Therian Prize: 5 (Therian Heat) (29 page)

“That’s a conversation for me and Heather.” He walked to the edge of the patio then paused. “It’s your basic nature to rescue people. You’ve been doing it all your life. Be careful with Heather. She needs support, not shelter.”

“She’s my mate. It’s my job to protect her.”

“I understand that, but it’s also important for her to learn to protect herself. She has to stand up to her father or she’ll never be truly free.”

Jake sighed. He knew Ian was right, yet Heather had been through so much already. He wanted to spare her any more pain and misery.

“Have her call me when she’s up and around. We’ll talk about options.”

Jake watched as Ian’s wings shot through the vertical slits in his clothing and gracefully unfurled. No matter how many times he saw the transformation, the sight always gave him chills. Ian leapt into the air and flew away.

Jake went back inside and secured the sliding glass door with a broom handle. The antiquated technique made him smile. Then he called Ron and told him to reset all the passwords and codes. “Use whatever you like. It’s probably best if I don’t choose them.”

“Will do, boss.”

“And shift guard rotations. Shuffle the deck completely. You’re the only one who keeps his old position.”

“I’ve already started on it. No one wants to say it, but we all know Natasha was compromised.”

“She did nothing wrong, but yes, she was compromised.”

“Understood. I’ll take care of it.”

“I know you will.” He ended the call then put the phone in his pocket, tempted to turn it off again.

Heather had slept for six and a half hours. That should have been enough to recharge her batteries. He made a sandwich and filled a glass with milk then he carried the casual meal into the bedroom. Even if she went right back to sleep, the calories would help her recover. He set the plate and the glass on the nightstand then sat on the edge of the bed.

He paused for a moment, mesmerized by her beauty. With her curly hair spread across the pillow and her features at rest, she looked like a masterful painting. But knowing she was naked beneath the covers sent his imagination far away from cold, impersonal art galleries.

With a guilty smile he touched her shoulder, giving her a little shake. “Wake up, sweetheart. You need to eat something.”

He had to shake her again then she stretched and wiggled, revealing the upper curve of her breasts. “I know what I want to eat.” She smiled without opening her eyes.

“Eat this sandwich first and then we’ll see if you’re still hungry.” He stacked some pillows behind her as she scooted back against the headboard. She tucked the covers under her arms and he handed her the sandwich. “How do you feel?”

“Why don’t you get naked and find out?”

He laughed, thrilled by her playfulness. Still, her full recovery was his top priority. “Eat! You burned about a million calories during that shift.”

“Yes, sir.” She lifted the sandwich to her mouth and took a bite. “So what have you been doing while I slept?”

“Watching TV, mostly. Ian stopped by.”

“What did he have to say?” Her chattiness didn’t subside but she kept munching so he indulged her curiosity.

“Payne wasn’t surprised that Zophiel is still alive. He was never convinced she’d died in the fire.” He went on to explain the rest of what Ian had told him.

“So how do we kill a mind-sucking leech that doesn’t even burn?”

“That’s what Payne and Ian are trying to figure out.”

She wiped her mouth on the napkin he’d provided and drained the rest of the milk. Then she held out the dishes with a sexy smile. “I’m going to go use the bathroom. I expect you to be naked and on this bed when I get back.”

Excitement spread through Heather’s blood as she returned to the bedroom. This had been the most amazing day of her life. She felt powerful and in control for the first time ever and she was damn sure going to enjoy herself.

For the past six years she’d been aware of her inner self, that part of Therians that made them unlike humans. But Jake’s blood had taken that vague awareness and turned it into something distinct and powerful. She could feel her tigress’s thoughts and emotions separately from her own. They didn’t have traditional conversations. Words weren’t necessary with this sort of blending. She’d never imagined that her animal self would have her own personality.

Jake stood beside the bed rather than lying on it, but he was naked as she’d directed. Desire smoldered in his eyes and surged across their link. He sensed her need for control and held himself back. The obvious effort it cost him made him even more precious to her.

She moved slowly toward him, wanting to memorize every curve and angle of his amazing body. With broad shoulders and narrow hips, highly defined muscles and handsome features, he was the personification of masculine virility. And her tiger most definitely approved.

“I’m going to touch you, but you don’t have permission to touch me.”

His brows shot up at her claim and his mouth quirked at the corners. “I’m willing to indulge you for a time, but remember my turn will follow.”

Even within his momentary surrender, he exerted his will. He was a Therian male. Any other approach would have been dishonest. She pressed her hands against his chest, absorbing his heat and feeling the strong, steady thumping of his heart. He watched her, alert and ready to pounce, yet his arms remained at his sides.

She stroked up and over his shoulders, making the same motion with both hands. His muscles flexed beneath her fingers as her hands worked their way down his arms. “You’re so tense, love.” She leaned in close and whispered the comment in his ear. Her breasts brushed against his chest for a moment but she quickly stepped back and continued her exploration.

His shoulders were wonderfully broad, the muscles hard and starkly defined. Her fingers gave his biceps an approving squeeze as she paused over the impressive thickness. Her tiger appreciated the strength while she savored the softness of his skin and the care with which he held her.

After briefly tracing the ridges in his abdomen, she moved around behind him. His back offered a variety of terrains, each more appealing than the last. She rubbed his shoulders and outlined the shape of his shoulder blades until she reached the indentation of his spine. His strength was obvious in every corded muscle, yet he’d been nothing but gentle with her. Fascinated by the contradiction, she traced his spine downward, her fingers pausing over each vertebra.

The tight, round muscles of his ass drew her attention. He was never shy about touching her there. He squeezed and teased, nipped and nibbled, and used bold touches to create shockingly intense sensations. Ready to do some shocking of her own, she squeezed one side and then the other. He rewarded her with a muffled groan.

“Do you like being touched by me?”

“I like it better when I touch you too.” He voice was unusually low and gravelly.

Encouraged by the scalding lust blaring across their psychic connection, she grew bolder. She wrapped one arm around his middle and pressed against his side. Then she ran her fingertips from the nape of his neck to the small of his back, watching the restless bunch and flex of his muscles. She descended along one side of his back then teased her way up the other.

He pressed his arm over hers and intertwined their fingers. “The longer you make me wait, the longer I’ll make you wait.”

She laughed then pushed to her tiptoes and nipped his ear. “Anticipation only heightens the pleasure. Isn’t that what you’re always telling me?”

She followed his spine downward then eased her fingers into the crease between his ass cheeks. He tensed and she grinned, her long middle finger easily finding her target.

“Careful, angel. Don’t open a door you’re not ready to walk through.”

Deciding she’d been bold enough for now, she retreated to the small of his back then her other hand wiggled free of his fingers. She skimmed over his flat belly and descended until she found the base of his cock. “You’re generous with your touches, my love. But you’re stingy when it comes to being touched. It’s time I evened the score.”

Curving her fingers around his thick shaft, she stroked down his length and back, down and back, as he stood still within her embrace.

“Enough.” He growled and pulled her around in front of him.

“Not yet.” She smiled and slowly licked her lips. “I ate the entire sandwich and I’m still hungry.” Before he could argue, she slipped to her knees and took him into her mouth.

A violent shudder passed through him but he did nothing to hinder her. She stroked his shaft with one hand while her lips worked the tip. He rewarded each slow draw of her mouth and swirl of her tongue with a gasp or groan. And all the while his emotions flowed freely into her mind. Lust tempered by tenderness and his soul-deep need to satisfy her every desire.

Her tiger prowled restlessly, excited by their heightened emotions yet discontent as an observer. Wanting no distractions, Heather shifted her focus, easing her tiger’s input to the back of her mind.

She moved both hands to his hips and tilted her head back, wanting as much of him as possible filling her mouth. She rocked forward and back, maintaining a snug circle with her lips. His struggle to remain still was obvious. She could feel it in the tension of his muscles and the frustration rapidly building in his mind.

Move
,
she urged
. Take my mouth. I want you to.

A harsh growl tore from his throat and he pressed her face between his palms. Then he thrust into her with long, even strokes, sliding against her lips and across her tongue. His aggression thrilled her, heightened her excitement right along with his.

Do you want me to…
His thought sounded hoarse and urgent.

Yes. I want all of you.

He shifted his stance and moved faster, pushing deeper into her mouth. She sat back on her heels and tilted her head even farther back. The new angle allowed her to see his face and a fresh rush of tenderness washed over her. His express grew harsh, almost savage, as he neared release. She’d done this to him. The realization made her feel powerful.

His hips shuttled even faster and his salty-sharp taste spread over her tongue. He was close, so very close. She cupped his balls with one hand and moved the other between his legs, determined to watch his control shatter.

She traced the crease of his ass with just her fingertips as he continued his rapid-fire strokes. Then she ventured deeper and teased his sensitive rear opening as he’d often done with her. He gasped and shuddered then shoved to the back of her mouth. She kept her finger lightly circling as she sucked hard on his twitching cock. His warm seed splashed into her throat and pleasure blasted across their link.

The last wave of pleasure was still bathing her mind when he pulled out of her mouth and drew her to her feet. He swept her up in his arms and sat on the bed. She sat sideways across his lap, arms wrapped around his neck.

His mouth descended slowly, feathering light kisses across her other features before lingering over her lips. She knew his taste was still strong in her mouth but he didn’t seem to care. His lips settled over hers and his tongue traced the slit between. She parted for him, thrilled by his surrender yet knowing it was time to reciprocate.

He lifted her then brought her down with one leg on either side of his thighs. She waited for the thrust of his cock but he just went on kissing her. Their mouths fused, tongues moving in a slow, tangling dance. She followed his lead, curling her tongue around his. The kiss moved from her mouth to his and back and their hands slid over each other just as boldly as their tongues.

Suddenly he sighed and tore his mouth away from hers. His hands settled at her waist and he looked into her eyes. “I know you haven’t had many lovers and I don’t want to talk about your past, but… Do you understand how different this is, how special?”

She smiled, thrilled that she would finally be able to define her feelings for him without interruption. “The difference is staggering. I understand what we’ve found.”

“I told you what I want from you, but you never really said what you want from me.” His face revealed nothing, but hope shimmered in his heart and mind.

“I love you, Jake, and I expect to feel that way forever.”

He crushed her to his chest and took her mouth in a demanding kiss.
I love you too
.
We still have serious challenges waiting for us, but I’ve never been this certain about anything. You are my one true mate.

And you are mine.

She tilted her head and returned the kiss with all the love bubbling inside her. She offered him her mouth and her emotions, finally free to trust unconditionally.

They were both breathless and dizzy by the time he released her mouth and trailed kisses down the side of her neck. His lips caressed and his teeth scraped until he reached her collarbone then his tongue bathed her flushed skin.

Combing his hair with her fingers, she distracted herself with the silky strands. She wanted his mouth sucking hard on her nipples and his warm hands—everywhere. But she refused to rush him. He’d allowed her all the time she needed to exert her control, now it was her turn to do the same.