Hunted by the Jaguar. Bonnie Vanak

wiped a stray tear away with the edge of one thumb. “All is forgiven. Your father was looking out for your virtue. He knew you were growing up, becoming a beautiful woman.”

      Ariana tensed herself against the compassion. She flung his hand away. “And what does that have to do with a stray cat? It’s not like he was the big bad wolf.”

      She didn’t like the wicked gleam in his eyes. Daimon’s mouth quirked upward. “Just the big bad pussy.”

      Her heart skipped a beat as he picked up her hand, gave the knuckles a slow, lingering kiss. “Meow.”

      “No…you?”

      “None other.”

      “You can’t be Whiskers!”

      In a blink, he vanished. In his place was a small black cat with brilliant emerald eyes. The cat climbed into her lap and nuzzled her chin just as her childhood friend had.

      As her trembling hand stroked his fur, the cat purred. He grabbed the sheet in his small teeth and tried to yank it past her breasts.

      “Hey!”

      She jerked away and he jumped off her lap, transforming into Daimon again. Daimon in a black shirt and jeans, wearing a sexy smile and no shoes.

      “Your father knew what I was. He saw no harm in it, until you were on the verge of womanhood. Then he wanted me the hell away, but I wasn’t budging, so he moved your family. And warned me to stay away unless I wanted to tangle with his powers.”

      “Why did you hang around me?”

      His gaze grew guarded. “To protect you at first. You were lonely, in need of a friend, but you were frail back then, Ariana. Your solitary jaunts into the woods were risky. There was darkness in those woods. I would not see you hurt.”

      The thought comforted her a little. “And later?”

      Those broad shoulders stiffened. “I was your guardian. That’s all.”

      It wasn’t. Ariana reached for her angelic side. The white light was the teller of truth. She sent a tendril snaking toward him. In the starkness of his expression, she saw the answer.

      I was lonely, too.

      She reached out and touched his hand. “So much pain inside needing to be healed. So little peace.”

      Daimon’s eyes darkened. “So you enjoy playing head games with your powers? I’ve got a better game in mind.”

      He reached up and gripped her jaw lightly, his thumb feathering over her skin. “Soft as an angel’s wing. Angels are cotton candy and fluff. But there’s more to you, Ariana. Much more. Let me show you.”

      A tingle raced through her as she remembered his lips on hers, the warm pressure and subtle movements. His mouth hovered near hers, tempting, rich and full. Tendrils of his delicious scent wrapped around her like a blanket. Her body reacted naturally, her breasts tingling and full, the space between her legs throbbing.

      “Would you like to know?”

      A sigh and a small nod. But he did not kiss her. Daimon nuzzled her neck, breathing softly into her ear. “Sweet Ariana. You were made for love. I’ve never forgotten you, searched so long for you, my other half, my true mate. Your kind heart saved me when I was a cat caught in a snare. I need you.”

      Desire pushed aside earlier resolve to resistance. Ariana practically purred as he praised her beauty, stroking her shoulders, burying his face into her hair.

      Daimon ran his hands down her arms and the sheet spilled in a waterfall to her lap. Cool air washed over her breasts. Their nipples pebbled and she blushed.

      With a reverent look, he touched her breasts. Flicked a thumb over one pearling nipple. She shivered in delight. And then she looked up with a startled gasp.

      In the shadowy hallway stood several men. She scented their feral hunger. Their lean faces were cruel with lust, their nostrils flared. Their bodies tense with anticipation, they stared at Ariana as if she were prey.

      Fear licked her spine. “Your men?”

      Daimon leaped off her, his expression savage as he paced toward the door.

      The tallest and strongest spoke up, his voice a husky rumble of intent. “We want to touch her.”

      Ariana froze.

      Chapter Three

      “No.”

      “The rules.” The strongest gave a thin smile. “Remember? If she’s to stay here, we must know her.”

      “I know the rules, Theo. But you forget who’s in charge.”

      A low growl rumbled from Daimon’s throat. He gave the man a hard shove in the chest. The male staggered back, bowed his head and then looked with respect at Daimon.

      Authority reestablished, Daimon returned. “Ariana, these are my men. They will not hurt you.”

      He gave them a vicious glance. “They have given their word. But they want to know you, to touch you, to mark you as someone they need to protect. There’s no sex involved. None. They will be gentle or I’ll rip them to pieces myself.”

      Theo spoke up. “It is as he says, mistress. Forgive us our intrusion. We have not seen a woman in a long, long time. We will never hurt you.”

      “Touch me?” She stared at Daimon as he approached the bed. “What kind of outfit do you run here? I’m not staying. I don’t want you or anyone touching me!”

      She went to stand, but he took her hand and pulled her back down. “Ariana. Please. Listen to me.”

      Never had she heard that desolate tone. Something inside her twisted at his broken expression.

      “All right.”

      “We are a sensual people, but they are forbidden from the sensual world. My men are not allowed women and lost their mates when they came here. They have not seen the ones they loved in many decades. I promised they could touch you and remember the feel of a woman’s soft skin. It is the only pleasure they are allowed. But if you don’t want this, I don’t give a damn what promises I made to them. You come first.”

      Hot ferocity shone on his face. He looked over her naked body with pride, as if he knew the other men would touch her but only he had the right to claim her. A low growl rumbled from his deep chest, assuring the men he’d rip apart anyone who dared try more.

      Daimon drew an arm about her waist. His lean fingers stroked over one hip in a lazy, possessive caress. The demon inside her thrilled at the stir of sexual pleasure, sending off alarm bells.

      Thirty shape-shifters would touch her naked body. Ariana opened her mouth to refuse.

      And then she looked up into their eyes. The stark loneliness and the desperation tugged at her heart. Instead of fierce wildness, she saw broken men.

      These jaguars had suffered terribly. Banished from the females they loved, they spent their days and nights pining for their mates.

      “Why are the females not allowed?” she asked.

      Daimon’s expression shuttered. “It’s the rule.”

      It made no sense, yet the men’s pain was quite real. Theo’s mouth wobbled as he gave her a pleading look.

      “I miss my Felicity,” he said thickly. “I do not even know…if she lives.”

      The soothing strokes of Daimon’s fingers were caresses heating her skin, inflaming her desire. Fear turned into sheer want. Ariana drew in a deep breath for strength.

      She could resist the tug of sexual pleasure. Keep the demon in place.

      “All right,” she assented. She looked at Daimon. “What do I do?”

      “Lie back