A Primal Lust A Fierce Love Read online

  She closed her eyes and counted to three. She must be dreaming or had hit her head really hard to be seeing what she was seeing. When she opened them she scanned the area and let a small scream of terror dribble past her lips. Nick was down on the ground. The other man towered over him. As Nick stood the other man, creature launched himself at Nick and attempted to sink his teeth into his neck. Nick dodged the bite by mere inches and spun around. He slashed down across the other mans back with his hands until long red line bloomed across the man’s white t-shirt.

  Without thinking Jessica opened up the car door. She wasn't sure why she did it other than she feared what would happen to Nick if she didn't.

  The second her feet touched the tarmac the strange lion man spun towards her. She could see a hunger and a lust that burned deep within his eyes and it frightened Jessica. He wanted her. Not just sexually. He lusted to spill her blood. A feeling passed between them. Jessica could feel his need, his hunger. He wanted what didn't belong to him and he didn't care who he had to kill to do it.

  He moved towards her. Much faster than any human had ever moved. One second he was standing in the middle of the road and the next his hot breath was caressing her cheek.

  "We meet at last. You don't know how long it has taken me to find you." It was weird hearing human words tumbling from the lips of what looked like a lion man. Jessica shivered and squared her shoulders. She wouldn't show him just how afraid she truly was. He wanted her fear, needed it, craved it.

  Nick moved up behind him and Jessica caught sight of his amber eyes. They were filled with an emotion she couldn't quite fathom. A mixture of admiration, fear and something else.

  Nick grabbed the much larger man beast and spun him around to face him. "She will never be yours." Nick growled the words.

  "What is not mine. I kill. When I breed her and she bears me an heir. Then I will kill her. I have no need for human weakness in my pride." Jessica felt a shiver of fear run through her. What did he mean by that? She had no intention of letting anyone breed her. Let alone some nut who wanted her dead as much as he wanted her alive.

  Nick roared. His voice carrying through the air and wrapping itself around Jessica's body. It made her feel safe and wanted. And she knew that was a strange reaction.

  The sound of sirens in the distance drew the lion man's attention. He gave Jessica one last lingering look before disappearing off down the road. Nicholas moved up beside Jessica and wrapped one large arm around her shoulders. Blood trickled from the corner of his lip and she reached up and carefully wiped it away.

  "What was that?" She questioned. Her mind was in turmoil. She had seen things that she never imagined were possible and yet they had still happened. The sound of sirens drew ever closer and Nicholas carefully helped her into the car once more.

  "I'll explain later. But right now the cops are on their way and the last thing we need are them breathing down our neck." He manoeuvred around the car to his door and slid in behind the wheel.

  Jessica closed her mouth. She was determined to find out what was going on but he was right. She didn't want to even try and explain what had just happened to anyone. She didn't understand it so she certainly couldn't expect anyone else to understand it either. With a sigh she buried her face in her hands. When she was dancing everything was so simple. Part of her wished she could go back to that and forget this had ever happened. However, a much larger part of her didn't want to lose Nicholas.

  She was drawn to him. And though she didn't understand why she was so attracted to him she knew she could never give him up. Not for anything.

  Chapter Two

  The drive to her apartment had been done in complete silence. Questions burned in Jessica's mind. Questions she needed answers to. But these weren't normal questions.

  Nicholas pulled his dark sports car into the parking lot and killed the engine. Jessica watched him from the corner of her eye for several minutes before finally reaching for the door handle. She didn't want to be the first one to speak. She had a feeling that if she did she would lose. But lose what she didn't know. Was it some unspoken game of wills between them. A game she had never asked to play nor did she know the rules for it.

  Nicholas reached over and covered her hand that rested on the door handle. His eyes had darkened, the amber colouring turning a much more normal colour. They weren't quite brown but they didn't look like melted honey anymore and Jessica didn't feel as though she was about to fall headfirst into them.

  "You haven't asked me your questions." Nicholas's voice was low. It moved through her and caressed things low in her body. Jessica tried not to squirm in her seat. How he could that with just his voice was beyond her.

  "Your eyes have changed." The words were out of her mouth even before she could stop herself.

  Nicholas looked confused for a minute before a slowly rumbling laugh started deep in his chest. It spread up through his throat before tumbling from his lips. Jessica wanted to laugh with him but she held herself perfectly still. If she started to laugh she would forget her worry and that was not something she was willing to do.

  When he stopped laughing he looked at her. His eyes tracing the contours of her face as though he were running his fingers across her skin. "How did I get so lucky?"

  "Lucky?" Jessica echoed the word. It was her turn now to be confused.

  "Yes, lucky. I found you. That is luck. If he had gotten there just a few seconds earlier than me..." Nicholas's voice trailed off and he closed his eyes as though afraid to witness some terrible deed.

  "Who was that?"

  "You really want to know?" He opened his eyes and once more the warm amber colour had returned to them. Jessica wanted to touch his face. To trace her fingers across the lines of worry that etched their way across his forehead. She leaned in towards him and inhaled. The heady aroma of tall grass and dry heat hit her once more. She wanted more, no she needed more.

  Pulling away from him she opened the door. The part of her that wanted him, that wanted to roll around on top of him screamed at her. The rush of cold air into the car drove the enticing scent of him from her head. It cleared her mind leaving her even angrier than before.

  "What are you? How is that you can make me forget about what I want?"

  He sighed and pushed himself back in his seat. "This isn't the place to have this conversation..."

  "Then where is!" Jessica raised her voice as the anger threatened to spill out of her and fill the car. Whatever that thing had been back at the dance studios. Whatever had happened back there had almost killed me. The least I could have was answers.

  "Upstairs in your apartment. At least there we'll have some privacy."

  Jumping out of the car Jessica stalked across the car park to the front of her building. Her foot ached but she was determined not to let it show.

  "Why won't you let me help you?" Nicholas jogged after her, his voice carrying easily on the silent night air.

  "Help me? I don't even know who you are and yet I feel things for you that I know I shouldn't. So if you want to help me then by all means help me understand that."

  Frustration and pain made Jessica's voice strained. Grabbing the door she pressed in her code and the door clicked open. She tried to stalk away from Nicholas once more but this time her foot had had enough. Her leg buckled beneath her and she collapsed. Strong arms slipped beneath her legs and scooped her up.

  "This would go a hell of a lot smoother if you would just let me help you. Pick another time to be independent." He growled the words at her as he climbed the stairs.

  "There was an elevator. All you're doing now is showing off." Jessica scowled at his handsome face. Her stomach did mini flips at the feel of his warm hands against her skin. Jessica was beyond confused.

  "Do you ever stop complaining?" Nicholas asked. Although his voice had a serious tone, Jessica could see a twinkling in his eyes.

  Reaching the first landing he turned his gaze on her. "Which floor?"

  "The second
and it’s the third door on the right." He nodded as she gave him directions before taking off. His pace had increased and the stairs disappeared in a matter of seconds. It baffled Jessica that he could carry her and move so quickly. Afraid to disturb his concentration by asking him questions she stayed quiet. There would be time for questions later.

  Reaching the second floor he followed her instructions and stopped outside her door. She fumbled in her bag for her keys before sliding them into the lock and popping the door open. The flat was empty. Catarina had obviously come and gone.

  Nicholas slowly lowered her to the floor. Her body sliding down the length of him, Jessica longed to rub her body against his. She didn't know where the urges came from. All she did know was that they were almost overwhelming. The more time she seemed to spend in Nicholas's company the stronger the urges seemed to get. She wondered how far she would actual go? Would it get so strong that she would have to do all the things that threatened to cloud her judgement.

  "Jessica?" Nicholas waved his hand in her face and she slapped it away. "What were you thinking?" He asked. "You just disappeared off into your head."

  "Nothing. I'm just tired." She tried to dismiss it with a wave of her hand but Nicholas caught her hand in his as he kicked the door shut.

  "You feel it don't you?" his voice had dropped and the husky sound of it caressed Jessica's skin. It reminded her of the way a cat might rub its body against its owner.

  "Yes... I don't understand it..." She murmured the words as Nicholas traced small circles across the palm of her hand.

  "You don't need to understand it... In fact if I explained it you would think I was crazy."

  "Try me."Jessica leaned up on tiptoe. Her hands automatically wrapping around his neck. She brushed her lips softly against his making him growl.

  "Everything you're feeling is real. I'm drawn to you in the same way you're drawn to me. It's in our very genetics to be this way. I need you. You're my mate." He kissed her then. His teeth nipping at her lips until she opened up to him. Their tongues dancing together, as their hands explored with increasing desperation.

  Jessica wanted to feel his skin against hers. She wanted his strong hard body pressed down on her pining her beneath him. He broke free of the kiss and staggered away from her.

  "There are some things I need to tell you before we do this."

  Jessica shook her head, tears clouding up the back of her throat. she moved towards him and wrapped her hands in the front of his shirt.

  "Not right now. Don't tell me right now. Just give me what I need. I feel as though I'm going mad. I need you and I know you feel the same." She pleaded with him.

  He responded by growling a deep animalistic sound that vibrated through Jessica's body, bowing her spine and causing her to whimper. He swept her up into his arms and lifted her onto the breakfast counter that separated the kitchen from the living area.

  Gripping her t-shirt he ripped it clean up the front exposing her plain black bra to his hungry gaze. He looked up at her as he lifted one breast from its cup and sucked the nipple into his mouth. He rolled his tongue across the small bud of pleasure. Jessica threw her head back as she dug her nails into his back. Small moans escaped her as he laved her nipple with his tongue.

  She gasped as his teeth sank into the small sensitive pink bud. He was gentle to begin with, his teeth merely nibbling but when he bit down a little harder Jessica cried out. It was a blissful combination of pain and pleasure that made bright white light explode behind her eyes.

  His hands found her other breast and he repeated the same process. A thin invisible thread of pleasure seemed to connect Jessica's breasts with her dripping molten core. each time he nibble and sucked on her nipples it tightened the thread making her cry out. Her body was ready for him and she needed to feel him take her.

  She tore at his shirt with her finger nails in an attempt to get at the silky smooth contours of his body. He growled and pushed her back on the counter. His hands pining her to the cold marble.

  "When I'm ready." The words sounded barely human. Jessica looked up into his amber eyes and a thrill of pleasure ran through her. The animal part of her responded to him. It rolled around inside her, rubbing against her insides as though it wanted to escape and play with Nicholas.

  Nicholas as though he could sense the animal within Jessica tore at her dance trousers. Peeling them from her curvy legs until every inch of her soft skin was exposed. He ripped the panties clean off her, jerking Jessica's body as he ripped them. She moaned as he dipped his head between her legs and tasted the nectar that dripped from her body.

  Closing her eyes and letting them roll back into her head Jessica felt something building within her. She wasn't sure if was an orgasm or if the animal part of her was preparing to escape. Pressure built inside her until she was sure that she would simply explode. She writhed beneath Nick's tongue as he lapped at her wet core. Never before had a man gone down on her. It was a sensation that as much of the evening had, confused her.

  She ached to feel him fill her but the way he played with her body had her begging for more.

  He lifted his head and looked at her up the line of her body. He smiled and it was completely predatory. In that one look Jessica knew this was a man who could do anything he wanted to her. There would be no stopping him. He could simply take it and she couldn't stop him.

  The realisation sent a thrill through Jessica's body. Here was a man who understood her. Understood her needs and could dominate her. A perfect match. Her mate. The animal within him answered her call. He tore the clothes from his own body until he stood before her completely naked.

  His erection stood up and away from his body and Jessica gasped at the size of him. She licked her lips and the animal within her lay very still. It was as though the air in the room had grown heavier. Was it the anticipation or was it something else.

  Nicholas trembled with the stress of holding back his urges. It was the only sign Jessica needed. She sat up and drew him in close. He stood between her legs and she wrapped them around his waist. Her lips brushed against his. It was a ghost of a touch.

  Nicholas dug his fingers into Jessica's thighs and pulled her off the counter. He held her there, with just the tip of his cock pressing against her slit.

  "I need you." Jessica whispered the words against Nick's lips and wriggled softly in his grip. He moaned and slid his shaft into her.

  Jessica's eyes rolled shut as she clung to his shoulders and let her head fall back. He filled her in ways no other man had. He inched his way into her until he was completely buried in her body. Her sensitive and heavy breasts pressed against his chest as he lifted her up and slowly started a rolling rhythm. His cock pistoning in and out of her dripping pussy as he gradually built his pace.

  Jessica moaned and urged him on. She used her legs to tighten her grip on his, holding him closer and deeper within her. She wanted to feel all of him inside her. She craved it. The animal within her fought for more. To Jessica it felt as though the creature wanted to become one with Nicholas. As though it sensed that he too had a beast within him that it could call out.

  Jessica buried her cries in a deep kiss. Her teeth biting down on Nick's lip as he fucked her harder and faster. She could feel him shifting within her. His shaft lengthening and growing thicker as he prepared to cum. Her own pleasure mounted and it frightened Jessica. If she came and lost control would the beast within her win? Would it erupt from her body for real?

  The pleasure started as a deep caress in the core of her body. It spread up and outwards. Spiralling around within her. Heat radiated from her skin as the pleasure threatened to wash her over the edge.

  Nicholas cried out, his human voice giving way to something more primitive. He roared his ecstasy, his voice the cry of one who is mated. The cry of a king. The sound sent Jessica over the edge. Her body automatically responding to her mate. She screamed as streamers exploded behind her eyes blinding her.

  Her body clenched and bu
cked. The pleasure sending wave after wave washing over her until she thought she was drowning. Nick's cock pulsing within her filling her up with his seed. Marking her within as his. It was warm and spread up through her body soothing the beast within her until she finally lay limp in his arms.

  He carried her to the couch and Jessica barely registered it. Her body felt heavy and content. The large cat within her stretched out and purred. Or at least that was what it felt like. Nick wrapped his body around Jessica's and cradled her to him. He pushed her red hair away from her face and Jessica stared up into his amber eyes.

  There was something different about him. Something she couldn't quite put her finger on.

  "What was that?" She asked, her voice sounding odd and hoarse. It was as though she had been screaming for a very long time and had completely worn her voice out. But that wasn't possible. Jessica didn't remember screaming so much that she would have damaged her voice.

  Nicholas grinned at her. "Our first time." His voice still held the rumble of something feral and animalistic. It hit Jessica then she knew exactly what he was. And although it was impossible, or at the very least it should have been impossible it wasn't. Nicholas was a lion. But he was also a man. She could feel the animal within him, just beneath the surface of his skin. It called to her, making her entire body sing with need.

  "What are we?"

  "I'm a shape-shifter, a lion, a Rex. You are something I never thought possible."

  Jessica sat up and gave him the full weight of her green eyes. "What do you mean by that? Am I some sort of freak? I can feel it inside me..."

  Nicholas started to laugh. The sound running down over Jessica's skin and coating her in happiness. "You're not a freak. Just incredibly rare." He kissed her forehead as he spoke.

  "So you said you had something to tell me?" Jessica's body was slowly returning to normal. She was tired but it was a satisfied tired. It reminded her of the type of weariness she usually had after dancing.