Purrfect For Me: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Misty Valley Shifters Book 3)

by Natalie Kristen

  CHAPTER TWO

  “Whoa, steady there.” Sean caught Lindsay in his big hands and held her until he was sure she could stand on her own two feet.

  Lindsay swatted his hands away impatiently and fumbled for the light switch. It took her a couple of tries before the lights came on. Clearly the lady was more tipsy than she realized.

  She closed the door behind them and threw her bag onto the sofa. She missed the sofa by at least a meter and her bag skidded under her coffee table. She didn't seem to notice.

  “Make yourself at home, Sean. I'll go make us some coffee,” she said in a sing-song voice over her shoulder.

  Sean watched her stagger into the bathroom. The bathroom lights snapped on and it was a full minute before she reappeared at the bathroom door. “That's not the kitchen,” she grumbled. “Where did the kitchen go?”

  Despite himself, Sean found himself chuckling at her. She looked adorable when she was pissed. She was a very pretty woman. Her gray eyes sparked with determination and she had a cute nose which was at the moment tightly scrunched up as she directed her anger at her runaway kitchen. Her ponytail had come undone, and her hair tumbled like a waterfall of red curls over her shoulders. She was in jeans and a white peasant blouse, which showed off her ample bosom perfectly. Sean found his eyes lingering on those full, pouty lips. Her red lipstick was slightly smeared around the corners of her mouth, and all he wanted to do was grab her and lick those smudges away. He also wanted to kiss down every inch of that luscious, curvy body.

  Why hadn't he seen this beauty about town? He always knew when a new shifter moved into town, but he tended not to pay so much attention to the humans.

  This luscious human female was new in town. She'd just told him that a few minutes ago, when she was checking him out. He had caught the glint of desire in her eyes, and the scent of her sudden arousal had him jerking in surprise. He had hardened instantly, and he'd had to suppress a growl. The lion in him had awoken, and the animal was taking big, greedy whiffs of the female in front of him.

  He felt like a lusty teenager, panting after a beautiful but clearly drunk woman.

  Sean shook his head to clear it. He wasn't a teenage lion cub. He was a full grown, Alpha lion. He was the leader of the Hunter pride of lion shifters here in Misty Valley, and he had a grown up daughter. He was mighty proud of Allison. Sean and Allison's mother, Belinda, had been betrothed since they were cubs. Belinda had died shortly after giving birth to Allison. His little girl, Allison was now twenty-two and he was mighty proud of her. She had grown into a confident, responsible young lioness, the future Alpha of the Hunter pride.

  Sean knew that his lions wondered and whispered among themselves why he hadn't taken another mate all these years. Well, he was just too busy raising a daughter and overseeing the various businesses of the Hunter pride to look for a mate. But those were just excuses. The truth was, he hadn't found his mate.

  He had mated Allison's mom out of duty. He was the Alpha's son, and Belinda was the daughter of the Alpha of the small Bowen pride. The Bowen pride had been dwindling in numbers and strength, and Belinda's father had sought out Sean's father to discuss an alliance. Sean's father agreed to let all the Bowen lions join the Hunter pride, and the mating of Sean Hunter and Belinda Bowen was to signify the union and unity of the two prides. They were now one pride, one family.

  But Belinda had died young. Sean had honored her and cherished her when they were together. But the lion in him knew that she was not his true mate.

  Sean had been a good husband to Belinda even though their time together had been short. He had mourned her death and brought Allison up as best he could. The lionesses in the pride had all pitched in and helped mother Allison. He was grateful to them, but as he watched the lionesses go back to their mates and their families each evening, a part of him often wondered if he would ever find his true mate. A female who would arouse and awaken the protective and possessive instincts of his lion, a woman who would challenge and complete him.

  Someone who was the other half of his heart, his soul.

  His love. His mate.

  Allison's mom had been dead for more than twenty years. In those twenty years, Sean had matured from a young single dad to a mature, powerful Alpha of the Hunter pride. Under his leadership, the pride's businesses had grown and their numbers had swelled. The Hunter pride was a commercial and physical force to be reckoned with in Misty Valley. They were wealthy, influential and even lethal, when it came down to it. They hadn't lost any of their territories to the ravenous, ruthless wolf packs in Misty Valley. They fought only when necessary, but when they fought, the Hunter lions were deadly.

  Sean watched Lindsay potter around her neat little kitchen, and wondered for a moment what the hell he was doing in her house. He should leave. He had seen the poor woman crawling about on the sidewalk, mumbling, sobbing and heaving. She was drunk, confused and clearly upset. He had been a good Samaritan, and helped her safely into the house. He should just leave, now.

  He tried to turn towards the door, but his lion obstinately put its paws down.

  Not. Leaving.

  Sean tried to haul himself away, but his big cat had other ideas. His lion wanted to get closer to Lindsay, not away from her. Sean found himself gravitating towards the kitchen, where Lindsay was muttering to the coffee cups.

  “Now, where did I put the kettle? Did I run out of milk and sugar? How did it get so hot in here? Is it just me, or...oh!”

  She whirled round and jumped when he walked up to her and took the cups gently out of her shaking hands.

  “Here, let me do it. I'll make the coffee,” he offered.

  “No, no...”

  He raised a brow at her, and she laughed. “All right. You do it. I can't even walk straight. Had too much to drink tonight...” She sucked in a sharp breath and said haughtily, “You know, the fact that I can admit that I'm drunk only goes to show that I'm not that drunk.”

  “You're sober as a judge,” he said, putting the water to boil.

  Lindsay narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you mocking me?”

  He put up his hands. “No ma'am. I wouldn't dare.”

  “Good boy.”

  Sean heard a low growl from his throat. “Boy?”

  At that, she cocked her head at him and smiled. “No. You are a man. A very sexy, hunky, virile man.” She stepped closer to him and said huskily, “You, Sean Hunter, are just the man for me.”

  Before he could react, she pushed herself up on her toes and kissed him.

  His eyes widened as she pressed her soft, lush body against his. He could feel her breasts pushing against his chest as her fingers dug into his shoulders.

  She broke off the kiss and slowly opened her eyes. She had the most beautiful, expressive, storm gray eyes.

  Blinking, she gave a small gasp and reeled back. “I...did I really do that? I'm sorry...” she stammered.

  “Don't be,” Sean growled. His words could barely be heard above the feral growl. His lion was growling and rising to the surface, awakened and aroused by the female before him.

  He started forward and she let out a strangled sound. “Y-you...you're...shifter...”

  From the look on her face, Sean knew that the woman was staring unblinkingly into the eyes of his lion.

  The big cat was out of the bag. She could see his lion, staring straight at her with undisguised hunger and desire.

  He took a step towards her but she didn't back away. She was breathing heavily, her flushed face tilted up to him. Her lips were parted and he saw the growing wonder and hunger in her eyes. She wasn't afraid of him. She was hungry for him. She seemed to be bewildered and confused by her own burning desire and lust. Maybe it was the alcohol that was fueling her lust. Maybe it was the quiet and loneliness of the night. Maybe it was just the time and the place. They both needed something, someone, and tonight, they'd each found what they thought they were looking for.

  A night of
passion.

  Comfort in a warm body, instead of a cold bed.

  Sean could see the conflict and uncertainty in her wide, gray eyes. She wanted him, but she wasn't sure if he wanted her. He could scent her aching, tormenting need and see the struggle in her eyes. Her body began to tremble.

  “I want you, Lindsay,” Sean snarled, grabbing her and holding her tightly around her waist. He saw the color deepen in her round cheeks when she felt his erection pushing against her belly.

  “I...” she whimpered softly in his arms.

  “I want you, but I will never force you.” Sean stared into her wide gray eyes and read the fear and want in them.

  “You...want me?” she whispered, blinking up at him in amazement.

  Sean frowned at the doubt and disbelief in her eyes. She had no idea how attractive she was. Could she not feel how hungry he was for her? How could she not know how truly, maddeningly beautiful she was? Was she not aware of the effect she had on him, on a man?

  Sean snarled at the thought of another man's eyes, hands and mouth on her.

  He tightened his grip on her. Gazing deeply into her eyes, he said softly but clearly, “I want you, Lindsay.” I want you so much I'm going out of my goddamn mind!

  “But...only if you say yes,” he growled, forcing the words out. He would not take her against her will. His lion might claw his skin to shreds but he would fight the beast down.

  “Do you want me, Lindsay?” His voice was hoarse, ragged, barely human.

  His lion rammed against his shields and found an opening. His claws began to inch out painfully, and he let Lindsay go with a hiss.

  She stumbled back in shock. Her eyes moved from his face, down his chest and arms, and riveted on his fingers.

  She could see his claws, which were lengthening and sharpening by the second.

  Lindsay gulped. “Sean?”

  He took a steadying breath. “Yes.” His voice sounded normal. He could still talk, not snarl and growl. He still had his lion under control. He would force the predator back, force his lion to back down.

  His voice seemed to calm and embolden her.

  “My daughter and son-in-law are werewolves...so, I know you're a shifter, but I'm not sure...” She flushed a little, apparently embarrassed to admit that she didn't know what kind of shifter he was.

  “Your...daughter?” he said slowly, his hands curling into fists at his sides. “You have a husband? A mate?”

  Lindsay shook her head. “Nope. Don't have a husband. Never had.” Probably never will.

  His tensed body relaxed visibly. “I'm a werelion,” he answered.

  “A lion,” she repeated.

  “Are you...afraid of me, Lindsay?”

  She cocked her head, giving his question serious thought. “No,” she answered at last. “I'm not afraid of you. I was just...not expecting...” She bit her lip and threw up her hands. “I don't know what I'm not expecting! I never thought I'd be so attracted to someone. I saw you, and...I thought I was dreaming.” She swallowed and sighed loudly. “Maybe I am. This must be a dream.”

  “Dream?”

  She laughed but the sound was devoid of mirth. “Someone like you wouldn't want someone like me.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I'm not slim and svelte, and I don't ooze charm and sophistication. I haven't been on a date in ages. I'm just plain ol' me, a middle-aged woman who is graying at the roots and presently unemployed and perhaps unemployable. Oh!” She pressed a fist to her mouth and shook her head. “Why are I telling you all this? Drink has loosened my tongue it seems...argh!” She scowled and snapped, “Shut up!”

  When he raised a brow, she wagged a finger at him and said, “I wasn't talking to you.”

  “Lindsay.” He went and held both her hands. “You are exquisite,” he told her honestly. “You are excitable, passionate, straight-talking. And you are adorable, even when you're drunk.”

  “What?”

  “You...are...perfect, Lindsay,” he said, leaning in to brush a lock of curly red hair away from her face. He stroked her cheek tenderly, and trailed his fingers down her jaw and neck.

  His lion growled in approval and appreciation at the feel of her smooth, warm skin. His claws had retracted, but his lion wasn't backing down. Not yet. The beast was prowling very close to the surface, taking deep whiffs of this exquisite female. Sean didn't bother wrestling his beast down this time. The man and the animal both wanted the same thing. Her.

  She turned her face into his large palm and closed her eyes. Her lashes were long and dark against her fair, rosy skin.

  “Lindsay...” Her name felt so right on his lips. He could whisper her name forever.

  He saw her swallow and take a deep, shuddering breath. Opening her eyes slowly, she looked up at him and held his gaze for a long while.

  “If...I say yes,” she managed at last in a tremulous whisper. “You'll be mine...for tonight?”

  Sean stared down at her, his blood roaring in his ears. Finally, he nodded, just once. He couldn't trust his voice.

  It was all he could do not to pounce on her and roar out his claim.

  Mine!

  And not just for tonight.

  Sean closed his eyes, his knuckles popping as his fists clenched at his sides.

  Say yes, Lindsay!

  If she said no, he would let her go. He would force his raging lion out of her house and out of her life. He would leave her alone. Safe, untouched. It might kill him, but he would do it. Keep her safe, protect her, from himself.

  His eyes snapped open and he stared at her, keeping utterly still and silent like a predator.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Lindsay blinked at the gorgeous, growling man in front of her. A hunky, highly aroused lion shifter was standing in her kitchen, staring down at her like he wanted to eat her—in a good way.

  Oh, she really wanted him to eat her. She wanted him to nibble, lick and suck his way down every inch of her body. Her entire body started to tremble at the image of his broad shoulders forcing her legs wider as he ducked his head between her thighs.

  She was growing unbelievably wet just thinking about it.

  She was dreaming, she had to be.

  Or maybe she really was that drunk.

  She reached out to put a hand against his solid, rock hard frame, sliding her palm down his chest to his abdomen. He was...real. He felt very real, very alive, and very very hot.

  Lindsay felt a crooked smile spread across her lips as she suppressed a hiccup. A gorgeous, macho, sexy as sin shifter was standing just inches from her, letting her touch his hunkalicious body and asking her for permission to make love to her.

  This...this had to be a dream, the best, most realistic wet dream ever.

  She was drunk. She was horny, and she was dreaming.

  Grabbing a fistful of his shirt, she pulled him down to her and growled, “Yes.” She felt his muscles tense as he inhaled sharply. Smiling seductively, she licked her lips and purred, “Yes, please. I want you to make love to me, Sean. Tonight.” And every night.

  His eyes flashed golden with heat. She saw the animal lust in them but instead of scaring her, it excited her.

  She heard him growl as she slid her hand over his crotch. “You...are a very big, bad lion.”

  “Mmm, a lion,” she mused. There were guys who claimed that they were lions in bed, but they turned out to be whining little pussy cats. What would it be like to really bed a big, breathing, growling werelion? The thought got her wet in a rush.

  Lindsay's tongue darted out between her lips.

  “Let's go,” she tugged at his belt. “What are you waiting for? Take me, Sean. Take me to bed.” Shaking her head at herself, she huffed under her breath, “It's been too long, too damn long.”

  Sean grabbed her wrists and nuzzled her neck. “I will take you to bed, Lindsay. And I will keep you in bed all night.”

  “All night? Is that a promise?”

  He smirke
d in response.

  Arrogant lion.

  Lindsay tossed her curls over her shoulder in what she hoped was a regal manner and held out her hand, “This way please, my good sir.”

  Instead of taking her hand, Sean swooped down and snatched her up in his arms.

  Ignoring her squeals, he carried her straight to her bedroom with long, confident strides. Lindsay knew that she wasn't skinny or petite or light. Not by a long shot. Some stores in the city didn't even carry her size. The city girls seemed to be forever going to the gym and trying out the latest craze in fad diets. But Lindsay didn't see the point in pounding away on a treadmill, running on the spot and going nowhere. She was always rushing somewhere—to work, to grab groceries, to catch a movie with Mina or with some girl friends. As for fad diets, what was the point really? She ate well, she was healthy and she loved having a good meal with family and friends. She had more meat on her bones than most of the city girls. She wasn't light, yet Sean carried her as though she weighed nothing. He had swung her into his arms with ease and simply strolled towards her bedroom. Lindsay smiled and languidly traced circles down his muscular shoulders. She liked how he held her. Confidently, proudly, possessively.

  Sean lowered her gently onto the bed and loomed over her. There was a very prominent bulge in the front of his jeans, and the scorching lust in his eyes seemed to be burning him alive. When he closed his eyes and balled his fists, she turned away to hide a smile. She saw that he was resisting the maddening urge to just rip off her clothes and take her hard and fast. She wasn't the only one who was openly panting with need. God, they were like randy teenagers on a hot date.

  Lindsay tilted her head and stared at him. He looked like he was around her age. Maybe...he had a few teenage children of his own. A cold fist wrapped around her heart. Was he...married? Why hadn't she asked? He had asked her if she had a mate, but she hadn't asked him back.

  “I...” Lindsay took a deep breath and forced the question out. He might be her dream man, but she wouldn't sleep with a married man, not even in her dreams. “There's something I need to ask you. Are you married? Do you have a wife, partner, girlfriend...?”