The Jaguar Prince (21 page)

She smiled down at him. “Thank you.”

“I told you he wouldn’t hurt you. He’s too much a part of me to ever harm you. Besides, he said he liked you, and that you give good back rubs.”

“I never thought I’d ever get that close to a jaguar. In the classes I took, they taught on the side of caution.”

“But that’s not the Symtarian way when it comes to animals. We are taught to be one with them.”

“I think Balam was right.”

Still half asleep, she smiled. “Right about what?”

“You do give great back rubs.”

Her hand stilled as his words sank in. She was lightly caressing his back, running her fingers through his hair. Her gaze drifted over him.

And he was quite naked.

R
ogar sat up. “I want you.” Which was obvious, but Callie couldn’t blame him. Not when she was touching him like this. Innocent? Yes. Sensuous? Painfully so. And by the gods, he hoped she didn’t stop.

It wasn’t as though he could turn off his emotions when she was around. On the contrary, it was more as though each of his senses were heightened when she was near.

He studied her. She nibbled her bottom lip, not commenting. Why did she fight the attraction? He knew she felt the same. Was Callie afraid he would seduce her into going back to New Symtaria with him? That he wouldn’t fight fair?

She’d be correct in her assumption.

The thought of leaving her behind shook him to the core. He’d come to care for her so much in such a short time. He didn’t want to go home without her. Was seducing her the answer?

It would be underhanded and dirty.

He only hoped it worked.

Rogar leaned in, brushing strands of hair from her face. “Spend this time with me—while we still can be together.”

She sniffed. Not the response he’d hoped for. He nuzzled her neck, then swirled his tongue inside her ear. She gasped, clutching his shoulders.

That was more like it.

He brought his lips to hers. She caressed his tongue with hers. Flames of desire flared inside him. No woman had ever ignited his passion as quickly as Callie. Maybe she had bewitched him. But what a sweet bewitching it was.

He slid his hand under her top. Sweet torture! She wore nothing beneath it. His erection throbbed with the need to bury himself deep inside her, but he didn’t want to rush. No, it was much better to draw out their mating.

He cupped her breast, his thumb scraping across the taut nipple. Still he needed more. He ended the kiss, pulled her top over her head, and tossed it to the side, then drew in a deep breath as he stared at her. She was perfection.

“I…I…” she stuttered, bringing her hands up to cover what he so desperately wanted to look at.

“No, my sweet. You’re beautiful.” He brushed her hands away. “Your breasts are perfect.” He cupped one, running his thumb over the tight nipple.

She sucked in a breath, her eyes drifting closed.

It wasn’t easy to pull away, but he stopped touching her.

She opened her eyes and looked at him. He saw the question forming on her face, and knew she wondered why he’d stopped.

“Look,” he said. “Your nipples are a dusky rose…perfect. Your breasts just full enough for me to cup in my hands. No, look,” he told her when she would have turned her eyes away. “Watch as I caress them, take each one into my mouth.”

He lowered his head and sucked one delicious nipple into his mouth rolling the nub around with his tongue. She gasped and pulled his head tighter to her.

He moved to the other side, running his tongue over her nipple, teasing, before sucking it inside his mouth. His hand slid beneath the waistband of her sweats, running over her flat stomach, reaching down, touching her, feeling her dampness, knowing she wanted him as much as he wanted her.

He jerked when her hand snaked between their bodies, and she in turn began to touch him, to stroke her finger lightly over his erection.

“Yes, just like that,” he told her. His breathing became labored as her grip tightened just a little. She massaged him, then slid his foreskin down, then up with oh-so aching slowness. Exquisite torture! He wouldn’t be able to stand much more.

He knew the routine, and grabbed his pants that were on the sofa where he had shifted form, and pulled out a package that contained a sheath. He’d decided since Callie apparently wanted this protection, that he wouldn’t argue with her. He wasn’t about to take the chance that she might refuse him. That would drive him insane. He quickly rolled the sheath down his erection.

The pressure built inside him until he thought he might explode. He tugged her sweats off, then pulled her onto his lap. She straddled his legs, rubbing herself against him. He watched her face, saw the passion, and it fired his desire even more. He cupped her butt, pulling her in tighter against him. Then in one swift movement, he raised her, lowering her body onto him.

She gasped. “Oh, yes, that’s what I want. That feels…yes…”

She gripped his shoulders, sliding her body sensuously up and down him, her slick wet heat embracing him in ecstasy. He tightened, trying to hold back, but it seemed like forever since they’d made love.

Her body jerked. She gasped. Her eyes closed.

He let go, giving way to his own orgasm. Felt the waves of passion quiver through him. This was good. Very good.

With a deep sigh, Callie laid her head against his chest. Her body was soft against him. He knew deep in his heart that she was meant to be with him.

But something else was happening. He felt Balam growing stronger inside him. He groaned, unable to stop the tide that rocked him to the core.

Callie jumped up. “Not again!”

He couldn’t stop the change. Too much passion flowed through his body.

The ache grew inside him, the burning began to build as fog enveloped him, just before he shifted. It would have been nice lying in her arms, feeling her naked body pressed against his.

It was much later that his heart slowed to a normal pace. He opened his eyes and looked through Balam’s.

Where is she, old friend?

In the bedroom. She shut the door. I think she’s still a bit leery around me.

That will change with time.

I have no doubt. Go to her.

Rogar shifted. He walked down the hallway, then eased open the door of the bedroom. She’d left a light on. It bathed her in a soft glow. He watched the even rise and fall of her chest.

Rather than join her, he went into the bathroom. Shower first, then he would crawl beneath the cover, and pull her naked body against his. He could get used to having Callie around.

As in forever?

Rogar smiled as he continued on without even a stumble.
Yes, Balam, I could get used to her forever.

She would make a good lifemate.

I only need to convince her of that.
Rogar wasn’t sure it would be that easy, but he kept those thoughts hidden.

She doesn’t like change. It might be harder than you imagine.

Rogar turned the water on in the shower and stepped beneath the spray.
You doubt I can?

No, but it will take a bit of finesse.

He laughed.
Are you going to give me lessons?

Silence.

Had he offended Balam? His animal guide could get quite touchy at times.

No, I think you should be able to manage quite well,

Balam told him.

Thank you.
Rogar grabbed the soap and began to lather his body. A pleasant smell reached his nostrils. Maybe he would take some things back with him to introduce to their world. His mother and sisters would like the scented soaps. They were always anxious to try new aromas.

Our genes have mixed so we share some of the same traits,
Balam continued.
You get your strength and agility from me. Also, your prowess with the women.

Rogar snorted. Balam was full of himself.
And what do you get from me?

Silence.

It is rather one-sided, isn’t it?
Balam stated matter-of-factly.

Now you’re a comedian.

Thank you.

Rogar shook his head as he finished rinsing the soap from his body, then turned off the water, and stepped out of the shower. After drying, he slung a towel around his hips, and knotted it at his waist.

When he walked out of the bathroom, her eyes were open, but she had that sleepy, seductive look about her, and it made him want her all over again.

“Good. I liked Balam, but I’d rather snuggle with you,” she said with a yawn.

He chuckled. “I would rather snuggle with you, too.”

Her cheeks tinged a rosy red. How could she still be embarrassed, after they had been so intimate with each other?

He strolled to his side of the bed, then unknotted the towel, letting it fall to the floor. He watched her face, saw her pupils widen, and more—he saw the hunger in her eyes. Maybe it wouldn’t be so hard to convince her to return with him.

“Next time we’ll shower together. I would like soaping your body,” he told her.

She visibly swallowed, her gaze finally moving to his face. “I don’t think we would have gotten very much showering done.”

“True.” He pulled the cover back and saw she had on a thick nightgown. He shook his head.

“What?”

“You are wearing clothes to bed again.”

She frowned. “It gets cold at night.”

“Not when you’re sleeping with me.” He reached down and tried to tug the gown up, but it was stuck under her. Her face turned a darker shade of red.

“Fine.” She pulled it off and tossed it on the floor, before jerking the cover up to her chin.

“I enjoy looking at your body as much as you enjoy looking at mine.”

Her eyes widened. “I don’t!”

He raised his eyebrows.

“I mean…you have a great body and all….” Her forehead wrinkled. “Okay, I do enjoy looking at you.” To give credence to her words, her gaze drifted over him. She sighed. “You have a magnificent body.”

He grinned.

Her frowned deepened. “And a big…ego.”

He switched off the light and crawled beneath the cover, pulling her body close to his. “Go to sleep.” He kissed the top of her head. Having Callie next to him felt so right. He wouldn’t like it if she wasn’t there. Balam was right. Now Rogar had to convince her that leaving with him would be the correct thing to do.

Callie snuggled closer to Rogar, and tried not to think about someday. Not having him lying close like this was too painful. She’d always taken things one day at a time, and if something good happened, then that was great, but if it didn’t, then she wouldn’t feel the deep disappointment that was sure to come.

It had taken her a long time to stop looking forward to things that never happened. Like when the children were paraded in front of perspective parents. She always hoped that someone would adopt her, but they never did.

Unresolved legal issues and red tape had been the case in the beginning. By the time that was settled, she’d known she was different. She supposed the prospective parents had sensed it as well.

Once, when she was eight, she thought she might have a good chance of being adopted. A nice older couple took her home for a trial period. Callie fell in love with them. So much that she told them about the voice who spoke to her.

They brought her back quick enough. Shortly after that, she was taken to see the doctor. By the time she learned to stop listening, to make the voice go away, no one wanted an older child who had been seen by a psychiatrist.

It was hard to be positive when she was surrounded by negativity.

She suddenly smiled. But getting a little back felt pretty good. Tonight had been…kind of fun. For once, she had come out on top.

She nibbled her bottom lip. Pooping on Constance hadn’t been very nice. Not that she hadn’t deserved it. She should’ve been pooped on years ago. Callie wondered how hard it would be to change into a bird again. The bird wasn’t her animal guide, so it might prove difficult. Besides, it would be just her luck there’d be a hunter close by and pop a shot off. Kersplat. That would be the end of her.

She snuggled closer to Rogar, heard his even breathing, and knew he slept. She inhaled, then smiled when she caught the floral smell of the bath soap DeeDee’s mom always used. It was a nice scent. Not very manly, but nice all the same. Not that Rogar had to prove he was a man. No, he certainly didn’t need to prove anything in that area.

She yawned, just before drifting off to sleep. Her dreams were filled with her and Rogar living on New Symtaria. The two of them roaming the valleys and walking on the beaches. Peace and tranquility.

Callie came awake slowly, her eyes fluttering open. She glanced at the clock. After nine. She never slept this late. She yawned and stretched, her arm reaching across the bed, but the other side was empty.

She listened, but didn’t hear sounds from any other part of the cabin. Where was Rogar? She sniffed. He wasn’t burning anything. There was plenty of junk food in the kitchen, though, so maybe he’d gotten hungry. She’d probably find him eating the rest of the cream-filled cookies.

Tossing the cover off, she got out of bed, and strolled to the bathroom naked. She caught her reflection in the mirror, and realized she was becoming more comfortable in her own skin. She shook her head. There had been a lot of changes in her life since Rogar had come into it.

Hmm, she wasn’t sure they had all been for the better. He had turned her world upside down. Plus, Zerod had found her, and now wanted to kill her. If Rogar hadn’t shown up, Callie might have lived her life in complete obscurity.

And boredom.

Her thought?

Callie’s hand stilled as she was about to turn on the faucet. She didn’t think so.

“You’re here, aren’t you?” she asked.

Silence.

“I remember you. We were friends once.”

But you wanted me to go away.

Callie inhaled a sharp breath. “I was young and afraid. I didn’t know what was happening to me. I want to get to know you.”

Only to send me away again. You are not ready to accept that part of yourself.

Callie opened her mouth, but no words came out. What could she say? That they could live in harmony for the rest of their lives?

“I’m so confused.”

Silence. Callie knew her guide had buried herself again.

She washed her face, then turned off the water, and reached for a towel. When she looked into the mirror, she thought for a brief moment she saw different eyes staring back at her. Dark eyes flecked with gold. She blinked, and the image was gone, and she once more stared back at her own face.

Had it been a trick of the light? Suddenly, she felt drained. She needed to talk to Rogar about what was happening. She grabbed the white terry cloth robe off the hook on the door, and slipped her arms inside. After tying the belt, she hurried from the room.