Page 8 of Loving the Lion

The deep laugh that greeted her statement turned her knees weak. “There are two ways a lion deals with a willful woman.”

“Oh, what are those?”

“We kiss her until she submit.”

“Or?” She had to clench her thighs together at the thought of him kissing her.

“We put her over our knee and spank her until her plump ass is a fiery red. Which would you prefer?” His tone had dipped into a dark plane. It made her pussy swell with anticipation.

“I’m not your woman.”

“Bachar.” A masculine voice called from the doorway. She shivered and looked out the glass front of the hotel. The snow was falling at a fast and furious pace. In the short amount of time since they had arrived, at least a half inch had already accumulated.

Her gaze landed on Tarek. He was dressed for the weather, wearing a dark jacket with a thickly lined hood. Beneath the jacket, she could see a weapon strapped to his side. He looked intimidating as hell. “We should get going if you wish to reach the destination on time.”

“Let me go with you.” Sally knew her tone bordered on disrespect, but she was desperate. While she wanted to place her trust in this man, this lion, she’d been dealt a raw hand one too many times. She’d learned long ago only she could look out for her best interest. And the best interest of her brother. The reason she was here.

If possible, Bachar stepped closer. So close that she could feel the solid outline of his build pressed against her curvy frame. So close that she could see the golden amber flecks in his dark eyes. So close that their breath mingled. So close that if she leaned just a fraction of an inch closer, their lips would be touching.

“I do not like the tone you are taking, Miss Wilder.”

“I need to find my brother. I—”

The desperation she was feeling must have sounded in her voice for his large hands came up and cupped her shoulders, and he gave her a forceful shake. “You will not go out alone, is that understood?”

“I—” Again she failed to string two words together to form a cohesive sentence. His nearness was doing something to her.

“The snow kills. The mountain can take your life in an instant.”

“He’s my brother.” She put forth the only defense she had for the stubbornness that would not allow her to back down.

“Do not test me on this, woman. You will not like the outcome if you do.” His gaze fell to her lips, and for one instant it felt as though he was touching her there. Giving her that punishing kiss he’d talked about.

“Alright, I won’t go out alone. I promise.”

“Do you make promises lightly?”

“No.” She dropped her eyes, refusing to stare into his too wise eyes.

A finger nudged her chin up. “I will find your brother, Sally. Do not worry.”

With that, he strode across the room and out the door that Tarek held open in anticipation of his alpha’s departure. Neither man looked back as they strode out into the swiftly darkening evening.

Sally stood there, her arms wrapped around her middle trying to protect herself from the cold outside and the cold that had settled deep inside her soul at the thought of losing her brother.

Bachar climbed into the passenger seat of the huge four wheel drive Tarek had prepared for their journey. A jacket, gun, and knife lay in the backseat. Bachar didn’t bother with the jacket, but took the gun and knife and strapped them to his body. Not that he anticipated needing them, if things started to go south, he would simply shift and make short work of his adversaries. Yes, some would call him egotistical and what had Sally called him? Conceited. Yes, he was more than conceited when it came to his ability to please the women he took to his bed.

“I hope you know what you are doing.”

“Aww, the voice of reason.” Bachar leaned back in his seat, trying to calm his lion. It was on edge. The animal sensed something was amiss on their land and also agitated by the lingering scent of their mate.

“Someone needs to be. You’re giving off enough pheromones to attract have the female population in the region.”

“And that would be a bad thing? At least then, you might find one willing to go to bed with your tight ass.”

Tarek threw him a look that would have killed a lesser man on the spot. “I don’t need your help getting a woman to satisfy my needs.”

“Good. Then you will refrain from touching Sally ever again.” Bachar allowed his voice to deepen, allowed his cat out to warn away the wolf.