Cougar Bait

  He raised an eyebrow. “You mean the fact that your sister, Sadie, is now a full-fledged Shifter?”

  “That and the fact that she fell for Mathis so quickly, and she’s already talking about having babies.”

  “Back to the babies again.” His face was carefully neutral. “What do you have against having children?”

  “I’ll tell you why I don’t want kids if you tell me why you do want them so badly.” Samantha looked at him sharply. “Well? Why were you so desperate for my sister to, uh, mate with you and have your baby?”

  He sighed. “My company is run by my family, as you know, and the rules of succession are . . . complicated among Shifters. I need an heir—a son or a daughter with the Shifter Gene—to pass the reins to when I retire.”

  “How romantic,” Samantha said flatly. “And here I thought you’d just fallen head over heels for Sadie the same way Mathis apparently did.”

  “No, of course not.” Keller frowned. “I have no love to give, as I told your sister earlier.”

  “What—none at all?” She studied him. “What happened to you? Who hurt you?”

  “I wasn’t hurt by anyone.” But Keller wouldn’t meet her eyes, and it was his turn to shift in his chair. “I just . . . prefer not to let my heart get involved in purely practical matters.”

  “So wanting to mate with my sister was ‘purely practical’ with no emotion involved at all?” She shook her head. “If you’re telling the truth, that’s really cold, Keller.”

  “I’m sorry you see it that way. But my motivations for wanting to mate her weren’t purely selfish,” he protested. “I honestly didn’t believe Blackwell could form a life-bond with her, and I didn’t want to see her become one of the Unformed.”

  “Okay, I get that not having a mate is considered really bad in Shifter-land,” Samantha said. “But this ‘Unformed’ thing—how serious is it?”

  “Extremely.” Keller looked down, drawing an aimless pattern with his chopsticks in the broth at the bottom of his bowl. “I had a cousin who became one of the Unformed through no fault of her own. It . . .” He cleared his throat. “It didn’t end well for her.”

  “Oh.” Samantha wasn’t sure what else to say. Clearly he didn’t want to talk about the Unformed for personal reasons, so she kept her mouth shut, even though she was dying to ask him more questions.

  “You promised to tell me why you didn’t want children if I told you why I do want them,” Keller remarked, looking up. “So let’s hear it.”

  Samantha sighed. “I could give you the standard answer . . . my career is too important, I don’t have time with the crazy life I lead . . . and all that is true now. I think I would have been more open to the idea of starting a family when I was younger, but I just never found a guy I liked enough that I wanted to have his kids. And at this point in my life, I’m kind of set in my ways.”

  Keller gave her a half-lidded look.

  “That wouldn’t be a problem if you went through the Rejuvenation process and found a male you wanted as your mate.”

  For some reason, Samantha’s heart started to drum in her chest.

  “Oh no? The not-finding-Mr. Right part or the not-wanting-babies part?” she asked, trying to keep her tone casual.

  “Neither would be a problem. Shifter relationships are incredibly close and intense. You wonder why your sister and Blackwell fell in love so quickly? It’s because of the pheromones that drive Shifter males and females together—the scent of a Juvie female is almost impossible to resist for any male. It makes him desperate to mate with her and claim her as his own.”

  “And the female?” Her breath was coming a little faster now, and she wanted to look away from his silvery-green eyes but found that she couldn’t.

  “She’s also desperate—desperate to be claimed. To be mated—bred,” Keller assured her, his deep voice a low rumble. “The breeding fever comes on her, and she needs a male. Not only that, she desires him to fill her with his seed and impregnate her.”

  “Right, uh . . .” Samantha nibbled her lower lip. “Sadie did say something about the Rejuvenation process bringing on a state of hyperfertility.”

  “Mm-hmm.” He was still looking at her with those bedroom eyes. It made Samantha feel uncomfortably hot in her designer dress.

  “Well . . . it’s a good thing I don’t have to worry about it since I’m definitely not interested in baby making,” she said, trying to lighten the tone.

  “Right.” Keller sat back, still regarding her through half-lidded eyes. “Do you think you have room for dessert? There’s a little gelato place called Phil’s down the street from here that’s really good.”

  “I don’t know.” Samantha eyed him uncertainly. “Would you have to carry me there or could I walk?”

  He seemed to consider the question for a moment.

  “I think it would be safe for you to walk as long as it’s obvious we’re together,” he said at last. “If you don’t mind holding my hand or letting me put an arm around you—that’s a protective, possessive gesture even the most determined Hyena can’t miss.”

  “And you think they’ll really believe we’re together?” Samantha raised an eyebrow at him. “I mean, you’re young enough to be my . . . well, not my son but at least my little brother.”

  “And you’re beautiful enough to attract any man you wish, regardless of age,” he countered. “Don’t sell yourself short, Samantha—you’re gorgeous, not to mention extremely intelligent.”

  “Keller . . .” For some reason she found herself blushing. “You’re a lot smarter than I was led to believe, too,” she remarked, trying to keep her voice light. “I like you better when you’re not acting like a caveman.”

  “I assume you’re referring to the way I locked you and your sister up in my bar,” Keller remarked. “But that was for your safety as well as hers. I knew she would change during that full moon—and knew she needed to be near an Alpha when she did. Also, I had a feeling things might devolve into a fight—inside the ‘drunk tank’ at the Den was the safest place for both of you once the Shifting started.”

  “All right.” She sighed. “I forgive you for that, I guess.”

  “I’m glad you forgive me, but you still haven’t said if you’ll allow me to touch you, Samantha.” His pale green eyes had gone half lidded again, making her heart pound.

  “You didn’t ask if you could touch me before,” she pointed out. “You just picked me up.”

  “Maybe I want you to think I’m a gentleman,” he murmured.

  “And are you a gentleman? Or is all this an act?” Samantha leaned forward, feeling like she might drown in those silvery-green eyes but unable to stop herself.

  “You mean am I actually a possessive caveman who wants nothing more than to sling you over my shoulder and take you to my bed?” One corner of his sensuous mouth quirked up in a predatory smile. “I guess you’ll have to find that out for yourself, Sammie.”

  “Don’t call me that.” But her voice was barely a whisper.

  “So do you want some gelato . . . or should we just go back to the hotel?” he asked, not bothering to answer her protest.

  “I guess . . . I think gelato sounds good.” She wished her voice didn’t sound quite so breathless. “I’d love to try some,” she said, trying to make her tone firmer.

  “Wonderful,” Keller purred. “Then let’s go.”

  And that was how Samantha found herself walking hand in hand with him down a little side road off the main Strip, as if they were a couple. Once or twice a strange man passed them, on the other side of the road. On these occasions, Keller put one arm around her possessively and kept an eye on the other man until he was well past them. Other than that, he held her hand, entwining their fingers intimately.

  “Is that really necessary?” Samantha asked, frowning up at him after another stranger passed. Keller was so tall that even the strappy silver sandals did little to change their height difference. “I mean, are you sure those other guys
are Shifters?”

  “It’s hard to say—the wind is blowing the wrong direction, and I can’t catch their scents,” Keller admitted. “But it’s better not to take a chance.”

  “All right.” To be honest, she didn’t really mind his possessive display. It made her feel special . . . which in turn made her angry with herself for letting something so primitive make her feel good. She was an intelligent woman who normally hated male posturing. But there was no denying that Keller’s big, hard body so close to hers and the dominant, protective way he touched her made her heart flutter . . . and affected other parts of her body too.

  Her nipples felt too tight under the lace bra she was wearing, and between her legs she was uncomfortably swollen and achy.

  Don’t be silly, she told herself firmly. He’s just putting on a display to warn off any would-be predators. It’s all an act—he doesn’t care for you or any woman. He even made a point of saying he doesn’t fall in love. And neither should you—especially considering the age difference.

  But she couldn’t stop the fluttering feeling in the pit of her stomach when Keller pulled her close, or deny that she felt incredibly safe with him, even walking down a dark road. What was it about the big Shifter that was getting under her skin? He shouldn’t be able to affect her since she wasn’t going through the Rejuvenation process. So then why did she feel so strange around him?

  Samantha had no idea and didn’t know if she wanted to find out or not.

  Chapter 7

  The gelato at Phil’s was delicious, as usual. It was yet another spot Keller had found in his off-the-Strip ramblings during his last business trip to Vegas. The proprietor, a portly little man with thick glasses, kept calling Samantha, “pretty lady,” and insisted that she try every flavor in the case—which was a lot since Phil’s prided itself on having at least fifty flavors at all times.

  Samantha, for her part, seemed to enjoy the gelato immensely. Several times she gave Keller a taste of whatever she was trying and laughed if he made a face over a flavor he didn’t like. Keller found he was beginning to like her laughter—it was warm and feminine and completely genuine. In fact, he was finding that Samantha was one of the most down-to-earth people he’d met in a long time.

  Careful, he told himself grimly. Remember that was what you thought about Rachel—that she was real and genuine, that she really cared. And then she broke your heart.

  Yes, and he never intended to let any female break it again. Still, what harm could it do to enjoy Samantha’s company and listen to her laugh? To talk to her about subjects that ranged from science-fiction movies to thoracic surgery? Keller couldn’t help himself—he found her utterly fascinating. And even though he knew it would be completely ridiculous and impractical to fall for a woman whose Shifter Gene was stubbornly latent, he couldn’t help being attracted to her mind as well as her lush body.

  On the way back to the hotel, he noticed her starting to wince as she walked. As she’d pointed out earlier, the shoes that went with her dress weren’t really meant for going great distances.

  “May I carry you?” Keller asked. He could have just scooped her up again, as he had on the way to dinner, but he didn’t want to. He wanted Samantha to want him to touch her—to carry her. He waited for her answer, watching as she nibbled her ripe lower lip in indecision—an unconsciously erotic gesture.

  “Look,” she said at last. “It’s not that I don’t like it when you, uh, pick me up. But seriously, I’m not one of those waifish little girls who weighs a hundred pounds soaking wet.”

  “Are you complaining about your curves?” Keller raised an eyebrow at her. “Because if you are, stop. You’ll never hear me complaining about them.”

  She gave him an unreadable look.

  “You’re saying you like, er, curvy girls?”

  “Very much,” Keller assured her, hearing the hungry growl in his own voice and not doing a thing to disguise it.

  “Well . . .”

  “I’ll take that for a yes.” Not waiting anymore, he scooped her up into his arms, relishing the feel of her soft, yielding body against his own. God, but she was gorgeous! He felt drawn to her as he hadn’t to any other woman in a long time . . . which was dangerous, he told himself. He needed to avoid this kind of attraction, and holding her small, curvy form close to his chest wasn’t helping any. But somehow he couldn’t make himself put her down. Not even when they got back to the hotel.

  One of the doormen held the door without comment so he could carry Samantha inside.

  “Keller,” she protested breathlessly. “You should put me down now! There might be people we know in here because of the convention.”

  “So?” he growled, carrying her over to the elevator that led to her suite.

  “So what will they think?” Samantha demanded, but he noticed she didn’t struggle to get down. In fact, she seemed fairly comfortable with him carrying her by now—at least she was relaxed enough to put an arm around his neck as he held her.

  “Probably that I’ve found my own private trauma surgeon and we’re going up to her room to play ‘doctor,’” Keller murmured, giving her a hungry grin.

  “Keller!” She slapped at his shoulder and her cheeks went pink, but she still didn’t try to get down.

  At last he stepped off the elevator on the forty-seventh floor and took her to the door of her suite. Only there did he finally place her on her feet, but he didn’t take his arms from around her. He couldn’t help himself—all the possessive playacting he’d been doing that day seemed to have somehow become a reality. He didn’t want to stop touching her—didn’t want to let her go.

  “Keller . . .” She looked up at him, her blue eyes glimmering in the dim light like the dress she wore.

  “Yes?” he murmured, holding her gaze with his own.

  “This has been . . . a really surprising night.” Her lovely face wore a look of confusion, but there was no uncertainty in her body. Her scent was warm and aroused, and even though it wasn’t the maddening scent of a Juvie, Keller found that he liked it—liked it a lot.

  “Surprising because you found out I’m not so bad after all?” he murmured. “Do you see me differently now that you know who I am?”

  “If you mean now that I know about your company, that’s a complicated answer.” She frowned thoughtfully. “I wouldn’t say I think differently about you because of your bank account . . . but your brain is a different story.”

  “You like brainy guys? Nerds?”

  She laughed. “I don’t think you fall into the ‘nerd’ category exactly. But yes, intelligence is incredibly attractive to me.”

  “To me as well.” Keller stroked a strand of long blond hair out of her eyes and tucked it behind her ear. “But that’s not the only thing I find attractive about you.”

  “Keller—” she started, but he cut her off with a kiss.

  It was a foolish thing to do, and he knew it—but he couldn’t help himself. He’d been drawn to her from the moment she touched him—from the moment she came to him as he lay dying on the floor and put her hands on him, fearless in her quest to save him.

  At first Samantha stiffened in his arms, but then, to his surprise, she melted against him. Though Keller was kissing her urgently, he hadn’t pushed it, not wanting to hurt her. But when she started kissing back, he stroked the seam of her lips gently with his tongue, asking entry.

  Samantha opened to him, parting her lush lips and inviting him in.

  Keller’s blood surged and he crushed her to him. God, her mouth was so sweet. And her small, curvy form fit perfectly against his own. He threaded his fingers through the back of her long hair possessively, wanting to explore her mouth—wanting to own her completely.

  He could feel her pressing against him, her full breasts against his chest. His cock was achingly hard, and he wanted her more than he had ever wanted any other woman.

  That was when Samantha pulled back, breaking the kiss.

  “Keller!” she gasped, put
ting a hand on his chest to hold him back. “Stop! We can’t do this.”

  “Why not?” Holding her eyes with his he growled, “I want you.”

  “Well, you can’t have me.” She shook her head firmly. “You’re too young for me and I can’t . . . I just can’t.”

  “All right.” Reluctantly, he let her go. She was right to stop things before they went too far, he told himself. He was getting in too deep—having feelings for Samantha that he’d thought were dead and buried many years ago. She was waking a part of him that was best left hidden and asleep—it hurt less that way.

  “I’m sorry,” Samantha said, looking truly regretful. “I really did have a wonderful night.”

  “I did too.” Lifting one of her small hands, he turned it over and placed a hot, gentle kiss in her palm.

  Samantha drew in a little gasp of air, and he felt her pulse flutter against his thumb.

  “Keller . . .”

  “If you need me, I’m just in the other suite.” He pointed to the door down the short hallway from her own.

  “Thank you.” She gave him a regretful smile. “But I don’t think it would be smart of me to ‘need’ you in the middle of the night.”

  “Be that as it may, you have only to call me. I’ll be listening.”

  He released her hand, though it was the last thing he wanted to do, and walked down the short hallway to his own door. He opened it and looked back before he went inside. Samantha was still standing there, staring at him, her big blue eyes filled with uncertainty.

  “Good night, Sammie,” he murmured.

  “Good night,” she whispered, and then fled into her suite and shut the door behind her.

  * * *

  Samantha leaned back against the door of her suite, heart pounding, legs trembling. God, what was wrong with her? She hadn’t had such a strong reaction to a man since . . . well, never, she admitted to herself. She’d never felt so physically drawn to anyone. It had taken every ounce of willpower she possessed to pull away from that hot, passionate kiss. And the look in Keller’s eyes when he’d growled . . . I want you . . .