Fated Mate (Catamount Lion Shifters #3)

by J. H. Croix

  Wallace nodded to his son. “You can let him go. He won’t be bothering you again.”

  Noah slowly released his hold. Brad remained in lion form, his breath labored. Blood streaked his fur. He ignored his father. Wallace remained silent as Jake released Kirk. Noah and Jake quietly padded away. The waited at a distance and watched as Wallace kicked at Brad until he shifted. Kirk followed. Noah and Jake continued their slow pace into the trees as Wallace’s shouting carried across the distance.

  “You stupid idiot! I told you asking anyone about using their property for deliveries was stupid. You don’t ask. You do what you want.”

  His voice faded as they moved deeper into the forest.

  ***

  Lily stood in the shower, savoring the steaming hot water raining down over her. She’d spent the afternoon stacking her woodpile. Snow started to fall, leaving her damp and chilled through by the time she was done. She’d been trying to keep busy, to keep her mind off of Noah. In such a short time, her thoughts about him had worn a groove in her mind. He danced along the edge of her consciousness almost all the time. Her body hummed in anticipation. She felt a hunger for him, it tugged at her, leaving her muddled and at whim to her body. The cat side of her relished the feeling while her human side was torn. She wanted to regain some semblance of control over herself. Just now, she craved his touch. Without thinking, she slipped her hand down into her curls and dipped into the slick moisture of her folds. Her touch was an echo of his. Her channel throbbed at the memory of his fingers inside her, playing her like an instrument. She didn’t recognize the woman Noah elicited—wanton, heedless, and wild.

  Her heart raced. Toying with herself, she blushed at the thought of his eyes on her. The intimacy between them seared through her, almost frightening her with its intensity. She dipped her finger into her channel, stroking into its soft clench. She couldn’t help the gasp that escaped from her. Noah filled her mind while she teased herself. Soaked with want, she craved more. It wasn’t enough, her touch only made her want Noah—his hard body, the feel of him filling her, stretching her. A whimper fell from her lips. She jumped at the sound of a soft knock.

  “Lily?”

  Her heart stuttered and sped at the sound of Noah’s voice.

  “Um, I’m in the shower.”

  Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god! Even though her body was ecstatic at his presence, she was mortified he’d almost caught her like this.

  His soft chuckle made her smile. “Mind if I join you?”

  Her body all but screamed for joy. “No, not at all.”

  Understatement of the century. She was fingering herself, desperate for Noah to be here with her, and now he was. You are out of your mind and getting in way over your head.

  The shower door opened and Noah stepped inside. Her eyes landed on the long deep scratches scoring his chest and arms. She forgot her desire. Her throat tightened with fear.

  “Noah! What happened?”

  He stepped into the cascade of water first, closing his eyes and leaning his head back with a sigh. He ran his hands through his hair before tipping his head back up and meeting her eyes. In the misty light created by the steam, it felt as if they were in a cocoon. He reached for her, sliding his arms around her and pulling her close. Her body relaxed into his touch while her mind gnawed with worry.

  She leaned her head up. “Don’t try to distract me. Why are you all scratched up? I know what I’m seeing. You had a fight with someone, and I want to know who and why.”

  His eyes opened, that amber gaze igniting sparks in her belly. “I’m fine. Jake and I went out to Derek Miller’s place to follow up. Long story short, Kirk and Brad showed up. Took us on a merry chase through the woods to Wallace’s place. I’m not too sure what they meant to do, but I pinned Brad while Jake took care of Kirk.”

  Questions tumbled through her mind, but Noah’s touch was distracting her beyond belief. One hand roamed on her bottom, the other sliding over the curve of her breast to toy with a nipple. Her breath hitched. He made her crazy. She was scared for him, and here she was already forgetting that, her body arching into him, wild with need. He was like a drug, one she couldn’t live without. She forced herself to focus and looked up at him. What she saw in his eyes took her breath away. Molten heat swirled inside. Her heart battered against her ribcage. His gaze reached in and grabbed her heart. She stroked a hand up his chest, tracing the line of one of the scratches.

  “I don’t like seeing you like this,” she whispered, her throat tight.

  Water rolled down his skin. He lifted his hand and traced her mouth with his thumb. Her pulse raced out of control. Her belly clenched, lust piercing through her. In a swift motion, his lips replaced his thumb. His kisses just ruined her, wiped all thought from her mind. The only drive was to get closer, to meld her entire being with his. Their tongues tangled, their breath became one. She ran her hands up his chest, gasping when he tore his mouth from hers, his teeth nipping at her earlobe. His body was all muscle and strength. The feel of him only notched the ache inside her higher.

  Noah rocked his hips into the cradle of hers, his arousal nudging her. Her sex clenched. His hands roamed over her, his touch rough. He blazed a trail down her neck with his lips and teeth, hot shivers racing behind. She curled her hand around his cock, glorying in the wet slide of her grip. A groan escaped him, his mouth latched onto a nipple, sucking and biting until she writhed against him. She lost all focus, desperate only to have him inside her.

  He suddenly stepped back and started to open the shower door. She grabbed at him. “Where…?”

  “Condom,” he bit out.

  Lily shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I’m on the pill. You know I was a virgin before, so…”

  She flushed, suddenly embarrassed. She was acting like this was so much more than it was. Biting her lip, she stared at his chest, her eyes snagging on a scratch that traveled from his shoulder to his lower ribcage. It was angry and red and made her heart clench. Her feelings for him were too much, too intense, too soon.

  Noah let the door fall closed and stepped close to her again, his arms sliding around her. Even surrounded by steam, hot water raining upon her, the heat of his touch echoed in her body. She forced herself to meet his eyes.

  “You don’t have to, you know. I’d give just about anything to feel what’s it’s like to be inside you without anything between us. In case you’re wondering, I’m clean as a whistle. I haven’t been too busy in that area anyway.” He paused, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. “I know this is pretty new for us, but, uh, it’s not something light for me.”

  Steam curled around them as Lily looked up into his amber gaze. Her insecurity faded. Though he hadn’t spelled it out, as she hadn’t, his eyes told her that he felt this between them just as intensely as she did. A drop of water rolled into the corner of her mouth. She licked it away and nodded. “I’m sure.”

  His eyes held hers for another beat before his mouth crashed to hers again. Hot, wet heat surrounded her—within and all around. His hands cupped her breasts, plumping them high for him to feast on her nipples, the alternating soft touch of his wicked tongue with the sharp bite of his teeth driving her mad. Liquid shivers raced through her. She pushed back and sank to her knees, taking him into her mouth. His hands threaded into her wet hair as she stroked up and down, bringing him fully into her mouth again and again and again. Until he abruptly stepped back and tugged her up, turning her to face the wall. His palm slid down her spine, the calloused skin sending sparks in its path. He cupped her bottom in his hands, roughly pushing her thighs apart. Her channel throbbed with need. She pushed back into his touch.

  He stroked his fingers into her folds, soaked with her desire. He toyed with her, stroking around her entrance and circling her clit, before finally plunging his fingers inside her. She ground into his touch, but it wasn’t enough. Pleasure whipsawed through her, pushing her closer and closer to the edge. Only when she cried out
and begged did he nudge his cock into her entrance, slowly sliding his fingers out. He held still for a long moment until she wiggled against him. In a swift surge, he filled her and began to pound into her. The tile was cool under her palms, the contrast heightening the heat twisting inside of her. Without his strong grip on her hips, she’d have fallen. Everything centered on the feel of him moving in and out of her—the push and pull, the pounding. She wanted him deeper and arched into each stroke. He slipped a hand around her hip, sliding over the curve of her belly and pressing against her clit. The brief touch set loose the pressure gathered within her. Her climax wrenched through her, the pleasure so acute, she sobbed.

  Another thrust into her channel as it clenched around him, and a guttural cry tore from Noah’s throat as he pulsed into her. She felt his lips against the back of her neck before his head fell into the dip of her shoulder. Their ragged breathing mingled with the sound of water falling. They remained like that for long moments before he slowly straightened and pulled out of her. His touch never left her, his hands holding her hips firmly as she gathered herself and turned. She fumbled for the soap and quickly soaped herself and him. As she passed over the scratches marring his chest, she looked up at him. He was watching her, his gaze inscrutable. A flutter passed through her center.

  “Don’t think just because you distracted me, I’ll forget to ask more about what happened today.”

  The corner of his mouth lifted in a small smile. “I didn’t think you’d forget.” He snatched the soap from her and made quick work of cleaning up while she rinsed. “Before we talk, I’m starving,” he said bluntly as she toweled off a few minutes later.

  Chapter 10

  Noah kicked the snow off his boots as he stepped through the door into Jake’s office. Jake had called him earlier and asked if he’d stop by to talk with Hank and Dane. Noah happened to be looking down when he stepped inside, so when he looked up and saw Lily, it startled him. Instantly, he felt that deep pull inside whenever he saw her. Which was incredibly inconvenient considering that her brother was right there in the room, alongside Dane Ashworth who happened to be good friends with the family, and Hank Anderson, Catamount’s police chief.

  Lily’s blue eyes met his across the room. His heart tightened and lust coiled in his veins. It was going to take all of his discipline to keep his feelings at bay. Shifters were tuned into each other. Male mountain lions were fiercely protective of their mates. The depth of feelings that came along with being a shifter wasn’t particularly helpful if one wanted to mask their feelings with another shifter. It wasn’t that Noah wanted to hide how he felt about Lily, but he knew her brother finding out about them needed to happen on her terms. He highly doubted she wanted that to be right now in front of a small audience. He took a deep breath and nodded to Dane and Hank before meeting Jake’s eyes.

  “Thanks for stopping by,” Jake said, by way of greeting.

  “No problem.” Noah realized his tendency to be perfunctory was instantly magnified by how busy he was trying to keep his body under control. It took all he had not to look at Lily again. He glanced around the room. Dane was lounging on the edge of a file cabinet while Hank sat in one of the chairs by Jake’s desk. Jake sat across from him, and Lily sat at another desk behind Jake. Noah wasn’t sure if he should sit and was relieved when Jake gestured for him to do so.

  “Need some coffee, or anything?” Jake asked.

  Dane chuckled and caught Noah’s eyes. “His coffee sucks, so unless you’re desperate, I’d pass.”

  Lily giggled. Noah couldn’t stop his eyes from slanting in her direction. Her hair fell in loose waves around her shoulders. She stopped giggling, her eyes landing on his. Her perfect bow mouth was bright, her lips soft and pink. Her cheeks were flushed. Her eyes tilted up, the feline hint of her was soft, giving her face a heart-shaped look. She was somehow sexy, cute, shy and bold all at once. He had to close his eyes because his mind went straight to how her lips felt underneath his. Holy hell. He could not get a hard on right now.

  That’s how helpless he felt when it came to Lily. She didn’t quite seem to realize it, but he was putty in her hands. Whatever she wanted, he’d give it to her with no hesitation. He couldn’t believe this is what it had come to. Before he stopped by the side of the road that winter morning, he had no plans of considering a relationship with anyone. He simply didn’t think it was a good idea. He wouldn’t have described himself as commitment phobic, or one of those guys more interested in playing the field. No, he hadn’t believed in love, hadn’t believed the knee-weakening passion he felt for Lily was even possible. When you don’t even know something can exist, you have no way to prepare for it. Lily had blindsided him.

  He mentally shook himself. Dude, get it together. Fast. Her brother’s sitting two feet away. He took a breath and opened his eyes, purposefully keeping them trained on the desk. Conveniently, Jake and Dane were bantering about Jake’s shitty coffee. No one seemed to have noticed he’d been preoccupied.

  “It’s a damn miracle you didn’t starve yourself before you wised up about Phoebe. Count yourself lucky you love a woman who’s one hell of a cook and makes amazing coffee,” Dane commented with a grin.

  Jake’s return smile was unabashed. “Damn straight. That’s not why I love her, but it’s an awesome bonus.”

  Lily stood. Noah had to shackle his impulse to do so much more than briefly glance her way. “How about I run down to Roxanne’s and bring back some coffee?”

  Jake readily agreed with Dane and Hank chiming in as well. Noah realized his silence must have gone on too long when Jake said his name.

  Noah glanced to Jake, firmly keeping his eyes away from Lily. “Yeah?”

  “Did you want some coffee from Roxanne’s?” Jake asked.

  “Oh sure.” That was about all he could manage, but then Lily had to go and ask what kind.

  He turned her way. The soft flush on her cheeks had deepened. She stood by the corner of Jake’s desk. Noah could feel her from where he sat and see the pulse fluttering in her neck. He clenched his fists in his pockets. “Shot in the dark works for me.”

  Lily nodded. “Just one shot of espresso in the coffee?”

  He managed to nod and blessedly could look away. She asked the rest for their preferences. What should have been a boring topic sent his blood, hot and thick, surging through his veins. His mind relived the sound of her voice when she cried out last night in the shower and the feel of her channel clenching his cock. He had to close his eyes again. When he opened them, he counted the trees in view through the windows. Conversation continued around him as Lily pulled her jacket on and left.

  Relief and disappointment warred within him. He was relieved she was gone, so he could pull himself together, and disappointed because he instantly missed her. Fortunately, Hank took over the reins of conversation, pulling Dane and Jake onto the topic of the investigation.

  “Here’s where we stand, guys. Randall’s still tight-lipped. I thought he’d get bored being in jail by now because it’s been awhile. But he hasn’t had many visitors, even from his family, so I’m guessing he’s not up to speed on what’s going on outside. Only visitor’s been his mother.” Hank paused and glanced to Jake.

  “Still nothing on her?” Hank asked.

  Jake shook his head firmly. “Far as I can tell, she’s clean. At least, from what I can gather with her online trail. She and Wallace divorced years ago. I was young enough I don’t remember much about it, but I remember it was ugly.”

  Hank nodded. “Hell, it was awful. He dragged her through the mud in court. Back to Wallace, looks like Callen’s the one that originally stumbled on this smuggling network, but once he brought his dad in, Wallace took the lead. That stuff you found the other day on him was a goldmine. He’s been in almost weekly communication with one of the guys out in Montana about deliveries. I’d like to keep waiting, but I think we have enough to arrest him. I’m afraid if we wait too long while he knows we’re onto him, he�
�ll have time to do some clean up.”

  The conversation continued with Hank laying out his plan around how to handle the arrest of Wallace, while he looked to Jake, Dane and Noah for planning on how to handle the fallout and manage some of the loose ends, such as Kirk.

  Though Noah had been proud of his time in the military and was accustomed to working on investigations and stealth missions in the Special Forces, he’d always thought of that part of himself as entirely separate from Catamount. Here, he’d never been a decorated soldier. He’d been nothing more than the son of a man who was rough and dragged down everyone around him. His father’s family had been one generation after another of violent men who toed the edge of criminal activity. He couldn’t quite believe Jake, Dane and Hank had so easily accepted him into the ranks of shifters they turned to in situations like this. His throat tightened, but his heart eased. He didn’t want to carry the burden of his father everywhere he went in Catamount.

  He glanced between the men. “Hope I’m not covering old territory, but you guys have been working this one longer than me. Have we followed up on all the other loose ends? Are we thinking that if we can make the link to Wallace, that’ll cut this off at the head in Catamount?”

  Hank shrugged and shook his head sadly. “That’s my hunch. The only loose end would be your uncle. Theo isn’t talking either. He doesn’t seem to have the position or resources to have much weight to this. I’d be curious to know your thoughts on him though. Do you think he was involved in the organization, or just doing grunt work for the cash?”