Stray Cat Strut (3 page)

We stared at each other, silence blooming.
My bark of laughter broke the tension. “You trying to tell me we can’t think
and have an erection at the same time?”

“It’s what women think,” Lucas said. “Letty
tells me all the time.”

“We know better.”

“Yeah.” He squeezed lube into his hands and
rubbed it over his erection. He squeezed another dollop into the middle of his
palm and looked at me, his eyes gleaming. “Your turn.”

I moved to the middle of the bed and went
up on hands and knees, the traditional mating position for feline. My heart
pounded while my stomach quivered. It wasn’t often I allowed myself in the
position to be dominated. For the first time I understood the female point of
view, the trust involved. Of course if Lucas tried any funny stuff, I’d sock
him in the nose. A bloody nose did a lot to teach respect.

The mattress moved when Lucas shifted
behind me. His hand glided across the curve of my ass, soothing rather than
teasing. Maybe he understood my trepidation after all.

“Are you sure you want this position?” His
words confirmed it.

Yeah, I was sure. Now. “I figure you’ll
return the compliment.” The need that simmered through me flooded over into my
voice.

“I haven’t done it for anyone for a long
time.”

“Neither have I,” I murmured.

Emotion floated between us even though it
was early days. We’d clicked from the first moment we’d looked each other in
the eyes. I couldn’t have explained it if I’d wanted to, but it was there.
Between us—the possibility of something more.

Lucas widened my stance, running one hand
between my legs when the other delved between my butt cheeks, smearing lube as
he explored. The cool liquid was like an icy shock on my hot skin. My cock
lengthened, enjoyment rocketing the length of my body. I felt Lucas’ lips
nuzzle my ass, the light graze of sharp teeth. His fingers stroked across my
entrance, sending nerve endings twitching. The simmering pleasure deepened when
he repeated the move. I bit back a groan when his fingers dipped inside, gently
stretching and working me for his possession. Hell, although I’d experienced
this before, enough to know I preferred the dominant position, this felt
incredible.

The bottle of lube wheezed again. An
instant later cool gel flooded me. Lucas pushed a finger slowly inside,
stroking and massaging. Exploring carefully to discover what I liked, how I
liked it. I pushed back against his finger, driving the digit deeper. It grazed
my prostate, the surge of pleasure forcing a groan from me.

“Like that?” he asked.

“Yes.”

Despite my confirmation, he didn’t repeat
the move. His finger retreated. I glanced over my shoulder to see his look of
concentration. This confirmed it wasn’t casual for him. It made me fiercely
glad, but hell, I wished he’d hurry. I felt empty. I needed…

More lube. This time he pushed two fingers
inside me, moving carefully past the rings of muscle and beyond, stretching me.
I breathed carefully, savoring the pleasure of his touch along with the dark
edge of pain. Blood pooled in my dick while my sac felt hard and almost achy.
Lucas made a passing sweep across the sensitive mass, making me suck in my
breath. He pushed slowly and retreated, pulling his fingers free. I trembled,
knowing what was coming next. Sure enough, the tip of his cock pushed against
my entrance. Lucas entered me slowly and carefully, allowing me to adjust to
the width of his cock and his possession.

He groaned. “Fuck,” he muttered. “That
feels incredible.” He pushed deeper and I groaned too. He was right. It felt
freakin’ incredible. Lucas pulled mostly out before easing back inside again.
He worked deep, doing it gradually until he was fully seated. Finally he leaned
forward and rested his chest against my back. He kissed the curve of my
shoulder, a wet, sloppy kiss. When I protested, he nipped me, laughing and
kissing me again—this time in the middle of my back.

Lucas withdrew and slid back inside me.
Easily this time. He surged inside and retreated, setting up a steady rhythm at
the perfect angle. The head of his cock brushed my prostate, the sensitive
gland sending shards of pleasure darting through me. I wrapped one hand around
my cock, attempting to balance despite the increasing rapidity of Lucas’
thrusts.

“Let me,” he said. He batted my hand away,
waiting until I was on all fours again before gripping my cock tightly in his
fist. Lucas pressed another moist kiss to my spine while moving again. How he
managed to concentrate on thrusting and pumping at the same time, I have no
idea. Sensations engulfed me, stealing my breath. My heart galloped, flames of
pleasure burning me up.

Lucas increased the speed of his thrusts
yet still kept the moves careful and easy to ensure he didn’t hurt me. My ass
burned but in a good way. I moaned when he dragged his dick across my gland. I
clenched my butt, pulling a dark sound from Lucas. It reverberated through me.
Our sweat-sheened bodies clung together. The unbearable friction inside me grew
even more. The muscles of my belly jumped and suddenly I was flying. My cock
pulsed in jerky contractions, semen shooting over my chest and hitting the
sheets. Lucas gave one more hard thrust before he froze, his harsh sound of
animal enjoyment echoing inside the bedroom. I felt him pulsing inside me. We
both stilled, savoring the afterglow for long seconds. Then Lucas moved,
pulling free from my body. I heard the stretch of latex when he removed the
condom and slowly turned, rolling over on my back to look up at my lover. Lucas
stood and prowled into the en suite. I heard the running of water before he
returned with a damp cloth, cleaning himself with thorough strokes.

His slow, sexy smile smoked my insides. I
knew just how he felt—contented, fulfilled and excited.

“Come here,” I said, patting the sheet
beside me.

He came willingly enough before a grimace
distorted his face. “Shit, did you have to give me the wet spot?”

I offered him a sleepy grin. “We can take
turns at that as well.”

Lucas seemed to consider because the lines
in his face became more defined. He grinned. “Sounds fair to me.” He slithered
closer, wrapping his arms around me in a loose embrace. We faced each other
with a few inches between us. “Shall we seal it with a kiss?”

He was a cuddler. I loved it since I was a
closet cuddler too. Instead of answering, I kissed him, unhurried and easy
until the buzz through my body ended up in my cock. I glanced down. Another
hard-on. Amazing. I blinked, not quite ready to go another round yet. I pressed
lazy kisses to his cheeks and eyelids before sucking on his bottom lip. No
urgency. Just a little fun and togetherness. I was pleased that Lucas seemed
amenable to the idea. His hands glided across my shoulders, the curve of my hip
and skimmed over my rib cage while his lips tasted, licked and nibbled at my
neck, my ears and finally my mouth again. I explored the sensitive column of
his throat, grazing my teeth across a pulse point.

“Do that again,” he said, not shy about
directing me. I wasn’t so big-headed that I couldn’t take a little advice. I
repeated the move, one hand moving across his shoulder before dipping to pinch
the flat disc of his nipple into an aroused peak. He made a purring sound and
moved even closer. Our lower bodies rubbed together, legs jostling and dicks
rearing to attention.

“Suck me off,” I suggested.

His dark eyes gleamed. “Greedy.”

“I thought I’d do you at the same time.” I
paused to wait for his decision. My body felt loose and relaxed apart from my
ass, which throbbed a bit. I didn’t think I could take him again, not
straightaway, but I wasn’t adverse to other play.

“What did you have in mind?”

“Stay where you are.” I moved so I faced
his groin and my feet were at the head of the bed.

“Ah.” Lucas blew a stream of warm air over
the head of my cock. Hot intent shone in his eyes when I caught his gaze.

“You catch on quick.” Despite our casual
conversation, tension suddenly choked the air. Lucas reached out and caught my
cock in his large hand. With a delicate brush of fingers, he stroked my shaft.
He locked gazes with me again, his brows rising as if to suggest I was lagging.
Couldn’t have that.

I curled my hand around his cock and pumped
lightly, enough to grab his attention. He watched me lower my head and take the
velvet tip into my mouth. His eyes seemed to darken and the tight squeeze of
his fingers on my dick told me it wouldn’t take much to drive him to the edge.
I bathed his tip with saliva while I feathered delicate touches down to the
base of his shaft.

Lucas licked the head of my cock before
taking me into his mouth and making a humming sound. The sensation spiraled
down to my balls. I wanted to thrust, but held myself still knowing it would
feel even better if I could hold back. I applied myself to Lucas, my finger
brushing the seam between his cock and anus.

Somehow, it turned into a competition to
see who would drive the other crazy first. I figured it didn’t hurt and grabbed
the silent challenge with both hands. Although we kept the pace leisurely,
arousal escalated. I sucked hard and Lucas did the same thing. Intense bursts
of heat crawled across my skin as blood crowded into my cock. My head whirled
at the sensations, the musky taste of Lucas and the feel of him inside my
mouth. A familiar low pressure gathered and hot spurts of cum shot from my
cock. I set off a chain reaction since Lucas came a heartbeat later, convulsing
in my mouth, semen shooting to the back of my throat. I swallowed, slowing my
moves while I gave him the wet rasp of my tongue. Finally, we both relaxed. I
pulled away and returned to lie beside Lucas. In silence, we wrapped our arms
around each other and cuddled, the stubble on his jaw rubbing against my cheek.
I fell asleep with a smile on my lips.

Chapter Three

Work took precedence for the next three
days. Although I was tempted to blow off my job and spend the time with Lucas,
I didn’t. My father’s fault this time. He’d stamped the work ethic on my psyche
so I continued taking tourists on treks, pointing out the local flora and
fauna. My footsteps were light and springy when I led my group of six trekkers
into the car park where I’d left our transport back to the village. Finally the
end of my work day arrived and my rostered days off had rolled around. Two days
off and I was spending them with Lucas.

Lucas was waiting at the office when we
pulled up. Our gazes met for an instant and it felt like electricity surging
through my body. We’d spent every night together but selfishly I wanted more.

Lucas prowled toward me, his long strides
covering the distance rapidly. “You free to go?”

“Just need to drop the keys in the office
and sign out.”

“I have a surprise.” Lucas stepped from
foot to foot, his expression suddenly diffident.

“Yeah?”

“You need to pack a bag. Leticia is going
to spend a couple of days fly-fishing. She’s staying at Creel House Bed and Breakfast.
I’ve booked us into a lodge near Lake Tekapo village.”

Hell, I knew the lodge he meant since there
was only the one. It was bloody expensive. Too expensive for me. “I—”

“Don’t. Please. I can afford it,” Lucas
said. “My hotel chain brings in good money.”

A hotel chain. Hell. I frowned, wondering
exactly how much money Lucas and Leticia had. “All right. We’ll take my
vehicle,” I said, my tone brooking no opposition. I wanted to contribute
something.

* * * * *

I woke the next morning curled up around Lucas.
For a moment, I lay there savoring the warmth and intimacy. Only three more
days before Lucas and Leticia were heading for Dunedin and then on to
Christchurch. Although we’d only known each other for a few days, I didn’t want
Lucas to leave. I wanted to learn more about Lucas, the things he liked, the
foods he disliked and everything else that made him tick. I wanted the intimate
details, damn it.

“You awake?” Lucas asked.

“Yes.” Wide awake. My erection pulsed
against the crack of his butt.

Lucas chuckled, pushing back against me. I
kissed his shoulder and ran my fingers through his hair, in no hurry to push
things to their natural conclusion. The musky aroma of sex underlay Lucas’
natural scent. His chest rose and fell, the air whooshing out in a purr. It
made me feel great, knowing he was happy and satisfied in my company. Cats
didn’t purr unless they were contented.

“We can go for a run later,” I suggested,
keeping it casual. There was nothing I’d like more than seeing Lucas in his
feline guise, running together. My feline prickled beneath my skin at the
suggestion. “Trek into the Alps, stow our gear and shift so we can run.”

Another purr erupted from Lucas. “You know
when you don’t shift for a while? Your skin starts to itch and you feel edgy.”
Lucas turned in my arms so we faced each other. “That’s how I feel right now. I
haven’t run since we stayed with the relatives in Perth. Right now, I want it
more than anything.”

“I can’t interest you in a quickie before
breakfast?”

Lucas pressed a quick kiss to my lips and
danced out of reach when I would have yanked him against my chest. “You’ve
promised me a run. God, I wish Leticia could come too. We weren’t sure whether
it was safe to run or not.” He bounded off the bed, reminding me of a kid, of
the Mitchell brothers when we were at school. “When can we go?”

“After we eat.” Hell, I sounded like my
mother. Part of me wanted to laugh at the incongruity of sounding like Mum, but
the wave of homesickness almost did me in. I missed being out on the farm,
being able to change at will and knocking around with the Mitchell clan.

“I’d better dress,” Lucas said. A wide grin
stretched from one ear to the other, a grin that invited me to share in his
delight.

I laughed. “Guess I’d better get out of
bed.”

An hour passed before we jumped into my SUV
and headed for the trailhead. The lodge had given us a packed lunch that we
stowed in a daypack along with a few more personal items. I’d trekked in the
area before and knew the perfect place.

“We’ll have to trek for an hour first,” I
said.

“A whole hour?” Lucas pouted. “Watch where
you’re driving,” he yelped.

“Don’t distract me then.” I risked a glance
across at him and intercepted a smirk along with another sexy pout. My tongue
darted out to moisten my lips. I dug my teeth into my bottom lip, imagining
doing that to Lucas. Although my gaze was on the road, I heard his groan.
Payback. I loved it.

I parked the SUV and switched off the
ignition. My vehicle was the only one in the car park. Good. I’d hoped that
would be the case. “Ready?”

“Oh yeah,” Lucas drawled. “Hell, I wish
Leticia could have come with us. It would do her good to shift and run, embrace
the feline for a few hours.”

Something in his tone hinted at secrets.
The need to ask questions simmered but I refrained. It wasn’t my business since
our relationship wouldn’t move out of casual before they left. The knowledge
sent shimmers of pain through me. Maybe I should have left it as a one night,
then I wouldn’t feel this strongly. I didn’t want Lucas to leave. I shoved aside
my sadness, determined to milk the day for every bit of enjoyment. Meeting
Lucas had helped me understand what I wanted from the future—a lover exactly
like Lucas and a job working the land with other shifters around me. I didn’t
want to hide anymore.

“Maybe we can swing by the bed and
breakfast where she’s staying later this afternoon,” I said. “Take her out for
a quick run once she’s finished fishing.”

Lucas’ expression was shocked. “You would
do that?”

“Of course.” Again secrets lurked in my
lover’s eyes, making me wonder why brother and sister had left their pride.

“Thank you.” Lucas pulled me into a quick
embrace, holding so tightly my ribs were in danger of cracking. Our lips met
and lingered, rubbing together in a kiss that was an affirmation, a kiss that
rocked my foundation. “Wow,” Lucas said when we came up to breathe. His
erection pressed against my hipbone while he ran his fingers across the stubble
on my jaw.

“Hold that thought,” I said.

“Aw.”

“Willpower, man.” The cute pout was going
to lead me astray if I wasn’t careful. I seized the daypack from the rear of
the vehicle and locked the SUV. “This way.” I wasn’t about to push, not when I
knew Lucas could distract me with a look.

I started down a narrow dirt track that ran
from the far end of the car park. A lone tree stood sentinel to the valley,
clinging to the edge of a rocky hill. A breeze ruffled its branches while
overhead the morning sun shined. Lucas’ footsteps sounded behind me and I
forged ahead. We walked through a narrow valley, following the path of a stream
making its way to Lake Tekapo. Patches of tussock grass and rock covered the
lower slopes of the nearby hills. On the higher peaks, the tussock gradually
gave way to sheer rock. In the winter, snow covered the entire area but toward
the end of summer, only the highest peaks in the Southern Alps still bore a
dirty layer of ice. The sun picked up the colors in the rocks, making the
slopes glisten in purple, black and gray.

Gradually the path widened and Lucas and I
were able to walk side by side. A relief since I swear Lucas had stared holes
through the seat of my shorts. The prickle of sensual heat stalked my body, my
erection growing enough that walking became uncomfortable.

“How much farther?” Lucas demanded. A
glance confirmed he was in the same state as me.

“We’ve only just started. Another half an
hour at least. See that small hill over there?” I pointed at a hill bearing
more tussock than some of its neighbors. “That’s where we’re heading.”

Lucas didn’t say anything but I noticed his
pace increased, betraying his eagerness. I was looking forward to shifting as
well but also factored in sex. I suspected it would be hot with the adrenaline
of a shift still swimming strongly through our veins.

We left the main path and crossed the stream,
heading for the top of the hill. There was a small sheltered area there with
views over the entire valley where we could leave our gear and relax later
after our run.

Finally we reached the spot. I shrugged out
of my daypack and set it on the ground near the base of a huge granite boulder.
I sat to remove my boots and socks and the rest of my clothes.

“Ready?”

“Hell yeah.” Eagerness pulsed from him in
palpable waves, pulling a grin from me. He fairly vibrated with tension,
tossing his clothes willy-nilly.

I concentrated on my feline shape, pulling
the image of a black panther into my mind. The prickle of the change rippled
across my skin, bones shifted and rearranged in a surge of pleasure tinged with
pain. I dropped to all fours, grinning in a feline smirk and swished my tail.
Turning to Lucas, I watched while his change took him. His face contorted in an
expression of acute pain while a golden glow emanated from his body. I stared
in pure awe when his body stretched and grew into a new shape. He was tawny
gold with a muscular, supple body. He padded toward me, his mane moving in the
breeze. I tensed, knowing instinctively this was the danger time when cats of
two species faced off. In his lion form, Lucas was bigger than me, just enough
to give him an advantage in a fight.

A fight to the death.

A touch of fear whispered through me but I
held my ground. Lucas kept coming. I caught his gaze, possibly not a wise move
on my part. He rubbed his head against mine, the long tendrils of mane
tickling. I sneezed, making us both jump.

Lucas smirked and prowled close enough to
lick my face. He flicked my rump with his long tail and leaped onto the top of
a large rock. Throwing back his head, he let out a roar. Loud and powerful, it
froze me in place until the final echoes faded.

Bloody fool. I hissed, sharp and angry and
growled to make sure Lucas paid attention and realize what he’d done. We’d
attract attention if he roared like that again. Lion roars were the loudest in
the feline kingdom.

Lucas jumped off the rock, landing next to
me. He purred loudly, rubbing against my side. I melted inside. Damned fool. A
soft inquiring grunt and a rough nudge brought me back to my senses. I growled
low and ambled away, prowling back down the track we’d climbed. When I heard the
thud of scampering feet behind, I quickened my pace. The scamper turned to a
thunder. Smirking, I increased my pace even further until the wind whistled
through my coat and the scenery blurred. I ran for the sheer joy of running,
savoring the play of muscles and Lucas galloping beside me. I came to a
screaming halt, taking him by surprise. He screamed past me before he could
stop and I jumped him. We rolled and tussled like kittens, our sides still
heaving from the run. Puffed and out of breath, we settled into a pile,
cuddling into each other. Lucas licked my face, purring loudly. I allowed it
for a while before grunting. Lucas bounded to his feet, tossing his head and
sending his mane whipping. He padded a few steps before pausing to glance at
me, his whiskers twitching.

Lucas was ready to go back.

I rolled to my feet and coughed a bark of
agreement. At a slower pace this time, we cantered toward the private area up
on the hill where we’d left our bags. I shifted first, my chest still heaving
from the exhilarating run.

“Saul.” Lucas’ soft voice came from behind
me. “Thanks. That was awesome.” His hands curled around my shoulders and his
breath feathered across my neck. I turned to face him, a pulse firing to life
on seeing the heat in his tawny eyes. I touched my lips to his. Our mouths
clung together before I angled my head and took the kiss deeper. The wet rasp
of Lucas’ tongue, his potent heat kindled a fire inside me. I stepped closer.
Chests touched. Erections brushed together. Tension simmered along with the
fire. His hand swept down my back, his calloused fingers branding my flesh.

“I want you,” I muttered against his mouth.

“Yeah.” Lucas turned away and grabbed the
pack. He pulled out lube and condoms. I loved a man who prepared. He handed
them to me with a slight grin.

Ah, my turn.

I pressed a line of kisses down his spine
and lightly massaged his buttocks. I set the lube and condoms aside and
succumbed to an urge to bite that fine butt. I knelt behind him, sinking my
teeth into his muscular ass. Lucas yelped but I held him firmly and rasped my
tongue over the red mark before giving him a smacking kiss. I reached around
and grasped his dick in my right hand. A slow pump brought a contented purr.

“You’re easy,” I said, repeating the move.

His intake of breath was loud. “I trust you
to make it good.”

Trust.
God
. His words were like a
dagger in the chest. Lucas made me feel needed—wanted—instead of a stray cat
forced out in the cold. How the hell was I going to survive when he left?