Lion Time Read online

  Lee blinked. “Yes, I would. This is all happening rather fast, I mean, we haven’t even…”

  Dira grinned. “Something tells me that James will not let that state of affairs continue for very long. We are in the business of making matches after all. This is not the time for a slow courtship.”

  Lee remembered the reason she was there. “You are absolutely correct.”

  Jim perked up at that. “Really? I didn’t want to rush you.”

  She remembered the feel of his body under hers as she woke in his lap. “Part of you did.”

  He shrugged and finished his burger. “Don’t begrudge me my instincts. They turned you from prey to predator in an instant.”

  “I think mine are doing the reverse.” She licked her lips and watched his pupils dilate.

  Dira chuckled. “I will tell the beavers to get the house underway. They will get on it right after the medical structure is built. If you like, you can spend time at the Open Heart. The rooms are sound proofed and larger than your bachelor quarters, James.”

  He nodded. “Yes, ma’am. We will be there the moment we have some spare time.”

  Dira stood gracefully and moved through the café without speaking to anyone else.

  Lee leaned forward and asked the question burning in her thoughts. “What is she?”

  Jim chuckled and leaned back. “She is one of the great shifters, but that is all you need to know until she shows you herself. We don’t tell on our neighbours here when it comes to hidden talents. Simply know that she is a good person to count on, whatever she is.”

  “She radiates power.”

  “That she does.”

  Lee shrugged and finished her meal. She was stuffed, but her belly was happy. “That was good.”

  “The food here is all good, and the beavers even cheat by grinding vegetables in with the meat. They will make sure that us carnivores eat an omnivorous diet whether we want to or not.” He sighed happily and patted his flat belly.

  “If they are prey species, it is in their best interest to keep us in instinct-neutral position. The fundamentalist lions control the females in the same way, limiting their access to meat. It keeps the females from becoming aggressive enough to fight their place in the pride. It also drives me fucking nuts.”

  He nodded as if her words made sense. “It has that effect. The lack of protein makes you slower, dulls you. Since you have been able to eat what you wanted here, you have perked up tremendously.”

  She laughed. “It’s the company.”

  He grinned and preened, sticking his chest out and lifting his chin.

  She laughed again. “Shall we see if I can walk this off, or will you just roll me down the street?”

  “I think you could put on several dozen pounds and still look like the delicious lioness I see when I look at you.” His voice was low and he reached out and took her hand, kissing her knuckles before turning it over and kissing her palm. “Whatever your body shifts to, it is you that I want.”

  She sucked in her breath and answered the question in his eyes. “Let’s see if we can beat Dira back to the Open Heart.”

  “Thank the First Tiger.” He didn’t say another word but got up from the booth and hauled her with him out of the café.

  “First Tiger?”

  “It is a bit of ancestor worship that usually begins at first shift. We ask for the First Tiger to watch over us during the first shift. It becomes a mantra for the first time for anything.”

  She giggled, and he pulled her to his side once again.

  The medical structure was going up rapidly. There was a swarm of beavers on the wood and the sounds of sawing and hammering with wooden mallets was a surprisingly gentle sound considering the fervour with which they worked.

  “When do you have to be at the bar?” She whispered it quietly.

  “When I show up. Chuck can handle anything that comes up, or he can call on one of the other residents for help if he needs it. Today is a special occasion.”

  Dira was walking toward her business ahead of them, and she paused at the door to open it wide for them. A key was slapped into Jim’s hand. “The Clawed Room. I readied it this morning.”

  Jim pulled Lee up the stairs, and she followed, enjoying the snug feel of the building. It was well constructed, sturdy and could withstand anything that shifters could dish out.

  As Jim paused in front of the door marked by a slash of claws, Lee hesitated. If she went to bed with him, she would be mated and they would be linked in ways that no one could separate.

  The door swung open, and before she could think again, Jim swung her off her feet and carried her across the threshold in a charmingly human custom. “You didn’t have to do that.”

  He closed and locked the door behind him. “I didn’t want you to run.”

  Lee whipped her shirt off over her head and reached back to unclasp her bra. “I have no intention of being anywhere but here.”

  Chapter Eight

  He watched her remove her clothes one piece at a time.

  Lee swallowed her nerves and took off everything until she was wearing her hair down her back and nothing else. She clenched and unclenched her hands as he stared at her. Finally, she blurted out, “Well?”

  Jim’s grin was slow and very appreciative. “I didn’t want to startle you. Will you turn for me?”

  She pivoted slowly in place. When she completed her turn, he was next to her and his clothing was lying in shreds on the floor.

  Jim wrapped his arms around her and kissed her while his hands ran up and down her spine. Soft noises of approval came from him when she pressed her hands to his chest and stroked the silken hair that narrowed until her hands were caressing the smooth skin of his shaft.

  His cock was hot and hard in her hands, and as she slowly stroked him up and down, it twitched and pulsed in her grip.

  She could feel her body responding to the musk that was thickening the air between them. Her nipples pebbled and her breasts felt hot and heavy. The slick moisture began to gather in her channel, and she shifted as her inner thighs felt the slick heat.

  Jim’s hands caressed her belly and moved up to cup her breasts.

  Lee looked up at him and his hot gold eyes glowed bright enough to illuminate his face. Before she could change her mind, she released his cock and snaked her arms around his neck, pulling him down to kiss her.

  He cupped her ass and lifted her against him. She took the hint and wrapped her legs around him as he walked over to his bed.

  Lee clung tightly to him as he shifted onto all fours on the mattress.

  He chuckled. “You can let go now.”

  “I don’t want to. I think I am safer up here.” She pressed her forehead to his chest, rocking the head of his shaft between her folds.

  In a flash, he gripped her thighs and broke her grip.

  She let her arms drop so that she was lying beneath him with a wicked smile on her lips.

  He grinned, “Not safe anymore.”

  He growled and buried his face against her neck, sending her instincts spinning as she fought the domination of the move. With all her strength, she pushed at his shoulders and flipped him, straddling him in a smooth move while pressing her teeth to his neck.

  It became a tumble of naked skin and bedding as they each fought for supremacy. Lee growled, Jim snarled and they rocked back and forth until she was on all fours and he had her neck firmly in his jaws, his teeth a deadly threat.

  Submission didn’t come easily, but she eventually relaxed into his grip, and he growled low in approval. His cock eased into the folds of her sex, and she held her breath while he worked inch by inch into her wet heat.

  She hissed when he struck the barrier inside her, but he simply flexed his jaw until she winced and gasped as he thrust home inside her.

  Lee whimpered as the burn inside her drove out the heady feelings that had led up to this point.

  He released her neck and licked at her skin with his rough tongue.
His cock remained still inside her. His pulse came through his skin, and the heat warmed her from within.

  He stroked her spine, reached under her and cupped her breasts, taking their weight and caressing the peaks of her nipples.

  Lee shivered, and her hips jerked against him, pushing back to pull him further inside. He held still within her, pinching her nipples lightly before shifting his hands and drawing his claws across her skin.

  A low moan came from her throat. She undulated her hips again, this time following up with another shift of her pelvis until she was rocking on him with a steady motion.

  He groaned and gripped her hips, thrusting into her while pulling her tightly to him.

  A building tension caught Lee in its grip, and she gasped and moaned as they moved together, the coil of sensation within her finally snapped. Lee shuddered and rocked as her body felt like it was turning inward to grip the length and girth inside.

  A long, low groan escaped her lips as he continued plunging into her over and over. His hands tightened on her hips and he roared his triumph, Jim’s cock jerking deep inside with a steady pulse.

  He held her against him until he slumped over, his weight bearing her to the bed.

  Lee lay under him, waiting for her heartbeat to resume a normal pace.

  Jim stroked her ribs and the curve of her hip in a slow caress that made her smile. As first times went, it was one for the books.

  “Dira is going to have to change the bedding. I am afraid we shredded it.”

  “We?” Lee flexed her fingers and was shocked to see tattered strips of the lovely bed spread in her grip. “Oops.”

  “Yeah, I am glad that your skin is more resilient than the fabric or you would be wearing more than light claw marks.” He pressed a kiss to her shoulder. “I am glad I was the first.”

  Part of her went cold. “Why?”

  “Because given the society you grew up in, it was far better for you to have someone who loves you for your first time, rather than the man you were given to. You chose me.”

  She turned, wincing as he dislodged from within her. Lee looked into his eyes, and she caressed his face. “You are right. I chose you, and I will never regret this moment or the start we have made here.”

  He kissed her palm. “What will you regret?”

  “Leaving the few friends I have, not knowing if my siblings are safe, that sort of thing. I had a life before I met you. It wasn’t a happy one, but it was mine. Now, I have to start thinking of being part of a we and no longer an I. It will take getting used to. I think we will both need patience.”

  “We are hunters, Lee. Patience is not only a virtue, it is bred in our blood.” He chuckled. “As long as no butterfly crosses your path.”

  She shrugged and nipped at his jaw. “Just be sure that it doesn’t get too close to you, or you will be wearing me on your head.”

  He let out a happy sigh. “That sounds like a fun way to spend an afternoon.”

  It took her a moment to catch his reference, but when the image of his dark head between her thighs finally coalesced in her mind her cheeks flushed crimson.

  He chuckled and stroked his hand down her thigh. “I think we should get cleaned up and then make our way over to the Crossed Star. I have some calls I need to make so that we can finalize our mating in both worlds and return here.”

  “So, a wedding of sorts?”

  “A civil ceremony if you don’t mind. I am not that interested in having your family present.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead to soften his statement.

  She sighed. “Me neither. Do you have family?”

  He chuckled. “You ask me that now that you have had your way with me?”

  She slapped her hand against his arm. “Funny man.”

  “I have one sister and my father is still alive. My mother died when I was fourteen.” His face grew serious for a moment, and then, he pasted his usual slight smile on his features.

  “You will tell me about that one day. Won’t you?”

  “When we are settled, you will know anything that you want to know. For now, shower and then the Crossed Star. We have some plotting and scheming to do. This is going to get complicated.”

  She felt a little embarrassed. “Is that a problem?”

  He grinned. “I always enjoy a challenge.”

  Chapter Nine

  Lee sat gingerly on one of the barstools and watched Chuck get ready for sundown. He had been chattering at her non-stop since she got in.

  “I still can’t believe that Jim found a mate. I have to tell you, it gives me hope. If you can find something to love in his ugly mug, then there might just be a brave lady willing to take me for a test drive.” He winked as he did a quick inventory of the beer stores.

  “I don’t think it will take bravery, I just think you will need to hold still long enough for her to catch you.” Lee sipped at the coffee that Chuck had brewed for her when Jim dropped her off at the bar and disappeared to make arrangements.

  It was too early for many patrons, but a few amorous couples were ensconced in the booths and gentle music was playing in the background.

  “Ah, my kind rarely holds still. We like the feel of motion around us. It is why I enjoy the Crossed Star so much. It gives me the relief of knowing that no one here is going to call the police or put me up on a social network. I am among my people and I like it.”

  “You are referring to shifters in general?”

  “I am. I was raised around humans, and they tended to have a violent reaction to my appearance when I slipped with my self-control. Even Naga can’t stand being in carnival side shows all the time.”

  “You were in a carnival?”

  “Yup. The Snake-Boy. I spent so much time half-shifted that my human form never quite bounced back.” He shrugged.

  “Where were your parents?” As appalling as her own childhood had been, this was giving her a new yardstick to do her measuring.

  “Naga females have live births, but they don’t stay with their offspring. I was left behind in the desert, and from there, I made my way into the foster care system where I survived until I bit my first rat. I was booted out at the age of five, and the carnival found me shortly after that.”

  “And I thought my life sucked.”

  He looked at her and cocked his head. “What do you mean? I had friends, employment and when I went through puberty, I had all the tail I could handle.”

  She snickered. “When speaking to a shifter, watch the use of the word tail.”

  He started to chuckle, and it broke into a full laugh.

  Jim came in through the front door, and Lee turned to watch him walk toward her. It was a lovely view. His big cat came through even though he was walking in his human body. His legs moved gracefully, his hips shifted imperceptibly and to Lee’s astonishment, she realised that he was stalking her like a deer in the forest.

  “I am not going to run, Jim.” She grinned and pivoted on the stool, elbows resting on the bar.

  He cruised up to her and stepped between her parted knees, turning her, leaning against the bar, her lying on the bar. His kiss was savage, direct. He wrapped one arm around her and pulled her up so that her chest was flattened against his.

  She moaned and surrendered to his kiss. If he wanted to be alpha, he could play alpha.

  When he leaned back, he said softly, “I missed you.”

  “I missed you too, but Chuck has been very entertaining. He thinks you are far too ugly to have gained a mate of my grace and beauty, so it gives him hope for his own chances.”

  Chuck shrugged. It was fairly accurate.

  Jim smiled. “Teal and Tony are ready to see us if you will walk with me?”

  He stood straight and her feet dangled far from the floor.

  “I would love to walk with you. Put me down.”

  “I like you here.”

  “I know, put me down, so we can formalize this union and you can have me anywhere you like.”

  Her weight str
uck the ground with a thud. Shaking her head, she took his arm and gestured for him to lead the way.

  She turned and gave Chuck a wave as they passed the threshold. Light was reddening around them as sunset wrapped itself around the Crossroads.

  Instead of heading to the Meditation Centre, he escorted her to the clothing shop. “I will wait out here. Andy has something for you.”

  Curious, she gave him a kiss on the cheek before she entered the store.

  Andy whisked her to the back and into a dressing room. “Here. I have been saving it for a special occasion.”

  “Oh, my.” The gown was glowing white in Grecian style, including elegant cross wrapping in gold rope.

  “The gown can shift with you. It is one of nineteen gowns crafted by a fabric enchanter. They are highly prized.” He smiled. “Since you are joining our happy little family here at the Crossroads, I thought there could be no one here who needs it more than you do.”

  “That is a funny turn of phrase.”

  Andy smiled and placed his hand gently on her arm. “I know what you are walking into. You need to be able to shift at will for your safety and for Jim’s.”

  She squinted. “How do you know what we are walking into?”

  “My brother-in-law is a lion who grew up near your home, Acteus Carloth. When I asked him about the situation, he filled me in on the details.”

  Lee hugged Andy tightly. “Thank you. Now, let me get changed. I have a wedding to get to.”

  Andy was flustered by the contact, and he closed the door to the change room.

  Snickering, Lee removed her clothing and slipped the gown over her head. She stifled a shout as the fabric began to move, but after some tightening around her ribs and a flutter of the jagged hemline, the gown settled. The cord snaked around her and crossed under her breasts before wrapping behind her neck.

  “Andy, how do I get out of this dress afterward?”

  “Untie the cord and the enchantment will release you.” His voice was near the door. “It wasn’t designed to be worn with shoes, but I have some sandals here if you want them.”