Little Panther

by Marie Cole

  “Kitten, you have nothing to be embarrassed about, all right? We’ll take it slow.” He grinned, knowing that his fangs were showing. “Besides, I have no problem taking the lead. Believe me, I have plenty of ideas for what to do with you.”

  “You do?”

  He licked his lips. “Hell yeah.” He moved his hands down to her waist, bringing them up slowly. She squirmed under his attention until his large paws reached her breasts. He looked into her eyes, and she nodded her consent. He grinned before palming her mounds.

  She moaned, arching into his attention. He thumbed her nipples, tugging lightly at the rings. Fuck, she was responsive. She squirmed under his touches with soft moans and whimpers. He felt himself harden further, his cock twitching. He’d said it before, and he’d say it again. She was gonna kill him.

  “Did you know the rings would make the pleasure greater, kitten?”

  She gave a jerky nod. “Y-Yes. I… I wanted to try it.”

  He growled, moving his mouth to her neck. He nibbled at the skin as he continued torturing her rings. “And how did you try it?”

  “I-I… I…”

  “Does my little kitten masturbate?”

  She bit her lip before giving a small nod. “S-Sometimes,” she admitted softly.

  He groaned, resting his head on her shoulder. “Hell, Josie.”

  The image of his sweet little mate playing with herself would tease him forever. He could just imagine her playing with her pussy and nipples until she came. Hell, the idea alone would get him through any night she wasn’t around.

  Hmm, or maybe he could do better than his imagination.

  He pulled away, chuckling at her light whimper. “I have an idea, kitten. I want to watch that.”

  Her face darkened with more desire. “What?”

  *

  She’d misheard him. She had to have. There was no way… “You want to watch…me?”

  He groaned. “Hell yeah, I do, kitten.” He pulled her toward him before playing with her breasts again. “Do you use your fingers? Or does my naughty little mate have toys?”

  She moaned before biting her lip. He really wanted to know? All right, she could do this. “Both. I…have a few toys. I don’t use them often though.”

  She watched his eyes shift to that golden color as he puffed out a few rough breaths. “Show me,” he growled.

  “Are you sure—”

  “Yes, kitten.” He pulled at her nipple rings, the delicious ache making her moan. “I want to see it. I want to see how you play with yourself.” He shuddered as he pulled away. “Hell, just thinking about it is killing me. So show me.”

  She nibbled at her bottom lip. “OK.”

  She stood up, moving over to her closet. She heard his chuckle. She turned to see him slowly stroking his cock as he watched her.

  “Figured they’d be in the nightstand, kitten.”

  She blushed, shaking her head.

  He grinned, his grip on his cock tightening. “Afraid Greg will find them?”

  “A little.” She pulled out a small box and brought it over to the bed. “I don’t…”

  He licked his lips before opening it. “Let’s see.” He blew out a shuddering breath. “Ah hell, kitten.” He pulled out her purple vibrator. It wasn’t huge or anything, but she loved it. And it had a nice little thing to stimulate her clit. He pushed the box aside and grinned. “I think this’ll work, don’t you?”

  She jerked a nod, her face heating. “Y-Yeah.”

  He handed her the toy. “Let me see it, kitten.”

  She blushed but licked her lips. She brought the toy to her pussy, slowly sliding it in her juices. She pushed it inside, moaning softly.

  “That’s it. Now turn it on.”

  She gulped. His voice sounded so raspy and deep she was already feeling close to coming from that alone. She flipped the switch on the bottom of the vibe, throwing her head back as it started to move.

  “Fuck, kitten,” he growled as he started stroking his cock again.

  She wasn’t going to last long. It’d been too long since she’d done anything and with how he was staring at her…

  “C-Cathan. I’m…”

  “Come for me, kitten.” He licked his lips as he pumped his hand harder. She watched precum drip down his cock. “Then, I’m coming on your breasts.”

  She broke apart, screaming as she came. He groaned, moving on top of her as his cum splattered on her chest.

  His head dropped forward. “Hell,” he chuckled. “Kitten, I think you wore me out.”

  She giggled. “I…I have to agree.”

  He plopped down next to her, pulling her toy out of her pussy. She moaned and shivered as he grinned. “Also I think that was the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

  “I doubt that,” she snorted. “But thank you anyway.”

  He growled before leaning down and kissing her. He pulled away to rest his forehead on hers. “Don’t doubt me, Josie.”

  “I’ll try not to. I’m s—”

  “Shh.” He gave her a light kiss. “Don’t apologize either.”

  She bit her lip, not knowing what to say.

  After a moment, he glanced her way again. “I want to sleep in here with you. Would that bother you?”

  She smiled. “I think I’ll manage with that.”

  The smile he gave melted a little of her heart.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Cathan woke up in the middle of the night to the sound of a door opening downstairs. He was sure it was the front door. He looked over to see Josie still cuddled under his arm. So it wasn’t her.

  He gently slipped out of the bed before grabbing his pants off the floor. He threw them on and moved silently out of the room. The noises continued as he padded quietly down the stairs, ready for anything.

  When he spotted a darkened figure in the living room, he couldn’t silence his growl. He pounced and slammed the figure against the wall, his arm on the man’s throat.

  “Listen here you son of a bi—” He blinked, his eyes finally focusing in the darkness. “Greg?”

  Greg glared at him. “You wanna release me, asshole?”

  Cathan backed away. “Sorry.”

  Greg shook his head as he straightened himself out. “No, there’s a reason you’re here. Just glad you didn’t use claws.” His eyes narrowed. “Why the hell are you half naked?”

  Cathan sucked in a breath when he smelled Josie and heard her padding up behind him. She was wearing his shirt. He’d pretty much made her put it on when they’d gone to sleep. The idea of her in his clothes was the most possessive he would get.

  “Greg? What are you doing here? I thought you couldn’t—”

  “Oh, you son of a bitch!”

  Cathan had to give the human credit. Pinning a shifter to the wall with your hand was impressive. And the snarl was actually rather frightening. It almost sounded like…

  Before he could finish his thought, Josie punched her brother hard on the arm. He moved back, glaring at her.

  “Hell, Sis. You could’ve held back a little.” Greg, giant mercenary that he was, winced and rubbed his arm.

  “Not when you’re making an ass of yourself.” She placed her hands on her hips, narrowing her eyes. “I won’t have you two fighting like I’m some kid that doesn’t know how to make decisions on my own.”

  Cathan held up his hands. “I know you can, kitten.”

  That got him a glare from Greg. “Kitten? I hired you to protect her not…” The man motioned between Cathan and Josie, and it didn’t take a genius to figure out what he meant.

  Cathan knew he was gonna get his ass kicked, but he had hoped he’d at least be mated to her first.

  Josie rolled her eyes and crossed her arms. “Yeah, well, I didn’t need that either, but you know, no one asks me my opinion anyway.”

  Greg growled. Again, an impressive noise for a human. “Josie, you have no idea what you’re—”

  “No idea what I’m dealing with, right?” She snorted
. Hell, he’d never seen anyone stand up to Greg like this. Maybe Josie was right and she could take care of herself just fine. “Yeah. I don’t. Because you don’t tell me anything. If something is going to come for me, I need to know. Not be kept in the dark forever.” She sighed, her arms dropping to her sides. “Greg, I’m not going to end up like them, OK? So stop it.”

  Greg’s eyes saddened. “You can’t promise that, Sis.”

  Cathan sighed. “She’ll be fine. She’s got me.”

  Greg glared at him, giving him an evil-looking grin. “Oh does she now? And why’s that, shifter?”

  Oh fuck, Greg only called them shifters when he was pissed. Cathan was about eight kinds of screwed. How to explain. Aw hell, this was gonna kill him.

  “I’m his mate,” Josie said before he had a chance. When he shot her a glare, she just shrugged. “Well, I am. Not officially yet, but…”

  Greg’s eyes flicked between the two of them before landing on Cathan. “You’re sure?”

  Cathan nodded, sobering a little. “I wouldn’t lie about this. You know me better than that.”

  After a few moments, Greg blew out a breath. “You’re right. Look, can we all talk?” He pointed at Josie. “After you put some damn pants on. I may have raised you, but—”

  “You didn’t raise me!” she called out with a laugh as she padded back upstairs.

  Cathan raised an eyebrow. “You wanna explain that?”

  “Long-running joke.” He ran a hand through his short hair, then tilted his head back as he stared at the ceiling. “I knew this was gonna happen. The second she said you were still outside, I had a feeling. That’s why I told her what you are.”

  “Thanks for that, I guess. Made things a bit easier to explain.”

  Greg looked at him seriously. “If you hurt her—”

  “I’ll hand you the knife. Like I said, you know me better than that, Greg.”

  “You’re right. I do.” He sighed. “She’s all I’ve got left, Cathan. I can’t lose someone else. Not again.”

  “Hey, man, I get it. But nothing’s gonna happen to her while I’m here. And I’m gonna be here a long damn time.”

  Greg nodded. “All right. All right. Yeah.”

  “So you wanna tell me what’s going on here?”

  Greg snorted. “I’ll wait until she gets back. If we start without her, we’re both getting chewed out. And I don’t wanna share the couch with your ass.”

  Cathan laughed as the two walked into the living room. “I don’t know. I think she likes me more than you. I might even get a pillow.”

  *

  By the time Josie got downstairs, she could hear Cathan and Greg talking.

  “No, no. I swear. When she was younger, she used to carry around a—”

  “GREG!” She stomped into the room, glaring at her brother. “Stop that!”

  Greg snickered. “Aw, come on, Sis. It was cute.”

  “Shut. Up.”

  Cathan grinned wickedly. “But I wanna know.”

  “Don’t you start too!” She frowned as she plopped into her chair. “Don’t we have more important things to talk about?”

  Greg leaned forward, his expression sober. “I was trying to postpone that.” He shook his head. “So, I mentioned the…not legal thing, right?”

  Cathan and Josie snorted at the same time. “Yeah, you did,” they responded.

  Greg groaned, his head falling back on the sofa. “If you two start talking in sync, I’m killing you both.” He sighed and stared up at the ceiling. “I’ve been trying to find who killed our parents.”

  “What?” She shook her head. “Why?”

  “Because I’m tired of it being this damn mystery, Josie.”

  She was silent for a bit before speaking again. “Does this have to do with why you sent Cathan?”

  He nodded. “I’m afraid they’re gonna find out I’m hunting them and come after you. There’s a reason I decided to show up tonight. Even with Cathan, I was worried. About both of you.”

  Cathan sighed. “Do you at least have any leads?”

  “A few, but nothing concrete yet. But I couldn’t shake this bad feeling. I had to make sure everything was OK.”

  “We’re fine.” Josie smiled. “Do you need the guest room?”

  “Yeah, sure. I’ll get out of here tomorrow.” He smiled as he walked over to her and kissed her forehead. “I promise to stay out of your hair.”

  “You’re fine, Greg.” Lately she’d missed him being over all the time. It was nice having him back.

  “If you say so.” He gave them a wave before heading up the stairs.

  Cathan motioned her to him. She smiled and moved over to the couch, scooting into his arms. He kissed her hair, nuzzling the top of her head. “You OK?”

  She blew out a rough, shaky breath. “Yeah… No… I don’t know…”

  He lightly rubbed her back. “Well, glad you can pick an answer.”

  She laughed. “Thanks.” She sobered, burying her face against his chest. “I’m really worried about him. Did you see how tired he looks? I’ve never seen him like this.”

  “Greg can take care of himself, kitten.”

  “I hope you’re right…”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  When Cathan came downstairs the next morning, Josie and Greg were already awake.

  And arguing.

  Loudly.

  “The hell do you mean you’re going to work? Do you know how dangerous it is right now, Josephine?”

  “Oh don’t you first-name me! I’m a grown woman. And this house wasn’t free. I have to pay for it somehow.”

  Cathan blew out a breath as he rested his forehead on the wall. Maybe if he knocked himself out they wouldn’t make him—

  “CATHAN!”

  He winced. Damn it. They could both scream really loud. Way too loud for this time of day.

  He sighed before heading into the kitchen to find them glaring at each other. “You wanna tell me why the two of you are yelling this early in the morning?”

  Josie shot him a look. “Greg says I can’t go to work alone.”

  “You can’t!” Greg responded, obviously frustrated. “Do you have any idea what these people could do to you?”

  “No, I don’t. Because you have to be all mysterious about it.”

  Greg winced, his face darkening with sadness before he shook it away. “There are some things you don’t wanna know, Josie.”

  Hell, what had Greg gotten himself into?

  Josie rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. “Unless you give me a better reason than ‘I said so,’ I’m going. I have to make money.”

  “I understand that, baby girl, I do, but bring Cathan with you, please. I hired him for a reason.”

  She shot Cathan a look. “I didn’t want to bother him. He was asleep and I’m sure he doesn’t get enough of it. Especially when someone’s older brother sneaks in during the night and wakes him.”

  Greg snorted. “He’s a bodyguard. It’s his job.”

  Cathan growled playfully. “He’s right here, you two.” He looked at Josie. “And Greg’s right, you’re not going alone.” No way in Hell was he letting that happen.

  Obviously his mate thought the same, because she sighed softly, her arms dropping. “Fine, I’ll go with Cathan. We’ll just check that everything is OK and then I’ll come home. Does that make you happier?”

  Greg nodded. “All right. Yeah. That’ll work.” He pointed at her. “But nothing else, you got it?”

  “I got it. We’ll be fine.” She turned and headed upstairs to get ready.

  Once she was gone, Greg turned his attention to Cathan. “Look. I know what she is to you. I get all of that. I’m accepting it even if the idea is kinda weird for me.”

  Cathan snorted, crossing his arms. “Well, I’m glad, Greg, because I’m not going anywhere.”

  “I meant more because I always saw you as a younger brother, but whatever. That’s beside the point.”

  “What is the p
oint, man? I figured I was eventually gonna get the ‘you hurt her I kill you speech.’” He laughed quietly. “Hell, you already nearly choked me. But I got you first, so I’m calling us even. And you already told me not to hurt her. And I won’t. So what’s your point?”

  Greg growled. He’d been doing that a lot lately, Cathan realized. “My point is that I don’t want either of you to get hurt. I know you’re a big bad shifter, but even you will die if you get shot enough. You’re not immortal. And she’s human.”

  “For now,” Cathan muttered.

  “I’m ignoring that because it involves me thinking about you two having sex and no thanks.” Greg ignored Cathan’s chuckle and continued. “I want both of you to be safe. I don’t want you doing something stupid because your brain isn’t where it needs to be. So promise me you can still do this.”

  Cathan growled and knew his fangs were showing. “Greg. I’m going to ignore some of that because otherwise I’d have to kill you. But if you think for a second I can’t protect my mate, then maybe you don’t know me.”

  Greg narrowed his eyes. “Oh? Then how did I get in last night?”

  Cathan felt his cheeks heat. “That was… I…”

  “Yeah, that’s what I thought. As much as I don’t want to think about you and Josie together, it’s a reality. But you’re still her bodyguard first and foremost right now. And you’ve been doing this long enough that I shouldn’t have gotten in. You should know better. So step up or I’ll get someone else to protect the both of you. Got it?”

  Cathan winced but nodded. Greg was right. He’d fucked up, and Josie could’ve gotten hurt because of it. “Got it. I’m sorry, man.”

  Greg shook his head. “I know you are, but that doesn’t change what happened. These people won’t play fair. And I don’t want to think about that.”

  Cathan blew out a calming breath. “I know. I get it. But you can’t watch us all the time. You concentrate on stopping them. That’s what you do. I’ll guard her. That’s what I do.”

  Josie padded back into the room. “Are you two done?”

  Cathan snorted out a laugh. “Yeah, I think so.”

  *

  “I think that’s everything.” Josie pushed through the doors from her store’s kitchen into the front.