Connor and Wade were sitting in the living room having beers and watching the shifter cubs and pup playing as the lights sparkled on the Christmas tree.
Everett led Demetria to the couch and they sat together, legs touching, his arm around her shoulders.
“Want a beer or a glass of wine?” Connor started to rise from his seat.
Everett shook his head. “I’m afraid it would knock me right out. I was up quite late last night playing a video game.”
“I’m the same way when I’m on vacation. Once I start playing, Maya has a hard time getting me to take a break even to eat,” Wade said.
“Yeah, same here. I wasn’t expecting to have to do anything but sleep late this morning. But we were up really early when Mom called about the wolf-shifter pup, so we didn’t get a whole lot of sleep.”
“Want a cup of coffee?” Connor offered instead.
Everett shook his head. “Nah. That might keep me awake the rest of the night. We really need to retire to bed early with all the work we have cut out for us tomorrow.”
Connor and Wade looked at Demetria. Her face flushed beautifully.
“If it wouldn’t be too much of an imposition, and someone wouldn’t mind taking care of—” Everett rubbed Demetria’s arm in a soothing, possessive way.
“Everett’s right. We did have a long night. Maybe Maya could tell us which two rooms we can use,” Demetria cut in.
Everett gaped at Demetria. He didn’t believe she had changed her mind altogether, but apparently she didn’t want everyone to know what they were doing. If she wanted him to sneak into her room, he would. He just hoped she wouldn’t turn all jaguar and bite him. Unless she really had changed her mind. He sighed.
Maya bolted out of the living room, her tail whipping about. He hoped that meant his half sister was coming to his rescue, not Demetria’s. Kat continued to watch the cubs, the pup, Everett, and Demetria.
“Would you like anything to drink?” Connor asked Demetria.
“A glass of water would be good. Thank you.”
Connor left to get her a glass, and Maya stalked back into the living room dressed in jeans and a sweater and barefoot. “So, Kat, do we toss for who gets to take care of the pup tonight?”
Everett smiled. He loved his half sister. From the minute he and Huntley had learned Maya and Connor were their half siblings, they’d been just like his own brother and sister that he’d grown up with. Arguing, loving, and protective.
Wade folded his arms across his chest, smiled, and shook his head.
Kat growled a little at Connor, indicating she needed help with their toddlers. Connor returned with the glass of water for Demetria, then lifted one cub under each arm and headed for the toddlers’ bedroom.
Kat smiled, showing her wickedly beautiful jaguar teeth, then followed Connor out of the living room.
Maya lifted Junior into her arms and cuddled him. He licked her chin and she laughed. “Your tongue is so soft and velvety. Our jaguar tongues are sandpapery. So what do you think, Wade? Do you want to help me look after the wolf pup tonight?”
Wade sighed in an exaggerated way. “Man, does this bring back memories.”
Everett knew he didn’t mean about babysitting. He meant about falling for a woman during a mission.
“Of course, honey. Anything for progress. Besides, this will probably be the only time we’ll ever have the chance to babysit a wolf-shifter pup. We can tell our own kids about it when we have them one of these days.”
Maya snuggled next to Wade on the couch, cuddling the pup in her lap. He had gone to sleep, worn out after all the playing with the jaguar cubs. “I’ve gotten a couple of rooms on the west wing of the house ready for you. Why don’t you head over there? You’ll be all growly when you have to meet Leidolf tomorrow if you don’t get a good night’s sleep. We’ll be over there in a couple of hours.”
Everett really loved Maya.
Wade smiled and nodded. “At least a couple of hours. The way the house is laid out, you won’t even hear us come in. We’ll see you in the morning. Sleep late. Leidolf won’t arrive until the afternoon, and we’ll keep the boy well entertained. Oh, and in case you feel the need to get a little exercise before you sleep…”
Demetria’s face flushed again.
“The pool is good and hot, the air nice and cold. You might want to swim as jaguars. Maya and I do most nights before we retire, any season of the year.”
“Thanks, man. Sounds like a good idea,” Everett said, never having given it a thought. When he had a home of his own with a big treed yard, that’s just what he was going to have put in.
“Good night. Pleasant dreams,” Maya said, smiling.
And that was their cue. Though Everett wanted to say good night to Kat and Connor too.
He rose from the couch and helped Demetria up. Kat rushed out to give them both a hug. “So glad you’re both here, and thanks so much for bringing the pup. My kids adore him, and he seems to love them just as much. Don’t worry about the business with Leidolf tomorrow. Maya and I will take care of the pup while you’re getting to know Leidolf. Connor will be working with customers, but Wade will be here as extra muscle if Leidolf doesn’t like what we are.”
Connor joined them and shook Everett’s hand. “Night, old man. Remember what I said.” He gave Demetria a hug. “See you in the morning.”
After saying their good-nights and hugging a sound-asleep Junior, Everett and Demetria grabbed their jackets, pulled them on, and headed out to her car. She was still red-faced, but Everett was thrilled his half sister and brother-in-law had stepped in to take care of the pup. Plus, they would be in the same house as Everett and Demetria, so if Junior got homesick for them, Maya or Wade could come get them or bring the pup to them.
“Ohmigod, Everett,” Demetria said as she backed out of the parking lot.
“Great, isn’t it? Turn back down that road. It winds around for about an eighth of a mile. Maya and Wade’s place is about a hundred and fifty acres away from Kat and Connor’s home, so they all have privacy but are close enough to help each other out.” He smiled at Demetria. “We could have done the sneaking bit, but once it was out in the open, I figured it was better to just be honest about it. And you saw how they were.”
“Yeah. Like they thought we were mating.”
“They know we aren’t. Just baby steps. You really didn’t want to cancel on us tonight, did you? They have three bedrooms in the west wing, and if you really wanted to sleep separately, I can tell Maya we changed our minds after the fact.”
“No, it’s already a done deal.”
“No, it isn’t. It’s totally up to you. Not that I won’t cry on my pillow tonight if you decide to sleep elsewhere, but I’ll take it like a—”
She laughed. “A hot alpha jaguar shifter doesn’t cry into his pillow at night—not over something like this.” She reached over the console and offered her hand to him. He gripped it and squeezed. “We’ll only use one room.” Then she frowned. “Since we had very little sleep last night, we probably need to just swim, hit the sack, and…sleep.”
“Yeah, we will.”
“You don’t mean that.”
“Yeah, I do. After we get some cuddling and kissing in.” And more, if she really was ready for it.
She smiled.
They saw the Christmas lights wrapped around the eaves of the one-story, ranch-style house, trees lighted out front, and white lights framing the four front windows, warm and welcoming.
“Despite the fact the pine trees and grass are green, it still looks like a Christmas card.” She pointed to the right of the house. “Oh, oh, look over there. Deer!”
Sure enough, four deer were watching them, but they took off as Demetria drove into the parking area and parked.
“They don’t usually hang around when they smell the jaguars’ scents.” E
verett grabbed their bags and carried them into the house. “You can pick whichever guest room you want.”
When she didn’t say anything, he snagged her hand and pulled her with him. She was looking at the evergreen Christmas tree in the living room covered in everything gold—balls, beads, and a gold crown on top.
Everett smiled at her. “It’s a joke between Connor, Maya, and Kat. The natives revered Connor as a jaguar god in the Amazon, but in native legends, there was also a jaguar goddess. And the ladies reminded him of it every time he got a big head about being a jaguar god.”
She laughed. “I love your family. The tree is just beautiful. Just as beautiful as yours, I might add.”
“I’m glad you like it. It always makes me feel cheerful when I get home from work, no matter how stressful the day. Yours was really nice too.”
“Thanks.” She peeked in the first room with a queen-size bed done up in jungle fabrics. “Oh, I love this.” A little Christmas tree was decorated in jaguars and parrots and toucans. The scent of Christmas spices came from a red glass bowl on a chest of drawers, and red and green towels were folded next to it. He thought this was the room she wanted to stay in.
“Wait, stay here. I just want to check out the other rooms.” She headed out of the guest room. Everett set their bags on a chair and followed her into the hall, curious as to what she was looking for.
The next room was decorated in candy canes, furnished with two single beds, and had a tree decorated in candy canes and other candy ornaments. The last guest room had another double bed, in subdued forest green and burgundy, more of a manly room, featuring a countrified Christmas tree covered with miniature snowshoes, pinecones, feather-covered balls, Texas brass stars, and a garland of wooden beads.
“Jungle room or this room?” she asked, taking hold of his hand and squeezing.
“As long as it’s not the candy cane room, I’m good with either.”
“I bet you anything you’d even go for that if I had my heart set on it.”
“Hell, yeah, you know it. I’d just have to do a little furniture rearranging, or we’d have to share a single bed.”
She laughed and led him to the patio door, turned on the pool lights, and looked longingly at the shimmering blue water. Jaguars loved the water.
It was damned inviting, the water calling to his jaguar nature. “Do you want to undress and shift in the bedroom so we can go swimming?”
“Yeah, let’s swim a few laps and…sleep,” she said.
“Right.” But he really didn’t think she meant to only sleep.
They returned to the jungle bedroom. He shut the door and began to untie her scarf. He was sure she didn’t have him undressing her in mind, but he wasn’t giving up the opportunity for anything.
She pulled at his jacket to slip it off and then tossed it to the floor. He didn’t remove her scarf just yet, but slid the sleeves of her jacket down her arms, pulling it off the rest of the way and throwing it on top of his jacket.
He remembered that first day he’d seen her with his sister, smiling and having fun, and damn if she hadn’t tossed a smile his way in a flirtatious manner—even if it hadn’t been intended for him. Their gazes had latched on each other, and right then and there, he knew he wanted to see more of her. But once he’d learned his friend was dating her, that was the end of that. Now, he was going to make this right between them.
Everett pulled Demetria close for a kiss. She hooked her arms around his neck and tilted her face up in anticipation. Even if her desire to have him was just a fantasy she’d built up in her mind, she had to know for certain. Would Everett be the one and only one for her?
Right this very minute? Yes!
He kissed her gently, as if preparing her for more. Then taking a breath, he parted his lips, his warm, sensuous mouth inviting her in. She took advantage, stroking the side of his tongue, teasing it with the tip of her own, and then pulling out and kissing him full on the mouth, nothing soft about it.
His hands shifted from her hair to her ass, pulling her tight against him, encouraging her to feel his growing need for her. He was hot and hard, his erection pressing against her belly, letting her know just how aroused he was. She reveled in it, sweeping her tongue against his lips again. This time, he slid his tongue between her parted lips, stroking and teasing. His hands kneaded her buttocks, his arousal jerking against her belly.
It had been over a year since she’d been with anyone like this, but no one could compare to Everett’s touch, the way he made her hot and wet and needy all at once.
He slid a hand up her sweater and cupped a breast, his thumb rubbing over the silky, thin bra as if it wasn’t there at all, her sensitive nipple stretched out for more.
He pulled off her scarf and then her sweater, eyeing her bra for a second as if he’d never seen one before, or at least not her red bra with the tiny, candy-cane appliqué sewn in the center, the fabric silky and barely there. Her nipples were poking at the fabric, the darkened dusty rose nipples visible through the lightweight material.
Unfastening her bra, he slipped it off and tossed it on a chair. He studied her breasts before he placed his hands over them and massaged them, making her groan. She slid her hands up his black sweatshirt and tweaked his nipples. She craved the feel of his soft skin against her palms, the feel of his pebbled nipples against the pads of her thumbs.
She wanted his sweatshirt off. As much as she didn’t want to disturb where his hands were glued to her breasts, lifting and massaging, she needed him to be naked now.
She peeled off his sweatshirt and skimmed her hands over his naked skin, feeling the muscles beneath her fingertips, his smooth skin, and the light hair trailing down to his jeans. Which she was ready to tackle next.
Everett lifted her up before she could begin to work on his belt and set her on the edge of the mattress. He pulled off her black boots and her socks, then began unzipping her jeans. Her hands were on his belt buckle at the same time, yanking it free. Then she pulled his zipper down, his erection clearly defined against the soft denim cloth.
She stroked him for good measure, making him groan this time, inspiring her to stroke him again. She slowly pulled his jeans down, kissing his belly, then tugging the jeans farther down his legs. He kicked off his shoes and finished yanking off his jeans and socks.
Black boxer briefs fit over his package, the hard ridge of his erection swelling with eagerness.
He pulled her up from the mattress to remove her jeans and red silk panties.
Her heart was pounding, her body yearning for him, needy, wanting. Her pheromones were on maximum overdrive, pushed and pulled by his own as they tangled sensuously, revealing their compelling desire for each other.
He kissed her neck and throat, her shoulders, making her skin tingle with heady anticipation. His warm breath brushed against her bare skin like a hot summer’s soft breeze. She barely breathed, running her hands over his muscular arms and feeling scarcely aware of anything but his hot mouth against her skin. She arched her back as he moved his mouth lower until he captured a breast in his mouth, licked and suckled, and moved to the other as he ran his hand over her free breast.
She purred in a rough jaguar way, never having made that sound of pure delight before. Everett did that to her—carried her away from this time and place and made her feel loved, wanted, needed.
“Ready?” he asked.
Before she could get her lust-filled mind to work out a response, he dipped a hand between her thighs, poked a finger between her feminine folds, and whispered in his rough-hewn voice, “Yeah, so hot, wet, and ready.”
Then he was tossing the comforter aside, lifting her onto the bed, and joining her.
“I’ve wanted you forever.” He brushed her cheek with a kiss and began to stroke her feminine nub, his mouth caressing hers with hungry, long-lasting, deep-delving kisses.
She was on fire, but the house quiet, the only sound their frantic heartbeats and raspy breathing as he stroked until he catapulted her into another realm.
She cried out his name, her hands cradling his head, and kissed him deeply.
Demetria’s skin was warm and soft and welcoming, and her dark eyes willed Everett in. Her pink lips parted, and she pressed his body against hers. He wasn’t lying that he’d wanted her like this forever, dreamed about it even.
He crushed her tightly against his already aroused body, loving how she had awakened to his touch. He felt and heard her heart beating wildly, matching the breakneck speed of his own. He tasted her sweet mouth as his fingers speared her long hair and luxuriated in the feel of the silky strands.
Her mouth was pressed against his, her tongue sliding against his, telling him she wanted this intimacy as much as he did.
This was what he’d wanted with Demetria. Not just working cases with her or admiring the way she was ready to deal with anything in a good-natured and responsible way.
“Ready?” he huskily asked.
“Yes,” she breathed out.
He started to leave her to grab a condom, but she seized his arm. “Have it covered.”
He resettled and nudged her opening with his thick erection, pushing deeper until he was all the way in. He held himself still, and then he began to thrust deep inside her. She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close, and lifted her hips to match his thrusts.
Heat consumed him as he drove into her slick, warm sheath. He felt he was claiming her in a raw, primal jaguar way. Wild jaguars claimed a jaguar mate in their territory, or even two females when territories overlapped. Jaguar shifters often preferred to find a mate to stay with forever. Like Everett did. Like his parents had. But did Demetria feel the same way? He wanted this connection, the intimacy between them, to never end.
He felt the end coming, held himself still, and felt her nearing orgasm. The way she was barely breathing. The way she was tense, on edge. He drove into her again and again, turning and twisting to wring the climax out of her.