by Dianna Love
He’d be at the mercy of the Black River pack once they caught her scent and tracked it to the grocery store bulletin board. If Mother Cadellus had joined up to help them, she’d have one of her people share something with Baatar’s scent.
Had Siofra led the Black River pack straight to her brother?
Chapter 27
Rory had Siofra tucked close to him as the ferry arrived back in Portland just after four, which meant he had to figure out a place to stay soon.
He kept reliving Siofra being up in that tree on the island where he couldn’t get to her with his busted-up body.
The Guardian had said he was the only one who could heal the problem with Ferrell. Rory had finally seen just what his boss had been talking about.
Siofra had done wonders to repair Ferrell’s body, but his jaguar should have been able to fix a lame ankle on his own.
He couldn’t expect her to be around to keep patching him up. He’d never put that on anyone.
But Rory understood what the Guardian had been saying. The time was coming when a major wound would be too much for even Siofra’s healing energy.
What then? What if she was in danger again or Ferrell faced something more deadly than that wolf shifter?
Whatever Rory had done to his animal now put Siofra at risk in addition to Ferrell.
This had to be Rory’s fault. His animal worked on a simple premise of living in the moment and fighting when called upon.
Rory looked inward. How was he living?
Not in the moment. Not in the past. And sure as hell not in the future.
Shit, he was fucked up beyond help. He didn’t belong with humans or shifters. What had he been thinking to even consider a mate?
Siofra caught his hand once they walked off with the other passengers, pulling his thoughts from the dark place he’d gone. When she touched him, their energies hummed.
It was the craziest thing, but his body relaxed and Ferrell withdrew, but in a peaceful way.
As they neared the street, she asked, “Are we going to the hotel?”
“No. Not that one.” He’d just punched the information into his phone for one of the cars for hire that drove visitors around cities these days. A cab driver might not want to meander.
When the small black sedan showed up, they climbed in and Rory asked him to drive through the college area, to do a general tour of Portland.
Next he gave Siofra a look and tilted his head at the driver then said, “This guy knows the city better than me.”
She nodded and leaned forward, asking questions the driver answered.
While those two were busy chatting, Rory used his phone to arrange a new hotel, which he paid for electronically, then checked in. He sent a series of texts to one of the special numbers the Guardian provided.
A human the Guardian trusted would go to their current hotel with new luggage that had no shifter scent, break into the room, transfer their belongings to the clean luggage and take that to the new location, along with a different rental SUV. Before leaving, the human would spray a special mix of scents they kept on hand, which would override the human’s scent. The spray’s smell would disintegrate in an hour.
Once he had everything in place and the human had been given enough time to deliver his luggage, Rory said, “You know what, honey? I’m beat. Ready to go grab a shower?”
She said, “Yes, me too.”
The driver swung around at the next street, drove a new route, then dropped them at their new hotel, which was only two miles from the grocery store.
They would not be walking tomorrow, though.
At the upscale hotel he’d chosen for its tighter security, Rory tipped the driver as generously as he did everyone else, and finally drew a deep breath when he closed the door to their new room behind Siofra.
She spun around. “How far are we from the grocery?”
“We’re just as close as yesterday, but we’ll drive instead of walking tomorrow to limit the time we’re on the street where someone can scent us.” He’d also make her tell him what Baatar would leave for a message, because he fully expected a Black River pack wolf to be waiting at that grocery.
She had that worried look and he knew why.
He said, “I’ll stay as long as I can, Siofra, but I’m telling you right now, I will not keep you here if the Black River pack shows up in force.”
Her eyes looked ready to gush, but she nodded. “I understand. I will stay inside, whatever it takes to remain as long as possible.”
That agreement should have surprised him, but it didn’t. Siofra would be willing to keep a low profile and do anything else Rory asked for the hope of finding this Baatar.
He’d been holding back through the walk to the dock on the island, the ferry ride and the tour route through Portland, but he had to get his hands on her.
Striding forward, he said, “I need you.” He was stalking her. She should have backed away.
Nope. She took a step and launched into his arms. He caught her and spun around, feeling his soul glide as he did. This had to be what heaven felt like.
“Take off your clothes,” she demanded in a husky voice.
He walked to the bed and dropped her in the middle, then yanked his shirt off. He kept his eyes on her as he shed everything until it was just him.
Her gaze slid down his body to his dick. Well, there was that as well.
She kept her hungry eyes on his groin and fumbled with the snap and zipper on her jeans. He leaned over and yanked her jeans off and out of the way. The T-shirt came off next, leaving her in a bra and panties.
“I wish I had pretty underwear for you,” she complained.
“Why? I’m just going to take it off. Men are simple creatures. Sure, we like to see frilly stuff sometimes, but only if it’s coming off soon. No underwear compares to you naked.”
Her eyes went soft. “You say the nicest things and make me feel pretty.”
He dropped down over her with his arms on each side and her dangling legs between his thighs. “You are pretty. Why would you doubt it?”
“I was never around other women who had any more experience with things like clothes and makeup than I did. Cadells wouldn’t give us makeup or anything special to wear, but I read about how women share tips. I wish I had that.”
He wanted to give this woman everything. “We’ll look into that when we go back.”
She lowered her gaze and he knew her next words would be a lie. She said, “Sounds good. I can’t wait.”
What was she holding back from him?
Why did he give two shits right now when she was soft and sexy and ... his. All his right now.
He kissed her, not because he wanted to drive into her, which he did. No, he kissed her because just this simple touch gave him something special.
She had her hands on his neck again, holding him to her as if she feared he’d leave.
Hell no.
One of her hands moved down his neck to his chest. She had a fairy touch, so light and warm. He wanted to feel her hands everywhere and no more thinking.
She hooked her legs around his waist and lifted up, wiggling against his dick.
“Just remember,” he muttered against her smiling lips, the vixen. “You started it.”
Grinning, she moved her hips again and he almost came right then.
He stood up with her hooked to him and pushed his fingers inside the panties she still wore. She gasped at his touch.
He wanted to hear more, feel more. When he moved his finger around, she moaned and begged, “I’m close.”
Then he pulled his finger away. That would be too quick.
She squeaked out, “Please.”
Hell. That voice saying please would talk him off a cliff. He reached down and ripped the panties apart from each side.
“I don’t have many of those.”
“I’ll get you new ones in whatever colors you want.”
Her eyes darkened. “Then rip away.” She eased her w
et folds up and down him and he shuddered.
He gritted out, “On the bed or ... ”
She had herself worked up to a raspy voice. “Or what?”
“Against the wall.”
“I want number three,” she said, breathless and rubbing him to the point of insanity.
He clenched his teeth when he held back his release and asked, “What’s three?”
“The island restaurant. You said you’d bend me over ... ”
That was more than he could take.
He turned and headed for the sofa facing the window. When he got there, he dropped her down and grabbed a fat pillow he plopped on the top of the sofa back.
Moving behind her, he lifted her just enough to place her stomach down on the pillow. She made a tiny sound.
“Change your mind, baby?”
“Hell no. Make me like this the best.”
Like he needed a challenge? He moved behind her, spreading her legs gently with his more powerful ones. He ran his fingers over her soft bottom and down between her legs where she was wet and hot.
She whispered, “That. I want that.”
He wanted her ready. He teased her until she begged for him to finish it. He could have kept her on the edge longer, but he was too close himself.
When he squatted down, he moved her legs further apart and used his tongue on her.
She arched and her legs shook, then she gave into the release that kept going until he pulled back. “You taste like the best dessert every created.”
Her body had fallen limp over the sofa. She said, “More.”
He stood and eased her back. She lifted up on her arms, back arched, breasts at the perfect spot.
Nudging the head of his dick into her warm opening, he reached around and caught both breasts.
Siofra made the most wonderful sound of pain and pleasure.
His hands massaged her breasts, bringing her nipples to hard beads as he pushed his cock in a little at a time.
Halfway home he pulled out.
“No,” she cried.
If he hadn’t been so focused on holding back, he’d have laughed. He knew that order and pushed deep inside her. She gripped the sofa with white knuckles, scaring him.
“Are you okay, Siofra?”
“Yes,” she squeezed out. “I like you deep in me.”
This woman could snap his control so easily it should scare him. He moved in and out, loving the feel of her. He teased between her legs until she was shaking again, close to coming.
As he picked up speed, he gave each hard nipple a pinch and shoved hard to push her over the edge.
She held onto the sofa, calling his name over and over.
He’d never forget this moment.
When her muscles relaxed around his cock, he gripped her hips, driving hard into her over and over until his body let go. He gave into the mind-blowing orgasm.
Mine. She is mine!
Energy rushed through him with his orgasm and she held on, moaning his name.
He lost all track of time and space. They might have been floating in another realm, one that was all theirs.
When the sparkle of stars cleared from his vision, he looked down at her arms flung over the edge of the sofa. His cock still hidden inside her and that beautiful ass perched for him to stroke. What a gorgeous sight.
Slipping an arm under her middle, he lifted her up and an aftershock ripped through him.
She let out a long hiss of air. “Oh, yes. That last little extra umph. I like it.”
He liked her. More than liked her. Mine.
He wanted to keep her.
She was everything wonderful about the world and the future. He wanted to share a future with her. He’d never even considered such a thing.
He’d never expected to have a future beyond the mating curse.
Siofra was a Cadell, but she could handle bonding with him without any doubt. Her power rivaled anything he’d ever felt.
If she had no power, he’d want her, but then he couldn’t bond with her without his power killing her.
No one would harm her, not him, no one.
Then there was the Guardian and all his Gallize brothers. The idea of bonding with a Cadell wouldn’t fly. That wouldn’t stop him from being with Siofra, but he had some thinking to do.
No way to get his mind off anything but her while he was deep inside her. He lifted her off of him and laid her on the bed. She didn’t move.
“Roll over, baby.”
“No muscles left. You roll me.”
Chuckling, he moved her enough to put her back to his front and spoon. He never spent this kind of time with women.
Spooning had its merits.
After a bit, she regained her strength and turned to face him. “I like you.”
“I was just thinking that about you.”
Her eyebrows lifted. “You were?”
“Yes.” He waited to see what she’d say next since this was uncharted territory for him.
“That’s nice. Makes me happy.”
He wasn’t sure if that meant anything more than happy at this moment, but he’d take it. When she said nothing else, he asked, “What’re you thinking about?”
“Baatar. He would be angry with me.”
“Because of me being a shifter?”
“Yes. I have never liked them, but he hates shifters. Really hates them.”
Rory started to ask if it had anything to do with Cadells preaching how bad Gallize were, but he didn’t want to address a topic he couldn’t really be talking about.
Instead, he stuck with finding out more about this elusive Baatar who thought Siofra was going on the run with him.
Not happening. Rory asked, “Why does he hate shifters so much more than you do?”
Her eyes were drowsy soft and her voice sounded relaxed. “I shouldn’t share this, but you are helping us and you fought the wolf who would have ruined everything. I trust you. I think Baatar would be your friend if he knew you like I do.” She yawned.
She could use the sleep, but Rory felt he was close to learning something about Baatar that might be useful in finding him. “You were saying about Baatar?” he nudged.
She blinked her eyes open. “Oh, yes. Here’s the deal. As I said, I trust you.”
He swallowed at that admission spoken so fervently. “Thank you. I value that trust.”
“You’re welcome, but what I’m saying is that I’ll tell you something about Baatar, because I want you to understand his issues, but you can’t tell your team or that eagle man. I don’t trust anyone but you. Okay?”
Rory normally would not agree to such a thing, because it was his duty to share everything with the Guardian and his team. But they’d never met someone like Siofra who grew up with the Cadells and he could not let this golden opportunity to learn more pass.
Besides, what could she possible say that he couldn’t sit on for a while?
He said, “I understand and I appreciate your trust. I won’t speak to my team or my boss about it unless you tell me I can.”
“Okay.” Her finger drew circles on his chest then paused to toy with the pale chest hairs that ran to his groin. She sighed again and said, “Baatar has been handed off his entire life, too, but he was sold every time from one Cadell group to another. Whenever they sold him, they would claim he was a tiger, so even now everyone is on him to shift. He would have shifted as a cub or an adolescent, like other shifters, if he were a tiger shifter. Why would they think he could do it as an adult if he hadn’t as a child? Stupid Cadells and now the Black River pack probably believes it, too.”
Rory had stopped breathing as she explained. He slowly took in a deep breath, trying to process what she’d just said.
Elianna, Justin’s mate, had shared a vision of a Siberian tiger shifter, a Gallize like her husband, who she believed was in the northeast corner of the country. The Guardian had been shocked, later telling Justin, Cole and Rory that the only one he knew of should have died in a
n attack on a tiger shifter village the day he was born... twenty five years ago.
Could Baatar be a Gallize shifter who was going crazy because the Guardian had not called up his tiger?
Siofra said, “Okay, I told you a secret of mine. Tell me something special about your people.”
Oh, hell, he couldn’t do that. He thought for a minute, then realized what he could tell her without giving away too much. “The mate of one of my team members is pregnant and her eyes changed color.”
“Really? I’ve never heard of that.” She smiled and his heart thudded at making her happy.
Rory needed to find out one more thing on her camp brother. He kept his voice casual and asked, “How old is Baatar?”
“I always tease him that he’s an old man at twenty-five.” She laughed and shook her head.
Shit. If Baatar was that tiger, he was definitely losing his mind with a beast trapped inside of him.
Rory had to do something, but he couldn’t break his word to Siofra. If he did, she’d never trust him again.
But neither could he risk Baatar making a run for it if he got suspicious when Rory showed up. He also owed it to the Guardian to not interrupt the search that his boss, Justin and Cole were on at the moment.
First, Rory had to figure out for sure if Baatar was the missing Gallize tiger.
Chapter 28
Stretched out with an arm behind his head and the rest of him as limp as his well-used dick, Rory ran a hand up and down Siofra’s arm. They’d been lying here for ten minutes as he tried to figure out some plan on Baatar.
One that didn’t involve destroying Siofra’s trust by Rory contacting his boss.
In the other room, his phone dinged with a message.
Siofra announced, “I’m taking a shower. You stay here or I won’t be able to walk tomorrow.”
“Quitter.”
Laughing, she climbed off the tall bed and fished what she needed out of her new suitcase. As she made her way to the bathroom and closed the door, he glanced at the time.
A few minutes past six. What would she want for dinner?
He went into the living room to where his pants were piled on the floor and dug out his phone.
