Therian Prize: 5 (Therian Heat) (15 page)

“If I want Dad to leave me alone, I have to choose a mate.” Suddenly the idea wasn’t nearly as demoralizing as it used to be. If she could find someone like Jake to… No, she didn’t want to find someone
like
Jake, she was imagining a future with Jake and that was dangerous. They might be attracted to each other but any sort of long-term relationship would be impossible.

“That’s a permanent decision,” he reminded.

“I’ve been thinking about that. If a Therian couple is genetically compatible their bodies synchronize.”

His gaze focused on her mouth as he grinned. “I’m aware.”

She knew about the various links Therian couples could form but she’d never experienced any of them. She’d only been with Carlos once and her sexual encounters with David had been sporadic at best. “The synchronization lasts three months and the couple becomes disinterested in anyone except their synchronized partner. Correct?”

“Basically. It’s more intense than disinterest. If a female is in sync, she often becomes combative with other males.”

“Is the male combative with other females?”

“Sometimes it hits one partner harder or faster than the other, but eventually they’ll both be affected by the link.”

“How different does synchronization feel from a mating bond? Would it be possible to pass one off as the other?”

He looked off into the distance, his expression thoughtful, eyes narrowed. “It would depend on the person you were trying to fool.” She was starting to wonder if he realized where this was leading then his gaze shifted back to her. “How sensitive is your father?”

“His sense of smell is unbelievable, but his psychic abilities are average.”

“You would rather link yourself to a man for three months than find out more about Devon’s elixir?”

She finger-combed her hair back from her face as her mind replayed all the things Devon had told her. If the formula worked the way Devon said, Heather would not only be defined, she would absorb multiple animal natures. How was that possible? She’d never met anyone who could manifest as more than one animal. Well, Devon claimed she could, but Heather had been too surprised to ask for a demonstration.

“If the formula came from Therians, I wouldn’t hesitate,” she told him. “But this came from the backers. How can I possibly trust something that came from those amoral bastards?”

“I understand your hesitation. I don’t trust them either. But I do trust Devon. Not only has the formula been in her system for weeks, not days, but she’s being monitored by the Garrans every step of the way. If she’s felt no side effects—other than an increased libido—then the formula is safe.”

“It’s only been two weeks since she was injected. It’s too soon to determine whether it’s safe or not.”

“So we’re back to synchronization?” His tone grew low and rough. He came up off the bench and caught her wrist. “Do you have someone in mind?” Slowly he drew her across the spa as he sat back down.

She stood in front of him, wet shirt clinging to her breasts, breathless and achy. “You know I do.”

He moved his legs apart and pulled her closer. “Say it. Tell me what you want.”

“I want…” Desire curled through her body, lodging between her thighs with enough intensity to steal her breath. She wanted so many things and most of them involved Jake. She tried to look away but he stood and took her face between his hands.

“Your father is pissed with you now, but your entire pack, maybe your entire network, will hate you if we become lovers. Are you ready for that?”

He voiced the question with just enough challenge to unleash her resolve. “My pack has never done anything to assist or protect me. I’ve been treated like a commodity by my family and my pack.” Suddenly realization dashed the momentary heat. “We need to do something about Lexxie.”

His hands lowered to his sides and he eased back. “Does your father have reason to suspect she’s helping you?”

“It doesn’t matter. She’s the only one left within his power that I give a damn about. As soon as he figures that out, he’ll use her to get to me.”

Jake nodded and motioned to the bench submerged in the water. “Sit back down. I’m going to summon one of my sentinels.”

Happy to oblige him, she sank into the water and pressed her back against one corner of the spa. Jake rested his hands on the tub’s rim and lifted his face. There was no audible signal but Heather could sense the ripple of psychic energy.

A few moments passed and then a black-clad woman leapt onto the lower level of the deck. With brown hair and ordinary features, at first glance she seemed to pose no threat. She stood slightly taller than average and moved with confident strength and obvious athleticism. The hillside was incredibly steep at that end of the property. Where the heck had she come from?

“What can I do for you, sir?” The woman’s dark gaze darted to Heather as she waited for Jake’s reply. Her hair was pulled straight back into a ponytail and her expression was anything but approachable. This had to be Natasha. Unless Jake surrounded himself with fearless females. Heather found the possibility mildly annoying.

“I need one of our human contacts to hustle down to Silverthorne and pick up Lexxie. The wolves cannot realize cats are involved.”

The woman nodded. “I have a man in the area already. Is Lexxie expecting to be picked up?”

“No, so he’ll need to be creative. Make sure Lexxie knows this is being done to protect her and she shouldn’t be too much trouble.”

“Famous last words.” Without elaboration, the woman turned and left, leaping the railing and disappearing as suddenly as she’d appeared.

“Was that Natasha?”

“Now that you’ve seen her, are you still jealous?” He grinned as he sat on the adjacent bench.

“That’s cruel and I wasn’t jealous.”

He caught her wrist and pulled her toward him. The water made the maneuver easier than it should have been. Rather than resist him, she straddled his lap and wrapped her arms around his neck. She’d wanted to touch him and be touched by him for months. Why should she pretend indifference now?

“I didn’t mean to imply that Natasha was unworthy of affection, only that I prefer a less militant female.”

“I see.” She combed his damp hair with her fingers, savoring the silken pull of the thick strands. “I think you’re too vain to be seen with someone so utterly unconcerned with outward appearance.”

The criticism didn’t faze him at all. “Isn’t that what I just said?”

Without warning, his hand tangled in the back of her hair and his mouth sealed over hers. She tensed for a second, unprepared for his sudden aggression. Then heat and hunger crept over her soul and she surrendered to the kiss. This is what she’d wanted, what she’d imagined all those nights alone in bed. It was finally happening. Her head began to spin and giddy excitement sped her heartbeat.

But Jake was a cat, her pack’s sworn enemy. Could she do this to… She cut the thought short, refusing to give in to the conditioned response. She didn’t hate cats, certainly didn’t hate Jake, and that was all that mattered.

His lips moved with careful command while his tongue teased the seam of her lips. She opened to him, expecting a deep plunge yet receiving more teasing caresses. He beckoned her, melting her inhibitions as the kiss went on and on. She touched his tongue with the tip of hers then pushed deeper, exploring with the boldness he withheld.

A growl rumbled in his throat as she filled his mouth with her taste. She shifted the angle of her head and greedily absorbed his taste as well. Rich yet earthy, with just a hint of crisp wine, his flavor was every bit as addictive as she’d feared.

He released her hair and pulled the t-shirt off, forcing their mouths apart. She tried to reestablish the kiss but he held her at arm’s length. “It will take a lot more than sex. You realize that, don’t you?” His gaze drifted to her breasts, lingering with obvious interest before returning to her face. “I’ll need to link our minds and we’ll have to exchange energy over and over if we hope to convince your father this is a mating bond.”

A crisp mountain breeze wafted across her breasts, beading her nipples and raising goose bumps across her exposed skin. Were Jake’s guards out there watching? Insecurities barreled to the surface, threatening her composure. She wanted Jake but she was not comfortable with this semipublic setting. She’d spent her entire life on display, being coveted or judged or ridiculed depending on who her father had provoked. She wanted this to be private, something shared between Jake and her.

“Can we go inside?” She wanted to cover herself and move back to her own seat, but he held her firmly in place and his gaze was beginning to glow with emerald fire.

“Answer the question first.”

“Yes. I know it will take more than sex.” She tried to wiggle away.

He pulled her nearer, pressing her breasts against his chest. “No one can see us. Relax.”

“What about your guards?” His lips pressed against the side of her neck and his hands slid up and down her back.

“They can’t spot a potential threat if they’re watching us. They know better.”

“Someone could have binoculars or a telescope.”

He made a throaty sound but she wasn’t sure if it was a chuckle or a growl. “All they’d see is your back unless you turn around. You’re being paranoid.”

She knew he was right but tension still banded her chest, and her stomach was on the verge of cramping. She couldn’t shake the feeling that they were being watched.

His warm fingers skated down her side and grasped her lacy panties. “You’re stalling. Are you sure this is what you want?”

“Yes,” she stressed. “I just don’t want our first encounter to end up on the internet.”

It was definitely a chuckle this time, but he paused and looked around. “Paparazzi aren’t generally a problem for me. Do you have a horde of screaming fans I don’t know about?”

“You’re right. I’m being paranoid.”

Rather than responding verbally, he grabbed her panties with both hands and ripped the side seam. Then he tugged them down to her knee on the other side. “Lift up.”

No more excuses or delays. Jake was about to become her lover. She shifted her weight so she could lift her knee and he freed the ruined undergarment from her leg. He tossed the scrap of lace aside then cupped one of her breasts, his thumb gently working her nipple.

“Lovely.” He circled her with his thumb until the tip grew high and hard. “And very responsive.”

Bruce had spent half his life taunting her about her “boyish” figure. She was skinny and skittish and any hunter worth a damn would be afraid of breaking her. Female wolves were hardy and obedient. Heather was neither.

Jake paused and lightly stroked her cheek. “Where’d you go? Your eyes turned sad all of a sudden.”

“I was thinking about Bruce.” It was true but it was also avoidance.

“You’re naked in my arms, but you’re thinking about your brother. Should I be insulted of creeped out?”

“Neither.” She lowered her gaze as she said, “He liked to point out my lack of endowments. I was just hoping you aren’t too disappointed.”

“With these?” He pressed his palms against the underside of her breasts, making them appear higher and fuller. “How could anyone be disappointed with perfect, perky breasts?”

“You must admit they’re on the small side of ‘perky’.”

“Hey. I’ve seen what gravity does to big boobs. I’ll take a soft, round handful any day.” He squeezed gently then placed a reverent kiss on each nipple.

Her heart soared. She was ridiculously pleased by his praise. This was just temporary, an alliance born of desperation. She could not allow herself to forget why they were doing this. Jake was a means to an end, a willing partner in her bid for freedom. Once she was safe, they would part ways and she would pick up the pieces of her life.

Why did the thought make her so sad?

He straightened and his gaze bore into hers. “If we’ve silenced all the voices in your head, I’m going to kiss you and touch you and watch you come with the sun shining on your face. We’ll save the main event for inside, where I’m hoping you’ll be less inhibited. Are you good with that?”

A tingling thrill raced through her system and she shivered. “It sounds fine.”

“Fine?” He leaned down and nipped her jaw, making her gasp. “We’ll have to do better than that.” Despite his fierce expression, his tone was playful.

She wiggled, liking the way his strong hands felt as they lightly restrained her naked body. A wicked smile parted his lips and he lowered his mouth to her breast. His lips closed on her nipple and her thoughts scattered. The firm pull of his mouth combined with the sensual slide of his fingers soon had her arching into each caress. He moved from one side to the other, keeping the first nipple tight with his fingers while he awakened the second.

Letting her head fall back, she soaked in the sun’s warmth and savored the sensations he was unleashing within her body. She felt wild and reckless, excited in a way she’d never experienced before. His kiss made her ache for his touch and his touch made her desperate for his fullness. Despite her misgivings, she was suddenly glad he still wore his swim trunks. It would be too easy to grab his erection and guide it to her opening.