Cougar Bait Read online

  “Keller . . . ,” she said miserably, but he held up a hand to stop her.

  “No. Please don’t say anything else. It’s clear we’re on different paths.”

  “But—” Samantha started, and then stopped. What was there to say? It was too late—the damage was done. The fragile bridge of affection that had begun to grow between them had been torched—burned to the ground.

  “You should stay here tonight. It’s safer that way,” he said in a cool, businesslike tone—the same tone he’d used back in Cougarville, she remembered, when he’d said he had no love to give to any woman.

  “Keller—”

  “I’ll take the couch so I can keep a watch on the door in case the Hyena comes back,” he went on relentlessly. “Tomorrow I can shadow you at whatever lectures you plan to attend. Don’t worry—you won’t even know I’m there.”

  “No,” she said miserably. “Actually I was thinking . . . thinking of just flying back home to Tampa.”

  “Fine.” He gave a short, sharp nod of his head. “Then I’ll have my driver take you to the airport to my personal jet. That way you can be sure no one is following you and you’ll get safely home.”

  “But . . . what about you?” Samantha asked desperately. “Where will you go?”

  “I don’t think that’s any of your business,” Keller said. “Since we are parting ways. But I’ll probably go tend to my business in New York. I’ve been absent for some time.”

  “All right,” Samantha said. “I guess . . . guess I’ll go to bed then.”

  “Do that. I’ll have my driver here, ready to take you to the airport as soon as you wake.” He sounded like he couldn’t wait to get rid of her.

  “Okay, fine.” Samantha wrapped her robe even more tightly around herself. “But . . . what about my things? They’re still in the other room.”

  “Don’t worry—I’ll see to all of that. Good night, Samantha.”

  No “Sammie,” no “baby,” just Samantha. For some reason the cold formality of his tone made her want to cry, which in turn made her angry. What he was asking was crazy, wasn’t it? Wanting to get married so she could start having his babies . . . wanting her to give up a career she’d worked so hard for most of her life to stay home barefoot and pregnant . . . That wasn’t her, that wasn’t how she saw herself at all.

  So why did she feel so wretched as she watched him leave? Why did tears sting her eyes as the door clicked shut behind him, leaving her in the grand, expensive bedroom all alone?

  Samantha didn’t know the answer. And though she lectured herself about being a strong feminist and told herself again and again that Keller was crazy, expecting such a sudden commitment from her, she couldn’t shake the blue mood that had settled on her like a cloud. Though she wanted to be angry at him, all she could feel was sad.

  Hating herself for her weakness but unable to help it, she cried herself to sleep.

  Chapter 9

  Keller debated whether he should see her off or not the next morning. On one hand, it was intensely painful to watch her leave, and he still felt angry and rejected. On the other hand, it might hurt more not to see her one last time. Never to see those big blue eyes framed by a profusion of blond hair, those sweet lips which he had tasted so briefly, her small, curvy body, which felt so right against his own. . . .

  She felt right against him because they were right together. God, why couldn’t she see that? Hadn’t she felt the connection growing? It was something that happened rarely between Shifters—a bond that started growing even before a female Shifted for the first time. When Keller had felt it starting as she reached her peak, he’d been scarcely able to believe it. An early bond was a clear sign that the two it grew between were meant to be mated.

  Then, as though to emphasize the connection, the Cougar inside him had risen to the forefront of his mind.

  Mine . . . she is mine. My mate, it growled, telling Keller in no uncertain terms that he ought to claim Samantha at once, that he ought to make her his so that no other male could have her.

  Keller had felt a rush of excitement when the other half of him confirmed what he already knew—that he and Samantha were meant to be together. What he had told her was true—a Cougar always knew his mate. And this was the first time his other half had spoken up about any female.

  Even when Keller had thought he was completely in love with Rachel, his old flame in college, the Cougar had remained stubbornly mute. He had dated Rachel for months, expecting the beast inside him to claim her, but there was nothing. For the Cougar to speak so quickly and so decisively was little short of a miracle, and a sure indication that Samantha was right for him and he was right for her.

  Now if only he could convince her of that.

  Forget it, he told himself wearily. She’s not interested. Not in you or the Cougar or in being a Shifter or having children. She just wants to go back to her life as a successful surgeon, and how can you blame her? She worked for years to get this career—why would you imagine she’d want to toss it all aside to be with you?

  He wouldn’t have asked her to give it up, though—he really wouldn’t have. But even the possibility of getting pregnant and having children seemed to put her off. Well, she was a career woman—a famous surgeon—what could he expect?

  Realizing that his mind was running in circles, Keller forced himself to put the repetitive thoughts aside and answer the question he had been asking himself—did he want to see Samantha off or not?

  She was in the shower right now, and he’d ordered her breakfast. It was sitting on a white-cloth-covered table, under a silver dome over it to keep it hot, waiting for her. He could leave it there and go lose himself in the hustle and bustle of the Strip. His driver, Jakes—a Lynx Shifter he trusted implicitly—was waiting patiently outside the door. He had orders to get Samantha safely to the airport, and Keller knew he would. Jakes would see her onto the private jet and she could be off to Tampa and safety, where no Hyena would think to follow her. It could all be over, and Keller would never have to see her again.

  Except he wanted to see her again—even if it hurt. In the end, he decided to stay. He couldn’t help it.

  Samantha finished her shower and dressed. She came out of the bathroom wearing a dark pink top with flirty sleeves that fluttered at her shoulders, and plain dark blue jeans, which somehow managed to emphasize her curves even more than the slinky dress he’d bought her.

  God, she was gorgeous . . . and she would never be his.

  Keller pushed the thought aside.

  “Good morning, Samantha,” he said, using his coolest voice. “I hope you slept well.”

  “I slept like crap, and I’m sure you know why.” She sighed. “Keller—”

  “Please.” He lifted a hand to stop her. “Let’s not speak any further of our . . . disagreement. I respect your opinion, and your wish to go your own way.”

  “Thank you.” She didn’t sound very happy about it.

  “I ordered you breakfast.” He nodded at the silver dome on the white-linen covered table.

  “Thanks, but . . . I’m not very hungry.” She shrugged apologetically. The small gesture caused the short sleeve of her blouse to flutter, revealing something that made Keller frown.

  There was a tiny, almost imperceptible pinprick on her pale flesh—a small spot that marred the perfection of her porcelain skin.

  “What is it?” Samantha followed his eyes, looking down at her arm. “What’s wrong?”

  “That little wound on your shoulder—I must have missed it last night when I was . . .” He cleared his throat. “When I was healing you. What happened?”

  “I don’t know.” She frowned. “I don’t remember being hurt there. Maybe a bug bit me?”

  Keller frowned. “This is an extremely exclusive hotel—they don’t usually have ‘bug’ problems.”

  “Well, they apparently couldn’t keep out a Hyena Shifter intent on mauling me,” Samantha said dryly. “So I’m not surprised if a mosquito or