Stray Cat Strut (5 page)

“Shut up,” I muttered. Unfortunately, I
thought he might be right.

Saber arrived not long after. He walked
into the surgery looking much the same as he’d looked a few months ago—happy
and contented despite the current frown.

I stood in front of him, uncertain for once
in my life. Saber grabbed me in a bear hug, showing none of my restraint.

He checked out Lucas and Leticia openly.
“Don’t see many lions around these parts.”

“Lucas Huntingdon,” Lucas said, holding out
his hand.

“Saber Mitchell.” Saber didn’t hesitate to
shake hands and I let out the breath I’d been holding.

“Leticia Huntingdon,” Leticia said, also
holding out her hand.

Saber shook her hand as well. “I understand
you have feline AIDS.”

“FIV,” Gavin said. “Because of her shifter
genes I doubt it will advance into full-blown AIDS, but she’ll still have to
manage her condition. I’ll know more once all my test results come through,
although her medical records are fairly conclusive.”

“Are you worried about catching the virus
from Leticia?” Saber asked. When I started to protest, he held up a hand and
waited for Gavin to answer.

“She’d need to bite me severely for the
virus to take hold of my system. It’s unlikely it would spread, possible but
not probable.”

Saber nodded. “Humans can’t catch FIV?”

“No.”

He nodded again and turned to me. “You can
stay with us tonight. Felix and Tomasine are away and the twins’ room is free.
I’ll call a council meeting tomorrow morning.”

Chapter Five

Leticia was already asleep in the twins’ room
when Lucas and I went to bed. Emily hadn’t batted an eye when I’d introduced
Lucas as my boyfriend. Hell, I loved that woman. Saber was a lucky man. Fact
was, I was tired of hiding and refused to do it any longer.

“Your friends are amazing,” Lucas said. A
hint of wistfulness shaded his face and I drew him into my arms for a quick
hug.

“They’re brilliant,” I agreed, “but I doubt
the council will let us stay. My father is a senior member and holds a lot of
power.”

“It doesn’t matter.” Lucas sighed and moved
away from me. “Leticia and I are strong. We will leave and find a place. A
haven where we’ll both be safe.”

Panic hit me then. No way was I letting him
walk away that easily. “I love you, Lucas. If you leave, I’m going with you. We
can make our own pride.”

Lucas’ eyes widened. Disbelief. Shock. Joy.
I watched the emotions chase across his face an instant before he seized me.
“You love me? Are you sure? We haven’t known each other very long.” He looked
at me with hope. Excitement. His brown eyes glowed with emotion.

“I’m sure.”

“Oh man. Saul. Oh man!” He ground his mouth
against mine. It wasn’t gentle. It wasn’t smooth. But it was honest. His kiss
held all the promise I needed.

When we pulled apart, I started stripping.
“Maybe we could take up where we left off this afternoon. It’s still my turn.”
I grabbed lube and several condoms from Lucas’ pack. By the time I turned back
he was naked, the light from the bedside lamp highlighting his muscular chest
and slim hips. I glanced lower and licked my lips. His dick jutted up, making
my stomach muscles quiver. “Try not to roar,” I suggested. “The neighbors might
hear.”

I ran my hands over sculpted muscles and
smooth skin. I breathed in his musky scent with the hint of the wild, of the
outdoors. Smiling at a sudden purr, I leaned closer to taste his mouth. His
lips clung to mine in a gentle kiss, a giving kiss that made my blood run hot.
I wrapped my arms around him, holding on tight and savoring being with a man
who meant so much to me. I pulled away suddenly and stared him straight in the
face.

“Do you love me?”

“Hell yeah. I love you, Saul,” he added,
obviously realizing I needed the words.

Awe and a feeling I’d never experienced
before swam through me, a sense of rightness and peace. I pushed Lucas toward
the bed and we fell onto the large mattress in a tangle of arms and legs. His
cock jabbed into my stomach and I immediately realigned our bodies. We thrust
and ground against each, snatching kisses and driving each other to
distraction. My balls tightened with each teasing thrust. Joy bubbled inside.
Lucas moaned and I moved farther down the mattress, taking a teasing swipe
across the head of his swollen cock.

“Do that again,” he muttered. “Use your
tongue.”

I swirled my tongue across sensitive skin
and sucked a little, pulling a loud purr from him. Easy. My lover was easy.

I grabbed the lube and squirted some into
my palm. His flesh was hot beneath my probing fingers. His large frame
shuddered with another purr. Breathing hard myself, I stretched him and
impatiently grabbed a condom. I rolled it on, added a little more lube and
pushed inside his entrance. This time we were facing and I had total control.
The acceptance and the honesty, the pleasure on his face made my heart thunder.
I worked my way inside his tight hole, trembling at the hot, delicious feel of
him. Fully seated, I paused. I leaned over and licked his dick slowly and
thoroughly as if it were a great delicacy. His large frame shook.

“Saul.” My name was a whisper, an
affirmation.

I pulled back, shuddering again at the
fiery heat and the tight grip of him.

“Yeah, Saul.”

I moved faster, stroking a fraction harder,
hitting his sweet spot. His eyes squeezed shut, he fisted his cock with his big
hand and his body arched. Semen shot from me without warning and I luxuriated
in the aftershocks. A groan ripped from my throat. Lucas froze, his cock
spurting cum over his right hand and chest, his face screwed up into an
expression of almost pain. Gradually we both relaxed. I felt Lucas’ gaze and
opened my eyes.

He cupped my face with his left hand. “I
really love you, Saul. Next time we should make it official. I presume leopards
mark mates in the same way lions do? I’d like to wear your mark on my
shoulder.”

“Me too,” I whispered, my heart leaping
with elation. I’d be a marked man and I loved the thought.

A broad smile curved across my lips. In
that moment I knew I would never feel alone again, no matter what happened
tomorrow at the council meeting or in our future. My stray cat label was
history. I was part of a couple and I would never do the stray cat strut again.

About the Author

Shelley lives in Auckland, New Zealand, with her husband and
a small, bossy dog named Scotty.

Typical New Zealanders, Shelley and her husband left home
for their big OE soon after they married (translation of New Zealand-speak: big
overseas experience). A year-long adventure lengthened to six years of roaming
the world. Enduring memories include being almost sat on by a mountain gorilla
in Rwanda, lazing on white sandy beaches in India, whale watching in Alaska,
searching for leprechauns in Ireland, and dealing with ghosts in an English
pub.

While travel is still a big attraction, these days Shelley
is most likely found in front of her computer following another love—that of
writing stories of romance and adventure. Other interests include watching
rugby and rugby league (strictly for research purposes *grin*), being walked by
the dog, and curling up with a good book.

Shelley welcomes comments from readers. You can find her
website and email address on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.

Also by Shelley Munro

Curse of Brandon Lupinus

Ellora’s Cavemen: Dreams of the Oasis III
anthology

Fallen Idol

Men To Die For
anthology

Peeping Tom

Scarlet Woman

Sex Idol

Summer in the City of Sails

Talking Dog: Never Send a Dog To Do a Woman’s Job

Talking Dog: Romantic Interlude

Talking Dog: Talking Dogs, Aliens, and Purple People Eaters

Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the
multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Whether you prefer e-books or
paperbacks, be sure to visit EC on the web at www.ellorascave.com for an erotic
reading experience that will leave you breathless.

www.ellorascave.com