Lynx Loving

by S. K. Yule

  A snarl, followed by a screech, prompted her to look up where she found a huge, gray lynx with black spots stalking Dave and Chip from the clearing between the diner and trees.

  “What the fuck is that?” Dave whined.

  “Is that a fucking lynx? Do you have the gun on you?”

  “Left it in the truck,” Dave answered. “Biggest damn lynx I ever seen.”

  Chip released Krista’s arm, and she rolled toward the building, stood then pulled the cloth from her mouth. Her head spun, and she blinked back the pain of the oncoming headache. Reaching up, she felt the goose egg on her forehead.

  While happy that Landon had come to her rescue, she was also pissed that he had shifted so soon after being injured. Lynx didn’t heal the way lycan did when they shifted. In fact, if a lynx shifted with a major injury, the result could have dire consequences, even death.

  Even through all of the commotion she couldn’t help but notice that Landon’s lynx was gorgeous, powerful, and one of the biggest cats she’d seen. He was a magnificent male in any form. Renewed anger shot through her that losers Chip and Dave had threatened them both again. They had to be stopped.

  As Landon advanced on them, she went into action. First, she kicked Dave in the side of the knee, and when he howled in pain and went down, she spun and planted her foot squarely against his jaw. His head snapped around, the breath whooshed from his lungs, and he sank to the ground. Yeah, asshole. Meet unconsciousness. Isn’t she a bitch?

  Chip tried to keep an eye on her, but never fully took his gaze from Landon, who closed the distance between them. Once he was within two feet from Chip, Landon snarled and struck out with his powerful paw. Chip screeched like a girl, grabbed Krista and flung her in front of him before turning to make a run for it.

  He didn’t make it far before Landon hit Chip full-force from behind, knocking him to the ground. Landon stood over him, snarling, and Chip whimpered like a toddler who’d lost his binky.

  “I wouldn’t move if I were you, Chip,” she said.

  She hurried to the diner to call the police and smiled when Chip pleaded from behind her. “Don’t leave me here. Pleasssse.”

  “Fuck you, you coward,” she sneered over her shoulder.

  Chapter Seven

  Hours later, Krista and Landon were finally on the road once again. It hadn’t taken much for her to convince the police that Chip and Dave were doped out of their brains and imagined the lynx. Lynx weren’t rare to these parts, but they didn’t usually aid damsels in distress.

  “Are you feeling better?” Landon adjusted the heat.

  She removed the previously cold, now semi-cool, icepack she held to her head and tossed it onto the dash. “I’m good.”

  “I should have killed both of those bastards.” He clenched his fingers around the steering wheel.

  She’d never seen Landon this worked up. “No. You shouldn’t have. And you shouldn’t have shifted with your injury. It could have caused permanent damage.”

  “Wasn’t my priority at that moment,” he said. “Besides, I was healed enough.”

  “It’s hard to believe the police have been looking for Chip and Dave for two years. It’s even harder for me to wrap my mind around the fact that they’ve been attacking and killing women in several states.” She shivered. “They’ll spend the rest of their lives behind bars. Makes me sick. I will never understand how some people can do some of the things they do.”

  “Those aren’t people. They’re animals with no conscience,” Landon muttered. “Hell, that’s not even fair to the animals. At least they kill to survive. Those bastards were doing it for fun.” He white-knuckled the steering wheel again.

  “The best part was when Chip peed his pants.” She laughed, trying to lighten the mood, but Landon continued to stare at the road ahead, brows drawn, frowning. “It’s all over now. Besides, if you don’t stop squeezing the death out of the steering wheel, you are going to break it, and we’ll end up stranded again.”

  He let up on the wheel and blew out a long breath. “I should have never left you alone. Yet another person in my life I let down.”

  “Stop it. You can’t control what other people do.”

  “After everything that had happened already, I should have kept a closer watch on you.”

  “I’m an adult. I can take care of myself.” She fiddled with the heat knob that controlled the heat to her seat.

  “Son of a bitch!” He slapped the steering wheel. “If I hadn’t figured out where you were when I did...”

  “It’s over. Let’s move past it.”

  “Yeah.” After a few miles, he sighed. “I thought this could happen between us if Brady was okay with it, but we can’t be together. I’m sorry about everything. I should have never—”

  “I get it! You regret having sex with me.” She cringed when pain shot through her head and reached for her purse to dig out some ibuprofen.

  “Stop saying that,” he said.

  “Forget it. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I’m tired of this trip. I’m tired of fighting with you over us, and I’m just...tired. Period.” She placed a travel pillow behind her neck and rested her head against it. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe we weren’t meant to be. I can’t spend my life trying to convince you that we belong together. You either want to be with me or you don’t.”

  “It’s not that easy.”

  “Yes. It is.” She wiggled until she was comfortable enough to sleep. “I’m going to take a nap now. Don’t worry. When we get back, I’ll pretend none of this ever happened.”

  “I don’t want you to pretend it never happened. I can’t pretend it never happened. It was—”

  “Tough. You know how I feel about you. I’m done trying. I’m...done. I don’t want to talk about this anymore.” She fought to keep her voice from shaking, not wanting him to hear how much all of this was hurting her.

  She’d never be able to forget making love with him. And she was certain she’d never stop loving him, but damn it. She shouldn’t have to convince the man she loved that they belonged together. If he loved her, he’d be with her. She couldn’t torture herself over him any longer. She understood his guilt, understood that he thought he wasn’t good at relationships, but her understanding had its limits.

  She closed her eyes. Breathing deep, she willed the anxiety building in her chest to calm and fought back the tears that threatened to spill down her cheeks. Finally, coming to terms that she and Landon may never be together, her heart thumped hard against her ribs leaving behind an ache in her chest. She’d never given up, never lost hope, but she was beginning to realize that maybe her hope and tenacity wasn’t enough for the both of them.

  * * * *

  Landon drove the last few hours of the way in a completely silent cab. He glanced at Krista again. He’d be willing to bet that she hadn’t been asleep the whole ride. She’d most likely been pretending for a good while now to avoid conversation with him. He couldn’t blame her. That’s because I fucked everything up.

  When he’d seen Chip and Dave assaulting her in the back of the diner, he’d wanted nothing more than to kill them. Though he knew he could take them both, beat their asses, he hadn’t wanted to risk one of them hurting Krista. Shifting and catching them by surprise had been the best chance for getting Krista out of her predicament unscathed. Fortunately, things had gone as planned, and the two assholes would rot behind bars for the rest of their lives.

  That didn’t stop him from facing the real possibility of losing Krista had things not gone so well. That imagined scenario had brought into perspective the guilt over his mother’s death and not being there for Nyssa. He almost hadn’t been there when Krista needed him most. Determined to give her the time she’d wanted to cool off after their disagreement in the repair shop, he’d nearly been too late.

  A shudder shook him when he thought about what he would have found behind that diner had he waited even twenty minutes more before going after her. She was strong and
had handled herself admirably with two men threatening her. Brady had taught her well, but her skills had not been much of a match for the men’s strength once they had a hold of her. She’d ended up with a split lip, bruised head, and he’d ended up with not only more guilt, but regret for not killing the two bastards for touching her.

  If there hadn’t been a choice, he wouldn’t have thought twice about crushing Dave’s and Chip’s throats with his powerful jaws. He could almost feel the way their windpipes would crunch under his teeth and taste the blood as they gurgled for breath. But killing for revenge, for the pleasure, would make him no better than Chip and Dave.

  And now Krista wanted nothing to do with him. He glanced at her again. She was no longer pretending to be asleep, staring out the passenger window. It wasn’t like her to be so quiet. If he’d kept his dick in his pants, everything would be fine.

  No, it wouldn’t. He blew out an agitated breath. Yeah, no it wouldn’t. He wanted—loved—Krista since the moment he’d first laid eyes on her. He should have manned up and talked to Brady months ago, but he’d allowed his emotions to screw things up just as he’d done with Nyssa when his mother had died.

  He’d been so worried over losing Nyssa again and pissing off Brady, that he didn’t see that denying his feelings for Krista only assured he’d lose it all anyway. Because at some point there would come a day when he’d either no longer be able to stand having Krista in his life as nothing more than a sister-in-law, or finally give in to his desire—which he had now done. Both scenarios left leaving as the only option if Brady protested. Landon would never be able to continue living so close to Krista and not be able to touch her again.

  He’d only made things worse. When Brady found out they’d slept together he wouldn’t like it. But when he found out Krista no longer wanted anything to do with Landon... If the roles were reversed, Landon would assume Brady had taken advantage of Nyssa. It was the first logical conclusion Landon would jump to. Brady would be pissed as hell and fists were likely to fly, but Landon couldn’t blame the man. Brady had entrusted him with Krista, and Landon had taken advantage of her.

  Even if by some miracle Brady forgave him, the tension over the situation would remain and cause problems. Basically, no matter what he did at this point, he’d done the one thing he feared most. Break down the trust he’d been trying so hard to build with Nyssa.

  After turning onto the lane that led to Sanctuary, he’d barely gone a hundred feet before stopping where Dylan was waiting on the side of the drive. Joy filled Landon, and he was hopeful that Dylan had changed.

  Dylan yanked Krista’s door open, and she nearly tumbled out. “Slide over. I want out of here.” Slinging his bag in the backseat, he hopped in beside her.

  “Thanks for almost dumping me on my ass, Dylan,” she muttered while scooting over.

  Landon didn’t miss the way she was careful not to touch any part of her body to his. He put the truck in reverse, and started backing out of the lane. “How was your stay, brother?”

  “How do you think? Forced, boring, and over.”

  “Stop being a whiny baby,” Krista said. “You deserved what you got.”

  Dylan glared at her then smiled. “You look good enough to eat.” Wiggling his eyebrows, he pulled her in for a hug.

  She laughed, and Landon fought the uncontrollable urge to throttle his own brother.

  “Since you will soon, officially, be part of the family, I’ll be the first to welcome you into it,” Krista told Dylan. “I’ll be honest. It’s shitty what you did to Nyssa.”

  “I know, but—”

  “You’re an asshole for what you did to Nyssa, but you’ve paid for your mistake, and the past is the past as far as I’m concerned. I’ve never had brothers. For the most part, I like it.” She laughed. “It will be good to get to know you.”

  “Thank you.” Dylan patted her on the leg. Landon growled, and Dylan looked at him. After smiling, Dylan gave him a wink.

  Great. Just what Landon needed. Obviously Dylan had figured out that Landon and Krista had more than friendship, he’d be a huge pain in the ass. Dylan had always been a good brother, but he had a knack for being rash and relentless with the teasing.

  * * * *

  Krista giggled when Dylan snatched her by the waist and pulled her from the truck. A growl from Landon—about the hundredth one she’d heard in the past few hours—sounded from inside the cab before the door opened and closed, signaling his exit from the vehicle.

  Landon had been exceptionally quiet since they’d picked up Dylan. Mostly the only sounds he’d made on the drive back were grunts and growls—usually when Dylan told a terrible joke, complained about the months he was forced to spend at Sanctuary with the lycan, or touched her in any way. Was Landon jealous of his own brother?

  Although it was childish, the thought made her giddy inside. Not so much because she wanted two men to fight over her—she was fairly certain Dylan was not interested in her the same way as Landon, and she was definitely not interested in Dylan the way she was interested in Landon—but because if Landon was jealous, wasn’t that proof that he cared about her?

  Dylan set her on the ground and Landon appeared. He made a grab for her hand and began dragging her toward the all-night store. She struggled, and dug her heels into the pavement.

  “What the hell are you doing? Let go of me.”

  “No. You are not to be out of my sight. Look what’s happened every time you have been during this trip,” he said.

  She yanked her arm free from his grasp. “Stop treating me like a child.”

  “Hey, hey, hey. What the hell is going on here?” Dylan came up behind them.

  “I’ll stay with Dylan,” Krista said. “He can keep an eye on me.”

  “No.” Landon folded his arms over his chest.

  “If the lady doesn’t want you around her, that’s her choice.” Dylan smirked.

  “I’ve had enough of you!”

  “Me?” Dylan pointed to himself and grinned. “What have I done?”

  “Cut it out, or I’m going to punch that smug smile off your face.” Landon dropped his arms to his side and clenched his hands into fists.

  Dylan rolled his eyes. “Really, Landon. I’ve never seen you act this way.”

  “All men are freakin’ assholes, I swear.” Krista stomped off in the direction of the store.

  When she went inside and inquired about the restroom, she was told it was outside, around the back. Great. She hated outside bathrooms. Landon and Dylan were still arguing when she made her way around back.

  The place was abandoned other than them and the old man working the store. She took care of business, washed her hands, then exited the surprisingly clean ladies’ room. But when she stepped outside, she was immediately crowded against the brick wall by a huge and angry looking Landon.

  She gasped. “What the hell are you doing scaring the shit out of me?”

  He cupped her cheek then rested his forehead against hers before pulling in a long breath and letting it out slow. His mouth slanted over hers, and her legs turned to jelly.

  His lips were firm yet soft, and the kiss was urgent and possessive, as though he was staking his claim. She moaned when he wedged his knee between her thighs and slowly pushed her up the brick wall until she was eye to eye with him. Panting, she clutched at his shoulders as all thoughts fled her brain with the exception of one...getting him inside her as fast as possible.

  Warmth flooded her lower belly, and moisture seeped between her thighs. His lips slammed over hers once again, and she reached for the fastening on his jeans. After wrestling the button open and the zipper down, he sprang hot and hard into her hand. Wrapping her fingers around him, she stroked him.

  He grunted into her mouth, and his tongue teased and tasted until she was out of her mind with need. Her body ached for the huge cock that throbbed in her hand, and she nipped his lower lip, tasting blood. He deepened the kiss, and the coppery tang of his blood added to the inte
nsity of the moment.

  He cupped her breast then dove under her bra and shirt. When his fingers teased her nipple into a hard peak, she moaned before stroking him harder. He pulled her shirt and bra to the side then covered her nipple with his mouth, licking and sucking the pebbled tip before gently nipping it. After setting her on the ground, he worked one leg of her pants off before picking her up again.

  He continued to tease her nipple with his tongue and teeth while coaxing her legs around his waist. His other hand moved over her panties and one finger slid along her slit until moisture drenched the fabric. She reached for his erection again, and urged him where she wanted him most.

  He kissed a fiery trail up her neck. “I want you so bad.”

  “Fuck me. Right now.” She panted. “I need you inside me.”

  “No,” he whispered by her ear then gently took the lobe between his teeth. Reaching between them, he pushed her panties to the side and buried himself to the hilt inside her. “I’m going to make love to you.”

  She whimpered as he thrust into her with hard, deliberate strokes, branding himself on her soul for always. She dug her nails into the tops of his shoulders, hanging on as he slammed into her over and over.

  “You feel so good inside me,” she said, right before his next thrust pushed her up the wall a few inches.

  He placed his palms flat on the bricks at each side of her head and gazed down at her. Thrust. “You.” Thrust. “Are.” Thrust. “Mine.” He grunted.

  “I always have been.”

  Two strokes later and she cried out her release against his shoulder. His hot seed jetted into her only seconds after.

  “Oh my God. Brady is going to skin you two alive,” Dylan’s voice came from behind Landon.