Hakan Severin (15 page)

Séverin slowed his pace, coming into the familiar stand of cypress. He stopped before the door in his tree and allowed her to get off. When she did, he turned to face her.

“Home sweet home?” she asked with a little laugh.

He nodded, his gaze intense.

“You’re sure you’re okay with this?” she asked. Though she was grateful to be there, she still felt slightly like a burden.

For a brief moment, Séverin just stared at her. Things happened within Taylor under the intense study of those silver eyes. Warm belly, warm heart, and a strange awareness south of her navel that was quite new and worrisome. He was a puma, and yet he was a male too. It was strange to reconcile this within herself.

He moved toward her then, and very much like the housecats she’d known in her life, started rubbing himself against her. Against her left side, then her right. His shoulder to his hip.

Was this his way of answering her? Yes, he wanted her there. A smile broke on her lips and she laughed. He stopped and looked at her—and Taylor would’ve sworn the puma smiled as well.

Over the next couple of hours, Séverin showed her where the fresh water stream was located and where dry firewood could be collected. She was starving by the time they returned to the treehouse.

“I used to go camping with my teacher and her family, so I know how to build a fire.” Her brows descended. “I’m guessing you eat your food raw, though…”

Séverin didn’t answer. In fact, he wasn’t looking at her at all. He was scenting the air. He’d caught a whiff of something. But instead of growling or assuming a predatory or defensive stance, he released a heavy breath.

Something was coming through the brush. Taylor looked passed him and saw that it was Ashe. Hiking very capably through the wetlands. She looked like she knew her way around. Even had a large pack on her back. What was she doing here?

She waved when she saw them. “Thought I’d get my cardio in and bring you a few things at the same time,” she announced.

As she sidled up to them, Séverin acknowledged her with a nod, his eyes slightly narrowed with suspicion. Then he turned and took off into the trees.

“Going hunting?” Ashe asked her.

“I hope so,” Taylor replied with a grin.

The woman dropped the pack on the ground, then stood with her hands on her hips and surveyed the landscape for a good thirty seconds before declaring, “Okay, you can’t do this.”

Taylor laughed. “Of course I can.”

“Come, on. Look at this place.” Ashe pointed to the cypress. “It’s a hole in a tree. You’re not a rabbit.”

“I love it.”

Ashe grimaced. “Why?”

“It’s got everything I need, I assure you.”

She sighed. “Fine. I know better than to argue with a woman smitten with a Pantera.”

“I’m not smitten,” Taylor returned quickly. Though something in her gut was telling her otherwise.

“Mmmhmm.” Ashe picked up the backpack and headed for the door in the tree. “Well, everything you need plus a few essentials.”

“You didn’t have to do this,” Taylor said, following.

“Yes I did,” she returned, gazing around the small interior. “Good Goddess, it’s smaller than a studio apartment. Where are you going to shower or go to the bathroom?”

“It’s not forever. It’s for now. It feels good here, with him.”
Is this smitten?
“Look, I know this all seems crazy. First the running away from the ex, then running into Séverin and wanting to stay here with him.” Her gaze lifted and locked with her new friend. “It’s just, for so long I was going against my gut, you know? It feels good to follow it this time. Feels right.”

Ashe nodded, smiled. “I understand.” Her smile widened. “Better than you can know, actually.” Impulsively, she reached out and hugged Taylor. “I’m glad you’re staying. I love what we’re building here. Us human girls.” She laughed. “I didn’t come to all of this with many friends either.”

“Well, I owe this respite to you,” Taylor said. “Your mate obviously can’t say no to you.”

“It’s how the Pantera males are. Rough and predatory and stubborn. But to their mates, they’re kittens. Ready to lick and play and please.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

“Maybe I’ll find that out.”

Ashe snorted. “No maybe about it…”

That strange heat, that awareness was back. Running laps inside Taylor’s belly.

“Okay, okay, settle in. I’m going. I need to feed the cub in an hour.” She headed out of the treehouse den and into the light of the early afternoon. “But remember, we’re expecting you for dinner tonight. Some great people for you to meet. My sister’s going to be there, too.”

“How fun. I’ll be there. And Ashe?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you. For the quick, uncomplicated friendship, and whatever’s in that pack.”

Ashe grinned as Séverin appeared in the trees. “You’re welcome.”

The puma trotted up to Taylor, something furry and dead in his teeth. She stared as he promptly dropped it at her feet. For a few seconds, she let the grossness of the act wash over her, then she laughed.

“So charming,” Ashe remarked. She turned to Séverin. “Make sure you escort your guest to my house at seven.”

He snorted at her halfheartedly.

“I’ll take that as a ‘
yes, ma’am
.’” She gave Taylor a wave, then headed off toward town.

With a deep breath, Taylor turned around and faced her puma. No…not
her
puma.
The
puma. Ashe’s observation had really done a number on her brain. “I could cook some of what you brought for us,” she said, bracing herself for a quick lesson in skinning a bayou critter. “Just give me a few minutes to start a fire.”

But she only got a couple of feet before Séverin did that mouth around her hand thing. He was so gentle, she barely felt his teeth. When she turned, he motioned for her to climb on his back—just like he had when they’d left town.

“We’re going somewhere?” she asked.

He nodded, his eyes warm, liquid silver.

Her heart leapt into her throat as she climbed onto his back and wrapped her arms around his soft, strong neck. With a howl to the air, he took off down the shoreline of the bayou. Water kicked up, splashing her and she laughed. Was this how she would live? For a short time, anyway? Racing through the beautiful Wildlands? Campfires at night. The puma curled up against her side as she slept. God…knowing she could sleep in peace and not with one eye open?

Séverin slowed and padded up a small incline. The other side looked to be a very remote spot along the bayou. There on a large patch of clean, dry moss was a picnic set-up. Taylor sat up and slid off his back. She stared. A red blanket was spread out on the green, a picnic basket in the center, a plate on either side.

Séverin came up alongside her and she turned to look at him. “Did you do this?” Then amended, “With some help?”

He nodded.

Her smile was so wide it made her face ache. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”

He rubbed himself against her side, then went over to the blanket and sat down. The golden cat on the red fabric, a male’s silver eyes…

“When I was a child,” she said, joining him on the blanket. “I used to love coming to the bayous. My mom and dad would surprise me sometimes. Pick me up from school and away we’d go.” She opened the basket and started taking things out: bread, chicken, fruit, water… “Being here makes me miss them. But in the best way, you know?”

He stared at her, but there was understanding, empathy behind those silver eyes.

“Do you have family, Séverin?” she asked, popping a grape in her mouth.

He nodded.

“Do they know you’re here? Do you see them?”

He shook his head, and his nostrils flared slightly.

“Do you want to?” she pressed gently.

He didn’t answer right away. His expression changed. From relaxed to pained. After a moment, he nodded.

“We’re a lot alike, you and I.” She tore off two pieces of bread. One she placed between his paws, and the other she kept for herself. “Both hiding. Both wanting to protect ourselves against something painful. Both wanting to be free.”

His eyes were piercing as they looked into hers.

“Both accepting each other for who and what we are at this moment,” she added.

Séverin leaned toward her and nuzzled her foot. So warm, a little wet. Her belly clenched. God. To anyone on the outside looking in, what she was doing and allowing and basking in, it was crazy. But she didn’t care. The outside world had offered her a different crazy—one that had nearly destroyed her.

She sighed and ate her bread and a few slices of salty cheese. “It’s beautiful out here. I see why you’re drawn to it. The colors and the air and sounds. Although, it is a little hot today,” she added with a laugh.

Séverin pulled up and gave her a wry look.

“What?” she said, grinning.

He turned and padded down to the water’s edge. Taylor wiped her mouth and hands with a napkin and stood up. He glanced over his shoulder and growled softly at her.

“What are you thinking?” she said.

In answer, he dove into the bayou with a heady splash. Taylor gasped. Not from fear, but from the suddenness of it all. She scanned the surface, and when he came up she laughed.

“But cats don’t swim!” she called out.

He dropped his head back and roared as if to say
This one does
!

She couldn’t believe him. He looked totally at ease as he waited there, expectantly. Waited… Oh, no…

“You can’t be serious,” she called.

The puma cocked his head to the side and splashed the water with one enormous paw.

“I didn’t bring a bathing suit,” she said.

A low sound made its way across the water at her. He didn’t give a shit. He wanted her to come in, join him—swim with the kitty cat.

He dove down once again and surfaced with an impatient snarl, his silver eyes sparkling against the sunlight off the water.

“Can’t believe this,” she muttered as she unbuttoned her jeans and slipped them off. Her tank, too. She kept her bra and panties on, of course.

When she walked toward the edge of the bayou, she felt his eyes on her. She wondered what he thought, what he saw. As the puma, and as the male. Then she was gasping. The water was shockingly cold. Without thinking, she followed suit and dove beneath the surface. When she came up, she cursed, then laughed.

“This is crazy! We are crazy!” She turned around to face him. “And I’ve never felt so happy. How is that possible?”

The cat locked eyes with her, and something solemn yet contented passed between them. He drew nearer until they were face to face treading water, then Taylor reached out, wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled herself close.

Later, she would think about this impulsive action, and how she wasn’t a forward person. Didn’t normally make the first move. But right then all she could register was warm, wet fur one moment and solid, smooth, male flesh the next. And hands…big, impatient hands, pulling her even closer. She felt hard abdominals. And an even harder sex against her belly.

He eyes went up and connected with silver and blue. Her breath was somewhere lodged in her lungs. But she managed a shy smile and a breathy, “Séverin.”

But the male had no smile. Only an expression heavy with hunger, desire and fear. Instinctively, Taylor tightened her grip on him. But the male had ten times her strength, and he wanted to get away.

In a clash of splashes and groans, he disentangled himself and started swimming for shore. Treading water, Taylor watched powerful arms rising out of the water and cutting back in. But the very second he hit shore, he was a puma again.

Her heart confused and slightly bruised, she stared at him. She didn’t understand. Why he pushed away. She accepted him in his cat form. Anytime. For as long as he wanted. Forever, if that was what he wanted. But he had been a male. When she’d touched him, he’d become his male counterpart. And that male had wanted to hold her.

Her eyes implored him. “Why?” she asked.

But the cat gave her nothing except its wet back as it turned around and lay down.

***

Hunger.

But not for the nutria.

The large rodent lies uneaten outside the nest.

Inside the nest, the woman reads.

Or pretends to read.

Angry.

At me.

Doesn’t understand me.

I don’t understand me.

“Let me know if I’m in your way,” she stated from behind the book Ashe had brought her.

Ashe had brought her many things. Canned and bagged food, clothing, female’s things to bathe with, a small pillow and blankets. Séverin’s lip curled at the last two. Taylor didn’t need soft and warm blankets for sleep. She had his body to lie against. To lie beneath—

He growled. At himself. The errant thoughts of a male who kept emerging without permission. He was puma. An animal. His fur, thick. His heart strong for catching prey. His mind clear.

And yet, when he caught sight of her long, bare legs peeking out from the pale pink robe she’d put on after they’d returned to the nest, he felt the male inside of him pound against his ribcage. He wanted her. Wanted more of her smile, her laugh, her stories, her hopefulness…

“Séverin?”

He glanced up.

She put her book aside and gave him a solemn look. “You know I want to stay here. But I don’t want to screw things up for you. Make it uncomfortable for you. With what’s going on inside of you. The battle that seems to be taking place. If there’s one thing I understand it’s desperately needing peace.” She inhaled sharply. “Ashe has offered to let me stay with them—”

He didn’t allow her to finish. He was on her, straddling her, licking her mouth with his long, pink tongue. Forcing her to stop talking.

Mine.

Every inch.

Mine.

She wants to stay here.

I want
…

“Séverin,” she cried out.

He froze. Stared down. Taylor’s robe was open. She was wet. Everywhere. Her face, neck, chest, belly, bra and panties…