“I’m here.” Turning, he saw Sara at the bottom of the stairs, dressed in one of his shirts, her hair delightfully messy.
“Have you heard from Kara?” Tara asked.
Sara frowned. “No. Wasn’t she supposed to arrive yesterday? With everything going on, I forgot.”
“Yes, she was, but she never got here.” Tara’s face was worried. “I’ve tried calling her, but she doesn’t answer. Mum and dad said she left them ages ago. She should be here by now.”
Felix exchanged a glance with Alex.
“It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve had someone use a family member as bait,” Alex said quietly.
Tara heard him, her face turning even whiter. “I thought you said not to speculate,” she said.
Alex wrapped an arm around his mate. “There could be various reasons why she hasn’t shown up, but Ryan is one of them. I’ve called Ethan and Leo to put the word out to look for Kara. We just wanted to check if Sara had heard anything.”
“I haven’t,” Sara said. “I hadn’t even tried to call her.” She dipped her head.
“You’ve been busy,” Felix reminded her. “We’ll find her, sweetheart.”
She looked up at him, eyes shining with unshed tears. “Kara is the baby of the family, Felix, and she’s been through so much already. We can’t let anything happen to her.”
Felix went to her, wrapping his arms around her and holding her close. “We won’t. We’ll find her, Sara. I promise.”
Chapter 15
Sara pressed the button to end the call. She’d been trying to call her sister all day and still there was no answer. It was possible that Kara had simply been delayed, but the lead weight settling in Sara’s stomach told her something was wrong.
“Nothing?” Felix asked.
She shook her head, looking around at the salon. It was almost finished. Unbelievable in such a short space of time, but everyone had been pitching in and working hard. Alex, Leo, and Ethan were absent today, spending their time looking for Ryan and Kara instead, but everyone else was back to help.
“Have you heard from Leo?” she asked.
Felix shook his head. “I’d tell you if I had.”
She sighed. “I know. I’m just really worried. Kara is… fragile, Felix. She’s been ignored and picked on her whole life because she’s a hybrid. She never shifts into her other form unless she has to, and she tries to live as a human all the time. Kara is just different. I hate the thought of Ryan being with her.”
“Do you think he’d…?” Felix trailed off.
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “He won’t sexually assault her because he thinks she’s beneath him. He won’t touch a hybrid in that way. At least she’s safe from that. It won’t stop him from hurting her though. He really hates her, Felix, for no reason other than what she is.” She blinked up at him. “It doesn’t bother you, does it? Because Kara is my sister and I need you to accept her exactly as she is.”
Felix ruffled her hair. “I thought you knew me well enough by now to know I don’t care what she turns into. She’s your sister and therefore my sister too. That’s all I need to know, baby.”
She smiled up at him and leaned into his touch. “Thanks, Felix. I guess I’m just a little oversensitive about it. She’s my little sister and I’ve always had to protect her. You probably get that since you have a little sister too.”
Felix snorted. “Not so much.”
Sara glanced over to where Katie was wrestling with Jackson, pinning him to the floor with a knee to his back. “Yeah, point taken.”
“Katie’s the youngest, but she’s generally the one we needed protecting from,” Felix said with a shrug. “But yeah, I get it. Even though she’s a massive pain in the ass, she’s my baby sister and I wouldn’t let anyone hurt her. You protect family.” He smiled at her. “And now that includes you and your relatives.”
She leaned over and kissed him. “I guess we should get back to work.”
The rest of the day passed quickly, and by the end of it, Felix had a fully functioning salon again.
“What’s up?” Felix asked her as she stood looking at it.
She sighed. “I guess this means that you’ll have to go back to work.” She’d enjoyed working alongside him the last few days, loved having him close. It would be hard to be separated from him now, especially since they were newly mated.
He brushed a kiss across her temple. “I’ll have to let everyone know we’re open again, so it might take a little while to get busy. Most likely tomorrow will be spent sorting out appointments.”
“Need any help?” she asked. “Now that I’ll be staying here, I guess I should find a job. Until then, I can help out. If you want me to.”
“I could use help with the appointments and the books,” he said. “I hate doing that, so I’d love the help.”
“Done,” she agreed. “Are we finished here?”
Felix looked around and nodded. “Yeah. Nothing else needs doing tonight. Hungry?”
“Famished,” she said. “But I’m too tired to cook.”
“Luigi’s?” he asked. “Best pizza ever.”
“Hell yeah.”
A short time later and they were seated in a booth at Luigi’s. The pizza was finished, and they sat there, working up the energy to leave. Sara’s phone was still worryingly silent.
“Back in a sec,” Felix said, excusing himself and going to the bathroom.
He’d only been gone a few moments when Sara’s phone rang, making her jump. Glancing at it, she saw Kara’s name, and she sagged with relief.
“Where the hell have you been?” she demanded when she answered the call.
There was silence.
“Kara?” she asked. Unease slithered through her. “Kara?”
“Kara can’t come to the phone right now.” Fear shot through her at the sound of Ryan’s voice.
“Where is she?” Sara’s voice shook, but she couldn’t stop it.
“Safe. For now.” Ryan sighed. “Although I’d be doing the world a favour if I just disposed of her now.”
“Don’t you dare!” she hissed. “She has done nothing to you.”
“She exists,” Ryan spat. The contempt in his voice was clear. “That’s offensive enough.” He paused. “But I will leave her alone if you come to me and give me what I want. Cubs. After that, you’re free to go back to that overgrown pussy.”
She couldn’t make herself speak.
“I’ll text you the details,” Ryan continued. “You’ll come and you’ll come alone. If I catch sight of anyone else, I’ll kill her and then come back for you. One way or another, you’re going to do what I say. The only question is whether or not your sister lives. That’s up to you.”
The call ended.
She sat for a moment, phone still at her ear, unable to move. Slowly, she lowered her hand, jumping when the phone buzzed with a message. Checking it, she noted the location and read his instructions. Tomorrow. In the woods. No phone, nobody with her. Just her and Ryan. Her hands shook as she put away her phone.
“Everything okay?”
She jumped at the sound of Felix’s voice. As he slid into the booth, she managed a strained smile at him. “Yes, just tired.”
He frowned, clearly unconvinced.
“And I’m worried about Kara,” she added. It was the truth. Felix’s expression cleared and he reached across the table to take her hands.
“I’m sorry,” he said, his thumb rubbing her hand. “We’ll find her, I promise. But first we need to take care of you.”
Standing, they left the booth and started out for home. Once again, she found herself at Felix’s house. It was probably for the best. She couldn’t live in Tara’s house forever. She frowned a little. If she didn’t find a way to help Kara, she wouldn’t be living with Felix either. She’d be with Ryan, in a living hell that would make her long for death.
“Sara?” Felix tilted her head up t
o look at him.
She longed to tell him, to ask for his help, but she knew she couldn’t. Felix was the perfect mate for her. He was patient, sweet, understanding, and had just a hint of that sexy dominant male attitude, but he wasn’t aggressive, wasn’t a fighter. In a confrontation with Ryan, Felix would be outmatched and he would get hurt. She wouldn’t let that happen.
So, instead of confiding in him, she forced herself to smile at him, her hands sliding up around his neck and pulling him down for a kiss. Her hands sank into the hair at the back of his head, revelling in the warm, soft, strands. Humming in pleasure, she deepened the kiss, pressing herself against him.
He broke the kiss to whisper, “Upstairs.”
She shook her head, letting her hand slide down his arm to take his hand and lead him over to the rug at the window.
“I’ve been dreaming about making love to you here on this rug since the first time we sat on it,” she confessed.
Grinning at her, he closed the blinds and pulled her down to sit on the rug, kicking off his shoes as she did the same. Their socks followed. Then the rest of their clothes, each stripping quickly, eagerly. Both naked, they looked at each other for a moment, their eyes drinking their fill. Her nipples tightened under his scrutiny and she shifted restlessly, impatient to begin. With a knowing grin, Felix reached out to her, brushing her hair back from her face, his hand leaving little goose bumps on her skin.
“You are perfect”, he told her, his hand tracing her collarbone, his touch whisper soft. She shivered.
Felix pulled her down as he lay back, allowing her to sprawl over him. He kissed her, fiercely, passionately, stoking the flames within her until she panted with need. Mewling, she swung her leg over him, grinding herself against his hardness.
“Not yet,” Felix said, between kisses. “I seem to recall that we have more unfinished business.”
“Later,” she murmured, continuing to rock against him, the friction oh so good.
“Now,” he demanded. “I need to taste you, need to lap at your cream.”
Little tremors shot through her at the mere thought. She remembered how good she’d felt that morning. At first she’d been nervous, the position making her a little uncomfortable, but Felix had been so attentive, so appreciative, that her reserve had faded, leaving her more than a little turned on. She couldn’t deny that she wanted what he had offered.
She nodded and eased herself up his body once more positioning herself over his face. Her hands gripped the windowsill, her knees sinking into the fluffy rug. Felix’s hands stroked lightly over her thighs, sending more little shivers through her.
“Lower,” Felix urged.
She obliged, gasping as Felix’s tongue stroked her, the touch soft and yet firm, warm and wet. He lapped at her, humming with pleasure, and she felt herself get even wetter for him. Sighing, she rocked against his mouth, her breasts swinging slightly, the sensations glorious. She could feel herself soften, getting ready to take her mate, and she felt so wanton, so free, so alive. The pleasure built slowly, gently, and she allowed it to happen, not fighting it, not trying to rush it, but letting it gradually take her over. She moaned a little, unable to stay quiet and Felix applied just a bit more pressure, making her groan even harder.
It was too much. He was killing her with pleasure. She needed to come and yet she never wanted this to end, wanted to coast along on this wave of bliss for all eternity. Her legs started to tremble, her breathing got heavier, more moans escaping from her.
“Felix,” she groaned, her body feeling impossibly hot and sticky.
He applied yet more pressure, his tongue circling her clit as he slid one hand up to her entrance and slipped a finger inside just as he sucked hard at her. The pressure exploded, her body going rigid as she pulsed around his finger, her brain fried and shattering. The pleasure continued, never seeming to end, and then finally subsided, fading slowly, the aftershocks continuing to rock her.
Felix reached up and gently pried her fingers from the windowsill, pulling her down to lie against him as she recovered. He pressed little kisses everywhere, making her feel loved and secure in his embrace. She loved her lion. Loved him. Completely and utterly. How could she not? He took her with all her issues, never judging, always supportive, and accepted her as she was, giving her everything she needed, everything she had ever wanted. Plus, he rocked her world, each and every time he touched her.
“I love you,” she whispered to him once she’d regained the power of speech. This may be their last night together and she couldn’t leave without making sure that he knew how she felt. She was a coward, whispering the words, unable to say it louder. Still, he was a shifter, so she knew he would hear her.
The hand stroking her back stopped for a moment. Then she felt herself lifted to rest fully on top of him. Looking up from his chest, she saw him grinning at her.
“I love you too, baby,” he said, his hands stroking her ass. His hips bucked a little, grinding his hard length against her. She ground back into him, increasing the pressure.
“Ready?” he asked her.
She grinned at him. “Always.”
Shifting her position a little, she aligned him at her entrance, still slick from his earlier attentions. She rubbed herself against him, torturing them both, before allowing the tip of him to slip inside. Sara watched as Felix’s head tipped back, his eyes closing with the pleasure. She did that to him. Her laid-back lion was never quite so calm around her, and she felt a rush of pleasure that she was the only one who could get under his skin so easily.
She sank a little further down, taking more of him, relishing the way he stretched her inner walls. Her hands were splayed on his chest, helping her keep her balance, as she slid down, taking the last of him. Someday, she wanted to try this with him on top, thrusting into her. She had always enjoyed the smaller displays of dominance, but a part of her still couldn’t give up that control. Looking down, she saw Felix watching her. Someday, she would heal enough to take him in any way, to allow him to take control. Felix would help her to get there, she knew that with a bone-deep certainty. Someday, but not today.
She lifted slightly, then eased back down, swivelling her hips slightly and making them both moan. Felix’s hands slid up her body, cupping her breasts where they bounced with her movements. Thumbs stroked over her nipples, making them harden almost painfully. He pinched them and she felt herself tighten around his cock. He continued to squeeze and pull at them, sending shockwaves rippling through her pussy. She picked up the pace, taking him inside her harder and faster, their bodies slapping together and the scent of sex hanging heavily in the air.
So close, so very close. One of Felix’s hands left her breast, and she whimpered at the loss. A moment later that hand was sliding through her curls to where they were joined. His other hand continued to torment her nipple, pinching hard, just as he tapped her clit hard when she sank down onto him. She screamed as she came, the orgasm hitting her hard as she fell apart, Felix’s hands now holding her upright as he thrusted into her, once, twice, and then stilled, his cock pulsing within her, coating her with his essence. She shuddered helplessly and collapsed forward, her body draped over his, still joined.
Felix’s hands stroked her hair from her face, the strands hot and wet as they clung to her. Too hot. She had melted into a little puddle of goo and desire and she might never manage to pull herself back together. Honestly, she didn’t care.
His hands continuing to stroke her, Felix murmured into her ear, but she was too out of it to even understand what he said. Her heart pounded as though it would burst out of her chest and she struggled to breathe properly. She was too hot and needed to move, but she didn’t want to.
Gradually, she calmed, her heart returning to a normal rhythm, and her breathing slowing. Pushing up a little, she looked up at her mate. For the first time ever, his hair was a mess, and she felt a ridiculous amount of pride that she had been the one to do that to him.
“That was…” her voice came out raspy and she swallowed. “That was… wow. I have never… I mean, that was so…” She was babbling. Forcing herself to stop speaking, she stared helplessly at him.
“Yeah,” he sighed, a goofy grin spreading across his face.
She giggled. “I messed up your hair,” she confessed. She bit her lip. Now that she’d mentioned it, he would probably need to go and fix it, and she wasn’t ready for him to move yet.
Surprisingly, he just shrugged.
“Totally worth it,” he announced. “You can mess up my hair by doing that any time.”
Chapter 16
A small growl sounded from the other end of the room and Felix grinned to himself. His mate was staking her claim. Mrs Sinclair jumped a little, removing her hand from his arm and looking round at Sara. Hmm… maybe he should employ his mate as a bodyguard.
Mrs Sinclair excused herself and left. Felix strolled over to the desk, leaning against it.
“While the growling is seriously hot, it’s better if you don’t scare my clients,” he pointed out, grinning at her.
“She was touching you,” Sara growled at him. “There is no need for touching.” He could see her polar bear close to the surface, annoyed at the other woman’s presence.
Leaning over, he cupped her face. “Yeah, but the only person I touch is you.” She settled a little and sighed.
“Sorry,” she said. “The bear is a little jealous.”
“Just your bear?” he asked, one eyebrow raised.
“Shut up.”
He grinned at her. “Just remember, sweetheart, you’re the only person in the world that I let mess up my hair.”
She smiled wryly at him. “Yeah, I don’t think this arrangement is going to work. You need to be friendly to your clients… but not too friendly.” She shot him a warning glance. “Then I’m going to get jealous every time I have to see it. I need to find a job of my own anyway.”
“Any ideas?” he asked. He had no problem with supporting her, but he knew Sara wouldn’t be happy like that for long.
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