When A Lioness Growls Read online

  He must have read her mind because he solved that problem, a tug of his fingers ripping the seam, turning her bottoms into scrap fabric. He tugged it free and tossed it to the side. Revealing her, staring at her with hunger in his eyes.

  With her back still pressed against the wall, he ran his fingers down her lower belly, teased the short pelt covering her mound before dipping lower, causing her to moan.

  “You’re wet.” Stated in a gruff voice.

  Like duh. She’d been wet from the moment she met him.

  “Taste me.” She totally wanted to feel his mouth on her, lapping at her cream. She let her legs loose from his waist and planted them on tiptoe on the floor. “Get on your knees. Worship me.”

  He groaned.

  “Don’t make me wait. Lick me. Now.” An imperial command, and yet he muttered, “As the princess wishes,” as he slid down, somehow keeping her upright as he went to this knees.

  He nudged himself between her legs, pushing them over his shoulders, supporting her so that she didn’t fall and bringing his mouth in line with her sex. He blew on it, cold breath against her moist core.

  Her turn to groan. “Don’t tease me.”

  “I’ll do whatever I fucking please with you,” he growled.

  The words caused a shiver. No denying the hunger in them. The possessiveness.

  A flick of his tongue against her nether lips had her crying out. He licked her again, over and over, hot teases of his tongue on her flesh, parting her that he might lap at her honey.

  She clutched at his head, not wanting him to move. It felt so good. So deliciously erotic. He found her clit and worked it, pulling at it with his lips, teasing it with his tongue. Lashing it so that she throbbed with need.

  “Fuck me,” she said in a low murmur. “I want to feel you inside me when I come.”

  “But I want you to come on my tongue,” he replied against her sex, the vibration of his words a tease of its own.

  He then proceeded to truly lick her. Pushing his tongue against her, nipping at her clit. Truly making her crazy, so crazy she came, a sharp scream erupting from her as he drew a climax from her flesh.

  “Now I’ll fuck you,” he growled before rising. Holding her aloft with one strong arm, he used the other to undo the fly of his jeans. His cock sprang forward and slapped her wet, throbbing flesh.

  The jerk teased her, rubbing the fat head of his dick against her wet slit.

  “Now,” she demanded, leaning forward to nip at his lower lip.

  “I’ll fuck you when I’m damned well ready, woman.”

  He teased her some more, rubbing her sensitized clit, bringing back that panting edge of passion that had her moaning and squirming against him.

  Without warning, he suddenly slid into her snug sheath, and she cried out as he filled her. Filled her and stretched her in all the right ways.

  Wanting to keep him close, she gripped him tightly with her arms and legs. He pistoned her, hips pulling back and then slamming, back and then slamming. The movement meant she couldn’t maintain a kiss with him so she contented herself with sucking and biting the skin at his neck.

  “If you don’t stop…” He didn’t finish the sentence, but she knew he was close, close to losing control.

  Good.

  She nipped him, and Francois’s head snapped back. The cords in his neck bulged, and she licked them, licked even as she tightened her body around him. With her back pressed against the wall, his hands cupping her ass cheeks, he pumped her. Pumped her hard and fast, slamming his cock in and out of her, drawing mewling cries.

  Her flesh, so recently sated, ignited again, her second climax teetering. He changed his angle, and a sharp cry left her as his new stroke found her G-spot over and over. Bumped it. Ground it. Her fingers clawed at his back.

  It was too much. She came again, convulsing and screaming, her flesh pulsing around his cock.

  And his body tensed, and when his mouth found the curve of her neck and shoulder, he uttered a mighty sound against her skin, the sharp tips of teeth pinched, but she didn’t care as his body thrust one last time. Buried deep. Pulsing. Marking her finally with his seed.

  She felt him sucking at her neck, the skin slightly bruised but not broken. He pulled away with a groan.

  She slapped a hand on his lips before he could speak. “If you say we shouldn’t have done that, I’ll nut punch you.”

  “That’s not very ladylike,” he mumbled behind her fingers.

  “Haven’t you figured out yet that I’m only a lady in public?” She smiled.

  He took that smile and turned it into astonishment. “You should try being a lady in private sometime. A man likes a challenge.”

  “Is this your not-so-subtle way of getting me to change so I don’t throw myself at you?”

  “This is my not-so-subtle way of making you seem unattainable so I have the enjoyment of seducing you.”

  “You want to seduce me?” The very fact that he said it was a seduction in and of itself.

  He dragged her close, his lips almost touching hers. “I want to do so many things to your body. Things that would make you scream. Decadent pleasures that would have you scratching my back.”

  “Didn’t that just happen?”

  “Imagine it even more intensely.”

  “How about you show me?”

  “No. We don’t have time.” Whispered onto her lips before he set her apart from him.

  Was he seriously about to walk away? “Get back over here,” she demanded.

  “Nightfall approaches. Ready to go?” he asked.

  “Not really.” Her pussy grumbled that he was a tease. A part of her hummed with excitement because he’d all but admitted he was besotted with her. And yet he still wanted to go play Tarzan in the jungle.

  “If you want to stay here, go ahead. But I’m going back to the volcano.”

  “I’m coming.” Not in an erotic way, but she wouldn’t let him go alone. “But don’t expect me to enjoy it. You’re not the one who’s got to run through the jungle watching for traps.”

  “Who said anything about running, princess? What if I said we could fly?”

  “How? Did you rent a helicopter?”

  “Why the fuck would I do that? I don’t have wings for show.”

  “In case you hadn’t noticed, I don’t have any.”

  “I’ll carry you.”

  Her expression brightened. “Carry me?”

  Containing her glee proved hard, which was why their departure was delayed. She threw herself at him and rode him like a cowgirl going after a first place ribbon. Then there was more time wasted as they sluiced off. During that soapy exploration, he explained a few rules.

  “Rule number one. No getting in the way of my wings unless you want to go splat.”

  “Does this mean I don’t get to ride your back dragon style? But what if I want to channel my inner Daenerys?”

  “I have no idea what that means, but I’m pretty sure whatever it is will be a no. I will carry you, or you can walk. Which leads to rule number two. No distracting me.”

  “Who me?” She pointed at herself and tried to look innocent. Tried so hard and yet she failed.

  Crossing his arms first, he presented her with a stern look. “Yes, you. No kissing, licking, stroking, or piercing shrieks while flying.”

  “So just to be clear, does this mean no aerial 69s?”

  “Um.” For a moment he went cross-eyed. She allowed it. After all, she knew what he was thinking about, his semi-erection poking at her in the shower. The length covered in soap suds proclaimed where his mind went. “No. This is what I mean about distracting,” he said, shaking himself free from whatever fantasy shook him.

  “Well, that’s no fun. Does this mean we’ll never do some hanky-panky among the clouds?”

  “Princess, this is not the time for that discussion.”

  “Fine. But I will note that if I somehow accidentally end up with my crotch in your face and your cock in my m
outh, it will be your fault for not talking it out further with me when you had a chance. Have I mentioned just how orally talented I am?”

  The proclamation delayed them another five minutes in the shower because the man had some damned stamina.

  In order to ensure no further distractions after that, he banned Stacey to her room. “Don’t come back until you’re wearing some damned clothes, woman.”

  Since her body finally seemed sated for the moment, she allowed him his command. Besides, she finally had the perfect opportunity to wear her specially crafted outfit made for a jungle trek.

  His eyes just about popped out of his head when he saw it and asked, “What the fuck are you wearing?”

  She spun to show off her ensemble. “Do you like it? I had it modified from the original design so that it would accommodate me better if I had to shift.”

  “It’s a fucking superhero costume.”

  It sure was. Tights, body suit, skintight of course to show off her curves. The giant G on the front, for Gorgeous, glittered. She’d opted for the short cape despite The Incredibles showing the dangers of having one. She’d make sure to steer clear of any plane engines.

  “Don’t be jealous, sweetcheeks. When we get back home, I’ll have a suit custom made for you as my sidekick.”

  His brows rose. “Oh hell no, princess. I am not your sidekick. And I don’t want a costume.” He crossed his arms.

  “Good point. A costume would just hide that delicious bod.” It occurred to her that if he went around half naked then other biatches would get an eyeful. She knew how to fix that. Turn a profit by buying some stock in an eye patch company.

  “Take off that ridiculous outfit.”

  “You want me naked again? If you insist, sweetcheeks.” As she went peel off her clothes, he groaned.

  “Stop. Keep it on.”

  “Keep it on, take it off. Make up your mind,” she grumbled, but she was secretly pleased it got to stay. She’d had her superhero suit enhanced since the graveyard zombie fight. The costume now had stretchier fabric with a special flap at the back for a tail. It meant she could shift without losing her clothes, and even better, if she shifted back, the material would shrink too, leaving her clothed instead of naked. Thank you, fellows at the secret lab that could not be named.

  “Come here.” He pointed to a spot in front of him.

  She allowed the command and stood close.

  Swept into his arms, she only had time to bite her tongue so she wouldn’t exclaim “Whee” before he ran for the open sliding glass doors. With a single bound, he hit the lip of the balcony and a moment later soared into the air.

  It was freaking amazing, which was why she had her camera out to take pictures.

  “What are you doing?” No surprise he didn’t sound very happy. Probably because they hadn’t had sex in like the last ten minutes.

  “Taking pics for my biatches back home. Smile.” He grimaced, which worked too. She tagged the image before posting it. #suckitbiatches #timeofmylife.

  “What happened to no distractions?”

  “I turned off the flash.”

  A big sigh escaped him.

  She grinned as she tucked the phone into the pouch on her sleeve. She then wound her arms around his neck to enjoy the ride.

  This time of night, and with the sky overcast, there wasn’t much to see. The jungle they flew over didn’t have any lights shining, nothing but shadows nestled upon shadows. It made her wonder how he could find their path.

  “Can you see in the dark?”

  “Not exactly.”

  “How can you be sure we’re not lost?” she asked.

  “I know where we’re going.”

  “How?”

  “I just do.”

  Having watched her fair share of documentaries, she exclaimed, “You’ve got bat radar, don’t you?”

  That earned her another sigh.

  If she managed one more, she’d have a hat trick.

  Or he’d drop her.

  That wouldn’t stop her from trying.

  All too soon, because she rather enjoyed flying through the sky, he landed and announced, “We’re here.”

  “I left an air-conditioned room, comfortable bed, and stocked mini bar for this?” This being the bottom of a mountain and shrubs. Lots of thorny shrubs.

  “Find a clue and you won’t need a bed to get a prize.”

  “Just to clarify, are we talking about sex?”

  “Yes.”

  “Together?” Again, she’d learned to always make sure of the details.

  “Yes, together. Unless you’d prefer someone else?” His fangs flashed as he snarled.

  The jealousy was cute. “No worries, sweetcheeks. You’re the only man I want to get wild with.” She trailed a finger down his bare chest, loving the strange texture of his other skin.

  “No distractions. Find something good and I’ll give you whatever you need.”

  “Anything?” The very thought excited.

  “Yes.” The word rumbled, low and sexy.

  With that kind of incentive, she leaped from his arms and whipped out a glow stick. A crack and shake later, they had green light.

  “Where did you get that?” he asked.

  “I told you this suit was awesome. All kinds of hidden surprises. Wanna see?”

  “Stay focused.”

  She was focused. On getting him to remove his pants. Now that he’d shifted back, his frame slightly less bulky, the loose shorts hung low on his lean hips.

  Snap. Snap. The fingers clicking had her gaze rising. “While your obsession with my dick is flattering, we are here on business.”

  Right. What the heck was wrong with her? He was right. She needed to act more ladylike instead of drooling constantly around him. “What am I looking for?”

  “I’m not sure, but this is the spot I lost consciousness.” He knelt down on the ground, fingers brushing the soil.

  “Because you were drugged.” It still made her snicker.

  “You can stop saying it in that tone. I know what happened. Or didn’t happen. One moment I was facing off with a boar, and then…” He trailed off. Shrugged and looked off into the shadows as he said, “I woke up in the back of the truck with Jan claiming I fell and knocked myself out.”

  “I still can’t believe you fell for that obvious lie? I mean, seriously, I’ve seen you move; you’re not clumsy.”

  “I know I’m not, which is why I think it was a drug.”

  “Probably the bug that wasn’t a bug that bit you.”

  “Two bites that I remember. Then I supposedly fell, which probably explains my temple.” He raised his fingers to the healing scrape. “When I woke up, I recall feeling disoriented and lightheaded.”

  “Why am I just hearing about the lightheadedness now?”

  “Because you never shut up long enough for me to get a word in edgewise.”

  “Then you should talk faster.” Or use his mouth for other things. “Now I know you keep insisting you got Mickey’d, but is it possible you just fainted from the heat?”

  “I did not faint.” Said with utter disdain.

  “Technically, you did. What else do you call face planting?”

  “You are really making me regret the choice of bringing you.” He kept running his fingers over the ground as if he could find something by feel.

  “Oh please, you and I both know that having me along is like having your own personal pocket of sunshine.”

  “I hate the sun.”

  “What a coincidence, so do I.”

  “Bullshit. I know you like to sunbathe,” he retorted.

  “Behind a strong UV filter. I burn unless slathered in vampire-proof lotion.”

  “So why volunteer to come to the tropics?”

  “Because, hello, have you seen this body in a bikini?”

  His lips tilted just a little. “It would be a shame to hide it from the world.”

  “Well ,that’s a rude thing to say.” She planted he
r hands on her hips.

  “I just said you looked good.”

  “And then had no problem with me showing it off. Whereas I would keep you swaddled so nobody could see your sexy bod.”

  “Would you feel better if I said I’d drain the life out of any man who eyes you with lust?”

  “Yes.” Talk about super romantic.

  “Won’t happen. I am not a jealous killer.”

  Super letdown. “That’s no fun. You know, Teena’s husband, Dmitri, does insanely wicked things to those who stare overly long at his wife.”

  “You’re not my wife.”

  “Yet.”

  He glared.

  She clapped her hands. “There you go. That’s the look I want to see you use when you’re jealous. Followed by a vicious mauling.”

  “Did it ever occur to you that I do something better than killing?”

  “Like what?”

  “The best revenge against other guys is to take you into my arms.” He drew her near. “And kiss you deeply, showing ownership.”

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  “Then slapping you on the ass and telling you to fetch me a beer.” He smacked her butt.

  “How is that supposed to make them jealous?”

  “If you were a man, you’d understand.” Turning from her, Francois moved off, his gaze intent on the ground.

  She smiled. He was totally coming around. Not long now before he finally admitted he couldn’t imagine living without her—and he fetched her chocolate. Beer indeed. He’d soon learn.

  “What are we looking for?” she asked, crouching down.

  “I’m not sure. But I’ll know it if I find it.”

  “Are we still looking for that damned gum wrapper?”

  “No. That was just a clue that the place I stumbled on had seen traffic. When I fell, I thought I saw something.”

  “A ghost?”

  “No.”

  “Jan’s boobs?”

  “No,” said on a note that said his cheek had that tic again.

  “Good thing. I’d have to kill her if she’d flashed them.”

  “Let’s try and stay on track here, princess.”

  “Perhaps instead of playing a guessing game, you should tell me what you saw.”

  “Maybe if you shut your mouth, woman, for more than five seconds, I could tell you.”