When A Lioness Snarls (A Lion's Pride Book 5) (14 page)

“
A
re you okay
?” It seemed like a reasonable question seeing as how he’d completely lost control. How could he have done that to her, pound at her sweet flesh—pummeling her sex with his cock, unable to resist that wet haven—and without any regard for her? Never mind she’d asked him to go hard. A gentleman should, at the very least, inquire if his lover had come through the experience unscathed.

But this was Luna, and she didn’t appreciate his courtesy. “Am I okay? Are you for real?” Luna righted herself. “Of course I’m all right. I’m not a delicate fucking flower, you know.” She blasted him with words, and something struck him in that moment.

How often did Luna throw out shocking accusations or solicitations? Could that brazenness be part of protecting herself? Here she was faced with a moment of intimacy, and she didn’t know how to react. She feared allowing herself to enjoy it. But why? Why would she do that? “I don’t know why you’re pissed. I was just showing you some basic politeness.”

“Like you’d show anyone.” Luna’s shoulders drooped in uncharacteristic defeat. “You’re probably this nice with everyone you screw. It means nothing.” It was almost as if she spoke to herself.

“What the hell are you talking about now? I’m not being nice to you because I have to. I’m being courteous with you because I fucking care. Do you get that, Luna? I. Fucking. Care.” He did, more than he could have imagined.

“If you care so much, then why have you been pushing me away?”

He scrubbed a hand through his hair. “Why? I told you why. Because I knew having sex with you would make things complicated.”

“How? I’m not asking for anything from you.”

“You’re not, and yet you make me want more. And that’s scary for me. Being with you is like inviting a hurricane into my life.”

She planted her hands on her hips and should have looked ridiculous with her hair straggling in stray blonde wispy curls. She stood topless, her chest heaving, her nipples tight buds he longed to suck, and her skirt still up around her waist, baring her neatly trimmed mound. “So I’m a destructive force of nature? Gee, shower me with compliments, why don’t you?”

“I would, but you’d probably emasculate me if I did.”

“You’re right, I would. I don’t need you telling me how great I am. I know I’m awesome.” Her chin tilted stubbornly.

“Yes, you are.” He agreed, and yet she roasted him with a fiery glare.

“Awesome, and yet not good enough for Mr. Prissy Pants.”

“Oh, kitten, you are more than perfect enough for me.” He uttered the nickname he knew she hated, but couldn’t resist, not when she looked so spitting-mad cute. He drew her toward him, but she was having none of that.

“Oh no you don’t. No cuddling allowed. Don’t think I don’t see what you’re trying to do.”

“Trying to get lucky a second time?”

She shook her head. “Not happening. I told you we only needed to do it once to scratch our itch. I, for one, feel perfectly satiated.” She indulged in the world’s fakest stretch. “I am completely satisfied now that we’ve gotten it out of the way. With the sexual tension gone, we will be able to focus on our job.”

“You do realize you standing there half naked isn’t quite convincing me of that.”

He reached out and attempted to flick a nipple. She danced out of reach, hands tugging at her ruched-up skirt.

“I don’t think we should do that.”

“Wow, that sounds like something I used to say.” He couldn’t help the mocking grin.

The scowl she presented made his smile only wider. “I think you were right. We should maintain our distance.”

“What’s this? Rejecting me after you took advantage of my poor, defenseless body?”

The snort she uttered held disbelief. “Whoa, wait a second. What defenseless body? There is nothing about you that needs protecting.”

“What about my heart?”

“Don’t mistake it for your ego. I think you’re just crushed that I was right. One quick bump and grind and, presto, I am cured of you.”

She might claim she didn’t crave him anymore, yet he didn’t believe it. He crossed his arms over his chest. “You’re lying.”

“Am not.”

“Are too.”

“Well, you can’t prove it.” She tossed her head with a stubbornness he’d come to expect—and enjoy.

“I think I can. If you’re not into me anymore, then come over here and kiss me.”

“There will be no kissing. Don’t embarrass yourself by begging.”

“I don’t beg.”

“Then this conversation is over.” Luna grabbed her shirt from the rooftop and threaded her arms through it. “Time to get back to work.”

“Fuck work.” Dealing with this brushoff suddenly seemed a hell of a lot more important.

“We’ve already fucked around long enough. Look, I think the club is starting to slow down. There’s a bunch of cars leaving and—”

“I don’t give a fuck. I want to deal with this. You and me. Right now.”

“There is no you and me.” She began to walk away from him to where the railing of the ladder curved over the parapet.

“Oh no you don’t.” It took only a couple of long strides to bring him within reach. He snared her arm and spun her to face him. “Why are you determined to avoid talking about us continuing what we started and having a relationship? You were the one who kept pushing until I caved. Now that I have, you’re pushing me away.”

“A relationship?” Her nose wrinkled. “Can’t a girl just scratch an itch?”

There she went being deliberately crude, trying to distance herself from him. But he wouldn’t let her. “Fine. We won’t call it a relationship. How about we exclusively booty call for a while? Think of it as saving time. I have needs. You have needs. Why not take care of those needs together?” He used her own logic against her.

“That won’t work.”

“Why not?” Pathetic, yes, yet he couldn’t stop himself from asking. A part of him knew he should walk away.
I should leave her alone.
Let her deny what they could have. But if he walked, would he lose the chance to see if the two of them could become something great? What if Luna was it? What if he never found another woman who brought him alive? Who made him want—her, a future, a family, a forever—so fiercely?

Under stubborn in the dictionary, you’d find Luna. She drew herself tall. “Because. And before you keep pestering, has it occurred to you that perhaps I’m not interested because the sex sucked? Maybe I’m trying to dump you nicely.”

A lesser man might have slunk away, crushed by the very thought. Jeoff knew better. A teasing grin pulled his lips. “That lie was so huge I’m surprised your nose didn’t grow. You loved what happened between us. Don’t forget, I felt how hard you came on my cock.”

Judging by the indrawn breath and the sudden pattering of her heart, she did too. “Okay, so maybe the sex was good—”

He arched a brow.

“Fine, it was great, but I’m still dumping you. This is too intense for me. I don’t need or want a clingy man messing up my life.”

“Clingy?” He snorted. “Now you’re really grasping at straws. I think you’re scared that you’re going to like me and want to stay with me. I promise that’s not as frightening as it sounds. If it helps, I do know how to cook and clean.”

“Don’t bribe me. That’s not fair.”

“Tempting me until you drove me out of my mind”—and pants—“wasn’t fair either.”

“Well, I’m done doing that. It’s best we not take things further. You work closely with the pride, and when it doesn’t work out, you’ll find it awkward.”

The pessimism bothered him. “Why do you assume it wouldn’t work?”

“Why do you assume it would?”

Because you’re mine.
A belief she didn’t share.

She began to walk away from him, again. She gave up. The lioness, who usually fought to the last breath, gave up without even trying.
She’s taking the coward’s way out.
And he called her on it.

A clucking noise filled the silent void between them.

Hands held out in attack mode, she whirled and asked, “What was that sound?”

He clucked again and flapped his arms.

Amber eyes narrowed. “Are you calling me a chicken?”

Cluck
. “If the chicken fits.”
Cluck
. “You had no problem calling me out, so now I’m returning the favor. You are a coward when it comes to the concept of having a committed relationship.” He didn’t sugarcoat it. Luna would see through it in a second. She was a woman who liked the truth, unvarnished and real.

“Why are you being so stubborn about this?”

“Maybe I’ve been hanging around a certain lioness too long and I like it.” Liked having her around more than his sanity, apparently.
A serene and stable mental state is overrated. Chaos is what truly makes life worth living.

“What the hell am I going to do about you?”

“Do me,”
was what he planned to say, but the sudden snarl of warning by his inner wolf alerted him to danger. He shouted, “Watch out!”

From the dark sky, something dipped, a whoosh of displaced air the only warning before clawed hands extended, reaching for Luna. Her quick reflexes came in handy.

At the shouted warning, she ducked and dove to the side. Just in time too! The creature clutched at empty air and pulled up, large wings flapping to hold it aloft.

“What the fuck is that?” Luna snapped. She stood in a half-crouch, knees bent and hands held up, fists primed and ready to defend.

“Damned if I know.” In the feeble light, while distinct details were difficult to discern, he did get a general shape, but a shape that made no sense. What he saw appeared as a hybrid between a bat and a human. Almost as if the creature had achieved a very controlled half-shift. Impossible. Shifters were either beast or man. There was no in between. Sure, they could occasionally pop a claw or the teeth would stretch, maybe a guy would suddenly sprout a beard, but those were small, fleeting changes, usually brought on by strong emotion. Those kinds of sporadic tiny shifts were nothing compared to the bat dude. Half-bat, half-man.

It should have been impossible. Yet, the mocking evidence fluttered to the roof deck, massive leathery wings retracting to a spot behind its back, the tips jutting tall. Even without the soaring reminder, two giant feet clad in shit-kicking boots on the ground, the thing bore a menacing demeanor with wide shoulders, a thick physique, and evident musculature.

A bat dude on ’roids. Nice.

He locked gazes with the thing. In almost every culture, man or beast, there existed a certain tradition. Jeoff likened it to the, “Who’s the man?” syndrome.

Staring, though, meant truly examining the face before him, a face that proved mostly human, yet, at the same time, achieved a chilling alien aspect. Gray skin, the shade of wet slate, the surface riddled with whorls and lines, a motif that reminded Jeoff of an intricate thumbprint. Fascinating, as he wondered if it was natural or created designs. The eyes appeared freakish. The crimson slit of the pupil shone with baleful fire, the red glow a beacon in the night. Dark hair, cut short, showcased ears pointed at the tips. But this was no elf.

If Jeoff were to make any comparison, he’d say demon, and everyone knew what team the demons played for.

The moment of shock at the creature’s appearance passed, and it didn’t seem inclined to run away at the sight of Jeoff. A fight? So be it. Jeoff sprang into motion. He slid his hand inside his jacket, gripping the revolver that still sat in its holster, not having been removed during that frantic moment of lovemaking. He drew it and, with a practice earned in the range, aimed and fired.

Bang
. The report, echoing loudly, proved a waste, as his bullet went wide of its mark. Jeoff would note it wasn’t his aim that had been off, but rather the unexpected fact that the bat dude moved faster than the eye could follow. One second there in front of him, and the next almost a dozen feet to his left.

Before he could blink and adjust his stance, another blur.

Luna cried out. “Don’t you even think of touching me, buddy.” A warning most beings valuing their life smartly heeded.

Not their assailant.

Bat dude seemed determined to go for Luna. He lunged, once again the motions blurring fast, but Luna managed to sidestep. Avoiding, though, didn’t mean she ran away. She had too much stubborn courage for that.

The side effect of her sticking around meant her proximity prevented him from shooting. Jeoff’s aim was good, but he couldn’t take a chance he’d hit her. He sprinted toward the action, hoping for a better shot.

With a screamed, “I hate rats, especially ones with wings,” Luna lunged at bat dude, probably intent on doing some martial arts thing. Luna was a capable woman, one not to be messed with—unless you were a giant bat dude with super speed.

The same surprise Jeoff felt was reflected in Luna’s face when the bat thing ended up behind her with an arm wrapped around her throat. Her fingers scrabbled at the arm choking her, and her feet flailed. She did her best to slam her cowboy boots down on the guy’s instep, but her shorter legs put her at a disadvantage. The setback led to her attempting a donkey kick, which, if it landed, would have cracked a knee. It missed because the bat dude was big enough to dangle her out of reach.

“Stop.” The one-command word matched a flex in the bat dude’s arm over Luna’s throat.

Jeoff halted his mad rush and took measure of the situation, which meant looking at the guy and being struck anew by how human the dude seemed in spite of his leathery, dark skin and the massive tips of his wings jutting from his back.

“Let her go,” he ordered. It never hurt to try and reason.

“I’m keeping the girl. Drop the gun or she dies.” While gravelly, the words were perfectly spoken. No guttural or animalistic intonations.

“And how do I know you won’t kill her anyhow?”

Wicked sharp teeth appeared in a smile made for nightmares. “You don’t. And I probably will.” The arm flexed, and he could see Luna’s eyes bulge. “But only after I play with her first.” The bat dude darted fast as a snake, his mouth opening wide and his long fangs sinking into the flesh of her shoulder exposed by the open neck of her shirt. The thing sucked at her, uttering little grunts. It was utterly insane, and so unexpected that Jeoff froze. He hesitated instead of acting out of fear the monster would go ballistic and tear out her throat.