by Bianca D’Arc
Cade was a master. She accepted that, even though she sensed there was much more to being involved with a shifter than he’d been able to show her so far. She was an eager student, willing to learn from the only man who’d ever mastered her pleasure.
He held her securely in his arms as their ecstasy unfolded, both shaking and clinging to each other while their bodies floated down from the pinnacle. She loved the feel of his hard body against her, the slight roughness of his skin and the soft hair on his chest rubbing her breasts. He was the most beautiful specimen of manhood she’d ever had the good fortune to lure into her bed.
Not that there’d been all that many men in her bed, but of the few she’d elected to go all the way with, Cade was without doubt the finest of the fine. Elaine felt a little thrill of pride that he wanted her. Cade could have any woman he wanted, and probably had. Tomcats were notorious for their conquests and she assumed pantera noir males were no different considering how appealing they were to the female of any species.
But Cade was in her bed now. He’d chosen her, for the night at least. It was an oddly old-fashioned thought for a modern woman to have, but the giggling schoolgirl inside couldn’t help herself. It was as if the star quarterback had singled her out and asked her to the prom—something that had never happened back in high school.
Hell, nothing like that had ever happened at any time in her formerly dull and boring life. But that had all changed. Her best friend was a shapeshifter, the possible queen of her species, and Elaine was living on the lam with a dominant male panther who managed to raise goose bumps just by looking at her.
“Mmm,” he grumbled in her ear. “That was a great way to start the morning.” Cade pulled back to look at her. Elaine couldn’t help the flush that rose in her cheeks as their eyes met. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“I don’t think so,” she hedged. To be honest, she couldn’t feel anything other than pleasure coursing through her body. The aftershocks of Cade’s loving were as potent as the act itself.
He bent to lick her, where her shoulder met her neck and the action made her aware of a sore spot, but his licking kisses made her dismiss the little pain from her mind. She was much more interested in what he was doing. She hadn’t thought it possible, but her body sparked to life, responding to his renewed passion as if the huge orgasm she’d just experience had never even happened.
“Come on, let’s make use of that Jacuzzi tub.” Cade slinked off the bed in one sinuous move, taking her with him. He stood with her already in his arms and carried her into the bathroom.
Chuck greeted them at the door, twining around Cade’s legs. Only Cade’s surefootedness saved them from a fall and thankfully he laughed at the cat’s antics.
“He’s probably hungry,” Elaine said. “It’s not every night he saves someone’s life.”
Cade lowered her to her feet, then crouched down to look at the cat, scratching him behind the ears.
“He’s been such a good kitten, I’ll go get him a can of tuna.” He looked up at her, and her breath caught at his masculine perfection. “Maybe I’ll sneak a little something up for us too. How does a Continental breakfast sound?” Her stomach growled in answer, and they both laughed. “Hop in the shower and rinse off the liniment. Then run a tub. I’ll be back in a couple of minutes, okay?”
He left her breathless. He had so much energy and seemed to have such a joy for living. His enthusiasm was contagious.
“Hurry back.” She tried for a saucy grin as she stepped into the separate, spacious shower and turned on the water. He winked and left. Only then did she become aware of the lingering aches from her encounter the night before. The liniment had done a good job at limiting the bumps and bruises before they could fully form, but she did hurt in places—especially her shoulder. Elaine lathered the liniment away, glad to see the icky brown stains on her skin disappear and take the lingering smell with them.
Finished, she stepped out of the shower. As she looked in the mirror she saw the half moon of a bite mark high up on her shoulder. Son of a bitch! Cade had bitten her.
She didn’t know what that meant exactly, but it was startling to come face to face with the reality that her new boyfriend—if that was even the right term to use—wasn’t human. The bite was a half-moon of round dimples where human teeth would have left a totally different pattern. This looked like a cat bite. She remembered the look, on a much smaller scale, from Chuck’s kitten days when he’d chewed all her shoes before she could break him of the costly habit.
Elaine shook her head in bewilderment as she put on a short terrycloth robe she found hanging behind the door before starting the water running into the big tub. A hot soak would do her body good and the Jacuzzi was pure decadence. She’d always loved the idea of having her own hot tub, but living in an apartment on a nurse’s salary, she could never afford one.
Chuck twined around her legs, pawing her toes. She loved this cat. He’d been her companion and friend since the moment she’d found him as a feisty kitten, soaking wet on a street corner. She sat on the edge of the tub as it filled and scooped him into her arms. Like most cats, he wasn’t thrilled being near so much water, but he knew she wouldn’t dunk him. They’d built up trust over the years.
“I love you, Chuck.” She hugged him close, kissing his head. “You saved my life.”
A comforting meow was her only answer.
“He loves you, too, you know.” Cade’s voice came to her from the doorway. He had a bowl in his hands and the wafting scent of tuna fish reached her nose. “Come on, Chuck.” He coaxed the cat off her lap. Chuck jumped down, following Cade out of the spacious bathroom.
When he returned a few minutes later, the cat was nowhere in sight.
“I figured we could do without the smell of fish in here.” Cade turned off the taps. The tub was full, and she hadn’t even noticed. Cade was too distracting. “Hop in the tub while I shower off the liniment. Some of it transferred from your skin onto me while we slept and…did other things.” His wicked smile teased her. “I’m not complaining, but that stuff is pretty strong.”
“And you have such a sensitive nose.” She quipped back, knowing full well that he could smell things she could not. “Thanks for putting up with it last night. It really helped keep the bruising under control.”
He eyed her critically, taking a seat next to her on the rim of the big tub. He took one of her arms in his hands and pushed the sleeve of the robe to her elbow. His fingers were gentle as they traced over the lingering bumps and dark spots, some of which were black and blue with traces of purple and red, not to mention the lovely putrid yellow and green around the edges. She was a wreck. Her arms were a mess, but it could have been so much worse. She’d been lucky to escape with just a few bruises to show for her first real run in with a werewolf.
Cade placed a tender kiss on the worst of the bumps, and the look in his eyes touched her deep inside. He was such a gentle, caring man, yet she knew he held a beast inside that could rend and tear as easily as the man comforted and cuddled. She didn’t know how she might react if he changed to his beast form in front of her. She wasn’t clear on how it worked and wasn’t sure she really wanted to know. It was easier on her nerves to block that aspect of his personality out for now, even though she suspected she’d have to face it sooner or later if they continued being together.
For now, she was happy being an ostrich with her head buried in the sand. More detailed knowledge of shifters would come—or not—in time. First she had to figure out how to stay alive and salvage what she could of her life. Luckily, today was the first of two days off from the hospital, so she wouldn’t have to worry about dealing with her job until the day after tomorrow.
“We may not like the smell of it, but we always keep liniment stocked in our safe houses and in our homes. Shifters get banged up a lot both in our fur and out of it, so it comes in handy.”
He held her gaze, and she knew he was deliberately pointing out the differences b
etween them. It was as if he sought her acceptance, but she didn’t think she could give it to him at this early stage.
“It came in very handy last night. Thanks for taking such good care of me.”
“It was my pleasure.” He gave her a comical leer that made her laugh.
“Mine too,” she admitted but then she remembered something. “You bit me!” she accused, poking him in the chest.
For the first time, she saw him blush. Heat rose in his cheeks as he ducked his head, caught.
“I wish I could say I was sorry about that, but being an honest man, I have to tell you I loved every minute of it. And if you’re being honest, I think you did too.” He looked back at her, and his expression smoldered. “Shifters have a tendency to want to mark their partners. It’s an erotic act in itself—as I believe you experienced—but it also leaves a clear sign for others of our kind to read. Effectively, I put you under my protection, and anyone who sees that bite will know if they mess with you, they’re messing with me.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Afraid not. Big cats are very territorial and now that you’re with me, I want the other shifters you’re going to come in contact with to know it. I’m not letting you go, Ellie.” He shifted closer, wrapping one arm around her waist as he pulled her in for a quick kiss. “You’re mine,” he whispered against her lips. “For as long as possible.”
When he finally drew back, Elaine’s head was spinning. He really gave the most devastating kisses she’d ever experienced. His eyes flared with possession as he watched her.
“Are you all right with that, Ellie?”
Swallowing hard against the fear her life had just taken another turn for the strange and exhilarating, she nodded. “I think so. I like being with you.”
“Just like?” Cade laughed, drawing her to her feet with him. “I think I’m going to have to work on that. Hmm, I love a challenge.”
He planted a kiss on her that made her dizzier, but he released her just as fast. Turning her, he slipped the robe off her shoulders and threw it over the towel rack before she even knew what he was doing.
“Get in the tub, Ellie.” He patted her on the butt, making her jump. “I’ll be right with you.”
Left with little choice and enjoying his playfulness, Elaine stepped into the huge Jacuzzi tub. The water was toasty warm and felt good against her continuing aches and pains. She heard the shower go on as Cade rinsed off the liniment, and she leaned back and switched on the jets, awaiting his return.
The shower shut off and a moment later water lapped at her skin as Cade slipped into the giant tub. There was plenty of room for two in the decadent bath.
“Miss me?” His devilish smile dared her to play as he positioned her against his chest, sitting behind her in the water so he leaned against the back of the tub.
“Yeah. I definitely need someone to scrub my back.” She sent him what she hoped was a coquettish smile over her shoulder.
“I think I can oblige, but I’d like something in return.”
“Really? Do tell.” Her hands were drawn to his thighs, resting beneath her in the water. He was already hard at her back, ready for action and she wasn’t very far behind.
“I need some help with this.” He lifted his hips, leaving her in no doubt about what he meant. A blush stole up her face as fire raced through her veins.
“I think that could be arranged.”
Water splashed as they tussled and played in the water, but neither of them cared. All that mattered was each other and the moment. Cade spun her around so she faced him, straddling his lap. His fingers zeroed in between her thighs, rubbing with a circular motion over her clit that drove her crazy. He knew where to touch to bring her the maximum pleasure.
“Do you like that, kitten?” he asked when she moaned.
“You know I do,” came her breathless reply. She gasped when he thrust one long finger inside her, never letting up the caresses with the palm of his hand. “Cade, don’t make me wait.”
“Do you think you’re ready for me?” His words challenged her while his fingers tormented. Couldn’t he see she needed him?
Frustrated passion made her bold. Elaine slipped her hand between them, taking hold of what she wanted most. She stroked him, enjoying her chance to turn the tables as he growled deep in his throat, the sound rumbling through his chest.
The reminder of his other form made her hotter. Cade was hands down the sexiest man she’d ever seen, and she’d bet in panther form he’d be just as gorgeous.
A purr rumbled though his torso as she positioned herself over him. She couldn’t wait any longer. She had to have him.
Holding his gaze, she slid onto his cock, pushing him inside her desperate core. He groaned as she took charge sexually for the first time with him. She watched closely for any sign of annoyance—she’d run into that once before in a short-lived relationship with a man who thought he had to be dominant in all things.
But she should have realized that Cade didn’t just play at being dominant. He was and always would be an Alpha male. Such a secure man wouldn’t feel threatened by giving power to a woman sexually from time to time. He was probably enlightened enough to realize that letting her have her way every so often could bring him a whole new kind of pleasure to them both.
He grinned with satisfaction as she began to move on him. His hands were free to cup and shape her breasts as they hovered over the water. Their skin was slick and wet as they slid against each other. His powerful thighs cradled her as she rose and fell against him, over and over.
She arched as a small wave of pleasure broke over her, then threw her head back as the pleasure began to build once more.
“Stay with me, babe,” Cade ordered softly, cupping her head and drawing her gaze back to his. He pulled her against his chest as he kissed her and began to thrust up into her at an increased pace. “I want to look into your eyes as you come for me, Ellie. I want to see it happen.”
“Cade!” He reduced her to one-syllable sentences and most of them consisted of her crying out his name.
“That’s it, baby. Almost there.” His breath came in hard pants against her sensitized skin. Unlike the last time when he’d bitten her at the end, this time he watched her, holding her gaze with his own as he seemed to measure her pace. One hand held her hips, assisting her movements even as he guided her into his rhythm.
The illusion of her being in control was well and truly shattered, but she didn’t care. All that mattered was the pleasure they were creating together, the ecstasy waiting around the next bend. It was close now. She could feel it building, even bigger than before as he powered inside her.
When the wave broke it took everything she was with it, washing over her and through her, only to return even stronger than before. She held Cade’s stormy silver gaze and watched as his eyes glowed for her, his beast nature reflected there, in the magic that made him what he was.
She felt him come inside her at the same moment rapture claimed her, over and over again. She was shaking by the time the climax loosed her from its claw-like grip, letting her tumble free into the abyss, but Cade was there to catch her. He held her close, sharing those moments out of time with her, intimately locked together in body, mind and soul.
It was a turning point. A beginning of something new. An ending of her old way of life and the things she’d accepted as normal in her past. Cade was making new rules for her future. He’d already showed her pleasure beyond anything she’d ever dreamed of and proved to her that almost anything was possible.
After him, she’d be ruined for all other men, but at the moment, she couldn’t work up the energy to care. All that mattered was being here with Cade. Everything else would work out in time.
She must have dozed because the next thing she knew, Cade was lifting her out of the cooling water. He’d already turned the jets off and had towels warmed on the rack for their use. He was handy to have around, and he seemed to think of everything she’d need ev
en before she knew she needed it.
“Mmm,” she mumbled against his chest as he wrapped her in a heated towel and began drying her off. “You have the most delicious way of pampering a woman.”
Cade chuckled as he turned her around so her back was to his front. He dried her off with long sweeps of soft terry cloth over her skin. His face nuzzled into her neck, his tongue licking over the still-sensitive spot where he’d bitten her that first time they’d come together.
“I don’t go this far for most ladies,” he admitted. “You’re special.”
Her breath caught. “Because I’m human, you mean?” She was fishing for information, pure and simple, but she couldn’t help herself.
“Yes, in a way,” he agreed, nipping her earlobe. The simple act sent shivers down her spine. “But you’re also the first woman I’ve ever marked. The first one I’ve ever wanted to mark. For a variety of complicated reasons.” She heard the thoughtfulness in his voice. “You’re human, and my mark is a simple way to put you visibly under my protection, but even more, I like you, Ellie. I liked you from the moment we met, and I admired you even more after the way you stuck your neck out to help Mitch. You’re one in a million, babe, and I plan to keep you chained to my bed for a long time to come.”
“That sounds kinky.” She shivered again, but not with cold. “And serious.” She dropped the teasing tone. “Are you sure, Cade?”
“Honey.” He turned her back to face him. “I’ve never been more sure of anything in my life. I can’t explain it and frankly, I don’t want to try to analyze any of this, but I want you in my life for the foreseeable future. Is that okay with you?”
His almost obstinate tone dared her to say no, but there was no danger of that. A grin stole over her face, but her buoyant mood was tempered with caution.
“It’s more than okay, Cade, but you’ll have to bear with me as I learn my way around this strange new world.”
He hugged her. “I can do that. You’ve already passed the first few tests with flying colors.”
She held up one bruised arm. “Lots and lots of colors,” she joked.
