“So damn hot,” he growled then his fingers tightened on her hips and he drew back.
His first real thrust rocked her forward, making her breasts bounce. Pleasure zinged through her body as his second stroke found her G-spot. “There.” She gasped. “Right there!”
He seemed happy to comply. With one hand on her hip and the other on her shoulder, he rode her fast and hard. The wet slap of their bodies and the shadowy reflection of their straining added to the sexual haze. She came suddenly, clamping down so hard he chuckled, but his hips didn’t even slow.
She collapsed against the desk, forearms braced, afraid her knees would buckle and her legs would give out. His angle was different now, his cock head no longer rubbing her G-spot. She seldom came more than once, so it really didn’t matter.
He reached over and entered a command into the computer. The image on the main screen changed and she suddenly faced the scene with Devon and the guards. She tensed, yet the erotic tableau was undeniably arousing. Had he done this to mock her or was he excited by the incident?
His pace sped and she had her answer. He was wild now, using her body as he immersed himself in the erotic scene. It had only taken one command to launch the image. This couldn’t be the first time he’d watched the recording.
He returned his hand to her mound, and that clever finger resumed its steady stroking. She lifted onto the balls of her feet, giving him a better angle. He slid smoothly, filling her completely with each demanding thrust.
Tuning out the recording, she watched their reflection in the monitor. He remained proudly erect while she bent in submissive surrender. Her breasts rubbed against the cool desktop, her nipples painfully sensitive. Tension gathered, the sensation growing with each rotation of his hips. Never before had her need been so strong or her responses so ready.
He wrapped his arm around her waist and pounded into her, keeping her upper body pressed against the desktop. His fingers caught her clit and slowly squeezed as he drove his full length into her. Pleasure exploded, tensing every muscle in her body and electrifying her nerve endings. She cried out, the sound echoing off the walls. He shuddered against her back, his arm tightening as he twitched inside her.
For a long moment the only sound was their panting, and then a low chuckle rumbled in his chest. He casually reached over and reactivated the live feed of Devon’s room. “I knew you’d be a hot piece of ass, but damn, woman. I haven’t come that hard in years.”
She’d never had an orgasm like the one he’d just given her. Her knees shook and her inner muscles fluttered with little aftershocks.
He pulled out and quickly righted his clothes, but he grabbed the back of her neck before she could rise as well. “Was this a onetime rebellion or are you ready to explore even wilder pleasures?” His fingers stroked her creamy folds. He seemed fascinated by her slit.
“I don’t want to lose my job,” she whispered, squirming as his touch grew bolder.
“I told you that’s not going to happen.”
His slick fingers brushed across her anus and Carly froze. Was that what he meant by “wilder pleasures”? She’d always been tempted by the dark, forbidden nature of anal sex, but she’d never been bold enough to try it. She held her breath, waiting to see what he’d do next.
He reached around her with his other hand and effortlessly located her clit. “Are we done here?” He pushed his finger into her ass as he firmly rubbed her clit. The embers of her orgasm flamed back to life. Her inner muscles clenched and she cried out. “Or are you ready for more?”
“More.” She wiggled, driving his finger deeper. “I want more.”
“Glad to hear it.” He withdrew his finger and slapped her on the ass, his other hand deserting her as well. “When I’m ready to give it to you, I’ll let you know.” He slipped out the door as his triumphant laugh echoed in the small room.
With an exasperated cry, Carly straightened and pushed her skirt down to cover her shame. This hadn’t gone anything like she’d planned. She’d met her primary objective, but at what cost? She couldn’t let him use her desires against her. At the first sign of weakness, he’d pounce and devour her. Giving in to temptation would be self-defeating. And dangerous.
She sank on to the nearest chair and closed her eyes, drawing her blouse together over her sensitive nipples. Roberto was expecting a report detailing her progress. The backers would be thrilled to learn she’d seduced Osric so quickly, but somehow she would have to convince them she was still in control.
* * * * *
Carissa loved driving out of the mountains at night. Denver’s lights spread out across the plains, alive with life and promise. The city wasn’t large by metropolitan standards, but it was vibrant and unique.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Quinn prompted, his voice deep, almost sleepy.
She glanced at him, relieved to find his gaze alert and warm. He was remarkably easy to talk to, for such a rough-and-tumble badass. “I was just remembering.”
“Remembering what?”
“Mom took us to a performance of Wicked for our eighteenth birthday. We had a really nice dinner and then stayed in the Brown Palace so we didn’t have to drive home. The Buell is gorgeous and the play was amazing. It’s still one of the best nights of my life.” The bittersweet memory tightened her throat and made her heart ache. “I had no idea I’d lose her a few years later.”
He reached over and squeezed her hand. “Kyle will find Ava. You’re not going to lose her too.”
She hadn’t consciously made the connection, but he was right. The thought of losing Ava terrified her. And not just because of the danger her twin faced. Carissa had never been alone before, never considered a future without Ava’s love and support. They had both been devastated by their mother’s death, but they had faced the tragedy together.
“I’m scared.” She whispered the admission, unable to meet his gaze.
His warm hand covered hers again, but this time he kept it there, fingers loosely entwining with hers. “Anyone would be scared. I’d be worried if you weren’t.” He stroked the top of her hand with his thumb as his gaze returned to the road. “You’re not alone. You’ll understand that better once we reach the sanctuary.”
The sanctuary. Everyone who mentioned the place made it sound ominous or imposing. Where would Therians feel safe, especially in the middle of this conflict? “Why did Landon help us? He said he works for Erin, but who’s his father?”
“His father’s name is Nate Fitzroy. He’s the canine network’s Prime.”
“Which means Landon is in line to be the next canine Prime?”
“Alpha and Prime are not technically hereditary positions. The members of a clan, or pack in their case, must approve of their leader. But strong bloodlines tend to produce strong offspring. That’s why Nate is so interested in you.”
She shivered. “Nate wants to define me?”
“No. Like Osric, Nate already has a mate. And mated males don’t participate in definitions. He’ll either pressure you to mate with his son, or he’ll broker a—”
“But Landon is loyal to Erin.”
“Landon is his second son. I meant Bruce, his oldest.”
“Bruce is loyal to his father?”
“He’s loyal and ambitious and mean. You don’t want to mate with Bruce Fitzroy.”
She didn’t want to “mate” with anyone. A hot pressure dropped into the pit of her stomach as she remembered how close she’d come to mating with Quinn and how wonderful what they’d done felt. No, they hadn’t been trying to mate. They’d just had sex, just succumbed to the magnetism drawing them together. Any permanent decision was a long ways off.
But the magnetism was undeniable. She’d never felt so captivated by a man, never imagined wanting someone as badly as she wanted Quinn. She didn’t understand the attraction, but she could no longer deny it was real.
Shaking away her sensual musings, she focused on their surroundings. He’d turned onto I-25 and they were heade
d north, away from Denver. Wouldn’t it be easier to hide within the bustle of a crowded city? Perhaps the risk of exposure was too great.
“Where is this sanctuary located?”
He shot her a sidelong glance, his lips subtly bowed. “You’ll see.”
It took just over an hour to reach the compound. Carissa opened the door and climbed down from the truck, anxious to stretch her legs. A variety of vehicles were scattered about the gravel lot and floodlights illuminated the main building.
They’d gotten off the highway and headed east for at least twenty miles, leaving the suburbs far behind. Surrounded by farmland and barren fields, the sanctuary was a cluster of buildings and wedge-shaped fenced lots.
She turned in a slow circle, assessing the location from a defense standpoint. The Therians could see an enemy approach from any direction. If the fences were electrified, it would seriously hamper any advance. Unless the enemy could jump as high as Quinn, then the fences would be pointless.
With a weary sigh, Carissa squinted into the darkness, trying to understand the purpose for the fenced-off lots. As if to answer her unspoken question, a feline roar echoed in the distance. “Was that a…”
Quinn chuckled, his smile bright even in the shadows. “Not often you hear a lion in Colorado?”
“Was that a Therian or a real lion?”
“Therian lions aren’t real?” He swept his arm toward the lighted walkway and the building beyond.
“That’s not what I meant.”
“I’m just giving you a hard time. Come on.”
She started for the front door, listening for more incongruous sounds. Within seconds, she heard several low growls and another muffled roar. “What is this place?”
“A big cat sanctuary of course.” He pulled the door open for her and they entered a gift shop well stocked with stuffed animals and educational souvenirs. “They rehabilitate neglected and abused cats from all over the world.”
“Feline shapeshifters run a big cat sanctuary?” She shook her head, barely able to suppress her laughter. “This is too funny.”
“The sanctuary is more than just a cover. Erin has committed years of her life and a good deal of her fortune to this cause. But as you guessed, there’s more to the sanctuary than abused circus cats.”
He led her through the gift shop and along a raised walkway that led to the round building situated in the middle of the wedge-shaped pens. Tigers, cougars and a painfully thin male lion each had their own enclosure.
One of the tigers lifted its head as she approached. Its large gold-green eyes were curious yet sad. Carissa stopped in front of the gate and went down on one knee, instinctively inhaling the tiger’s scent. Female, hopelessness and fear. This poor girl had been horribly abused. The tiger inched closer to the front of the pen, her curiosity obviously warring with her fear.
“Be careful. Sometimes they’re not as harmless as they look.”
She glanced up at Quinn and smiled. “Isn’t that true of all big cats.”
The tiger halted its tentative approach well back from the gate. “She looks so sad.”
“She’s new. I don’t know her story.”
Carissa was so fascinated by the animals that Quinn had to gently pull her into the center building. “I’ll find someone to give us a tour in the morning. I need to let Erin know Nate’s on the move.”
She followed him through the unusual building, peering into each room they passed. There were treatment areas, stockrooms, even indoor pens. “This place is incredible.”
“And you haven’t even seen the best part yet.” He pulled open a door indistinguishable from the others and revealed a staircase.
Unsure what to expect, she warily descended the stairs. Her heart beat faster with each step she took and an odd tension gripped her stomach. A short, tiled corridor led to a control room. Security cameras and computers were arranged in six neat stations. Only one of the stations was manned at the moment and Carissa wondered what sort of event would require five additional operators.
The guard-technician swiveled his chair around as they entered the room. “Jenaro.” His tone was terse, his hazel eyes hostile.
“Erin’s expecting us.”
He ignored the response and pushed to his feet. “I’m Eli. Welcome to sanctuary.” He stuck out his hand and smiled, drawing her attention to his gold-green eyes. Awareness replaced the mistrust and the smile softened his features. With shaggy blond hair and a rich golden tan, he looked like the ski bums who put their lives on hold as soon as the first snowflake hit the Rockies.
“Carissa.” She shook his hand, annoyed by the sudden difference in his attitude.
“They’re all out at Erin’s house. I’ll let her know you’ve arrived.”
Eli seemed friendly enough until he looked at Quinn, and then resentment radiated off him in tangible waves. Would all the Therians be like this? No wonder Quinn lived alone. “Nice to meet you,” she said as Quinn led her from the room.
They hurried along a tunnel and Carissa shivered. The hard-packed earth and thick timber supports reminded her of a mine shaft. At least there were electric lights. Tromping through this underground passage with nothing but a flashlight would have been creepy and claustrophobic.
The tunnel branched off in several places, but Quinn seemed to know where he was going. “Where do the other tunnels lead?”
“To other houses. The cat sanctuary sits on thirty acres, but the network owns almost two hundred. The tunnels were dug over several generations. Now they connect all the network properties, making it possible to pass from one to another without exposure and little risk.”
“And the neighbors have no idea any of this is here?”
“Their closest neighbor is half a mile away.”
When they reached the end of the tunnel, Quinn knocked on the stout wooden door. The peephole seemed to blink as someone moved in front of the tiny lens. Then she heard the lock click and the door was opened.
“Jenaro.” Ian held the door open as they moved into a large laundry room. He winked at Carissa then led them upstairs.
They emerged in a mudroom at the back of the house, which opened onto a large country kitchen. With a cheerful décor that featured roosters and well-organized counters, the overall impression was rustic yet cozy.
The low rumble of numerous voices warned Carissa that Erin wasn’t alone. Ian walked into the living room without interrupting the conversation and sat beside Erin on the couch. Carissa and Quinn remained standing as the others rearranged, allowing her to sit beside Quinn on the matching loveseat. The room was warm and welcoming, much like its primary occupant.
“We all know damn good and well the only purpose for the dictate is to provoke us.” Jake, the tiger-biker Carissa had met earlier, tapped his booted foot, as if his anxious energy demanded release.
“Provoke us into what?” a massive bearded man on Jake’s right asked. Gray strands threaded through his dark hair, but his bushy beard was entirely gray. He glanced at Carissa, his eyes so dark, she couldn’t distinguish between iris and pupil. “None of us is willing to wage war on our own clan regardless of how misguided the alphas have become.”
“The alphas aren’t misguided, they’re allowing themselves to be controlled by outside forces,” Jake argued. “It’s the outside forces we need to confront.”
The burly man snorted. “Good luck with that.”
“What’s going on?” Quinn asked as the conversation lulled.
Erin scooted to the edge of the couch, her cheeks rosy, green eyes bright. “The Alpha Council took advantage of Kyle’s distraction to rule on several controversial requests, including Osric’s petition regarding Ava.”
That snapped Carissa to full alert. “What does that mean? What did they say about Ava?”
Before Erin could respond, the burly man stood and crossed the room. “Name’s Holt.” He stuck out his massive hand with obvious expectation. She shook his hand, impressed by the controlled strength of his
firm grip. His fingers released and he went on. “You know Jake and that mean son of a bitch is Dilbert Payne.” He leaned down and added in a stage whisper, “But don’t call him Dilbert. Makes him cranky. He prefers Payne.”
“In more ways than one,” Jake added with a snicker.
Carissa looked at Payne and inclined her head. He’d been so still and silent, she’d hardly noticed him sitting there. With thick tawny hair and gleaming gold eyes, he reminded her of a lion. Not the sickly specimen she’d seen at the sanctuary, but a lethal, wild lion crouched in wait for its unsuspecting prey.
Payne returned her subtle nod then shifted his gaze back to Erin. He still didn’t speak.
“How did the council respond to Osric?” Quinn prompted as Holt ambled back to his chair.
“Ava has until Friday to name her mate and then Osric is approved to choose her mate for her and see that she’s defined,” Erin explained then her gaze darted toward Carissa. “Nate has been granted the same rights regarding you.”
“This is ridiculous,” Carissa flared. “Can’t we appeal to the next level? The Prime Council or whatever?”
“If Kyle submits an appeal, he can’t vote,” Ian reminded her. “I’d vote in Ava’s favor, but that leaves the decision up to Nate and Fredrick. Obviously, Nate would vote against you. Fredrick is Prime of the Southern Feline network, but his decisions are unpredictable.” Ian shook his head. “It’s not worth the risk. Disobeying an order from the Prime Council is grounds for lifelong banishment or worse.”
“There has to be something we can do.” Anxiety zinged through her system speeding her heart and making her fidgety. “Where the hell is Ava? Are people still searching for her?”
“As you know, the wolves have shifted their focus to you, but Kyle and our hunters are doing their best to find her.” Erin stood and walked toward Carissa. Her regal bearing commanded attention while her voice remained calm. “If Ava were on the run, Kyle would have found her by now. But her car is still parked at home. She hasn’t used a credit card or touched her phone. Willona taught you two how to disappear and that’s exactly what Ava has done.”
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