His Purrfect Mate Page 4
He’d been an enforcer for centuries, and it was beginning to take its toll on him. Humans for the most part angered him, and the other beings he encountered didn’t do much more for him. Rules he had lived by and enforced for the majority of his existence almost felt constricting now, and the darkness pushed him to ignore them and just let rage take over. With each battle he fought, it was harder and harder not to just destroy everything.
But Aida was different. She touched a part of him he thought had been securely locked away. Aida reminded him of Zora Jameson with her good nature and kind heart. But with Zora, there was only friendship; he knew Aida was so much more to him.
Our mate!
The roar exploded within him with such force he shuddered. He was an alpha shifter. And his beast wanted his mate.
The pounding of hooves grabbed his attention, and he looked over to see a figure on horseback riding up at an easy lope. A low whistle came from the inside of the house, and Dane watched as Aida and her dogs walked out to meet the rider.
A near-feral warning hiss left him as the man reached out and touched Aida with familiarity. Forcing his emotions back under control, Dane hurried off the roof, skipping the ladder, opting to leap down to land in an effortless crouch, and strode around the house to find out who else had come for a visit.
The pair had moved off to the shade of a tree, and the horse was drinking from a bucket. Dane narrowed his eyes as he took in the man’s appearance. He wore cowboy boots, relaxed fit stonewashed jeans and had a white shirt on that showed off impressive muscles as well as his chocolaty skin. A brown well-worn western oilskin outback sat upon his head.
Aida’s laugh tinkled along Dane’s skin, and he inhaled sharply as his body reacted instantly to it. He slowed when she lifted her head and smiled at him. That smile rivals the sun for brightness.
“Dane, come meet my friend, Kees.”
Pleased she didn’t hesitate to include him, he moved toward them. Stopping beside Aida, Dane watched the horse stiffen slightly before continuing to drink. He waited for the man to look at him and was amazed by the pale gray eyes staring back at him from under the brim of the hat. He hadn’t seen many people with that particular shade of eye color before.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Kees Van Canne.”
“Dane Sidorov.”
Kees stared at him. Dane held the inquisitive gaze, shoving his possessiveness of Aida back under control.
“How long have you known Aida?”
“A few days.” Dane longed to demand how long Kees had known her. She was very comfortable around Kees, and Dane wasn’t fond of that. Not at all.
Aida’s husky laugh brought Dane’s attention back to their conversation. They stood close, smiles present as if sharing their own private joke. Anger raced to the surface and Dane felt his animal stir in protectiveness and anger. Ruger and Kamau snapped their heads to him, and Dane tamped the beast down. Their sounds were obvious to him, but when Aida didn’t respond, he knew she didn’t hear. The dogs fell silent the moment he was once again in control.
“No problem,” Kees said. “I should get going.” The man faced him and held out his hand. “Nice to meet you, Dane.”
Accepting the offered hand, Dane shook it and replied, “Likewise.”
Kees winked at Aida, swung easily up on his horse and tugged the brim of his hat in Aida’s direction before riding off, disappearing from sight. Aida’s sigh brought Dane’s gaze to her. There was a slight smile on her face. Dane forcibly stopped himself from reaching out to her. “What was he doing here?” he asked.
She looked at him before turning back to the door. “It’s what he does. Kees cares and checks up on the place. Ruger and Kamau stayed here last time, and he checked to make sure all was good.” She opened the door and gestured him inside. “So he’ll keep an eye on the place when I leave now.”
“Nice to have good friends.”
Aida grinned. “I agree. Now, tell me. Anything special you want for a meal?”
You. Spread out naked. “I’m a simple man. Anything is fine.”
“I hardly believe you’re a simple man, Dane Sidorov.”
Her comment was whispered, and Dane fought to keep the arrogant smirk hidden. He may no longer utilize his gifts granted him by being who and what he was, but he still retained much of the tiger even in human shape.
He’d reached the door when he turned and asked, “Do you mind if I use your shop?”
She held his gaze, causing his body to cry out for her touch, and shrugged. “Help yourself.”
“Thanks.”
Dane’s jaw hurt from being clenched hard as it was, and once alone in the shed, he raked a hand through his hair. The beast paced within him, snarling low and fierce as it waited for a chance to be free.
Grabbing a piece of wood, he turned on the table saw and got to work. As he cut, sanded, stained, and glued, Dane ran over his situation. The most important thing was gaining better control over the beast within him. Then, go after the man who’d eliminated his unit.
Aida. Longing coursed through his veins. Every inch of her called to him. She was his mate. The one who had the power to give him the extra strength to battle back and win against the darkness. But, in doing so, he’d condemn her to be tied to him for the rest of his days.
I can’t do that.
You must! his animal insisted.
Dane was well aware of the natural order. His kind found their mates and claimed them. Very simple. But there was something wrong with him. Ever since he’d given up—and he had so willingly—his Spiritius Sanctimonia, Pure Spirit, to Lady Nahia Freeman, mate to his best friend Aren Van der Ness, he’d become unbalanced. The darkness was now the stronger force within him. And every time he gave in to his animal, he longed to totally give himself over. So far, somehow, he’d managed to crawl out of the pit waiting for him. Calling to him.
He knew some shifted into animal form to never again return to their human shape. Hell, he’d hunted and killed some. Some had been friends even. But he’d always known being an enforcer wasn’t for the faint of heart. And he’d mastered the art of concealing his feelings a long time ago. One of the reasons he was known as one of the top enforcers was that nothing stopped him, and no one ever got away from him once he started chasing them.
Claim her! his mind screamed.
The air shifted, and her smell wafted to his nose. His shaft hardened in his jeans, and he could feel the pounding of his blood as it coursed through his veins. Deep, shuddering breaths were ingested as he listened to her quiet footfalls. His nails sliced out and dug into the underside of the table he gripped.
“Dane?” Aida asked. Her soft voice wove around him and stroked him to an even harder state.
His beast roared and demanded. Dane ignored the painful slashes and licked his lips before turning to glance at her over his shoulder. She stood by the door, hands clasped before her. No shoes still and appearing messily sexy.
“Time to eat?”
Aida smiled, and his beast settled. Just that simple. “If you’re ready.”
“Just about.” He looked back at his project. “Five minutes?” He tensed as she neared and her steps stopped. Glancing back at her, Dane saw her back up. “Where are you going?”
“I didn’t want to intrude.”
“Come over. It’s your shop, after all.” She’s very intuitive. She didn’t budge, and he arched a brow. “Aida?”
“My shop or not, you deserve privacy if you want it. I’ll be inside when you’re ready to eat.”
“No, wait,” he called out. Dane sheathed his claws, turned, and walked to her. “I don’t need privacy from you. Besides, I could use your help.”
Her dark gaze assessed him as she weighed his words. “Are you sure?”
I’m sure I want to take you. I want to bend you over this worktable and sink my cock as far as it can go within you. I want to hear you scream my name as you come around me. A slight smile touched his mouth. “I’m sure.”
“This is beautiful,” she said staring down at the board he had made.
“Thank you. Tau has told me how much he likes chess so I made him this.”
Aida nodded. “I’ve seen the pieces but the boards more often than not are flimsy.” She flashed him a grin. “So what did you need me to do?”
Dane ground back his initial response and said, “Squeeze the corner so it doesn’t move while I finish gluing this last row.”
Without comment, Aida did as he’d said. His gaze lingered over her hands, the smooth dark ochre hued skin, short clear nails. Dragging his eyes off her body, he focused on the task at hand. She never said a word, just stood there silently, her hands never wavering.
“That ought to do it,” he announced, stepping back.
Aida didn’t move. “I have some vice clamps in the third drawer down of the black cabinet over there.”
Dane went to acquire them and put them in place. “Perfect.”
“He’ll really enjoy this,” Aida said, finally letting go.
He watched her hand reach toward him, only to stop before any contact was actually made. Dane didn’t like that; he wanted her hand on him. Lifting his gaze, he saw some uncertainty in her eyes. Not fear. Just uncertainty.
“Hungry?” she asked.
More than you want to know. “Yes.” He wiped his hands off on his jeans and waited for her to walk past him. Dane stared at her hips swaying slightly in the colorful skirt she wore before following her out. The dogs raised their heads when he passed them, and he could feel their gazes on him.
I’m still impressed her dogs don’t run from me. They weren’t friendly but they also hadn’t attacked him. He had no doubt, should they ever believe their mistress was in danger, they wouldn’t hesitate to tear into him.
“Smells wonderful,” he said, stopping off at the sink to wash up once they were inside.
“Thank you.” Aida washed next then they were eating a simple yet filling meal.
“When were you thinking of leaving tomorrow?” he asked, using a piece of his bread to scoop up some of the meat sauce and eating it.
“No set time. I usually leave early but if you want to sleep in, I don’t mind going a bit later.”
Sleep in? Only if you are in my arms, Aida. Dane couldn’t recall the last time he’d woken up with a woman.
“I don’t want to alter your schedule. Early is fine by me.”
She smiled, and he shifted on the seat as his jeans grew tight. For the rest of dinner, Dane asked questions which were kind of neutral in tone, not wanting to pry too much. He learned her expressions, the different qualities her voice had, and he was introduced to her passion for helping others.
He cleared the table while she went outside then, once she came back in to do dishes, he headed back out to the shop to check on the board. He grinned when he saw the cans of protective coating she’d set on the table. Deciding on the polyurethane, Dane applied a coat. After it was on and he had cleaned out the brush, he heard her laughter. His skin prickled, and he cocked his head.
“Kamau, stop it. Stop. Stand still now, come on.”
Dane immediately headed off in the direction of her voice. Coming around the front of the house, he stopped in his tracks. Aida stood soaking wet with suds all over her and the dog beside her. Scanning, he spotted Ruger nearby, the powerful male lay there appearing almost bored with the entire thing. His gaze went back to Aida, and his breathing was suddenly a struggle. Beautiful. Taking a deep breath, he began towards her.
“Who’s bathing who?” he asked teasingly.
Aida looked at him and narrowed her gaze. She wiped off her forehead before bending over and scrubbing Kamau some more. “You’re so full of sass, why don’t you give Ruger a bath?”
His beast hissed with indignation at the suggestion. Dane stared beyond her wet body-hugging tank top to where Ruger lay watching him. Bathe a dog? “Do you really think he’d let me?”
“You stay, Kamau,” she muttered before grabbing another bucket and walking in his direction. Thrusting the soapy brush at him, Aida set the bucket down on the ground. “Ruger. Bath time.” Ruger appeared by her side and continued to stare at Dane. “He’s not my problem child. Be a good boy, Ruger.” Then, she headed back to where Kamau waited.
Dane looked between his hand and the dog. Ruger held the gaze, his dark eyes unflinching but wary.
“Okay, Ruger, here we go.”
Dipping his hand into the pail, Dane reached toward the dog. Ruger never moved, he stood stock-still and continued to stare back at Dane while he washed. When Dane walked around to the other side, the massive head followed his motion. He could feel the scars under his touch. Along with a body packed full of muscle.
“How do I rinse him?” he asked looking over at her.
“There’s a hose over here by me, he’ll come with you,” she said as Kamau shook all over her and pushed her to the ground. “Damn you, Kamau.”
Dane chuckled and looked at his stoic companion. “I really like your owner, Ruger,” he muttered. In a louder voice, he said, “Come on, boy. Let’s get rinsed off.”
Aida was right. Ruger followed him and stood for rinsing. When both dogs were clean, Aida sent them off to dry in the warm evening air.
“What are Ridgebacks bred to do?” he asked, desperately trying to keep his mind off her wet, succulent body. A task not at all easy to do especially with the way the clothes she wore conformed to her curves.
“Hunt lions.”
Shit! Well, that explains so much. “I see.”
“Thanks for bathing Ruger; I need some dry clothes.”
Those words pumped lust into his blood and heated it to near boiling. “I’ll be out here.”
He watched her go inside. When she’d disappeared, Dane grabbed the hose and drenched his head, needing to be cooled off.
Claim her!
No! Dane refused.
Perhaps it had been a mistake coming with her. He’d just gone cold with fury at the thought of another man with her. Need for her curled within him. His cock was constantly hard even from just thinking about her, and all he could think about was taking her and experiencing a high like he’d never had before.
“Feel better?” Her soft voice wrapped around him. “Had I known you wanted to get so wet, I’d let you have bathed Kamau.”
Dane turned to her and promptly lost the ability to talk. Aida stood there wrapped in very little material. The top was just a spaghetti strap lilac shirt, and her shorts were damn near nonexistent. They hugged her thighs in a way that made him jealous.
“Are you okay?” she asked.
“Fine,” he forced out from behind clenched teeth.
She’s ours. Go to her! Dane could feel the animal clawing at him to escape. Aida’s eyes widened, and she swallowed.
“I’m going to take a walk. You’re more than welcome to join me if you want.” Without waiting for him to respond, she headed off. Dane’s eyes zeroed in on the place where her shorts ended and groaned when he noticed how they barely covered the globes of her ass. Shutting off the water, he hurried after her.
He didn’t know what to do. Condemning her to be attached to him wasn’t fair. The moment he mated her, his enemies wouldn’t hesitate to use her against him. So for the moment, until he figured out how to handle this, he was destined to be uncomfortably aroused by her, smell the scent of her and not touch.
He wanted to touch.
He wanted to feast.
Aida pulled on her pajamas. Everything was ready to leave for tomorrow. Sliding into bed, she allowed her thoughts to linger on the mysterious Dane Sidorov.
“A man like that is something else.”
She wasn’t blind; he was attracted to her, like she was to him. But there was something else. He watched her with more than hunger. A few times, she’d caught him staring; there’d been possessiveness and pure need in the depths of his amazing e
yes.
“Something else entirely,” she muttered as sleep overtook her.
“Give in to me, Aida,” his sexual tone whispered in her ear. “Let me show you how it could be. How it should be.” Strong callused hands slid down her sides and slipped under her shirt. Her belly tensed when the erotic touch moved up toward her aching breasts.
“What are you doing to me?”
He nuzzled her neck before nipping it which sent a jolt straight through to her pussy.
“Say yes,” he coaxed, teasing the undersides of her breast with his thumbs. “Tell me yes.”
Eyes drifting closed; she sank back into him, rubbing against his large erection.
“Say the word, Aida.” His voice darkly sensual and full of promise.
She flinched when a wet nose shoved her hand. Aida groaned and sat up, opening her eyes. Two minutes before the alarm went off. With an exaggerated sigh, she turned it off and swung out of bed.
“For the record, Ruger, waking me from a dream like that isn’t nice, nor appreciated.”
Before long she was ready to go. Walking to the room Dane was in, she knocked softly. “Dane? Are you awake?”
No answer.
Cracking it open a bit, she tried again. “Dane, you awake?”
Still no answer. Aida frowned and swung the door all the way open only to find the room entirely empty. Bed undisturbed. Backing out, she headed for the shop. She couldn’t explain the relief that swamped her when her gaze landed on him leaning over the work table.
“Morning, Aida,” he said, looking up and meeting her gaze through strands of his black hair.
“Good morning. You’re up early.”
His gaze heated as it traveled over her. “Wanted to make sure this was ready.”
She moved closer. “And?”
“It is.”
“Great. Well, I’ll have breakfast ready in a few.”
“Right behind you.”
She swallowed and left the shop. Her dream all so vivid in her mind. I can’t stop imagining it was Dane.
Breakfast was quick, and soon, they were out by her vehicle. Hands on hips, Aida stared at the items crammed inside.
“Everything in?” Dane asked.