Page 16 of Claimed By the Panda
Relief flooded his face, followed quickly by something fiercer, more possessive. “Good.” He kissed me again, softer this time but no less intense.
“Do I get to pet you as a panda now?” I asked.
He laughed, shaking his head, and wrapped his arms tightly around me. “Give me a minute.”
Chapter 5
Jian
I woke to thegentle sensation of fingers stroking through my fur, and for once, I didn’t panic. The knowledge that I’d shifted in my sleep again would normally have frustrated me, but instead, I felt a deep contentment.
My panda was obsessed with Cody, and he could pet me all he liked.
Cody’s face was inches from mine on the pillow, his blue eyes wide with wonder, lips curved in a sleepy smile that made something primitive and possessive stir inside me.
“Good morning, beautiful,” he whispered, fingers finding that spot behind my ear that made my leg twitch involuntarily. “You shifted for me again.”
I huffed, unable to hide how much I enjoyed his touch. After the hot springs, we’d returned to my cabin, and he’d spent most of the afternoon fawning over my panda form. I hadn’t shifted back into human form until dinner, but I’d been a human when we’d fallen asleep after a rough fuck in my bed. Once again, my panda had come out to play in sleep. The brilliant smile and adoration in Cody’s eyes made it all worth it, though.
My panda form was easily three times his size, taking up most of the bed, and yet there was no fear in his eyes—only fascination.
“I can’t believe you’re real.” His hands moved to my cheeks, scratching gently at the thick white fur. “Can you understand me like this? Blink once for yes.”
I blinked, then pushed my nose against his chest, inhaling deeply. His scent made me think of home, of safety. My panda was thrilled.Mate, it insisted.Ours.
Cody’s exploration continued, his fingers tracing the black patches around my eyes, the curve of my ears. When he stroked down my neck to my chest, I flopped onto my back like an oversized dog, exposing my belly in a display of trust that should have mortified me. But in this form, my defenses were lowered, and I could admit that I only wanted more of his touch.
“Damn, Jian, you’re adorable. And so strong.” He laughed, running both hands through the thick fur on my stomach, then snuggling close.
A disgruntled “meow” from the doorway announced Dandelion’s arrival. She stalked into the room, tail high, clearly offended that someone else was receiving attention. She jumped onto the bed and positioned herself directly between Cody and me, butting her head against his hand to redirect his pets toward her.
“Well, hello, princess.” Cody obliged, scratching behind her ears. “Feeling left out?”
Dandelion purred dramatically, casting a smug look in my direction. I huffed again, nudging her with my nose. She swatted at me, but there was no real malice in it.
“Don’t worry, I’ve got enough love for everyone.” Cody grinned, using both hands to pet us.
Something about his casual use of the word “love” sent a ripple through me. I needed to feel his body against mine, skin to skin.
Focusing inward, I let the shift take me. The familiar shimmer of energy rippled through my body, bones reconfiguring, fur receding, mass redistributing until I lay naked beside him, human again. The transformation was smooth, natural—easier than it had ever been before.
Cody’s eyes widened, his hand frozen in midair where it had been petting Dandelion. “That’s... wow. I’m never going to get used to that.”
“I like surprising you.” I reached for him, pulling him against my chest as my cat huffed and wandered off. “You like mypanda? Like, you wouldn’t prefer something cooler?” I hated the vulnerability in my voice. “What’s cooler than a panda?” “I don’t know. A tiger? A panther?” Cody scoffed. “You’ve got to be kidding me. You have a complex over not being a big cat, when you’re the coolest bear of all?” “A tiger would beat me in a fight to the death.” Cody blinked. “Do you… get in a lot of death fights?” “No, but—” “But nothing! I’d be terrified to cuddle and pet a tiger. You’re a gentle, powerful, beautiful beast. You’re perfect just as you are.”
I stared at him for a long moment, realizing just how much he believed his words, my chest feeling tight and warm. Suddenly desperate for him, I pushed him down onto the bed and kissed him. His lips parted instantly, eager and pliant beneath mine. The taste of him sent a surge of desire through me. My cock hardened against his thigh, and I felt answering heat radiating from him.
“Somebody’s happy to see me,” he murmured against my lips.
I rolled him onto his back, pinning him with my weight. “Very.”
He arched up, rubbing his hard cock against my stomach. “What are you going to do about it?”
The challenge in his voice awakened something primal in me. I slid down his body, trailing kisses across his chest, his stomach, lower. I’d never sucked a cock before, but I needed to taste him, to feel him in my mouth, to make him fall apart with my tongue.
I paused at his hip, uncertain. “I haven’t done this before.”
Cody propped himself up on his elbows, his expression softening. “You don’t have to—”
