Page 38 of Mated to Team Shadow

I shrugged. "Just like any other."

"And you didn't know what you were?"

"No. When things got strange when I was a teenager, the military came for me."

"Hmph. Just like that?"

"I guess."

"And you didn't get that people were watching you so that when you started showing your spots, they conveniently arrived to scoop you up?"

I scratched my head. I didn't think of it that way, but I was messed up then from the weird things happening to me. To tell the truth, I was glad they let me enlist even though it was earlier than I should have.

"So what if they did? They did me a favor."

Jeanine made a rude noise through her nose.

"Yeah, and they got a team of jaguar shifters together to do their dirty work. I think they should be grateful to you."

Anger edged her voice, and that she got angry for me instead of at me warmed my heart. Then she gripped my hand.

"You shouldn't blame yourself for what you are. You aren't a freak, Ryker. Just different. You have the right to anything due to a man in this world."

For a brief second a swell of hope bloomed in my chest. Perhaps things weren't that bad. She could reconsider going home and explore what she might have with us.

"But you can't keep me a prisoner, Ryker. Like I said, I have a life."

She can have a life with us.

My cat was damned persistent while the human part of me understood. What sane woman ditched her life to spend it with four men? But cats weren't known for their reasoning skills though they excelled in the relentless pursuit of their prey.

Jeanine squeezed my hand and tried to release it. Instead, I pulled her to my chest, and my cat purred in approval. She made a small noise but relaxed against me.

The fragrance of her hair filled my nose, and I put my arm around to hold her to me. This was right, what I needed, and I didn't want to move in case she used the opportunity to draw away.

If I could, I wouldn't ever let her pull away again.

Persuade her.

My cock found Jeanine in my arms enticing, and it stirred from holding her tight to my body.

"You feel good in my arms," I whispered in her ear. I unbuckled her life vest with one hand. "Let's get this off you."

"I think I'm safer if I keep it on."

"Are you?" I said as I pulled her on my lap. I immediately got hard, and my length pressed into her delectable bottom. My hand slipped under the vest, and I cupped and squeezed her breast while licking behind her ear. She mewled, and her breasts rose and fell with her quickening breaths. Her flesh was delicious, salty and her unique taste and arousal scented the air between us. My cock was rock-hard now and pulsed with need.

"Look, um, we're on a beach here. Who knows who's looking?"

"You're right," I said, and I stood sweeping her into my arms, and ran for the water."

"What?" she shrieked and laughed, and my legs plowed into the water, and then I twisted and fell into the water clasping her.

She struggled, but I stood upright with water cascading off of us never letting her go. My heart raced, and all I wanted was to get closer to her.

"I've got you," I said.

"Yes, and we're fully dressed."

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