Prey & Prejudice: Cougar Falls, Book 7 (18 page)

“You’re just like your brother, but prettier. And much sexier.”

“You really shouldn’t talk about my family while your cock is inside me.”

“God, don’t talk like that. Now I feel dirty.” He chuckled, and she felt him softening inside her,
finally
. “I don’t mind you being dictatorial. You’re going to need that to rule the idiots down here.”

“Including you?”

“Please. No one rules me.”

“True.” And she loved that about him. But how did he feel about her? “So. We’re going to mate?”

He didn’t answer right away, and she felt his cat inside him, reaching for her. Yet Miles held him back.

You’re scaring me. Please, Miles. I’m yours. Why won’t you take me?
Yet she couldn’t bring herself to tell him how she felt, afraid he might reject her.

“Zoe, you can have the pride without me. I’ll talk to the elders, and after they see what you’re more than capable of—and yes, I saw you sparring with your brother last week. You’re lethal in more ways than one, aren’t you?”

She puffed with pride. She’d kicked Quince’s ass.

“Anyway, once they see what you can do, you won’t have any issues. Well, a few of them will stick to the old ways, always wanting a man in charge. But that’s life. You’ll work around them.”

“I know.”

“There’s no need to push a mating.”

She leaned up from him to glare into his eyes. “Why? Don’t you want me?”

“Do you want me?”

“I told you I did.”

“Yeah, a mating to rule the pride. Sure. But do you want
me
?”

She blinked at him. “Are you saying you don’t know how I feel about you?”

“Why would I?” He scooted her off him, separating their bodies.

She stupidly felt as if the physical distance equaled an emotional chasm they might not be able to cross, and to her shock, pinpricks of sensation lit the back of her eyes.

He moved away from her to the adjoined bathroom and started the shower. Then he stepped in, as if they’d finished the conversation.

Oh, hell no.

“Hold on.” She jumped from the bed and darted into the bathroom. She stepped in with him and yanked him around to face her. As usual, he raised that brow that set her teeth on edge. “I hate that.”

“I know.” His arrogance amused the hell out of her, even though she wanted to slap him at the same time.

So she did, knocking him in the chest. “You’re such a pain in the ass.”

“Yes. I am.” His glare turned into a sly grin, and he sounded way too pleased with himself. He reached around her to pat her ass. “And I can’t wait to be a pain again.”

“Jerk.”

“Honey, your scent filled the entire room, my brain and my dick when I was taking you. You like it rough as much as you like it up the ass.” His angelic features in contrast to their less-than-innocent conversation caused her to snort with amusement.

“I can’t believe you, of all people, like it kinky. You’re like the poster child for pretty choir boys the world over.”

“You mean sexy choir boys. No, sexy cats. That sounds much better.”

“Any way you look at it, you’re gaga over me,” she sneered. “Admit it.”

He moved and the water sprayed her in the face. As she coughed, he said in that snotty voice, “Someone has a high opinion of herself. I’ll have you know, my sweet
Candy
, women all over the world lust for my very presence. I am the epitome of a gentleman.”

“Ha. Except in bed. You freak.”

He licked the tattoo on her shoulder and then nipped her neck. “And you like me that way. You, who ride a Harley, have a self-proclaimed tramp stamp and cream when I come up your ass.”

Seeing him growing hard again, she gasped. “Are you kidding me? What, are you taking pills or something?”

He grinned. “Maybe I have it bad for a finicky feline.”

Her heart raced. “I’m not finicky.”

“I was talking about Alissa Roberto.” He batted his eyelashes in innocence.

She literally snarled. “Not funny.”

His grin left him. “No, it’s not.” He glared into her eyes. “Neither is wearing next to nothing in front of other males.”

“You want me? Claim me, damn it.”
Prove it.

He stared into her eyes, searching for something.

God, Miles. You’re it for me. I love you. Claim me.

As if he heard her, he blinked and smiled, his grin so bright it was blinding. “You sure?”

“Why are you looking at me like that?” She didn’t trust his sudden joy. Hold on, had he maybe heard what she’d thought? Joy had mentioned that she and Quince shared a unique bond, one that sometimes transcended words. And she’d heard that other mated couples sometimes read each other’s thoughts. But that would mean Miles loved her and wanted her the way she wanted him.

“For once in your life, you’re not taking charge. You’re waiting for me to make a move. To give you what you want. You’re not taking it.” He kissed her smack on the mouth, then deepened the kiss until she felt herself on fire to have him again. “Wrap your legs around my waist,” he murmured as he turned her back to the tile, the shower now hitting their sides.

“Yes.” She continued to kiss him. “Claim me, Miles. Make me yours.”

“Only mine,” he warned and nibbled her jaw.

“Only mine,” she repeated the warning.

He reached between them to position himself where she needed him, and as he pulled closer and thrust into her, he let his animal spirit blanket her with scent. Acceptance, a claiming, affection and
love
.

She felt the warmth to her bones and sank into him, her claws, both human and animal, holding him tight. “You going to say it?” she whimpered as he took her.

He choked on a laugh, then groaned and seated himself fully.
Balls-deep.
Damn, she loved that phrase.

“Letting me do all the hard work first, hmm?”

“Miles, please. I need to be sure.”

“Of me?” His eyes widened.

“Of you. That you can love a woman who wears jeans and doesn’t know one designer from another. A girl who doesn’t have a lot of money and will never,
ever
, be less than your equal.”

He kissed her, nuzzled her and rubbed his face against hers, spreading his scent. “You’re annoying, smug and demanding more often than not. So fucking sexy you make me lose my mind on a constant basis. You argue more than is healthy.”

“Miles.” She smiled against his cheek, and he started moving inside her again, his cat alight within her now.

“Hell, I couldn’t stop myself from falling in love with you even if I’d wanted to.” He thrust a few more times before coming on a sigh. But not to leave her without, he put a hand between them and finished her off.

“Oh yes,
yes.
” She tightened around him and trembled with the rush of ecstasy clouding her thoughts. “I love you, Miles.”

He kissed her and then shuddered as the water turned cooler. After turning if off and cuddling, they returned to the bed and stared at each other.

“This won’t be easy,” he warned.

“Running the pride or running you?”

He snorted. “Me? I’m talking about your lethal personality,
Candace
.”

She pinched his nipple, but couldn’t help a grin. “Only you can call me that and not have my claws in your throat. My name is Zoe, you jackass.” She kissed him again. “You’re so arrogant.”

“And you love me.” His heart was in his eyes. “You, Zoe Castille. The woman with a pussy as sweet as…candy.”

She laughed with him. “Dick.”

“Honey, we’ve already established that I have a big dick, but thanks again for noticing. Be good while I’m gone this week, okay? When I get back, we’ll officially turn the pride over to you, no matter what Alan says.” He paused. “You’re sure this mating is what you wanted?”

She didn’t like the hint of doubt in his voice. “I thought you were Miles ‘I Am God’s Gift to the World’ Bermin. Why so shaky now?” She narrowed her gaze. “Are
you
having second thoughts? Do I need to start wearing dresses and cooing at you now to keep you interested? Should I change my name to Alissa Whoreberto and grovel at your feet?”

He had the nerve to laugh at her. “Please. The day you coo is the day I wear flip-flops. Not happening.” He rolled her under him. “Whoreberto? That’s Joy talking.”

“It is.” She brushed his hair out of his eyes, aware she now had a fetish for blond hair.

“Be careful, Zoe. I believe in you. I also know you. Don’t you dare move on the raptors until I get back.”

“Raptors?”

“We both know they were last spotted at Roberto Towers. Yeah, I have access to the same intel you do. We need to kick some major tail feather, I know. But you wait for me, or I’ll make you sorry. Ass-fucking-without-lube sorry.”

She tried to keep her lust in check, but she didn’t think she’d been successful because he smirked at her.

“Kinky kitty likes a bit of pain.” He shook his head. “I’m not kidding, though. You know these bastard birds better than I do. But we work best together. Wait for me.”

“I will. I promise.” Though Lisette and her entourage had been staying in Miami and the majority of the raptors had supposedly gone back to Baltimore, time would tell. She and the others would be ready to deal with them. Not alone, and not without Miles by her side.

“I won’t make a move without you,” she reiterated. “Yes, dear.”

“If only.” Miles pushed a hand through her hair and massaged her scalp. “You’re a pain in the ass, but there’s no denying you’re gorgeous. Finally, a woman I might not outshine.”

She grinned. “You mean, a man pretty enough to hang off my arm.”

They both glanced at the panther inked into her upper bicep and smiled at each other. “Yeah, we really were made for each other,” he agreed.

With Miles on her side, Zoe couldn’t lose. So caught up in their mutual admiration society, she mentioned her plans for the extension on the House. Only to find that he disagreed with where the addition should go. The argument lasted a good twenty minutes, until Miles decided he’d had enough and wanted something sweet to eat. Like Candy.

A week later, Miles grinned as he sat on the plane. From the updates Quince had been texting him all week, Zoe seemed to have everyone in hand. Danville and Sims had been close and pestering while they watched, critiqued and documented everything she said and did.

Yet apparently her taking over the pride was less important news than the fact that he’d mated her. Or so Joy took great pride in sharing via an assortment of texts and well wishes from the pride. Even better, Quince told him how much that annoyed Zoe, to realize once again a man in the pride had top billing.

Miles couldn’t help laughing. She really was perfect for him. Her arrogance had no bounds.

God, he loved arguing with her. Having an intelligent opponent made all the difference. Looking back on his past relationships, he now understood why none had lasted. None of his old girlfriends had ever argued with him. They catered to him, accepting his ideas as gold. Frankly, they’d bored him. Zoe could never be less than interesting. Her personality aside, she had Quince and Esmie to keep her on her toes.

According to Esmie, he was the best thing that had ever happened to her. Quince started every message by welcoming him to the family, as well as adding that they didn’t accept returns. Zoe was now officially his.

He had Esmie in his corner. Zoe had claimed she loved him. And she had a tenuous hold on the pride. Life was good. But it could get better. He’d been thinking about it, and he’d made up his mind. After he officially turned over the pride to his mate and got back to business, he intended to slow down his travelling. He’d open up a few more boutiques in downtown and put the focus on Miami. Maybe join in that venture Alissa had proposed. Roberto Towers had promise.

Then he’d propose to his woman.

Marriage. A commitment he hadn’t expected to make, if ever. Yet he knew to his soul that he and Zoe belonged together. He didn’t like being without her.

His week had been productive, though. Going away had given her the space she needed as well. He wanted to see how they’d interact after a week of being apart and having her in charge.

Zoe was living the dream, the lucky cat. She had the pride, a handsome mate and someday, maybe even children. The notion startled him, because he’d never imagined having children. Oh, he’d known he’d someday procreate, but dwelling on the prospect had never occurred to him.

The plane landed, and he left with the other passengers, heading for the restroom. After taking care of business, he continued to fantasize about Zoe’s and his future children. Boys with her mischief and his coloring. Or little girls with her eyes and his charm. But no matter the gender, he’d make sure they had his eye for style, God willing.

He felt warm and fuzzy about his future, so he wasn’t paying attention when the lock to the restroom
snicked
shut. He saw a familiar face and sighed. He’d pegged it. The raptors hadn’t gone home yet because they still intended to make a play for Miami.