Michel/Striker

  “What are you doing?” She gave a small gasp as he shoved down his jeans and stepped out of them, revealing his preference for going commando. But even as her cheeks heated with a combination of embarrassment and unmistakable arousal, her gaze drifted down to take in the deep scars that ran along the outside of his thighs to mid-calf on each leg. She lifted her head in confusion. “What happened?”

  “I had a birth defect that left me lame when I was a cub,” he explained. “It wasn’t until human technology progressed enough to replace my joints that I was able to walk.”

  “Oh.” Her tension melted as her scientific curiosity kicked into gear. Bending down, she studied the thick scars that marred his dark skin. “I thought Pantera healed too fast to leave blemishes?”

  He gave a low growl, his cock hardening. Did she have any idea what X-rated fantasies she was inspiring as she bent toward him?

  If she didn’t, she was going to find out.

  Very, very soon.

  “My body tried to reject the metal alloy in the knee joint,” he said, his voice thickening with his growing need. “It kept me from healing for weeks.”

  She straightened, a flush touching her cheeks. Clearly she’d had enough Pantera blood to catch the scent of his arousal.

  Or maybe it was his fully erect cock that was giving him away.

  She took a step backward. Like that was going to ease the passion that was smoking between them.

  “What happens when you shift?”

  He stepped forward, not about to give her space.

  “My cat absorbs the new material. But the scars remain.” He held her gaze. “Do they offend you?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Why not?” He moved even closer, sucking in a deep breath of her feminine scent. The air heated with his cat’s hunger. “They’re a symbol of my weakness.”

  “No,” she breathed, her hand automatically lifting so she could chew her nail. “They represent your strength.”

  “Just as yours represent the miracle of life.” He grabbed her hand, pulling it to his lips. Her grandmother had made her feel as if her life represented failure. He intended to make her realize it was a triumph. “You survived, Chelsea. That should be celebrated.”

  She released a slow, shaken breath, her heart thundering loud enough for him to pick up the rapid beat.

  “You confuse me,” she whispered.

  Releasing her hand, he tugged his sweatshirt over his head and tossed it aside. “The feeling is mutual,” he assured her, a smile curving his lips as her gaze took in his bare chest, lingering on his puma tattoo.

  She licked her lips.

  Was she thinking about tasting him?

  Hell, he hoped so.

  “Then why are you doing this?” she demanded.

  “This?”

  Without warning, Michel leaned down to scoop her off her feet. He’d been achingly aware of the nearby bed from the moment they’d entered the room. Now he intended to make full use of it.

  “Michel,” she breathed in shock. But she made no effort to escape.

  Thank the Goddess. She was stronger than a normal human, but he was still far more powerful. If she even hinted that she was uncomfortable with his touch he would have to back away.

  And he didn’t want to back away.

  “Christ, I like to hear you say my name,” he murmured, his gaze locked on her face as he watched every emotion flick over her delicate features.

  Wariness. Excitement. And a hunger that matched his own.

  “Tell me why.”

  He gently laid her in the center of the mattress. “I’m doing this because if I don’t have you soon I think I’m going to combust,” he said with a simple honesty.

  Slowly her gaze swept over his body, lingering on his cock that hardened at the scent of her arousal that whispered through the air.

  Autumn spice. His mouth watered for a taste.

  “You can do more than look, Dr. Young,” he breathed, lowering himself to stretch beside her, his cat preening beneath her heated gaze. “You can touch.”

  Her lips twitched with a hint of amusement. “How generous.”

  “Well, I’m a generous kind of cat.” He shocked himself by teasing. He wasn’t a playful cat. Or at least he’d never been before tonight. But with this female… Holding her gaze, he reached for her hand to press it against his aching dick. “Feel what you do to me.”

  “Michel.”

  She hesitated, then perhaps reading the fierce need in his eyes, she gently allowed her fingers to curl around his cock. He sucked in a sharp breath as she skimmed up to trace the broad tip. Holy shit. His balls were already tight, his seed poised to explode.

  He was threatening to come just from her light touch.

  A slow smile curved her lips as she studied his rigid features and the bead of sweat that trickled down his bare chest. The beautiful tease was clearly enjoying his torment.

  He shuddered, sitting up to swiftly rid her of her clothing. If they’d been in the Wildlands he would have simply exposed his claws and shredded them away. Now he cursed every second that was wasted wiggling her out of her jeans and sweater.

  Once he had her naked, he paused long enough to admire her slender form. Christ. Her hair was a cascade of fire as it trailed over the pillow, her eyes shimmering like pale emeralds, her body drenched silver in the moonlight.

  Exquisite.

  Unable to resist temptation, he reached to trail his fingers over her wide brow and down the slender length of her nose.

  “I know I’m rushing you,” he admitted in rough tones. “But I’ve waited too long to have you.” He released a shaken sigh, his fingers moving to deliberately brush over the scars that roughened her cheek. “It’s killing me.”

  She stiffened, but thankfully didn’t pull away from his tender caress. Michel felt a fierce surge of pleasure. He was honored by her trust. He, better than anyone, understood just how difficult it was for her not to jerk away.

  “Are you going to regret this in the morning?”

  He grimaced, knowing what she was asking.

  She feared he was going to return to being the cold, distant male who’d tried so hard to pretend he wasn’t completely fascinated by her.

  “The only thing I regret is punishing you because I was afraid of being vulnerable,” he growled, his hand moving down the curve of her neck. “I was a jackass.”

  “Yes. You were.” She gave his cock a slow pump, her fingers hitting his sensitive balls with fucking perfection. Damn. “But I still wanted you.”

  “Thank the Goddess,” he breathed, groaning as she gave another pump. Gently he removed her fingers from his cock, knowing another squeeze and he was going to blow. “I might not deserve your desire, but I intend to take full advantage of it.”

  “Maybe I’m taking advantage of you,” she warned, a tiny smile curving her lips and making his heart squeeze with a sharp regret.

  Why hadn’t he been doing everything in his power to earn that lovely smile? Because he was a stubborn idiot, that was why.

  “Feel free to take advantage whenever, wherever, and as much as you want,” he murmured in throaty tones, his fingers lowering to cup the magnificent swell of her breast.

  “You mean for tonight?” she kept her tone light, as if his answer didn’t matter.

  Michel’s cat growled. One night was never going to be enough. Hell, he wasn’t sure he could ever have enough.

  “For as long as you’ll allow me to be a part of your life,” he said, delighted when he heard her heartbeat skip at his low words.

  “I…” Her words trailed away as he lowered his head to capture the tip of her breast between his lips. Using his tongue, he teased her nipple until it was a tight bud and she was squirming beneath him. “Oh my god,” she moaned.

  “Can we begin again, Chelsea?” he entreated, taking time to pleasure her other nipple before he trailed tiny kisses in the valley between her breasts.

  She hesitated, still
hurting from his cutting suspicion, before she heaved a soft sigh.

  “Everyone deserves a second chance,” she whispered.

  His lips skimmed over the soft swell of her belly. “Thank you,” he rasped, relief flooding through him.

  He didn’t know where this was going, but he knew he couldn’t bear to live with the knowledge he’d irrevocably damaged the possibilities that hovered between them.

  Continuing to head toward her sweet spot, Michel was caught off guard when his lips brushed the tiny diamond that pierced her belly button.

  So, his starchy doctor had a whimsical side. His cat stroked against the inside of his skin, pleased with the sparkling bit of jewelry. Maybe together they could learn to enjoy the present without allowing the past to cast shadows.

  Rubbing his nose against her satin skin, he teased the tiny diamond with the tip of his tongue.

  She squirmed in delight. “That tickles,” she breathed.

  He smiled with satisfaction. “I’ll be back to play with that later,” he promised.

  For now he had other treasures to discover.

  “When do I get to play?”

  The sweet aroma of her arousal filled the air, luring him ever downward.

  “Later,” he husked. “Much, much later.”

  “Not fair,” she muttered, but her legs readily parted to allow him to settle between them.

  Sliding his arms under her thighs, he effectively pinned her to the mattress as he spread her wide enough to give him a perfect view of her luscious pussy.

  Yes. He gave a throaty sigh, leaning forward to lap through her rich cream.

  Decadent pleasure shuddered through him.

  This female was everything he’d ever wanted.

  Strong, intelligent, capable of compassion and dedicated to helping those she’d hurt in the past.

  And sexy as hell.

  Continuing to run his tongue over her swollen clit, he savored the taste of autumn spice that made his cat shudder with pleasure. His tongue dipped into her body, surging in and out until she was panting with need.

  “Michel, please,” she pleaded in thick tones.

  With one last lingering taste, he slid up her body, hissing at the electricity that sparked between their bare skin. Who knew that friction was such a wonderful thing?

  Lost in the sensations, he was unprepared when she pushed against his chest, giving herself enough room to maneuver beneath him.

  “My turn,” she warned, giving his nipple a rough lick.

  Michel instinctively planted his hands on the mattress so he could crouch above her, giving her full access.

  Chelsea was swift to take advantage, using the tip of her tongue to trace his puma tattoo before she was kissing her way down the rigid muscles of his stomach. It seemed to take an eternity before she at last reached his straining erection. He gasped as she licked the tip, then softly blew across the damp flesh.

  Holy…crap.

  His fingers dug into the mattress, his head thrown as she took his cock deeper, using her tongue to tease the aching length.

  Michel’s hips surged forward, his cat purring as she slowly pulled her lips up the quivering length, her fingers reaching to squeeze his heavy testicles.

  “Wait.” He forced himself to pull out, so close to his climax he could barely breathe. “I want to be buried deep inside you when I come.”

  Reaching down, he wrapped his arm around her waist and tugged her up the mattress, arranging her beneath him. Then, gazing down, he hesitated as he felt a strange tightness in his chest.

  How long had it been since he’d felt such an intense desire for a female?

  Never, his cat whispered. Only Chelsea had managed to shatter his fierce barriers to stir his deepest passions.

  Slowly lowering his hips, he allowed his cock to settle against the warm dampness between her legs. Her hands lifted, grasping his shoulders as he dipped his head to scatter restless kisses over her face. Then, almost as if she knew instinctively what he needed, she turned her head to the side. It was an invitation Michel couldn’t resist.

  With a growl, he sank his teeth into the tender curve of neck where it met her shoulder. He felt her shudder as she arched her hips to rub against his hard erection.

  There was no need to ask if she was ready.

  He could smell her need.

  The same need that was twisting his gut into a tight knot.

  With gentle care he penetrated her damp channel, waiting for her to wrap her legs around his hips before he plunged deep, savoring the sensation of her hot pussy clenched tight around his cock.

  Oh…hell.

  She wrapped around him like a glove. So perfect.

  Struggling to keep a slow, steady pace, Michel pulled back until the tip of his cock was nearly at her entrance. Then, with a hiss of pleasure, he slammed his way back home.

  Chelsea scored her nails down his back, gripping his ass in silent encouragement.

  Michel groaned. How had he ever been idiotic enough to try and keep this female at a distance?

  Refusing to dwell on how easily he might have denied himself this overwhelming pleasure, he lifted his head to study her beautiful face. Holding her darkened gaze he quickened his thrusts.

  Smug contentment surged through him as he watched her cheeks flush, her body tensing before she was quivering beneath the force of her orgasm.

  He was the one who’d made her tremble. Who’d held her as she convulsed around his cock.

  Briefly wondering how she was going to react when she discovered that he was the only male who was going to be sharing her bed from now on, he shoved aside the worry for later. Right now, all that mattered was the pressure that was swelling to a critical peak.

  Wrapping his arms around her slender body, he buried his face in the curve of her throat as he pumped into her at a savage pace. All too swiftly, he was reaching a shattering climax, his body shaking as his cat roared in fierce ecstasy.

  ***

  Locke had a firm rule.

  No one was allowed to interrupt him while he enjoyed a traditional English breakfast alone in his office. It was the one time during the day he could eat a meal and read his favorite newspapers in peace.

  Unfortunately, over the past several months his peace was more and more difficult to achieve.

  And this morning was no exception.

  He’d just poured his tea when he heard the sound of running footsteps that echoed down the hallway.

  “Now what?” he muttered, folding his paper and rising to his feet as his door was shoved open to reveal one of his more experienced researchers. “Mason, explain to me why my breakfast has been disturbed yet again,” he growled, even as he took in the man’s disheveled blond hair and the flush on his round cheeks.

  Crossing toward Locke’s desk, Mason made a belated attempt to smooth his white lab jacket and catch his breath.

  “An hour ago two men who claimed to work for Cole Security arrived and demanded to take one of the Pantera females to the Colonel.”

  Locke hissed, his stomach twisted with disgust. Over the years he’d turned a blind eye to the men who’d used the caged women as their sexual slaves. Either because they wanted to try and impregnate them, or because they were just horny.

  This morning, however, he found himself trembling with anger.

  “Which one?”

  Mason grimaced. “Terri,” he said, referring to one of the most vulnerable of the females.

  “I assume you tried to stop them?” he snapped.

  “Of course.” The middle-aged man lifted a hand to wipe the sweat from his brow. The past few weeks had been stressful on all of them. “I warned the men that they had to have your approval to transport any of the patients. They seemed to believe the Colonel’s commands overrode any order you’d given.”

  Locke’s anger darkened to fury.

  This was more than just a man wanting to force himself on a woman. This was a blatant power play designed to undermine Locke’s positi
on as leader.

  “I see,” he said between clenched teeth.

  “When they refused to listen, I begged them to let me sedate the female,” Mason admitted, his voice shaking.

  Locke stared at the man in shock. “They tried to take her without giving her the necessary drugs?”

  “Yes.”

  “Bloody hell,” he muttered. Why did the idiots think they kept the Pantera in cages? “What happened?”

  The researcher shuddered. “Exactly what you would expect. As soon as the female was released she went wild.” He made another effort to wipe his sweaty brow. “And worse, the other patients began to shout out threats. It caused the men to panic.”

  God. Damn.

  Although Locke hadn’t been there, he could easily imagine the chaos that had erupted the minute the female had been released. The cages were lined with malachite that drained the Pantera of their power, but it didn’t entirely incapacitate them.

  Which was why they usually kept the patients sedated.

  Since the move, however, Locke had dialed back on the drugs, needing their adrenaline levels to return to normal before he could resume taking their blood.

  He muttered a curse. “Give me the damage report.”

  Mason cleared his throat. “They shot the female.”

  “Dead?”

  “Unfortunately.”

  Locke clenched his hands. It was more than unfortunate. They’d lost over half of the Pantera they’d captured and created during the past three months. And worse, the Pantera now knew they were being hunted. It would be a thousand times more difficult to get their hands on the animals.

  Imagining the sheer pleasure of wrapping his fingers around Colonel Cole’s thick neck, Locke slowly realized that Mason wasn’t finished with the bad-news train.

  “There’s more?” he demanded.

  Mason grimly nodded his head. “One of the Colonel’s men backed too close to the cages.”

  Locke squeezed his eyes shut. Okay. Now it was an official clusterfuck.

  “Another corpse?” he forced himself to ask.

  “No, but his neck is broken,” Mason said. “We sent him to the base hospital, but even if he survives I doubt he’ll walk again.”

  Locke opened his eyes. As much as he wanted to toss the researcher out the door and finish his breakfast in peace, he knew he had to deal with the mess before it spiraled out of control.