When an Alpha Purrs (15 page)

It wasn’t enough to render Gregory and his rictus-wrenched face unconscious, but it gave her the seconds she needed for Arik to reach them. He hit Gregory in the side, tossing him off Kira, and pounced atop Gregory as he hit the floor.

Arik didn’t waste time. He wrapped his hands around Gregory’s neck. “You.”
Wham
. “Dared.”
Thunk
. “Hurt what is mine.” With each word, he rapped her ex’s head off the floor.

The violence was intense, and messy. She turned away but sucked in a breath as she heard a sharp crack. She’d seen enough movies to guess what it might mean.

He killed a man.

Killed a murderous psycho, but still…people didn’t do that. Except he wasn’t a person.
He’s a lion. An animal. A predator.

And she was anything but. What Kira was, though, was a survivor. She got her butt moving.

“Mouse, where do you think you’re going?” Arik’s nonchalant query held a note of amusement.

“Insane?”

“Not quite yet, so get that sweet ass back over here.”

Back to where the body lay in all its gruesome glory? No thank you.

He seemed to grasp the fact that she might not want to converse with him over a corpse because he amended his words with, “Actually, on second thought, stay where you are. I’ll come to you.”

Come to her for what?

Not knowing what to expect of a world suddenly gone mad gave her the impetus to move. She ran, heading in who knew what direction, instinct not letting her stay still. Running even though she knew she had no chance of escaping him. Not only was he bigger and stronger, Arik wasn’t human. Arik was a lion.

“Don’t make me chase you, mouse.”

“Or what, you’ll kill me, too?”

“Maybe kill you with pleasure.”

Trust a man to find a way to insert sex at the weirdest times.

Her sudden flight didn’t last long, and not because Arik pounced her. She went the wrong way and came against a dead end, no way out ahead of her, crates piled high on either side. She whirled, only to see her retreat blocked by the man who stalked toward her. Despite the feeble light and deep shadows, there was no mistaking his intent, or nudity.

She backed away, one slow sliding step at a time.

“I won’t hurt you.”

“Says the man who turns into a freaking lion.”

“Hey, don’t act like you’re so surprised. I told you I did.”

“But I didn’t think you meant it,” she said with a fling of her hands.

“Well, now you know. So what?”

“What do you mean, ‘so what’? You turn into a lion. You know, big carnivore with giant teeth.”

Arik’s lips twisted in a wry grin. “Stop complimenting him. He’ll get an even fatter head.”

That caused her to stumble in her retreat. “You mean that lion you turn into…it’s like a separate entity? It hears me?”

“
He
”—his emphasis not hers—“hears and understands just fine. And he’s being a furry pain in my ass right now.”

“Why?”

“Because he doesn’t like that you’re scared.”

“I’m not scared,” she lied, arms hugging her upper body in an attempt to quell the trembling.

“You don’t have to fear me. I won’t harm you, and neither will your ex. I made sure of that.”

He meant his words as reassuring. It didn’t quite work or stem a big shudder.

Gregory, a guy she’d dated, a werewolf.
Oh my god, how close did I come to becoming one?
Hold on a second, Gregory hadn’t bitten her, but Arik had. “Am I going to turn into a lion now that we’ve slept together and you bit me?” she blurted out, her fingers running over the sore edge of his mark.

White teeth—
my, how big they are. The better to eat me with?
—flashed as he laughed. “No. You can’t catch the shapeshifting gene. It’s something you’re born with, and even with two shifting parents, that’s not a guarantee.”

“So I won’t turn furry and start chasing rodents?”

“Nope.”

Well, that was a relief. “I guess I should thank you for arriving just in time.”

“If you want to thank me, get your ass over here.” He spread his arms in invitation.

“No thanks. I’m good over here.”

“Mouse, you’re being stubborn again. We both know you want a hug.”

Yeah, she did, but she was trying hard to fight the urge to run to him. Why?
Because he turns furry.
Did she really need another reason to avoid Arik?

But he wasn’t a lion right now.

No, he was a very naked man, with a body she still clearly remembered touching, striding toward her with a confident swagger and an erection that had her eyes widening.

“Um, Arik, I really don’t think I’m in the mood. Or that this is the time or place to indulge.”

“Then we’ll go back to my place. I could use a shower first.”

“What if I don’t want to go there?”

“As my mate, it is your place.”

Again with the whole pushy thing. She pushed back. “I don’t know if I’m ready to be anyone’s mate. That’s a lot of commitment and a lot of freaky shit for me to handle in such a little amount of time.”

“So how about we just call you my girlfriend for now?”

“Girlfriend?” He just wouldn’t give up. And, no, she couldn’t resist the flattery. The reminder he wasn’t quite a man couldn’t douse her attraction and interest in him.

“Yes, my girlfriend. And I’ll be your boyfriend. Since you’re so keen on getting to know me and all that other jazz, we’ll date.”

“As in go to the movies? Have dinner? Long walks on beaches?”

“Making out in public places, holding hands, and spending the night in a tangle of naked limbs.”

“I thought you didn’t date.”

“I’ll make an exception for you.”

The shiver that went through her was one of delight as he piqued her womanly side. “During this dating period, I get to stay at my place.”

“Some nights.”

“What do you mean?”

“Some nights we’ll spend at your place, others at mine. I insist we share. It’s only fair.”

“Fair? Nothing about you is fair.”

“How so?” He finally stepped close enough that she could practically feel the heat rolling off him. She longed to press her hands against the smooth plane of his chest and feel it, feel the thump of his heart, the race of it as she aroused him.

“Because you’re like a bag of chips left on the counter. You’re just begging for me to nibble.”

“Then what are you waiting for? Nibble away, mouse.”

“I shouldn’t.”

He drew her into his arms. “Stop fighting it. This is where you belong.”

How right he was. One hug. That was all it took to melt her defenses. So what if he turned into a lion and could kill a man with his bare hands? He’d also braved grave danger to come to her rescue. He met her stubbornness with patience and humor. He let her get in her jabs and then wasn’t scared to tease her back. And when he touched her…

The world caught on fire.

As least her whole body did. Every nerve ending came to life. Every sensation became amplified from the firm ownership of his hands on her waist drawing her near, to the prod of his shaft against her lower belly, to the soft sensual slide of his lips on her own.

Her arms twined around his neck, hugging him tight, her mouth opening to the prod of his tongue.

Need burned, and she could have whimpered as he teased her, rubbing himself against her mound so cruelly hidden by her pants.

Didn’t he know she wanted more? She mewled against his mouth, ground herself against him, and then froze as an amused voice said, “You do realize you’ve got an audience?”

Arik could have killed Hayder for his interruption. Couldn’t he see he was doing something important?

He wasn’t just making love to Kira. He was easing her fears. Showing her that, while the lion—
rawr
—was a part of him, he was still a man. Her man.

But did his beta grasp what he was trying to do? Of course not, stupid, cock-blocking jerk. While Arik relinquished his hold on Kira, he did lace his fingers through hers to keep her tethered by his side lest she suddenly decide to take flight again.

She’d dealt with quite a bit in the last few days. Her entire world-view was now skewed. It would take some time and explanation for her to accept all the changes, and to accept him as her mate.

Strolling back to the main area, he was glad to see the body had already been disposed of. Shifter justice was swift. Shifter cleanup even swifter. No one would ever find Gregory’s body. He had a crew that would make sure of that.

While he noted Kira peering around, no doubt wondering at the disappearing corpse, he dealt with his lackeys, Hayder and Leo.

“It took you two idiots long enough to get here,” he grumbled.

“Was our king of the concrete jungle not able to deal with one itty-bitty puppy?” Leo arched a brow.

“Not the point. What if he wasn’t working alone? What if he was armed? The guy was already breaking all kinds of shifter laws. Who was to say he wouldn’t have brought a gun to a fang and fur fight?”

“Oops.” Hayder didn’t sound the least bit apologetic.

“Um, excuse me, but am I the only one who thinks it’s weird that you’re chitchatting with Arik here while he’s in the buff?” Kira interjected.

Ah, there was the woman he’d come to adore. “Kira, meet my beta, Hayder, and my pride omega, Leo. They’re shifters too.”

“That doesn’t explain this weird nudity thing.”

“Well, it’s not like we change shapes fully clothed.”

“That can get awkward,” Hayder added. “A lioness in a G-string is a dangerous sight to see.”

“Dangerous how?” Kira dared asked.

“Because the Instagram pic I took of it got me pounced on by a trio of them, and they waxed me from head to toe.” Hayder shook his head, in rueful remembrance.

Kira snickered. “I would have used Nair. It lasts longer.”

Before Kira could give his cohorts more evil tips on ruining a lion’s mane, or a lioness’ luxurious fur, he tugged her in the direction of the exit. Just outside was his truck, his clothes tossed onto the driver’s seat.

He paused only long enough to put on pants and shoes. He could see Kira gnawing at her lower lip, the pensive mood upon her again. He needed to get her back to…not his place. He’d have to run the gauntlet of too many women there.

He drove them, instead, to her apartment, which took her by surprise. The hour was late, the street quiet, and the silence between them dangerous.

He dared not say anything, and for once, she held her tongue too, until they reached the outside door that led to the stairs up to her apartment. She looked at the lock and then her empty hands. “I don’t have my purse or keys.”

“Good thing I found them in the alley then.” Along with that note. He didn’t want to think of what might have happened if Gregory’s cocky pride hadn’t forced him to leave it.

He pulled her purse from the console box between the front seats.

She unlocked the front door and turned, her mouth opening, probably to speak, but he took advantage and stole her breath with a kiss.

While she might prove uncertain about him and their future, her passionate nature knew what it wanted. It wanted him.

He hoisted her and said, “Wrap your legs around my waist.” She complied and giggled into his mouth as he jogged them up the steep flight of stairs.

“I could have climbed them myself,” she said at the top as she leaned to insert the key into the lock.

Yeah, she could have, but he’d done it for selfish reasons. One, he got to hold her, and two, when she started panting, he wanted it to be because of him and not those wretched stairs.

They made it into her apartment, and then no farther. He’d meant to stick them both in a hot shower and wash the stink of the wolf from them both. However, alone and with her so eager and delicious, her mouth devouring his with frantic urgency, he forgot his plan.

There was only one thing he needed right now. Her, and the nearest wall.

He let her down, but only long enough to drag her pants down and strip off her top. His trousers also met the floor in a wrinkled pile he’d regret later.

With her naked, just the way he wanted her, he hoisted her again and meshed his lips to hers. Her skin rubbed against his, velvety soft. The erect peaks of her nipples dug into his chest while her moist core honeyed his shaft as it slid back and forth between her thighs, teasing them both.

“I want you,” she gasped against his mouth, gyrating her hips and making a sound of desperation.

“You have me,” was his reply. For now, and forever.

He sank himself into the glorious heat of her sex, reveling in how she milked him, the muscles of her channel gripping him so deliciously. As he seesawed in and out of her sheath, the cream of her desire coated him and eased his passage.

He could feel her mounting pleasure in the closeness of her uttered mewls, the raggedness of her pants, the digging of her fingers into his back.

The same urgency affected him, and he pounded into her, holding her tight, finally allowing himself to truly believe she’d escaped unscathed.

To think he’d almost lost her, almost lost her to arrogance because he’d rushed to confront the enemy instead of going after her with a plan. But when he’d read the note and knew she was in danger, all rational thought evaporated.

The beast took over the man and went to the rescue—and prevailed.
Rawr
.

Kira was safe. His mate was in his arms, atop his cock and crowning him with orgasmic glory. She cried out his name as she came, her pleasure sweeping through her in shuddering waves, a pleasure he joined. He might have roared as he came. He definitely nuzzled her neck, sucking anew the mark he’d made.

They clung together, two bodies with one fate. One future and…

A meddling mother who pounded at the door and yelled, “Arik Theodore Antoine Castiglione, I know you’re in there.”

Kira shouted, “Hey, Norma, fancy you showing up,” before humming the theme to
Psycho
.

As his mother screamed in rage, Arik laughed. And laughed. Life in the pride was about to get more chaotic. He couldn’t wait.