Page 27 of Purrfectly Mated

Elissa frowned. Was he mean to all kids? Sex appeal or not, she couldn’t condone bullying of any kind. He seemed to note her displeasure and closed his eyes as if trying to wrestle down his aggression.

That was nice. At least he was trying. But she’d have to watch out for that kind of behavior.

“Here, why don’t we find you something dry to wear?”

He cocked his head to the side, reminding her of the cat she used to feed outside her apartment when she was a kid.

It had belonged to the neighborhood bakery. A sly old tabby with huge orange eyes. He’d learned quickly that if he came around to Elissa’s window on Fridays during Lent, he would get the tuna fish on whole wheat she’d secretly loathed.

Her grandmother made it for her every week just before Easter, and every week, Elissa fed it to the cat instead of toting it all the way to school. She hadn’t wanted to hurt the older woman’s feelings by telling her she didn’t like it.

As far as Grandma knew, Elissa loved everything she’d ever made. And that was just fine with her.

It was so weird to think this handsome, virile man could turn into an enormous Tiger. He seemed to vibrate with energy and power. His entire demeanor was one of authority. She had to admit, it was attractive.

She wasn’t going to start this thing with a lie. Not about that. But there were a lot of things Elissa did not know or understand. She was completely new to this world.

A shiver ran through her, and Elissa realized she was feeling pretty icky in her wet clothes.

Wow.

Her date with Gianni seemed like a lifetime ago. And it was merely hours. She should really call Gretchen, but later. It was like she was in some alternate reality now and she didn’t want her time there to end.

Maybe this is my new reality,she thought to herself.

“What was that?” he asked.

“Oh, nothing,” she replied.

Elissa followed Hunter up a wide staircase to a second level of rooms. He turned right, then left. The place was large, but it was pretty straightforward. Simply decorated with highly polished wood floors and sturdy looking furniture.

No photos graced the walls, but there were what looked like hand carved figures of Tigers, Bears, and Wolves on the shelves and side tables. Tall potted trees sat near the enormous windows, and there were skylights every few feet.

She wondered how they would look on clear nights. Would the moonlight filter through and make everything seem even more Magical than it already did?

She sighed and continued to follow, taking in the clean lines and simple decor. Everything was painted in muted colors, but it was nice and neat. She liked that, appreciated it even. Suddenly, she was in what looked like an entire wing of private rooms.

His private rooms, she was certain. These were cut off from the rest of the Pride House.

Totally private.

It was apart from the others, like a townhouse, she thought. Elissa swallowed as she realized they were truly alone in this section.

Just the two of them.

Need and desire wrapped around her like a blanket. Anticipation made her shiver and tingle with each step she took. She wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but something was surely about to go down.

Hopefully, it would be him.She blushed at her own needy thoughts. Her sex throbbed, lips moistened, and for once in her life, she was almost tempted to make the first move.

Naughty girl.

Was she wrong? She didn’t think so. She simply couldn’t imagine Hunter Maverick, Pride Neta, taking her to his rooms unless it was so he could have his wicked way with her.

Yes, please.

She bit her lip as she pictured all the ways he could make each and every one of her fantasies come to life. Shocked at the deep, sexual attraction she felt for the stranger, what was even more odd was the way her heart seemed to stop every time his icy teal eyes found hers.

He was so unbelievably sexy. The moisture dripping between her legs was proof of that. When had a man, any man, ever gotten her so hot and ready?

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