Live It Up (5 page)

He just sat there looking at her, making her wonder what he expected her to do. Yell and run outside? No, weren’t you supposed to lay low when facing a predator? Damn, she had no idea.

She was still thinking about what to do when he huffed and laid down. He dropped his head onto his stretched paws, looking so much like a purring stuffed toy that she had to stop herself from petting him.

Purring?
Yes, he was purring.

“Good kitty?” she finally said.

He looked up at her and tilted his head to the side.

“You want me to come closer, is that it? You’re awfully big though. And you’re a lion. And…I still really don’t understand what’s happening. I’m pretty sure I’m dreaming, you know? This is far too preposterous.”

He kept on purring. Kept on looking at her.

She threw her hands in the air. “God, you’re persistent!” She took a step forward then another one. “What do you want?” she asked the animal again.

He looked down at her hand then back up at her face. “You’re not gonna eat me, are you? Because I’m sure I taste vile. I’m a vegetarian and all.”

She always babbled when she was stressed, but even she could hear the trace of hysteria lacing her words. She took a deep breath and lifted her hand until it was just inches above the top of his head.

He head-butted it.

She was so surprised she nearly fell flat on her behind. While she recovered, he stared at her in silence, his purring increasing in intensity when he realized she was moving toward him again.

“I had a cat when I was younger. His name was Bobby like my crush at the time. He had white fur and blue eyes. He was gorgeous for a stray cat.” She petted him awkwardly between the ears. “His fur wasn’t as soft as yours though.”

His mane was so amazingly soft she imagined for a second rubbing her face against it. She pulled back from him, knowing by how warm her cheeks felt that she was blushing.

“Okay, what now?”

This time she’d somehow expected the burst of light. A naked Andy appeared in front of her, his clothes having disappeared during his…what did they call it again? Shift? He was crouching on the floor, and as she watched him shake his head and stretch his limbs, she wondered into what universe she’d fallen. Because really, that beat them all.

Andy looked up at her and announced, “My lion likes you.”

“Great,” was the only thing she could think of saying.

“He’s wanted to take care of you from the start. I had to bring you back here, little kitten.”

“Because of him?” She felt as if she’d missed part of the conversation.

He shook his head. “Yes and no. You’re his now.”

“No, I’m not.”

He ignored her answer and kept on talking, “You’re his…my responsibility. I’m our Pride’s Enforcer. It’s my duty to take care of our people.”

“I’m not one of you.” And what the hell was a Pride anyway? And an Enforcer for that matter?

“You are now. One of us hurt you, and we owe you.”

“As soon as I’m better, I’ll be on my way.”

He didn’t respond but simply stood up, all lithe movements and bare, sun-kissed skin.

“Damn,” she muttered under her breath. The last time she’d seen him naked she’d been slightly out of it. She felt a lot better now even after what’d happened earlier.

Maybe it was because she still thought she was dreaming, but whatever was happening, one thing was for certain. Andy was the hottest man she’d ever seen.

She nearly reached to pet him again then realized she couldn’t. God. She closed her eyes for a few seconds then reopened them to find he’d moved so close to her she could feel the heat of him through her clothes.

“What?” she asked, her voice abrupt.

“Think of something else, little kitten. I can smell you, and my lion’s too agitated as it is.”

She blinked. “What does that even mean?”

“You want me.”

Sunny snorted. “What?”

“I can smell your arousal. I’m part animal, remember?”

No!
She drew back but was too slow. He’d already grabbed her hips in both hands, anchoring her into place.

“You’re naked!” she tried explaining. “It’s an involuntary reaction. Really. I’d do the same for any naked…okay, any handsome naked man. Really.”

“You’ve already said that.”

“Gah!”

He laughed, and just like earlier, the fact that she’d managed to make him react made her insides pulse. He was usually so stern. Seeing him smile, hearing him laugh, made him seem so much more human.

She grimaced at her own thoughts.
He isn’t human, stupid!
“I really need to stop thinking. When is this dream gonna end, do you think?”

“What dream?” He frowned down at her.

Hold on a second. If she was really dreaming, she totally could do whatever she wanted with him! As soon as the thought hit, she started smiling. Leaning up on her toes, she grabbed hold of his neck and tugged his head down.

She heard his breath hitch, but when she pressed her mouth on his, he didn’t stop her. No, instead he groaned and took her mouth for a hard kiss.

Maybe she could turn this nightmare into a lovely, sexy fantasy. She was tired of waking up screaming after all.
Hey, I do have good ideas sometimes
, she congratulated herself inwardly as she pressed herself closer to his warm body.

Chapter Five

I really should stop her
, Andy thought in a corner of his mind.

His lion roared at the idea. Yeah, his animal was right. It’d be stupid to stop. After all, he could smell how aroused she was, almost as if seeing him in lion form had flipped a switch inside her.

He didn’t understand what was going on, just that he’d been scared she’d leave, but instead she was now clinging to him. Her mouth felt so freaking good, her tongue even better, and when she ran her nails down his nape, he nearly sent her flying backward so she’d be on her back on the sofa and he on her.

He let his hands drift from her hips to cup her ass. She moaned something into his mouth and leaned even more fully against his chest. He could feel her breasts now, feel her nipples bead, and he wondered how they’d taste. Mmm but he couldn’t wait.

He pulled back and whispered against her wet lips, “Let’s move this to the bedroom.”

He took her hand, and they made their way slowly down the corridor, kissing every few steps. He kept his arm wrapped around her waist, more because he sensed how weak she still was.

You shouldn’t be doing this
, his inner voice protested once again.

Just at that moment Sunny slid her hand up his chest, tracing his left nipple until it stood proudly. She giggled and leaned up, flicking it
teasingly with
the tip of her tongue.

“Fuck, kitten, you’re playing with fire.”

“Am I really?” she asked, looking far too proud with herself.

He shook his head, but he was smiling as he pushed her into the bedroom. He carried her to the bed, unable to wait any longer.

“Want me to take your clothes off? I’ve done it before.” He winked down at her as she leaned back on her elbows.

“I—” She blinked.

He followed her gaze and laughed. “I’m a big man, Sunny. Everywhere.”

“I… I see that. Wow.”

He laughed again. He hadn’t been in such a good mood in…well, years, maybe. “Come here. I want to get you naked too.” He grabbed her ankles and made her slide down the mattress. As soon as he was standing between her widened legs, he pulled on the hem of her shirt and tugged it off her.

Her breasts jiggled as she settled on her back once more. He groaned at the sight. “I’ve wanted to taste those for days,” he whispered as he leaned down and pressed a soft kiss on one pink nipple.

Her breath caught. He smiled at her reaction. “Can I touch you everywhere? Can I taste you and kiss you and lick you…everywhere?”

“Oh God,” she groaned. “Please!”

Andy didn’t need more encouragement. He took her mouth in a hard kiss, his hands cupping her breasts at the same time. They fit his palms perfectly, the nubs hardening at the slightest pressure. He growled into her throat and rubbed his thumbs over the now erect nipples.

Her arms looped around his neck, pulling him down on top of her. When her nails grazed the back of his shoulders bringing shivers up his spine, he broke the kiss on a groan. “Fuck, kitten.”

She laughed, clearly pleased with herself. “You’re a very good kisser.”

He laughed. “Wait until you’ve experienced everything I can do.” With a wink, he dove back down.

Sunny felt as if she were floating on a cloud.

Naked and stretched out on the rumpled bed, she watched her lover part her thighs. He inhaled and growled something before leaning down to press a kiss just above the thin strip of dark hair keeping her sex hidden from view.

“I’m going to eat you up.”

Her insides pulsed at his rough words and the lust lacing his voice.
He’s so freaking hot
, she thought as she closed her eyes and let her body take over.

Large palms slid up her legs, goose bumps appearing in their wake. She shifted a little under the caress, but soon, she was so entranced by his soft approach that she could barely remember her own name.

Fingers delved between her inner lips, zeroing on her clit, caressing it with such ease she wondered how many women he’d bedded.

He seemed to know exactly where to touch her and how to bring her to a restless state in mere minutes. When he knelt down on the floor and made sure her legs hung over his shoulders, when he leaned up and put his mouth on her pussy, that’s when Sunny truly let go.

One flick of his tongue on her clit. One thrust of his fingers so deep inside her she had to arch her back and rock her hips to accompany the movement. That was all it took.

She came screaming his name.

But he didn’t stop.

He licked all her juices like the cat he was, purring and rubbing his face against her pussy, setting her off again. She locked her legs around his head and came again, her voice hoarse.

The room spun when she finally opened her eyes again long minutes later. “Andy?” she called out.

“Right here.”

She jumped at his voice sounding so close. He’d lain down on his side beside her. A smile played on his lips, contentment and pride clear on his face. “Why did you stop?” she heard herself ask.

“You’re still weak,” he replied right away, catching a strand of her hair so he could play with it.

It tickled when it brushed against her bare skin, but she forced herself to ignore it. She had more important things to discuss. “I’m not. I mean, maybe I am, but we started something here. No?”

His response was to lean over her and kiss her. She opened her mouth to his inquisitive tongue and told herself she’d been right earlier. She’d never been kissed like that before.

She moaned and put her palm on his hip, trying to get him to move on top of her once again. He’d felt so good, so heavy, so…reassuring. Yes, she wanted him on top again.

“Please,” she murmured as she pulled back for a second. “Make love to me.”

“Kitten, I don’t know if—”

She bit his bottom lip to stop him from talking. It worked so well that mere moments later he was once more leveling himself over her. Of course, it helped that she’d clasped her fingers around his cock while she’d been kissing him. Hey, two could play that game!

Loving the way he’d closed his eyes at the caress, she increased the pressure of her hand. He growled something unintelligible, his face falling into the crook of her neck. He kissed the spot where it met her shoulder then bit on it.

She gasped and threw her head back. “Andy!”

“I’m going to take this slow, okay?” he said as he moved to a kneeling position between her legs. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I trust you.”

He froze and looked down at her. “Sunny?”

She gulped, realizing something had just happened. Something she wasn’t sure she knew the significance of. Of course, she trusted him not to hurt her! And this was her dream anyway, and if she wanted him to please her then he would and… “Fuck me.”

There. Something that she’d never, ever, told a lover. She wasn’t that kind of woman, but today’s situation called for it.

He rocked back at her words then a smirk bloomed on his face. “If that’s what my kitten wants.” His cock in hand, he moved into position, and soon she felt him nudge her pussy.

She only had time to take a deep breath before he surged inside her.

“Oh!” Her eyes widened at the feel of him. He felt big and warm and oh my God… “Andy!”

He’d circled his hips, the movement causing pleasure to come into sharp focus throughout her body.