The Lion Within (Ghost Cat Shifters #1) Read online

  Daniel pushed away from the wall and closed the distance between them in a few strides, stopping right in front of her. His eyes coasted over her face. Her pulse ricocheted wildly. Tendrils of fire slid through her, suffusing her with heat. The air around them compressed, thick with desire.

  He cleared his throat, the sound audible in the quiet room. “I’m, uh, not sure what you’re going to think, but I think I should say something.”

  She could barely think over the pounding of her heart and the need clouding her thoughts, but she managed a nod.

  “I want you. I’m pretty sure you want me too, so I’d rather not play games if that’s okay with you.”

  His voice was low and gruff. It sent shivers racing through her. Part of her was relieved at his words because they echoed how she felt. Right here, right now in this place where she didn’t want to think too hard, she wanted to give herself permission to simply experience whatever lay between them. She couldn’t seem to form words, so she took a step toward him. His hands reached for hers, his large palms curling over hers, warm and strong. His touch moved seamlessly, his palms sliding up her arms and past her shoulders. One hand threaded into her hair, cupping the back of her head, while the other slipped around her back, resting in the dip at her waist. She took a shuddering breath and looked up at him.

  His head tipped forward. His lips were a fraction away from hers for a second. Her entire being drew taut, anticipation coiling tightly within her center. Suddenly, his mouth crashed against hers. The desire that had been simmering within burst into flames. His hand tightened in her hair, and she savored the pull. His tongue delved deeply, tangling with hers. In seconds, she felt like she was on fire. Their kiss went on and on—hot, wet, deep, and drugging. By the time he tore his mouth free from hers, she was gasping and her pulse was running wild. The scrape of his stubble on her neck notched the heat even higher inside. He traced a path down the column of her neck, along her collarbone and followed the curved edge of her t-shirt.

  She stroked her hands under his shirt, gasping at the feel of his hard muscles under her palms. His hand slipped loose from her hair, sliding down her back in a heated stroke before dipping under the edge of her t-shirt and sliding back up. With a flick of his thumb, her bra came undone and his palms came around to curl over her breasts. His touch was sheer relief—her breasts were hot, heavy, and aching for his touch. He took his time, his thumbs stroking back and forth over her nipples, teasing her to near madness. She could feel the heat of his shaft in the cradle of her hips and arched against it, seeking relief from the liquid need building and building between her thighs.

  His hands stilled, and he pulled back a fraction. Wildness spun within, pushing against her. His eyes held hers, dark and intent. “We need to stop now if we’re stopping.” He bit the words out with his jaw clenched tightly.

  She couldn’t have stopped if she wanted, so powerful was the need rushing through her. She was driven only by the need to have him—completely. She didn’t know if it was because it had been so damn long since she’d been with anyone, or if it was because the attraction to Daniel was its own primal, pulsing force. She didn’t care to ponder it just now. She realized he was waiting for her reply as they stood there. The air around them nearly vibrated with the tension. “I don’t want to stop.” Her words came out raspy, rough from the edges of her desire.

  He nodded sharply and took a step back. Cool air filled the space between them. She felt bereft and experienced a moment of confusion until he spoke. “Bedroom?” His palm curled around one of her hands, warm and strong.

  “Oh, right. Over there.” She gestured to the small alcove on the far side of the living room.

  He turned, her hand held firmly in his, and led the way through the door into her bedroom. Her bed had been passed on to her from her grandmother. It was a large four-poster bed with a canopy above. She’d wound gauzy white fabric through the canopy, so the light fell through in muted shades. Pillows were piled high in many colors. Daniel sat on the foot of the bed and tugged her into the space between his knees. His hands rested on her hips. His eyes held hers as he slowly slid his hands up, catching the edge of her t-shirt and dragging it up. The fabric bunched under his hands as they coasted up her sides. By the time her shirt was lifted up and over her head, she was nearly dizzy with need. Her breath came in shallow gasps. Her t-shirt fell to the floor in a slow arc as he tossed it loose. She shook out of her bra. She experienced a flash of self-consciousness, which dissolved the instant she caught his eyes on her. They were dark with desire.

  He proceeded to drive her mad with his hands and mouth. He started just above the waist of her jeans—kisses, soft and rough, the scrape of his stubble on her skin, the calloused surface of his palms tracing circles. He mapped his way up her abdomen slowly, so slowly, she thought she might die of need by the time his lips coasted along the undersides of her breasts. Her nipples were peaked tight. He caught them between his thumb and forefinger, lightly pinching before his lips finally closed over one. A low moan tore from her throat at the relief. He alternated between them until she was arching and flexing against him, frantic to be closer.

  She yanked at his t-shirt. He reached behind his head and lifted it up and off in one smooth motion. She got only a glimpse of the glory of his muscled chest—all hard planes—before he pulled her against him. She sighed at the feel of him against her. He was so tall that seated on her bed, they were nearly level. He caught her lips in a kiss—slow, wet, and deep—while his hands stroked up her back, bringing her flush against him.

  She needed more, and she needed it now. She took a step back, ran her hands down his chest and tore his jeans open. She curled her palm around his cock, hot and hard under his briefs. His breath hissed through his teeth, and he moved swiftly. He stood and turned, lifting her up and stretching her out on the bed. In seconds, he’d tugged her jeans down. She kicked them loose and watched while he peeled his off. He stood at the foot of the bed in a pair of black briefs, his arousal more than evident. He leaned over and lifted his jeans. He tugged his wallet out and out of that a condom, which he tossed to her nightstand, his aim dead on.

  With the burn of his gaze on her, Daniel stretched out beside her. The air shimmered around them, heavy with need and longing. Sophia was nearly overcome with the depth of sheer want rolling through her. She waited, barely able to breathe, as his eyes traveled up her body. He lifted a hand and dragged the backs of his fingers slowly up her abdomen, tracing lazy circles around her nipples. Every touch was like sparks on tinder, fanning the flames higher and higher. He traced up and then back down over the curve of her belly. Her sex clenched, drenched with need. He cupped his palm over her mound, that subtle pressure nearly causing her to orgasm right then and there. She shifted her legs restlessly and gasped his name.

  He dragged a finger over the black silk between her thighs. Back and forth, back and forth, grazing the nub of her desire. Her hips arched into his touch. Suddenly frantic, she rolled over and straddled him. His cock rested between her thighs. The slow burn flashed hot and high. The next few moments were a blur as she curled her legs and rolled her hips against him—streaks of pleasure arcing through her with every nudge of his cock against her. He rolled them over again and stretched her arms above her head, her wrists held firm in his grip. With his other hand, he yanked her underwear off and kicked his own loose. For a long moment, he froze above her and then dipped his head, catching her lips in a fierce kiss. She heard the tear of foil and then felt the tip of his cock at her entrance.

  ***

  Daniel forced himself to hold still. His pulse pounded while need clawed at him. Sophia’s eyes met his, her green gaze hazy and dark. She curled her legs around his hips and arched into him. In a swift surge, he sank into the creamy clench of her channel. Her gasp fed the fire raging through him. He wanted to go slow, to savor this, but he couldn’t. His need was too primal and ran too deep. He managed several long, slow strokes, biting back a groan at the feel of her slick channel throbbing around him. When his name fell from her lips in a gasp, the reins on his control broke. He pounded into her with deep surges. Tremors ran through her, and her head thrashed wildly against the pillows. A heady satisfaction coursed through him when she cried out and arched into him, her nails scoring his back. He let loose with a growl, his body going rigid just before his release came. He fell against her, immediately shifting his weight to the side so as not to crush her. Their mingled gasps were the only sound in the room.

  Chapter 7

  Sophia slowly drifted down from the heady sensations coursing through her. Daniel had untangled himself a few moments ago and stepped into the bathroom to dispose of his condom. He’d immediately returned to the bed and tugged her close. Her body was only now beginning to cool. His palm was warm on her back, moving in slow circles. As the pounding beat of desire quieted now that her need had been slaked, awareness sifted into her consciousness. She had enough sense to know what had just transpired between them was far beyond what she’d expected. She wasn’t quite ready to face what that might mean for her, so she shook the thoughts away.

  When she woke, the first rays of sun were angling across her bed. Daniel was sound asleep beside her, his hand resting on her hip. What she wanted was to stay here all day and explore more of him. Yet, she had to go to work and needed time to sort through the muddle of confusion between her mind, body and heart. She carefully untangled her legs and sat up. When she glanced back at Daniel, his eyes were open and alert.

  “Morning,” he offered with a half-smile.

  She flushed instantly, and then flushed even deeper. “Good morning. I have to get to the coffee shop.”

  “I figured,” he said softly. He drew his hand slowly over the curve up her hip, into the dip of her waist and up over the curve of her breast. His touch sent sparks through her while warmth curled around her heart. She loved the easy feeling with him. When she glanced over at him, he rolled his head to the side and caught her lips in a quick kiss before he moved swiftly and threw the covers back. As he stood, she couldn’t keep her eyes off of his body. He was simply a work of art, honed muscle from head to toe with that lean, coiled energy shifters carried. He paused by the bathroom door. “Coming?”

  Her confusion must have shown because he clarified. “Shower?”

  “Oh, right.” She stood and hurried after him. He was all business in the shower until the end. Just as she was about to step out, he slipped a hand around her waist and tugged her close for a kiss. In seconds, she was nearly on fire again. He pulled back, a wry grin curling the corners of his mouth. “Didn’t mean to go too far,” he said with a soft chuckle. He shook his head sharply. “You have to go to work, and so do I.”

  They dressed quickly. Daisy was waiting patiently by the door. She nudged Daniel’s hip and followed them into the kitchen. After Sophia fed Daisy and let her run around outside, she grabbed an apple from the bowl of fruit she kept on the counter and held one up for Daniel. At his nod, she tossed it to him.

  “You want me to drop you off at work?” he asked.

  She hesitated, but usually she’d walk, so there was no reason not to accept a ride. “Sure. I’ll walk home later.”

  When he pulled up in front of Mile High Grounds, she turned toward him. Before she had a chance to think, he leaned across the console and brushed his lips across hers. That brief point of contact sent heat swirling through her center. Her belly fluttered, and her breath caught. When she looked up, his eyes reflected the desire she felt.

  ***

  Sophia was walking around her house watering plants when there was a knock at the door. As she turned toward it, the door opened and Heath walked through. She set the watering can down on a side table, ran to her brother and threw her arms around him. “I’m so glad you’re home!”

  Heath hugged her tightly before stepping back. His green eyes, so similar to hers, were warm and steady. The old clarity and confidence he used to convey had returned. He’d lost it for a while after his accident. There was an added layer of humility in his gaze. It had hurt to watch, but her brother had been brought low in the domino chain of events following his car accident. She squeezed his hands before releasing them.

  “How are you?” she asked.

  Heath nodded firmly. “Believe it or not, pretty damn good. I hated to end up there, but rehab was the best choice for me. Honestly, the arrest scared me straight, but I needed the time to recoup. I can think clearly again. Plus, they had a sweet gym on site, so I put myself through the paces and finally feel physically healthy again.” He ran a hand through his dark hair and took a breath. “How are things with you?”

  She shrugged. “The usual. Busy at Mile High.”

  Heath nodded. “Mom and Dad stopped by this morning. Things seem…better with them,” he said, his voice hitching at the end.

  She knew he’d been struggling with guilt over how hard his accident and everything afterwards had hit their parents. “Mom and Dad are fine. I know I’m probably wasting my breath, but try to not feel so shitty about the whole thing. You’re safe and healthy and that’s all that matters.” Heath nodded tightly and reached down to stroke Daisy who’d come to sit by his feet. “Come on in. Believe it or not, I need some coffee. I got so busy at work this afternoon, I never bothered to have any,” Sophia said, gesturing for him to follow her.

  She walked into the kitchen and quickly started a fresh pot of coffee. Heath sat down at the kitchen table with Daisy shadowing him and sitting by his side. Daisy adored Heath. Sophia sat across from him. “Are you hungry?”

  He shook his head. “Nah. I’m good.”

  There was a long silence before Heath cleared his throat. “I hate asking, but any word on the police investigation into the smuggling network?”

  She leaned back in her chair and sighed. “I wish there was, but no. If there’s any news, I haven’t heard. I’m guessing they’re trying to keep things quiet even if they have leads.” She considered whether to talk to him about her and Vivi’s efforts. After a moment of indecision, she decided honesty was necessary. After all he’d been through, she didn’t want to hide anything.

  “Vivi and I have been doing a little scouting of our own.”

  Heath’s eyes widened and his mouth tightened at the corners. “Soph, what the hell are you thinking?”

  “You’d do the same thing if you watched me go through what you have!” Her simmering anger flashed any time she was reminded of what Heath had been through.

  He was still for several beats before he sighed, the sound weary and worn. “I know, I know. I just don’t want you to get caught in the crosshairs. Those guys aren’t messing around. They’re making money and won’t let anyone get in the way of that. How about you back off and let the police do their jobs?”

  “Because they’re not doing a damn thing! You get arrested for trying to buy drugs while they can’t seem to arrest any dealers other than the two-bit guys you were trying to buy from. In the meantime, nobody trusts anyone anymore. The whole thing makes me sick. Honestly, I tried to ignore it for the last few years. I kept thinking it would just go away and then everything went to shit for you. Now I’m just pissed about it.”

  Heath shook his head slowly. “Don’t go blaming the shifters smuggling for me getting hooked on painkillers. That’s my cross to bear.”

  Sophia looked over at Heath. Her heart clenched at the weary resignation on his face. She picked up a pen on the table and twirled it between her fingers. “It’s not that. I’m just sick of the situation. I know you’re responsible for you, but it doesn’t change the fact that the shifters involved in this are putting all of us at risk. Have you been following the news? They’ve managed to shut it down in Catamount back in Maine. All we need is enough shifters to care, so we can put a stop to it. Well, that and figuring out who the hell started the whole dame thing. Anyway, Vivi and I haven’t gotten anywhere really, but we did find a remote location we think they might be using.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Really?”

  She nodded. “Yup. Vivi hears talk all the time when she covers shifts at Quinn’s. She heard a few rumors, so we decided to take a look. It’s an old abandoned cabin on the far side of town, pretty deep in the woods.”

  “Wonder if I’ve ever seen it,” Heath questioned aloud.

  She shrugged. “Maybe. If you did, it was when you were out wandering. If we hadn’t shifted, it would have taken hours to hike out there. There were two men there when we first saw the cabin. We think Randy and Doyle showed up to meet with the guys there.”

  His brows hitched up. “Really? Hmm. If it was Randy and Doyle, it’s definitely a place to watch. It’s not like I knew them well, but they were pretty into the drug scene. Did you get a good look at the other guys?”

  “Nope. They had their backs to us the whole time.”

  Heath was quiet for another moment before he shook his head sharply. “Enough of this. I’m not gonna stuff my head in the sand, but I don’t want my first day back to be all about this fucking mess. Tell me what else is going on with you.”

  Sophia was happy to drop the topic and moved onto much lighter matters. Somewhere along the way, she mentioned Daniel, thinking Heath would hear about him soon enough. She was already hearing rumbles from the rumor mill about his appearance in town. The unfortunate memory associated with his brother had faded, yet it held its place in Painter’s shifter history. She was so relieved Daniel had already known what happened to his brother before he came to Painter in search of his family’s history.

  “Wait, the kid who got shot when he shifted? It’s his brother who moved to town?” Heath asked.

  “That’s the one. Daniel Hayes. I met him when he stopped by Mile High for coffee.” She elected not to elaborate further on just how thoroughly she’d become acquainted with Daniel. Simply saying his name aloud sent heat flooding through her. She was mightily relieved to have the coffee maker beep its readiness, giving her an excuse to stand and busy herself filling mugs of coffee and bringing creamer to the table.