Mating Season 2: Imperial Temptation

Mating Season 2: Imperial Temptation
Anne Kane
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2011 Anne Kane

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Reiger Moon base -- Year: 2231

Bryony giggled, eyeing up the male in the far corner of the room. Imperial Were-Panther. She could spot one of her own species from two miles away with her eyes closed against a blinding meteor shower.

It wasn't just the intoxicating scent of a male in his prime. It had something to do with the way he held his head, the arrogant jut of his chin, the way his gaze swept the room, dismissing the boisterous college crowd as unworthy of his notice.

She loosened another button on her sheer lace top, and took a leisurely sip of her beer. She'd already decided she wanted him; it was just a matter of letting him chase her until she caught him.

Turning to the man sitting beside her at the bar, a fellow student in her journalism class, she lifted her hand and let it rest on his sleeve. "So what did you think of old Blowhard's lecture this morning?"

Caleb raised his brows in surprise. He stared at the hand for a long second before motioning the bartender over to refill both of their drinks. "About par. It might help if he'd deliver it in something other than that awful monotone. The man needs serious help with his delivery."

Bryony watched the Imperial Were-Panther out of the corner of her eye. His gaze fastened on her, his eyes glinting with sudden interest. Good. She had his attention. She turned her back to him and smiled.

Caleb took the glasses from the bartender. Handing one to Bryony, he raised his in a mock toast. "Here's to old Blowhard. May he learn the meaning of vocal variety before we all die of terminal boredom."

"Amen." She clinked her glass against his and tossed the spirits down her throat in one eye-watering gulp.

"There you are." The low voice behind her sent a dark flame of desire darting up her spine.

She spun the barstool around and found herself face-to-face with the male. Amber highlights swirled within the tawny centers of his eyes. Beneath the skintight fabric of his skin-suit, seven feet of mouth-watering male muscle flexed, causing an ember of lust to ignite deep within her.

She'd come into heat just yesterday, and already raging hormones were sending her libido soaring. A human male just wouldn't cut it this time. She needed a male of her own species, a genuine Imperial Were-Panther, and she needed him now. She let a predatory smile curve the corner of her lips while she took her time sizing up the male. His scent teased her nostrils, and she let her gaze slide over every delectable inch of him. Thick ropes of muscle covered a wide chest that narrowed to powerful hips and strong legs. A massive bulge at his groin left little to the imagination.

He wanted her. Almost as badly as she wanted him.

"Time for me to make a discreet exit." Caleb threw some credits on the bar before he stood and wandered off in the direction of the pool table.

Bryony glanced at his retreating back, grateful for his discretion. He wouldn't stand a chance against an Imperial Were-Panther, and he knew it. She turned her attention back to the darkly sexy male. "I don't believe we've met." She tilted her head to stare up into his eyes. "I'm sure I would have remembered you."

"Tanner Dyson." He tipped his head in a courtly gesture that seemed out of place in a University town bar. "We haven't yet met in person, but the stars placed us here to fulfill our destiny."

Not only was he sexy, he had the soul of a poet! Lustful anticipation danced down her spine. "And that would be?"

A darkly sensual smile curved those sensual lips. "I don't think I have to explain. I'm sure you know all about the mating rituals of our species. Come back to my place and we can explore them together."

Normally, Bryony would have laughed. As pickup lines went, it had to be the corniest one she'd ever heard, but something in the depths of his eyes caused her to lick her lips in anticipation. "I'd love to."

She hopped off the stool, and Tanner immediately circled an arm around her waist, drawing her in close. She stared, mesmerized, while he lowered his head to capture her lips in a soul-searing kiss that left her melting at the knees. His tongue swept in, taking possession of her mouth and sending shivers of pure need sliding along her nerves.

Melting against him, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back with all of the pent-up frustration of hormones raging out of control. His arms tightened around her, pulling her tight against his deliciously hard body. The massive bulge at his groin pressed against her belly and sent darts of liquid fire skittering across the surface of her skin. The kiss changed, deepened, and became an exploration of her very being.

For the first time since she'd come to this university town, she felt the urge to shift, to run free and wild like she had as a young kitten. Tanner's proximity induced a palpable feeling of power in her, of connection to a larger whole. Her innate sense of caution deserted her as she threw everything she was, everything she longed for, into the kiss.

Tanner lifted his head, reluctance visible in every line of his hard body. "We need to get out of here."

Bryony nodded, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "Damn straight. Where's your place?"

"Two streets over." His eyes sparkled with repressed lust. "Think we can make it that far?"

Amusement tugged at the corner of her mouth. "Maybe. If we leave right now."

"It's your heat cycle driving us both crazy. I could smell it from the far side of the room. What were you thinking, going into a human bar? If I hadn't been there, they'd be fighting over you with no idea why. Let's go."