You're Kitten Me (12 page)

“
Ver-on-i-ca!
”

The national wolf alpha was done waiting.

Ronnie didn’t realize how much she giggled when she was drunk. Or that she found everything in the world hilarious. That initial Black Wolf had led to another. And then another. And then she sorta lost count because, like she told Braden, they really were like werewolf catnip.

And Braden… had ingested a lot of catnip. He said it was sweet and smoky and a wonderful complement to his beer.

Hours later, toasts complete, smiles flashed for cameras and video recorders, and howls and roars released in celebration, and Ronnie was ready for bed. So her mate could fuck her and… claim her? The wolf agreed, anxious for his fangs in her flesh, but could she trust the animal? It’d betrayed her once before. Would it again? What would it do to Braden?

Nothing
, it assured her. The animal would never hurt their mate.

Ronnie shook her head. She wasn’t ready to risk his life. She’d keep a lid on the wolf and wouldn’t let it wrench control from her human body. Maybe someday, but not today—tonight.

Her mate tugged her close, his heavy arm draped across her shoulders, and she snuggled into his side, nuzzling his firm chest. He was so strong, so fierce. And even if her father refused to admit it, she knew he liked her mate. At least a little bit. He hadn’t challenged Braden, so that was a plus. If her daddy really wanted him gone, he would have found a reason to kick Braden’s ass. Since Braden’s ass was hard under her hand and decidedly unkicked, she figured they were ahead of the game.

The last lingering tigers intent on wishing them well slowly made their way around the house and toward their cars. Which left her and Braden mostly alone in the backyard. Zoe and Ares cuddled beneath a nearby tree while some of the other couples who’d attended also found private places.

“How you feeling?” Braden nuzzled the top of her head and inhaled. “You drank a lot.”

“Hmm…” Yes, she had, and it was delicious. “Good. Buzzed, but not really drunk. Just happy.”

He hummed and then spoke once more. “So what comes next, if you’re not really drunk and just happy?”

Ronnie’s wolf was intrigued by the question and pushed to its feet inside her mind, padding forward and nosing her. “What do you want to happen?”

He chuckled. “No fair. Don’t try and catch me in one of those women questions. Tell me what you want. Because I want you naked beneath me. I want you screaming my name. I want my teeth in your shoulder.” He bent and nipped her shoulder. She tilted her head to the side and gave him more room. “I want yours in mine.”

“Yes.” Yes to all of that.

And more
, the wolf assured her.

Ronnie swallowed hard, a hint of faith blossoming in her heart. Could she trust the animal? All she could remember from the last time she’d tried to get close to a man was pain and blood. Screams suddenly cut off by death.

“But I’m not doing this inside the house where everyone can hear every sound.”

She giggled. Her. She
giggled
. “Forest it is. They can stumble over us, but I imagine whoever else is out there tonight is looking for privacy too.” Ronnie scraped her fang over his skin. This was what she wanted, what she’d always wanted. Understanding. Support. Acceptance. They both had issues, they both had reasons, and they both wanted to be together in any way they could. Mates, but not, and that was okay. “Know any good spots?”

“I know plenty.” He pulled back and his intent gaze met hers. “Are you sure?”

“More than. I want your bite, Braden.”

The wolf wanted more.

The wolf could go fuck itself. She
would not
risk Braden. Ever.

He pressed a quick kiss to her lips, and she was glad he didn’t try to take it deeper. She couldn’t guarantee she wouldn’t pounce on him if he had. Her pussy was wet—soaking—for him, and she couldn’t wait to get naked. “Not solidifying our bond doesn’t make it any less than another couple. It doesn’t lessen my commitment and lov—” He cleared his throat. “C’mon. You wanna shift, or do you want skin.”

Oh hell no. She grabbed his hand when he went to move away. “Nope, finish what you were gonna say.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He even blanked his expression. Too bad for him shifters could scent emotions.

“Try again.”

He grimaced.

“Here, I’ll help you.” She slipped her hands around his neck and pushed to her tiptoes until less than an inch separated their mouths. “Not solidifying our bond doesn’t lessen my commitment and love for you.” Those words rang true inside her. Their love wasn’t overnight, but slowly established over the weeks she’d spent with him. It was strengthened by the recent adversity and hardened by their talk earlier in the day.

Braden was her mate, her other half. Her forever.

Ronnie nipped his lower lip. “Your turn.”

“Veronica…” He tried to lean in and kiss her, but she jerked back.

“Nope, let’s hear it. All of it.”

Braden pressed his forehead to hers. “I love you. I want to mate you. I want you to be mine, and no matter how we form our bond, it’s still going to be as strong and fierce as any others.” He squeezed her tightly. “You’re mine, Veronica Barrington.”

“Veronica…” she swallowed hard, heart thumping a rapid beat as nerves assaulted her. Why was this part so difficult to say? She’d said everything else, but… She mentally growled and huffed. She wasn’t a pussy even if she was mating a tiger. “Veronica Scott.”

“As soon as we find a little moonlight and a nice patch of forest, you’re mine.” He moved away from her and she let him go, not objecting when he dragged her toward the forest.

He loved her. Her, a woman who’d killed a man for what they were about to attempt. The wolf snarled and told her she was an idiot. The animal wanted the tiger just as much as Ronnie ached for the human.

So maybe… maybe if a howl made its way up her throat, she’d release it.

Maybe.

The wolf said certainly. There was no maybe about it.

Ronnie decided she’d take a wait-and-see approach.

For now, she’d focus on getting naked and running through the woods with her tiger mate. He led her into the deep shadows of a large tree, not releasing her until they were out of sight.

“This a good spot for you?” His voice was deep and soothing, blunting some of the nervousness plaguing her.

She surveyed the area, peeking around the trunk and realizing she couldn’t see any remaining partygoers. “Perfect.” She smiled and turned back to her mate. Her very naked, very aroused, mate. She widened her eyes and her mouth dropped open with shock. “Oh shit.”

He grinned. “Oh shit good, or oh shit bad?”

She licked her lips, gaze taking in every detail. The moon’s light bathed him in a silvery glow that accentuated his muscled body. She’d traced each one of those carved lines while they were both clothed, from the firmness of his pecs to his rippled abs. His thick arms had cradled her gently, and those large hands caressed her with subtle passion while his strong legs supported her when she leaned against him. He was strength personified… and all hers.

“Oh shit, I bet you taste good.” The visible V at his hips directed her to his cock, the closely cropped curls framing his thickness. He was long and firm, his dick seeming to point right at her as if to say, “Pick me, pick me!”

Which had her snorting and him frowning. “Laughing at a guy isn’t the best confidence booster.”

That had her grinning, and she shook her head. “You’ve got no reason to doubt your appeal.” She rolled her eyes. “You know you’re sexy as hell.” She strolled forward, her hand immediately going to his chest. “You know I’m wet for you.” She let her fingers trail down his body and over his abdomen. She traced each dip and curve, loving that her mate was so strong, so fierce. She teased the short hair around the base of his dick. Braden moaned, and when she encircled his shaft, the sound turned into a rumbling purr. She stroked him, enjoying the feel of his silken length against her palm. “You know I want you.”

“Fuck, Veronica.” His hips jerked and he thrust into the circle of her hand. “What you do to me.”

What
he
did to
her
was more like it. He got her hot with a look, a smile, a whiff of his scent. She caressed him from base to tip, gathering the droplet of moisture that’d gathered there. She salivated and licked her lips, wondering how he’d taste. They’d shared kisses in the past but hadn’t progressed to more intimate things. Now she could—she should, in fact.

“How close are the others?” she whispered. She hadn’t paid attention to the rest of the lingering partygoers.

“Huh?” Passion-glazed eyes met his. “What?”

“Where is everyone else? Any other shifters nearby?” She pumped him once more, using his pre-cum as a lubricant.

“No,” he shook his head and squeezed his eyes shut before opening them wide once more. “They’re all gone. In the house or the woods.”

“Good.” She smirked, and her pussy clenched, anticipation thrumming through her veins. Her gums ached, her wolf asserting itself and assuring her the idea sounded like the best thing ever.

“Good?” When she brushed the tip of his dick with her thumb, her big, bad tiger whimpered.

Ronnie’s lips tingled and her gums ached, her wolf pushing forward in anticipation. She slowly lowered to her knees, ignoring the dried leaves and pebbles pressing into her flesh. When her face drew even with his cock, nothing else mattered. “Yeah,” she whispered, meeting his gaze as she flicked her tongue out and captured the next bead of pre-cum. “Good.”

Good didn’t cut it.

Shit, having Veronica’s mouth on him was so beyond good he wasn’t sure what he’d call it. Fucking fantastic wasn’t strong enough.

Braden braced himself, feet shoulder-width apart and he wished he had a tree at his back to keep him upright.

Amber eyes met his, her irises dilated until most of the color was obliterated by the proof of her need. That wasn’t the only clue to her arousal. The flavors of her desire filled the air, her body screaming for him. For his mouth, his hands, his cock. He knew he’d find her wet, her panties soaked as her cream seeped from her center.

She darted her delicate pink tongue out to lap at the tip of his dick, the wetness bathing the spongy head in a single lick.

“Veronica,” he whispered hoarsely. She stole his breath and nearly all his control. She repeated the action, tip toying with his leaking slit. Her dark hair fell forward, and he immediately reached for the strands, brushing them back. “Want to see you. Need to watch you suck me. Fuck, so pretty.”

He knew his tiger was out in full force, could sense the animal’s presence, the burn of its fur as the hairs slid through his pores and the ache of his fingers from his beast’s nails. If she were human, he’d worry about scaring her. Since his mate was a wolf, he let his inner feline out as much as he dared.

Veronica pulled the head of his dick into her mouth, lips parting just enough to accept him. She flicked the tip and then sucked his flesh, drawing his pleasure forward. His balls ached and pulsed, his body preparing to find the final bliss of release.

But not yet… not until…

She swallowed him, opening her jaws wider and sliding her mouth along his hard length. She took more and more of him, swallowing inch after inch and then retreating. His shaft glistened with her saliva, the night air cooling his skin. Then she accepted him once more, lips caressing his shaft.

Fuck, but she was beautiful, all amber eyes, tumbling hair, and heart-shaped face. She still wore clothing, but the neck of her shirt gaped, giving him a clear view of her plump breasts. He was desperate to get his hands on them, to suck and nibble her nipples just like she pleasured his dick. Her skin was pale in the moon’s light and he knew it was as soft as it appeared. His mate was a deliciously wicked angel, and he couldn’t wait to get her dirty.

She ran her nails up his thighs, the sharpened tips pricking his skin as she stroked him, and he shuddered at the hint of pain. His balls throbbed and his dick twitched in the depths of her mouth. That small bite drove his pleasure higher, the desire for her growing with each heartbeat. She was glorious in her passion, eyes filled with lust and need.

Veronica wrapped one small hand around his shaft, squeezing him gently, and then she stroked his dick as she sucked. Her hand worked in conjunction with her heavenly lips and tongue, driving him mad with the need for her.

Another hint of pain joined his pleasure, her nails scraping his thigh from knee to groin. She cupped his balls, holding them gently in her small palm. She squeezed softly and he shuddered, enjoyment from her touch jolting through him in an uncontrollable wave of sensation. Fuck it felt good. Good and bad at once because he was nowhere near ready to come. He wanted to do that balls deep inside her pussy, his fangs at her throat.

Soon. Not yet. But fucking soon.

She caressed his sack, fingers gentle on his sensitive skin, and he let the pleasure of the connection wash through him. His tiger purred, sounding out its approval, and the sound actually left him in a rolling rumble. The cat was pleased with their mate and couldn’t wait to chase and pounce on her—make her theirs.

With the next glide of her lips along his shaft, she released him, hand continuing to stroke, yet her mouth was gone from his dick.

“Veronica,” he whispered her name, unable to remain silent.

“Tell me what you want,” she whispered just as softly.

“You. Always you.”

Forever you
.

Veronica opened once more, tongue darting out to catch his cum, and then she gently lapped the head, lulling him with the sensuous pleasure. She pulled back her lips, baring her fangs. Her wolf pushed forward and transformed her normal canines to her beast’s—long and wicked. He remained motionless as she brought those deadly teeth close to his dick, not moving as she very carefully scraped the sharp edge over the spongy tip.

“Fuck,” he hissed, shuddering with the unexpected pleasure. His tiger chuffed and roared its approval, loving their mate’s possession of them.