She didn’t have to ask her panther; she had started screaming the minute she laid her eyes on it.
“It inhibits my animal.” Her voice came out speaking what she knew to be true.
“True. I have wondered how they did it. They used something so common that it crops up in everyday life and they turned it against us.”
Her hand moved and she picked up a bottle of juice instead. “It’s almost like they wanted to prove to us how inhuman we really are.”
There was sadness in her eyes. It wasn’t really over soda. That was something she could take or leave. It was more over the fact that the government or maybe she should refer to them as the shady government was determined to strip them of any humanity. They wanted monsters, not people who were suddenly blessed with extraordinary abilities.
She walked across the room and crawled on the bed with Tane. Her fingers went to the strip of skin that was exposed on his abs from the lifting of his shirt.
Tane told her to dress up earlier in one of her new outfits and he took her to dinner—someplace expensive with prime cuts of meat. Her panther wanted to thank him. They laughed, dined, and then found a place playing slow music where they could get lost in one another’s arms. It was a night she would always remember.
“Leza.” Tane whispered her name slowly as if drawn out on the wind.
She looked at him, the openness in his face stealing her breath away.
His hand stroked her face with gentle fingers. He was enough to send her into a fit of tears over how special he made her feel.
“Babe,” his voice was low but sure. “When Dai and I enlisted for our survival, I knew right then there would never be a female for me. I would give my life, my soul to the military and every woman would breathe a sigh of relief at having missed me. Then this happened and I was vindicated in my knowledge that I would always be alone.
“That’s where this story should end. Instead you drove that car into my net and then challenged me with your large brown eyes to let you live. You made me want to find out if you could really cook and challenged me to see past survival mode until I found something worthwhile. Your fierce protectiveness, along with your desire to live life to the fullest, made me want to survive. You never gave up on me coming to rescue you, along with how you endured until I released you and you weren’t afraid to spill blood when needed. All those things and a million more are the reasons I love you.
“Leza, I love you and want to dedicate the rest of my life, no matter how long it is, to caring for you.”
Her mouth dropped open and tears flowed before she threw herself into his arms planting kisses all over his face and neck.
“I love you, Tane. I love you so much! I’ve known for a while but I didn’t want to scare you and make you run away from me. I knew when I claimed you as my mate that my heart belonged to you. The first time you called me love, I knew I wanted to hear that endearment for the rest of our lives.”
She pressed against his body and kissed him until his mouth opened wide. Plunging her tongue in she rubbed it against his, feeding from his taste. Her body moved over his as she felt her nipples start to pucker at the way he sucked and nipped on her bottom lip.
“Tane,” she moaned. Her middle was on fire with sensations that were overwhelming. Her slit was slick with the wetness coming from her. She slid herself against the rock hardness of his leg before he settled her on his cock.
He was so hard and warm. She rocked back and forth against him feeling her body tighten. His hand pressed against the small of her back holding her still.
“Shhh, Love, not without me.”
She made a little whimpering noise and lifted her arms as she pulled off the shirt she was wearing, revealing a silky black demi bra.
It pushed her breasts up showing them off. Tane took his tongue and licked her right at the edges of the bra making her want him more. He tilted his head and buried his nose in her cleavage as he took a deep whiff of her, growling out a sound that went straight to her pussy.
She needed him in her right now. The desire to feel so full that he might split her in half was sitting in her center and her nerve endings were begging for him to invade her.
He flashed a grin that was worth maiming over and bit the top of her breast.
“Yes,” she breathed out until he swallowed her bra covered nipple. Now her voice wasn’t working and all she could do was drown in the sensation of his mouth on her breast. He pulled away until her nipple was caught between his teeth before he bit down.
She let out a scream as her body convulsed on top of his. Her mind shut down as she felt warmth travel through her.
“That never happened before.” She fumbled with words trying to let him know how amazing it felt.
He gave her a sweet smack on her ass before setting her down on his body. His eyes lowered to half-mast.
“Oh no, Lover,” she whispered. “We’re not even close to being done.”
He gave a sexy laugh as she started pulling off his shirt. He lifted up to make it easier for her. He had worn a charcoal grey shirt that matched the grey pants. Every female eye had turned to look at him and when they saw the way his pants hugged his ass she thought she was going to have to hurt a few of them.
“Nice,” the word came out as a hiss. His chest came into view. She loved the wide expanse. Taking her hands, she splayed both of them over him still amazed at the amount left untouched by her hands.
One day, she assured herself that she would have the patience to play with him, to drag her fingers slowly over him until she was burning hotter than a volcano, but not now. Today she needed him; the greedy part of her had to have him now.
Diving downward, she caught his nipple in her mouth and sucked on it, tugging and pulling. She teased his other nipple with her fingers. His breathing deepened just a little, but not enough for her.
Taking her tongue, she licked down his torso taking the time to nip here and there with her teeth as she felt his cock growing harder under her wet pussy lips.
“Please Babe,” he breathed out as she stopped at his belly button tracing it with her finger.
When she touched that small path of hair leading to the land of eternal joy, he grasped her by the arms and turned her over.
“What?” she whimpered after losing her perch.
His hands went to her skirt pulling it over her hips and gasping the tiny thong she was wearing. It came down her legs and landed on the floor with a little swoosh of sound. He stood and undid his pants so fast he looked like a blur. When he settled into the nest of her legs, he was naked with his hard cock coming up to greet her.
She opened wider, ready for him to push in. He gave her that smile instead the one she was beginning to hate. It meant that he wasn’t ready yet. She would have to endure for a while longer.
With his hands, he trailed down over her body stopping to treat her nipples and then pull on them watching them elongate before sucking the stiff little nubbins into his mouth.
His tongue licked down the center of her chest before he took as much of one breast in his mouth as possible. She let off a little scream as her legs pushed up trying to rub against him.
He took hold of her waist and held her still as he did the same to her other breast.
Her breath shallow, she panted as he licked his way down her torso finding the spot in her middle where the fire was burning and made it burn hotter with his mouth.
Her head was thrown back now as pleasure overtook her. Low aching sounds coming from her only served to make her hotter. His mouth came down on her clit sucking it in his mouth and she begged.
“Please.” Give me release, give me pain, give me pleasure. Just give me a little more to relieve the ache before you build it up again. “Please,” she begged one last time.
He ignored her, using his tongue to lash against her clit driving her into a frenzy then backing off just before she lost her mind.
That wicked smile was on his face when he finally looked at
her. She was so far gone she could barely concentrate on the joy in his face. His eyes focused on her, seeing something so beautiful that it changed his life. He was looking at her, seeing her.
His body rose hovering over hers. She had never seen anything as beautiful as Tane about to claim her, make her his forever. She caressed him with her awestruck eyes.
He came down, swiftly plunging deep within her. Using the slicked path to find his way to nirvana. She screamed as wave after wave of pleasure rocked her body. This is what she always wanted.
Her body floated on a cloud for a minute before he began to pound into her making her body coil against him with the need for release. She clutched at him, wrapping her legs around him, meeting him thrust for thrust.
He took her higher, demanding that she feel more, experience more. She could feel the slick walls of her pussy clutching onto him tighter, refusing to let him go.
His grunts and growls in her ear were making her crazy with need. She had to feel him spilling into her, claiming her, making her crazy with his desire.
His hips plunged against her, starting another chain reaction deep inside of her.
She lost it as her body tensed and broke; rivers of pure joy ran through her. Her voice was caught on a high keening sound when she felt it. His body stiffened over hers and jets of warmth flooded her as he cried out in pleasure.
Wrapping her shaking body around his, she took everything he had to give. When he finally relaxed against her at his most vulnerable, she swore that she would always keep him safe.
Chapter Twenty-nine
She opened her eyes to Tane’s hand over her mouth and his finger in front of her. She gave a small nod to show she understood and he took his hand away freeing up her ability to breathe.
Cautiously she followed him off the bed and dressed quickly without turning on any lights. The whiskers of her panther were tingling in her mind. There was a heaviness in the air. They were being followed. She tested the air again tasting danger against her sensitive tongue. No, they were being hunted.
Leza cast him a look when he pointed to the door and started packing her bag. There was no way she was leaving without her clothes. Running without a change of clothes was getting old fast.
His mouth quirked up as he watched her. She gave a low growl and thought things that weren’t exactly nice about males in general and then narrowed it down to her male.
Bags in hand, she flattened herself against the wall behind him as he opened the door. He stepped to the other side as she waited, her ears trying to pick up any sound that didn’t belong there. He was back before she could miss him, motioning her out of the room. Their room was on the lower level with the SVU parked almost directly in front of them.
Dai and Jay were already at the vehicle with the doors and the hatch open. She followed Tane across the parking lot, and then went around placing her packages in the back. Closing the rear door, she stumbled catching a whiff of a scent she never expected to be hunting her.
Tane was at her side in a moment, a look of concern on his face. She shook her head no and indicated the driver’s seat. He took her around front and made sure she was in before jumping into the driver seat and starting the engine. In silence they made their way out of the parking lot.
Quickly he drove through the town until they were finally getting close to the on ramp for the highway. He turned his head to look at her.
“Rim,” her voice came out in a blast. “I can’t believe this. They sent him and his men to hunt us down. I caught just a faint whiff of him. I was with them long enough to memorize their scents.”
“Maybe it’s not what you think,” Dai said quietly.
“They could have escaped,” Jay interjected.
“No, they weren’t ready for that. They still don’t really believe they are being used. Why would they be coming after us?” She sounded confused.
“To catch a monster you need a monster,” Tane said softly. “A higher up decided to allow them to redeem themselves. Catch the female you allowed to escape. The fact they were in cages was swept under the rug. Once she is caught dead or alive then you and your men will be back in our good graces.”
“Do you really think it’s dead or alive?” Leza turned to look at him.
“It’s what I would do. You changed after they spent months trying to hinder the process. You killed their star doctor. In essence you have proven that you’re dangerous, something they weren’t expecting. It’s laughable really. In nature, females are some of the deadliest animals alive. They will feel much more comfortable looking into your dead soulless eyes instead of eyes that would condemn each of them to hell.”
“Since I like both my eyes and my soul alive, can you concentrate on out running them?”
“Sorry Love, I have a better plan.”
The car went silent as he took the exit up ahead driving until there were only acres of farmland in front of them. He took a small dirt road that weaved through the fields and stopped on what looked like unclaimed land. The grass came up to her hips when she stepped outside.
“What are we doing here?” Leza asked.
“We’re waiting for your friends.” Tane motioned to Dai and Jay sending them off in different directions.
Leza watched them disappear quickly in the wild grass. With nothing else to do, she climbed onto the hood of the SUV making herself comfortable.
They came in on foot. She had no idea where they parked the car but they must have had one to catch up with them so quickly or maybe they were being driven around. She was sure the government didn’t want to lose any more shifters.
Her hearing was more sensitive now that she was able to shift and she heard them long before she saw them. They were as loud as she imagined a pack of elephants to be. They were surrounding the car with Rim in the lead, heading for her and Tane.
His men stayed low in the grass as Rim walked directly towards them.
“Rim,” her voice rang out. “I’ve missed you. Glad to see you outside of a cage and that facility.”
“Leza.” His deep voice acknowledged her. “Who’s the friend?”
“You must not have been able to get a good look at him the last time we were all together. This is Tane, my mate. Tane, this is Rim and the men surrounding him are under his command.”
Tane lifted his eyes, took stock of Rim, and grunted.
Leza laughed. “Don’t be offended. Tane’s not a big talker especially when he first meets someone. Ask me someday and I’ll tell you about our first meeting.”
Rim ignored her. “I came to bring you in, Leza.”
“Well that’s a relief; at least you didn’t come to kill me.”
“That would be a last resort. I’d rather bring you in alive.”
“I’m pretty sure we don’t want to go back, Rim.”
“There’s no we. The order is only for you. The rest are free to go. If you surrender no one has to get hurt. You can save your friends’ lives, your mate’s life.”
“Why? Why is the order just for me and not all of us?”
“You’re dangerous, Leza. They may be dangerous as well, but right now you top the list of dangerous shifters.”
“Are you on the list, Rim? Are your men? Or do you think that you’re ok because you haven’t shifted. I see your animal. He sits right behind your eyes begging to come out and play. What happens on the day you can no longer keep him locked away?”
“This is for the best, Leza. You’re wild, you will kill someone.”
“No, Rim. I’m not going back, ever.”
She thought her life was at an end when they changed her, made her into something she swore wasn’t natural. Being locked in a cage was her new destiny, but then they allowed her to escape. She had been nothing but a city girl looking for freedom in the pages of the books she read when no one was looking until she met Tane.
Tane, the one who gave her a chance to live. He held her hand through the pain while encouraging her to spread her wings. Tane, who ta
ught her to flatten herself against a wall and use her ears to listen. Tane, who taught her what the different bird calls they used meant. He loved her and showed her as well as told her. Tane, who wanted the whole world to see what he found in her. She wasn’t living without him because she loved him.
“Be reasonable. Life could be good there.” Rim backed up a few steps when she stood on the hood of the SUV and started pulling her cami over her head.
“What are you doing?” His eyes flashed with worry.
“I want you to meet my panther. She’s amazing.”
“No.” He pulled a gun from behind him. “Don’t make me kill you, Leza.”
The sound of hands clapping drew everyone’s attention. Rath was leaning again the SUV on Leza’s side. He hadn’t been there a minute ago when her gaze swept the surroundings and she definitely did not hear him approaching.
“That’s a pretty gun. Did your handler’s give that to you?” Rath gave Rim a smile. “There you are with several deadly dominant animals within you vying for the chance to get out. Yet, you choose to hide behind a human weapon.”
“Who are you?” Rim hissed, his hackles going up.
“Rath.”
“Rath, not you, him,” he gestured towards Tane. “Or anyone else is going to stop me from bringing her in.”
Rim looked around and then gave a small command.
“They can’t answer you. I took the liberty of making sure they couldn’t move before I came to talk to you.”
Rim gritted his teeth before relaxing, allowing a smile to play across his face.
“Then talk so I can get on with killing her. Why? Because she doesn’t get to walk into my facility and cause chaos when I have practically sold my soul to the devil for my men’s freedom.”
“They’re no longer men. Your males, shifter males and all you sold your soul for is their ultimate destruction after the government uses them and breeds them for the good of mankind. Or at least that’s the bullshit they are selling today. But by all means take that shot, after you see this.”
An image appeared in the air between them. It was Rim chained to a wall. He was naked and behind him stood a guard with a whip. In a room off to the side, sitting in a comfortable chair looking through a two-way window was a male in a dark suit.
Tane's Mate: A Paranormal Shifter Romance (Shifter's on the Run Book 1) Page 18
