Passion Untamed (Feral Warriors #3)(61)

"We are." But he padded toward her like the dark, dangerous predator he was.

She glanced down meaningfully. "Now or later?"

A wicked glint shone in his eyes. "Now." But his hands gripped her shoulders and he hauled her into his arms, pulling her against his hard, ready body, and kissed her until her head spun and her legs felt too weak to stand.

His hand covered her breast. His lips left her mouth to trail across her cheek and down to her neck, where he nuzzled and kissed and nipped until her body was hot and heavy with need.

"We can run later," she murmured.

"No." But his fingers went to the belt at her waist and unhooked it. He slid his hand into the too-large waistband, beneath the elastic of the panties. Reaching behind her, he pressed her hips forward with one hand while the fingers of the other burrowed between her legs and slid deep inside her.

Skye clung to his arms, one hand catching at his armband as her knees threatened to give way beneath her.

"Paenther."

His mouth nibbled at the base of her throat. "I want a run."

"You're sending me seriously mixed messages here."

"You make me lose all thought." His mouth turned frantic as the kisses and the nips traveled up her throat to her jaw. "I want you, but I want to take my time."

Her pulse was racing, her body on fire. "Just come inside me, just come...inside. Take our time...later."

With fast, frantic movements, he unzipped her jeans and shoved them and her panties down to her thighs, then he turned her around.

"Bend over, Beauty." His voice was husky with need as he pushed her down, one hand in her hair as the other gripped her hip. Pulling her close, he took her from behind. His thickness spread her, filling her, as he rocked against her, slamming his groin to her rear. She gasped with the raw pleasure of this basic act, crying out as she came, loving the sound of his pleasure as he followed her over that sensual precipice. When he was through, he pulled out of her, pulled her around, and kissed gently, thoroughly.

Finally, he pulled back and looked down into her face, his dark eyes warm with an emotion that tugged at things deep inside her chest. His hand brushed back her hair, then he pulled up her clothes and fastened her belt. Taking her hands, he pressed them to his chest. "Help me shift, little witch, then let's go for that run."

As she touched him, the animal within him rose and leaped at her in greeting. Paenther pulled on the power and at the same time she called on the animal inside him to help.

In a flash of sparkling light, the man became a jungle cat, a sleek black panther. Like before, she reveled in his beauty, his emerald eyes, his black pelt.

She knelt and stroked his head and neck. "You're magnificent."

As are you. He licked her face, startling a laugh out of her.

I like the sound of that.

"Of what?"

Your laughter. You don't laugh often enough.

She peered into those emerald eyes, seeing the man she loved. "I haven't had a lot of things to laugh about. But being with you makes me happy."

I'm glad. Let's run.

She took off her shoes and socks, then rose and let them out of the house. Together, they ran down to the beach, the cool breeze in her face, the big jungle cat at her side. His presence thrilled her.

When they reached the dune, the panther took off. I'll be right back. I need to run.

Skye waded through the soft sand, but when she reached the hard-packed beach, she began to run, too, feeling her spirit briefly soar. The moon shone on the water, making it sparkle and dance with moonlight. A dolphin breached the surf a distance out, calling to her.

She sent love and well-being out to the beautiful creature. A moment later he soared into the air, spinning, before diving back under the surface of the ocean. Two more dolphins leaped, and she stopped at the water's edge and watched them dance for her.

They were so free. So at one with their world, as she would never be with hers. The panther raced back down the beach toward her and came to stand at her hip. Her hand went to his neck, pressing him close.

Did you call them?

"Not intentionally."

Show-offs. He bumped her hip with his head. I feel your melancholy.

"I'm fine." She backed up to where the sand was no longer wet, and sat. The panther sat beside her, then lay at her side, resting his sleek black head in her lap. There was something about him, a tenseness, that didn't feel right.

She stroked his head. "You're in pain."

It's nothing. Just another gift from Ancreta.

"Tell me about it. Please?"

The panther made a sound in her head that was almost a sigh. When my brothers shift, they experience an incredible rush. A joy. I've heard them talk about it a hundred times. Even when they're not in their animals, they're able to communicate with their beasts. They feel their emotions and hear their growls and roars in their heads. They're one with their animals in a way I've never been, thanks to Ancreta. All shifting has ever brought me is pain.

"Do the others know?"

Only Vhyper. If Lyon knew, he might take me off draden-hunting duty, and I'd hate that. Because even though I feel constant pain when I'm in my animal, it eases something inside me. I need to be able to shift and to run. It's part of me now.

She stroked his neck, over and over. "I have to try to help you, Paenther. We have to convince Lyon to unbind my magic."