Savage Instinct (8 page)

She struck him as the type of person that didn’t like to
get dirty.  And he was the kind of guy that liked getting a woman dirty.  Very
dirty.

He went into the bedroom and started to look through
drawers when he heard something that wasn’t a growl, but it was guttural like
it came from the throat of an animal.

Mildly alarmed, Aiden turned slowly and saw a cat glaring
at him and making the growling noises in the base of its throat.

Aiden froze and stared at the cat.

The cat’s short white fur stood on end in a streak up its
long sleek body.  On the top of its head was a single black spot the size of a
thumbprint.

The cat stood like you would expect a guard dog to stand,
shoulders up, on the tips of its toes, slightly curved, with its tail looking
like a fat bottle brush.

Aiden watched the cat, listening to the mean little bastard
growl at him.

He took one step forward, and the cat launched from its
position, landing on Aiden’s chest with every claw extended.

Aiden couldn’t help the scream that erupted from his
throat.

The claws of the cat felt like knives when it ran them over
Aiden’s bare chest.

“Ah!” he hollered, knocking the white beast off his chest.

The animal made the guttural sound again, and then launched
for another attack, hissing and sputtering and spitting.

Aiden retreated, hitting his back on the bedroom wall as
the cat tore at his legs and ran up his pajamas.

“What the hell!” he yelled, shaking his leg to knock the
monstrosity loose and making his own low guttural noises to warn the animal
off.

The cat landed on the bed, twisting and landing on its feet
in an impressive, fluid move.

Aiden bowed up at the thing, growling to scare it away. 
“Get out of here!”

The cat acted like it was anything
but
scared of Aiden.

Sometimes, running was the better part of valor.  Aiden
determined he would lock the animal up in the bedroom until Nydia returned.

He just had to dash out the door and shut it before the cat
could chase him down.

Aiden eyed the door twelve feet away from his position.

Piece of cake.

He took a step forward, making a retreat.

Out of the corner of his eye Aiden saw the cat as a blur in
motion.  Realizing at once that the damned thing wasn’t going to let him get
away so easily, he raised his arms to protect his face from the animal and to
his surprise it bit him on the leg rather than leaping back onto his chest.

Aiden yelled and lifted his leg, trying to shake it free. 
Dagger like teeth sunk into his ankle.

“Fuck!  Ow!”

The cat wrapped its arms around his calf, tearing into his
leg before he managed to dislodge it and launch it away from him and onto the
bed.  The creature stood on all fours and bounced across the bed on its toes,
hissing and spitting.

He needn’t have worried about hurting the little bastard. 
Its reflexes were faster than his.

Aiden glared at the animal and dared it to attack him
again.

Aiden had never seen a cat like this one.  It acted more
like a dog than a cat was supposed to.  He surveyed the room and decided his
best course of action was going to be to get into the bathroom where he could
close the door between him and this creature.

Aiden slowly started walking sideways, watching the cat
watching his every move.  Bastard knew it had won.

Aiden hated to admit he’d been bested by something so
small, but it wasn’t like he could do anything violent.  The animal was
obviously her pet.  He couldn’t hurt the animal, even if it’d attacked him.  It
was just naturally defending its turf from an intruder.

The cat crouched with a glare in its eyes, its haunches
wiggling as if it might leap at him again the moment he let his guard down.

Just as Aiden reached the point in his maneuvers where his
back was to the bathroom door, and the cat was no longer between him and safety,
the creature shot up at him for another attack.  Aiden leapt backwards with a
yelp and slammed the bathroom door shut.

“Jesus Christ,” he muttered.  Behind him, he could hear the
cat meowing at the door.

He kicked the base of the door, hoping to scare it away.

The master bathroom was really quite large for such a small
house.  A cherry vanity with a freestanding sink hugged the front corner with a
framed and lighted mirror above that.  At the back stood a roomy claw footed
tub with a plush towel draped across the back.  And in the opposite corner
stood the toilet and a small glass enclosed steam shower.

Aiden concluded she must own her home and had invested on
remodeling her bathroom to bring the spa experience home.

The woman liked being clean, obviously.

Aiden stepped in front of the mirror and looked at a
reflection that he hardly recognized.  He looked disheveled and in great need
of a bath and a shave.

He rubbed a hand over his scruffy chin.  Maybe the look
wasn’t too bad—if he wanted people to think he was homeless and had no way to
clean himself up.

His normally fast growing beard was going to be in full
blossom by the afternoon if he didn’t tend to it now.

Sighing, Aiden started opening drawers until he located
some razors and shaving gel.  The pink gel smelled like the floral perfume of a
retiree.  He got a hand towel from the rack and turned the faucet on in the
sink.

He splashed water on his face and applied some of the
shaving gel. The gel lathered well and Aiden proceeded to remove the beard that
was attempting to take over. He swore that his beard grew faster than kudzu.

He put the stopper in the tub and started some warm water
running in it.  The bathroom was like every other inch of the home, impeccably
clean and organized.

On a shelf beside the tub were an assortment of shampoos,
conditioners, and body wash containers.  He shook his head as he noticed that
the labels on the bottles were all turned in the same direction.

Aiden chuckled.

This girl had a serious neatness problem.

Aiden peeled the too short pants off, and stepped into the
tub.  Lowering his long form into the steaming water, he gave a blissful sigh.

Reaching to the knobs, he adjusted the water to the point
that his skin reddened everywhere water touched it.

Shape-shifters might be fantastic healers, but it didn’t
prevent them from feeling pain or residual soreness after injury or exertion. 
He supposed the fact that he was still sore a day later had something to do
with being poisoned by silver.

Aiden knew the other shape shifters would be relentless in
their pursuit of him and their objective.  Getting rid of a rival leader and
acquiring their clan and territory made a pack stronger and harder to dispose
of.  Aiden had known there were others like him in the area, but had chosen to
let them live in peace rather than make war.  In his mind, they weren’t animals
and should be able to live in their own areas without causing trouble.

He regretted not wiping them out earlier or at least
finding out how many they had in their numbers and what strengths they
possessed.  Being inbred didn’t necessarily mean they were weaker.  Thinking
back, he remembered that some of those guys were some big sons-of-bitches.

Maybe he wasn’t cut out for this leadership business after
all.  He’d inherited the clan from his father just a few years ago.  Everyone
seemed agreeable to the shift in power to him, but that didn’t mean he was
right for the job.

Aiden sighed.

His lax attitude would be the death of him.

When the tub filled a few inches from the top, he turned
the tap off and stretched out in the tub to soak.  He wet the wash cloth in the
hot water and placed it over his eyes to allow the heat to steam some of the
ache away.

Sleep crept into his consciousness just as the bathroom
door opened.

Chapter
Eight

Nydia got her shopping bags out of the car and went to the
kitchen door.  She unlocked the door and quickly looked to the couch in the
living room, hoping Aiden would still be asleep there. To her dismay he wasn’t.

Nydia sat her bags on the counter and poured food into
Spot’s bowl.  The cat ran into the kitchen at the first tinkling sounds of
cereal hitting the ceramic bowl.

She petted her cat, who purred her approval, then started
down the hall.  The guest bathroom and bedroom were both empty.

Which left her bedroom.

A strange little thrill shivered down her backbone.

She wanted to call it annoyance at having her peaceful
domain violated by his presence.  Inside her bedroom, she found an open drawer
on her bureau, and the sheets were slightly rumpled.

Had he been in her bed?

For some reason, the thought didn’t make her angry.

She walked to the bathroom and opened the door slowly.

As the door swung wide and silent, Nydia was greeted with
the sight of her houseguest lounging in her tub, as if he had every right to be
there.  She was inside before she thought better of it, standing halfway inside
the bathroom and torn between the desire to see more and escape before he
noticed her.

He was naked except for a clear coating of steam and water. 
Droplets frolicked down his hairy chest and the happy trail that led to the
playground at the end of the rainbow.  Oh, and a wash cloth covering his eyes.

Yeah, that hid enough that he couldn’t see how shocked and
bothered she was by seeing him in there.

Nydia’s mouth went dry.  She swallowed, forcing moisture
into her mouth to free her tongue from the roof.

She planted her feet and plunked her hands on her hips.  “What
are you doing in here?” she croaked.

He sat up in the tub, dropping the cloth with a wet plop
between his legs.  The look he gave her spoke volumes…and looked infinitely
inviting.

“I thought it would help my injuries to soak a while.  You
just have a shower in the other bathroom.”

“Are…are you feeling…better?”

“Is it hot in here?”  She fanned herself.  “You must be
boiling in that water,” she said.  The steam in the room made her temperature
rise—or maybe it was the sight of his masculine beauty and complete disregard
for her presence.  She was glad she’d had the forethought to buy a pack of
t-shirts.  It was like having a box of chocolates sitting on the counter when
you’re on a diet—too much succulent man meat for the eyes was bad for her
libido.

“I was feeling better, and then your monster attacked me
and nearly tore me to shreds giving me new sores and cuts.  You should have
that thing on a chain.” Aiden looked squarely at Nydia with a firmly set jaw.

“I don’t seen any scratches on you.”

“They’re on my legs,” he muttered with a dark undertone.

She laughed.  “You’ve got to be kidding.”

Just about then the cat came walking into the room and
glared at Aiden.  Nydia reached down and picked up the cat, stroking her soft
fur.  Spot purred. “By monster do you mean Spot?’ she asked.  The cat lovingly
rubbed her head against her arm as she stroked her fur. “She’s nothing but a
big old baby!”

Aiden said, “Spot?  Who on earth names their cat Spot?  No
wonder it thinks it’s a dog!!!” He bent his legs at the knee. “That thing hates
me.”

Nydia smiled.  “Spot doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. 
She’s a little sweetheart.  I’ve never seen her hurt anyone.  If she attacked
you, then it’s because you were someplace you weren’t supposed to be.  Like my
bedroom,” she said, looking at him pointedly.

He avoided her eyes.

Nydia raised one corner of her mouth and arched an
eyebrow.  “Yeah, that’s what I thought.”

She couldn’t believe that Aiden couldn’t handle a cat.  She
found it very hard not to laugh out loud at the fact that he was whipped by a
cat.  She placed Spot on the floor.  Spot walked past the tub and stopped to
hiss at Aiden.

Aiden glared at the cat as it walked by.

Nydia snickered but couldn’t stop her eyes from having a
mind of their own, daring to take peeks at him.  She should leave, but couldn’t
seem to command her feet to move forward or back.

Nydia cleared her throat. “I went to the store and picked
up a steak, some deli meat, and chops for you.  I realized that it was wrong to
deny you the foods you’re used to just because I don’t eat them.” She was
busying herself with straightening things on the cabinet that didn’t need
straightening.

“I also got you some larger sweat pants and a tee shirt
that I think will fit.” Nydia ran water in the basin to wash away some
imaginary spot.

“Thanks, Nydia.  I’ll be out of here in a day or so.  I’ll
be sure to come and pay you back for everything you’ve spent.  I’d rather be
home, but my place is so secluded, I’d have a hard time getting back to town
for anything I need.  You know, this leg injury.”

“If they hurt that bad, you should let me check them.  I’ve
heard some people can break their shins slightly and still walk with a limp.”

He shook his head, scrubbing the washcloth over his chest
and arms and leaving a trail of bubbles that popped enticingly.  “I’m healing
just fine.  Promise.  Just another day or two and I can walk out of here on my
own.  Maybe by then, I’ll remember my friend’s number and can get a ride.”

“I could take you.”

He stopped soaping his body and looked at her, capturing
her eyes for a long moment.  “That isn’t necessary.  I don’t want to put you
out any more than I already have.”

Aiden rose from the tub.  Nydia whirled around but caught
his reflection in the mirror just as he grabbed a towel and wrapped it around
his waist.  She didn’t think to look for his bruises—all she could focus on was
his cock jutting out of his groin like a heat seeking missile ready to launch.

Good lord, she thought, feeling weak in the knees.  She
gripped the counter, feeling unsteady on her feet and thankful that he was
quickly enrobed in the towel to spare her from making a fool of herself.

The fact that he was sporting a semi-hard-on didn’t get
past Nydia.  That he seemed turned on by her presence in the room with him made
that simmering heat return full force to her lower belly.

When Aiden stood fully erect he lifted one leg as if to get
out of the tub.  He leaned forward and allowed his weight to carry him forward
as if he were stumbling.  Nydia turned quickly and ducked low to help him
before he could slip and fall.

Her face planted in the hard, wet rivulets of his stomach
muscles.

She breathed hotly against his stomach, felt it clench
beneath the touch of her cheek.  His hand wrapped in her hair, and for just a
moment, she thought he would guide her through the covering of his towel to
envelop his erection in her mouth.  The thought of swallowing his cock made a
spasm burst inside her pussy.

Nydia bit her lip, pulling her face away from the
temptation of his body and standing upright.

Aiden was still too close for her comfort, when just the
touch of his hand seemed to melt away her resistance, being in the confined
space was too much.

“You got it?” she asked, her voice breaking with passion.

He made a little laugh.  “I’ve never been so unsteady on my
feet before.  I think I stayed in the tub too long,” he said.  His tan skin was
reddened by the hot water, wet and inviting her to nibble.

Nydia bit her lip, harder this time, reminding herself she
couldn’t look, want, or taste anything of the sort.  “Don’t lose your towel,”
she muttered once she trusted her voice.

“I won’t,” he said.

Nydia watched Aiden’s face and thought for a moment that
she saw a glimmer of a smile on his face.  She was almost certain that the
corners of his mouth lifted as she turned to catch him.  She wasn’t altogether
certain that he hadn’t faked the falling episode for her benefit.

She was starting to feel anger build up at him for his
behavior, and at her for not being able to resist being attracted to him.  Nydia
wanted nothing more than to be out of the room so she could avoid facing him
and her own feelings.

He sat on the edge of the tub.  “Wait here and I will go get
the clothing I bought for you and the tape and gauze.  Don’t try to stand up
until I get back.”

Aiden smiled as she left.  He was fairly certain that he
had gotten to her and that she had to fight the urge to devour him at that very
moment.  He heard a hissing noise and realized that monster she had for a pet
was standing in the bathroom door glaring at him.

Aiden gave a low guttural growl and the cat spun around and
headed out of sight.

Nydia returned after just a few minutes and began to rub
the towel over his body.  Maybe it was her work from the spa that made her more
inclined to take over when he could handle things himself, but it worked to his
benefit to allow her the idea that he remained in need of her tender loving
care.

It still made him feel like a heel to deceive her.

Clearly, she enjoyed helping others, or she wouldn’t be so
quick to help him.

Aiden thought that he would give her until forever to stop
touching him.  Even through the towel, he sensed the pressure of her fingers
roaming over his body.  Aiden clenched his jaw, willing his rampant cock to
stand down.  Much as he might want to pick a fight with her sweet little pussy
to see who’d come out the winner, he had no business fucking a human.

Matters weren’t helped by the t-shirt stretched across her
ample breasts that jiggled and swayed against him as she moved.

Aiden’s throat closed as all moisture and blood swelled in
his groin.  Fucking prick had a mind of its own.

Aiden thumped his shaft as she moved around him.  The move
stung and put his cock back in line. 
Thought so
.

When she was satisfied that she had him dry, she helped him
get his legs into the new sweats she had purchased for him.

“I’ve got it from here,” he said, pulling the pants up
beneath his towel as he stood.  She nodded, but kept her eyes on him.

“Do I need to check your wound?”

He put his hand over the spot.  “How about after lunch. 
I’m starved,” he said as he drew a shirt over his head.

He stretched the hem around his waist, liking the way her
eyes seemed to devour his every move.

“Let’s get back to the living room.  I’ll make you a pork
chop to go with the soup,” Nydia said, busy picking up the pants he’d been
wearing when he came into the bathroom.

Slipping an arm around his waist, she helped him navigate back
to the couch.

“Thanks.  I didn’t realize blood loss had made me so weak. 
I’m just not used to this.”

She stood up and shrugged.  “No one would be.  You’re lucky
I can home when I did.  Just remember that you’re a little unsteady right now and
stay out of the tub when I’m not around.”

Aiden lounged on the couch as she put the pork chop on to
sear on the stovetop.  The scent of pork fat frying made his stomach growl.

Nydia flipped on the radio and hip hop filled the space
with heavy beats.