As the night wore on, her eyes started to burn from staring into the darkness, looking for any signs of Rakahnja. The ropes cut into the tender flesh of her arms and legs and it seemed as if the tree bark had removed a layer of skin from her back as a result of her struggles.
Off behind her somewhere, she heard the two men speak in hushed whispers but had stopped trying to figure out what they said. Kahn would be here soon. She felt his fierce presence closing in.
* * * * *
The first streaks of color would soon begin to filter across the horizon with the rising sun. Kahn was exhausted from prowling the sleepy town all night but would not give up until he found Anita. When he picked up the first trace of the hunters’ scent, a fresh wave of adrenaline coursed through his blood, driving him forward.
The shack he discovered appeared old and dilapidated. He shifted and moved through the filthy, cramped quarters. There was no doubt she’d been there. He clearly detected Anita’s natural feminine scent, along with the bitter stench of her fear.
He followed the trail out the back door, shifting again as he went. Kahn had to force himself to move slowly and with caution. Not only was Anita near, but the hunters were also there.
His plan had been to find the men and deal with them first, right up until he saw her. All other thought melted away at the sight of Anita bound to a tree, blood oozing from the places where the ropes had rubbed her raw. Kahn surged forward, blinded by a cold rage. How dare those bastards harm his mate.
A fearsome growl vibrated through his body as anger raged within.
Anita’s shrill, screamed warning came too late.
Anita watched with helpless rage as a large net dropped from the thick canopy to ensnare Kahn. He roared in frustration, deadly incisors and claws slicing at his prison with little effect.
“Woohoo! We got ’em, Bubba.”
The two morons hooted and hollered as they cautiously moved closer to their prize. Bubba held a dart gun. She figured it held darts filled with a strong tranquilizer. What fools!
The low light of pre-dawn didn’t allow Anita to see everything that was happening, so she relied heavily on her hearing. She heard Kahn battling with the net as the two laughing idiots approached. They’d have to get close to see him in the dark, which is exactly what she figured Kahn was waiting for. Once they were within reach, he’d show no mercy.
Anita held her breath and closed her eyes not wanting to catch even a glimpse of what came next.
Do not fear, my love.
She wasn’t worried. Kahn would bide his time, lure the two men closer before attacking. His superior strength would win in the end, leaving the hunters torn and lifeless.
Anita kept her eyes clamped tightly, blocking out the carnage as a grand battle took place before her. She softly hummed a tune in an attempt to drown out the anguished screams, cries and roars.
The fight ended sooner than she realized. When the first tender touch caressed her cheek, she had no idea how much time had passed. The bonds began to loosen and she was pulled into Kahn’s warm embrace.
His bright eyes shone with a predatory gleam as he reached for the hem of her shirt. Her clothes disappeared and she found herself positioned on her hands and knees, taking care to ensure her wrists received no further injury. Without hesitation, her body readied itself for her lover, softening and growing damp. She knew what would happen and longed for his possession.
“Need you,” he growled. “Can’t wait.”
He caged her beneath his strong body, teeth clamping on to the tender flesh of her throat as his cock drilled into her without preamble, hard and fast. Each powerful thrust of his hips impaled her on his shaft, claiming and marking her once again. It was a primal, animalistic mating, the deep show of emotion sending a trill of excitement along her spine.
The world shrank away and all that remained was the slap of their bodies as they joined, along with the musky smell of sex and Kahn. She gave him everything—every whimper, moan and cry—not caring if anyone heard or saw them. Each movement became an affirmation of life and love, which they both craved.
She felt him swell within her pussy as the barb opened, binding them together.
“Mine!”
The one word conveyed a wealth of meaning beyond a simple declaration of ownership. Anita heard a solemn oath of enduring love, confirmation of an unbreakable union, pronouncement of undying loyalty.
“Yours,” she affirmed. Her response was an acknowledgement of everything he gave and assurance the heartfelt devotion was reciprocated.
They came together, finding a sweet haven waiting in the other’s arms, clinging for long moments.
After they both recovered, Kahn helped Anita dress. They walked arm-in-arm to the front of the shack, grateful for the darkness cloaking the men’s bodies. She had no desire to view the remains. He left her sitting on the porch while he called the police and found some clothes to wear.
When Bert arrived, she remained silent. The sharp patrolman recognized Rakahnja from her description months ago. “You’re the man who brought Anita to the hospital,” he stated. “And here it seems you’ve saved her once again.”
His assessing gaze took in every detail as the two men stared each other down. Finally, Bert clapped Kahn on the back. “You just make sure to take good care of our girl or you’ll have to deal with me,” he warned.
Kahn took it all in stride, merely nodding his head.
Bert pulled her into a bear hug. “He ever gives you any trouble, honey, give me a call.”
Anita laughed, returning the hug with equal affection. Either Bert hadn’t heard Kahn’s low growl of warning or chose to ignore the threat. “He’s the best thing to have ever happened to me, Bert.”
It was mid-morning by the time the police were finished with their questions. There seemed to be some doubt and concern over the carnage they’d discovered, but Anita’s comments about hearing the growls of a large animal seemed to appease the officers.
Anita and Kahn received a ride back to the store in a cruiser. The man who drove them cast a dubious glance at the mangled door of her truck and shook his head, warily eyeing Kahn. Everyone at the scene had been suspicious of what had happened, but no one would question the results. She knew Bert had made sure of that.
She sighed as they made their way back to their wilderness home. The road ahead would be filled with challenges, but they’d overcome each one together. Anita had faith in her jaguar-man and the strength of their love.
About the Author
Nicole Austin lives on the sheltered Gulf Coast of Florida, where inspiration can be readily found sitting under a big shade umbrella on the beach while sipping cold margaritas. A voracious reader, she never goes anywhere without a book. All those delicious romances combined with a vivid imagination naturally created steamy fantasies and characters in her mind.
Discovering Ellora’s Cave paved the path to freeing them as well as manifesting an intoxicating passion for romantica. The positive response of family and friends to her stories propelled Nicole into an incredible world where fantasy comes boldly to life. Now she stays busy working as a certified CT scan technologist, finishing her third college degree, reading, writing, and keeping up with family. Oh yeah, and did we mention all the hard work involved with research? Well, that's the fun job—certainly a labor of love.
Nicole welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by Nicole Austin
The Boy Next Door
Ellora’s Cavemen: Dreams of the Oasis I anthology
Passionate Realities
Savannah’s Vision
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