by J. L. Oiler
Panther’s Claim
written by JL Oiler
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Cover Artist: Carl J. Franklin
Second Edition
©2013, Rebel Ink Press, LLC
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Dedication
For Annie Rea,
your love of the season is always awe-inspiring!
Love you, Sis!
Lyssa yawned as she plopped unceremoniously down in the chair and waited for her morning coffee to brew. The smell of the fresh grounds still hung heavy in the air, lifting her spirits as she faced yet another day unpacking the dozen or so large boxes still littering the floor of each room in her new home. She had moved to North Ridge two weeks earlier, needing to escape from her hometown of Bridgeport and the ex-husband who still tried to run her life. The only drawback was having to leave her volunteer work with CASA. The Court Appointed Special Advocates group allowed her to give a voice to the kids caught up in the court system. Still, she figured the small, isolated community would be the perfect place to disappear for a while. Luckily, the sale of the house she'd received in the divorce settlement would allow her to vegetate for a few months before she needed to find employment.
The green light blinked on the automatic coffee pot, signaling her morning addiction was ready. She pushed herself up from the table and walked to the counter, anxious to wrap her hands around her favorite mug. Motion just outside her window caught Lyssa's attention, so she moved the thin curtain she had hung over the window yesterday out of her way to get a better look. She still needed to meet her neighbors, so she was anxious to sneak a peek.
Instantly, her mouth went dry at the sight of the large Adonis who smiled and waved at her from the other side of the dusty glass. He wore only a pair of drawstring pants. Muscles covered his massive frame, dark hair hung loosely just above his broad shoulders, and his eyes screamed sex. She said a silent 'thank you' for the warm weather the southeastern states boasted. Even with tomorrow being Halloween, the temperature was seventy plus degrees.
Lyssa reminded herself to breathe. It wasn't as though she had never seen a sexy man before, but then again, the last time she came close to having sex was nearly a year ago on the evening her divorce became final.
Holding her coffee mug high, she returned his smile and motioned for her new neighbor to join her for a morning cup of fresh joe. Lyssa opened the cabinet door and grabbed a large mug from the shelf. Hearing a rap at her back screen door, she realized she still wore the thin tank top and shorts she'd worn to bed, and a sudden feeling of uneasiness fluttered through her stomach. “Too late now!” she mumbled under her breath before telling him to come into the house.
“Would you like cream or sugar?” she asked before she was struck dumb. Even more gorgeous close up, he stood a good six foot plus with eyes the color of the summer sky, more god than man.
He gave her a slow once over then grinned. “Just black would be fine.”
When she did not immediately respond, he chuckled, bringing her out of the wild fantasy which had stolen her attention.
“Oh all right, you can have a seat if you like.” She turned back toward the coffee pot, and her face began to flush. Great, why don't you just stare at him? Smooth, Lyssa, real smooth. Now he probably thinks you're some sort of psycho, she chastised herself silently.
“I'm Lyssa Saintlier,” she said with a smile while handing him the steaming mug.
“I know,” he said cryptically as he took a slow sip of the hot liquid.
“Oh.” Lyssa wasn't certain what to say to that. North Ridge was a small, secluded community, but the only people she'd actually met were Caroline Jones, the bank officer, and Gage Wright, the realtor who'd rented her the house. Evidently, it was true; there were no secrets in a small town.
“Forgive me. I didn't mean to be rude. I'm Ren Lehner.”
Taking the seat across from him, Lyssa nervously fidgeted with the edge of the tablecloth. “So, do you live next door with your… wife?” She looked up to find him studying her with a mischievous grin.
“No. I share the house with my twin brother Trey.”
Lyssa caught herself wanting to jump on the table and crow like a rooster. Twins! Two sexy, available men lived right next door. Someone up there really loved her. “So how do you know who I am?” She shot him a questioning look from over the top of her own cup. Instead of answering, Ren shrugged and took another sip of coffee.
“You have plans for dinner?” he asked, as he stood and returned the now empty mug to the tabletop.
“No, I figured I would finish putting everything away and hand out goodies to any kids who come by.” It was a lie. She had intended to sit on the couch and watch reruns unless the doorbell rang. However, the thought of joining him for dinner was much more appealing.
“We'll expect you at eight,” Ren performed one last once over and then stepped out her door.
“We?” Lyssa coughed as she choked on her coffee.
****
By the time eight o'clock rolled around, Lyssa had changed clothes four times and redone her hair at least as often, finally settling on a white draped tank top and black skirt. She pulled her hair into a ponytail. “What are you doing? You don't know anything about these men. They could be murde
rers or part of some sick cult.” She ridiculed the image staring back at her from the small bathroom mirror. Never had she been so reckless, and it excited her.
As the last of the trick-or-treaters finally departed around seven, she was in a complete panic. The town held its trick-or-treating the evening before Halloween. Lyssa wasn't certain why. It seemed to her that with Halloween falling on a Saturday, they would have it then. That, however, was unimportant; there were other things to worry about. Not only had a man never asked her to his house for dinner, but she'd also never gone on a dinner date with two men at once. Yet, when she thought about it, Ren never said it would be just her and the two of them. Perhaps this was a dinner party, or even a double date.
“Heels or no heels?” she asked her reflection as she looked down at the bright red paint decorating her toes. Thinking about how tall Ren had been standing inside her kitchen that morning, Lyssa decided to dig her black heels out of the hall closet. Taking one last look at her hair and makeup in the hall mirror, she headed out the door and down the sidewalk.
A strong wind whispered a coming storm as her heels clipped a somewhat hesitant beat across the concrete path. A shiver ran down her spine when Lyssa reached her hunky neighbors' front door and pushed the small oval call button. While she waited for someone to answer, she couldn't help the strange suspicion that after tonight her life would never be the same.
When the door opened, Lyssa once again found herself awestruck. Ren, at least she thought it was Ren, greeted her at the door wearing a pair of tight black pants and a red silk shirt. She forced her gaze away from the large bulge of his cock straining against the dark fabric. The sight of him made her want to growl in delight. She had come for dinner, but she hoped he was dessert.
“Lyssa, we've been waiting. I hope you brought your appetite. Trey makes the best pasta around.” He moved back to allow her to cross the threshold. Well, that answered the question of who'd met her at the door. As she stepped into the room, the scent of tomato sauce and garlic bread engulfed her. The smells were so delicious her stomach grumbled in response, making her blush in embarrassment.
“Sorry,” Lyssa said, red faced.
“No worry. I see it as a compliment to the cook.” He gazed at her with the most brilliant set of blue eyes she had ever seen. The look told her she might just be on the menu. “Turn and let me get better look at you,” Ren said as he made a sort of twirling motion with his hand.
Lyssa didn't know whether she should be flattered or insulted at his demanding tone, but still she did as he had asked.
“Perfect.” His broad smile produced the most adorable dimple in his chin. A gush of heat pooled in her core, making Lyssa want to lick him from head to toe and back again.
“Is there anything I can do to help with dinner?” She glanced toward the kitchen as nerves clawed at her. Ren was still staring at her, and though the attention was flattering, it unnerved her.
“You've done everything you need to.” He held his hand out toward her. Accepting his guidance, Lyssa walked at his side into a breathtaking dining room. Evidently, they went all out for Halloween. The table was set with black china. Ruby colored goblets and candles gave the room both an eerie and romantic atmosphere. Noticing there were only three places set, Lyssa smiled. Another question answered.
“Please have a seat.” He pulled out a chair. “I will go give Trey a hand and be right back.” She watched as Ren left her alone at the elegantly set table and took decided to take a better look at her immediate surroundings. The house appeared to be a great deal larger than it looked from the outside and easily three times the size of her own. The furnishings where a mixture of Baroque and Renaissance styles with the mere size of some of the pieces leaving her to wonder how the two brothers were ever able to move them.
Taking a deep breath, Lyssa shifted nervously in her seat. What are you thinking? Look at this place. These men are way out of your league. She disparaged herself yet again for the reckless behavior. You should just yell out that something has come up and get out of here before it's too late. She'd just decided to act on the thought when she heard footsteps approaching across the hardwood floor.
“I hope you like steak.” A male appeared who resembled Ren so closely he could only be his brother. He sat a platter heaped with thick slabs of the meat at the table's center and gave her a bright smile. “Ren and I are definite carnivores,” he added with a glance that left her hot. Damn, if she didn't get a handle on her sex drive, she would melt into a puddle before dinner was even over.
“I'm Trey by the way.” He offered his hand. Lyssa's thighs burst into flames when instead of shaking her hand, Trey raised it to his mouth and kissed it slowly and seductively. “We are so happy to have you tonight.”
“Slow down, bro. Lyssa needs a chance to adjust to things before you go trying to woo her to your bed,” Ren told his sibling as he stepped into the room carrying a tray of hot rolls and bowl of what smelled like green beans. She would have commented on how good it all looked if she hadn't been dumbstruck from the entire exchange. Instead, she stared from one brother to the other until they both took a seat.
The idea these were two of the area's most socially elite disappeared. It vanished the minute Lyssa watched both spear their forks into several large, medium rare cuts of steak. As they began devouring the beef, as if they had not eaten in weeks, she took one of the remaining steaks from the plate and began to cut and eat slowly.
She'd eaten about a third of her meal in silence when Lyssa looked up to find both men watching her, their plates empty. She wiped her mouth with the soft linen napkin which had been wrapped around her silverware. “I guess you were both hungry.”
“Still are.” Trey's slow grin made his meaning obvious.
“Trey.” Ren glanced cautiously at her.
“The moon is full, Ren. You know that.” Trey seemed almost desperate. “If we don't claim our mate by tomorrow night, we wait for another seven years.”
“Whoa!” Lyssa screeched and jumped up from her seat so fast her chair tumbled over. “I don't even know either of you, and you don't know me.”
Both men gazed at her, their eyes twinkling with a calmness, which told her they knew something she didn't.
Ren held both his hands out in from of him. “Just sit back down and let's talk.”
“I just want to go home. Thanks for dinner, but I really need to go.” It took every bit of control she possessed for Lyssa not to bolt for the door at a dead run. Always trust your instincts, she chided to herself as she walked through the room and headed toward the entry. She intended to get her ass out the door and back home before they could talk any more madness. Unfortunately, the Lehner men had something different in mind. Ren managed to get into the room before her and now stood blocking her retreat. Coming to a stop a few feet from him, Lyssa put both her hands on her hips and glared at him.
“Get out of my way,” she growled while contemplating what she could do to get him the hell out of her way. When he refused to budge, she dropped her head and shot him the glare that usually sent folks running. “If you want to keep your nuts hanging between your legs rather than in your throat you'd better get out of my way.”
Only a deep chuckle warned Trey stood behind her before he seized her. He held her with both arms pinned tight against her sides; her body pulled so tight against his she could feel the bulge of his erection pressing into her lower back. “I guess she does have some fire,” he said as Ren moved forward to join them.
“Now just relax, Lyssa. We just want to talk to you. There are things you don't know yet about yourself and about us.”
“Yeah sure, said the dog to the bone,” she said.
“I am not a dog.” Trey's irritated voice rumbled in her ear. The feel of his breath against her hair brought about an involuntary shiver of excitement.
“Look, I promise. If after we talk you still want to leave, I will personally see you to the door,” Ren offered as he reached out to run hi
s hand along her shoulder. She didn't want to believe him, but something deep inside her, and the sincerity she saw in his eyes, made her nod in agreement.
Trey released her but did not step away until she moved forward to give herself some space. She hated that his body felt so good pressed against her. Looking at the two men, she tried to rein in the desire she felt for both. Angry with herself, she cracked the knuckles on her left hand and grumbled under her breath as both men took a seat on the large couch. She should not be all hot and bothered by the idea of being with both of them, and she most definitely should not have become excited by the idea of Trey restraining her.
Lyssa continued to grumble as Ren tapped the space between Trey and him on the couch and smiled, waiting for her to join them. When she finally walked over and took a seat, both men breathed sighs which she found amusing despite the situation.
Evidently, they'd been holding their breath, expecting her to run or at least refuse to sit.
Ren took her hand. “How much do you know about the Pantera?”
“Pantera?” Lyssa stared at him wide-eyed, her entire body trembling at the thought. She'd heard the stories as a child but always dismissed them as her grandmother's way of frightening her to behave. They were supposedly the reason her grandmother picked her up and moved at least two dozen times while she'd been growing up. She remembered the old woman slipping into the room to wake her, whispering in a panic for her to grab the bag she had to keep packed. They would sneak out and leave everything behind, their home, clothes, toys and friends.
“Judging from your expression, you have heard of them.” Trey took her other hand so they both held onto her as he spoke.
“Fairy Tales.” She shook her head, all the while knowing deep inside they were not.
“Do we feel like fairy tales?” Ren asked as he took the hand he held and brought it to his chest so she could feel the steady pounding of his heart.
