~ EXCERPT BELOW ~
When strong-willed, courageous Nicole Demakis sacrificed herself for her friend and rode away with Aaron Katsaros, a known assassin, she had no idea how much it would change the course of her life. Aaron, the sexy, brooding leopard, is destined to be hers, but the Council may have other plans for them...
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The plane’s vibrations awakened Nicole Demakis. She didn’t remember going to sleep. The last thing she remembered was getting in the car with him and driving away from the cabin outside of Logan, Utah.
Her eyes flew open and she nearly came out of her seat. They were in an airplane now! He was sitting across from her, watching intently. Flecks of gold sparkled in his brown eyes. The smell of feline filled her lungs, but her wolf remained surprisingly calm. The idea that magick had matched her with another species didn’t really bother Nicole, either. She’d wanted to find her true match, and she had. But instead of claiming her, he was taking her to her estranged grandparents where she would be given away at some ritualistic, barbaric ceremony.
Now someone else will claim me. Shit!
“How long have I been out?”
“About twenty-four hours. We are well on our way to Greece.” His voice rumbled deep in his chest, making the hairs on her neck stand on end.
Her magick rippled and sparked, reaching for him. It took every ounce of control to remain in her seat. She had to play it cool. Throwing herself at him was not playing it cool.
“Why did you drug me?”
He shrugged and looked out the small, round window to his left. “It was easier.”
“Easier?” she scoffed. Coward!
“He is our mate.” Her wolf stretched inside her mind, waking from the drug.
I know. But knocking me out still makes him a coward.
“We need him to want us, Nicole. Not hate us. He’s the only way out of this whole mess.”
That shouldn’t be too hard.
Her wolf chuckled. She wasn’t the only one who could smell his arousal and hear his heart racing. He was as good as seduced already.
To hell with it! She slid from her seat and moved the short distance between them on her knees. His eyes widened and his pupils dilated as Nicole slid her hands up his thighs and inhaled his sandalwood scent.
Attraction was not a problem. She’d been drawn to him the first time she’d seen him —the parking lot in Logan where they’d fought and he’d stolen Sarah. When they touched for the first time, the connection started to build. It was the way the magick worked. He couldn’t avoid it for long, and she had no intention of letting him.
The last thing she wanted was to mate some prick and live for centuries knowing her true mate had been just within reach, if only she’d taken a chance.
His thighs tightened beneath her fingers. Even through the thick denim of his jeans, she could feel the tension. Resistance is futile. I will make sure of it. She eased her hands closer to the growing bulge.
“No.” He snatched her hands and moved her back to her seat in one fluid movement.
What the hell?
“No?” She twirled her hair and opened her legs wider, inviting him in. It was too bad she wasn’t wearing a skirt. Jeans weren’t nearly as accessible. “You’re my mate, kitty cat, and I don’t even know your name.”
He snarled and wrapped his hand around her throat. His fingers tightened, but not enough to restrict her breathing. Their eyes met and she held his glare. If he thought he could intimidate her, he had another thing coming. Nicole Demakis didn’t take anything lying down.
“Except maybe a man,” her wolf teased.
Shut it! You’re not helping.
Magick flared around Nicole and her wolf pushed outward, reaching toward him.
“I am no kitty cat,” he firmly stated. His eyes glowed bright gold and his nostrils flared.
Pleasure ran through her senses akin to savoring a sweet piece of dark chocolate. She’d ruffled his fur. Awww ... tough shit! She smiled and batted her eyelashes, knowing full well exactly what he was.
Fangs lengthened in his mouth and his claws scraped against her neck. It might have scared her if she hadn’t known how aroused he was. But now, his show of dominance just turned her on more. She didn’t mind playing rough.
“I'm a leopard, not a house cat.” His voice was deep and silky like her satin sheets at the inn. His dark hair rolled in waves nearly to his shoulders. And that olive complexion with a sexy five o’clock shadow whispered of Mediterranean descent.
She parted her lips and ran her tongue slowly across them. His eyes tracked the movement and his grip tightened around her neck. She relaxed her body, giving no resistance to his hold on her. She directed her gaze to his now semi-glowing eyes, meeting his glare with courage. Just like everything else, she would face him head on.
Right now, what she really wanted was a kiss. Growling and irritated cat be damned, she was taking one. She leaned forward and pressed her lips softly to his. He didn’t pull away, but he didn’t reciprocate either. She flicked her tongue along his lips, moistening them. He tasted so good. She pulled his bottom lip into her mouth, sucking gently, then nipping for good measure. His body had hardly moved, except to relax his grip on her throat. Well, damn.
She pushed him harder, pressing her tongue into his mouth, being careful to avoid slicing it on his still-extended fangs. A growl rumbled from his chest and he leaned forward, taking control of the kiss and pinning her firmly into her chair.
“It’s about time,” her wolf said.
I told you it wouldn’t be hard. She smiled against his mouth.
Their tongues danced together, each working to take control. Nicole didn’t back off. She was used to being in charge and had no intention of letting this feline mercenary just drop her off with Grandma and Grandpa Antipas. Not without winning him to her side of the rebellion first.
His magick hummed in tune with hers, sending sparks of pleasure traversing across her skin. It was erotic stimulation for the nervous system. Her sex throbbed, making her painfully aware she was still dressed. The panties she was wearing were soaked and the denim of her jeans rubbed across the wet lace, torturing her swollen clit. She moaned into his mouth and thrust out her chest.
Instead of more contact, he released her hand and backed away.
Son-of-a-fried-donut! What the hell?