Therian Prize(26)

It was all too easy to picture Heather, soaked in her own blood, watching in terrified helplessness as her brother savaged the man she’d been having sex with moments before.

Acting on instinct alone, Jake pulled her back onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her. He cradled her like a child and tenderly kissed her face. “I’m so sorry.”

She sobbed and wrapped her arm around his neck. “I didn’t want to mate with him, but I didn’t want him to die. I just wanted… Why did he…”

Her lips trembled as she stared up at him with wide, tear-bright eyes. Her torment was palpable and the need to comfort her would not be denied. He brushed his lips over hers, not really kissing her, just touching her, creating a tangible connection so she’d know she wasn’t alone. But as soon as he lifted his mouth from hers, her arm tightened and she drew his face back down.

When their mouths touched the second time, her lips parted and her breath shuddered out. Her scent sank deeper with each indrawn breath and her taste teased his tongue. He angled his head and fit his lips more fully to hers. She touched his bottom lip with the tip of her tongue and desire spiraled through Jake.

In an instant his cock hardened and his heart rate doubled. His lips slid over hers and their tongues curled around each other. He’d spent so many nights imagining her in his arms, aching with the need to claim her. He tried to deny the attraction. He understood how impossible a relationship between them would be, but he couldn’t rid his mind of her image or purge his body of his irrational desire.

She was feisty stubbornness on the outside, yet he’d always sensed sadness, an unexplained vulnerability. The contrast intrigued and fascinated him. He wanted to peel back her defenses and explore her hidden depths. He wanted to understand the forces that shaped her personality and he wanted… He wanted her.

He wanted her spread out beneath him while he kissed his way from her shoulders to her knees. He’d learn the texture of her skin with his hands and his lips. She’d gasp and cry out, wiggling helplessly as he explored her soft pussy with his tongue. He wanted her taste in his mouth and her breath on his cheek as he pushed into her hot core for the first time.

She rubbed her breasts against him, her nipples noticeably hard. Her tongue pushed into his mouth and her anxious murmurs drew his tiger closer to the surface. Possessive, consuming hunger spread through his chest and concentrated in his groin, making his cock jerk against her.

He started to roll her beneath him, to stake his claim on her body—just like Carlos had done and like the winner of the contest would have done. The realization cut through Jake’s desire like a bucket of ice water. He couldn’t do this to her. She’d turned to him for comfort and protection. He would not betray her trust by taking advantage of her vulnerability.

He dragged his mouth from hers and shook his head. “This is not what you need.”

“It’s what I want.”

Her words echoed through his body and a fresh rush of blood filled his groin, making his erection painful. “You’re too upset right now to know what you want.” He gently pushed her to the bed beside him and took a deep breath. “If we do this now, we’ll both regret it tomorrow.”

She started to say something then turned her head, stubbornly averting her face.

He touched her shoulder but she twisted farther away. “Can you get back to sleep or would you like…” What? Warm milk? A shot of whiskey? He had no idea how to soothe her without giving in to his desire.

“I’m fine.”

She sounded hurt and miserable and he felt like a selfish jerk. Sex might give them both a few hours of pleasure but as soon as their passion cooled, she’d feel self-conscious and resentful. She needed comfort and security, not what his body was so eager to give her.

Knowing it was the right thing to do didn’t make his retreat any easier. He crawled off the bed and ran his fingers through his hair. She still wouldn’t look at him. “Try to get some sleep.”

She lay down on her side and pulled the covers to her chin, all the while facing away from him. Stubborn little vixen. Didn’t she realize this was just a reprieve?

Rather than prolong the awkwardness, he slipped from the room and closed the door.





Chapter Four




“How long do you intend to keep me here?”

Zophiel looked up from her laptop and frowned. Her new toy—she’d forgotten his name—sat on the foot of the bed, naked and annoyed. His blond hair was mussed, one side sticking up at a comical angle. Purple smudges shadowed his vivid blue eyes, and whiskers darkened his jawline. Sean. His name was Sean and she still couldn’t figure out why he tasted so good. Well, it didn’t matter anyway. As usual her ravenous hunger was burning him out. It was unlikely he’d last more than a day or two.