by Aliyah Burke
His Purrfect Mate/Burke
His Purrfect Mate
Aliyah Burke
His Purrfect Mate
Published by: Sensual Romance Publishing
Copyright © 2013 by Aliyah Burke
All rights reserved. The reproduction of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, recording, and photocopying, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the author.
This is a work of fiction. All references to real places, people, or events are coincidental, and if not coincidental, are used fictitiously. All trademarks, service marks, registered trademarks, and registered service marks are the property of their respective owners and are used herein for identification purposes only.
Editor: Jessica Bimberg
Cover Artist: MMJ Designs
ISBN: 9781301562893
Dedication
To all those who’ve been waiting for Dane’s story. I do so hope you enjoy it! Thanks to my DH who always has words of encouragement for me when I feel like I’m about to fail. Love you, honey. Last but never least, to the men and women who serve this great country and sacrifice of themselves for us. God Bless You!
Chapter One
Dane Sidorov sagged against the tree’s thick trunk. Blood poured from his arm, running to the frozen ground.
“Damn,” he muttered. “Much more of this and a wet-behind-the-ears kid will be able to track me.”
Reaching into the medpack he carried velcroed to his uniform, Dane grabbed some bandages and a suture kit. Gritting his teeth, he sewed up the wound, tied it off before biting through the string, and wrapping it with the gauze. Tugging down his shirt sleeve, he shoved his arm back into his white parka. Sure, he didn’t need to do it this way, but…well, it better...safer.
The bitter cold of the air told him he still lived, even if he didn’t really feel that way. His ears picked up on incoming choppers. Four of them. No doubt filled with men who’d kill him without hesitation. Dane didn’t fault them for that. It was their job.
Just like it’s mine to keep that very thing from happening.
“Crypt. Where are you?” The question rang in his ear.
Despite the pain in his arm, which actually was more of an annoyance than anything, he smiled at Demon’s voice. “Fell down a rabbit hole. Have to follow my nose.”
“Status?”
Glancing at his injured arm, Dane replied, “I’m good. Will meet at the rendezvous site.”
“See you there.”
Silence reigned, and he scanned the night sky again. Closer. They are much closer now. The choppers had grown louder. Skimming his tongue over his teeth, he began to run. Each step he took put more distance between him and the enemy. The urge to stay and finish what they’d started swamped him, and for a few seconds, he stopped and hesitated, staring back in the direction he’d come. Until duty overtook personal longings. With a sigh, Dane moved out. He progressed slower and more cautiously, closer to the extraction point. The hair on the back of his neck prickled with warning. He dropped to the ground, all senses straining to find the danger.
“Slim,” he said, getting in contact with the head of the unit.
“Go ahead, Crypt.”
“Something’s off.”
“Chopper’s here. We leave in two. Where are you?”
Dane shook his head. “It’s not right. Get out of there.” He slithered on his belly toward the helo holding his friends. His unit.
“They’re coming, Crypt. We have to get going. Get your ass here now! That’s an order.”
“Get out!” Dane lunged to his feet and began to run toward the helicopter, uncaring of the fact he totally exposed himself. “Get out of there!”
“We’re powering up. Either you’re here or we’re gonna have to meet you at the second rendezvous.”
The low whine of the chopper’s engine reached him. Dane pushed himself faster, calling on more speed. He burst from the tree line and headed for the bird. In the splinters of light he could make out the tense face of Doc.
Where’s Slim? He should be by the door. Dane couldn’t pick out his silhouette in the interior of the helo, and he could see pretty well. Two more steps were all he took before a fiery blast engulfed the helicopter, lifted him off his feet, and knocked him back into the trees. He hit hard, the sturdiness of the old tree not giving an inch to his body.
Fragments of the helicopter rushed by him, cutting through his parka and digging into his flesh. Dane didn’t have time to yell before darkness overtook him.
Voices reached him, stirring him further from the hold unconsciousness had upon him.
“I don’t know. He should be here. He was almost to the chopper when it blew. Hell, for all I know his body may have been incinerated as well.”
“Collect the rest of the wreckage.”
That voice rang familiar. Anger stirred and rose up within Dane. He could smell the gun oil and made out eleven separate heartbeats. Instinct took over, and Dane lay in wait, blending in with nature, his gaze fixed on one man of the group. A man he had trusted with his life. He snarled silently, his razor-sharp fangs thirsty for blood. The traitor’s blood.
“Wreckage is gathered, sir. No bodies. Only some blood and prints.”
“Prints?” the man asked. “Boot?”
“No sir. Animal. Tiger. And it looks like a big one.”
A loud roar pierced the frozen night. Eleven heartbeats sped up. The scent of their fear permeated the cold air. A smell which served to feed his desire to kill. Kill them all.
“I think the tiger wants us out of his area.”
“Can’t we shoot it? Always wanted to bag me a tiger.”
“No! They’re very protective of the few remaining. It’s probably tagged, and there would be a big investigation were it to be found dead or missing.”
“Damn. All that care of a dumb animal. And the people?”
“It was a Black Op. Never happened. Let’s go.”
As their chopper lifted off, another roar sliced the air. One of anger, hate, and the promise of retribution and revenge. Tawny-green-gold eyes followed the path the helicopter flew, and when it could no longer be seen, they closed, and the darkness came again.
Dane woke to pain. Intense, immense pain. On its heels, anger, rage, and betrayal followed.
Give in to the rage.
Shoving to his feet, Dane pushed at the darkness that never seemed far from consuming him—hungered to consume him—refusing to give in to its ever-close absorption of him. It took a moment, longer and longer each time his control was threatened, but he wrested it back under his restraint. Done, he took several deep breaths of the crisp Siberian air. Sinking against the trunk of the nearest tree, he fought back the waves of dizziness.
“It would be so easy to give in. Give in and heal myself.” Shaking his head, Dane swore, “I can do this.”
The lightheadedness passed, and he slipped back through the trees to the spot of the explosion. As he stood upon the charred ground, he felt the land screaming in pain, and Dane could feel the furls of anger beginning anew deep within. Clenching his fists, he stared up at the night sky.
“I will make them pay.”
Bile rushed up his throat. First, he needed to heal. And that needed to be done rather quickly. In this weakened state, the darkness would have an easier time of overtaking him. He needed to be sharp. Home.
“No! I can’t. I won’t.”
Risking his family was never going to happen. It was his job to ensure his siblings were safe. He was the oldest and would never willingly place them in danger. No matter how capable they were, and his siblings were ve
ry capable. And as perilous as he was at the moment, unsure if he could continue to keep this darkness at bay, he wouldn’t go home and risk his family and friends. Dane ignored his hurt, reinforced the barriers he’d erected to keep his pain just that—his—and vanished from sight as the heavily treed forest swallowed him up.
* * * *
Four months later in a remote village in South Africa
I miss the cold.
Dane smiled at a young village boy who ran by him at the end of the path wearing nothing but a tattered pair of cut-off jeans. Tossing the chunk of wood onto the pile, Dane rolled his shoulders to ease the muscles.
“Hello, Mr. Dane.” A small hand waved in his direction.
Shoving his fingers through his shaggy hair, Dane waved back as he took in the large grin on the boy’s face. “Afternoon, Tau. Where are you off to in such a rush?” He dug the axe into the stump before him and wiped the sweat off his brow.
“Aida comes.” The smile grew wider if that were even possible.
It was infectious, and Dane had one on his face as well. The children in the village could make him smile; otherwise, he wasn’t known to do so. He kept to himself for the most part, but the villagers had made him feel more than welcome. He spent his days doing repairs and helping around when and where he could.
Resting a hand on the smooth wooden handle, he asked, “And who is Aida?” He’d met most of the people in this and surrounding villages; Aida wasn’t a name he knew.
“Teacher’s friend. Come, Mr. Dane. Come!”
With an indulgent chuckle, he reached for his shirt and drew it on over his head. “Okay, Tau, I’m right behind you.”
As they moved toward the schoolhouse, which doubled as a gathering area, Dane noticed Tau’s extreme excitement, and yet, the lad tried to contain it. There were a lot of people converging on the school where it sat nestled under the canopy of some huge shade trees. The thick, leafy foliage helped keep the inside cool in the African heat. I bet the ones I don’t see are already inside.
Dane hung back as Tau bolted ahead, scampering up the two steps. Through the noise and gaiety, a new voice trickled to Dane’s ears. A woman’s laugh, low and rich, flowed over him. Thick warmed honey came to mind as he heard it. He swallowed hard while lust and possessiveness raced through him. It stunned him. This woman somehow had an effect on him, and he hadn’t even laid eyes on her. Not remotely close to what I was expecting.
The teacher strode by, a child hanging on each leg and one around his neck. “Hey, Dane,” he said.
“Christopher,” he replied with a nod. “Looks like you have an armful there.”
Sparkling blue eyes stared at him. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Coming in?”
Dane watched the kids let go and bolt up to the interior of the building. “Who’s Aida?”
“A wonderful friend. I guess you could kind of say she’s like Santa Claus to everyone here, very giving. Aida usually brings clothing, non-perishables, and stuff like that when she stops by. Books, pens, paper and the like. She doesn’t come around too often but when she does,” Christopher waved a hand around, “this is the result. Come on, you’ll like her. She’s very easygoing.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Christopher stared at him with understanding. “Okay, see you inside.” He disappeared into the darkened inner recess.
Dane knew Christopher understood he was running from something, yet didn’t pry, and for that, Dane respected him immensely. Dragging his hand over his face, he paced back and forth. The beast within him stirred restlessly, chuffing with anticipation, of something he didn’t quite know. With a deep breath, he easily leaped up the steps and strode into the chaos reigning in the building.
His gaze found her immediately, and just as fast, he found himself without a breath. His animal scented her. Almost like she were prey. No. Not prey. Something else. Something more. So much more. But he knew. He knew. It was instinctual and emotional. Primeval and raw. Something he swore wouldn’t ever happen to him. She was his mate.
Mine!
The wave of possessiveness he’d experienced outside was nothing like the one that broadsided him now. His knees shook, and he had to lock them so he remained on his feet. He fought the longing to cry aloud and make it well known that she belonged to him. His canines began to extend, and he forced himself to retain control.
She stood at the far end of the building, Christopher beside her with boxes of things set out before her. Boxes parents were digging through and removing items to hand to the many anxious children. Dane watched as she gave her full attention to person after person who hugged her, adult and children alike.
While she talked, he observed. Perhaps ogled would be a better word. Skin the color of rich brown ochre covered her curvaceous body. Wavy dark brown hair with coppery highlights sat gathered up off her neck, a few wisps stuck to her face courtesy of the heat. She wore a pale green tank top and dark, dusty pants. He could smell her. Her scent—cinnamon, vanilla, and soft apples—reached him. Lust raged through him.
Look at me!
The command went unanswered. Dane stepped farther in the room, and her head lifted slowly, finally allowing their gazes to meet. A pair of intoxicating brown eyes with flecks of gold scattered through them stared at him. He was lost as her eyes widened and languorously moved down his body and back up again. Dane remained motionless, waiting until she finished her perusal of him.
Solnyshko moyo. My sun.
But more than just that. She was his.
My mate.
Aida Roberts couldn’t explain what it was that told her to look up, but she did. What little moisture her mouth had vanished completely as she ingested the sight standing near the entrance of the building. Holy shit! While she was no stranger to attractive men, this one…made the rest of them fade into nothingness.
His eyes snared hers from the moment she looked up. Green-gold and tawny, they were full of intelligence, and yet, she could sense some pain lingering in their depths, not to mention possessiveness. Strong angles made up his handsome face, and it was covered by golden tan skin. No facial hair. He had shoulder-length black, jet-black, hair. The man’s entire body looked muscled. There wasn’t an ounce of fat on him, and she longed to trail her hands over him, exploring each ridge and crevice.
Shivering at her train of thought, Aida continued her perusal. His light gray shirt molded to his torso, sleeves hugging his biceps. He wore tight dark blue jeans that made her think x-rated things. A wave of heat washed over her, and she dragged her eyes back up his lethal body to find his gaze waiting for hers.
Why do I feel like his dinner?
Ignoring the intense pounding of her heart, Aida smiled at him and, with difficulty, tore her gaze from the mouthwatering specimen to focus on something else. It didn’t work. All too soon, she caught herself staring back in his direction. He had moved to the wall and leaned against it lazily, appearing as if he hadn’t a care in the world. Although his gaze moved around the room and he interacted with others, she couldn’t help but feel he watched her.
That man is ready for anything. I’d bet everything I own, he knows exactly what’s going on around him.
“Who’s the man by the far wall, Christopher?” she asked with what she hoped was nonchalance.
“Him? That’s Dane. He’s been here for about a month.”
“Dane,” she murmured his name, staring at him where he spoke to Lesedi. He lifted his tawny-green-gold gaze from the young girl and stared at Aida. Something deep, dark, and wild smoldered in his eyes as he watched her. Aida shivered. It’s like he heard me. “What’s he doing here?”
“Helping out. He’s one of the ones who helped finish the school. And before you ask, no, I don’t think he’s with any specific organization. He’s just looking for something, and who knows, he may find it here. Dane’s a good man, Aida.”
Although she heard Christopher’s words, Aida never took her gaze from the mesmerizing one who held her pri
soner. The spell between them broke when Lesedi tugged on his sleeve. A smile—one it seemed only she was privy to—curved up his lips as he returned his attention to the child before him. Aida shuddered.
Damn! Man’s hot anyway, and then he goes and smiles. Her body thrummed with desire, and she swallowed hard. Not what I’m here for. Forcing her attention back to Christopher, she nodded. “I’ll take your word for it.”
“Find out for yourself,” Christopher said. “Here he comes.”
With a deep breath, Aida looked up, only to be, again, blown away by the man who strode through the room toward them. He moved with such effortlessness. Fighting the urge to lick her lips when he stopped before them, she smiled instead.
“Dane, I’d like you to meet Aida Roberts. Aida, this is Dane Sidorov.” Christopher made the introduction.
“Nice to meet you, Mr. Sidorov,” she said, holding out her hand.
Her heart skipped a few beats when his large hand surrounded hers. His skin was callused and warm. Tremors ricocheted through her at the simple touch. Every synapse in her body flared as if electricity rocketed through her. She half expected to see smoke curling from where they touched.
“Dane, please. And the pleasure is all mine, Ms. Roberts.”
His voice came out in a purr, and she fought the urge to arch her back in ecstasy as his tone flowed over her. It touched her in places she never envisioned a voice being able to do so.
“Aida,” she corrected, trying not to stare at the way his lips moved when he spoke. Get it together, Aida. He’s just a man. It was a lie, and she knew it. Even when he’d been across the room, she knew he wasn’t like the rest of the men she’d met. There was this wildness about him she felt drawn to.
He inclined his head slightly, still retaining his hold upon her hand. “Aida.”
Her insides flipped and flopped as her name rolled off his tongue. “Nice to meet you,” she said, well aware she borderlined the babbling stage. He looked even more impressive up close. His golden skin shone with a sheen of sweat, and the urge to get even sweatier with him popped into her mind.
