “Well, the sun hasn’t been down that long? Besides, I had to retrieve Cat.”

  “She ran from you?”

  “Yep, into the woods. I don’t think she’ll ever do that again. Anyway, what did you find at Lucy’s?”

  “Well, it was surprising, to say the least.”

  “And what does that mean? Did you get the letter?”

  “No. No letter.”

  “Why didn’t you freeze her and find the letter?”

  ”I couldn’t, man.”

  “Why?”

  “Lucy’s my mate, and I can’t use that or compulsion on her. I can’t even get into her mind.”

  Rio’s heart stopped beating. “What? That can’t be. I wouldn’t wish you on my worst enemy.”

  “Thanks, Rio.”

  “Sorry, but you know, you’re not a person I’d recommend to my friends, and not because you’re a vampire. You just don’t have those settling down genes.”

  “And you do?”

  “Yes. I put my mate first.”

  “So do I.”

  Rio had a hard time believing that. Draco was the most self-centered, self-serving person he knew. “Where is Lucy?”

  “Lucy is sitting across from me in my home. Her eyes are spitting daggers at me.”

  “I’ll bet. She probably blames me too.”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “Did you at least get rid of the riffraff around your house? Lucy shouldn’t be exposed to all that sex and feeding and strangers running around naked.”

  “I know. I sent everyone away except for the hired help, and I actually have clothes on.”

  That might be a first. “Let me talk to her.”

  Draco hesitated.

  “I just want to ask her if she
’s okay.”

  Rio heard shuffling on the phone.

  “Hey Rio,” said Lucy. “Are you a werewolf?”

  “Afraid so. Listen Lucy, I never meant for this to happen. I just want to protect Cat’s family if she has any.”

  “Tell this moron I’m not his stupid mate and to let me go home.”

  “I don’t know if you’re his mate or not, but Draco has never lied to me. I’ll talk to him and see what I can do.”

  Draco got on the phone. “Rio, don’t tell me how to handle my mate.”

  “You can’t kidnap her.”

  “Really? So if your Cat wants to leave, you’ll let her?”

  “No, that’s different. Cat’s life is in danger. Lucy’s is not.”

  Draco told Rio about the burglars. Rio was relieved that it had nothing to do with Alvarez. “Let me talk to Lucy.”

  “What, Rio?” asked Lucy.

  “You should stay with Draco so the person who wants Cat can’t find you.”

  “I have a fucking clinic to operate. I can’t sit here all day while he sleeps and then stay up all night because he’s up. I don’t want a man in my life. Now, get me out of here.”

  Rio understood her frustration. Mating with humans was a one sided thing in the beginning and humans didn’t care for it. “Trust me, Lucy. Your life is more important than your business.”

  “No, hell no, it’s not. I’ve worked hard to get where I am. I’m not going to put it on hold because you think I may be in trouble.”

  “Let me speak to Draco again.” He felt like a Ping-Pong ball bouncing between them.

  “Have you figured out a way to help me, man?” asked Draco.

  “Yep. Let her go—.”

  “Now, wait a minute.”

  “Hear me out. I’ll send a security detail to look after her during the day, and during the night, you can—court her.”

  “Really? This is your grand plan?”

  “Lucy’s my friend. She doesn’t want to be controlled. As her mate, you’re gonna have to respect that. Just tell her that you’ll take her home if she’ll—I don’t know—let you date her. Hey man, I don’t claim to know how this mating shit works.”

  “So, do you love Cat?”

  Love. What did he know about love? He cared for her like he did Ila and Creed. He’d lay his life down for her, wanted to be with her every waking and sleeping hour, wanted to spend the rest of his life with her. “Yeah, I love her.”