Eye of the Tiger

by Crissy Smith

  Zak went directly to his dresser and pulled out his softest faded pair of sweats. He never took them on assignment with him since they were his absolute favorite. He also decided on a white ribbed tank top. Going commando—since he planned to only be up a few more hours—he dressed quickly then headed back down the stairs.

  On the landing, he could already smell the familiar aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Aubrey, somewhat of a coffee snob, provided him and Jamie with freshly ground beans every time she went to the specialty store.

  Zak couldn’t wait to get his hands on a cup.

  Just as he stepped down to the first floor, the bell rang. Cody and Jamie had both told him to go on home and they’d see him in the morning so he couldn’t imagine they’d be dropping by already. But he wouldn’t put it past his friends or Aubrey to double-check on him. Chuckling, he pulled open the door.

  And froze.

  Abilene Fox stood at his entry.

  “Can I come in?” she asked when he didn’t say anything.

  He blinked before seemingly coming back to himself. He threw her a quick smirk but opened the door wider.

  Abilene brushed past him, delighting in his sharp intake of breath. She’d had her own surprise when he’d open the door. Instead of the rough, handsome man she’d been expecting, Zak had cleaned up. He wore the thinnest pair of sweats she’d ever seen with the outline of his cock right there for all her enjoyment. His strong, wide shoulders were bare under his tank top. And he’d shaved. Completely naked of any hair on his face. The guy was just so fucking hot! Any doubts that she’d had about driving to see him disappeared.

  Abilene had checked into the hotel with Luca earlier, finding the accommodations much better than the motel she’d been in before. This hotel had a restaurant, bar and twenty-four-hour room service.

  Luca had been looking a little pale so after helping him to his room, she’d made sure he had everything he needed before going to her own.

  Showering then changing her clothes, Abilene had been at a loss as to what to do next. The long afternoon of interviews had had her agitated that they weren’t getting anything from their suspects. She’d needed to unwind and only one thought had come to mind.

  So she’d grabbed her keys and headed out. A quick call to Spencer had provided her with Zak’s address. As she’d worked with Jamie in the afternoon, she’d been constantly reminded of Zak. Jamie had mentioned him whenever the two of them had been alone. She hadn’t needed the constant reminder.

  Hell, her lips still tingled when she thought about the kiss she’d shared with Zak. The press of his lips over hers had been sweet and soft. Controlled. She wanted to steal that restraint away from him.

  “I was about to make a cup of coffee, would you like some?” he asked, closing the door behind her.

  She glanced over her shoulder, seeing him watching her closely.

  It wasn’t her imagination that his voice was husky and deeper than usual.

  She strolled back over and ran her finger down his chest. “We can start with coffee if you would like.”

  He caught her hand and brought it up to his mouth, tonguing the pulse in her wrist. “Come on then.”

  Abilene liked the fact that he didn’t let go of her. Instead he led her through a large living room to the back of the house. She could smell the brew that he’d offered and although she really couldn’t have cared less about the beverage, maybe it was good that he had suggested it.

  She wasn’t shy when it came to men but she’d never put herself out quite like she was doing with Zak. The last time she’d had a sexual partner had been over a year ago and she had dated him for eight weeks. There was just something about the sexy tiger shifter that she had to get her hands on. Zak led her to a dark rectangular table and pulled out a chair. “How do you take it?” he questioned.

  She laughed softly. The way that inquiry could be taken was just too good to pass up. Zak lifted an eyebrow and the words ‘hard and fast’ died on her lips. The spark in his eye was all predator and she had no doubt he was just waiting for a chance to pounce on her. While that was what she wanted, in the end, Abilene had every intention of making the first move.

  “Two creams and two sugars,” she replied instead.

  Grinning, he winked at her. “I figured.”

  He moved around the kitchen with grace, his big hands opening cabinets and drawers, pulling out cups and spoons. She had his attention too. His gaze flicked back and forth between what he was doing and her, time after time.

  “Should I ask what you’re doing here or how you got my address?” he asked.

  She accepted the mug before shrugging. “What if I told you one of your friends gave it to me?”

  “I would believe it.” He took the chair across from her.

  “Or maybe,” she said, leaning forward to sit the cup down, “I used my connections to stalk you.”

  Zak licked his bottom lip, and she had to clench her fist to keep from reaching out and touching him. She wanted it to be her tongue on his mouth.

  “That would be even better. It would mean you had to work to find me,” Zak commented gruffly.

  A tingle worked down her spine at the deep low tone his voice had taken. “You are most definitely work,” she said.

  “Yeah?” Zak asked as he settled back into his chair and picked up his coffee. He blew over the lip of the cup.

  Ah, she really wanted to taste him.

  “I don’t believe anyone has ever told me that before. I’m a pretty laid-back guy,” he said.

  She was already shaking her head. “Let’s be honest? We’re both adults.”

  Zak waved his hand at her so she took that as he agreed.

  “There was a spark between us when I pulled you and Luca over that first time. Not only that but my shifter side felt it too. I know you did, unless you always get hard when stopped by the police.”

  He laughed, surprising her. “God, I love the way you talk—no filter, no doubt, just take it or leave it.”

  She wouldn’t apologize for the way she was. She’d learned to protect herself at an early age. While her mind would race with ‘what ifs’ and uncertainty, she refused to let anyone else see that. “Are you denying what I said?”

  “Oh, hell no,” he told her. “Please continue.”

  “This morning I wanted to punch your lights out.”

  “I got that part,” he said dryly.

  “That wasn’t all, though,” she admitted.

  “Yeah.” Zak set his mug back down. “I could see that, too.”

  “So here I am,” she offered. “We can either see what this is between us or I can leave and we’ll bury it forever. That choice I’m giving to you.”

  “That choice?” he asked.

  Pulling on her bottom lip with her teeth, she openly ran her gaze up and down his hot body. “Tonight that is the only choice you’re going to make.”

  The low rumble surprised her. His chest expanded. “I’m agreeable to that.”

  She wasted no time throwing back her chair and meeting up with him on the other side of the table as he stood.

  Reaching up to grab onto those wide shoulders, she pulled him close, this time leaning up to take his mouth. He opened for her, and she could have just died and gone to heaven. This was what she’d been craving ever since she’d gotten her first taste of him.

  Zak’s hands came down to grip her waist, holding her tightly, as Abilene stroked her tongue inside his mouth. The power she felt at the knowledge that this strong man would let her take him was mind-numbing.

  She squirmed closer until her breasts brushed against his chest. She needed more.

  She backed away long enough to push up his tank top. He grabbed the back of the garment and tore it over his head before letting it fall to the ground. It only took a small amount of movement to get her tongue right there on his gorgeous pecs. She hummed a little as she lavished his right nipple then his left.

  Zak’s palms shook as he rubbed them down he
r back.

  “Take me to your bedroom,” she ordered softly.

  Expecting that he’d lead her by the hand, she gasped when instead he lifted her off her feet and into his arms. She wrapped her legs around his waist. “I wasn’t expecting that.”

  “Just following your demands,” he told her cheekily.

  With long, quick strides, he carried her out of the kitchen and through the house. Since she didn’t have to concentrate on not walking into walls, she used the opportunity to nibble on his neck.

  He stumbled on the first step of the stairs but caught himself before they could tumble down. “Feels good,” he said, while tilting his head to give her better access.

  She liked his encouragement. She could still taste the soap he must have used earlier in his shower. Running her tongue over the vein, she followed it up to bite at his chin. “Did you think about me while you were showering?” she asked.

  “Yessss,” he hissed.

  “Good,” she approved.

  His hand tightened on her ass, holding her more firmly against his body.

  Zak didn’t turn on any lights but she knew they’d finally made it to his bedroom. She could smell him in there, even though there was a distinct freshly cleaned and dusted aroma mixed in as well.

  That made sense, as Zak hadn’t even been home for the last several months.

  A thrill raced through her when she realized that he would be sharing his first night back with her in his bed. Sucking on his collarbone, she marked him in her own way.

  He rocked his hips into her. They weren’t at the right angle for her to feel his thrusts where she really wanted to but he was getting some friction off her. That wasn’t good enough.

  As soon as her back landed gently on the soft mattress, she used her legs to roll them both. Luckily the bed was wide enough to allow her to do so without the risk of them falling off. Since she hadn’t actually looked around, it was a very good thing.

  Zak’s eyes shone back at her as she straddled him. Leaning forward, she teased the side of his mouth with her tongue. He was already panting when her lips met his. Instead of spending the hours she really wanted to on kissing him, she pulled back.

  “Tonight you’re all mine, Zak Lewis,” she told him boldly.

  “Yes, yes please,” he agreed, pumping his hips up.

  “Not until I say,” she taunted while reaching back to cup his erection through his fragile cotton sweats.

  Chapter Nine

  “Damn.” Zak couldn’t hold back his curse. Even though Abilene was touching him through the barrier of his pants, it was still the best thing Zak could ever remember.

  “Hmm,” she murmured, before digging the heel of her hand harder into him.

  He needed that friction, the touch. Raising his hips, he was just about to start begging when her hand disappeared.

  “No!” he whined, opening his eyes. Fuck. He’d actually just whined.

  Her smile, though, was radiant. “There’s still more to come,” she promised.

  She was a vixen and had been put on the earth to torture him. That could be the only explanation. “Can you take what I give you, Zak?” she asked seductively.

  “Anything,” he begged.

  “We’ll have to see,” she teased. Straightening, she sat up, her ass landing on his cock. He wanted to thrust up but she had made it obvious that she was the one running this show.

  Her brown eyes seemed to melt as he stared up at her. Slowly, she started to pull her T-shirt up, revealing her flat stomach, then finally pulled it over her head. Her black silk bra barely contained her full breasts. He couldn’t stop himself from cupping her as he lifted his head to mouth the thin fabric. She moaned while arching above him. Zak couldn’t remember ever seeing a more gorgeous sight. Her soft flesh molded to his touch. Wetness from his lips soaked through to her nipples, which pebbled for him.

  “Yes,” she encouraged.

  As she started to rock against his cock, he slipped his palms around to unsnap her bra. He much preferred skin-to-skin contact. Closing his lips on her pert nub, he drew another sexy sound from her. Her nails scored his chest, making him buck.

  She laughed wickedly before scooting down to attack the waistband of his sweats. He’d never been as glad as he was in that moment that he’d gone without underwear. Abilene’s hot hand curled around his erection, and he groaned in pleasure. Her sure, strong grip was amazing.

  “Is this what you want?” she asked, pumping him.

  “You know it is,” he managed to respond.

  “Hmm, what about this?”

  He had no idea what the sound was that escaped his throat when she bent down and started to tongue him. He dug his fingers into the mattress to keep himself from grabbing her head and forcing her to take more than just his tip inside.

  She continued to tease him.

  “Please.”

  As she followed his direction and took more of his cock into her mouth, he pushed up just a bit. Her smooth tongue dragged along the bottom of his erection, making him shudder. Hollowing her cheeks, she started to suck with passion. He couldn’t keep his hands to himself any longer. Sliding his fingers through the curls of her hair, he made sure not to grip her too hard. Her technique was perfect. Long, slow slides of her mouth over him pushed him toward the edge.

  Sweat started to bead on his forehead as his stomach tightened in anticipation. Desperately, he plunged deeper, knowing he would spill soon.

  Her hand closed at the base of his cock as her mouth popped off him.

  “No!” he begged.

  “We’re not finished yet,” she assured him.

  “God…” He tried to get control of his breathing, to stop panting, so he could think straight.

  She backed off, rising to her knees. She plucked at the button of her jeans. He reached up to help but she caught his wrists. “Not yet,” she told him. He had no choice but to wait as she stripped off the rest of her clothes.

  His mouth watered at each new inch she revealed.

  “Come here,” he requested.

  Smiling, she crawled back up his body. “Yes?”

  “Kiss me?”

  Abilene brought her lips close to his. “Is that all you want?”

  Zak loved this playful side of her. Being someone’s lover should be fun. Yes, passion and excitement was vital, but Abilene’s exuberance was what had always been missing in the past.

  How could she be so damn perfect?

  “For now,” he replied, just before lifting his head and sealing their mouths together.

  The urgency of his earlier lust had backed off enough that he could appreciate the rhythm of their kiss. Abilene started to rub against him, her wet pussy only inches from his cock. He gripped her hips to get her to move faster. The friction they were creating caused a low rumble from his chest. If he were in his tiger form, he would no doubt be purring.

  His mind clouded with need.

  “You know what I’m looking forward to most?” Abilene asked.

  How in the hell could she still talk? He was about to split open in wanting her. He managed a grunt.

  “Making love with you with no barrier between us. No need for a condom between shifters. Just your cock inside me.”

  He growled before lurching up and grabbing the back of her hair. “You’re killing me!”

  “Let me make it better.” She kissed him before trailing her tongue down to his chin, where she nipped him.

  That bite of pain. Yeah, he liked that.

  Reaching back with her hand, she held his cock as she positioned herself on her knees. He stiffened his body while clenching his eyes closed. He shook so hard, keeping himself in check. As her body accepted the tip of his cock, they moaned in union. After so much time—all the teasing and taunting—he was finally inside her.

  She was wet and tight.

  Not able to hold back any longer, he lifted his hips.

  “Yes.” She rocked with him.

  Plunging deeper, he claim
ed Abilene with the first thrust.

  Her hands came down on his chest, squeezing, while she lifted her lips. His cock slipped halfway free before she slammed back down. Grasping her hips, he held on tight.

  They moved in perfect sync—two beings melding into one. It was powerful.

  His cock plunged inside each time Abilene came back down. His hands were slick as he helped her speed up.

  Abilene’s cries grew. Mixed sweetly with his own sounds. He started to lose his mind. His vision blurred just as she called out his name. Lurching up, he thrust faster, riding her through her orgasm. He exploded suddenly, filling Abilene with his seed and draining himself. He collapsed back onto the mattress, keeping his arms around Abilene to bring her down with him.

  Neither spoke and the only sounds in the room were their exhausted breaths.

  * * * *

  Abilene was warm and comfortable under the weight of Zak’s arm. Her shoulders sank into the soft mattress while she held onto his hand.

  What they’d shared earlier had been the best experience of her life. Afterward they’d lain together, just basking in gentle touches and brief kisses. Zak had eventually twisted them under the covers but had never released his hold on her. She felt so cherished.

  Lightly brushing the tips of her fingers over his, she didn’t want to wake Zak but just laze in the calmness she felt. There was so much drama that had taken place in the past few weeks. Everyone was safe, though. Her partner was back and they were starting the procedures to finally take down the SIP.

  She liked the way things were.

  Happily she went to work every day to stop people from using illegal weapons, bombs and other threats against innocent civilians. It didn’t matter to her whether they were human or shifters. Abilene loved being able to protect them. Even though she hadn’t worked with the Shifter Coalition before she could understand why they had formed.

  When the majority of the shifters had decided to announce their presence and become open to the public there had been so much concern about the consequences.

  Feline shifters, like herself and Zak, followed a royal line of leadership.