Chapter 4
Sex used to be something I took for granted. Prowling the streets of South Florida, I found it easy enough to gain the affection of women. I wasted my youth, never looking for more than the next moment of pleasure.
This moment with Daile is different. Of course, I want her. My cat wants her. More than that, I need to give her myself. It’s alluring and terrifying at the same time. She deserves more than I can give her, but I’m not strong enough to walk away. I don’t know exactly what it is about her, but when that idiot wolf was near her, I wanted to rip his throat out. For many years, I have controlled the beast inside me, but it took all my will to keep him from taking over and destroying that dog.
Daile is so beautiful when she blushes, which is often. “I don’t know what to expect.”
It feels as if there’s more to the statement, so I wait.
The rush of blood to her cheeks and neck increases. “I mean, I’m not a virgin. Um…I’m just not sure if anything is different because you’re…um.”
I comb her hair away from her face, remove the large clip holding her bun, and pull her tight so there is no doubt about my anatomy. “I can assure you that we are compatible. Any differences in species will be pleasurable.”
She bites her bottom lip. “What differences? I mean, besides that you can turn into a very large cat.”
“May I kiss your neck?” I want her, but she must want this too.
“Oh, um, yes.” Her voice is slightly higher.
“You’re adorable.” I press my lips to the crook of her neck and breathe in her scent. She’s lavender and Daile, the perfect combination and addiction.
“No. I’m awkward and clumsy.” She moans and tips her head to the side, giving me more access to her flesh.
It’s an invitation to explore, and I run my tongue upward to her ear. My heart is pounding and my cock aches to be buried deep inside her. The panther within me is more than ready to claim her. I groan. “I think, beautiful, that I’d like to slow this down just a bit.”
She pulls back and flattens her hand on her chest. “You do?”
I can’t believe it either. “I like you. I like everything about you. I like the way you blush when nothing is embarrassing. I like that you didn’t want Gabe and tried to send him away. The fact that you didn’t let your fear of what I am keep you from opening the door back up and inviting me to see your work.” Standing in the hallway between her studio and living room, I think of her art. “You’re a brilliant artist. I love the smell of you and the taste of your skin.” My cock and my panther are all-in on more of her skin, the sooner the better.
“But you don’t want to have sex with me.” Despite the smile that tugs at her lips, she wraps her arms around herself.
Stepping close again, I unwrap one hand from her waist and press her palm to my lips. “I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone or anything in my life, but I don’t want one night. I want to take you on a date like a gentleman.” I’ve never thought this in my entire life until now.
“I’m kind of flattered and disappointed at the same time.” She sits on her couch.
Sitting next to her, I take her hand in mine and trace a path around each tapered finger. “Will you let me take you to dinner tomorrow night?”
“Um, okay.” She stares at our hands wrapped together. She cocks her head. “I’ve never had a man turn down sex before. Well, I’ve never actually offered sex the way I did tonight.”
Leaning back, I pull her against my side, cup her cheek, and tip her face to mine. “It is the best offer I’ve ever had. I want you, Daile, I just want more than tonight.”
Wide-eyed, she stares back at me. “More.” Her pink tongue slips through lips that call to me, and she wets them as her eyes drop to my mouth.
“I’d like to kiss you.” I caress her silky delicate cheekbone.
She threads her fingers through my hair. “I think you should.”
Lowering my lips to hers, I claim them as mine, pressing my tongue inside and skimming her sweet mouth. When our tongues meet, electricity shoots through my veins. I would die for this woman, give her my last cent, and try to be a better man. On a moan, I deepen the kiss, making love to her perfect mouth.
Drawn in like a lemming to the cliff, I cover her body with mine, and my knee presses between her thighs.
She arches her hips and grinds against my leg, making the most alluring sounds. Sighing into my mouth, she rubs her center harder.
The scent of her desire reaches my senses and a low growl begins deep inside me. My hand slides to the elastic of her stretchy shorts, and I slip three fingers under the band.
Her cry for more breaks our kiss. She groans and widens her legs. “Oh, god, why am I like this? I need…”
There is no power in the world that can stop me from giving this woman what she wants. Splayed open for me, how can I not pleasure her? Slipping my hand inside her shorts, I push aside the tiny piece of lace to find her pussy slick. I circle her swollen clit.
“Oh, fuck. Yes.” She presses hard against my hand.
Capturing her lips in a kiss, I work my tongue against hers as I rub and caress between her legs. Letting her set the rhythm she needs, I follow her lead, then slip two fingers inside her tight sheath.
Arching her head back against the cushion, she breaks the kiss and cries my name. “Jorge, I’m so close.”
I circle her clit, tease the sensitive tip, then circle again and again. Each pass over the little bud brings the most delicious cries from her perfect mouth.
On a long scream, her body tightens. She clutches my hair tight. Another time, it might be painful, but in this moment, I love it. I imagine the day she grips my hair as she comes around my cock.
I press her clit tight but hold still, allowing her orgasm to rush through her. When she relaxes, I slip my fingers from her shorts and suck them into my mouth. She tastes sweet and familiar. I’ll never forget her scent or her taste. “You’re magnificent.”
Catching her breath, she says, “You did all the work. I’d be happy to return the favor.” She licks her lips.
Closing my eyes, I push away the raw impulse to claim her. My cat is furious and trying to claw to the surface and take control.
It must be in my eyes because hers widen. “Are you alright?”
Kissing her gently, I pull her bottom lip through mine. “I’m fine. My panther is unhappy that I’m saying no to enjoying my own pleasure tonight.”
“Oh. Is it hard to control the other part of you?” Rather than fear, I see curiosity in her bright blue irises.
“Not usually, but you are special.” I brush her hair out of her face. “I’ll pick you up at seven tomorrow if you still agree to a date.”
“Seven is good.” She swallows hard enough to see the movement of her throat.
I kiss the vulnerable flesh there. “You have given me one of the best nights of my life, Daile.”
“Yet I had all the pleasure.” Her pupils dilate, and she licks her lips.
Willing my body to obey, I sit up and need a moment with my head in my hands to gain control. “Helping you come is very satiating for me too. Another time, I’ll be happy to reach my climax with you.”
She stands and a wicked smile plays on her lips. “Maybe tomorrow night.”
Gathering my wits, I go to the front door. “You’re teasing me?”
Shrugging, she giggles. “Maybe.”
I need to get my shit together before I do something foolish over this woman. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” With a quick kiss on her cheek, I rush out the door.
The cat inside me screams to go back in and mate with her. She wanted us. She longed for us. She could be the one.
No. I head to the woods and go deeper than normal to avoid running into any other shifters. I left any possibility of happiness back in Florida at the graves of my parents. I don’t deserve a woman like Daile. The fact that I can’t resist her is all the more reason to stay away, but I already know I won’t. I’ll take whatever she’s willing to give and make her understand there can be no happily ever after for us.
My panther roars to life, pushing his way to the forefront. I let him take over and dropping my clothes by a rock formation, I lower to all fours and become the cat. I run through the mountainous woods free of worry, but all the time, the woman stays in my mind.
Miles away, I stretch on a limb of a tree that hangs over the river. I can almost hear her soft voice calling to me as I doze. Of course, that’s not possible. She’s back in town in her house, fast asleep. My imagination is running on high alert.
She sent the wolf away but invited me inside and let me touch her, wanted me to make love with her. Wanted the panther and the man. It’s not possible for anything good to come of this.
Filled with sorrow and remorse, I run back to the rocks where I left my clothes and shift back to human form. I walk home knowing what I have to do and I feel the loss keenly. Wanting sex is one thing, what I want from Daile is something else. Perhaps if I had just mated with her, I could have rid myself of the burning need. I suspect that wouldn’t have worked.
The fact remains that I don’t deserve a woman like her. She should have someone with light left in his heart.
In my small apartment, I stare at the ceiling for hours before finally finding rest.