FavoriteObsession, page 5
The guy studied him another long moment before the grin returned. “And that answered another of my questions. Thank you.”
Josh bit back a growl. He planted his palms on the counter. “What’s that supposed to mean? I didn’t say anything.”
The shifter raised one finger. “You are an alpha, despite your unfortunate species limitations.” Another finger went up. “You’re protective of what’s yours and somehow my cousin and his friends have found their way into your fold.” A third finger rose. “And finally, I must reluctantly admit that you’re worthy of Devin’s protection.” He dropped his hand and leaned forward until only a few scant inches separated them. “The only question left is why I smell a female cub on your clothes. Care to answer that one since you didn’t like the wording of the other one?”
Josh silently berated himself. He always showered and changed before tending the bar in case a stray shifter showed up, like the feline royal in front of him. After the fight last night with Zeb, he’d been too aggravated to focus on the practicalities of being the guardian of a shifter. No excuse. Just because he’d been pissed-off at the world, he had a responsibility to protect his family. Hell of a fine job he was doing.
He shrugged. “Nope. Don’t feel like answering that one either.”
“That’s okay. I’ll find out on my own.”
Josh opened his mouth and closed it without saying anything. The words got stuck in his throat. The woman who walked into the bar often left him tongue-tied.
Mira.
Josh took slow, controlled breaths in an attempt to tamp down his desire. Lust had a certain scent to it. Pheromones or something like that. The nonhumans always commented on how quickly he responded to Mira. He didn’t mind the teasing. It was no big secret he wanted her.
Mira’s rich laughter rang out. His heart pounded hard, anticipation building as he waited for the crowd to part. So much for not reacting to her.
“And that answers another question.” The shifter chuckled. “I hope you enjoyed your time in her bed. It won’t ever happen again.”
Josh turned his attention from the entryway to the shifter.
And stared.
Another rumble of laughter shook the cat’s chest. “Oh yeah, I like you, human.”
“Wish I could say the same.”
A smile spread over the man’s face. “I think that’ll change. If you follow my rules, that is. I can take care of pets as well as Devin can.”
Josh chose to ignore the comment, not wanting to fight while Mira was close. Besides, he’d learned the older the shifter, the less civilized they acted. “You know Mira?”
Sadness replaced the amusement. The shifter nodded, a single dip of his chin.
“Aron?”
“Beautiful Mira.” Aron spread his arms wide. “Come to me. I’ve missed you.”
Mira approached the bar and Josh fought the surge of jealousy tensing his muscles. Shifters indulged in physical contact any chance they got. Hugs, caresses and kisses didn’t mean the same for them as it did for everyone else. He’d stood by and watched while many of the pride and pack members had held Mira in their arms. Never before had he wanted to hurt any of them. Now? He wanted Aron’s blood on his hands for even suggesting she touch him.
He fought the reaction, but no matter how hard he tried to push it away, his jealousy built with each step Mira took toward Aron. Josh clenched his jaw to stop his demand she come to him instead. He might want her, but he didn’t own her. She could hug whoever she wanted.
Mira rounded his side of the bar and shimmied in front of him. The jealousy faded, but a sense of possessiveness he had no right to replaced it. He couldn’t help feeling as if she’d chosen him and that it gave him the right to keep her. Jesus, what the hell is wrong with me? He released a shuddered sigh, pushing the unsettling emotions away, and slipped an arm around her waist.
Lips pressed to her forehead, he inhaled her fragrance and let it seep into his lungs. “Mira.”
She surprised him by linking her hands around his neck. Standing on her tiptoes, she rubbed her cheek against his. Scent marking him. In public.
Fucking hell.
His cock hardened instantly. “What are you doing, kitten?”
Mira pressed the length of her body to his. “Greeting you.”
“Darling, I asked you to greet me.”
Mira faced the shifter. “No, you were testing me to see what Josh means to me. Now you know.”
Mira and Aron studied each other, careful not to lock gazes. Josh had picked up on many of the little nuisances of shifter body language over the past couple of months. Actually, that wasn’t quite the truth. He’d been a part of their culture since Jazz had come home with two babies in tow five years ago. He just hadn’t wanted to admit it.
“Why are you here, Aron? You’ve avoided me for centuries.”
Aron glanced between them before sliding his gaze to Jazz who stood off to the side, quietly watching them. Hell. Josh had been so focused on Mira he hadn’t noticed Jazz. Not good. Mistakes like that could cost a man his life. He turned his attention back to the biggest threat in the room. Aron’s pinched brows spoke of his indecision—another similarity many shifters shared. When not in hunting mode, their expressions and body language offered excellent indicators of their mood.
“I heard of the Council’s order for you. I came to talk to Kade about it, but since you’re here, shall we discuss it instead?”
It wasn’t the only reason. Josh studied him. Why not mention his interest in Molly? Was it possible he was simply curious about the little girl? Mira tightened her grip around the waistband of his jeans and distracted him from his thoughts. With her knuckles brushing his spine, sparks whipped through him.
“That is not something I want to talk about here,” she snapped.
Aron smirked. “Don’t you want your pet to know he’ll be losing you?”
She slipped out of his arms and planted her palms on the bar separating them from Aron. “Do not call Josh by that derogatory term again. I will not warn you twice.”
Josh ground his teeth. No way. She would not protect him.
Hands on her hips, he yanked her against his body and pressed his lips to her ear. “If Aron wants to tussle, he can meet me in the field. I’m always up for a good fight.” He focused on the shifter. “Fists only. No claws or teeth. Got to even things up. Otherwise, it’s not fun.”
Another big grin spread across Aron’s face. Full feline fangs showed as he bared his teeth. “You’re on. You pick the time. I’ll be there.”
“You plan on staying?” A hint of panic laced Mira’s words.
Aron’s eyes mapped a path down her body. “Damn straight. I’ve been away from the pride too long. Three centuries too long.”
Jazz stepped closer and fixed Aron with a hard glare. “A return my brother-in-law isn’t privy to. I know exactly what your slip of protocol means, mister, and I won’t stand for your snubbing of Kade’s authority here.”
“Aaahh, the newest member of the pride.” Aron stood and bowed. “Jasmine Alexander, mate to Rafe, welcome to the family. My life for yours.”
The greeting he’d heard every shifter make to Jazz was a literal vow. He’d learned that after asking several of them about it.
Aron bent his head and kissed Jazz’s cheek, breaking the tension.
“I see why my little cousin became enamored with you.” Aron lifted her chin, turned her face side to side and nodded. “Yes. A very good choice indeed. You’ll give Rafe beautiful cubs.”
Fire lit her eyes. Jazz hated when the shifters treated her as Rafe’s property, even though according to them she was. She opened her mouth to no doubt deliver her opinion. Josh cleared his throat in an attempt to salvage the situation. “I’ll let Kade know you’re here. In the meantime, drinks are on the house.”
“No need. I’ve informed Rafe of our guest.” Jazz looked him up and down. Her nose wrinkled. “Kade is on his way over.”
Aron leveled his gaze on him. “Good. Then, I can officially place my bid to court Mira.”
Chapter Six
Mira closed her eyes, an attempt at calming her agitated cats. It didn’t work. Josh’s heart raced under her ear, betraying his agitation and spiking hers. She couldn’t exactly blame him. She wasn’t happy at the moment either.
She never thought she’d see Aron again. For years, it’d been her secret hope he’d come for her. Not anymore. Now the reappearance of her promised mate angered her. She took a deep breath and fixed him with a hard glare. With her attention on the male who’d abandoned her, she placed a palm over Josh’s chest so Aron knew exactly where her loyalties lay, even if she couldn’t claim him.
Josh stiffened.
She froze. Her pulse matched Josh’s rapid beat. Desperate to remain calm in front of Aron, she slid two fingers between the buttons of Josh’s shirt. As soon as she touched his skin, a sense of rightness swept through her, the same as it always did when she was with him. Strength replaced the crippling anxiety. She allowed it to seep into her along with his warmth.
Eyes narrowed on the pompous male sitting on the other side of the counter, she snuggled closer to Josh. She was playing with fire but couldn’t resist touching him. After the scare yesterday, she needed to reassure herself he was fine. Luckily, there were no shifters in the bar who had any right to tell her she couldn’t.
“Don’t play games, Aron. Why are you here?”
“Because you need me. I heard what they’re doing to you.” He gave a half-shrug. “Figured if you had to pick an Alexander, you might as well pick me.”
He gave her the smile that used to make butterflies take flight in her belly. Seeing it now only annoyed her.
“And I must confess,” he paused to glance down at her lower belly, “I’m tired of letting other males dip their dicks in your honey. It’s about time I claim your pussy as mine.”
Josh shoved her behind him, reached across the bar and fisted Aron’s shirt. He dragged him close. “Do not disrespect Mira. Apologize. Now.”
“I’m only stating the truth. Mira’s body is mine, always has been. My cousins are one thing but I sure as hell won’t share it with a lesser male like you.”
Josh shoved Aron off the stool. The shifter flew back a good ten feet before knocking over a group of humans on his way to the ground. Screams rang out. Chairs crashed to the floor. Thumping feet echoed as the other bar patrons scrambled to get out of the way of the fight.
Mira had a moment to ponder where Josh had gotten the strength to toss a three-hundred-pound male around before he rammed his fist into Aron’s face. Bone cracked. She cringed.
A sense of déjà vu swept over her. The last time Josh had stood up for her, Devin had clawed his face. She couldn’t let Josh get hurt because of her a second time.
Terror made her limbs shaky but she ran forward. The onlookers parted without prompting. Respect rose at the sight that met her. Josh held his own against Aron, a millennium-old shifter. Both males rolled across the floor as they tried to gain the upper hand. Punches flew. Blood sprayed. The blur of bodies reminded her of a no-holds-barred shifter fight minus the claws.
Movement caught her eye, yanking her attention from the fight. Jazz weaved through the crowd on the opposite side of the tussling males, a pitcher of beer in each hand. A flick of her wrists and she dumped the contents onto their heads. They jerked apart, foaming amber liquid soaking their shirts, and mirrored each other’s pose—hands flattened on the ground and scowls on their faces. They looked ready to restart the brawl at the slightest wrong move.
Mira grinned despite the tenseness of the situation. Josh, bloody from the fight, turned her on. Big time. Not a reaction he’d understand but true nonetheless. She swept her gaze over him, thoroughly enjoying the way his wet shirt molded his muscles. Gods, he had a body worthy of a lover’s attention.
A spark of jealousy flamed to life knowing there were women in the bar who’d gotten to enjoy what she hadn’t, including Jazz, her dearest friend. Instead of allowing the green-eyed monster to take root, Mira embraced her response to seeing him crouched and aggressive, ready to defend her honor. Far safer for the humans who thought they could touch him.
She continued her slow perusal from the expanse of his chest to his stubble-covered jaw. His lifted lip and narrowed eyes warned her Aron had broken their truce and ended her chance to visually worship Josh. She shifted her gaze to Aron at the same time he turned his head to look at her. The corner of his lip lifted in a smile she suspected women melted under.
He inspected her the same way she had Josh, head to toe, as if she were the prize he’d won. His smile faded on a deep inhale. He groaned, no doubt scenting her arousal, and stark hunger flared in his eyes as he focused on her breasts.
Oh no, she refused to let the obnoxious male think her desire was for him.
She ran forward and slipped on the wet floor. Josh caught her before she fell and steadied her with an arm around her waist. She glanced over her shoulder to make sure Aron didn’t plan on restarting the fight. The warning in his expression was clear—don’t touch his rival. Too damn bad. She hadn’t cared what he’d wanted for centuries.
Aron’s pissed-off eyes left her face to focus behind her. She held her breath while both males stared each other down. Finally, Aron shoved from his spot on the floor, reached out and plucked some human’s beer from their hands. Gaze still on Josh, Aron drank then turned away, conceding the prize—her—to Josh. It felt like a victory but she guessed Aron had only done so to avoid another fight in front of humans. Still, she refused to pass up the opportunity to properly thank Josh for defending her.
She faced him. Up close, his swollen eye and split lip stood out starkly. Seeing it dimmed some of her lust as concern took over. Blood trickled from a cut along his temple and mixed with the sweat glistening on his skin. Nothing appeared broken nor did he appear to be in pain.
Thank the gods.
The dusting of dark hair covering his jawline drew her attention to the cleft in his chin. She’d always been fascinated by the little dip. Unable to resist, she ran her thumb over the bone. Electricity whipped down her spine and ignited all her nerve endings. Her clothes rubbed against her sensitive skin. She wanted to rip them off and press her naked body against the hard ridges of Josh’s stomach. To avoid doing exactly that, she focused on his mouth.
For months, she’d hungered for a taste. With Josh’s intent blue eyes locked onto hers, she couldn’t understand why she’d resisted him. His scent drew her closer. Josh’s warm breath bathed her face, filling her lungs with his essence. A tremor to run through her limbs. The natural urge to submit rode her hard, another thing Josh wouldn’t understand. It didn’t stop her instincts from rising. She wanted to worship his body and beg him to take her any way he wanted.
Her breaths quickened as images of them together, naked and tangled in passion flashed across her mind, pictures her cats fed her to urge her to give them what they wanted.
Her animal spirits weren’t aroused by Josh, not in the literal sense. They were comforted by him. They knew he’d protect their cubs. It was simpler, yet more profound. Josh was to the beginning and the end to them and the one person they’d always return to.
A shifter’s instincts and primal drives were the reason finding a royal’s one was so profound. One whiff, one look and they simply knew. Because of their possessive nature, they wanted her to mark their chosen male in every possible way so nobody dared take him away.
As much as she trusted her cats, she simply didn’t understand how Josh could be her one. Her apprehension spiked as the thought to hold, making her doubt everything, even her attraction to him. As if sensing her unease, Josh pressed his thumbs into her skin and rubbed small circles over her hipbone. The slight touch felt as intimate as if he were fondling her breasts. Each stroke sent a tingling bite along her nipples only his mouth could ease.
She mimicked the caress on his biceps. The subtle vibrations under her fingertips betrayed how much he enjoyed her touch, yet despite her silent invitation, he didn’t kiss her. Hoping to entice him, she leaned closer. She licked the drops of blood off his lower lip, taking his unique flavor inside and healing the wounds along the tender flesh.
Josh groaned. He dug his hands into her hair. A rough tug on the locks forced her to lean back and open to him. She did and he slipped inside. No hesitation now. He commanded the kiss and explored her mouth with the deep unquenchable hunger she’d sensed growing in him over these past couple of months. Every day, the lust burned a little hotter.
Her limbs trembled. The needs he ignited threatened to consume her, but by the gods, it’d be bliss. Utter ecstasy without constraints. Each swipe of his tongue over her cheeks and teeth fanned the fire. He banded an arm around her waist and slammed their bodies together. Her breath escaped in a whoosh, an exhale he greedily swallowed.
The tight press of their bodies left no room to misunderstand Josh’s reaction to her. The ridge of his erection pushed into her stomach and hardened the longer they kissed. She rubbed against him, trying to show him without words she’d give him anything. A shudder ran through him in answer. His kiss turned wicked. Each groan and rolling thrust of his tongue satisfied her.
She slipped her hands under his shirt. The hot, sweat-slickened skin under her fingertips teased her with promises. She tightened her grip on him and pulled him closer. It wasn’t enough. Her sex wept and clenched on air. She wanted his cock inside her, filling her up and giving her what no male ever had.
Submit to him. Here. Now. Her thought or her cats? She wasn’t sure and didn’t care. She wanted his claim more than anything else in the world. Her body went lax in his arms as she gave in to her primal instincts.
As if he’d been waiting for her acceptance, he lifted her relaxed body and pressed her more fully into his erection. The new angle pushed the head of his shaft against her jeans-covered clit. Excitement thrummed through her. The thump in the bundle of nerves echoed in her ears, demanding to be touched—his mouth, cock, fingers. It didn’t matter how as long as he stroked her nub and gave her release.
