His Purrfect Mate (Mating Heat Book 2) Read online

  Chapter Eight

  Shannon paced. It left her unsettled to be alone inside Anton’s home without him there after that werewolf woman had shown up. She’d studied the window and the area outside it but there wasn’t a way to leave without dropping a good fifteen feet onto the pavement below. It would probably be painful when she landed if she tried to escape through that exit.

  The door beeped and she spun in fear and frantically glanced around, searching for a weapon.

  Anton stepped inside when the door swung open. He frowned at her, paused, and then quietly closed it firmly behind him.

  “Did you find them? Is the problem handled? Can I go now?”

  “No to all your questions.” He watched her with those sexy eyes. “We should talk.”

  “I really don’t see a reason for that. I should leave.”

  “That’s not happening anytime soon. I have some of the pups looking for the ones who visited your apartment.” He withdrew his cell phone from his back pocket to place it on top of the table inside the door. “They will call me when they’ve located them.”

  “Why are you being so stubborn?”

  “I could lie but I don’t want to. I’m not ready to let you go.”

  Shannon’s heart started to pound. “Why not?”

  “You know why.” He reached for his waist, grabbed two handfuls of his shirt, and pulled it up to reveal his lean, fit, tan abdomen. “We’re attracted to each other.” He tore the material over his head, tossed it to the floor, and reached for his belt next.

  “Speak for yourself,” she lied. She couldn’t help noticing his broad shoulders or those muscular arms. He had an incredible body. The best she’d ever seen. Of course, she remembered, he’s a werewolf who probably stays fit by running around in fur. The thought threw cold water on her libido, a reminder of how different they were.

  He bent, tore off his boots, and straightened, wearing just his jeans. “I thought we could talk and get to know each other better.”

  “I’m not having sex with you.”

  He stared at her. “Did I say you had to?”

  “No but you’re staring at me as though I’m a pork chop while you’re removing your clothes. You look hungry.”

  A grin curved his lips and he licked them. “You are tasty.” His focus lowered to her thighs. “But you’re more like dessert to me than dinner. Sweet and sinfully tempting.”

  Her cheeks flamed. “You’re being crude by reminding me of that. But I guess, as a player, you talk to women like that often.”

  All traces of humor disappeared from his features. “You really think I’m one?”

  “Aren’t you? Let’s see. Your father sets up women to come fuck you every day. If the shoe fits, Anton…”

  “Don’t bait me, kitten.”

  “Don’t call me that.”

  They watched each other until he sighed. “I don’t want to fight with you.”

  “Good. Great. Let me walk out of here and we won’t have to speak ever again.”

  “It’s my duty as the future alpha to find a mate. The only way to do that is through spending time and having sex with females. I’ve been groomed my entire life to take this path. I have an older brother from a different mother but he’s a half-breed. He refused to take the lead position when our father steps down. I never had the choice he did, with his human blood.”

  “Hear that?” She tilted her head. “Is that a violin playing?”

  He growled. “That’s heavy metal from the bar below us. I’m assuming you’re being a smartass.”

  “I actually don’t hear any music, and you bet I’m being flip. Am I supposed to feel sorry for you? You made your bed—and shared it a lot. If you want to get laid, find someone else. I’m not your type.” She paused. “I’m not opening myself up to that kind of pain when I know tomorrow you’ll just move on to the next person without even giving me a second thought.”

  “That won’t happen.”

  “Right. I can’t have sex with someone without feeling more than the sensation of their hands on me.” She hesitated. “I’m being honest here, so listen closely. I was starting to feel things for you.” She hated to tell him the truth but it would be worse if she didn’t because he might keep trying to seduce her. “I really liked you.”

  “I knew that the second I smelled your pain. It wouldn’t have hurt you otherwise, when you learned about the other women.” He took a few steps closer. “Hurting you isn’t something I want.”

  “Then put your shirt back on and stay away.”

  “I can’t.” His features softened. “I want you too much.”

  “You fuck women to see if you can mate with them. That would definitely leave me out of the running.” She backed up until she found the corner of the room. “Stop it,” she hissed when he stalked forward.

  He paused. “I admit that it would be a shock if we turned out to be mates. My family would certainly never see that one coming. Hell, my parents would be horrified if they knew I wanted you, kitten. Your puma blood, even as faint as it is, would be a nightmare situation for them if something serious grew between us.” He chuckled. “Yet, spending the rest of my life with you doesn’t sound so bad.”

  “You don’t even know me.”

  “It’s emotions and chemistry combined. We’ve got that going.”

  Her heart raced and her breathing increased. Tears filled her eyes and she hated it. “Please don’t do this.”

  All trace of amusement left him. “Don’t do that. Don’t cry.”

  “Don’t hurt me then.”

  “You think I’m going to force you?”

  “I…” She licked her lips. “I don’t know, but when we touch, weird stuff happens to me. Just back off.”

  “What happens?” He watched her but didn’t draw any closer.

  “Just stuff.” She refused to cry.

  His features softened further, and so did the look in his eyes. “Kitten,” he murmured.

  “Stop that!”

  He growled softly and suddenly dropped to his knees before her. Just feet separated them and he stared at her. “Come here. At least allow me to hold you. I’m groveling. I’ve never done that for a woman before. I can smell your pain again and I can’t take it.”

  She pressed against the cool wall. “No. Keep your hands to yourself.”

  “Talk to me then. Am I threatening from here?” He sat back on his calves, spread his thighs, and planted his big hands on his knees. “What happens to you when we touch? We’ll start there.”

  Shannon refused to tell him.

  “I’ll start then. At first I felt this huge wave of protectiveness when I held you. When I realized you were puma, I fought my wolf, who wanted to toss you away from me, but then it accepted you after a few deep breaths. I wanted you, and so did the wolf, Shannon. You make me ache with need. I want to breathe in your scent and touching you affects me so deeply it’s a little frightening for me. I’ve never backed away from a willing woman before but I was afraid I’d hurt you. I’d do anything to avoid that. I’m even willing to protect you against me.”

  “Nothing has changed then.” She glanced down at his lap and then back up. “You’re still huge.”

  “I’ve had time to cool down and know what to expect this time. I’ll be patient. I won’t take you the way I would a bitch. You’re not one. You’re delicate and precious.”

  “Precious?” Her eyebrows shot up.

  He actually blushed. “Yeah. I said it. I’ve never felt this way about a woman before. It’s not bullshit or a line. I’m confused as hell but I’m here trying to figure this out. I don’t run away when something scares me.” He gave her a meaningful look.

  “You think I’m cowering in a corner out of fear?”

  He sighed. “The wall doesn’t need to be held up.”

  “I’m confused but mostly I know I’m vulnerable. I gave up dating, Anton. It never worked out, no matter how hard I tried. After a few failed relationships, I just stopped trying