Under the Panther's Protection [Black Panthers 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic)

by Leah Brooke

  She needed comfort from him and to feel safe.

  Rage would have to wait.

  Running his hand up and down her back in an effort to calm her trembling, Joshua murmured to her. “It was just a bad dream. You’re safe now, and I won’t let anyone get to you.”

  “I kept hoping you’d find me, but I was scared that you wouldn’t. When they turned into panthers, I thought maybe I’d already died.”

  Joshua kissed her hair and leaned back just far enough to look down at her, his own hands trembling at how close he’d come to losing her. “I wouldn’t let that happen. I told you that I’d find you and bring you home, and I did.”

  She smiled faintly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. “You did. I was so scared.”

  He buried his lips in her hair. “I know, my mate, but there’s no reason to be scared now, is there?”

  “I was so cold. I hate being cold.”

  “I know, my mate, but you’re warm now, aren’t you?” He pulled the blanket more firmly around her and continued to rock her, fighting for calm while an inferno of rage burned inside him. “How about if we put a pair of your fuzzy socks on and you go back to sleep?”

  “I don’t want to go back to sleep.” Leaning back, she peered around him, smiling at his pack mates who stood gathered at the doorway. “Let me guess. They want cookies.”

  Sliding her to his lap, he kissed her hair and continued to rock her. “They can wait for cookies. You need to sleep.”

  She held up her wrist, leaning against him. “I can’t go back to sleep. If they’re willing to help me, I’d rather do something to keep me busy.”

  Dane smiled. “We’ll do all the work.”

  Fiona raised a brow. “And the cleanup?”

  Dane’s smile widened. “You just have to sit there and order us around.”

  Fiona smiled up at Joshua. “How am I supposed to resist a chance to do that?”

  Leaning against the kitchen doorway, Joshua kept a sharp eye on his mate while she took charge of his pack mates with the expertise and precision of a drill sergeant.

  With his pack mates and his mate in the kitchen, and the smell of freshly baked cookies filling the air, his house really felt like a home.

  He wanted to pick her up and carry her back to bed so she could get some of the rest she so obviously needed, but she seemed to be having a good time bossing his pack mates around and bonding over cookies.

  In charge of mixing the batter, Graham followed Fiona’s directions, seeming to enjoy his newfound talent. “I’m getting good at this.”

  Fiona patted his hand, surreptitiously winking at Joshua. “Yes, you are. You’re an amazing mixer.”

  Graham paused and studied her innocent expression with narrowed eyes. “Are you making fun of me?”

  “Of course not. You thought you couldn’t do this, but you are. I think you were just letting the thought of making desserts intimidate you. Don’t forget to put the chocolate chips in.”

  Vincent stood at the sink, washing and drying dishes and eating as many cookies as he could steal.

  Dane watched the oven, testing for doneness as per Fiona’s instructions, taking his job as seriously as he did tracking, especially after burning a tray of them. Pulling a tray of cookies from the oven, he showed them to her. “These are done, right?”

  “Yes, they are.” Fiona beamed at him. “They’re perfect.”

  Looking inordinately pleased with himself, Dane set the pan on the island and took another that Fiona had already filled. “With double ovens, we’re really cranking these out.”

  Fiona smiled at Joshua, making his chest swell. “Yes. It was nice of Joshua to get them. It’s nice to bake for people who enjoy it and have good appetites.”

  She smiled at Mitch, who packed cooled cookies into plastic containers while she removed hot ones to a cooling rack. “Baking dessert has taken on a whole new meaning. Baking for all of you is very satisfying. It makes me feel good.” She lifted her wrist. “I just wish I could bake for you myself after all you’ve done for me.”

  To Joshua’s horror, her eyes filled with tears. “I can’t believe all of you risked your life to save mine. I was terrified.”

  Graham, Mitch, and Dane eyed Joshua in horror while Vincent turned from the sink, his hands dripping water and soap bubbles.

  “Please make her stop.”

  Joshua had already crossed to her, picking her up and sitting on the adjacent stool with her on his lap. “Of course, we went to get you. You’re one of us now. You’re safe, my mate.”

  Nodding, Fiona hurriedly wiped her eyes. “I know. I just appreciate what all of you did.”

  Graham smiled, setting the bag of chocolate chips aside. “You’re family now.”

  Fiona sucked in a breath and glanced at Joshua, her cheeks flushing. “I know. It’s just a little hard to get used to it.”

  Joshua kissed her hair, thinking about how she’d grown up taking care of her sister, with parents who didn’t even notice when she started wearing makeup. “You’ve got the rest of your life to get used to it. In the meantime, you’re going to spoil everyone and make us all fat.”

  Running a hand over her abdomen, she grinned at his, the love in her eyes stealing his breath. “I’d hate to be the only one getting fat around here.”

  Joshua wondered if she realized just how starving she was for love.

  He planned to give her all she could handle.

  Lifting her from his lap, he set her back on her stool, covering her abdomen from behind. “You’re beautiful, and I can’t wait to see your body swell with my baby.”

  Mitch grinned at the growing mountain of cookies. “It’s hard to believe these will all be gone after dinner.”

  Fiona used her good hand to scoop even mounds of dough onto the empty baking sheet. “If someone is willing to help, I’ll make some cakes tomorrow.”

  Slipping behind his mate, Joshua snuck a kiss and a cookie. “We’ll see. I don’t want you overdoing it.”

  Fiona frowned up at him. “Joshua, I’m pregnant and have a broken wrist. I know I need some help, but it makes me happy to see someone enjoying their food.”

  “I know.” Joshua bit into his cookie, groaning at the burst of flavor. “I admire your need to do things for others, but you have limitations, even if you don’t want to admit it. My job is to make sure you don’t exceed those limitations, my mate.”

  “I don’t like being bossed around.”

  Joshua smiled and inclined his head. “I’m sure it’s difficult for you to give up responsibility for things, but you’ll get used to it.”

  “I’m not going to be pregnant or have a broken wrist forever, Joshua.”

  Aware of the others’ attention, Joshua smiled. “At least you’re thinking about the future.”

  Fiona smiled, the sadness in her eyes knotting his stomach. “I’m always thinking about the future.” She turned away. “Dane, don’t you dare burn those cookies.”

  Joshua refilled her glass of milk and his before handing the gallon to Vincent. He went back to lean against the doorway, smiling when she met his gaze again. “So am I. It looks a hell of a lot better than it did a few months ago.”

  Delighted by her blush, Joshua watched her oversee Graham’s next batch of dough, smiling when she reached for another cookie.

  Sipping from his own glass of milk, Mitch grabbed a cookie from the cooling rack and made his way toward him, not speaking until Graham started the mixer again. “She’s tired.”

  Joshua snorted. “Tired? She’s exhausted. That’s the last batch. I’m going to take her to bed and make her get some sleep.”

  “What makes you think she’ll sleep? She didn’t go back to sleep earlier because she was afraid of having another bad dream.”

  Watching his mate, Joshua frowned. “Last night, she slept peacefully until I got out of bed to try to pace off some restless energy. Even though I was still in the room, she woke up within a few minutes. This morning, she slept in, and
I stayed with her for a while. But then I got up to get some coffee. Within a few minutes, she woke up.”

  Mitch’s brows went up. “Interesting. And just a little while ago, she only slept a few minutes after you put her to bed before waking up from a nightmare. It seems that your mate can’t sleep unless you’re with her.”

  Joshua sucked in a breath, his chest swelling. “Yeah.”

  “Then she trusts you.”

  Joshua nodded, hoping to build on that. “She does, although I’m not sure if she realizes how far we’ve come. Trust is hard for her.”

  “And yet you’ve managed to earn it.”

  Joshua grinned, knowing what a feat he’d accomplished. “Yeah.”

  By the time the last batch of cookies came out of the oven, Fiona could no longer hold back a yawn.

  “You know, I didn’t expect to be able to relax around all of you since I found out you’re shapeshifters, but I haven’t had such a relaxing afternoon in a long time.”

  Graham grinned. “That’s good, honey. We all enjoyed it.”

  Fiona wrinkled her nose, wincing at the tug. “Bullshit. You enjoyed the cookies.”

  Dane shifted the last tray of cookies to the cooling rack, his eyes watchful. “We enjoyed spending time with you, and we enjoyed the cookies.” He smiled tenderly, speaking in the low, soothing tone she’d come to expect from him. “Now you know our weak spots.”

  Nibbling on another cookie, Fiona leaned forward and smiled. “You haven’t had my chocolate cake yet.”

  In the process of handing the baking sheet to Vincent to wash, he turned back. “Chocolate cake?”

  “And let’s not even get started on my apple crumb pie.”

  Vincent gaped at her wide-eyed while Joshua approached, his lips twitching. “It’s a good thing we’re going to expand our patrols. We’re all going to get fat.”

  He picked up her half-full glass of milk and handed it to her. “Drink your milk, and then I’m putting you to bed.”

  Fiona opened her mouth to object but then noticed the gleam in his gorgeous dark eyes. “If you say so.”

  “I definitely say so.”

  Vincent started to gather the containers of cookies. “I’ll just take these up to the farmhouse.”

  Shaking his head, Graham blocked Vincent’s path to the containers and pushed the mixing bowl at his belly. “Leave the cookies. If you take them down there now, they’ll be gone before dinner. Joshua can bring them later. Wash the bowl so we can get out of here and Fiona can get the rest she needs.” The remnants of anger glittered in his eyes. “She’s been through too much.”

  Joshua bent and lifted her from the stool, holding her securely against his chest. “She’s safe now, and that’s all that matters.”

  Dane grinned and wiped his hands. “Yes, it is. Joshua, go take care of your mate. We’ll be out of here in two minutes.”

  Wrapping her arms around Joshua’s neck, she wiggled against him, waiting until he strode down the hall and closed the bedroom door behind him before nuzzling his jaw. “I’m beginning to see that there are a lot of advantages to you putting me to bed. You gonna take care of me, my mate?”

  Pausing next to the bed, Joshua stiffened, a low growl coming from somewhere deep inside him. Arching back slightly, he stared down at her with eyes that glittered with need. “Are you flirting with me?”

  The need in his eyes fueled her own. Lifting into him, she rubbed her breast against his chest, moaning softly at the incredible pleasure. “Maybe I need to be a little more direct.”

  Resting her injured wrist on his shoulder, she wrapped her other hand around the back of his neck to pull him closer.

  She poured her love and passion into her kiss, thrilling at his deep groan.

  Joshua set her on her feet on the mattress, stripping her shirt and bra off. “Is this what you want, my mate?”

  Bending to kiss him again, her hair a curtain around them, Fiona pulled at his shirt. “I want you to take me.”

  “Be still. I don’t want you to hurt your wrist.” Keeping an arm wrapped around her waist, Joshua stripped off his shirt with one hand, running his tongue over her nipple as he did. “You’re supposed to be resting.”

  Fisting her hand in his hair, she held him at her breast, the feel of his lips and tongue on her nipple sending sharp stabs of pleasure to her pussy and clit. “I’ll rest later. Please. Oh God, Joshua. It’s so intense.”

  He unfastened her jeans and yanked them down. “Yes, it is.”

  With an arm around her back supporting her, he lowered her to the bed, gently sucking her nipple.

  Lifting his head, he stared down at her with hooded eyes, leaning back just far enough to rip her panties from her. “Your nipples are more sensitive now. I’m going to have to be careful.”

  “Don’t you dare.” The sound of her panties being ripped added to the primitive edge that took over—an edge she understood better now.

  Scrambling to her knees, she reached for the fastening of his jeans. “I want it wild. I want a panther—not a fucking pussycat.”

  Without warning, Joshua shifted and leapt to the bed, his clothes falling away to puddle on the floor.

  To Fiona’s delight and alarm, he landed between her ankles.

  Stiffening, she lifted to her elbows, her entire body shaking with apprehension.

  “Joshua?”

  His eyes held hers as he leaned closer, baring sharp, white teeth. Lowering his head, he scraped his teeth lightly over her inner thigh, the threat forcing her to spread her thighs wider.

  He wouldn’t take her in panther form.

  Would he?

  Moving back, he used his sharp teeth to pull off her thick socks and began to lick her toes.

  Each swipe of his rough tongue sent shivers through her, the ribbons of pleasure collecting at her clit.

  She sat up to watch him, fascinated at the sight of a large, black panther, so dangerous looking, slowly running his tongue over the bottom of her foot with such tenderness.

  She had to keep reminding herself that it was Joshua until she began to stare at his eyes.

  Looking into them, she couldn’t forget who touched her.

  He worked his way higher, licking her ankles and then her calves, the low purring sounds both soothing and arousing.

  He moved higher, nudging the underside of her knee until she bent it outward, leaving her spread wider.

  His eyes narrowed to slits when she cried out at the feel of his tongue sliding over the sensitive spot behind her knee, the soft flicking strokes of his tongue heightening her arousal to the point of madness.

  She writhed restlessly, the low warning growl he made exciting her so much that her pussy clenched harder but alarming enough to keep her still.

  With another series of purring sounds, he nudged her other knee, forcing her to bend it outward, spreading her even wider as he gave the underside of that knee the same attention.

  Fisting her hands at her sides, Fiona rocked her hips, the throbbing of her clit unbearable. Reaching out, she touched the soft fur on his head. “Joshua. Please. I can’t take any more.”

  With a growl, he held her gaze and shifted again, sliding his hands under her bottom and lifted her as he lowered his head. “Cats love cream, my mate.”

  “I want you to take me.”

  “I’m a little busy right now, baby. I’ve got a sweet tooth that can only be satisfied one way.” He lowered his head again, sliding his tongue into her with a growl, flicking it in and out of her in a way that had her clamoring for release.

  Fiona bit her lip to hold back her cries, not wanting the others to hear her.

  “They’re gone, my mate, and I want to hear you.” He focused his attention on her clit, sending her over in a rush of heat, holding her firmly when she cried out and arched.

  She came hard and fast, so fast that it stole her breath.

  Kicking her legs as the pleasure crested, she called out his name, yelping when he flipped her to her belly, c
arefully cradling her wrist as he did. “Oh God.”

  Chuckling, Joshua slid a hand under her, lifting her to her knees. “Now that we’ve taken the edge off, let’s see if we can satisfy that craving inside you.”

  He thrust into her without warning, forcing the inner walls of her pussy to stretch all around him. “I love the way your pussy ripples when I fuck you. It makes me wonder what it’s going to feel like when I take your tight ass.”

  Her bottom clenched in response, the surge of need breathtaking. “Joshua.”

  Although he kept his thrust slow and even, the deep sounds rumbling from his chest and the hunger in his hold kept the erotic edge razor sharp. “Yes, my mate?”

  “It vibrates inside me.”

  “I know.” Covering her body with his, he adjusted his hold so that his hand covered her abdomen, his fingertips over her clit. “Imagine how it’s going to feel to have my cock vibrating in your ass.”

  Fisting her hands, she rocked into his thrusts, each stroke sliding his fingertips over her swollen clit. “I don’t know if I’ll ever get used to how primitive you are.”

  His teeth scraped over her shoulder. “Shapeshifters are very primitive. Raw. Sexual. I want to take you every way I can, including fucking your tight ass. You’re mine, and I want my imprint on every inch of you.”

  Unused to giving herself over, Fiona found that, with Joshua, she had no choice.

  He wouldn’t let her hold back.

  Turning her head, she nuzzled his jaw, smiling at his possessive soft growl. “Do it.”

  “You’re pregnant.”

  “You won’t hurt me.” She knew it as well as she knew her own name.

  He straightened to his knees, lifting her against him, his voice lowering. “If you’re a good girl and come again, I’ll fuck your ass.”

  Sucking in a breath at his teasing, erotic tone, Fiona lifted into his thrusts. “Make me.”

  Nipping her shoulder, he growled again, a growl she recognized now as being one of sharp hunger. “You have to challenge me, don’t you?”

  The warmth of his body against her back disappeared when he straightened, and with another sound in his throat, he nudged her knees wider. One hot hand covered her breast, his fingertips tugging lightly on her nipple, while the fingertips of his other hand slid with slow deliberation over her clit. “Come for me, my mate. I want my cock soaked with your cream.”