“You’re going to drive me nuts.” Joel pinched the bridge of his nose. “There is so much I need to tell you. Give me time, okay?”
“So what now?” asked Hayden. “You’ve got a girlfriend? A girl cat? What? And what do we do about the lunatic, Branker? Maybe you’d better tell me everything now.”
“I shifted, which makes me more valuable. You’re right. If I hadn’t, then I’d be an ordinary cat. But I don’t have another woman in the wings. You own me.”
“I see. Well, you can’t hide for the rest of your life.”
“But I can find my mate.” He squeezed her hand tighter. “With her and the magic, I’ll be able to shift when I want, and my DNA will bond with hers. I’ll mutate enough he can’t do shit with me.”
“That’s… strange and sad.” Hayden stared at him for a pregnant moment. “Who is your mate?”
Joel grinned. No hesitation, no second thoughts. “You.”
* * *
“You do realize this is a lot to throw at a girl. First you’re not just my cat, but a guy. There’s some crazy guy wanting you dead -- oh, and I can change that. Geez.” Her brain fuzzed. Nothing made sense. And damn it, she’d need to get another cat. She rather liked having the fur baby to talk to. Then again, Joel wasn’t a bad companion.
“I’m sorry, babe.” He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “I wasn’t sure how else to tell you.”
Hayden massaged her temples. Her brain hurt. She loved her cat and damn, seeing Joel in his human form turned her on, but mates? Like a forever connection? It didn’t seem possible. “How do you know I’m the one? I’m your person when you’re a cat, but you haven’t really known anyone else. There could be someone out there who is better for you.” Her heart hammered. She could hope all she wanted she was the one for him, but hope meant very little sometimes.
“Hildy told me I’d know when I met the person for me.” Joel crooked his fingers under her chin.
“The witch? She’s just a nice old lady in a slightly beat-up house. Okay, she’s cornered the market on cats, but people expected her to. She personifies crazy cat lady.”
“Hildegard is a bit unhinged, I agree, but there’s more to her than just a crazy old woman. She’s got a gift. She knew who we would eventually belong to. Don’t ask me how she knew, but she did. When you came along, I knew, too. I saw it in your eyes.”
“You’re sappy.” Hayden slid off the table and righted her dress. “So to protect you, we screw around. Fine. Let’s do this thing.” At least she’d know her heart wasn’t involved. She strode across the townhouse towards the bedroom. A shimmer of anticipation slid through her veins. If Joel knew what to do with his human body, then they’d have a hot time.
“No.” Joel stepped between her and the hallway. “Not going to happen.”
“No?” She ducked around him. Great. So she was good enough to be his mate, but not sexy enough to fuck. Nice, just nice, and par for the course.
“Hayden.” The angst in his voice made her pause. She kept her back to him and didn’t head into the bedroom.
“Explain it to me.” She wrapped her arms around her torso. “Be honest.”
Joel gathered her in his arms and rubbed his chin on the top of her head. “The change has to happen because we’re in love. I can love you as much as possible, but if you don’t return the feeling, nothing happens.”
“That makes no sense.” She stared at the carpet. “It’s sex and magic. Love doesn’t need to be involved.” Besides, when he got what he wanted -- freedom from Branker -- he’d be on his merry way to the woman he really wanted.
Joel padded around her, then gripped her upper arms. “It’s not just sex. It’s me giving myself over to you.” He dipped his head, looking her in the eye. “We’re a permanent couple. At least we are for me. You can leave my ass high and dry whenever you want. I’m loyal and I’ll stick by you for the rest of my life.”
“Oh.” Her head swam. Too many thoughts, too much information, and no way to understand it so fast.
Joel coaxed her down the hall to the bedroom. “It’s late and I don’t want to talk anymore. Let me hold you.”
“You are.” Hayden shrugged out of his arms. She needed to change, but things were so much more complicated with him in human form. “How do we do this? I don’t mind getting naked in front of a cat. They don’t talk back. But you? You’ll see my flaws. I’m not sure I want you to.”
“We take our time and get used to each other.” Joel held her hand and led her to the bed. Instead of ripping off her clothes like she expected, he sat on the edge of the mattress. “Come here.” He eased her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her. “I’m going to kiss you, touch you, and prove what we’ve got between us is real, no matter what I look like.”
Hayden tipped her head and captured his bottom lip between hers. She licked and nipped him, enjoying the feeling of his scruffy cheeks against her mouth. The bulge in his jeans rubbed her pussy and sent shivers through her body. For a guy who wasn’t supposed to have any skills, he knew his way around her body. She forked her fingers into his hair and pulled.
“Hay, that feels good.” He hiked her skirt higher, baring her bottom.
Hayden sucked in her stomach and backed away from him. “Let’s turn the light out.”
“And miss out on seeing you?” Joel loosened her zipper. He palmed her ass. “You forgot I spent most of my time on your bed watching you. I know what you look like and I’m hooked. I want to see you and feel you.”
“Joel.” She fisted his shirt in both hands. “This is surreal.”
“For me, too.” He kissed her again, this time leaving a trail of heat from her lips to her neck, then down to her cleavage. His breath warmed her skin and his light touch eased her fears.
Might as well go for it. She inched off his lap and stood. The skirt slipped past her hips and pooled at her feet. She grasped the hem of her tunic and yanked the silky material up over her head.
“Beautiful,” Joel gasped. He threaded his fingers with hers and held her close. From her breasts to her belly, he kissed and licked. The strap of her bra slipped down her shoulder, revealing more of her to him. She fought the urge to push it back into place.
“Leave it,” he murmured and moved the other strap out of the way. The cups barely covered her nipples. Joel reached around her and popped the clasp, then moved the pesky lace. “That’s what I wanted to see. You.”
He cupped her face in both hands. “Teach me what I need to learn. Take the lead and show me everything.”
He wanted her to take the lead? Good Lord. Hayden squared her shoulders. He wanted to learn, she’d teach him. She pushed him onto the bed and crawled astride his thighs. One by one, she unfastened his buttons, raking her fingers over his chest between buttons. He gazed up at her and his lips parted.
“Baby.” He palmed her breasts, pinching and flicking her nipples.
“Like that,” she murmured, then pulled the elastic from her hair.
Joel’s eyes lit up and he stroked her bare arms. “That is so sexy.” He sat up, keeping her on his lap, and flattened his tongue over her breast.
Sparks shot from her nipple to her core. She wanted more of his kisses, more of his touches, more of him. When he switched to her other breast, she moaned and rocked on his lap. Cream coated her panties and her skin tingled. She spread her legs wide, rubbing her juices on him.
“I don’t know what you’re doing to me, but I don’t want it to stop.” He gripped her hips. “More.”
Hayden smiled. She loved knowing she had him on edge. She crawled off his lap and dragged her panties from her drenched cunt. The fabric landed on the floor at her feet.
“You’re a fast learner.” She climbed back onto his lap, but this time she didn’t stop at his thighs. She worked her way up his chest, rubbed her juices over his skin and marked him, then planted her knees on either side of his head. “Kiss me.”
Wicked need flashed in his eyes and he palmed her bre
asts. Hayden parted her pussy lips. “Right there.”
With his hands on her chest, Joel slid his tongue up and down her slit. Her head lolled on her shoulders and she gripped the headboard for stability. He bit and sucked every inch of her folds. Joel scraped his teeth over her clit.
Hayden cried out. Maybe it was the thrill of being his first or the lust they already shared but something changed deep in her soul. He’d been a part of her life and she wanted more. She writhed on his face, loving his tongue on her body. Flutters started low in her belly and her legs quaked. Fighting the need to come, she scooted away from his greedy mouth.
“What?” He wiped his lips, then reached for her. “I wasn’t done eating.”
“You can do that later. We’ve got time.” Hayden sat at his side. “Pants. Off.” She nodded. “My turn to see you.”
Joel wriggled out of his jeans. He lay spread eagle on her bed. His cock, thick with a slight curve, pointed to the ceiling. A thatch of black hairs meandered up to his belly button in a thin line. Taste him? Fuck him? Both sounded like good ideas. She dragged her tongue along the underside of his dick. Salt and spice exploded on her taste buds. Pre-come glistened on the blunt head of his cock and she lapped at him.
“Holy shit.” Joel’s belly tensed, defining each muscle in his abs. “Want inside you.”
Okay, she’d take care of him later. Hayden licked her lips, then lined his cock up with her pussy. She breathed out and bore down on him.
“Fuck,” Joel growled. He arched his back, pushing more of his cock into her. Inch by delicious inch, he filled her. She groaned at the tight fit, but didn’t relent. No way she’d miss this. She tipped her head back and cupped her breasts. His pubic hairs tickled her cunt lips and the pressure from his slight thrusts tapped her clit. She rocked on his lap, rubbing him everywhere within her.
“Like heaven.” Joel held onto her waist. “I’ve craved this.” He tugged her forward. Her hair fell in her eyes and she rested her body on his. “Craved you.” He rolled them both over, pinning her beneath him. The angle gave him better leverage. He braced on his hands and knees. His thrusts sped up and a bead of sweat collected on his brow. The veins in his neck bulged and his breaths puffed on her skin.
Hayden hooked her ankles together at the small of his back and met him thrust for thrust. Joel gnashed his teeth. Yellow flashed in his green eyes and he groaned.
“Can’t hold this in.” He shook his head and panted. “Babe.”
“Come for me,” she whispered. She’d lost the battle to stave off her own orgasm. She arched her back and wrapped her fingers around his wrists. “Now.”
Joel trembled and his seed filled her womb. He continued to thrust, keeping their connection strong.
Hayden cried out and dug her nails into his arms. “Joel.” Stars exploded behind her eyes and her legs trembled. Her belly flip-flopped and her skin prickled.
For a long moment, Joel crouched over her and rested his forehead on hers. He touched her with soft pecks and open-mouthed kisses. “I’ve wanted to do this so many times. Sleeping by your side isn’t the same when you’re a cat. I’ve been in your arms -- now I want you in mine for the entire night.”
“I can do that.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. Being with him was dangerous, but somehow the danger didn’t bother her. Knowing there was a distinct chance he’d want someone other than her -- now that scared her shitless. He wasn’t just her house cat. He was a sexy man who made her naughty fantasies look tame. He embodied the man she dreamed of. She loved him, but was that love enough to build a future together?
Chapter Three
“How’d you get so good at sex?” She stared into his eyes. “If that was your first time, you’re better than average. I think you’re holding back.”
Joel shrugged, then pulled out of her. He flopped on his back and opened his arms. She’d blown his mind. He’d seen her with other men. How could he not? He’d been stuck in feline form for the last twelve months. Most of the guys she dated never made it past the living room. Ted had, and seeing her with him had made Joel mad as hell. Ted treated her like shit. Joel enjoyed snarling and hissing at the jackass.
He wasn’t sure how she felt, but love bubbled in his heart. He’d been more than a little infatuated with her since she took him home, but the sex pushed him over the edge. He knew down to his soul she was his mate.
“Come here.” When she snuggled up beside him, he petted her hair. He’d never get enough of her. “Being a cat means you can observe without people realizing it. I observed a lot, and some of it made me jealous as hell. You have a lot of toys. Toys aren’t as good as the real thing.”
Her eyes widened and she shrank away from him. “I never realized you watched me.” Pink flooded her cheeks.
Hot sex and she still succumbed to embarrassment. Goddess, he loved her.
“Did you hear something?” Hayden sat up. Her hair fell about her face in tangles and she covered her breasts. “A clicking sound?” She tipped her head. “Something is clicking. What’s going on?”
Joel sniffed the air. The smell was back -- the rank stench of death. He heard the clicking, too. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end. Not Branker, but one of his men. Shit. “Go in the bathroom.”
“Why?” Hayden yanked the sheet around her body. “What’s going on?”
He sniffed the air. Theodore Nugent -- the man who claimed he lost the mother cat and all her kittens. “Nugent, Branker’s right-hand man and a son of a bitch of a liar.” Joel hiked his jeans back up past his hips. “He’s here.” He pointed to the bathroom. “Hide in the bathroom. Lock the door. This isn’t your fight.”
“But he’ll kill you.” She shook her head. “You can’t fight him alone.”
“And I can’t risk you.” Joel tugged his shirt down and then zipped his pants. “The bastard will hurt you to get to me. I love you too much to let you take the fall for me.” He bounded past her to the living room. The front door handle jiggled. Now Joel knew what the clicking sound had been -- Nugent dicking with the locks. “Get the fuck out of here, Nugent.”
“I have orders. I’m staying until you give up,” came the guttural voice from the other side of the door. “Or until your girlie gives you up. Was she a good lay? Nice and tight? Or sloppy and loose? I bet she’s worn out and dry from all those other guys she’s been with.”
“He’s goading you,” Hayden replied from behind Joel. “Don’t give in.”
“Hay.” Damn it. Part of him wanted her to listen to him. The rest of him respected her coming to his aid. “I know he’s lying. It’s what he does. But you shouldn’t be out here. He will hurt you.”
“You’re my cat and my boyfriend. Nobody takes that away from me.” She’d dressed in a sloppy T-shirt and her sleep shorts. She nodded. “You’re not alone.”
“Isn’t that sweet? She’s going to stick with you.” Nugent thumped the door. “Take what you can get now. I know where you are, and Branker will be here in a minute. You can’t leave. Give up now and let your little girlfriend there know you’ll be back to a cat in a day’s time.”
Joel bit back a growl. Damn it. The asshole knew the other half of the equation. Confusion and frustration swirled in his brain. They’d had a connection. She brought out feelings he never thought he’d experience. He loved her. What the hell? If she wasn’t his mate, then yeah, he’d be a fucking housecat until Halloween again. He wasn’t about to succumb to another year of watching Hayden and knowing he couldn’t touch her. But another year beat being dead.
“I’m not worried.” Hayden grasped Joel’s hand. “Bring it.”
On the other side of the door, Nugent laughed. “I knew this would happen. She sold your puss ass out.”
“Hay, I’ve got to change.” Joel released her hand and closed his eyes. His bones popped and fur sprouted on his back. His teeth elongated and his ears pointed. He jumped into Hayden’s arms. Goddess, he hoped making love to her had done the trick. He’d lost his heart to
her from the start. He stared at her, knowing full well she’d never understand his meows and cries.
“Yeah,” she murmured. “I don’t like him either. The cops should be here any minute. I called them after I changed.”
Maybe she did understand.
The door creaked, then slapped the wall with a thunderous thump. Nugent glared at Joel. “There you are, you rotten ball of maggot fur.”
“Maggot fur?” Hayden clutched Joel to her chest. “You don’t scare me. You won’t get shit from us.”
“Oh, I will.” Nugent held something in his hand. The object flashed.
Joel’s heart hammered. The bastard had a gun. Before he could react, stars exploded behind his eyes. He slumped in her arms. Nugent had used tranquilizer darts. The world faded into nothing and Joel fought to keep conscious.
Oh, fuck.
* * *
“What did you do?” Hayden clutched her cat. “You killed my cat.”
“I’m taking a problem off your hands.” Nugent aimed the gun at her. “Now drop him or I’ll do the same to you.”
“Not a chance.” Hayden glanced around the room. Running wasn’t an option. Another shadow darkened the doorway. “Now who?” she murmured. Please let the cops be outside.
“Let her go.” The figure stepped into the light. The man snarled. His hair hung in damp hanks around his gaunt face. His eyes didn’t sparkle or shine. No, his eyes reminded her of dead space. Nothing. Flat. Haunted.
The man stalked towards her. “Your kitty is very important to me.” Branker’s lip curled in a sneer and he flexed his fingers. “Let me take him off your hands. He’ll be more trouble to you than he’s worth.”
She loved Joel, more than she’d realized, but that love wasn’t going to be enough. No matter how much she wanted to argue and how much she planned to fight Branker, he’d overpower her. The two of them would tackle her in a heartbeat.
Branker lunged forward and grabbed her. Joel dug his claws into her arms, then sprang from her grasp. Her heart squeezed and her head slapped the floor. She bit her tongue and the coppery taste of blood flooded her mouth. Her vision blurred for a moment and she blinked to focus on her cat. Joel only made it to the door before Nugent tossed him in a sack. Lights flashed and she blinked again.
Cat Class (Trick Or Treat) Page 2
