Page 27 of Shifter’s Promise (Devourer of Magic)

Chapter

Twenty-Three

T wo days later, Jaguar Clan was re-established under the triplets’ rule and Leona could finally return to me. We planned to meet up at the same game hall we’d gone to with the jaguars. It was time for my mate to meet the family properly.

Nerves raced through me, making my fingers twitch and bob on the table. Not for the first time, Kara caught my hand. She narrowed her eyes at me.

“That’s annoying,” she said. “I get you’re nervous, but don’t be. I’m sure I’ll love her.”

I nodded despite the cold sweat dripping down my spine.

“You already know I’m fond of Leona,” Father said.

He sat across from us, taking up nearly half the booth. Kara sat beside him, leaning back now that I’d stopped tapping the table incessantly.

“If Father likes her, I will too,” Kara said.

I sighed. “I know… it’s just… ”

I didn’t even know how to articulate why I was nervous.

“It’s the first time you’ve ever brought someone home,” Kara said, a mischievous grin flashing across her pretty face. “I get it.”

“How? You’ve never brought someone home.”

Kara darted a glance at father, and I inhaled sharply.

“You have ? When?!”

Father scratched his cheek, avoiding my gaze while Kara hemmed and hawed.

“A few years ago, it wasn’t a big deal.”

I shot to my feet, hands slamming on the tabletop. “My little sister brought home a man and you’re saying that isn’t a big deal!”

“Calm down, Twin!” Kara said, holding her hands up.

“I was just as shocked,” Father deadpanned, continuing to avoid our gazes.

Kara groaned. “Look, I was a teen in love. You can’t blame me.”

“I’ll blame him if he touched a hair on my baby sister’s head!”

“Twin!” Kara whined. “It wasn’t like that.”

“Then what was it like, dear sister?”

“Dad, can you please reason with her?” Kara spun toward our father.

Sweat beaded on his forehead. “You know I wouldn’t have allowed anything… erm, physical, in my house, Twinlin.” He cleared his throat. “Have a seat.”

I narrowed my eyes at them both even as I deflated with relief. I took my seat again.

“Better not have.” It was shocking enough to learn Kara might be the mate of all three triplets. Having a man over as a teenager ? Unthinkable.

“Am I interrupting?” a familiar voice asked.

I nearly shot to my feet again, but Leona’s hand quickly palmed my shoulder. My entire body relaxed into her touch.

“Not at all!” Kara beamed, gaze shifting between us. “Please have a seat!”

I shimmied into the booth, allowing Leona, sans armor for the first time since we’d met, to sit beside me. The planes of her defined muscles pressed against her tight black shirt with cut off sleeves. Biceps bulged, forcing the sleeves to ride up and reveal more sunkissed skin.

“Thank you,” Leona said. She gave me a knowing wink.

I wiped the corner of my mouth, shocked to find no drool there. Flush climbed my neck and into my cheeks. How could my mate be so effortlessly sexy? It was unnerving and tantalizing all at once.

“Why don’t you introduce us?” Kara shot me a look.

I groaned internally. “Right, sorry.” Taking Leona’s hand, I tried to relax. “Kara, this is my mate, Leona.”

Kara’s grin widened, if that was even possible. Her teeth shone in the sunlight streaming through the window.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Leona. I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Kara.”

Leona’s cheeks pinked. “All good things, I hope.”

“Of course.” Kara slid a teasing look my way .

Oh goddess, what is she up to?

“But Twin really failed to capture your beauty. You’re a stunning lioness.”

I narrowed my eyes at Kara. “It’s impossible to describe her beauty with mere words.”

“I can see that! You have good taste, sister.” She winked at me. “I didn’t know you liked shy women.”

Leona cleared her throat, drawing my attention. Her cheeks flared red. Even the back of her neck and ears flushed. Seeing her skin lit up like that, my tongue tingled. I wanted to see what she tasted like.

“I didn’t realize you were shy,” I teased, elbowing Leona gently.

“I’m not.” The waver in her voice told me otherwise.

“Why don’t I get us some drinks?” Father said, breaking up the two against one we’d somehow found ourselves in.

“Fine.” Kara rolled her eyes playfully before slipping out of the booth. Her gaze snagged on the games further in, curiosity lighting those green depths. “We should try some of those later.”

I followed her gaze to the line of dartboards.

“Leona was really good at that last time,” I said.

“Oh really?” Kara asked.

“Let’s see who has better aim,” I offered with a grin.

Leona shook her head, lips twitching in a restrained smile. Though she might be shy from our teasing, she clearly looked forward to the challenge.

“Whoever loses buys the next round,” Leona wagered .

“Oh, you’re on!” Kara strode deeper into the game hall.

My mate stood and offered me her hand. I took it and she pulled me from the booth and into her waiting arms. I sighed contentedly.

I never imagined things would turn out quite like this.

Leona and I returned from the game hall first. Kara and our father were the competitive type, spending most of the evening trying to outdo each other. When we had left, they were still deep in competition, giving us time to slip out and head home early.

Hand in hand, we returned to my clan house and raced up the stairs. A giddy thrill ran through me, butterflies dancing in my stomach.

The second my bedroom door closed behind us, Leona’s hands settled on my hips.

“I wanted to do this all night.” Her husky purr had me groaning into her lips, embracing the sweet flavor of raspberry wine.

I rasped my tongue over the seam of her lips, and she parted them gladly. Tongues tangling, I wrapped my arms around her neck, drawing her body flush with mine.

A growl rose in her throat, making me grin. Her hands slipped down to my thighs, squeezing before she lifted me into the air. I gasped, legs twinning around her hips instinctually .

She took the moment to deepen our kiss, teeth scraping my lip before her mouth consumed me once again.

Heat rolled through me in waves, both from the building pleasure and the warmth of her body. I loosened my grip, fingers trailing down her chest. Teasing the hem of her shirt, it wasn’t long before I dove under. I ran my nails over her tensed abs, ribs and then down her back.

That same growl rang again. I think she likes it .

Giggling into our kiss, I continued my ministrations while Leona made her way to the bed. She collapsed back onto it, both of us laughing as our tangle of hair got in the way.

She pushed my braids aside while I did the same to her golden curls. But instead of simply moving the hair aside, she gathered my braids in her fist at the back of my head, pulling gently.

I gasped, back arching. “Leona,” I murmured against her lips.

Hot breath fanned my neck as she moved my head to the side, sealing kiss after kiss against my copper skin. Each press of her lips was like a hot brand, evoking feelings I’d never felt before. Not even once.

“Twin,” she whispered back, her heat making me shiver. “I want to claim you right now.”

I nodded wordlessly until she forced my gaze back to her own.

“I need your confirmation, beautiful.” Again, her kisses descended my neck, making my eyelashes flutter.

“Yes,” I gasped, breathless. “I want you, Leona. Please.”

With a deep, rumbling purr of contentment, Leona let go of my hair. Suddenly, she flipped us over, the ridges of her body pressing against mine deliciously.

A soft whine built in my throat. I didn’t know exactly what I wanted, but I didn’t want her to stop.

Leona ran her hands up my stomach and around to my sides. Her fingers dragged my shirt higher and higher until she yanked it off over my head. I blinked in surprise, unsure how she did that without catching my braids.

Before I could dwell on it, her lips seared the skin of my stomach, kissing higher along my ribs and then between my breasts.

Her orange gaze blazed with hunger. She didn’t let my eyes go, demanding my full attention as she pushed my cotton bra aside. Cold air pebbled my nipples. Leona blew hot air on the rigid point, making me shiver. She smiled at every earned movement, each small sound.

“Tell me if I do something you don’t like,” she commanded.

I shook my head, certain she couldn’t do anything I wouldn’t like.

With a chuckle, Leona rasped her tongue over my nipple, eliciting another gasp.

She did it again and again until I squirmed beneath her.

Only when my breathing had increased and I whined her name did she draw my breast into her hand, massaging and squeezing.

She sucked my nipple into her mouth and stars burst behind my eyelids .

Holy shit . I arched off the bed, fingers twinning in her hair.

“Leona,” I begged, unsure what exactly I was asking for.

“You want more?” Leona purred.

I nodded.

“But I haven’t finished your punishment yet.”

I groaned. Why did punishment sound so hot on her lips?

“You told me I could punish you later,” she continued. “Please endure it for a bit longer.”

I wanted to scream and cry. A deep, burning frustration built in my belly. Was this what destiny felt like?

Her lips and tongue continued their sweet torture, driving me wild with need until I ground my hips upward. Leona moved between my breasts, making sure they were both well taken care of.

“Leona, please .”

She smiled wickedly, a heartstopping grin that made my insides squirm. “Can’t take it anymore, sweetheart?”

I shook my head vehemently. “No.”

She chuckled, her mouth vibrating around my nipple, making me groan. “All right. Since you beg so sweetly.”

Leona pushed back on her elbows, leaving my breasts strangely bereft. Cold air hardened my nipples all the more—aching for her warm touch.

She slid downward, pulling my trousers with her. It wasn’t until my pants were gone, and only my underwear remained that nerves skittered through me again .

Seeming to recognize that, Leona kissed my hips, down to my thighs. She watched me with predatory interest, sucking up my sounds with each flick of her tongue.

I pushed my elbows beneath me, wanting to rise upward, but her hand shot out, pressing me back against the bed.

“Stay still and let me devour you.”

Flush raced to my cheeks—as if I could get any redder.

Dipping between my thighs, Leona pushed my legs open. Her tongue darted over my panties, and I gasped.

“You’re already soaked,” she growled in approval. Fingers hooking in the straps, she slowly, agonizingly pulled my underwear off.

Only when I was bare before her did embarrassment flood my entire being. I draped my arms over my eyes, unable to bear it.

“Oh, no no,” Leona tsked. She gently pulled my arms away before pinning them above my head. “I want you to watch every second of this, Twinlin.”

Leona captured my lips once more, nipping at my lower one before she pulled back. I panted, lost in a bleary haze of warmth and pleasure. My mate sat up, pulling off her shirt and tossing it haphazardly.

Only when her hot breath returned to my core did I move my arms again. This time, I gripped her hair in one hand, the bed sheets with the other. I needed to touch her somehow.

Holding my gaze, Leona’s tongue drew across my slit until she hit the bundle of nerves at the top. My breath failed me, my eyes widening. No one, save myself, had ever touched me there, and certainly not with their tongue. With another swipe, I saw stars. Another and my mind fled.

“You taste sweet,” Leona purred.

Again and again she maneuvered me perfectly, hands gently massaging my thighs, lips sealed around my clit.

It wasn’t until the approach of a wave that she stopped.

I sat up slightly, a whine on my lips.

“Shhh,” she hushed.

Her fingers probed my wet entrance before delving inside. I gasped as her finger drew deeper and deeper before pulling back out. A few pumps later, another finger joined the first, rocking in and out of my body slowly until I ground against her touch.

“More,” I said.

Leona chuckled. “Are you sure you can handle it?”

“Yes.”

“No hesitation, I like it.” Licking her lips, Leona added a third finger. The stretch was delicious, making my eyes roll back as she thrust them deeper, curling upward.

Her tongue flicked across my swollen clit, and I couldn’t contain my moans any longer.

“Leona,” I groaned. “It feels amazing.”

She hummed her agreement, her mouth vibrating against me. The sensation sent me barrelling over that sweet edge. I cried out, stars flaring behind my eyelids as I crashed and flew into the sky.

Heart racing, muscles clenching, I rode the waves and Leona’s fingers until she finished me again.

Limp, and bone weary, I collapsed back against the bed. Leona sat up, licking her fingers so seductively I managed the strength to roll over and pin her to the bed. Capturing her lips, I kissed her deeply, tasting my own sweetness.

Leona growled, pulling my head back only so she could bite my neck. “You’re mine, Twinlin. Forever.”

I nodded, heart fluttering with the finality of her statement.

“I’m yours.” I pulled back slightly, biting her lower lip so she knew this claim went both ways. “And you’re mine.”

Growling, Leona rolled us once again so she was on top. “Don’t think I’m done with you yet.”

I laughed, and drew her face back to mine. “I’m not done with you either.”

Warm orange gaze twinkling, she kissed the tip of my nose. “I love you, Twinlin.”

I smiled so wide my cheeks ached. “I love you, Leona.”