Oliver (Inked Menace MC 2) (4 page)

He looped his arm through the one she’d planted on her hip, and almost smiled when she shuddered at the contact. If he were a housecat, he’d probably be purring at the reaction, but he was a tiger, and tigers roared.

He leaned his face close to her ear and said, “Come on, baby, I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

Amara met his eyes and nodded, then resumed walking back toward her room.

The tiger prowled his mind, but not in an aggressive way. It was a way that Oliver hadn’t felt since he’d been a teen and first noticed the unique scent of female lust. But it was deeper than that. Oliver understood lust. Primal and carnal reactions. This feeling pounding through his head, heart, and blood went further, into unchartered territory, and for the first time in his life, he felt whole and scared shitless.

A barrage of thoughts slammed inside his head as they walked, hand in hand, toward the apartments. How did he make up for all the horror she’d faced? How did he touch her with the reverence she obviously deserved, craved, and needed without triggering bad memories for her? How did he jump with blind faith into the abyss of love without drowning?

He didn't think there were any easy answers. He didn’t have much to judge relationships by, choosing short flings, and one-night stands instead of lasting connections. His parents, both tigers, were solitary predators who met, fucked, and once his mom got knocked up, went their separate ways. The idea of mate-bonding was lost on him. In all honesty, he wasn’t sure he was capable of such depth. He envied Hammer and Lucky, their consuming love for their women, but at the same time, he didn’t know if he wanted that level of commitment.

As Oliver and Amara stopped in front of her door, she turned to face him with those large blue and green eyes filled with longing, lust, and a hardness he could understand, but wanted to alleviate.

Her breath hitched. “Do you want to come inside?”

Oliver showed her his teeth, offering a feral grin at the playful innuendo.  “I think we need to finish what we started.”

“Oh yeah?”

He inched his face closer to hers, and licked a light trail across her lips. “Yeah.”

She smirked, kicked the door open and swiveled on her toes. “Come and get me then, tiger,” she said, laughing as she spun and ran, jumping over the bed.

4
Chapter Four

Just as Amara leapt to clear the bed, a strong hand gripped her ankle and she was pulled backward to land on the soft mattress while a large man sat on her back. Oliver eased upward and allowed her to turn over onto her back, and she lay pinned beneath the sexy and smiling man currently showing her his very white teeth.

“Now what, cowboy?”

She smirked at him, noticing the way his breath hitched as he gazed down at her face and the way his supple muscles moved with the grace of his species.

“There’s a reason they call me King of the Jungle, sweetheart,” he said, his eyes never straying from hers. He licked his lips and Amara’s pussy tightened in response.

“I thought you were a tiger. Aren’t lions the kings”

“Please. Those bitches don’t even live in a jungle. They’re desert cats. And maybe, yeah, lions might be superior to a regular tiger, but I’m not normal. I’m humongous.” He arched a brow and grinned down at her.

“Do you tackle every woman you see?”

She wasn’t sure why she was goading him. She tried not to analyze her reactions too much when it came to Oliver, but at the same time, a secret part of her was terrified of the feelings invading her body. Sure, sex was fun, and a great pastime, but she wanted the no-strings-attached kind, and as she looked up into his rugged face, his black and blond hair pulled back into a long pony-tail, she knew that what was happening between them was something more than a wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am.

His gaze roamed her face and dipped down to her breasts peeking out of the top of her shirt. She inhaled and laughed when his eyes bulged and locked onto her chest. “Men are so easy.”

His jaw ticked for a second as he clenched his teeth, then he shifted slightly so the bulge between his legs rammed against her sex. Amara moaned and closed her eyes as tingles blossomed over her body, her flesh breaking out in goose-pimples.

“Do you know what’s happening between us?”

Amara snapped open her eyes and zeroed in on his molten gaze. He stopped moving above her, bracketed a hand on either side of her head, fell forward and leaned closer to her until they were inches apart. His breath fanned her face and she smelled some kind of alcohol mixed with mint.

“Have you been drinking mojitos?”

“Do you always change the subject in uncomfortable situations?”

Amara turned her face slightly to stare at the wall, irritated he read her so well, and so fast.

“I’ll take your silence as a yes.”

It was a statement, so she didn’t budge. An exaggerated breath drummed in her head, and she almost choked when his heavy weight lifted off of her and an emptiness filled the void.

Amara didn’t dare move, but she did say, “Where are you going?” in a meek voice she’d never heard come from her throat before.

“You’re not ready, and I won’t push you.”

At that, Amara whipped her face to stare at him. He tugged his hair free of the elastic and ran his hands through the tangles.

“Is your hair growing at an alarming rate, or is it just me?”

Oliver shook his head and laughed without humor. “Part of the process of my people.” He shrugged. “Or so I’ve heard.”

“What do you mean?”

He stopped moving and stared at her. He stared so hard into her eyes, it felt like he was willing her to understand. The unusual color snared her better judgment, and she found herself lost in their depths, swimming in a lush jungle haze of sweaty sheets, singing birds, and a sky filled with stars. 

“Mate-bonding?” she whispered, her head foggy. Her limbs trembled under the weight of knowledge.

He nodded once, then severed the connection crackling between them. “It appears so. I’m gonna hit the gym, and you should get some sleep. We have a tough few days ahead of us.”

He didn’t wait for her to answer. Instead, he turned and left her room, taking all her air with him.

“Well, this sucks.” Amara said to the vacant space. “Really, way to make an ass of yourself, Amara.”

She flopped onto her stomach and stared at the floor.
It’s too bad I’m not mate material,
she thought.
Oliver would make one hell of a sidekick.
She tried to laugh, but ended up on a choking sob. Her leopard sidled up to the forefront of her mind and swiped at her with claws out.

What, I gotta fight you too?

Her animal hissed and showed her teeth, then lay on her stomach, head resting on her paws. 

Yeah, yeah. I get it. You liked him. So did I. But I’m not a cruel and heartless bitch. My home is across the pond, and his is here. No. I’m being responsible. He’ll find another mate. One more worthy.

The leopard stood and growled, her tail low and fluffed, ears pinned back, mouth open and teeth exposed.

A soft knock interrupted her inner conversation and for a brief second, elation wound through her, until her sister’s voice said, “Amara?” and she walked into the room.

Amara didn’t bother to flip over. “What.”

“I saw Oliver headed toward the gym with a roll of duct tape, a granola bar, and a large bottle of water. Everything okay?”

“Peachy.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

Maura’s high-heeled black boots came into view.

Amara sighed. “Not really, love.”

Maura’s knees cracked as she crouched down and her hand slipped under Amara’s face and tilted her neck up. Pain radiated up her spine.

“How about now?”

“When did you become so mean?”

Maura let go and Amara’s face dropped like a stone. She didn’t fight the momentum and allowed her nose to hit the metal frame of the bed, giving herself something else to focus on instead of the hurt look in Oliver’s eyes as he’d walked away from her.

“When did you become a martyr?” Maura countered.

Amara slid onto the floor, using her hands to propel her forward, and sat with her legs crossed to face her sister. “I think it was around the time one of the scientists ripped open my chest to see how fast I’d regenerate. Or it might have been the time they nearly beheaded me to find out whether I could put myself back together.”

Maura opened her mouth, a small puff of shock escaping her lips. Her hands lifted toward her heart. “I’m so sorry, sweetie. They’ll pay. I promise.”

“Oliver deserves better than what I have to offer. He deserves someone whole who will laugh and give him cute cubs.”

“Do you even know if he wants that?”

“Isn’t that what all mated couples want?”

Maura glanced off toward the window and tried to discretely wipe a tear from her face. She shrugged. “Some do, some don’t. Not everyone can have the white picket fence and squealing laughter of babies.”

Amara wasn’t sure who Maura was talking about. It didn’t sound so personal for her, but a swarm of emotion breezed across Amara’s skin. “You okay, sister?”

Maura cleared her throat. “Fine. Sorry. Some things just get to me. The murder of children is one of them.”

Amara clenched her hands into tight fists, her claws poking through her skin. “Who. Who did this to you?”

Sympathy masked her sister’s face, and Maura said softly, “Not me, honey. Cecelia. But those are her secrets and demons to share, not mine.”

The sharp tips of her claws receded back into their sockets and Amara nodded, blowing out a slow breath to calm her racing mind. It was filled with gruesome images and blood. Blood everywhere. On everything. Her blood, other shifter’s blood. Then the blood of her enemies as she’d gone bat-shit crazy and slaughtered all those in her path when she’d been able to break free of their shackles. Those believing themselves her superior, and she’d let them believe that, hadn’t she? So she could bide her time and kill them piece by bloody piece.

“Oliver’s a good man, sweetie. He’d never hurt you.”

Sadness coated Amara’s tongue with the pungent taste of regret. “I know that, Maura. I’m more afraid of what I’d do to him.”

Maura eased off the end of the mattress and stood, walking toward Amara’s seated position on the shaggy carpet. She lowered herself and wrapped her arms around Amara’s body. She squeezed, and pressed her face into Amara’s neck. “You’re a strong, beautiful, amazing woman, noodle. Don’t forget who you truly are.” She pressed a kiss to her cheek and then shifted away to stand with the grace of her line. A regal lioness not to be trifled with.

“I love you, Amaraynth. Get some sleep.”

“I love you too, Maura. Thank you.”

As her sister quietly shut the door to her room, Amara crawled back onto the bed and slid under the covers, drawing her knees to her chest and wrapping her arms around herself. If only she could tune out the memories and dream with peace. But that hadn’t happened since her capture.

It’d probably never happen again.

Amara clutched her eyes closed, and asked her animal for aid. Desperate times called for desperate measures, and her mind was a cesspool of despair. Not to mention the ache between her legs and the scar covering her heart. She briefly thought about bringing herself to orgasm, then decided to wallow in self-pity instead.

The last thing she heard before sleep claimed her was the sinister voice of a madman telling her she was good for one thing, and one thing only. For man’s amusement and advancement. That she was nothing more than a plaything, worthy of nothing.

5
Chapter Five

“I don’t know how to get through to her,” Oliver said as he pounded his fists into the Nevatear.

Lucky stood off to the side. “You’re going to have to let things unfold naturally. Not force the issue, bro.”

Oliver slammed his hand into the bag, snapping it so hard it fell from the hook on the ceiling and thumped to the ground at their feet. “Easier said than done, bro.”

Lucky nodded. “I understand. Mate-bonding is tricky. On one hand, you have to balance your animal needs with your human mind, and on the other hand is the crazy urge to crush anyone who stands in the way of claiming your mate.”

Oliver wiped sweat from his face with a towel and looked at his friend with solemn eyes. “What if she doesn’t want me?”

“I doubt it’s that. I saw the way she eye-fucked you.”

Oliver shook his head. “The chemistry is there. I can feel it. But her mind is trapped, and that’s not something I’m equipped to handle.”

Lucky walked toward the bench press to spot. Oliver lifted hundred pound rounds onto the bar and lay down on the recline. Lucky said, “Sometimes all you can do is kill those that wronged her and pray she’ll heal from the damage. Love can overcome a lot of trauma, but it’s not a cure all.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence, Luck,” Oliver said, and exhaled the bar up, pumping the iron to rid his body of the wild energy.

“Honesty is the key to a happy relationship,” Lucky said, and smiled down at him, though his eyes were far away and focused on something other than Oliver. Lucky shook the thought and helped him lift the bar the last of the way as he neared twenty-five reps. Oliver’s heart beat a harsh staccato in his chest. The beast roared in his mind, showing his large, pointed teeth.

Yeah, yeah. I get it, buddy. Trust me. I want her too.

After their workout and sparring session, Oliver grabbed a meal from the kitchen and sat in the silence of his room to scarf down his grub. He knew everyone had secrets, and he was pretty sure Amaraynth had her fair share, but something irked him and didn’t make sense. He didn’t have any proof, just a feeling, but he’d learned long ago to trust his instincts. They’d yet to lead him astray. Something about her visit wasn’t right. It was like she was telling the truth, yet leaving something equally important out by omission.

And he was going to find out what.

Just as soon as his head cleared, his tiger calmed down, and he got some much needed sleep.

“So, this is your idea of playing it cool?” a familiar voice said as he slumbered in a dreamscape where a hot white leopard dozed in the sunlight by a cool pond, and he frolicked in the dark water.

Oliver blinked open an eye and stared at Cecelia, Lucky’s mate, in muted colors. He yawned.

Cecelia waived her hand in front of her face and said, “Damn dude, that’s some bad kitty breath. Better go brush your teeth and form two legs before your woman cracks this door and steps on you.”

Then Oliver noticed he was splayed in front of Amara’s door, lying on the floor with four paws and giant claws. He tilted his head a fraction and she ruffled the hair on his head.

“Yep, you’re a tiger, buddy. From the look on your face, I’m guessing you don’t remember shifting and stalking here.” She frowned. “Is that a common thing during bonding? Lucky did that shit a few times too, in the beginning. Thankfully we sorted it out. It got really funny finding him asleep in the oddest places in his quest to dominate me.”

The light footsteps from the other side of the door made him scramble up to stand, only since he wasn’t quite awake yet, his legs crossed and he swayed to the side, knocking over Cecelia who’d been crouched down beside him.

The door whooshed open and Amara’s face filled his vision. Her hair was plaited and she wore dark jeans, a ripped t-shirt with a logo he didn’t recognize, and shit kickers.He chortled.

Cecelia giggled behind him, and he rotated his face to see her lying on her back staring at the ceiling and banging her fist on the floor. “I forgot how fucking heavy you are, you bastard. Wait until I tell Lucky.”

“Are you trying to get him stabbed?” Amara said, causing him to turn back to her, mesmerized by her voice.

“No,” Lucky’s mate said, “but he’s ribbed me since I got here, and I think it’s about time he got some payback.”

“You’re an unusual woman,” Amara noted, then stepped over Oliver’s tall back.

He hadn’t noticed he’d moved closer to her, drawn by her scent and the new need to rub his flank against her legs. He arched his back as she tried to get over him, and he ended up lifting her up off her feet. He decided to try and carry her where she needed to go, not wanting her body leaving his. The contact was necessary. Vital, even.

Her hands gripped his fur and she squealed. “Put me down, you oaf.”

Rather than risk her bailing off his back, he stopped and roared.

“Very scary,” Cecelia grumbled next to him, covering her ears. “I think he wants you to stay put,” she said to Amara. He couldn’t see what his mate did, but Cecelia rolled her eyes. “Think of it as a unique taxi ride, or, you can pretend you’re on a camel!”

“What the fuck?” Lucky’s voice called from down the hall. Oliver lifted his face, closed his mouth, then licked his chops.

Lucky shook his head, glanced to his right, and pointed at him. Hammer and Brick rounded the hallway, eyes bulged, and then all three men doubled over with laughter. Undeterred, Oliver tilted his head further up and sauntered right past the bastards, carrying his woman, feeling like the luckiest man on earth. Well, tiger, anyway.

That is, until the woman on his back started digging her heels into his side, then kicked him a few times and leapt off, bounding down the hall with laughter on her back.

He glanced back at his brothers who were still laughing their asses off, swished his tail at them, and took off after Amara.

He rounded the last corner with his head down and slammed into something hard. The momentum carried him further, his legs sliding out from under him on the linoleum, and he heaped into the wall. As he shook his head, he saw Amara grinning over her shoulder as she full out ran down the last hallway and burst through the main room’s doors.

The tiger was both irritated and amused by its mate’s ability to play, however, the human side wasn’t so enamored and started spouting how love shouldn’t be so hard, and whined about how it seemed so easy between his bonded brothers and their mates.

Rather than chase after his mate, he slowly walked toward his apartment so he could change back into a man, shower, and get dressed. Then he could deal with his dodgy mate and claim her proper.