Therian Prize: 5 (Therian Heat) (21 page)

God, she couldn’t remember the last time anyone had gotten her heart pounding. She might despise traitors but her body didn’t seem to care. Nate was arrogant, crude and easily overpowered. Of course, he didn’t know she could throw him across the room with one hand.

“Doesn’t matter. You’ll never find out.”

He pulled her arms behind her back and held them there with one hand. “Is that so?” She tugged against his grip, pleased by the strength in his long fingers. He pushed her skirt up until her panties were visible then slipped his middle finger underneath. “Wow. Is all this for me?”

“In your dreams.” She twisted her hips, which rubbed her slick folds against his invading finger.

Without warning, he grasped the crotch of her panties and stepped back long enough to drag them off. He freed her hands in the process and she started to climb down, but those long, strong fingers curved around her throat. He couldn’t actually hurt her but his boldness sent a fresh wave of lust rippling through her body.

“Grab your knees and hold yourself open or I’ll have you tied to my bed.”

What if she wanted to be tied to his bed? She started to make the suggestion, but Nate was a bully. If she gave in he’d probably lose interest. “This is not why I came here.”

“Really?” He used his free hand to unzip her sweater and unfasten her bra. He left the garments in place, seeming to like her disheveled appearance. “Then why wear such a short skirt or a top with easy access?”

“Any woman who wears a short skirt is asking for it?”

He leaned in and grinned. “If your clothes scream ‘fuck me’ you can’t act surprised when someone takes you up on the offer.” She shoved against his chest and kicked her legs but it only made him laugh. “Keep it up. I’m enjoying the view.”

Her breasts jiggled and her sex was revealed each time her thighs came apart. She stilled and pressed her thighs together, her hands still splayed against his chest. “Let me go.” She made her voice sound cold and insistent but her blood was beginning to boil. Danger, even the illusion of danger, was incredibly arousing.

“I don’t want to.”

She let tears fill her eyes then quickly blinked them back. “If I…let you do this, will you let me go?”

“Eventually.”

“No. Once. I’ll let you screw me once and then you let me go.”

He laughed and pulled her off the desk. Turning her around, he bent her forward and pressed his erection against her ass. “You don’t have to
let
me do anything. If I want inside you, all I have to do is spread your legs.”

“Then get it over with,” she snapped. She rubbed against him, glad he couldn’t see her grin.

With suspiciously practiced motions, he dragged her sweater off and then used her bra to bind her wrists at the small of her back. “If you keep provoking me, I’ll have a couple of my hunters help me teach you some manners. Have you ever been fucked by three men at the same time? It’s a little overwhelming at first, but I bet we can still make you like it.”

She held perfectly still, pretending to be shocked and terrified. In reality memories were swirling through her mind. It had been decades since she’d allowed herself such excess. Situations were easier to control while she held the dominant role, so she generally played it safe.

“I don’t want that,” she whispered, but the thought alone had her teetering on the brink of orgasm. Three men all at once? Six rough hands, three hungry mouths and three hard cocks thrusting, filling,
using
her?

“Are you sure?” He found the zipper to her skirt and lowered it. “A lovely flush just spread across your shoulders and you’re breathing really fast.”

“I’m afraid.”

He pulled her up off the desktop and turned her around then pushed the loosened skirt down her legs. She was naked except for her high-heeled boots, hands bound behind her back, and he paused to enjoy the display. Her nipples tingled and heat flooded her sex. Why had she denied herself these pleasures for so long? Yes, she was playing a role, but even the pretense was intoxicating.

“It’s not fear I see in your eyes. It’s hunger.”

How the hell would he know? He was staring at her boobs. She wiggled, making her breasts sway. His gaze narrowed and he licked his lips.

Then he picked her up and set her on the desktop again. “We’re back where we started.”

“Except I’m naked and my hands are tied.”

“The point is,” he pinched her nipple until she gasped, “you have a decision to make. You can obey my commands or I’ll summon two of my men and we’ll teach you how to be obedient.”

Could she maintain the illusion while three men overwhelmed her senses? She only hesitated because her levels were so low. No matter how much she wanted to indulge herself, the risk was too great. She would let Nate think he’d won this round. She’d carefully feed while obeying his every command. Then, when her strength returned, she’d do something outrageous to piss him off. He’d have no choice but to call his guards.

Leaning back, she steadied herself against the desktop as she drew her knees up then out. His gaze slid down along her body as her legs opened and she found the edge of the desk with her heels.

“Good choice.” He moved between her wide-spread legs and pushed his fingers deep inside her passage. “Let’s make sure you’re good and ready so I don’t hurt you—too much.”

Sunlight bathed the cloudless sky, promising a hot, dry summer day. Jake and Heather strolled along the raised walkway that stretched on for over a mile into the distance. The entire sanctuary felt open, expansive and free, nothing like a traditional zoo. Spacious habitats lined each side of the walkway, providing rescued carnivores with plenty of room to roam, relax and play. The raised walkways offered breathtaking views of the majestic animals while ensuring that they remained safely segregated from the steady stream of visitors.

“This place is much bigger than I realized.” Heather paused, staring out over one of the wolf habitats. “I thought it was a retirement home for circus cats.”

Jake chuckled. “It started out that way thirty-some years ago but Erin’s a crusader. Saving captive animals has become her purpose in life.”

“When she’s not guarding the history of the Therian nation, starting a revolution or resurrecting the Omni Prime?” She looked up at him with eyes every bit as blue as the summer sky. “Where does she find the time?”

“Kyle has taken over leadership of the rebels and Devon is gradually taking over management of the sanctuary. Erin is still actively involved in both but she trusts her children enough to step back.”

“What a novel concept.” Heather made a dismissive sound and shifted her gaze back to the wolves.

Jake tensed. She’d been sort of prickly all morning. “Do we need to talk about last night?”

“What about it?” She casually moved off down the walkway, trailing her fingers along the upper railing.

“You’re obviously upset.” He lengthened his stride and easily caught up to her. “Are you angry because we had sex or because I tried to instigate a mind link?”

“I’m not angry.”

“Grumpy. Sullen. What should I call this change in your mood?” He caught her wrist and stopped her escape. “Talk to me.”

“I don’t regret sleeping with you.” She looked at him without pulling her hand away. “I do regret—”

“There you are!” Devon waved as she rushed up to meet them. “I’ve been looking all over for you two.”

Erin had warned them that three school tours were scheduled back-to-back, so Jake had brought Heather to the sanctuary before the official day began. “We’re hiding in plain sight,” he told Devon with a smile.

“I know Heather has an appointment with Dr. Garran in a little while, but I’d like you to take a look at one of my tiger females.” She motioned for them to follow her without waiting for his consent.

“This place is amazing.” Heather fell in step beside him as they retraced their path along the walkway. They passed bears, lions, tigers and more wolves. “I had no idea it was this big or that you accepted so many different types of animals.”

“The sanctuary was private for the first decade. Mom didn’t want to let the public in, but publicity brings in money and generous sponsors allow us to expand. It’s a necessary evil.”

They passed through a large observation deck with a snack shop in the middle and headed back toward the education center.

“Are the animals ever returned to the wild?”

Heather’s curiosity was understandable. He’d had a million questions when he’d first seen the operation. And Heather had only seen the portion of the complex that was aboveground. The rebel command center and an extensive series of tunnels connecting the surrounding properties branched out beneath their feet. In fact the sanctuary had originally been established as a front for what went on beneath. Erin had never imagined that the “front” would take on a life of its own and expand far beyond her original intentions.

“Most of these animals were born in captivity,” Devon explained. “They’d starve to death if we turned them loose in the wild.”

“Then they’re tame?”

Devon paused and shook her head. “Not even close. Regardless of their upbringing, these are still wild animals. They will attack if they feel threatened. We approach them with caution and respect. Always.” She led them through a classroom situated just off the walkway then down a spiral staircase. They emerged in a circular room around which ten wedge-shaped pens were located. “She’s over here.”

Jake followed her to one of the pens then waited for more information. When she said nothing, he asked, “What’s wrong with her?”

Devon arched her brows and took a step back. “You tell me.”

Unsure why she thought he would have a greater insight than anyone else, he turned his attention to the tigress. She was curled up in the back corner of the enclosure, head averted from the barred access door. His tiger surged suddenly, forcing Jake closer to the bars. A low rumble vibrated his throat and the tigress raised her head. How odd. He’d never seen a tiger react to a Therian vocalization.

“Is she…”

“I’m not sure.” Devon grinned. “Is she?”

Jake crouched in front of the cage, more or less eye level with the tigress. She met his gaze with obvious caution, her body still curled into a tight ball. “How long has she been here?”

“A little over two weeks. She responded to Ian but she ignores me. I thought it was a man thing, so I had Kyle and Payne try. No luck.”

“Kyle is newly mated and Payne terrifies everyone.”

Devon gave his shoulder a playful push. “I’m not sure you’re any less scary, but at least you’re a tiger. See if she’ll talk to you. Make sure she knows we’re no threat to her. And I’d love to know how she’s maintaining that form without energy infusions.”

Rocking to his knees, Jake looked at the tigress. She’d unwound her body and crept forward as he spoke with Devon. As soon as he looked at the tigress she stopped moving and placed her chin on her front paws. “You’re safe here. No one will harm you.”

Emotion seeped into his mind, barely discernible at first. He located the path she was using and responded with warmth and encouragement.
I’m Jake. We are like you.
He drew Therian energy upward, savoring the burn as his eyes began to glow.

She was using the telepathic link common to tigers, not the universal connection accessible to all Therians. Was this why she hadn’t spoken before? Perhaps she could only transmit along the tiger link.

He felt uncertainty deepen to fear and then hope sparked within the darkness.
Ser… Serra. The keepers gave us numbers, but my mother called me Serra.

The keepers? Where had she been kept and how had she escaped? Rather than bombard her with questions, he smiled.
I’m pleased to meet you, Serra.
He sent another wave of warmth across the tiger link.

Serra crept closer, keeping her body close to the ground.
Why do you feel familiar to me?

Myriad questions branched off within his mind as he thought about the possibilities. Was it just that they both manifested as tigers or was the connection more substantial? If she was a victim of the backers, which was almost inevitable, had his bloodline been used in their experiments?

Knowing she’d sense deception, he answered honestly.
I’m not sure
.
We are called Therians and we are all able to transform into animals. Like you, I transform into a tiger. Perhaps that’s why I seem more familiar than the others.

I know they have tried to mind-speak with me, but I cannot understand them.
Her golden gaze shifted to Devon then filled with hostility
. My new keeper is able to transform?

That’s Devon and she is not your keeper. You are not a prisoner.
He turned to Devon and urged, “Unlock the cage.”

“But—”

“Do it. She’ll never trust us if she thinks she’s a prisoner.”

Devon pulled a keychain out of her pocket and found the appropriate key. “You are our guest, not our prisoner.” She opened the bars and stepped aside.

“You’re free to leave whenever you like,” Jake reinforced, “but we hope you’ll let us help you.”