by P. Jameson
He reached across the bed to touch her cheek. “I know. But he always comes back to his mate. She’s the one that matters to him. The one he protects at all cost.”
Clara frowned. “That doesn’t make it okay.”
“No.”
“But your clan doesn’t do this.”
Eagan shook his head.
“And that’s why Magic was mad when he caught us in the kitchen.”
“Yes. He’s uncomfortable because more and more of us are wanting to mate. He doesn’t believe it’s possible for us to deny our instincts to stray.”
Clara considered it, her heart lodged in her throat. She’d never imagined herself in a long term relationship of any kind. But so much had changed in the last week. And Eagan made her want to try. But if he couldn’t promise she was it for him… no amount of base logic was going to make her stay.
It left her feeling cold inside.
He was hers.
“What if Magic is right?” she asked quietly.
“He’s not. Taking other lovers has nothing to do with our instincts. I know because of the way I feel about you. I want you happy and whole more than I want anything else. Me being with another female would never make you happy, so I have no desire to do it. That’s my instinct. Being faithful is a matter of choice. And I—just like Renner—would choose to be faithful to my mate.”
“To me.”
He nodded solemnly. “To you, little woman.”
The way he stared directly into her eyes, the way he spoke like this was the most serious topic in the universe… he’d thought about this. A lot.
“So… a mutual mating.”
“Yes. One where both make a commitment. Both are bonded.”
“Bonded?”
He brushed her lips with his middle finger. “Yes, mate.” His voice was dark. A summer’s night like so many she’d spent outdoors. Sultry. “Ours has already begun. Every touch, every kiss, every shared moment, we draw closer to one another. Can you feel it?”
“Yes.” She could barely get the word out, because she felt exactly what he was talking about. She’d felt it earlier, when she spilled all her secrets to him. There was no one else in existence that she felt safer with, closer to.
It was only Eagan.
She sighed, running a finger down his bare chest. “I have so much to learn.”
Slowly, a smile formed on his lips. He had the best lips. She could stare at them all day.
“Don’t worry, Clara. I’ll teach you.” He rose up to tower above her, his hands braced on the mattress on either side of her head. Just like he’d done when he was a cat. “We should start with something functional, don’t you think?”
His words shot right between her legs, and she bit her lip to keep from moaning at the idea of what he suggested. He was already naked. It would be so easy for them to come together. And it would mean something with him, she knew.
“Less functional maybe.”
Eagan’s gaze went instantly hungry and it lit her up even more. His eyes traveled downward to the peaked nipples that jutted from the t-shirt she wore.
“More sexual,” he husked, tracing his finger around her beaded tip.
“Very sexual,” she breathed.
He lifted his gaze, brow knitted, eyes burning hot with lust. Did he see that in her gaze too. Because damn it, that’s how she felt. Lusty and hot and wild. She wanted to climb him like a tree and ride him like a bike.
“Sure you’re ready?” His tone was hard, but she knew it was just because he was holding back.
She couldn’t catch her breath for how powerful he was, poised above her, ready to do the most basic of bodily functions with her. He was pure, raw instinct and she knew it, needing her body to slake his. But she needed his too.
It didn’t get any more basic than that.
She reached forward, wrapping her hand around his neck and yanking him down for her lips. She kissed him hard and urgent, like he’d done in the kitchen. She had to relay her message the old fashioned way because she was shaking with anticipation too badly to talk.
Eagan straddled her hips, one knee on each side, and grabbed her face with both hands. She was powerless like this. He decided which way her head went. He decided how much she moved, how hard they kissed, everything.
He explored her mouth like uncharted territory, even though he’d been there before, angling her for more of his tongue.
He pulled back, not even an inch, breathing heavy. “Your mouth, mate… it’s so fucking sweet. I want to ruin it with mine. I want to kiss you so much, so often, that you taste like me. I want… I want… fuck, I want to make you mine, Clara. Mark you so everyone knows.”
Yes. Do it. She was already his in her heart. Maybe she had been from the moment he’d cast judgment aside and shown her kindness.
But she couldn’t get any of that past her throat before he kissed her again.
“Did you know,” he said between nibbles to her jaw, “that I can smell you? Your arousal, it’s filling up this cabin. Just how it should be.”
“You can?” she squeaked.
“Mm hm.” His heavy hand cupped one breast and her back arched into his touch. “It’s making my jag crazy, baby. So fucking crazy.”
His attention was solely on her breast. That single one he couldn’t quit touching. She squirmed beneath him, and in response, he closed his lips over the tightened bud, shirt and all. It was the single hottest thing she’d experienced to date.
But why did she have a feeling he was about to blow that right out of the water?
Chapter Fourteen
Eagan, please,” Clara moaned as her body shook beneath him.
Damn, her desire was beautiful.
Eagan lifted his head to look at her. “What is it, baby?”
She met his gaze looking bereft. Her mouth was open and panting. She was ready to come and her clothes weren’t even off yet. He hadn’t even touched her below.
His mate responded so perfectly to his efforts. It made him want to be perfect for her too.
He reached between her legs, cupping her sex. “This?”
She clamped her thighs around his hand, and he was forced to move his hips. It was either that or explode, because his cock needed relief. He grinded it once against her hip.
“This functional thing?” he whispered, pressing the heel of his hand at the top causing her to let out a yelp. “Want me to show you what I can do to it?”
She nodded, tossing her head against his pillow. “Yes. God, yes.”
Eagan grinned to himself as he eased down her body. Reaching behind her ass, he pulled the sweatpants down until they were bunched around her knees.
But then he stopped.
“You cut it,” he croaked.
Clara froze, her eyes going wide.
“Your hair. You cut it.” He stared at her angrily.
Her mouth fell open but nothing came out.
“Why?”
“I… I… it was getting wild. It needed its own zip code!”
He worked his frustration out with his jaw. “I liked it.”
“You did?”
He nodded.
“Okay, well… I…”
“Don’t do it again.”
She bit her bottom lip hard with her teeth. “Yes, sir,” she whispered.
He looked down at his mate’s pussy. It was still wild. She hadn’t managed to take it all off. He licked his lips.
“You look very pouty right now,” Clara murmured.
Eagan shook his head. “Don’t do it again. Hear me? Do not cut what’s mine, little woman.”
“I won’t.” Her voice was quiet, and he stared up at her.
“Mine,” he said softly, running the knuckle of his finger just barely between her folds.
She gasped, her stomach muscles contracting with each labored breath.
“Just so we’re clear.”
“Crystal clear,” she confirmed, breathless.
Satisfied, Eagan slid his pa
lm across the inside of her smooth, dark thighs, spreading her as far as the pants would allow. But it wasn’t enough. He wanted her completely open to him. He wanted to see everything. Touch everything.
He jerked the pants further down. They caught on her ankles, and when he lowered himself between her knees, the material tightened, limiting her mobility.
Eagan met her eager eyes, smirking as he lowered his mouth to her slick flesh. Her scent was everywhere. He breathed deep, taking it in his body. Everywhere. Wanted that sweet scent all over him. He blew gently on her swollen lips and she jerked.
So sensitive.
“Did you touch yourself?” he rumbled. “In the woods, when you were alone, did you touch yourself?”
“Yes,” she moaned.
“Good girl.”
With a long, deliberate stroke of his tongue, he finally tasted her.
Eagan pulled back, staring at her wet slit, shaking all to hell. “Fuck.” The words were barely a breath from his arousal moistened lips.
Clara stiffened. “What? What is it?”
She tried to sit up on her elbows, but his hand on her belly stopped her.
“Stay down.”
“Eagan, what’s wrong?”
“Wait. I have to make sure.”
He bent to lick his mate again, his tongue delving into her over and over until she was limp beneath him once more. He could go crazy on her taste. Especially… especially this one.
He pulled back, his whole body trembling with need, with what he wanted to do to her.
“You’re in heat,” he croaked.
“What?”
“You’re fertile. Ready for me to put a baby in you.”
“Holy shit,” she cried, trying to lean up again.
“I won’t,” he said, nuzzling her short hair. “Not until you’re heart is as ready as your body. Now lay back. I wasn’t done licking.”
“But Eagan—”
He cut her off by pushing his tongue into her, slowly fucking her with it until she was too breathless to argue. Leisurely, he worked her, swirling his mouth over her clit and back to her opening. Her thighs quivered against his face and he knew she was close again. More urgently now, he sucked at her plump lips, nipping and lapping. Then he captured that swollen pearl at the top and she let out a cry so satisfying he almost released right onto the bed.
Fuuuuck.
She bucked against his mouth, and he couldn’t seem to stop giving her more. Even when she stilled, panting to catch her breath.
“Eagan… Eagan, please…”
He surged up, capturing her mouth, kissing her as she fell back to earth. “Please what?”
She shook her head, her eyes glassy with pleasure. “Just… please.”
His gaze combed her body. She still had her shirt on. Damn shame. And he was torn, because the fastest way to have it off her was to rip it. But then, he really liked this shirt. Really, really liked it on her tits.
He shoved it up to expose those sweet peaks.
“Fuck me,” he breathed. They were even better than he remembered. “Those are the best looking food bags I’ve ever seen, mate.”
A second ticked by, and she busted out a laugh so hard it surprised him. His smile grew as he watched her tits bounce with her laughter.
“Yep. Totally functional.”
She laughed some more and he sucked a hard nipple between his lips. But to his surprise, she pushed him back. All the way, until he was lying flat. She kicked the sweatpants from around her ankles and straddled his waist before he could think to stop her.
“I want more,” she moaned. “All of you. Like you said. I want to make you mine.”
Eagan’s chest tightened with her words and his cock, which lay on his belly as she gently slid her wet pussy over it, grew harder.
He palmed her breast, sweating with the effort of doing the right thing. His cat was eager to fill her up. To mark her. But when he did that, it would be forever. His little thief would be his for life.
“We can’t yet,” he ground out.
Her plump hips worked him even though he wasn’t inside her. His fingers dug in to her perfect round ass, trying to stop her movement. Fuck, his woman was wild.
“Fertile,” he managed, but she didn’t quit sliding on him.
“I want it.” Her moan filled the room and made his cat purr.
Eagan leaned up to tongue her nipple again. “A baby? You want a baby?”
Finally, she slowed, and her hesitation made his stomach drop. But of course she wasn’t ready for that.
Her small hands cradled his cheeks. “I’m your mate, right? This is part of the deal.”
He shook his head. “Not yet. Not with everything in the wind. Not until you’re ready.”
Her eyes filled with tears. “I want to give you something. You’ve lost so much for me. It isn’t fair.”
“Baby.” Eagan frowned. “I’m not an entry in your book. You haven’t taken anything from me.”
She chewed her lip, tilting her head to the side. “At base… I was made for you. My body, my mind…”
“Your heart,” he added, making an X over the spot on her chest.
“My heart. I feel like this is right. Let me decide. You said I had to choose if I wanted forever. That this had to be mutual to work. Giving myself to you completely… it just feels right. Fertile or not.” She lowered her eyes. “Unless…”
Eagan swallowed the ever-growing lump in his throat. “Unless what?”
She pressed her forehead to his. “Unless you aren’t sure about us. About whether you can be… you know… faithful.”
His hand on her jaw, he forced her to look at him. “I have zero doubts about that. Fucking none, do you understand me?”
“Then I’m ready,” she whispered. “I’m ready to leave the woods and fix my mistakes and make a new life with you, the kindest, most caring man I know.”
Her words left him breathless. Left his jag roaring.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, Clara. Everything about you. I’m going to mark you. On your shoulder, right here.” He brushed his fingertips lightly over her left shoulder blade. “With my claws,” he murmured against her skin.
She trembled. “Y-you first though,” she said, pushing him back down.
Eagan frowned, but let her. She swiveled her hips once more, wringing pleasure from him. Then she fisted his length, positioning it against her entrance.
“Baby, wait.” He hadn’t prepared her. She’d be tight after so long, and he was too big.
She shook her head, hissing as she pushed down and he breeched the first inch of her. Eagan drew in a sharp breath, determined not to slam home. She was blistering hot on him. Perfect. But he couldn’t hurt her.
Patient, slow, his jag hissed. Never harm mine.
Never, Eagan agreed.
Clara took a deep breath, and with no warning at all, brought her hips down sharply, taking him in all the way.
Eagan choked on a gasp, fear slamming him in the chest. “Shit, baby,” he croaked, sitting up to see her face. Her eyes were squeezed shut and she let out a whimper.
No. She was hurt.
He started to withdraw but her eyes flew open and she groaned. “Wait!”
He cradled her face. “Let me pull out of you so I can see how bad it is.”
A drowsy smile curved her lips. “Bad? It’s not bad. I needed you inside me. Now you’re there. Don’t go.”
The muscles of her pussy contracted around him and his head fell back in ecstasy. She moved painfully slow, riding him like every tiny movement was more pleasure than she could take. This was like nothing else. He’d never made love like this, crazed one minute, heart-wrenching the next. His mind was utterly blown.
His wild little female. What was she doing to him?
And would he survive it?
***
Clara was all feeling. No thinking. The thinking was over. She’d made her decision and nothing she’d ever done had felt righter.
&
nbsp; Right now, there was just this connection with her cat and the strangling mix of feelings it brought.
The bond. This was the bond Eagan talked about.
And it. Was. Everything.
His hands on her breasts, squeezing and caressing urged her on, and she rode him faster.
Staring down at him, she saw his eyes change, lit up in an unearthly way.
His jaguar.
On her next push, he thrust upward to meet her, his desperate fingers digging into the flesh of her hips.
Suddenly, her world flipped upside down and she found herself pinned beneath Eagan’s powerful body. He dove for her mouth, lips moving passionately against her.
“I’m going to fill you up, and when I do, it will imprint you with my scent. Any shifter you meet will know you’re mine.”
His. God yes, to be his.
But…
“How will they know you’re mine?”
Eagan slowed his thrusting to stare into her eyes. Dark brows slashed as he said, “They will see it in the way I look at you. The way I can’t keep my hands off you. They’ll know because I’m about to do something only one other cat has done.”
“What’s that?”
He drew back and pushed in once more, as if to remind her he was there.
“Happily—and I mean, ecstatically—forsake all others for my female. That’s your mark, Clara,” he said, dropping his face to nuzzle her neck. “You’re branded on my heart, never to fade.”
“Perfect,” she murmured, determined not to cry at his beautiful words. Later she’d write them down in her journal so she’d never forget.
He moved again, grinding against her body until they were both breathless and strung to the point of breaking.
“Come on me, mate,” he grunted. “Let me feel you.”
It was all the encouragement she needed as she shattered to pieces under him.
“Fuuuuck.” His roar split the room.
Eagan tucked his hand under her shoulder, holding her in place for his final thrusts. His hard length twitched as he filled her, and she went numb from the pleasure.
A sharp pain at her back had her crying out, but he kissed it away as he continued grinding against her sensitive flesh.
His claws. The mark.
Happiness filled her until it leaked from her eyes as tears.
