The Purrfect Plan Page 5

  "No, cookie, only the bond is broken, nothing else." Or maybe a heart, he'd seen his mother's deep grief after losing their father. Drawing in a deep breath, he gathered and placed it palm down on his chest. "I am yours for life, cookie." The doubt he saw in her eyes made his heart ache, but he also knew it was early.

  His resolve was set; he was going to prove his words true. Show her how much she had already cemented a place in his heart. Yet he had to be cautious, like any animal cornered. If he pushed her too hard, she would fight back, attacking anyone or anything in her path.

  "Would you show me your, um, panther again?"

  He cocked an eyebrow. "Only if you promise not to faint on me again."

  She rolled her eyes. "I promise. Now show me."

  He chuckled softly at her demand, pleased with her lack of fear. Silently, he praised the fates for providing him with such a wonderful feisty mate. Everything about Storm called to his senses; curvy, lush, smart, sassy and sexy as hell. Yet, the wounded vulnerability he saw in her eyes made him want to hold her close, put right every wrong done and protect her from the world.

  He moved back on the bed and let the painless change move over him. He blinked, seeing his mate staring at him with wide-eyed wonder, not fear.

  "It has to be some kind of trick, or you've drugged me somehow."

  He gave a low growl, placing a paw either side of her legs, moving closer so she could touch him. Cautiously, she reached out and stroked him between his ears and down his neck; he felt his eyes roll back into his head. Her touch was divine; he purred louder.

  "Wow, you are a big beautiful cat."

  He nuzzled into her chest, rubbing his face all over her shoulders and neck, scent marking her.

  "Easy, kitty." Her giggle was pure melody to his ears.

  He let his tongue dart out to lick across the side of her throat, to be rewarded with a sharp gasp. He honed in on the pulse point of her neck, lapping at it before shifting lower to the cleavage of her breasts.

  She squealed and squirmed, but he had her pinned under him.

  "Oh, you perverted kitty."

  There was no condemnation in her tone, only breathless excitement. River chose that moment to shift back. She met his gaze for a moment. Her eyes darkened with burning lust. His hand found the hem of her sexy little white top and whipped it up. His mouth watered, seeing her delectable breast, her deep pink nipples hard, taunting him. Without another thought, he lowered his head and latched on to her right breast, while he palmed her left breast. River was in breast heaven.

  ~ * ~

  Storm moaned loudly at River's hot mouth on her breast sending the pleasure jolting through her body, making her stomach clench and her clit pulse. Helplessly, she arched her back, wanting the blinding, mindless sensations to never stop.

  The puckered nipple tightened almost to the point of pain when he backed off and blew air across the wet peak. Before she could catch her breath, he attacked her left breast, giving it the same body writhing attention.

  Her fingers raked into his hair, long dark hair. She was dimly aware of similarities in softness to his panther fur.

  She couldn't think, let alone breathe, as one hand slid beneath the waistband of her panties, his thick fingers separating her folds and sliding deeply into her.

  She spread her legs wider, moving her hips against his hand, whimpering her need.

  "By the gods, cookie, you're dangerous on a man's senses."

  She could say the same thing about him, as he continued to work her breasts and finger fuck her at the same time.

  He lifted his head and she moaned in protest at the loss of his mouth. She needed to come.

  "I want you to come back with me to Black Town. Say you will."

  Her eyes snapped open; it took a moment to clear her lust-drunken brain for his words to sink in.

  "No, I..." Damn it, why couldn't he just finish what he started before springing this on her. He pulled his finger from her pussy, lightly rubbing her clit.

  "Just for two weeks, get to know each other better, meet my family and the other shifters."

  "If I say yes, will you make me come?" She almost growled the words.

  "Cookie, I'll make you come so much you'll be begging me for mercy."

  Her body overrode her logic. "Yes, oh God, yes." She'd agree to dance naked down the streets for the pleasure he provided.

  His chuckle was strained as he plunged two fingers into her, circling her clit and reattaching his mouth to her breast.

  Storm's body bucked as a climax slammed into her, and she cried out as her inner walls clamped around his fingers, trying to suck him in deeper.

  In the next moment, he released her, flipped her over onto her hands and knees and ripped off her underpants. She pushed back against him, wanting, needing penetration. He didn't disappoint. She cried out as he pushed himself into her still spasming channel in one hard shove.

  His fingers bit into her hips, holding her tightly as he pummeled her from behind, making her peak again and overloading her in pure, raw pleasure.

  River jerked, snarling as he released into her. His arm wrapped around her as they fell on their sides. River pulled her into the warmth of his embrace, running breathless kisses over her shoulder and neck.

  Sated and more limp than overcooked noodles, only one thought bounced around in her head as she drifted off. Mine forever.

  ~ * ~

  Gia, a spotted cheetah shifter, sauntered into the residence of Black house via the back door and into the kitchen. No, she hadn't been invited in, but that was beside the point. She knew all this would be her home too, as soon as River Black woke up and realized they were meant to be together as mates.

  Even after months of searching, nothing could compare to River. He was simply the best lover she'd ever had. Now that she was back, she'd make him see that. A powerful pair to rule over the shifters of Australia.

  She glanced around the empty kitchen, walking through to the large dining room, envisioning all the lavish dinner parties she would hold once they were mated.

  "Gia, what are you doing here? When did you get back?"

  Gia swiveled gracefully around to face Maria Black, mother and matriarch of the Black family. "Oh, only a short while, I've come to see River. He's still working?" Gia leaned her slender hip against the tabletop, her finger toying with a strand of honey-blond hair.

  The older woman frowned in obvious disapproval, not that Gia cared for the old batty shifter. She was nearing her end at any rate. Gia hid her smile at the thought of being her son's mate and in charge of the whole community.

  "You've been away, so I'll tell you the latest news. River has found his mate and is bringing her home tonight, so I think it would be best if you leave."

  It took a few moments for Maria's words to register. "Mate? That's not possible, I'm his mate." She snarled at the older shifter.

  Maria folded her arms. "River has found his true mate, Gia, and you will respect the bond between true mates and you will now respect your elders. Leave now, Gia." Maria's tone took on a more authoritative tone.

  She refused to believe it. There were no such things as true mates, just a myth invented by the elders. Sex was sex; men were men and hers for the choosing. River belonged to her.

  "Is it another shifter?"

  "Leave, Gia." The older woman stepped closer.

  "Hey, Mum, I smell something...aaah, thought I smelled a rat." Hawk strode into the dining room, his expression unwelcoming.

  "Gia was just leaving."

  "Hawk," Gia purred seductively sauntering up to him. "Are you going to welcome me home?"

  "Your home is on the other side of town. Didn't I hear my mother ask you to leave?" Hawk was clearly not fooled by her act.

  "Fine, I'll catch up with River later then." She turned and headed out of the kitchen. As if she would leave so easily. Gia would find out what kind of pathetic mate River had hooked himself to, scare the woman off and claim River for herself.

/>   ~ * ~

  Hawk sighed, watching Gia leave via the back door. "I have a feeling she's going to be trouble."

  His mother patted his arm. "Undoubtedly so. River's smart enough not to let her interfere."

  "I'll give him the heads up. So, when are they arriving?" He grinned at his mum. "More importantly, what's for dinner?"

  Maria smiled fondly at her younger son.

  Chapter Seven

  River was well aware of the hostility Storm directed at him as he negotiated highways and roads back to Black Town. Still, it did nothing to dampen his high spirits. He had his mate and he was taking her home, where she belonged.

  He had awoken before her this time, determined to make sure she didn't try to bolt from him again. When she tried to get out of their agreement, protesting again anything said during sex didn't count, River had simply dragged her back onto the bed and teased her to the brink of climax, extracting more promises to honor their agreement. Added to the fact he couldn't control his need to touch her, never in all his years had he been so hungry for one woman.

  He stood guard as she fumed at him and packed her bag at the same time. She also packed what she needed for her job. Thankfully, she worked as a freelance copyright editor and could carry her work on her laptop. He smiled, realizing he'd never had better sex in his life than he had with his true mate and knew it could only get better. There was so much he wanted to do to her, and have her do to him.

  "What the hell are you smirking about? This is kidnapping, you know." Her brown eyes flashed in annoyance. Well, at least her silent treatment was at an end. He gave her his best seductive smile.

  "I'm thinking about all the great sex to look forward to."

  Her stare turned murderous, as she folded her arms across her chest. "I think that just put you on the couch, buddy."

  He laughed at her challenge.

  "You think you'll be able to abstain? You can't resist me, just as much as I can't resist you; the pull between us is strong. Fighting and denying the impulse will only drive you mad."

  She snorted her denial.

  To prove his point, he reached across the seat, snatching her hand and lifting it to his mouth to lick across the pulse point in her wrist. Immediately, her eyes darkened and her breath quickened. Her sweet aroused scent became prevalent to his sensitive shifter senses.

  "Bastard," she hissed, snatching back her hand, rubbing her wrist as if she'd been scorched.

  River shifted uncomfortably in his seat as his cock strained against his jeans.

  "This is just a visit, two weeks as promised. After that, I'm going home," she reminded him.

  "I know, cookie."

  Two weeks was trivial. Even if she did refuse to stay, he wouldn't let her go. He'd follow her back to her house and stay with her if need be. Even if it meant giving up his position as leader of the Black Town community.

  She folded her arms and went back to ignoring him. All for the best; the strong urge to pull over into the bush land and fuck her again rode him. He needed to get her within the safety of their community. Then he could tie her to the bed and make love to her until neither of them could walk.

  ~ * ~

  Storm's nervous tension grew the closer they drew to his town. She had no idea what she was heading into. She fidgeted with her seatbelt and cast sideway glances at River.

  "Just say what's on your mind, cookie." River's sexy accented drawl washed over her, almost soothingly.

  "So it's just you and your brother...um?"

  "Hawk. We're twins but not identical. As I said, it is rare for shifters to be born singular. I also have three younger sisters. Two are mated and the other lives in London. My father passed away two years ago, but my mother still lives at the house."

  "Mother?" A sudden panic made her chest feel tight.

  "Easy, cookie. Relax; she's going to love you. You are, after all, my mate and the mother of her grand cubs."

  "I...I don't think you should tell her..."

  "She's going to find out sooner or later, might as well be now."

  "But...that's not fair. You know I'm not staying."

  River's eyes flashed with confident pride as he glanced at her. Without words, she knew he was going to do everything in his power to convince her to stay.

  "Don't you have more questions about feline shifters?"

  She accepted the change of topic as, quite frankly, she was tired of arguing her point.

  "I didn't think cats in the wild had Alphas, but are, um, are lone predators."

  "Remember, we're half cat, half human. As for the wild, predatory part," he shot her a sexy, pulse-racing grin, "it depends. But we protect what is ours."

  She snorted and rolled her eyes.

  River chuckled.

  "Were you born in Australia?"

  "Fair dinkum Aussie, mate." He put on a heavy Australian accent. "My parents are from the jungles of Peru. Our family emigrated out here in eighteen hundred and twenty; here we have thrived."

  Storm frowned whilst doing the math in her head. "That's over a hundred and ninety years ago. How long does your kind live?"

  "On average five to six hundred years."

  Storm turned her head to stare at him in wide-eyed shock. River just kept coming with the surprises. "How old are you?"

  "My brother and I were born in nineteen hundred and thirty."

  It took her a moment to calculate his age. "Shit, you're ninety years old?" She stared at him, still struggling to believe his statement.

  "Yes." His tone was casual like it was the most natural thing in the world. It made her study his features more closely.

  "That's a hell of an age gap."

  "I hear women like dating older men." His tone was laced with humor. "If it's any consolation, for shifter years, I'm still considered young."

  "Gee, that helps." She frowned as another worrying thought passed through her mind. "So, does that mean in fifty years or so I'll be old and withered and you'll still be looking young and hot."

  "If you decide to fully accept me, then no. During sex, I'll bite you. There's a special enzyme from my fangs which I'll inject into your blood stream."

  His words sent a jolt of panic through her. "I'll turn into a cat too?"

  "No, cookie, it will simply slow down your aging process, nothing more. You're not the only human who is mated to a shifter. If you like, I can arrange for you to meet them."

  While not wanting to cement herself into River's life, she couldn't help her curiosity. This was her chance to learn about a whole community of creatures that were not supposed to exist. It made her nervous, yet a little excited at the same time.

  "Um, that'll be nice. Thank you."

  "Why did your parents name you Storm?"

  "According to my mother, I was born during a major storm. Why are you named River?"

  "My parents were secret hippies."

  "Harr-de-har."

  "I was born by the Hawkesbury River. I guess that's why they named my brother Hawk. Personally, I think they should have called him bank, since he was second born."

  "River, Bank, very funny. Bet he loves you calling him that." Despite herself, Storm found herself grinning at River's sense of humor.

  "It's a running joke in our family."

  The more time she spent with him the more she found she liked him, and not just for his handsome face and great body. He was smart, witty, and determined to show her his gentle caring side, in balance with his strength, size and dominant presence. But she wouldn't be fooled. He was simply too good to be true. In the end, like all the others, he would simply end up hurting her.

  "Do you do anything else other than lead your shape shifting community?"

  "The town owns and operates a quarry on our land. My family also has a large earthmoving company. We travel around to different states doing various earthmoving or building jobs. Recently we've been trying to land a new contract with the government for laying new fiber optic cable in our state."

 
She couldn't help but be impressed.

  "You got yourself a wealthy shifter, cookie." He waggled his dark eyebrows playfully.

  To her shock, she actually giggled. "Oh, I don't care about money; Mike had money, but he never..." Damn it, Storm bit down on her lower lip, realizing he'd somehow managed to make her relax and drop her guard. She frowned, turning her head to stare out of the window.

  "This Mike is the one who hurt you?" His tone was a low dangerous growl. "Tell me, Storm."

  She shook her head, refusing to look at him. "I don't want to talk about it, not now, not ever."

  She heard his slow intake and exhale of breath, as if fighting for control of his emotions, as much as she struggled with her own.

  Heat enveloped her hand. Storm's head whipped around to see he'd reached across the seat to grip her hand. There was nothing sexual in his touch, just one of simple comfort.

  "When you're ready, cookie."

  The calm reassurance in his voice only heightened the fear he would crumble every defense she had. It also speared doubt into her mind as to why she was fighting him. Could he really be telling her the truth about shifter mates being unable to cheat? About loving relationships lasting hundreds of years? It was too fantastic to fathom. Too much for her brain to comprehend.

  She swallowed and allowed the small comfort and warmth of his touch to seep through her body. Storm recognized the road leading into Black Town.

  He slowed to the lower speed limit and cruised through the main part of town passing the motel and bar. There was a post office, grocery store, hardware shop and a few other things including a pizza and ice cream parlor. He turned off the main street and passed a few lovely homes until he came to a large double story Spanish style home with a central cylindrical tower entrance. On either side were two balconies and large French style windows along the top and bottom. Wisteria, ivy and other plants creeping up the side of the building added to its regal beauty.

  The front garden looked sadly neglected. Strangely, she envisioned herself toiling in the garden and restoring it to its former glory.

  "Your home?" She turned her head to look at River.

  He pulled the SUV to a stop, yanking on the handbrake, giving her a half smile. "Our home now. C'mon; my mother will be waiting to meet you."