A Game of Cat & Mouse (3 page)

Her quiet moans became a cry of pain that tortured him and placed him over his line of control. Taking only a moment to transform from cougar to man, he found himself opening her door. The sounds she made were like a trail and, at the end, lay a writhing and sobbing Miranda.

Caleb scooped her in his arms and lay down on the bed, holding her close to his body. Miranda’s sobs turned to a squeal of surprise as she attempted to evade his grasp.

“Hush, Miranda. It’s me, Caleb.”

Miranda stilled and burrowed closer to him, her body moving restlessly against him. Caleb could feel the moisture from her tears that continued to spill down her cheeks where she rested against his chest.

Rolling to where she was below him, her face was bathed in the light from the moon that came through her bedroom window.

He couldn’t deny how beautiful she was, even crying, and how much he wanted her. Leaning down he kissed her tear-stained cheeks, lapping them with his tongue to clean her face.

“I’m so confused.”

Miranda’s whispered confession stopped his ministrations. Caleb looked down at her again to see her eyes clenched shut and her teeth clenched so tightly he thought they might break. Caleb cupped her cheek and kissed her softly on the lips, satisfied when she relaxed, allowing him to deepen the kiss.

“What are you confused about?”

“The fact that I want you more than my next breath, but I don’t even know you.”

“We have our whole lives to get to know one another. Please, give me a chance, Miranda. I want you too, sweetheart.”

“Okay. Can you hold me? I mean…I, um…” Caleb leaned down and kissed her because he needed it just as much as she did. Caleb nuzzled her neck. \ “It would be my pleasure.”

Caleb pulled her close and she wiggled for a few moments as her body made

demands he knew she wasn’t ready to answer. Within thirty minutes, she stilled, and her features relaxed in sleep. It seemed just being near him had appeased the heat enough to allow her rest. Pulling her closer, he allowed himself to slip into slumber.

***

Hearing a whimper of pain, Caleb

wakened from the dream of Miranda’s hot mouth gliding over his cock. He looked over at the bed beside him, alarmed to find it empty. When had Miranda left him? He jumped from the bed and found her curled in a fetal position on the bathroom floor, her face frozen in a mask of pain and only small whimpers escaping her. He rushed to her side, his cougar becoming agitated at its mate’s cries of distress.

“Sweetheart, why didn’t you wake me up? I could have fixed this.”

“But I’m not ready for that. Not yet.

Please, understand, Caleb.”

“I don’t understand, not one damn bit, but I’ll respect your wishes. But I cannot see you in pain. Not when I can help.”

Decided, he scooped her up and took her back to bed. Miranda may not want to have sex, something that would completely eradicate her heat, but she would accept this.

Caleb laid her on the bed and took his place beside her. Cupping her cheek, he forced her to look at him.

“A friend in high school once told me that a good orgasm could alleviate the worst of this pain. I know you don’t want to have sex, and I promise that I’ll respect that wish, but you need this. Let me help you.”

Miranda closed her eyes, and Caleb

knew she was going to refuse. Desperate, he kissed her, taking her lips and forcing her to open to him. Miranda sighed into his mouth, her body relishing his

attention. Her arms wrapped around his neck and pulled him down to her, flush against her body. Miranda had waited until her body would take over and demand she be taken despite her wishes. Though her body called to him, demanded he take her, he promised Miranda that he wouldn’t.

“Let me just take the edge off,

sweetheart.”

***

It had been bittersweet waking up in

Caleb’s arms. It was sweet because Miranda felt at home in his arms, draped across his muscular chest, and bitter because the pain had wakened her.

Despite the agony that wracked her

body, she’d taken the time to look at Caleb. His features were relaxed in sleep, reminiscent of a child. Her fingers traced his face, delighting in the stubble-roughened texture of his cheeks, but her exploration of him had been cut short. She gasped in pain and eased from the bed.

He’d found her naked and curled into a ball on the bathroom floor and immediately come to her aid. His kiss stole her thoughts on why she didn’t want him to take her.

Miranda became lost in a sea of need.

Caleb’s scent wrapped around her, enticing her to let go and allow him to ease the pain that seemed never ending.

“Please, Caleb. Please make it stop!”

Miranda should have been aghast at her wantonness. It simply wasn’t like her, but in this moment, she knew only that she needed. Needed him. The first touch of his hand to her breast was torture.

Miranda arched her back, forcing more of her small breasts into his hands. The nerve endings, already over stimulated, fired in rapid succession, sending waves of pleasure that bordered on pain through her body, centering at the apex of her thighs.

She clenched her legs together, sending sparks flying through her body at the small pressure the movement placed on her engorged clitoris. Her hands moved of their own accord, sliding down her belly and into the small thatch of curls, seeking to end her torment.

Miranda cried out in frustration as a hand grabbed hers and pushed her hand above her head.

“I’ll take care of you, sweetheart,” Caleb whispered in her ear.

Miranda moved her hips, enticing him to focus on the place that needed him most.

Something warm and moist closed over her nipple, sucking at the hardened nub, and she released the moan she’d been holding back. Miranda clasped Caleb’s head to her breast, begging wordlessly for more. She lifted her hips, begging him to touch that special place... He parted her thighs, and his fingers delved within her aching and moist flesh.

“Caleb!”

He chuckled against her breast before devoting the same attention to her other, his fingers never speeding or slowing as they explored her. She pulled his hair in frustration, and Caleb released her breast and nipped her neck in warning. She yelped and looked down into his eyes, glowing like those of a cat. His tongue slowly lapped the sting away, his eyes never leaving hers. In that same lazy manner, his fingers found her clit, circling it expertly. She was hanging onto the precipice ready to fall, but there was something missing.

Caleb teased her, slowly and gently rubbing his fingers over her sensitive clit.

Miranda clawed at his back, her body climbing towards the peak. Caleb took her mouth in a blistering kiss as his fingers became more forceful, exerting just the right amount of pressure to send her slamming over the edge, her whole body shattering in pleasure.

Miranda came back to herself to find Caleb regarding her with his glowing cat eyes in the moonlit bedroom. She cupped his stubble-roughened cheek, bringing him down to her lips for a kiss. He allowed her a few sweet kisses before pulling back.

“I’m too close to the edge of my control, sweetheart.”

“That’s okay.” “No, Miranda. Right now, it is just your heat talking. Don’t worry, it’ll all be over tomorrow, and you’ll be able to think clearly. I gave you a promise, and I plan to keep it.”

Miranda let her hand drop, and she

rolled to get away from him. Caleb didn’t want her anyway. He grabbed and pinned her to the mattress, forcing her to look into his eyes. The glow receded for a fraction of a second before his eyes began to glow again.

“Don’t, Miranda. You know that I want you; please do not push me. Now let’s sleep. Let me hold you.”

Miranda relaxed in his hold and allowed him to pull her into his embrace again.

She drifted to sleep with her cheek pressed against his chest, the steady thump of his heart lulling her into slumber.

Caleb woke to the sun pouring through the window, his mind slow to catch up as to why he was in an unfamiliar space. In the dark, he hadn’t properly taken in Miranda’s bedroom. Of course, he’d spent most of his time curled around his mate with the bedroom the furthest thing from his mind. He smiled as he took in the small space that was perfect for his little mouse. The walls, though painted a plain white, were decorated with pictures and small paintings. A full-sized bed

dominated the center of the room and in the corner beside the only window was her dresser and vanity, beautifully done in oak.

Caleb moved down the hallway,

following his nose to the smell of food. His cock filled instantly at the sight of Miranda bent over, her pink panties stretched taut over her delicious ass. She straightened, placing a steaming pan on the stovetop before closing the oven door, her backside now covered in the tails of a long shirt.

Waiting until he was sure she wouldn’t burn herself, Caleb came up behind her and clasped her around the waist. He pulled her slight frame against his, nearly coming when her backside pressed against his erection.

Miranda squealed before relaxing into his hold. Caleb bent to nuzzle her neck, his cougar purring when she tilted it to give him better access. Her sigh of

contentment nearly did him in.

“What’s for breakfast, sweetheart?”

“Cinnamon rolls and oatmeal.” Caleb smiled at the breathless quality of her voice. He breathed her scent deeply, relishing the aroma of her arousal mixed with the sugar and cinnamon of the baked goods steaming on the stove.

“No bacon?” Miranda giggled, and Caleb smiled against her skin.

“It’s weird. “Caleb licked her neck, relishing her flavor.

“What’s weird? That I want bacon?”

“No! That I’m so comfortable with you.”

Caleb turned her to peer down into her face, her wistful tone slightly alarming him. Her eyes became larger than saucers when she took in his state of undress.

“Oh my gosh! I just lost my comfort factor. Don’t you ever wear clothes?”

Caleb chuckled, because despite her words, the scent of her arousal got stronger.

“I’m a shifter, just like you. I’m pretty sure all the shifters I know have seen me naked. Besides last night, you didn’t seem to mind my state of undress,” he said as he tilted her face up and rested his forehead against hers.

Her face turned red, and her scent

permeated the room, calling to him. Her mouth curved into a smile when he began to purr.

Caleb pulled her up to him and covered her mouth, swallowing her squeak. He placed her on the countertop and placed himself between her thighs, holding her face captive between his hands as he teased her mouth. All too soon, he was pulling away from her lips, her panting filling the air around them. However, her stomach had growled, letting him know his mate needed food.

“Later.” He sealed his promise with a nip to the spot where her shoulder and neck met.

Miranda nodded then hopped down from the countertop after taking a deep breath.

She opened the fridge and pulled out bacon. Catching his eye, she smiled, her cheeks still reddened from their countertop rendezvous.

“I think I love you!” Caleb placed his hands over his heart. Miranda’s smile disappeared, and her bright eyes dulled slightly.

“Never say what you don’t mean.”

“I don’t,” he said, staring into her eyes to ensure that she knew he told the truth.

Miranda smiled sadly, and he let her go.

She didn’t believe, but he would show her.

***

Miranda applied a thin layer of mascara before looking at herself in the mirror. The forest green dress she chose was styled like a Roman toga, baring her right shoulder and billowing out at the waist before ending at her knees. She’d loved it instantly and knew it would be perfect for dinner with Caleb.

Caleb left shortly after breakfast with a brief kiss, a promise to be back before six that night, and mumbling something about checking on the pride. Usually a loner, completely content with being by herself, Miranda could not help but feel her quaint little cottage seemed empty without him.

If she were honest with herself, which she wasn’t, she would even say she was

lonely. Playing their encounters together repeatedly in her mind didn’t help those feelings, so she’d started on her lesson plans. Although it did not completely quell the urge to find Caleb, it did get her to the here and now where all that lay between them were a matter of minutes.

This time away from Caleb did serve to solidify her resolve. Miranda wanted love, but she also knew that the mating bond would drive her until she gave in. He’d been sweet and attentive last night, bringing her to completion and not taking her up on her offer for sex. Looking back, she’d realized it was the heat making her want things she wasn’t ready for. Now, she considered herself more than ready.

She recognized she could fight this attraction, or she could give into it and embrace what it could become. And who was to say that their mating wouldn’t develop into love?

The knock at the door sent a wave of giddiness through her. Miranda raced to the door, stopping briefly to catch her breath before opening the door. Caleb stood in the doorway, the evening sunlight bathing him lovingly with its rays. He wore a white buttoned-down shirt with the sleeves rolled to his elbows and tucked into a pair of khaki slacks.

He reached for her, and she didn’t think twice before she stepped into his embrace, sighing at the sense of homecoming she felt in his arms.

“Miss me?”

“More than you’ll know.” Miranda

wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest, the steady beat of his heart soothing to her ears.

Caleb pulled her back to look into her face. He must have found what he was searching for because, moments later, he took her mouth in a sweet kiss. All the loneliness she’d felt at his short absence disappeared with the gentle nibbles he gave her bottom lip.

“Are you ready to go?”

“Yes.” Miranda reluctantly withdrew from his embrace to turn off the lights and grab her purse. “Where are we going?”

“It’s a surprise.”