TherianPromise Read online

  She placed her hands on his thick upper arms and heat cascaded through her body. He wasn’t bulky like a bodybuilder. Every inch of his physique was sculpted and lean. His head descended slowly, eyes glowing, lips parted.

  “Don’t be afraid,” he whispered against her lips. “I’m not going to hurt you.”

  She wasn’t afraid, exactly, just tense beyond belief. She closed her eyes and silenced her mind, trying to relax so she’d stop trembling. He needed this because he’d healed her. It was only fair that she… His mouth covered hers and her thoughts scattered as sensations erupted all over her body.

  Her nipples tingled, her bra gently rasping as he slid her up and down on his thigh. Her core felt tight yet liquid, ready for more than a kiss. Aching desire sped her pulse and heated her blood, making her anxious and needful.

  His tongue teased its way past her lips as his fingers traced her spine. She took her cue from him, exploring with cautious abandon. He was hot and hard everywhere she touched and not just with her hands. The unmistakable ridge of his erection pressed into her belly, assuring her this was more than just distracting for him.

  Taking the kiss deeper, he echoed the sensual rhythm of their hips with the possessive stroke of his tongue. One of his hands grasped her bottom, maintaining the steady rocking, as his other unfastened her bra. She murmured a protest against his lips as his hand slipped beneath the loosened material and cupped her breast. He teased her nipple with his thumb while his fingers gently massaged her fullness.

  This was more than just a kiss, far more than a simple distraction. The ache between her thighs became a distinct pulse and her clit seemed to echo her heartbeat. She arched into the next rotation, pressing hard against his thigh. He pinched her nipple and the sharp sensation zinged down to her clit. She gasped, inadvertently separating their lips as the tension wound even tighter.

  He lifted her to the rock and tossed her bra aside. Sunlight touched her breasts for a moment before his lips closed around one nipple and his hand covered the other. Her skin tingled and warmed, her desire for him burning hotter than the sun.

  This was insane. She’d never been this turned-on before and they’d done little more than kiss. He latched on to her breast, the slow, demanding suction accentuating the persistent throb between her thighs. Her head dropped back on her shoulders and she pressed herself deeper into his mouth.

  What he was doing felt good, but she needed his kiss. Wanted the slide of his tongue against hers and the intoxication of his taste. Grasping his face between her hands, she drew him up until his mouth hovered over hers. His gaze burned into hers, but his lips remained just out of reach.

  “Say it.” The demand was firm yet whisper soft. “Tell me what you want.”

  “Kiss me.”

  As soon as the words passed her lips, he pulled her forward and wrapped her legs around his waist. She clutched his back as his mouth claimed hers in a starkly sexual kiss. Her breasts flattened against his chest and his tongue thrust in and out of her mouth, mimicking a bolder penetration.

  Her skin came alive with tingling heat, over-sensitized yet pleasurable. His hands moved over her back and arms, drawing the tingles into her chest. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, could only feel the sizzling currents he stirred within her.

  He tore his mouth away from hers and they both gasped. Hot tendrils of energy flowed from her into him as pleasure radiated through her body. She shivered and groaned, clutching his back with her arms and his waist with her legs.

  Leaning forward, he braced her against the rock without releasing her from his embrace. “Are you all right?”

  She nodded then rested her head on his shoulder, not quite ready to disentangle her body from his. It had felt similar to an orgasm yet distinctly different too. She still felt sort of muddled. “Did you take enough?”

  He chuckled, his breath stirring her hair. “Are you offering more?”

  Easing back just far enough to look into his eyes, she used their closeness to hide her naked breasts. “No. I just want to make sure this was worth it.”

  His brows arched at the subtle slur but amusement gleamed in his green eyes. “I’ll have to try harder next time.”

  “There better not be a next time.” She wasn’t sure why she kept challenging him. He’d done nothing to deserve her attitude, but the impulse popped into her mind before logic could temper the reaction.

  “You don’t need to piss me off.” He grasped her hips and rubbed his erection against her sex, gaze narrowed and bright. “Just say the word. I’ll be glad to finish what we started.”

  “I’m sorry.” She unhooked her ankles and started to scoot back, but he caught her knees and kept her pelvis flush with his.

  “If you’re ready for more, we might be able to get the hell out of here.”

  She stilled, painfully aware of her hardened nipples and flushed skin. “What do you mean?”

  “If you’re willing to keep going, I should be able to trigger another spike like the one that brought us here.”

  “Or I might teleport us to Antarctica.”

  “You’re no longer in danger.” He swept his hand down her arm but his gaze remained on her face. “If I help steady the surge, all you’ll have to do is visualize the destination.”

  “There isn’t any other way to trigger this power surge?”

  His lips curved into a sexy smile as his hand repeated its light caress. “Pleasure, pain or fear. I’m pretty sure you’re not afraid of me. Would you rather experiment with pain or continue—” He jerked his head to the left and his body tensed.

  “What’s—”

  He halted her question with an upraised hand, head cocked as he listened for the subtlest sound. “Get dressed. We’ve got company.” He stepped back and helped her down from the rock. Snatching her t-shirt off the rock, she pulled it on without bothering to find her bra. He donned his shirt but slung his jacket over his shoulder as he handed the backpack to her. “Don’t put it on. If we need to run, drop it. Understand?”

  She nodded, still unsure why he believed someone was out there. Finally she heard the distant growl of an engine. But there were no roads. There was probably enough room for a small vehicle in-between the standing trees, but that still left the fallen trees and forest debris.

  The noise faded as suddenly as she’d identified it and still Kyle didn’t relax. “Keep walking as if nothing’s wrong.”

  “I don’t hear it anymore,” she whispered.

  “It’s idling, but it’s still there.”

  More of his “Therian” abilities? He’d heard the engine long before she had.

  “Halt!” Two uniformed soldiers emerged from the trees on their right. One pointed a compact assault rifle at Kyle as the other one spoke. “This is a restricted area. How did you get back here?”

  In the blink of an eye, Kyle’s demeanor changed. Gone was his ultra-cautious tension. His shoulders stooped and he ambled forward, apparently oblivious to the threat. “Dude, we are so lost. Just point us in the right direction and we’ll get out of your hair. Promise.”

  The armed soldier took a menacing step forward and snapped, “Hands up. Now!”

  “Whoa, chill out, man.” Kyle raised his hands as he inched farther forward. “There’s no need for threats and stuff. Is this like, private property or something?”

  “We’re with the Forest Service,” the spokesman claimed. “Accompany us to our vehicle so we can verify your identities. We have no choice but to document this infraction, but you should be free to go once we’ve determined who you are.”

  “Sorry, dude. No can do.” Kyle lunged at an angle, taking his body out of rifle range as he jerked the weapon out of the shooter’s hands. In a blur of aggressive motion, he slammed the stock against the side of the gunman’s head and spun to confront the speaker with the pilfered rifle. “Hands up!”

  With obvious reluctance, the soldier complied.

  “Who sent you?” Kyle tucked the rifle more snugly
against his shoulder, punctuating the question with the subtle threat.

  The soldier just glared at him in mutinous silence, so Kyle swung the rifle again, knocking the second soldier unconscious with one well-placed blow. “Let’s get out of here.”

  “And go where?” Ava cried, not sure the violence had improved their situation. “We have no idea where we are. How do you know they aren’t from the Forest Service?”

  “Forest rangers don’t carry M16s.” He checked the safety then swung the rifle onto his shoulder and reached for the backpack. “At least they spoke English. Chances are good we’re still in the States.”

  “Chances are even better that whoever sent them to question us will send someone else when they don’t return.”

  “All the more reason for us to get moving.” His gaze narrowed and he nodded toward the fallen men. “Check their pockets. See if they’re foolish enough to carry identification. And toss me their radios.”

  Her pulse kicked up a notch as she approached the unconscious speaker. He’d landed on his side, so she patted his back pockets before rolling him onto his back. “Nothing. Not even dog tags.” She unhooked his two-way radio from his belt and tossed it to Kyle.

  “I’m not surprised. Their uniforms are generic.” He placed the radio on a large rock and smashed it with the butt of the rifle.

  As she patted the shooter’s back pocket, she felt the telltale bulk of a wallet. She pulled the wallet out and unfolded it. “Silly man. Colorado Driver’s License.” She looked up at Kyle and smiled. “Told you we hadn’t gone far.”

  “I’m glad you were right, but there are places in Colorado that are still dangerously remote. What’s his name?”

  “Daniel Edgewater. Does that mean anything to you?” She tossed the shooter’s radio to Kyle as well.

  Kyle caught the radio and shook his head. “I’ll have Eli run a background check on him, see what he can uncover.”

  She had no idea who Eli was and there were too many other questions she needed answered first, so she didn’t ask. She stood and brushed off her knees. “Can you still hear their vehicle?”

  “Yep.” After smashing the second radio, he headed off through the trees.

  She quickly followed, more than ready for the adventure to end.

  The Jeep lacked any official markings, but it was stripped down and utilitarian, obviously meant for military use. Kyle slung the backpack onto the floor behind the driver’s seat then placed the rifle on top of the pack. After covering the weapon with his jacket, he climbed in and closed the door. Ava hurried to the other side and sat in the passenger seat.

  The Jeep had left an obvious trail as it approached. Kyle shifted the vehicle into gear and took off in the opposite direction. Ava wholeheartedly supported the decision. If it was the policy of whoever sent the soldiers to ask questions at gunpoint, Ava had no interest in meeting them.

  They found a swift-moving stream and followed the water downhill. Hopefully the stream would empty into a river and the river would lead them back to civilization. The grassy bank was just wide enough for the Jeep. Occasionally Kyle steered into the water to avoid a tree or rock formation. The vehicle dipped and swayed with nauseating force, but it was much better than being on foot.

  The stream was a tributary just as Kyle had hoped. The river wasn’t much bigger than the stream, but the wide, rocky bed indicated a greater capacity. It also allowed Kyle to travel faster than he’d driven along the mountain stream.

  They rounded a bend and found a charming railed bridge spanning the river. “It’s dirt, but it’s a road,” Kyle muttered as he carefully maneuvered up the steep embankment and onto the road. Continuing his downhill strategy, he wended his way along the dirt road.

  Lengthening shadows and cooling air warned of impending twilight. After an hour or so, Carissa relaxed enough to stop looking behind them. The mercenaries were likely on foot and Kyle had destroyed their radios, but it was possible they weren’t the only team combing the valley.

  She blew out a shaky breath and settled back in the seat. If the mercenaries had arrived a few minutes earlier, they would have been treated to quite a show. What was wrong with her? She’d never made out with a man she’d just met. Even if the primary purpose had been transferring energy, the method had been undeniably sexual.

  A guilty flush crept up her neck and she looked at Kyle. His face was ashen, jaw clenched, and he gripped the wheel with both hands. “What’s wrong?” He looked even worse than he had before.

  “Hunger’s back.” The throaty growl in his words sent a shiver down her spine.

  Damn it. That’s what she was afraid he’d say. She looked around the secluded road for any sign of civilization. There was none, but even if they pulled over and tried again, why hadn’t the transfer worked the first time? “Can you…take more from me?”

  “I might have to.” He groaned, clutching his abdomen with one hand while he maintained control of the Jeep with the other.

  “Pull over and let me drive.” He didn’t argue, further proof his distress was real. She waited until they’d switched seats before she spoke again. “Are you afraid you’ll hurt me? Why don’t we just do it now?”

  “I thought a snack would get me through until I could eat a proper meal.” He slumped in the seat, arms crossed over his belly, head resting back against the seat. “Apparently, I need more than a kiss can release. Without a trained feeder, I’d need a full-body connection.”

  “You mean—”

  “Sex.” His eyes squeezed shut as his body convulsed.

  She watched in helpless alarm. Even if she was willing to have sex with him, he didn’t appear capable at the moment.

  The spasm passed and he took a deep breath. “I need to be inside you to fully access your Therian energy.” He relaxed enough to open his eyes and added, “I know that’s not what you want.” He wiped his brow with his forearm then motioned toward the road. “So, drive. I’ll fight it as long as I can, but eventually my cat will take control.”

  Chapter Three

  “I need another beer,” Nate Fitzroy snapped and his youngest son Dhane scooted out of the vinyl booth and rushed toward the bar dominating the far wall of the dimly lit room.

  “Was I ever such a kiss ass?” Bruce, the oldest of Nate’s three sons, asked as he tossed back a shot of whiskey. Bruce was ambitious and mean and couldn’t be bothered with pleasantries.

  Years of necessity had taught Nate how to temper his impatience with diplomacy and he’d about given up hope that Bruce would ever learn to control his violent tendencies. A Fitzroy had been Blue River Pack alpha for seven generations, but times were different now, far more complicated. Strength and aggression were no longer enough. An alpha also needed stealth and strategy. It was a lesson Bruce needed to learn if he hoped to survive, much less rise to power.

  Dhane returned with a bottle of beer in one hand and a shot of whisky in the other. Trying to rack up points with his big brother as well as his father? Nate fought back a smile. Bruce was right. Dhane was a world-class kiss ass.

  The bar was teeming with people, most of them human. If this had been an official pack meeting, they’d have gathered at the Clubhouse, a private hideaway where Blue River Pack was free to indulge their wilder appetites. But Nate wasn’t sure what he wanted to do next and he never allowed his pack to see his indecision. An alpha must be strong and decisive, always in command.

  Dhane slipped back in beside Bruce and slid the beer across the table. “If you don’t believe Robert’s explanation, what do you think happened to Ava?”

  Robert claimed that he’d finally found the cabin where Ava had been hiding, but before he could capture her she’d literally vanished right before his eyes. “I think Kyle Lashton beat us to the finish line and Rob is afraid to admit it. I’ve heard stories of cats who can teleport, but I’ve sure as hell never met one. Besides, Ava is still latent, which means Rob is full of shit.” Nate took a drink of beer while his sons reacted to his statement.


  “Then Rob should be afraid,” Bruce sneered. “He begged for the opportunity to prove himself. If he fucked this up, the others will make him pay.”

  “I’ll decide what happens to Robert,” Nate stressed. “We need to reposition our efforts, refocus. If my sources are accurate, and they usually are, Carissa has been defined.”

  “I said all along that we didn’t need Osric. All he did was slow us down.”

  Nate waved away Bruce’s conclusion. It was more evidence of his narrow-minded view of life. “If it weren’t for Osric, we would have been kept in the dark.”

  “As usual,” Dhane muttered. “Cats dominate both councils. We only have what power they allow us. It isn’t right.”

  It was an oversimplification. There were more cats on the Alpha Council simply because there were more cat clans. As for the Prime Council, two of the four members were cats. But Kyle’s strongest ally was Ian Douglas and he was a bird.

  Rather than correct his son, Nate said, “That’s why it’s so important that Bruce define Ava.”

  “What?” Bruce set the shot glass down, gaze narrowed and intense.

  It was time for a test, a final exam, one that would prove Bruce worthy of his heritage or leave him at the mercy of his own failings. The mission Nate was about to propose would require a calm, strategic mind. If Bruce rushed in filled with blind arrogance, the cats would destroy him. But if he took his time, gathered facts and chose his course wisely, he would secure a prize coveted by every unmated male in the Therian nation.

  Controlling an Omni Prime would shift the balance of power like nothing else could. Nate would do it himself, but it would have to be done by force and Nate had never possessed the stomach for rape. Bruce, on the other hand, was not only amoral enough to commit such a loathsome act, he’d probably enjoy it. But first, he’d have to steal Ava away from Kyle Lashton.

  He looked into his firstborn’s cold hazel eyes and fought back a shiver. “We’ve screwed around long enough. I want you to take care of this personally. Figure out where Kyle has taken her and then fuck her into submission. And I mean only fuck. I still want to try the ritual, but I’ll choose the six men who participate. I’ll say it one last time. Fuck her as often as you like, but if you define her, I’ll kill you.”