King of Prey: (A Bird Shifter Novel) (7 page)

If only I could.

His loins burned with the need to possess her. Thoughts of bedding Rayna plagued his dreams and remained a constant in his waking hours. The woman’s scent alone was enough to drive a man insane.

Roses and sandalwood.

Even now Kabril could still smell her lingering scent on him. His cock dug painfully at its confines and he swallowed hard, hoping his erection would go down on its own. Seeing her naked wasn’t helping matters.

Rayna wore her long hair pulled into a loose bun at the top of her head, as she always did when she bathed late at night. His preternatural eyes could see perfectly in any light. The tiniest of freckles graced her nose and tanned shoulders whenever she’d been in the sun too long. The caramel look the sun’s rays left her with was intoxicating. Kabril wanted to lick every inch of her, see if she tasted as delicious as she looked.

She will taste even more divine.

Glancing over her shoulder, Rayna stared in his direction. Kabril knew the darkened shadows covered him and didn’t bother to move. He let his gaze rake over her slowly, taking in the sight of her breasts. Her nipples were dark and puckered as if waiting for him to take them into his mouth. Reaching down, he undid his pants and slipped his hand in, fisting his rigid cock. He needed release or he’d risk the beast side of him taking over and possibly claiming Rayna—not bothering to wait for this mate Sachin swore he was close to finding. A mate he did not want for he only wanted Rayna.

Kabril seriously considered simply plucking Rayna from Earth, taking her to his home and demanding she submit to him. Sachin was right. The ways of old would not work with an Earth woman. Especially not one as headstrong as Rayna. No, she would have removed vital parts of his anatomy. Though, dying by her hand would be acceptable.

He stroked his cock, staring at the small swell of her lower abdomen and imagining his tongue there, licking, tracing its way to the juncture of her thighs. Kabril knew Rayna had only a small thatch of well-maintained hair upon her mound because he spent many a night assuming the form of an Earth-sized hawk and watching her. It was not exactly comfortable to take on the form of a creature so much smaller than his normal shifted form, but he did it all the same. At six-foot-six in human form, Kabril was even bigger shifted, quite a difference from the size of an Earth hawk. Also a significant difference between Rayna and himself in normal form.

Rayna seemed so tiny to him, so petite, that at times he worried if he would harm her should he sink his cock into her and claim her for all time. Sachin assured him all would be well when the time came, should his actual mate prove to be Rayna’s size, but Kabril couldn’t think past her.
She
was who he wanted in his bed, swelling with his sons and ruling by his side for all eternity. Thoughts of hurting her didn’t sit well with him. Since Sachin had a tendency to wander from Accipitridae to Earth when he assumed Kabril wasn’t paying attention, and bed human women, Kabril trusted his judgment on the matter.

Kabril watched her closely as he continued to stroke his cock. Every muscle in his body was tight, hungry for Rayna. Her gaze remained locked on his area. Could she see him?

No.

That was foolish.

She was but human and lacked the extraordinary vision of the shifter races. Still, her gaze remained. As he ran his hand down the length of his shaft, Rayna touched her stomach, the same place he’d envisioned licking. As her fingers trailed their way to the apex of her thighs, Kabril’s breathing grew shallow. Would she touch herself as well? Better yet, would she think of him while doing it?

That’s it,
ta’konima—
my love. Touch yourself. Show me how you wish me to touch you.

Rayna cupped a breast with one hand and let the other hand slide between her legs to the place Kabril desired to be. As she parted her slit, he had to fight off his orgasm. He should last longer than he did while masturbating. It was almost embarrassing how quickly even the thought of Rayna could make him lose control. Holding the base of his cock firmly, Kabril managed to narrowly avoid spilling his seed. The sight of Rayna fingering herself, rubbing her clit while she stared in his direction was too much. He palmed himself and stroked as fast and as furious as he wanted to take her. He wanted to pummel his cock into her silken depths until both their bodies were spent and his seed planted in her.

Rayna rocked against her hand, riding it to the point it glistened with her cream. The scent of her arousal permeated the air, filling Kabril not only with lust but with the carnal knowledge that he would take her and soon. It was no longer a choice. Between his obsession with her and the news coming from Accipitridae of the
Falco Peregrinus
’ repeated attempts to take power, Kabril had to return for good—and soon. Leaving without his mate wasn’t an option.

She’s not my mate,
he reminded himself.
But if I have any input in my affairs, she will be my queen.

It mattered not what the people thought of him should he return home without his destined bride. All that mattered was that he could not survive without Rayna in his life.

He loved her and he could not recall loving anything in his very long life.

Rayna shook her hips slightly as she arched her neck. From the tiny whimpers to the way her body twitched, he knew she was coming. Stroking his cock faster, he didn’t fight it when his body wanted release. Instead, he came with her, sending come jetting from his body into the brush before him, all the while keeping his gaze locked firmly on Rayna as pleasure ripped through her body.

Something rustled across from him, on the other side of Rayna, and Kabril fought with his still erect cock to get it back into the confines of his pants. Rayna apparently heard the noise as well, which was strange considering how faint it was. She dressed quickly, pulling on her shirt and slipping into her shorts. The knowledge she wore no undergarments would consume him the remainder of the night. Visions of her coming by her own hand would grip him for centuries.

Chapter Thirteen

Rayna glanced in the opposite direction of camp and did her best to focus in the darkness. If it weren’t for the light of the moon, it would have been pitch black. The jungle had been eerily silent while she bathed, right up until she’d given in to the urge to touch herself. Spending her days and her nights near Kabril was proving to be too much for her. Back home, she could at least get away from the lure of him because he had his practice and she had work. Since he was a veterinarian and her passion was photographing animals, it seemed fitting they spend time together. She’d spent months in various remote corners of the Earth, chasing down that perfect picture of whatever animal it was she’d been sent to shoot.

After being charged by two very angry tigers, Rayna had decided to avoid anything bigger than her for a while. In fact, it was Kabril’s idea she take some time from her normal work and aid him with his research. He’d even tried to pay her much more than she’d ever dream of charging. Rayna wouldn’t hear of taking his money. While she wasn’t rich, she was comfortable.

Looking around at the beauty of the tropics, Rayna knew she’d made the right decision in coming on the trip. The environment was soothing and she couldn’t imagine being away from Kabril for the month he had planned to be away. That, more than anything, had prompted her to accept his invitation. She’d grown accustomed to seeing him daily, hearing his laugh and simply knowing he was close.

She even enjoyed time with Sachin. His odd sense of humor complimented Kabril’s, making him a welcome addition. He also seemed to watch over Kabril. It was out of the ordinary but Rayna never questioned it.

The sound of a twig snapping and leaves rustling grabbed Rayna’s attention. Nothing seemed off, yet her inner alarms were going off. She squinted in hopes it would help her see whatever was there. Thoughts of jaguars and other jungle predators filled her head, making her jerk back as fear crept over her.

She stepped onto the shore and dressed as quickly as she could. Her shorts clung to her wet body as did her shirt. As Rayna bent down to grab her boots something splashed in the water. No part of her wanted to dwell on what wildlife called the river home. Still, the urge to glance over at the water bordered on overwhelming. It appeared still and what little moonlight made its way through the canopy of trees managed to reflect off the water’s surface.

Something splashed again, this time sounding much closer than the last. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end and the urge to flee was great. Never one to back down from a challenge, Rayna hesitated, sure her mind was playing tricks on her. Taking a deep, calming breath, she nodded.

It’s probably a frog or something.

Rayna turned to head back to camp and ran face first into what felt like a truck. A really warm, muscular, fantastic-smelling truck.

“Ouch.”

“Rayna?” Kabril asked, the sound of his voice making her feel safe.

Relief swept through her and she tossed her arms around his neck. He stood tall, taking her with him. She dangled for a moment and went to release him. Kabril didn’t allow it. He wrapped his large arms around her and held her off the ground.

His golden gaze locked on her. “Rayna?”

Her mind wanted her to tell him she was fine and to put her down. Her body had something altogether different planned. She swallowed hard and did her best to pull herself together before she did something stupid, like beg him to fuck her.

“Umm, Kabril,” she whispered, running her hand through the back of his hair. “You’re going to hurt yourself. Put me down.”

“You are naught but chest high and scarce weigh more than a feather,” he said, his speech suddenly sounding so very different than normal. Thoughts of castles, knights and men of power filled her head.

Rayna rolled her eyes playfully and snorted. “The ‘I could have fallen out of the pages of a medieval romance novel’ vibe you got going is cute. Put me down now.” She pushed lightly on his upper chest but Kabril didn’t release her. “Please…my lord.”

“No,” he said quickly, still holding her. “To you, I am always Kabril.”

Confused but willing to play along, Rayna nodded. “So you’re saying I can’t give you cute lil’ pet names like pookie bear and honey bunches?”

“Bear?” He licked his lower lip and she had to fight back the moan that wanted to come. “Not the animal I hoped for, but if you wish. Though, I might take to calling you
mine
.”

The idea of belonging to him left Rayna shivering in anticipation. She could only imagine what it would be like to have Kabril sliding in and out of her body, taking and giving pleasure until they could no longer move. Her erect nipples poked through the wet material of her shirt as she wiggled to get down. They scraped against his muscular chest and pleasure shot through her, leaving Rayna hissing as if she’d been burned. Kabril slid a hand lower and cupped her ass. Her breath hitched as heat flared through her body.

His warm breath skated over her cheek and he chuckled. “Something wrong?”

“Yes…erm…no.” She bit her inner cheek, trying and failing to rid herself of the heat he caused. “I think I’m on fire.”

Kabril dragged her against him, causing her to rub along him just right. “On fire?” he asked, sounding all too keen on hearing more.

Denial was futile. She nodded and Kabril lifted her chin, forcing her to face him. Capturing her mouth with his, Kabril left her legs quivering and her holding tight to him for fear she’d fall during his sensual assault. Rayna fed from the sweetness of Kabril’s mouth. The kiss was intoxicating, as she knew it would be.

Kabril dominated their kiss, circling his tongue around hers and leading every step of the way. “Rayna,” he murmured, continuing his glorious invasion. He held her cheek with one hand and her body with the other. The sheer power in his arms was not lost on her.

“Kabril,” she said breathlessly. “Please.”

Please put me down
was what she was going to say. It wasn’t what came out. Good thing, considering being put down was the last thing she truly wanted to have happen. He slid his hand under her wet shirt and Rayna didn’t stop him. Instead, she ate at his mouth, kissing him with the hunger of a crazed woman. For a month she’d longed to have him do this to her and wasn’t about to stop it now. She didn’t have the willpower to make him stop, even if she wanted to.

The next thing she knew, she had her legs wrapped around his waist and her arms around his neck as he worked his hands further under her shirt. He tweaked her nipples, rolling them between his forefingers and his thumbs with a precision she didn’t want to question. The idea of him bedding other women sickened her.

“Rayna,” he murmured, kissing her neck and cupping her breasts. He nipped playfully at her shoulders and let out a manly chuckle as she rubbed against him.

Rayna wanted more. She needed to feel him inside her. There were too many articles of clothing between them. She tugged at his open shirt, running her hands over the planes of his chest. His muscles rippled under the weight of her touch and Rayna lost the ability to control her breathing. She shifted her hips, rubbing her body against his, stroking his long, thick cock just right. Release was near. She arched in wild response, pushing her clit against his clothed erection. His lips greeted hers at the same moment her orgasm struck. Kabril drank her moans down, smothering them with his kisses. She wanted more.

Kabril jerked his hands out from under her shirt and she unwrapped her legs from his waist. He eased her to the bank and she squirmed beneath him. This was what she wanted. He shoved up her shirt more, his head dipping, his mouth covering her exposed nipple.
 

Moaning, Rayna arched to him, her hands in his hair as he tasted from her body. This was just as she’d dreamed—the same way her dream lover had handled her.

As she ran her hands over Kabril’s back, forcing his shirt up as well, she realized he was exactly like the man she’d dreamed of.