Chapter 10 #2
Tracy might still be confused about his role in his Clan, but there was no denying his dominance.
In a battle of wills, she would be hard pressed to pick a winner between the two of them.
She hoped he never put her in that kind of position, because more and more, she was realizing it would hurt something deep inside to have to fight him.
That’s why she was hoping to keep this as civilized as possible between them.
She knew she’d done wrong in not telling him about Emma, but she wasn’t going to back down if he tried to take her baby away.
There had to be some kind of compromise they could reach, that would leave them both happy and Emma safe with the love and caring of both her parents.
Tracy just didn’t know what that compromise might look like yet.
She knew she had to talk to Hank to hammer out an agreement. Hence, her bold move in sitting down at his table uninvited. He didn’t seem at all displeased by her presence, though, so she took heart. Maybe this would all work out, somehow.
“Would you like to join me for lunch?” Hank asked politely.
“I’ve already eaten, thanks,” she told him, then forged ahead. “We need to iron a few things out regarding Emma, and I think we should try to work on that tonight. Join us for dinner, and we can talk after Em goes to bed.” She gave him a stern look. “Just talk.”
“If that’s what you want,” Hank said, not looking entirely happy but committed nonetheless. “Can I come early again, to spend a little time with Emma?”
“If you wish,” she told him, standing as the young waitress returned with his food. Tracy left the table without saying more.
It was hard to see him after what they’d shared the night before. She had a definite weak spot for him and had regretted giving in to her need for him as soon as her passion had cooled.
He’d been so good to her. So solicitous of her. He was such a charmer. But it wasn’t just charm. No, he really cared. She could feel it in his every touch, his every kiss.
It was incredibly seductive. She could easily come to believe in the fairytale and start thinking about things that she really couldn’t have. Better to set ground rules now, and not violate them again.
She had to be strong and resist his devastating charm.
Hank had a plan. He was going to lay siege to his lady’s heart and convince her—seduce her—into agreeing to visit Jaguar Island.
He was reasonably certain that once she saw all the advantages Emma would have there, Tracy would agree to some kind of joint parenting.
More than that, though, he wanted desperately to convince her to live with him and be his mate in truth.
He wanted that more than he wanted his next breath. She was so incredibly special to him. How could she not see that already? Hank’s deepest fear was that Tracy didn’t feel the same way about him as he felt about her. But that went against everything he’d ever heard about true mates.
He wanted so desperately to believe that she was his true mate. He felt it. He couldn’t ascribe the feelings inside him to anything else. Yet, if he was feeling it, she should be too, right?
But what if she didn’t? What if he was—impossibly—wrong? What if he was deluding himself because he wanted a mate of his own so badly?
No. He couldn’t let doubt cripple him. He had a plan, and he was going to stick to it.
Tracy wouldn’t know what hit her.
That’s why, later, when they’d put Emma to bed, Hank didn’t give her a chance to talk.
He knew she might see his seduction as a bit of a betrayal.
After all, he’d come here under the pretense of having some kind of serious talk about Emma’s future, but he was a cat.
They were known to be sneaky. Tracy knew that as well as anyone.
When he turned on the charm and made a move, she didn’t do much protesting. In fact, she didn’t do any protesting at all. She melted into his arms as if that’s where she wanted to be for always and ever.
Hank didn’t hesitate. He made love to his mate, trying to show her without words how good they could be together. How perfect.
He caressed her every curve with hands, lips and tongue. He made her pant. He made her sweat. He made her bite and growl softly, knowing she didn’t dare make too much noise while Emma was asleep in the house.
This time, he carried Tracy up to her bedroom, shutting them behind the locked door, just in case the little one woke up. If Emma did wake up and climb out of her bed, they’d hear it on the baby monitor Tracy kept at her bedside.
He laid Tracy on the bed and set about proving his undying affection for his mate.
He worshipped her body, showing her in practical terms how much he valued her spirit.
He’d been a fool for too long. Now that he had Tracy in his arms again, he wasn’t going to waste any more time trying to convince her that he really did care for her. That she really was his mate.
Tracy was having a hard time catching her breath as Hank kept her off balance both physically and mentally. He knew just where and how to touch her to send her senses into orbit, and it wasn’t long before she was tearing at his clothing, wanting to touch his skin.
Hank obliged, undressing them both with quiet efficiency, all the while keeping up his unrelenting assault on her senses, touching, licking and caressing her into a frenzy of need. Damn. He was good. Better than good. He was fantastic!
When he flipped her to lay face down on the bed, she wanted to howl in delight but didn’t dare make a sound.
He was appealing to her inner animal, this time, lifting her ass in the air and moving behind her.
Doggy style, they called it. She wouldn’t have expected it so easily from a cat, and the silly thought made her smile, even as Hank’s hard cock sank into her from behind.
Oh, yeah. That’s what she wanted. Right…there.
He started slow then began to increase his pace as she shut her eyes and just enjoyed. Damn. That felt good.
He’d used a condom again. Thoughtful kitty. Just for that, she’d lick him later. As her thoughts turned slightly scandalous, Hank began to move faster. The pressure built until it exploded outward in a geyser of ecstasy that stole her breath and made her want to howl.
She didn’t. Ever conscious of the little person sleeping next door, Tracy growled into the pillow beneath her head as pleasure racked her willing body. She felt Hank stiffen and heard a low, feline growl escape his throat. Sexy.
He let her down slowly and then lay at her side in the aftermath, holding her close. When his chest started vibrating with a purring sound, she smiled and placed her hand over his heart. She’d never been with a man who purred before…except Hank. Only Hank had ever shown her how sexy a cat could be.