purple-and-green quilt covered her. Ariana sat up, pushing aside the fabric. Dust motes danced in sunbeams streaming through the partly closed green drapes. Morning already. Last night she’d bathed, pulled on a thick terry-cloth robe and eaten a hearty meal. She’d dozed off in her chair afterward. The last thing she remembered was Daimon carrying her to this bed.
His scent was familiar, and that arrogant air hadn’t changed. A tingle rushed down her spine as she remembered meeting him a year ago in a northern California bar. She’d been lonely and vulnerable. He was handsome and charming.
And then he’d taken her to his cabin in the woods, lain her down on the bed.
Ariana covered her face with her hands. After, she’d fled like the hounds of hell chased her. Her demon had surged up with each exquisite stroke of his hands, each slow thrust inside her trembling body. It had scared her. Daimon had been fierce and possessive, murmuring how she was his now, and he’d never let go.
No man could hold her, and no man would ever coax out the darkness inside her. So she’d sung him to sleep, then dressed and fled, taking care to cover her tracks.
So much for taking care. He’d found her anyway.
Boots shuffled against the wood floor. She glanced up. Her rescuer stood in the hallway, his sharp emerald gaze sweeping over her in a soft caress. A smile curved his firm mouth.
“Good morning. I trust you feel more human now?”
Ariana yanked the covers over her naked body and shot him a scathing look. “I was dressed in a robe last night.”
“And so uncomfortable, I took it upon myself to ensure you’d receive a good night’s sleep.”
“Assuming? That makes you an ass.”
Daimon showed no reaction. “I told you my plans, to make you my mate. Now get dressed and go downstairs. Breakfast is ready.”
“And I told you what I thought of them. I’ll take your offer of a hot meal, and if you’ll loan me a little money, I’ll pay you back soon as I get to Portland.”
He cocked a dark brow. “Running off so soon? What kind of host would I be if I sent you out naked into the world?”
“Where are my clothes?”
“Burned,” he said briefly. “There’s plenty of clothing that should fit. I went shopping for your size. After you get dressed, come downstairs and meet my men. They’re eager to know their future mistress.”
Knots formed in her stomach. “I’m no one’s mistress.”
“You will be,” he murmured. “We jags tend to be loners, but in this colony, we’re forced to band together.”
“How many jaguars?” Gooseflesh sprang on her arms as he told her. Thirty! So many would make it difficult to leave if Daimon didn’t release her.
“Don’t you like cats?” He cocked his head at her in a peculiar way she vaguely recognized.
Ariana loosened her grip on the sheets. “I had a cat, once.”
Daimon sat on the bed. “A childhood pet?”
Her throat closed tight. “Whiskers was my only friend. I found him when I was seven. My sisters always played without me because I was frail. We moved when I was twelve and I had to leave him behind. I cried as he sat on the porch as we drove away. Who would feed him? My dad said he’d be okay on his own, but I couldn’t believe it.”
His gaze softened. “He was.”
“I couldn’t forgive myself.”
He 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.”
