Therian Prize: 5 (Therian Heat)

by Friberg, Cyndi

  She watched him silently, enjoying the bunch and flex of his toned body. “Do any of your sisters still live at home?”

  “The youngest moved out last summer.” He climbed into the spa and sat down across from her. “She lived in the dorms for the first two years but found it hard to study. So she and two friends found an apartment in Boulder. I think they’ll all be much happier.” He shook his head and reached for the wine bottle. “I can’t believe she’s old enough to be on her own.”

  “She goes to CU?” He nodded and an odd ache surrounded her heart. Of course Jake’s sister would attend university. Heather sank deeper into the water. She’d always wanted to go to college but her father thought education was a waste of money. According to Nate, Therian males knew everything they needed to know instinctively and Therian females only needed to know how to please their males.

  Not wanting to dwell on the contrast between their lifestyles, she moved the conversation onward. “What about the other two? Is Enya oldest or in the middle?”

  He handed her a glass of wine then turned and activated the jets. The motor rumbled for a moment then air gushed out, creating powerful currents and a blanket of bubbles. “Liz is oldest. She’s been married four years and has two daughters. Enya’s next. As you know, she helps me with Toulouse Tavern. And Tara’s the one who lives in Boulder. She wants to do something in the medical field, nurse, imaging technician or maybe a doctor. It will depend on how long she wants to stay in school.”

  “And you were just twenty-one when you lost your parents?” He probably didn’t like to talk about it but she’d always been fascinated by his sacrifice. Few men in their early twenties would take on the responsibility of three teenage girls.

  “I was almost twenty-two.” He turned away as he filled his wineglass but she could see the tension in his shoulders. Was he thinking about all he’d missed out on as he struggled to rear his siblings or was he embarrassed by the attention? “Liz was sixteen, Enya fourteen and Tara had just turned twelve. There was no way I was going to let the state split them up or warehouse them in some group home. We’re family and families take care of each other. End of story.”

  It was certainly not that simple in her family. There had always been tension in the Fitzroy household. Pack had always come before personal wants or needs. She couldn’t even imagine what it would be like to have her happiness factored into the equation, much less be the top consideration. She took several sips of wine, trying to ignore the heaviness creeping over her heart.

  “Do you work at the Clubhouse because you enjoy it or because your father expects it of you?”

  She shot him an impatient glance. “Do you really need to ask?”

  “Okay. If pack obligations were not an issue, what would you do with the rest of your life?”

  She tried to smile and failed. She used to lie in David’s arms daydreaming about what life would be like once her father accepted that they were together. Then David died and everything changed. The future ceased to exist and the present became something she endured day by day. Her father would never allow her to have a life beyond his control, so what was the point in dreaming?

  “I don’t know.”

  “Come on. You can do better than that.” He splashed her, his tone light and playful. “Where would you live? Bungalow on the beach? Penthouse apartment in Manhattan?”

  “No way.” Despite her emotional caution, her imagination engaged and possibilities filled her mind. “I love the mountains. I have no desire to live in a city.”

  “Okay, we can work with that.” His gaze softened as it drifted from her eyes to her mouth and back. “Mountain communities depend on tourism, so what can you do to attract tourists?”

  “I could open a B&B or a café. Even a bar would be okay, if I could actually manage it.”

  “Those are all good choices. The first two would allow you time for yourself in the evening and a bar allows you to sleep all day.”

  “You sound like a guidance counselor. You realize that, don’t you?”

  He chuckled and stared at her over the rim of his wineglass. “Habit. Sorry. Taking care of my sisters has made me sort of paternal.”

  She returned his stare and awareness arced between them, hot and electric. His sisters might see him as a surrogate father but her feelings for him were anything but familial. She wanted to straddle his legs and kiss his mouth while his cock filled her over and over.

  “Landon said you love animals.” The statement jarred her out of her sensual haze. What were they talking about? Her mind had completely abandoned the conversation. “Maybe you could open a shelter.”

  “I do love animals, but running a shelter would be so sad. Do you realize how many of those animals they end up euthanizing?” She shook her head and paused for another sip of wine. “I couldn’t deal with that.”

  “Devon and her mom run a big cat sanctuary. Actually it’s expanded to include all sorts of predators—cats, wolves, bears.”

  Why were they still talking? Didn’t he feel this magnetic current swirling around them, drawing them closer together? “I’d love to see it, but I don’t want to bring trouble to their front door. I’d better wait until this thing with my father is resolved one way or the other.”

  He set down his mostly empty glass and stretched his arms out along the tub’s rim. The muscles in his shoulders bunched and his pecs rose, forming symmetrical curves. Lust spiraled through her body and congregated between her thighs.

  “All right, let’s talk about that.” He went on as if her body temperature weren’t about to evaporate the water surrounding them. “What are your options?”

  Top or bottom? Slow and easy or fast and frantic? “Play hide-and-seek for the rest of my life.”

  He smiled. “Sounds exhausting.”

  “True.” She downed the rest of her wine and took a deep breath. He seemed determined to talk, so she reined in her surging desire. “I can ask someone to define me. That will alleviate the threat from the backers, but my father will still be a problem.”

  “What do you need to do to take your father out of the equation?”

  She handed him her empty glass as a sad smile parted her lips. “Other than hiring a hit man?”

  “I’m willing to leave that option on the table, but I don’t think you could live with the guilt.” Rather than setting the glass aside as she’d expected, he refilled it and passed it back to her.

  “I was kidding.” Little by little the subject was eroding her physical longing.

  “I know,” he assured, but the lethal gleam in his eyes made her shiver.

  They hadn’t had sex last night because she was upset and her future was still undecided. Was that why Jake was keeping his distance? Did he want a concrete plan in place before they indulged their passion? The possibility gave her hope, so she focused on the topic.

  “If I want Dad to leave me alone, I have to choose a mate.” Suddenly the idea wasn’t nearly as demoralizing as it used to be. If she could find someone like Jake to… No, she didn’t want to find someone like Jake, she was imagining a future with Jake and that was dangerous. They might be attracted to each other but any sort of long-term relationship would be impossible.

  “That’s a permanent decision,” he reminded.

  “I’ve been thinking about that. If a Therian couple is genetically compatible their bodies synchronize.”

  His gaze focused on her mouth as he grinned. “I’m aware.”

  She knew about the various links Therian couples could form but she’d never experienced any of them. She’d only been with Carlos once and her sexual encounters with David had been sporadic at best. “The synchronization lasts three months and the couple becomes disinterested in anyone except their synchronized partner. Correct?”

  “Basically. It’s more intense than disinterest. If a female is in sync, she often becomes combative with other males.”

  “Is the male combative with other females?”

  “Sometimes
it hits one partner harder or faster than the other, but eventually they’ll both be affected by the link.”

  “How different does synchronization feel from a mating bond? Would it be possible to pass one off as the other?”

  He looked off into the distance, his expression thoughtful, eyes narrowed. “It would depend on the person you were trying to fool.” She was starting to wonder if he realized where this was leading then his gaze shifted back to her. “How sensitive is your father?”

  “His sense of smell is unbelievable, but his psychic abilities are average.”

  “You would rather link yourself to a man for three months than find out more about Devon’s elixir?”

  She finger-combed her hair back from her face as her mind replayed all the things Devon had told her. If the formula worked the way Devon said, Heather would not only be defined, she would absorb multiple animal natures. How was that possible? She’d never met anyone who could manifest as more than one animal. Well, Devon claimed she could, but Heather had been too surprised to ask for a demonstration.

  “If the formula came from Therians, I wouldn’t hesitate,” she told him. “But this came from the backers. How can I possibly trust something that came from those amoral bastards?”

  “I understand your hesitation. I don’t trust them either. But I do trust Devon. Not only has the formula been in her system for weeks, not days, but she’s being monitored by the Garrans every step of the way. If she’s felt no side effects—other than an increased libido—then the formula is safe.”

  “It’s only been two weeks since she was injected. It’s too soon to determine whether it’s safe or not.”

  “So we’re back to synchronization?” His tone grew low and rough. He came up off the bench and caught her wrist. “Do you have someone in mind?” Slowly he drew her across the spa as he sat back down.

  She stood in front of him, wet shirt clinging to her breasts, breathless and achy. “You know I do.”

  He moved his legs apart and pulled her closer. “Say it. Tell me what you want.”

  “I want…” Desire curled through her body, lodging between her thighs with enough intensity to steal her breath. She wanted so many things and most of them involved Jake. She tried to look away but he stood and took her face between his hands.

  “Your father is pissed with you now, but your entire pack, maybe your entire network, will hate you if we become lovers. Are you ready for that?”

  He voiced the question with just enough challenge to unleash her resolve. “My pack has never done anything to assist or protect me. I’ve been treated like a commodity by my family and my pack.” Suddenly realization dashed the momentary heat. “We need to do something about Lexxie.”

  His hands lowered to his sides and he eased back. “Does your father have reason to suspect she’s helping you?”

  “It doesn’t matter. She’s the only one left within his power that I give a damn about. As soon as he figures that out, he’ll use her to get to me.”

  Jake nodded and motioned to the bench submerged in the water. “Sit back down. I’m going to summon one of my sentinels.”

  Happy to oblige him, she sank into the water and pressed her back against one corner of the spa. Jake rested his hands on the tub’s rim and lifted his face. There was no audible signal but Heather could sense the ripple of psychic energy.

  A few moments passed and then a black-clad woman leapt onto the lower level of the deck. With brown hair and ordinary features, at first glance she seemed to pose no threat. She stood slightly taller than average and moved with confident strength and obvious athleticism. The hillside was incredibly steep at that end of the property. Where the heck had she come from?

  “What can I do for you, sir?” The woman’s dark gaze darted to Heather as she waited for Jake’s reply. Her hair was pulled straight back into a ponytail and her expression was anything but approachable. This had to be Natasha. Unless Jake surrounded himself with fearless females. Heather found the possibility mildly annoying.

  “I need one of our human contacts to hustle down to Silverthorne and pick up Lexxie. The wolves cannot realize cats are involved.”

  The woman nodded. “I have a man in the area already. Is Lexxie expecting to be picked up?”

  “No, so he’ll need to be creative. Make sure Lexxie knows this is being done to protect her and she shouldn’t be too much trouble.”

  “Famous last words.” Without elaboration, the woman turned and left, leaping the railing and disappearing as suddenly as she’d appeared.

  “Was that Natasha?”

  “Now that you’ve seen her, are you still jealous?” He grinned as he sat on the adjacent bench.

  “That’s cruel and I wasn’t jealous.”

  He caught her wrist and pulled her toward him. The water made the maneuver easier than it should have been. Rather than resist him, she straddled his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. She’d wanted to touch him and be touched by him for months. Why should she pretend indifference now?

  “I didn’t mean to imply that Natasha was unworthy of affection, only that I prefer a less militant female.”

  “I see.” She combed his damp hair with her fingers, savoring the silken pull of the thick strands. “I think you’re too vain to be seen with someone so utterly unconcerned with outward appearance.”

  The criticism didn’t faze him at all. “Isn’t that what I just said?”

  Without warning, his hand tangled in the back of her hair and his mouth sealed over hers. She tensed for a second, unprepared for his sudden aggression. Then heat and hunger crept over her soul and she surrendered to the kiss. This is what she’d wanted, what she’d imagined all those nights alone in bed. It was finally happening. Her head began to spin and giddy excitement sped her heartbeat.

  But Jake was a cat, her pack’s sworn enemy. Could she do this to… She cut the thought short, refusing to give in to the conditioned response. She didn’t hate cats, certainly didn’t hate Jake, and that was all that mattered.

  His lips moved with careful command while his tongue teased the seam of her lips. She opened to him, expecting a deep plunge yet receiving more teasing caresses. He beckoned her, melting her inhibitions as the kiss went on and on. She touched his tongue with the tip of hers then pushed deeper, exploring with the boldness he withheld.

  A growl rumbled in his throat as she filled his mouth with her taste. She shifted the angle of her head and greedily absorbed his taste as well. Rich yet earthy, with just a hint of crisp wine, his flavor was every bit as addictive as she’d feared.

  He released her hair and pulled the t-shirt off, forcing their mouths apart. She tried to reestablish the kiss but he held her at arm’s length. “It will take a lot more than sex. You realize that, don’t you?” His gaze drifted to her breasts, lingering with obvious interest before returning to her face. “I’ll need to link our minds and we’ll have to exchange energy over and over if we hope to convince your father this is a mating bond.”

  A crisp mountain breeze wafted across her breasts, beading her nipples and raising goose bumps across her exposed skin. Were Jake’s guards out there watching? Insecurities barreled to the surface, threatening her composure. She wanted Jake but she was not comfortable with this semipublic setting. She’d spent her entire life on display, being coveted or judged or ridiculed depending on who her father had provoked. She wanted this to be private, something shared between Jake and her.

  “Can we go inside?” She wanted to cover herself and move back to her own seat, but he held her firmly in place and his gaze was beginning to glow with emerald fire.

  “Answer the question first.”

  “Yes. I know it will take more than sex.” She tried to wiggle away.

  He pulled her nearer, pressing her breasts against his chest. “No one can see us. Relax.”

  “What about your guards?” His lips pressed against the side of her neck and his hands slid up and down her back.

  “They can’t
spot a potential threat if they’re watching us. They know better.”

  “Someone could have binoculars or a telescope.”

  He made a throaty sound but she wasn’t sure if it was a chuckle or a growl. “All they’d see is your back unless you turn around. You’re being paranoid.”

  She knew he was right but tension still banded her chest, and her stomach was on the verge of cramping. She couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched.

  His warm fingers skated down her side and grasped her lacy panties. “You’re stalling. Are you sure this is what you want?”

  “Yes,” she stressed. “I just don’t want our first encounter to end up on the internet.”

  It was definitely a chuckle this time, but he paused and looked around. “Paparazzi aren’t generally a problem for me. Do you have a horde of screaming fans I don’t know about?”

  “You’re right. I’m being paranoid.”

  Rather than responding verbally, he grabbed her panties with both hands and ripped the side seam. Then he tugged them down to her knee on the other side. “Lift up.”

  No more excuses or delays. Jake was about to become her lover. She shifted her weight so she could lift her knee and he freed the ruined undergarment from her leg. He tossed the scrap of lace aside then cupped one of her breasts, his thumb gently working her nipple.

  “Lovely.” He circled her with his thumb until the tip grew high and hard. “And very responsive.”

  Bruce had spent half his life taunting her about her “boyish” figure. She was skinny and skittish and any hunter worth a damn would be afraid of breaking her. Female wolves were hardy and obedient. Heather was neither.

  Jake paused and lightly stroked her cheek. “Where’d you go? Your eyes turned sad all of a sudden.”