Bought by the Puma (Studly Shifters Book 1) (8 page)

The cat was a magnificent animal. Whitney couldn't take her eyes off it as it prowled around Grattidge, who was looking like he was about to fight the animal with his bare hands. At one point, the cat looked at her, its golden gaze flaring for a second before it turned back to Grattidge.

Grattidge let out a howl and his body glowed as he shifted, turning into a huge wolf, almost as huge as the cat. It howled again, snapping its jaws at the cat. Then it pounced.

Whitney covered her eyes and curled into a ball as the snarling started and she heard the flesh tearing, the teeth gnashing and the yowls. She rolled so that her back was to the fight, keeping her eyes shut tight as she moved her hands to her ears, trying to shut out sounds of the fight. It seemed to go on forever and Whitney wanted to cry.

She wanted Simon. He would be able to rescue her from this. While she was grateful for the wild cat to appear out of nowhere and momentarily take away the threat of danger, she didn't hold hopes that the cat would simply walk away afterwards.

Then Whitney realized that she couldn't hear the fight anymore. Her hands had managed to mute it all but that was it. Now she couldn't hear anything. Braving herself, she rolled back towards the fight and slowly opened her eyes.

The wolf was lying on the ground, blood pooling under its body. It shifted back to Grattidge's human form, his body riddled with cuts and gouges. It was clear that he was dead.

The cat was standing over him, blood matting its fur and dripping from its teeth. It looked up and locked eyes with Whitney. Whitney couldn't move. She wanted to run but she found herself rooted to the spot. There was something about this animal that had her mesmerized.

Then, to her stunned amazement, the cat began to glow. It changed shape, going from feline to human. Whitney could only stare as the cat disappeared and the naked man stood, wiping the blood from his mouth.

She couldn't believe it.

"Simon?"

This wasn't real. It couldn't be. The man she loved was a shifter. He had hidden this part of him from her, had lied to her. And now she was facing him over a dead body.

She began to back away.

"Get away from me."

"Whitney..."

Simon started walking towards her.

"Just get away from me!"

Whitney turned and started to run. She got as far as the drive before she was grabbed by the arm and swung round. Simon wrapped his arms round her as she fought him.

"Whitney, please. Hear me out."

"And hear you say what?" Whitney hit her fists hard against his chest. "That you lied to me?" She stopped long enough to glare up at him, feeling the tears well up. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"How would you have reacted if I'd told you right at the beginning?" Simon demanded. "Would you have treated me like any other person? Would you have made love to me?"

Whitney faltered. He had a point. If he had told her right at the beginning that he could change into a big cat then Whitney would have been scared of him. Feared him. Treated him like a monster. He clearly wasn't a monster but Whitney's mind would have made that unfair connection.

Simon's expression was grim at her silence.

"There's your answer."

Whitney closed her eyes and rested her forehead against his chest.

"I don't like being lied to." She said in a choked voice. Tears were clogging up her throat.

Simon's grip changed, holding her gently and rubbing slow circles on her back. He rested his chin on her head.

"I had my reasons." He said quietly. "Like I had my reasons for you to stay at the cottage while I came here. I didn't want you to get hurt."

"But I wanted to help."

"And get your story." Whitney jerked back and stared at him. "I knew you still wanted to do that article on Grattidge. I know even when a subject isn't mentioned that it doesn't mean it's over."

Whitney shuddered.

"I'm not writing a story on this. Not ever."

"Good." Simon cupped her cheek in his hand. "Your safety is more important to me than your help. I wanted you to stay safe so I can come home to you."

Whitney blinked. What had he just said?

"Come home to me?"

Simon sighed, looking away for a moment.

"I was going to ask you to make our arrangement permanent after tonight. There was no way I was letting you go after what I found out."

"What did you find out?"

Somehow, Whitney knew what he was going to say but she didn't jump headfirst into it. She wanted to hear Simon say it.

"That you were my mate." That she hadn't been expecting. "That was the real reason I paid for you that night. I scented you the moment we were in the nightclub. I followed you to that warehouse and I bid for you to get you out of there." Simon brushed a thumb across her cheek, brushing at a stray tear. "I wasn't about to let anything happen to you."

"I'm your mate." Whitney said slowly. Both Natalya and Grattidge had mentioned mates. "Is that like a soul mate?"

"It sure is." Simon bent his head and pressed a kiss to her jaw. "You've been driving me crazy since I bought you."

"That's my joy in life."

Simon chuckled against her skin and kissed her cheek.

"But then I began to fall for you beyond the urge to mate." He kissed her temple. "I love you, Whitney." A kiss to her eyelids. "And I don't want you to walk away," A kiss to the end of her nose, "Just because I kept something from you for specific reasons."

He loved her. Whitney's heart pounded. Simon loved her. She leant into him and allowed him to kiss her, pulling away before Simon could deepen the kiss.

"Being lied to bothers me." She said. She watched Simon's face fall before she smiled and cupped his face in her hands lovingly. "But what you are doesn't. Your cat is quite beautiful."

"He's called a puma." Simon's eyes glinted. "And he really likes you." He took her hands and lowered them, placing them on his chest. "So will you stay with me? Please?"

"Because you said please." Whitney teased.

"Don't tease me, Whitney. I want you to stay because you want to, not because you want to be obligated."

Whitney smiled. She went up on tiptoe and kissed him.

"I'm not feeling obligated." She whispered. "I love you, Simon. And I'm staying with you."

Simon growled and wrapped his arms round her as he kissed her, diving his tongue into her mouth. It was then that Whitney remembered Simon was naked, his cock digging into her belly. She rubbed against him, resulting in a groan from Simon. She pulled away, her head spinning.

She knew what she wanted. And she wanted Simon.

"Take me home." She ordered.

#

"What will happen to the bodies?" Whitney asked.

Simon turned the wheel with one hand. His other hand was clasped in Whitney's across the center console.

"Natalya isn't dead, just stunned and covered in glass wounds." That was too good for her. "She'll be incarcerated in a special prison for shifters. Grattidge's body will be dealt with by John."

Who was planning on incinerating the body and sending the ashes to Grattidge's Beta to tell them what happened when a wolf shifter messed with someone else's mate. Simon could tell that John wanted to rip Simon's hide for jumping in as he had done but the outcome was the same as the one they had been aiming for so it wouldn't last very long.

"And what about me?"

Simon squeezed her hand.

"John will take your statement tomorrow. Because you're my mate, he's not going to have you arrested for nearly jeopardizing the assignment."

Whitney grunted.

"That's something."

They didn't say anything more as they drove back to the cottage. They didn't need to say anything. Simon was feeling content for the first time in a long time. The last two weeks had seen his puma settling a little after finally getting Whitney into bed and now it knew Whitney's feelings for him, the beast was acting like a little pussy cat. It had liked it when Whitney thought it was beautiful.

But it was itching for something more. So was Simon. And he knew neither would be completely settled until Whitney gave her consent and allowed them to mate with her.

They reached the cottage and Simon helped Whitney out, holding her close to his side as they went up the path, letting them in. He shut the door and sniffed at his clothes, making a face. He had left his clothes in the car and now they had picked up the smells and stenches that belonged to Bryce Grattidge.

"I need a shower."

"Do you want me to scrub your back?" Whitney asked saucily.

Simon grinned and stripped off his sweater.

"I like the sound of that." He kissed her and pulled away before his beast jumped out and started bounding about. "But I do have to warn you of something. It's about my puma."

"It's not going to come out mid-sex, is it?" Whitney's eyes narrowed. "Because I'm not into bestiality."

"No, not exactly." Simon winced and hastily explained when he saw Whitney's expression. "Not exactly. It's recognized you as its mate from the first moment it caught your scent. It's held itself back for now but since you've admitted to loving me, it wants to mate with you properly."

He watched Whitney's expression as she caught on to what he was asking for.

"You mean biting me." She said slowly.

"It's not as painful as it sounds." Simon slipped his arms round her. "We make love and I bite you, usually near the point of climax. It makes the orgasm more explosive."

Whitney didn't answer. She simply reached up and tugged Simon's head down to meet hers. Her mouth was hot against his and Simon groaned as she bit his lip. Hard. She pulled back, her eyes bright.

"Will you bite me, Simon?" She whispered.

Simon knew they weren't going to make it to the shower.

"God, Whitney."

Their hands pulled at each other's clothes, both kicking away their shoes. Whitney pushed Simon onto the couch and climbed onto his lap. She grasped his cock as Simon clutched at her hips, her hand almost enough to make him come before he had even got inside her. Her pussy was hot and wet, wet enough that he slid in on the first thrust.

Whitney moaned and began to grind and bounce on his cock, her walls squeezing his cock. Simon held on tight to her hips and helped her along. He spied blood on her arm and the claw marks on her upper arm just above her elbow.

He leant forward, pulling Whitney against him, and licked at the wounds, the blood now dry. The saliva on his tongue covered the wounds and began to heal them before his eyes.

Satisfied with that, he sat back and thrust up into Whitney, who was clutching onto his shoulders as she fucked him, her head rolling back, eyes closed. She looked lovely when she was in the throes of passion. Simon could look at her all day like that.

One thing he forgot to tell her was that newly mated couples had an overpowering urge to have sex more than before. He would be able to see that look more now.

He was close. Very close. But Simon waited for Whitney. He wanted her to come first. And it didn't take long for Whitney to reach her peak.

She was screaming her orgasm when Simon sat up and sank his fangs into her neck where it met her shoulder. Whitney's body tensed but quickly relaxed and she came again, her pussy clamping down on his cock. That was enough for Simon to climax, thrusting deep inside her as his seed was released.

Whitney was moaning as Simon removed his fangs and licked away the blood. Unlike the marks on her arm, these ones were permanent. Everyone would be able to see them and know that she was his. His head pounding, he lay back, taking Whitney with him.

John had told him that the first time you have sex with your mate and you actually mate with them was the best sex ever. And he was right.

"How was that?" He panted.

"Delicious." Whitney grinned and rolled her hips. "You're very energetic now, aren't you?"

It was then that Simon realized his cock was hard again. And it had only been moments since he had come. He grinned and kissed Whitney's nose.

"Coming down from a high plus mating improves my stamina somewhat."

Whitney giggled. She nipped at his bottom lip with her teeth.

"I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy this mating." She said against his mouth.

Simon growled and kissed her. He was going to enjoy it as well.

***

Preview Of ‘The Tiger’s Reluctant Mate
(Hunky Shifters Book 2)
By Ashley Hunter

Chapter One

The phone had barely finished its first ring when Julie Fowler scooped it up off the counter and answered it, not stopping for a moment as she got the coffee machine going.

"Hello?"

"Don't you ever answer professionally? I could've been the next big thing for you."

Julie laughed as she waited for the coffee cup to be filled.

"In the middle of Arkansas, I very much doubt it."

"Charming."

Julie grinned. It had been a long day and her smile had been getting a little strained after being run off her feet all day. But a phone call from her baby brother always guaranteed to bring the smile back.

She finished preparing the coffee and brought it to the counter. The owner of the beauty salon across the street passed across a ten-dollar note and Julie processed the money one-handed into the till, handing back the change. Then the middle-aged woman blew a kiss at the phone, mouthing 'for Charlie' before walking to a table by the window.

"Megan says hello, by the way." Julie chuckled.

"She is still blowing kisses?"

"Always."

"Hasn't anyone told her I'm young enough to be her son?"

"She likes to be in denial about her age." Julie saw that everything in the cafe had settled down and moved to the staff door at the back, going into the small kitchen that was looking in need of a clean. She leant against the stove. "Haven't you heard of a cougar?"

"Yes but not with that big an age gap."

Julie laughed.

"How are you doing?"

"Good. I did well in that test I was so worried about."

"Brilliant. So everything seems to have settled down?"

"Pretty much." Her brother hesitated. Julie knew the signs. He had something big he wanted to tell her.

"What? Come on, Charlie, what is it?"

Charlie sighed.

"I met a girl, Jules. Her name's Sharon. She's in her second year doing adult nursing. We've gone out for coffee a few times with friends and...I've asked her on a date to the cinema."

Julie's heart warmed. At eighteen, Charlie was too cynical for his age. She knew that was the result of losing his parents at such a young age. It made Charlie a little prickly for people so it felt good to hear that Charlie had had a breakaway from his former self to ask a girl out.

"Aww, bless, my little brother's all grown up."

"Not funny, Julie."

"I'm serious. That's great, Charlie. It's time you had a social life. I swear you've done nothing but study since you went there."

"Well, she manages to put up with me in a group so that's a plus." Charlie said sardonically.

"Don't be daft." Julie shot back affectionately. "Anyone who dates you is a lucky girl."

"You would say that. You're my sister."

Julie grinned.

"I have to have some illusions, don't I?"

Charlie laughed. He didn't laugh very often so it was good to hear it. Julie wished he wasn't in another country right now; she wanted to hug him and talk to him in person. Eight months at Oxford University in England and she was missing him like mad.

But Charlie had wanted to go to England to study and Julie had managed to put the tuition fees and the money for the plane ticket together.

At least with English universities, you paid annually for the student fees instead of every term and it was a lot cheaper per year than it was per semester in the US. Of course, Julie had been happy to pay; her business was doing great and she could easily afford it.

It just meant sacrificing not seeing her little brother every day. Their Skype sessions and regular phone calls would have to do.

"Speaking of dates, are you ever going to go on a date of your own and not focus on that cafe?"

Julie sighed. This was a conversation they had had many times in the last few months after Julie had collapsed in the middle of the day. The doctor had told her that she was overly stressed and she had pushed herself to the edge and need to ease back. Julie had then hired two waitresses so they could rotate who was on what day and that was it.

The cafe was her livelihood. She couldn't afford to stop.

"If I don't focus on my livelihood, how can I pay for you to study?"

"I'm more concerned about your health. I don't want a replay of what happened at New Year’s Eve."

"I have no intention of dating anyone, Charlie." Julie glanced through the window in the door to the cafe. Seeing no one needed her, she relaxed. "There isn't anyone of any interest around here, anyway. And the ones who are interesting are married."

"I thought Richard was interested in you."

"Briefly." Julie smiled fondly as she thought about her friend. "Then I steered him towards Virginia and he forgot about me."

She could almost see Charlie shaking his head.

"You should have someone for yourself. All you think about is that cafe and me."

"And those things are the most important things in my life right now." Julie pointed out. "I'm not going to change that."

"You will need someone to lean on soon and I won't be there."

Julie felt a lump in her throat at that. She knew she couldn't hold onto Charlie forever; the lad needed a life of his own, be it in Arkansas or Oxford.

But after looking after him since he was three years old, she felt like she wouldn't be able to deal with him flying the nest for good when the time came.

She swallowed the lump away.

"I'll be fine."

Charlie sighed. She knew he was giving up on his argument for now.

"I'd better go. Got to get ready for my date. You’re going to be working late again?"

"Sadly. It's the night I sort the books."

"Just don't work too hard."

Julie laughed.

"I love you, too, Charlie."

After a few more affectionate insults thrown back and forth, Julie hung up. Then she adjusted her coffee-stained t-shirt and checked that her short red hair wasn't falling out of the hair clips she had put in.

Megan was also a hairdresser and had suggested Julie try a new style - longer at the front, shorter at the back. Julie liked it since it made her green eyes pop but it did mean putting clips in so her hair stayed out of her face.

She pushed through into the cafe to hear a familiar voice.

"There you are, Julie. I thought you'd fallen into a black hole." A woman in her mid-twenties with long blonde hair down to her waist and dressed in a charcoal black skirt and tight white blouse hopped onto a stool at the counter, hooking one of her five-inch stilettos into the rung. "I need your strongest coffee."

"Nice to see you, too, Laura." Julie prepared an espresso and put it in front of Laura Hancock. "What's the matter? You look rather harried."

"Problems at work." Laura's boyfriend Ian Galatia sat on the stool beside his girlfriend and handed across a ten-dollar bill. "Can I have a latte, please, Jules?"

"No problem." Julie began to fix Ian's coffee. "What's happened to have you so worked up?"

"You know the old man Lawrence died two weeks ago?" Ian asked, rubbing his hand over his brown hair, which had been shortened to a simple buzz cut.

"Yeah. Heart attack at his desk."

Jonathan Lawrence had been the owner of the ranch just outside of Little Rock, which he had made into a profitable business and had his own administration team as well as labourers.

He had been a kind man who seemed to be in the best bill of health Julie had ever seen. He had always been coming in for his usual coffee and one of Julie's homemade Danish pastries. Julie had been sad when she heard of his death and knew she would miss his visits into her place dearly.

"His son took over last week and he moved his things into the apartment today." Ian glanced at Laura, who had downed her Espresso. "He also made his first appearance in the office."

Julie glanced at Laura, who was making a face at downing her coffee.

"I take it he didn't go down well with you."

"That's an understatement." Her friend growled. She began to gesture with her hands as she spoke. "He's rude, abrasive and doesn't give a damn about anyone. He just wants as much money as possible to go into his pocket and not into the ranch."

Julie handed Ian his coffee.

"Since he owns the ranch, isn't he allowed to decide what happens to the money?" She asked.

"He probably uses it to go to strip clubs and pay for whores." Laura muttered.

"Laura..." Ian warned, laying a hand on her knee. Julie watched her friend warily, knowing that her behaviour was the norm; volatile and slightly over-dramatized.

"You don't know that." She said quietly.

"Maybe not but nobody likes him. His dad was a good sort and was always fair to us. But the son..." Laura shook her head. "He's a mean bastard. I'd kill him but I need this job."

"You've only known him a day and you're already talking about killing him?"

"That's more than enough to form an opinion."

Ian sighed.

"I've been trying to talk sense into her since I picked her up." He told Julie.

"What sense?" Laura snapped. "At least I've got the sense to know the man is bad news."

Julie and Ian exchanged glances. They both knew that Laura liked to blow things out of proportion on occasion. Her opinions usually had to be taken with a pinch of salt.

She had calmed somewhat since she started dating Ian at Christmas and her flirtatious ways had toned down but she still had a flare of temper. Even Ian, the most mild-mannered man Julie had ever met, couldn't control that.

"I think you need to go home, Laura." Julie told her friend.

Laura stared at her.

"You're not going to listen to me and moan with me?" She demanded. "We used to do that all the time."

"As teenagers, yes. But we're grown-ups now. We need to be more responsible." Julie reminded her. "No more plotting what evil things we're going to do on the guy to make us feel better."

Laura slumped and gave her a sulky look. Julie had to fight back her laughter; she looked like a child who had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

"You're no fun anymore."

Julie rolled her eyes and looked at Ian.

"Take her home, Ian."

Ian nodded and quickly drank his coffee. Then he slid off the stool and took Laura's arm.

"Come on, babe."

Laura went with him, still muttering under her breath. Then she turned to Julie before they set off towards the door.

"If he comes in here, don't give him what he wants." She warned.

Julie sighed.

"I'll be the judge of that. Now go home and get some sleep before you go yourself a mischief."

#