Therian Prisoner

by Cyndi Friberg

  One of Ian’s eyebrows arched as he continued unloading the hamper. “I’m not sure he would welcome your pity, but Quinn and I are working through our differences.”

  “Good. Fighting among the rebels isn’t good for anyone.”

  A cool breeze rippled his hair as he chuckled. “Now you sound like Erin.”

  Devon scraped at the corner of her bottle’s label. The mention of her mother made her feel guilty as hell. “I should probably call her.”

  “I left her a message this morning. I didn’t come right out and tell her where we are, but I’m pretty sure she knows. She’s never been up here but she knows about the cabin.”

  Devon nodded, a bit of her guilt dissipating. Kyle deserved her ire, but her mother didn’t. Devon was glad they weren’t completely in the dark. “You know, half the network expected you to marry her after my father died.”

  “Our relationship was never romantic. You of all people should understand that.”

  She did. She’d watched them together for years, dreading the day when romantic awareness sparked and her hopes of winning Ian’s heart were dashed permanently. It was really sort of pathetic when she thought about how long she’d been carrying a torch for him.

  “My father sure as hell didn’t understand.” She shifted her focus away from herself. “He resented you until the day he died.”

  “I know, but he had no reason to worry. I love your mother like a sister.”

  Folding her legs in front of her, she looked into his eyes. She wanted to end the waiting, to either move beyond friendship or abandon the possibility forever. “That’s what you used to say about me.”

  He stilled, his expression suddenly serious. “You were so damn young when we met, any other attitude would have been profane.”

  She knew he was right, but that didn’t make this any easier. “What changed your mind? You certainly didn’t kiss me like a sister last night.” He passed her a plate filled with fried chicken, cheese slices and potato chips. Still, she was more interested in his answer than the food.

  “It started on the ride north. Payne asked me if I’d ever felt a bonding pull with you and I told him what I tell everyone.”

  “That I’m like a little sister to you?”

  “Yeah.” He was fiddling with his food too, but she didn’t call him on it. She needed to understand the progression. How he’d gotten from “she’s too damn young” to “let’s spend the night together, baby”. “Then he told me I was blind, that I wasn’t allowing myself to feel anything but protective affection for you. I thought about it and realized I knew an awful lot about you, and had gone to great lengths to avoid you, which wouldn’t have been necessary if there really was nothing between us.”

  “What do you know about me?” He’d always seemed indifferent to her, so it was hard to believe his claim.

  “Well there’s all the obvious stuff, the schools you attended, the subjects you studied, the names of your friends. But I know a lot of less obvious stuff too.”

  “Such as?”

  “You lost your virginity to Steve Wellsford at an after prom party, a fact I’m pretty sure your mother doesn’t know.”

  Heat burned across her cheeks and crawled up her neck. After giving up hope that Ian would ever notice her, Devon had unleashed the fundamental rebellion that had been building inside her for years. She’d misbehaved in every way imaginable, much to the frustration of her parents. Sleeping with Steve had been the first of many decisions she’d come to regret.

  “How did you find out about that fiasco?”

  “Steve’s got a big mouth. I had to threaten to shut it for him if he kept bragging about his conquests.”

  She could just picture the confrontation. Steve had been tall and lanky, no match for Ian’s powerful physique and unwavering confidence. “He was such a jerk. I can’t believe I let him…”

  “Why did you?”

  Their gazes locked and longing ricocheted through her soul. “Because you wouldn’t.” Regret sparked in his gaze, but she pushed on before he could reply. “If you overheard the asshole bragging, that was unintentional. What else do you know?”

  “Your mother set up the animal shelter as a front for the rebels, but you pour your heart and soul into the sanctuary.”

  “It’s not that Mom doesn’t care, she just has other priorities.”

  “It was an observation, not a criticism.” He set his plate aside. Apparently the food held no more appeal for him than it did for her.

  “Anyone who knows me knows the sanctuary is my baby.” She picked up a potato chip and snapped it in half then tossed it back onto the plate. “Tell me something you shouldn’t know about me.”

  “You’ve had six boyfriends in that past nine years, but you’ve only slept with three of them.”

  That was definitely something a casual friend shouldn’t know. She took another sip of root beer as she gathered the courage to ask, “Why did you pay attention to my sex life if you had no interest in me sexually?”

  “That’s what I’ve been trying to figure out ever since Payne planted the temptation in my mind.”

  “You find me tempting?” She cringed at the vulnerability revealed by the question. It made her sound desperate for affirmation.

  “Gods yes. I’ve always enjoyed spending time with you, but I never allowed myself to imagine what it would be like to touch you.” He brushed the hair back from her eyes, his fingertips skimming over her skin. “Now I can’t think of anything else.”

  She took another quick drink, trying to hide her smile. He watched her silently, desire smoldering in his eyes. “My attraction to you has overshadowed every relationship I ever had. I tried not to compare them to you, but you were always there in the back of my mind.”

  Ian took her plate from her and set it inside the hamper. “I say we eat after.”

  “After?” Her heart flipped over in her chest and heat pooled between her thighs. She wanted him there, deep inside her, filling the empty ache.

  He took the bottle from her as well and set it next to the hamper where he’d placed his half-full beer. Then he brought her hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss into the center of her palm. “Dorothy told me I need to go slow, let you set the pace.”

  Devon moved closer, understanding the predicament. Ian was a leader, his network’s Prime. Following anyone was unnatural to him. “I don’t disagree with her, but part of what attracts me to you is your strength. I need to feel safe and protected. I need…” She sighed. “I’m not sure what I need.”

  Taking her hand, he pulled her forward as he unfolded his legs. She crawled onto his lap, straddling his thighs. “Let’s find out together.”

  His lips touched hers and then he pressed his hand against the nape of her neck. She tilted her head so their mouth fit more naturally, but he was in no hurry to deepen the kiss. He caressed her lips, pausing to nibble as he explored her texture and inhaled her breath.

  She tugged on his shirt, needing to touch his skin and feel the strength so evident in the shape of his body. He tore the garment off over his head and tossed it aside, only separating their mouths long enough to allow the maneuver. Her hands wandered across his flesh with hungry appreciation. She’d dreamed of the day when she’d have this freedom, have the right to touch him any way she pleased.

  He traced her lower lip with the tip of his tongue then pushed into her mouth. She welcomed him with open lips and an eager stroke of her tongue. Part beer, part aroused male and part something unique to Ian, his taste awakened her most elemental self, that part of her soul that hungered for mating and definition.

  Emboldened by the urgency in his kiss, she pushed against his chest until he lay back across the blanket. Then she kissed her way down the side of his neck, scooting lower on his legs as she went. She explored one of his flat brown nipples and then the other, fascinated by the tension rolling from his chest into his abdomen and back.

  Suddenly he sat and dragged her mouth back to his, the kis
s deep and demanding. He frantically worked the first few buttons on her blouse then pulled it off over her head. She wasn’t wearing a bra and he cupped both her breasts as his mouth returned to hers. She arched into his touch, craving the connection of having his hands on her. And she touched him just as boldly, squeezing his shoulders and stroking his chest.

  He bent to her breast, sucking her nipple deep into his mouth. She gasped and let her head drop back as sensation shot from her chest and lodged between her thighs. She felt wild and wanton, and the depth of her need echoed through her memory.

  This was how she’d felt in the lab. Her body had been so consumed with lust that it hadn’t mattered who touched her as long as they brought her release.

  She pushed Ian back, trembling with conflicting emotions. She wanted this, wanted him, but she wasn’t sure how to respond without reliving that horrible day. “I don’t think I can do this.”

  He pulled her closer, pressing her breasts against his chest and guiding her head to his shoulder. “We’ve got the rest of our lives to figure it out.”

  “I don’t want to give this power over me. I just don’t know how to get past the images.”

  He eased back far enough so he could look into her eyes. “Talk to me, love. What triggered your fear? What specifically do we need to avoid—at least for now?”

  His sexy smile and the warmth of his gaze kept her from feeling hopeless. He was willing to do whatever it took, even if that meant they’d do nothing at all. Well, she wasn’t willing to postpone their intimacies any longer. She’d waited long enough to share this with Ian.

  You lost control over your body, your sensations and sexuality. Dorothy’s words echoed through her mind. The only way to break through the pain and start healing is to reclaim them on your own terms.

  “I need to stay off my back.”

  Ian stood and drew her to her feet. “No problem.” He snatched the blanket off the ground and took her hand. “There are all sorts of other ways this can be done.” He led her across the meadow and into a copse of trees. He looked around for a moment then decided on a relatively flat rock formation protruding from the hillside.

  A shiver slid down her spine as the trees obscured the sun. But Ian’s hand was warm and she was determined to enjoy every minute of this. He spread the blanket over the rock then pulled her back into his arms. She rested her hand on his chest and smiled. “Dorothy told me you’re empathic. Do you hear specific thoughts or just sense emotions?”

  He pressed one of his hands against the side of her face and leaned down, his mouth hovering over hers. “Are you always this talkative when you’re about to have sex?”

  She was talkative because she was nervous, but he was right. There would be plenty of time for conversation after.

  Rather than reply, she slid her hands down along his chest and unfastened the waistband of his jeans. He didn’t stop her, so she lowered his zipper and eased his jeans downward. His hips were lean and his belly flat, the perfect backdrop for his sex. She wrapped her fingers around his shaft and desire pulsed deep in her body.

  She sank to her knees and inhaled his scent as her lips teased the very tip of his erection. He shifted restlessly but didn’t rush her. His fingers combed through her hair and caressed her face while tension rippled along his thighs. She caressed him with her hand then traced the tiny slit on his tip with her tongue.

  “Turnabout can be hell,” he warned, his voice tense and low.

  “What’s the matter?” She smiled, absorbing the rush of feminine power released by his obvious need. “Don’t you like this?” She lazily pumped her hand, allowing his cock to bump against, but not pass beyond, her lips.

  He framed her face with his hands and pushed against her lips. “Open or I’ll find somewhere else to put it.”

  That wasn’t much of a threat. The ache between her thighs was painful. Even so, she parted her lips and savored the hot slide of his shaft against her tongue. She tightened her lips against him and closed her eyes. He was rock hard, yet velvety soft and his taste, though faint, stirred her desire to a fever pitch. He rocked his hips and she bobbed her head, using her hand as well as her mouth.

  Suddenly he pulled out of her mouth and dragged her to her feet. His mouth covered hers and his tongue thrust in deep as he frantically unfastened her jeans. She kicked off her shoes then wiggled out of her jeans as Ian sat on the blanket-draped rock. He lifted her as she bent her knees then brought her down over his lap.

  He reached between their heated bodies and positioned himself at her entrance. Then his hands grasped her hips, but he didn’t thrust inside. “I’m right there, love. The rest is up to you.”

  The import washed over her in tingling waves. He was offering her control, no small sacrifice for a Therian male. She brought her mouth to his as she slowly lowered her pelvis, taking him into the moist heart of her body.

  One of his hands slid to the small of her back and the other cupped the back of her head. He deepened the kiss, but allowed her to move over and on him. He was long and thick, filling the emptiness as no one else could. She tightened her inner muscles and took him deeper. Pleasure radiated through her like rays off a noonday sun.

  His tongue slid against and curled around hers, the urgent movement revealing what it cost him to give her this opportunity. He cupped her breast and teased her nipple with his thumb as she raised and lowered her hips.

  Passion consumed her thoughts and increased the rhythm of her hips. She felt bold and free as she shamelessly took her pleasure. An image flickered in the back of her mind and she tore her mouth away from his. “Look at me.” She panted, not stopping the rapid rise and fall of her hips. “I need to see you.”

  He opened his eyes, his gaze desire-bright and penetrating. “Anything you need,” he whispered. “Just ask.”

  She used the obvious affection in his expression to drive back the memories. This was Ian. His face had haunted her dreams and fueled her fantasies most of her life. She had chosen this, craved it, and nothing and no one would taint their joining.

  Looping her arms around his neck, she rubbed her breasts against his chest. She wanted every part of her to touch part of him. His hands settled on her hips again. His fingers squeezed, hinting at his need to move, to claim her.

  “You too.” She paused, waiting for him to respond. “Move.”

  It was all the encouragement he needed. His hands grasped her hips and he scooted to the edge of the rock then drove up into her with sharp, insistent thrusts. She arched her back and reveled in the speed and depth of his strokes. This was definitely better, more natural for both of them.

  His lips closed around one of her nipples, his teeth holding firmly while his tongue teased the very tip. Sensations spiraled from her chest to the juncture of her thighs and pleasure rippled through her core. Her inner muscles clenched and released with the first spasms of an orgasm.

  “No.” She moaned, fighting back the release. “I don’t want this to end.”

  “Never.” He brought her down hard and his cock jerked inside her, the warm splash of his seed shattering her control. They wrapped their arms around each other and she squeezed him with her thighs as simultaneous climaxes pulsed within them.

  She felt him brush against her mind and welcomed him with trust and affection. His mouth found hers as he sank deeper, their minds joining as their bodies clung. His power blazed in the distance like a raging forest fire, but he carefully controlled the intensity of their connection.

  You will never be alone again. He infused the vow with determination and warmth. I will always protect you.

  It was a sweet sentiment, but she was bothered by the implication. She gradually ended the kiss, not wanting to spoil the afterglow. “I still want you to define me. I need to be able to protect myself.”

  Ian tensed as he searched her gaze. “Is this why you—”

  “No!” She crawled off his lap and reached for her jeans. “Even if we hadn’t…done this, I’d be pesteri
ng you to define me.”

  She turned her back as she pulled on her jeans and his gaze focused on her nicely rounded ass. The scent of their combined pleasure made his predatory nature restless all over again. He wanted to urge her to her hands and knees and take her from behind, staking his claim on her body and soul. Instead he stood and pulled up his pants. This had been amazing, but he’d struggled against his aggression every step of the way, which explained why he was still hungry.

  “I told you, I’m not opposed to defining you.” He fastened his jeans and ran a hand through his hair. “But I still want you to take a few days and consider your options. You need to be positive that joining my network is what you really want.”

  With her arms crossed over her breasts, she turned to face him again. “I don’t need a few days. I know it’s what I want.”

  He didn’t argue. Instead he took her arms and pulled them away from her chest. “Don’t hide from me. It makes me want to…overpower you.”

  She glanced away as her tongue darted out and swept across her lower lip. “Thank you for holding back. I know it wasn’t easy for you.”

  He pulled her into his arms, needing the warmth of her body pressed to his. “I meant what I said. I’m willing to give you whatever you need until you’re completely healed.”

  A smile slowly parted her lips as she stepped out of his embrace. “What I need right now is food.”

  “Fair enough.” He snatched the blanket off the rock and they returned to the middle of the meadow where they’d left the hamper and the rest of their clothes. He pulled on his t-shirt and helped her into her blouse. She buttoned the front but didn’t bother tucking it in. Desire simmered just below the surface and it was unlikely they’d return to the cabin without undressing again.

  “Dorothy told me about how you two met, but something she said didn’t make sense to me.” She balanced her plate on her lap as she took a bite of fried chicken.

  “What’d she say?” Sunlight accented the warm tones in Devon’s hair making it appear more brown than black. Her cheeks were still flushed and she looked adorably tousled.