Cougar's Gift: Pacific Northwest Cougars: (Shifter Romance) (14 page)

H
e was
at hers in a flash and offering her a hand out. They walked into the house and he motioned to the couch.

“Do you want anything to drink?” he asked, not sure how long this talk was going to take. His cougar was not happy that they still weren’t bonded. He was clear in his opinion that he needed to tell her everything so they could get to the good stuff.

Stryker was still trying to take it slow; there was time to tell her everything. Maybe this conversation would clear up a few things and he’d have a better idea of where to go from here in his courtship.

“Water, please,” she said. Libby was getting that sitting outside the principal’s office feeling. The one where you weren’t even sure if you were in trouble, but just the act of sitting there made you feel guilty.

Stryker brought her a glass of water and set it down in front of her. He sat next to her, leaning over with his elbows on his knees, his hands clasped together. He looked pensive, she thought.

“Libby, I need to say something to you, but I want you to hear me out. Don’t jump to a reaction, just think about it, yeah?”

“Okay, Stryker,” she said. Oh crap, he’s gonna tell me he’s in the mafia or something. Maybe he was a lone hit man, laying low from the law, pretending to be a mechanic. Oh wait, that was a book she read last month. Maybe not.

“It’s been two days, believe me I know that is a very short time for hum…some people,” he corrected himself before saying human. That wouldn’t freak the shit out of her. She probably would think he was an alien. Little did he know that was another book she’d read last month. Alien lovers, it was a spine tingler.

“Yes, most people haven’t even got to the awkward cup of coffee stage,” she admitted.

“I’m thirty-five years old. I can’t begin to tell you I’ve lived a celibate life. What I can tell you is I have never, and I mean never, felt for anyone what I feel for you.

You running up to me at the garage and pounding on my chest was like a bolt of lightning. Out of nowhere an angel was dropped in front of me. It may be only two days, but I know you better than you think.

You’re smart and funny. You’re kind without any expectation of reciprocation. You appreciate the small things, you’d give away all your mac-n-cheese if you heard someone was hungry.

Your love for your folks, although challenging, is true and honest. And you like me, probably more than you’re even willing to admit yet. You’ve been thinking about a future together with me.

Probably worrying that we aren’t on the same page. But, babe, you need to understand. You’re right, we aren’t on the same page.”

Libby gasped, that wasn’t what she expected at all. Was he telling her that she was barking up the wrong tree? That he didn’t like her the same way she did him? Holy crap on a cracker she’d screwed up.

“Stop thinking that,” he growled.

“What?”she stammered.

“Whatever you just thought, I asked you to hear me out,” he reminded her.

Taking a deep breath Libby nodded for him to continue.

“Mouse, we aren’t on the same page because I’m a whole book ahead of you,” he paused to let that sink in a little.

“You may be thinking of dating, going to the movies, picnics in the park. I know you wanted to hold off on meeting your parents. I bet you had that scheduled months from now,” he said knowingly.

She had the good grace to blush, she totally did.

“I’m not thinking months from now I’m thinking years from now. I know what I want, Libby. I want you. Not for today, not for tomorrow, but for always.

You’re mine, my soul mate, the one meant for me. I want to be with you. I want to make you laugh. I want to be there when you cry. I want us to keep moving forward until we have built a life for ourselves.

A home, children, grandchildren even,” he said this and his cat was nudging him to get a move on in that department.

He took in her body language. She’d kind of locked up at some point during his speech. He could tell she was still breathing, but he wasn’t sure if she’d blinked recently.

“Mouse, it’s okay to be overwhelmed. I just didn’t want you to waste any time wondering what my intentions are. And for the record, this is mostly the same thing I told your father when he came to grill me at the shop.”

“You told my father that?” she gasped.

“Well, not word for word, but the general idea, yeah,” he admitted.

Libby did finally blink a few times then reached for the water. Taking a sip she was trying to figure out what you said to someone you’ve known for two days, that basically wants to, what…marry her? No, that was a little nuts, in fact it was beyond nuts.

“Libby, I want you to take some time. I’m not asking for an answer right away. But knowing how I feel about you. I want you to decide if you are willing to move forward with me. I can’t make any guarantees,” he said, even though he really thought he could. “I’m just asking for a chance.”

He sat quietly as he saw the wheels in her head turning. When Dax said to take things slow maybe he meant slower that asking for forever after two days.

Shit, he might have just screwed the pooch on this one. He really wanted to call his brother and tell him that he hadn’t listened to him and could he please tell her about shifters and everything else he might have glossed over. That was part of his duties as Alpha wasn’t it?

Libby was rolling her lips back and forth, little lines on her forehead from her thoughtful expression. Stryker couldn’t help but admire how cute she looked.

He needed to distract her keep her from making any rash decisions. Maybe he could suggest they go for a walk. Girls liked walks, right?

L
ibby was
sure she looked like she was deep in thought really pondering what he’d said. She had, for a second or two, then something snapped in her head and she was in a mental meadow chasing dragonflies.

Yup, she’d checked out. The overwhelming scenario he’d laid out had apparently tripped her mental kill switch. All systems on shut down. Even if she wanted to seriously consider her life with him her subconscious had pushed her rational mind into an instant vacation.

She didn’t want to talk about this. It was way too real for her. Her mind thought back on her favorite book heroines, what would they do?

Some would have kicked him in the nuts and told him that they didn’t need him for anything other than his dick. Then they’d ride off on their own Harley.

Others would fall swooning into his arms batting her eyelashes and puckering her lips. What kind of heroine was Libby? Swoony or switchblade?

Turning her inner eye to her heart, which yes was totally metaphorical, but it always made sense to Libby. She took stock of where her heart was. Her heart was…happy.

Yes, happy to be around a man that made her parts tingle. With a man that could kiss her practically unconscious. A man who would buy her a helmet and a new car in the course of forty-eight hours for her safety.

He’d met her mom and dad and somehow tolerated them. Her heart liked all of that. Her soul felt like it was reaching out to him. Straining to join with his.

She wasn’t one to deny her true self so why was she hesitating? What’s the worst that could happen. She’d already concluded that he wasn’t going to murder her and bury her in the woods. That left the possibility of a broken heart.

With him it wouldn’t just break it would shatter. She knew this like she knew how to breathe. Once she said yes to him he had the power to annihilate her.

But apart from the risk of that was that really a reason to deny herself the opportunity at a lifetime of happiness? Wasn’t life all about the level of risk one was willing to take to reap the huge rewards?

Libby was always a believer in you reap what you sow. She was willing to chance a lifetime’s happiness against the pain of never knowing.

She shook herself a little when she felt the weight lift off her shoulders. It was the weight of indecision and fear. She noticed him looking at her. He was fidgeting like he wanted to move or leave.

“Libby? Maybe we should go for a walk?” he suggested, starting to get up.

Libby acted fast and swung her leg over his and straddled his lap, pushing him back into the couch.

“What the…” he started. His eyes racing over her face to figure out what she was up to.

“Shh,” she whispered, putting a finger on his lips.

She had to think about how she was going to say this so she rolled her lips again and left her finger on his mouth.

“Stryker…” she started, then paused. His eyes were sending her encouragement; he wanted her to take her time.

“I want you to know that even though I’ve never really dated anyone before. I’m not unaware of the risks I’m taking.

We are good together, I like you. I dream about you which is saying something since I usually only dream of stories I’ve read. I know that if I let you in I’m opening myself up to get hurt. I’m pretty sure that if you decided we shouldn’t be together anymore my heart would be in tatters.”

“Libby, I’d never…” he started.

“Shh,” she reminded him. He stopped talking although his eyes were bright with the things he wanted to say to her.

“I’m saying that even though that is a very possible scenario I’m willing to risk it,” she finished.

She saw the light dawn in his eyes. “Really?” he said against her finger.

“Yes, really. My heart and soul tell me to trust you with both. So I’m going to, Stryker. Be careful with them,” she finished.

Stryker was silent for a moment then placed a kiss on the pad of her finger. Libby moved it and let her hand cup his rough cheek.

“I’ll cherish both, I promise,” he said to her. He wanted to do back flips. He’d gotten her to want him not his money and not his cougar. Just him.

Libby leaned down and kissed him softly on the mouth then a little harder, then finally demanding he open for her. He did and took control of the kiss, his hands sliding into her hair to hold her in place. He took her mouth like it was a vow. Sealing her promise between them.

Libby let her hands roam over him touching him, clutching at his strong arms, flexing her body towards him.

Stryker pulled away and looked at her, “Thank you,” he whispered.

“You’re welcome,” she instantly replied, then realized how silly that was. She started laughing and Stryker broke out in a grin too. He was even more handsome smiling.

“You want to go for that walk?” Stryker was asking because his dick hurt under her. Their make out sessions were short for a reason. He wanted to keep his focus and his control.

“Only if it’s a walk to your bedroom,” she said, kissing him boldly.

Stryker jerked back and looked at her hard. “Don’t joke about that, mouse. I have a hard enough time holding back around you.”

“I’m not joking Stryker,” she said, kissing him again. She wanted him to understand that she wanted him. She didn’t want to have to say it!

“Baby, stop,” he said, grabbing her upper arms and gently pushing her back. “What do you mean my bedroom?”

Libby couldn’t stop the blush that stole over her cheeks, but now that she’d decided, she was on a mission.

“I want you to take me to your room and make love to me, Stryker,” she said quietly. Her voice didn’t waver even though her insides were like jello.

“This is a big decision, mouse. I don’t want you to think I’m pressuring you. I’ll wait as long as you need to be sure.” He meant that, he didn’t have to like it, but he meant it.

Libby was trying to formulate the words to convince him. She appreciated the fact he didn’t just jump up and throw her over his shoulder and strode to the bedroom. Of course, that would have been much easier.

Instead, she delved into her knowledge of sex negotiation from her novels. “Stryker,” she started then flexed her lips against the hardness of his cock.

“I want you,” she paused for dramatic effect. “Inside me.” She heard him hiss at her words. Good, she was on the right track.

“I’m wet for you, my pussy aches for you. I need to come. I want to come on your hands, on your cock, in your mouth.” Damn she was on a roll.

Stryker’s cougar was just below the surface. The minute she started talking his cat was ready to play. Stryker himself was a dirty talker and he was going to try and hold back since she was a virgin. But from the sounds of it, there was nothing he could say to spook her.

He rumbled low and deep in his chest. He could smell how wet her pussy was. He could always smell when she was excited. It made him want to fucking drool at the thought of lapping her up.

“Tell me again, I need to hear it,” he demanded.

“I want you to FUCK me,” she said, pushing her heat against him again.

Stryker took a scant moment to read her and make sure she wasn’t wavering. She looked sure, she looked fucking hot as shit and her pussy grinding on him was clear evidence of how wet she was.

“Please, Stryker, don’t make me ask again,” she whispered. She didn’t want him to be saintly, she wanted him to be an animal.

S
he heard
him sigh then growl. She could feel he wanted her. He was the one over thinking it now.

He made his decision and knew that denying them both wouldn’t bring them any closer. He still needed to take things slowly, as best as he could. This had to be the best night of her life.

Grabbing a handful of ass in each hand he stood, taking her with him. He turned and walked down the hallway to the bedroom.

Libby was so excited by his acceptance she started kissing across his neck. Any patch of skin she could reach. She was frantic, she wanted to feel him.

“Baby, slow down,” he hissed. He knew what it was like to lose control and he wanted her present and aware.

He set her down on the bed and pulled away. She tried to cling to him and he grabbed her hands. Kneeling in front of her he focused his attention on her waiting for her to find his eyes.

Libby was shocked to be away from him, she wanted to taste him again.

“Mouse, we have all the time in the world. We don’t need to rush, okay?” he said to her calmly.

Libby realized she’d lost a little control when she started talking dirty to him. She was a tiny bit embarrassed. Not enough to want to stop though.

“You trust me, Libby, don’t you?”

“Of course, Stryker,” she replied. She’d told him he was the one. That was as deep a trust as she could think of.

“Then let me guide you. I’ll make it good for you. I’ll make it great.”

Libby knew this. She knew he’d take care of her. She just needed to let him.

“Okay,” she said quietly.

“Okay?”

Libby nodded, she forced herself to relax and let her arms go limp.

“Thatta girl. I’m going to take off your shirt, but I’ll take mine off first. Slow and steady?”

She nodded again. Watching as he reached behind his neck and grabbed his shirt pulling it over his head. He tossed it to the side. Her eyes were on his chest.

It’s okay, touch me,” he encouraged.

Libby let her hand stretch out; she hesitated for a moment then reached for the firm plane of his chest. Her hand trailed over the muscles, he was hot and hard under her fingertips.

She added her other hand and ran them along his shoulders. She felt a funny vibration go through him at her touch. Her eyes shot up to his.

“I like that,” he explained.

Libby gave him a small smile. Her tummy butterflies were back, but in a good way.

Stryker reached for the hem of her sweater and pulled it over her head tossing it with his shirt. He tugged at her shirt and slowly dragged it over her head until she was sitting there in a yellow cotton bra, with tiny daisies on it. Stryker smiled, he’d chosen well with her helmet.

He used the back of his hand to brush his knuckles over the mound of her breast. He felt her shiver and watched tiny goose bumps erupt over her skin.

Repeating the gesture over her other breast this time his knuckle swept over her nipple. It was hard under her bra, straining towards him.

Seeing her eyes close in pleasure, Stryker leaned forward and sealed his mouth over the fabric of her bra. He licked his tongue over her nipple, teasing her with her own lingerie.

“Stryker,” Libby moaned.

“Yeah, mouse, if you like having my mouth on your nipples you’ll like this even better.” Then he pulled down the cup of her bra and sealed his mouth back around her rosy nipple.

Stryker teased it and let his cat come close enough that his tongue roughened and he heard her moan.

He switched to her other breast teasing and tormenting it. He leaned back to admire his work. Her nipples were swollen and glossy from his mouth. He lazily licked each one then reached around to unsnap her bra. It was a one-handed maneuver he’d perfected as a teenager.

Whisking her bra off, he had his mouth back over her breast before she could acknowledge the change in clothing.

Stryker was thinking he’d be happy spending all day enjoying her breasts. They were large and fleshy, just like he liked them. He knew his hands were rough as they held them, but he could still feel their satiny smoothness.

Stryker placed kisses over her chest, her shoulders, always coming back to those beckoning rosy peaks.

Libby was in la-la land. She had no idea her breasts were so sensitive. It wasn’t something she’d ever experimented with while masturbating. She was a get it done kinda girl.

This was exquisite. He wasn’t rushing the process, he was practically worshipping her. The few reservations she had flew out the window the minute his mouth sucked her bare nipple in. She was done, stick a fork in her, done. He was running this show and she was glad for it.

“Can you handle a little more, mouse?” he whispered into her ear on one of his tongue sweeps up her neck.

“Mmm hmm,” she managed. Words weren’t going to be her friends today.

“Lay back for me, I’m going to take off your jeans. I need to see you, taste you, sink my tongue into that sweet pussy that I can smell.” He growled this and the sound made Libby shiver.

“’Kay,” she said. She’d dreamed out what it would be like to have a man go down on her. There really wasn’t any way to replicate that on your own. It was something she read about so often, but couldn’t begin to fathom what was to come.