Therian Prize: 5 (Therian Heat)

by Friberg, Cyndi

  “I was thinking about Bruce.” It was true but it was also avoidance.

  “You’re naked in my arms, but you’re thinking about your brother. Should I be insulted of creeped out?”

  “Neither.” She lowered her gaze as she said, “He liked to point out my lack of endowments. I was just hoping you aren’t too disappointed.”

  “With these?” He pressed his palms against the underside of her breasts, making them appear higher and fuller. “How could anyone be disappointed with perfect, perky breasts?”

  “You must admit they’re on the small side of ‘perky’.”

  “Hey. I’ve seen what gravity does to big boobs. I’ll take a soft, round handful any day.” He squeezed gently then placed a reverent kiss on each nipple.

  Her heart soared. She was ridiculously pleased by his praise. This was just temporary, an alliance born of desperation. She could not allow herself to forget why they were doing this. Jake was a means to an end, a willing partner in her bid for freedom. Once she was safe, they would part ways and she would pick up the pieces of her life.

  Why did the thought make her so sad?

  He straightened and his gaze bore into hers. “If we’ve silenced all the voices in your head, I’m going to kiss you and touch you and watch you come with the sun shining on your face. We’ll save the main event for inside, where I’m hoping you’ll be less inhibited. Are you good with that?”

  A tingling thrill raced through her system and she shivered. “It sounds fine.”

  “Fine?” He leaned down and nipped her jaw, making her gasp. “We’ll have to do better than that.” Despite his fierce expression, his tone was playful.

  She wiggled, liking the way his strong hands felt as they lightly restrained her naked body. A wicked smile parted his lips and he lowered his mouth to her breast. His lips closed on her nipple and her thoughts scattered. The firm pull of his mouth combined with the sensual slide of his fingers soon had her arching into each caress. He moved from one side to the other, keeping the first nipple tight with his fingers while he awakened the second.

  Letting her head fall back, she soaked in the sun’s warmth and savored the sensations he was unleashing within her body. She felt wild and reckless, excited in a way she’d never experienced before. His kiss made her ache for his touch and his touch made her desperate for his fullness. Despite her misgivings, she was suddenly glad he still wore his swim trunks. It would be too easy to grab his erection and guide it to her opening.

  Helpless to hide her body’s reaction, she clasped his upper arms and rocked her hips, imagining how much better it would feel once his cock was deep inside her.

  “Are you sure you want to wait?” he whispered against the fullness of her breast.

  “Yes.” The word slipped out as her core clenched in adamant protest.

  “All right. Then I’ll just touch you.” He slipped one hand between her thighs.

  She trembled with the first brush of his fingertips, needing him so badly it hurt. “Yes.” She gasped and rotated her hips, trying to guide his touch to her needy clit. It had been so long since a lover touched her, so long since she’d felt desired. Just a few careful strokes and she was sure to go off.

  “Is this what you want?” His thumb lightly circled the ultrasensitive bud and sensations pulsed through her abdomen.

  She clasped his shoulders and nodded, unable to speak.

  “Or would you rather have this?” He pushed his fingers into her aching passage but did nothing more.

  Lust crashed over her, making her bold. “Both. Please, just touch me.”

  “Look at me.”

  She met his gaze, startled by the possessive intensity she saw in his expression. He looked as if he were about to devour her, ravish and claim her. And she was oh so ready for whatever he had in store.

  “Don’t close your eyes. I want to watch you come.”

  In answer, she moved her legs farther apart and rested both hands on his shoulders. He pulled his hand back, drawing his fingers out before pushing them deep again. She gasped and squeezed him with her inner muscles, grateful for the fullness.

  “Oh yeah,” he muttered as his hand found a careful rhythm. He rested his thumb on her clit, allowing the slide of his hand to create an up-and-down motion across the small knot of nerves.

  Her back arched and her breasts quivered as pressure gathered between her thighs. Abandoning his shoulders, she explored the firm muscles of his arms and chest. He felt wonderful, hot and hard, and the knowledge that she now had the right to touch him filled her with feminine power. She wanted to excite him with her hands and her mouth then watch him lose control.

  His free hand caught her hair again and brought her face closer to his. “Stop touching me. Feel my fingers inside you. Accept pleasure from my touch.” His tone was autocratic yet dark, almost smoky.

  Rather than ignite rebellion as orders usually did, she found herself relaxing, surrendering—submitting. The last word made her tremble. Therian females were expected to submit, to obey, but she had never found the concept appealing before.

  “Better.” He smiled and warmth filled his gaze. His face lowered slowly until their lips barely touched. Their eyes were still open and she found the probing intimacy of his unwavering gaze unnerving. “I will never hurt you, never betray you and never underestimate your worth.”

  His whispered words sent a rush of longing through her. All her life she’d ached for that sort of acceptance, that sort of trust. She felt open, vulnerable, naked as she had never been before.

  He kissed her tenderly while his touch became more demanding. His hand slipped free of her hair and he circled her back, steadying her as he thrust harder and faster. She welcomed each penetration with a firm squeeze and let the pleasure flow. Tighter it wound and higher she climbed until he triggered the end with a firm flick of his thumb.

  She shuddered in his arms, crying out into his mouth as the orgasm rippled through her. His mouth never left hers and he prolonged each amazing spasm with his thumb. Then he lifted her and guided her back until she floated on the water. Replete and slightly dazed from the shattering climax, she didn’t immediately realize what he was doing. He scooted to the edge of the bench and draped her legs over his shoulders.

  “Wait.” She lifted her head but her body started to sink.

  “Relax,” he ordered, supporting her until she returned to her floating position. “I’ve got you.”

  He pulled her closer, drawing her hips just out of the water. Then his lips settled over her sex and his tongue traced her slit, teasing and caressing until he found her clit.

  This was so decadent, floating naked beneath the cloudless sky while his mouth—

  He tore away from her so fast she momentarily went under. She heard the crack of gunfire and then Jake leapt from the spa, coiled strength propelling him onto the deck without even touching a bench. Knowing only a dire emergency would cause such an aggressive reaction, she silently broke the surface, heart thundering in her chest.

  She heard a muffled curse, a grunt and then the unmistakable smack of flesh on flesh. She couldn’t see who was fighting without exposing herself to further danger—or just exposing herself. Another loud smack was followed by a high-pitched cry. That sounded like a woman. Unable to ignore her curiosity, Heather rested her forearms on the bench and pushed up just far enough to peer over the edge of the spa.

  What the hell? Jake and Natasha were circling each other and a gun lay on the deck just out of reach. This made no sense. Why would Natasha have shot at Jake?

  Unless Jake hadn’t been the target. The thought sent icy shivers down Heather’s spine. Had her father tired of her rebellion or had one of his enemies found her first?

  Blood oozed from one of Natasha’s nostrils, and her eyes glowed with yellow light. Her features fluctuated, as if the structure of her face was subtly morphing beneath her skin. If she was going to shift, why didn’t she just shift?

  Jake leapt into the air a
nd kicked Natasha’s jaw hard enough to jerk her head back. She grabbed his ankle half a second before her eyes rolled back in her head and she crumbled to the deck. Unfortunately her hold on Jake’s ankle forced him off balance and he went over sideways, landing hard on his hip and hand.

  Another sentinel jumped to the deck and then another and another. They came from different directions, each looking lethal and enraged. Soon she was surrounded by angry cats.

  “Stand down,” Jake called. “The situation is contained.”

  Heather sank back down in the water, mortification heating her face.

  “What the hell happened?” one of the first to arrive asked, but the question was echoed by the others’ expressions. He was tall and heavily tattooed with massive shoulders yet narrow hips. With his hair pulled back into a thick blond braid and aggression sparking in his pale-blue eyes, he looked ready for battle.

  “I have no idea.” Jake raked his hair back from his face with one hand and motioned toward Natasha with the other. “Her bullet zinged past my head so I leapt out of the hot tub and—”

  “She missed?” the same man asked, his disbelief obvious. “Natasha never misses.”

  “It was as if something was controlling her. Her eyes glowed and her face kept…rolling under her skin.”

  “If someone took control of her, you’re not safe here,” the blond concluded.

  “I agree. Sweep the area. See if you can find any sign of an intruder. I’ll let you know once I’ve figured out where we’re going.”

  “‘We’re’?” The guard glanced at Heather, not bothering to hide his hostility. “You’ll be safer if you send the wolf home.”

  “I don’t care. She’s coming with me.”

  “But she’s—”

  Jake cut him off with a glower. “Move out.”

  “Yes, sir,” the mouthy cat muttered then motioned for the others to follow him.

  Heather was glad for Jake’s stubbornness but an unexpected pain tore through her heart. For a few blissful hours she’d allowed herself to imagine that cats were less bigoted than dogs.

  Chapter Six

  Jake adjusted his hands on the steering wheel of the Honda and did his best to relax the muscles in his neck and shoulders. Knowing the popular sedan would be less conspicuous than his Ferrari, he’d stopped by the tavern and switched vehicles with Enya. Heather had barely spoken since they left Aspen over two hours before. She’d packed her things without argument and didn’t ask where they were going.

  “You okay?” He finally broke the silence as they approached the Eisenhower Tunnel.

  “I remember the first time I went through this thing.” Her voice was soft and sad. “I must have been about five. Bruce said it was bad luck to take a breath while I was in a tunnel. It was a game we used to play. Hold your breath in tunnels. Lift your feet when you pass over railroad tracks. That sort of thing.”

  Jake glanced at her but she was staring straight ahead. “How far did you make it?”

  “Not far.” Her smile was nearly as sad as her tone. “I had no idea the crazy thing spanned the Great Divide.”

  “He was your brother. It’s natural that you miss him.” Jake hadn’t known Bruce well. Still, if half of his reputation were true, he was one mean son of a bitch. It was hard to picture him teasing his kid sister.

  She sighed and turned her head toward him. “Your guard was right. You’d be safer if you dumped me.”

  “Which one of your father’s pack can take control of someone else?” He ventured another glance and found her studying him.

  “I’ve never heard of a Therian wolf that can play puppet master.”

  “Then what makes you think what happened with Natasha has anything to do with you?”

  That seemed to calm her somewhat. Her expression relaxed and the sadness left her gaze. “Where did your people take Natasha?”

  “Somewhere safe.” It wasn’t that he didn’t trust her with the location. He didn’t want to give her anything else to worry about. She had more than enough on her plate already. But her curious nature wouldn’t cooperate with his good intentions.

  “I only heard them leave. Was Natasha still unconscious when they took her away?”

  “She was, and Grace, the healer I called, said it was likely a side effect of the mind control rather than my kick. Grace is talented. She’ll do everything possible to bring Natasha out of this.” Heather bowed her head until her hair swung forward, shielding her face from view. Jake sighed. Would she ever feel comfortable enough with him to stop hiding? “What’s the matter?”

  “I’ve never met anyone like you,” she whispered from behind her hair. “Dad’s first concern would be interrogating her.” She tucked her hair behind her ear and looked at him, a wealth of emotions shining in her expressive eyes. “She shot at us. Aren’t you even a little bit angry?”

  “Of course I’m angry, but from what I could tell, Natasha was just the messenger. Did you see her face? She was trying to shift the entire time we fought. It was like she was fighting some inner battle as well as trying to kick my ass. There was no way she was in control. We need to find out who was operating the puppet.”

  “I agree.” Heather smiled and her gloom started to dissipate. “So where are we going?”

  “Erin is going to meet us at a network safe house. I told her what happened and she’s going to see if she can find anything in her journals that explains what we witnessed.”

  “What you witnessed,” Heather grumbled. “I was cowering in the water.”

  “As any rational—”

  “If you say female, I’ll smack you.”

  He grinned, pleased by her returning spirit. “You did exactly what I needed you to do. If I’d had to split my attention between you and Natasha, I wouldn’t have been able to take her down as quickly or with as little damage as I was able to do.”

  “You can’t be with me 24/7 for the rest of my life. I want to be able to protect myself.”

  A secret smile tugged at one corner of his mouth. The possibility of spending the rest of his life with her wasn’t as unthinkable as it should have been. Reality generally paled when compared to fantasy. With Heather it had been just the opposite. Kissing her, touching her, tasting her had been everything he’d imagined and more. Each shiver and gasp that escaped her fueled his imagination. He wanted to finish what they’d started in the hot tub and keep right on exploring until he knew everything there was to know about her.

  “Needing protection is nothing to be ashamed of.” Had she heard the sudden huskiness in his voice? “That’s why you came to me.”

  “I’m tired of being helpless.” After a long pause she added, “I want you to define me.”

  He shook his head. “You don’t want your future shaped by a knee-jerk reaction to Natasha’s attack. Let’s stick to the original plan. We’ll back off your father and once things settle down you can make long-term decisions.”

  She didn’t seem pleased by the suggestion but he thought she’d acquiesced until she said, “Then I want to know more about Devon’s formula.”

  “That’s easily arranged, but I thought you’d decided it was too risky.”

  “Is it more risky than being ambushed or hunted?” She finger-combed her hair back from her face as she continued. “None of this would have been necessary if I were truly defined. Dad is bullying me because he knows I’m not strong enough to stand up to him. I don’t want to run for the rest of my life. And I won’t be his sacrificial lamb.”

  “I’ll arrange a meeting with Dr. Garran after we’ve spoken with Erin.”

  “Thanks.”

  They lapsed into companionable silence for a while. Heather stared out the window and Jake tried not to be distracted by her. Despite his best efforts to concentrate on the road, his mind kept drifting back to the hot tub. He felt her sleek body slide beneath his hands and tasted the chlorine-kissed softness of her skin. His cock hardened in response to the memories and he gripped the steering wheel so t
ightly his fingers ached.

  Desperately needing a distraction, he accessed the common link shared by Therian tigers and pinged Ron. With Natasha out of commission, Ron was now head of security. Ron responded by opening a private link and Jake reinforced Ron’s shield before using the connection.

  Any luck?

  No, sir. No tracks of any kind. Whoever we’re dealing with either has incredible range or teleported in and out.

  The ability to teleport was extremely rare. But then so was taking over someone else’s mind. Understood. I asked Natasha to have Lexxie picked up. Do you know if Natasha followed through?

  Lexxie’s tucked away where her pack can’t find her, which is what you should do with her best friend.

  Ron’s persistence made Jake smile. Ron was taking his new responsibilities very seriously. Your objection is noted—again.

  Are you on your way to Erin?

  I am, but how’d you know?

  That’s where I’d go. Anything else?

  Not right now.

  With characteristic brusqueness, Ron pinched off the link.

  “Who were you talking to?” Heather asked.

  “Ron.” Jake glanced at her with renewed curiosity. “How’d you know I was talking to someone?”

  “Most wolves can sense a surge in psychic energy. Only a few of us can eavesdrop on the actual conversation, but most are aware of telepathic communication.”

  “Good to know.”

  “Is Ron the huge blond guard who told you to ditch me?”

  Jake chuckled. “That’s the one.”

  “Did he find anything on the mountainside?”

  “No, but they found Lexxie and took her somewhere safe.”

  “Thank you for arranging that. I couldn’t live with myself if she was harmed because she tried to help me.”

  “It was no big deal and we’ll keep her tucked away until the storm blows over.”

  “Thanks,” she murmured as her eyelids drooped. She blinked several times and shook her head.

  “Don’t fight it, angel. Neither of us got much sleep last night.” The endearment just slipped out but their gazes locked and awareness pulsed between them. “You’re safe with me.”