On The Prowl (4 page)

“Then the deal is sealed, as you say.”

He held her hand, his green eyes meeting hers. For a moment, she was lost in those eyes, as she had been on the path, fear retreating for a moment. Her breath came up short.

Griffin let go of her hand, stepping away from her, a brief flash of confusion crossing his face.

“If you want the orchid, then we need to leave. It’s at least a three day walk, and then, if the orchid is not there, we need to look further.” He turned, leaving her speechless at the edge of the ruins.

* * *

As he walked out of the ruins and into the jungle, Griffin could still feel the touch of her hand in his, the softness and warmth expected, the strength surprising. For some unknown reason, he’d wanted to keep hold of her, whatever part of her he could. It confused him, went against everything in him that roared and raged that it was her kind—humans—who had killed his clan—his family—decimating them to the point there were few, if any, females left. Their future was in serious jeopardy. That this woman had appeared, no less in the sacred ruins, seemed an omen.

The deal, as she called it, had come to him as soon as she’d told him what she wanted. In that instant it was all clear. He would help her, and in return, he would have her. It fulfilled so many needs, so many desires, all at the same time. And if her desire to protect her family was that strong, it boded well for what he would need from her.

Her agreement, before she’d even heard the condition, had surprised him as well. But it had saved having to explain what he desired in front of that hulking human who had come with her. Griffin had no doubt if that man had heard the terms, he would have fought past the jaguar guards and tried to rip out Griffin’s throat.

On the path, and at the ledge, he had assumed the woman –
Addison, her name was Addison
—and the man were mated. But when she’d left this Daniel behind, a small hope kindled in Griffin, that she wasn’t his woman. That made her all the more desirable.

But he had made a promise as well, and he would take her deeper into the jungle in search of the orchid. He knew where it grew, or rather, where it had last been seen.

He heard her behind him, then caught her scent on the breeze. It tore at him, made him want her, but then made him want to run away. Confusion wasn’t something he was comfortable with. Being alpha of his clan meant there was no room for emotions, and certainly not something like this. It unbalanced him, and that was not a feeling he enjoyed.

Shaking his head, he drew himself up, determined to view her as a tool, a way to secure the future of his clan. They’d made an agreement, for one specific reason. And that reason did not include his emotions.

“Wait.”

He turned. She’d stopped a few yards behind him. His brows drew together, a low snarl thrumming deep in his throat.

“I need my pack. My collection tools…”

“You will need nothing that cannot be provided.”

“The orchid is fragile. I’ll need…”

He strode toward her, closing the distance between them. Her eyes widened, gaze wild, but she held her ground. It struck him anew, the courage that she displayed. But at the moment, she was trying his patience.

“You need a great deal, woman. Can you trust that I have what you require? You do realize the orchid has been collected for centuries, long before you came here, all without your fancy tools?”

Her brows drew down, a single line forming between them. For a moment, he had the urge to laugh; she looked like a fierce cub, standing up to an elder. But she wasn’t a cute cub, she was a human, a woman he was now linked with, and more than just as an escort.

“Fine.” She threw up her hands. With anyone else it would have been a gesture of surrender, but she gave even that gesture an air of defiance. “Okay. You’re right. I don’t mean to question everything…” Her voice faltered, just for a second, but she drew a breath, and squared her shoulders. Her eyes met his, her gaze steely.

“This is for my sister.” Her voice was strong. “Let’s go.”

She brushed passed him down the path. He watched her disappear behind a scrim of foliage. Again he was struck by her resolve, the dedication to her family.

But then something else filled him as he followed her, her scent on the damp breeze. She was a woman, a very desirable woman, even if she was human. For a moment an image rose up, of her beneath him as he took her, their bodies lit by the glow of a fire. A rush of heat, as if that fire were real, shot through his body. The intensity startled him, and he stopped on the path.

This was nothing more than a business transaction, an act designed to save his clan. Nothing more. To desire her was pure madness. He would mate with her and be done with it.

He’d lost the sound of her moving through the jungle, but her scent was strong, lingering around him. Shaking his head he pushed the rising sensations in his body aside, almost growling in frustration. He needed his mind to be clear, to be focused on this task.

Griffin pushed through the lush jungle, striding down the path, catching up with Addison. He pushed passed her, catching the puzzled look on her face.

“We’ll make camp in a few hours.”

“But it’s not even close to dark. Can’t we keep going?”

He spoke over his shoulder. “We’ll be traveling through another clan’s territory and I will not do that in the dark. It’s dangerous enough in the light. In the morning, we start at dawn, pushing on through the day, getting through their territory.” He offered a silent prayer to the Gods that it would be without incident.

“Have you seen the orchid?”

She was beside him and he glanced down at her, face flushed from the exertion of keeping up with him, the resolve in her eyes. He slowed his stride. She may be resolute and strong, but there really was no sense in running her into the ground, simply because of the effect she had on him.

“I have not. It no longer exists in my clan’s territory. It was hunted to extinction by your kind.”

“My kind?”

“Hunters, explorers…humans.” It was impossible for him to keep the anger out of his voice. “The men…and sometimes women…who view this place as a treasure chest to plunder, tearing through the ruins, stealing, killing…”

“Not everyone who comes here is a killer. You must know that.”

“I do not know that. I know what I’ve witnessed, what my people have gone through.” The anger inside him rose and it took all his control not to lash out at Addison. The cat inside him snarled and growled, clawing to be freed, to tear and destroy his enemy.

“You know I’m not here to hurt you, or your clan.”

He held up one hand. “Silence.” Drawing a ragged breath, he stopped, turned toward her. She stumbled in surprise, almost walking into him. But she stopped.

“I do not know you. I only know your kind. It’s your love of family alone that has brought you this far, and your word in agreement to my conditions.”

She was so close…too close. But he refused to step away. “But now I want no words from you. I want silence.”

He turned and pushed roughly past her. His head and heart were filled with anger, the harsh sound of his voice still buzzing in his ears. But his body had reacted to her closeness, to her scent—that damned scent that was going to drive him mad.

By the name of the Gods, what had seemed like a simple agreement, now seemed like madness.

Chapter Four

They stopped an hour before dusk, in a clearing on a rise, the jungle spreading out below them. Addison sat down on a fallen log, pulling off one boot, she yanked off her sodden sock, wiggling her toes. It seemed her feet had been wet for days and the cool air felt good.

Griffin stood a short distance away, gazing over the landscape. She was struck by his bearing, the ease with which he moved. Then again, this was his home. She was the outsider. If he were at the Museum, he’d look more like a display of ancient peoples than a real person. And, she supposed, he’d be just as miserable as she was in the city.

“Is this where we camp?”

It was the first words she’d spoken in several hours. After his outburst earlier, she’d walked behind him, not speaking. It didn’t take a psychic or mind reader to know he was very angry, with her, and with the entire race of humans.

“It is.” He turned back, expression unreadable in the fading light. She felt at a distinct disadvantage, knowing she was at his mercy. She was for all intents and purposes, lost. If she tried to find her way back to the ruins and to Daniel, she had no food, no water, and no shelter. He held her life in his hands.

“Will you make a fire?” It was still warm, but she knew on this exposed rise the temperature would plummet as the sun set.

He crossed to where she sat. “I will not. We are on the edge of another clan’s territory. To have a fire would give our position away. As it is, they probably know we’re here.”

She sighed. “Fine. Do we have anything to eat?”

“I don’t have anything, but I will hunt for us.”

Addison cringed. “If by hunt you mean meat, then we will need a fire. I’m not so adventurous as to eat raw…anything.”

She saw annoyance cross his face, but then the corner of his mouth quirked upward. “I understand you’re not going to eat what I eat. The jungle does provide more than just raw meat. Wait here.”

He slipped silently away, leaving her alone in the clearing. A few birds called nearby, and she jumped at the shrill, unfamiliar sounds, nothing like the muted sounds of the birds she was used to back home. She pulled off her other boot and sock and sat, wrapping her arms around her knees, waiting for Griffin to return.

Anytime she’d been in the field, even in relatively dangerous countries, she’d been with a group, and even if the conditions had been primitive, she’d had her own clothes, her own tools, and at least a canvas overhead, if not a tent.

She watched the sky change, the blue slowly fading, replaced by brilliant orange and purple swaths. It was beautiful and for a moment she forgot where she was, why she was sitting alone in the jungle, waiting for a jaguar shifter to bring her dinner.

Griffin appeared as if by magic, holding a leaf-covered bundle. He knelt in front of her, setting the bundle on the ground. She leaned forward as he pulled back the leaves and she saw a variety of fruit.

She glanced up to find Griffin looking at her. For a moment their eyes locked and she swallowed hard. Even in the twilight, his eyes glowed brilliant green.

It suddenly hit her hard, that in the very near future, she would be having sex with this man, this shifter. Under any other circumstances, she’d never have agreed to this outrageous plan. But this was for Grace, and she’d do anything for her sister.

It might be just a way to get what she wanted, but there was no denying the man before her was stunning, and he radiated an overt sexuality that was impossible to resist. She’d never been anywhere near a shifter, and the distant thought arose that maybe it was a characteristic of all shifters. Sometime, when she wasn’t deep in the jungle, on a desperate mission to save her sister’s life, she’d think about it as an anthropologist.

But now, she was filled with a strange desire, her body reacting to Griffin, to how close he was to her. She caught his scent, raw and primal. No hint of civilization, no cologne or aftershave, or even soap. But it was a compelling, powerful scent, and it was having a very intense effect on her. A low throbbing started deep inside. The last time she’d felt anything close to this was with Daniel. The only thought of Daniel she had was fleeting, to hope he was still safe. Griffin captured her attention fully.

“Here.” He was holding a piece of fruit, something she didn’t recognize. She took it, sniffed it, then caught Griffin’s smile.

“A melon. The name won’t mean anything to you.”

He produced a wicked-looking knife and took the melon from her. With swift practiced movements, he cut a slice and handed it to her. In the dim light the melon looked pale, green maybe, but it smelled wonderful. She bit into it, the taste lush and exotic on her tongue.

“Oh, my, this is wonderful.” She wiped the juice away from her chin. “I don’t care what it’s called.” She finished the slice in just a few bites. Griffin handed her a larger slice and she finished that one as well.

Griffin sat back, eating a piece of fruit, watching her with a predator’s gaze. She was suddenly nervous, and her hunger vanished. She dropped the melon rind on the ground, wiping her hands on her jeans. There was no use denying what she’d agreed to, and no reason to delay the inevitable. She stood, reaching for the first button on her shirt. Griffin rose slowly, tossing aside his half-eaten piece of fruit, watching her in silence.

“I think it’s time…our agreement…I think we should fulfill the terms of our agreement.” She was irritated with herself, with her stammering, and that her fingers trembled as she moved to the next button on her shirt. This was nothing more than a means to an end, an act that didn’t involve anything more than the physical. She’d had sex before, she knew how things worked, and how to please a man quickly.

But then why was her heart thumping along in her chest like a wild thing? Why were her hands trembling? Why did this brutal, demanding man affect her like this?

Griffin took another step forward, reaching out, his hand covering hers. She looked up, caught a flash of green eyes, and before she had time to think, she was in his arms, pressed against him, her cheek resting on his muscled, bare chest.

He held her with surprising gentleness, in contrast to the gruff exterior he displayed. She was grateful, both for the gentleness, and for the sudden comfort of having her face hidden against his chest.

It had grown darker, the brilliant colors of the sunset gone, the sky the color of pewter, fading to charcoal overhead. Somewhere behind the jungle the moon was rising, a faint silver filtering through the trees. But where Addison stood, it was dark, and she felt a little braver in that darkness.

Griffin’s hands slid between them, his fingers undoing the buttons she’d fumbled over. She was passive, letting him pull the shirt over her arms, dropping it to the ground. His hands moved over her back, exploring the strap of her bra. There was a gentle tug, then a not-so-gentle jerk.

“What is this?” His voice had a bemused tone.

Addison had no choice but to smile. She raised her head, reaching behind her, undoing the clasp.

“It’s a bra…it’s meant to support…to keep things, um, perky.”

“ ‘Perky?’ ” His hands moved to her breasts, cupping their weight. “There’s nothing wrong with them…”

His hands moved over her skin, a soft caress, oddly tentative. But then he drew a sharp breath, his hands tightening on her flesh, squeezing in a possessive way that took her completely by surprise.

But it also lit a fire deep inside, a primal desire that had her arching her back, pressing against Griffin’s hands, silently asking—begging—for more. She sensed he was looking at her, that in the now-dark, with his predator eyes, he could see her far more clearly than she could see him. So she looked up, knowing that he could see the tacit consent in her eyes.

As if in response, he bent his head suddenly, his mouth coming down on hers, bruising her lips in a kiss that seared her down to her bare toes. She reacted instantly, instinctively, wrapping her arms around his neck, pulling herself up to meet him fully. He palmed one breast, the other hand sliding down to cup her jean-clad ass. The kiss was primitive but deeply arousing, and she gave herself over fully to his mouth on hers, his tongue thrusting between her lips. He tasted of the fruit he’d eaten, unfamiliar and sweet, wildly delicious.

She was giddy with desire, with the heady sensation of being in the arms of this man, this exotic creature, who was as much animal as man. Nothing in her life compared to how she felt at this moment.

Griffin’s hands slid down her torso, not a gentle caress but a sure touch, until they came to the edge of her jeans. He broke the kiss abruptly with a sound something like a hiss.

“You wear far too many clothes. I have no patience with these.”

She stepped back, quickly undoing the snap and zipper of her jeans before he tried tearing them off of her. She tugged the jeans and her panties down in one movement, kicking them away.

The moon had risen enough that it caught Griffin’s face, his high cheekbones catching the silvery light. She stood back, letting him look at her, basking in his hot gaze. His eyes moving over her, so intense she could almost feel his gaze on her skin, leaving behind a trail of fire.

He reached up, pulling the tie that held his cape. It fell to the ground with a soft rustle. With one movement his loincloth was gone as well, leaving him standing naked in front of her.

It was Addison’s turn to look at him, to let her eyes take in every detail of the man. He stood tall and proud, and clearly pleased to have her attention, to have her looking at him.

Her breath was coming up short as her eyes moved over his body, across the broad shoulders, narrow waist, and taut stomach. Her eyes dropped lower and she briefly closed her eyes. It had been a long time since she’d been with a man, and seeing Griffin standing before her, bold and confident, sent a palpable thud rocketing through her body.

She opened her eyes as he moved toward her, and she found herself in his arms again, this time the beautiful and erotic feel of his skin against hers almost overwhelming. He held her face in his hands, his kiss all-consuming, the promise of what was to come clearly evident.

This was no longer a means to an end, it was turning into something completely and unexpectedly different. She’d thought it would be passionless, mechanical—certainly not like this.

Griffin guided her down to the jungle floor, and she found herself looking up at the sky, now a deep blue, the moon a yellow circle over Griffin’s shoulder.

He was silent, intent, his hands sliding over her body, manipulating her, guiding her. She let him take control—for the moment at least—let him arrange her legs to suit his desires. There was no doubt he was skilled, and what he was going to do with her would be amazing.

There was no awkwardness, no question between them that they were ready to consummate this arrangement. Addison had never felt as receptive to any man as she did now.

Griffin took her suddenly and she cried out against his hard shoulder. He filled her, consumed her, awoke something in her body and mind she’d never thought possible.

She let him set the pace, then gave in to her body’s desires, moving beneath him, shifting, thrusting up against him. He grunted against her shoulder, a deeply satisfied sound, and he changed position, giving her more freedom, and she took full advantage, meeting him fully.

Their movements grew more aggressive, almost violent, as they thrashed in harmony among the leaves. She wanted to roll over, to pin him down, and ride him until he could hold back no longer.

But he was too strong, as he held her down, countering every move she made, and she felt his mouth curve into a smile against her neck. It became a game, a power play, a delicious erotic battle for control.

She wanted to win, to take, to be on top, but her body wanted—demanded—something else, and wanting to win became something wild and primal, the culmination of this whole thing, the desire for release.

Griffin pulled back suddenly, rising on his knees. He dug his fingers into her hips, pulling her bodily up his massive thighs. She was under his control now, at his mercy, but it didn’t matter. She was delirious with pleasure, and there was no stopping what Griffin had set in motion. She gave in to him, let him take her where he wanted.

She watched him, his head thrown back, eyes closed. He thrust hard, holding her easily, as if she were nothing more than a feather.

The force of her orgasm took her breath away. She arched up hard, and Griffin gripped her ass, lifting her, and she felt weightless. The surprising move increased the already intense pleasure, and she writhed and twisted in his hands, screaming her pleasure to the sky.

Griffin followed her into the abyss, each thrust accompanied by a guttural cry, as old as creation, as new to her as he was. He throbbed and pulsed, his seed filling her as he took his release.

And then it was over. She lay, looking up at the sky, her skin slick with perspiration, her body so relaxed that unless she moved, she had no idea where she ended and the jungle began.

From somewhere close, she heard Griffin’s breathing, but he didn’t touch her. Soft words and gentle touches would have been wrong. Lying naked beneath the dome of the night sky, lit by moonlight, her body and mind for once calm, was all she needed.