Page 3 of Enter the Lair
“Are you afraid of me Sarah?”
“No.I’m armed and I won’t hesitate to arrest you if you step out of line.”She wasn’t afraid.She was concerned about her reaction to him.For the first time in her life, she didn’t want to tell Gerry something.For a moment she was sure Devon’s eyes glinted amber, then it was gone.
“Shall we go?”He asked.
She hesitated.His body continued to warm hers as his sandalwood scent tantalized her.She looked back at the truck, avoiding his gaze and pulled on her cap.“Yeah, let’s motor.”
* * *
As they drove, Devon was sure his chaotic emotions didn’t show.He’d had a long time to perfect his stony exterior, but like so many things in his life, it was a lie.He was burning for her.
He’d overreacted when Sarah tried touching him.If she had, he wouldn’t have been able to control his cougar.It was rumbling for him to take action.Yes, Sarah was his mate, but he couldn’t claim her.She was a Marksmen and a hunter like her father.Everything about her called to him and his cat: her tantalizing scent, clear blue eyes, and her soft blonde hair tucked under her Ranger cap.He was infinitely curious about her body.She wasn’t skinny, and he loved that, but her uniform and the bulky jacket should have been a turnoff.It wasn’t.He definitely needed to get her away from his cat.It had even purred when she threatened to arrest him, and it hated confinement.The stupid thing thought it would be locked up with her.
Devon should have suggested Talen take her on the hunt.He couldn’t.He needed to be with her.Ensure her safety.Then get her off the property so he could track down the cougar and put it out of its misery.They needed to confirm the cat was a shifter and couldn’t have an outsider around, especially a Marksmen.His cat wanted her away from danger.Devon wanted her away from his family.When it came time to walk away from her for good, his cat would go insane and so would he.
Her musical voice pulled him from his dark thoughts.“The cat was sighted close to Kelsey lodge so we will park there and hike to the location.”She parked, grabbing her gear as she exited the vehicle.Devon followed.
They silently wound their way through the dense forest before she held up her hand.Sarah scanned the surrounding area before speaking.“The cougar was here this morning.”Devon had already spotted the direction the cougar had gone, but remained silent.She kneeled down beside a small bush, moving a few twigs to look at the barely perceptible track.“It went this way.”She rose, following the faint signs left by the cougar.Devon didn’t want to feel proud of her.To think what an amazing cat she would be.Her family didn’t hunt for food.It hunted trophies.She could never be exposed to his world.
His gaze fell to her round ass.His cat rumbled its approval.Images of him taking her in both human and cat form assailed him.His cock hardened, making the stealthy climb on the ravine infinitely more difficult.Later he would admit that if he hadn’t been preoccupied with how many ways, he could fuck her, he would have sensed the cougar was hunting them.His distraction cost them.
Sarah crested the edges of the ravine when the cougar slammed into her.In seconds, she was over the edge, sliding to the cold water below.Devon was on the diseased cat instantly.The smell was awful as he fought the rotting animal.It was no match for Devon’s strength in its current condition and it sprang away.His duty was to the lair.To follow the maimed creature and put it down.In less than a second, he was sliding down the ravine edge.
* * *
Devon slid down the ravine in full control.He could have leapt, but he didn’t want Sarah aware of his heightened reflexes.She was struggling to get out of the water, hopping on one leg.He pulled her from the water and into his arms as soon as he reached her.He knew it was a mistake to touch her, needing to get her to warm safety then hunt the cougar alone.“Are you alright?”
“I twisted my ankle.It’s not too bad.I just need to ice it and put it up for a few hours.I have a room at the lodge.Can you help me get there?”Her glacial eyes held his in a form of trust he didn’t deserve.
He stood upright and supported her.“Of course.”
He picked her up, cradling her in his arms.He knew she wasn’t comfortable in such a vulnerable position.He noticed her hand resting close to her weapon.He felt her shiver and automatically pulled her closer.He gritted his teeth at his body’s reaction.His erection was back in force and it wanted relief.Her freshwater scent, pink trembling lips, and soft ivory skin were too much for any man to ignore.His head lowered as she winced in pain.
He watched her take a deep breath as her body shivered.“We’re almost there Sarah.”
“I’m good,” she said through clenched teeth.
He started jogging lightly as soon as the brush opened up.The lodge came into view.“What’s your room number?”
“Two-forty-seven.”
He was inside the lobby and up the stairs before anyone saw him.She already had her key out when he reached her door.He kicked the door shut, placed her on the floor, and helped her out of her jacket.When he started to undo a button on her uniform, she pulled back.“What are you doing?”
“You’re a human popsicle.You can barely move your fingers.I’m helping you undress,” Devon said.
“I can undress myself.Go run my bath,” she said with authority.His cat bristled at her dominance.It wanted to assert itself.Devon calmed his cat.This wasn’t the time.When he returned from the bathroom, she was still fiddling with the top button.
“Let me help you, Sarah.You can get in the bath with your underwear on if you prefer.”
She looked away and gave a slight nod.He quickly undid the buttons of her uniform, unzipping her pants and unbuckling her belt.He unlaced her boots and removed each one as she leaned on him for support.When she peeled off the wet shirt and pants her weapon fell to the floor.He tried not to notice how soft her cold skin was against his or how her pink nipples stood erect against her wet satin bra.How transparent her white cotton underwear was.How bare her shaved pussy was.“Let’s get you in the tub,” he grumbled.
He helped her to the bathroom and into the warm water.He looked away as she poured some shampoo under the spout for a bubble-bath.As the water level rose, the color returned to her skin.“You can take your underwear off now,” he said.
She looked at him sharply.“You know I’m an officer of the law, right?”
“Yes, however you being a Marksmen makes you far deadlier than any uniform.”He hadn’t meant for his comment to sound so bitter.
She lowered her eyes and crossed her arms over her breasts.“Yeah.”