Kittens Have Claws, Too.

Sabretooth has found his mate. Does he have the patience to wait for her?

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Thanks again to my Co Author and Beta…Lady Mage

Erisah Mae, Contorce, Tankerslady, Kary Lynn Crane, Arden Skysender thanks for the great reviews. Enjoy this chapter I know I did writing it.

For those who don't like mature content...please go find something a little more ummm TAME this is Victor Creed after all.

Chapter 7

He watched her sleep; she was so boneless in her relaxation. They had been married for just under three weeks now, and he was still amazed that he had survived this long. She wouldn't let him kill the jock, and since she seemed to be handling it fairly well, he left it alone. He ran the back of a talon down the curve of her spine, gently caressing the skin. Her soft moan was a nice reward; it sent a surge down his spine and straight to his hips. He was already near bursting with need, but he knew she had a test this morning, and was trying to let her sleep.

He had to admit it, he wasn't trying very hard, as he ran his talon down her back again, gently caressing the swell of her hip with it's sharp tip. She moaned again in her sleep, and the scent of her arousal drifted up to his nostrils. He was beginning to plan how to get her to stay home today, in bed with him, when she slapped his hand.

"Vic...I have a Chemistry test today." She mumbled half asleep.

"Not till after lunch." He whispered against her ear, feeling the shivers his breath sent down her spine.

"VICTOR CREED, I am not failing Chemistry."

"No you are not…we have all the chemistry we are ever going to need right here." She giggled at him, and then slapped his hand again.

"Vic…I need to pass this test today, I need to concentrate. Please, I PROMISE I'll make it up to you later." She rolled onto her back so she could look up at him. She was giving him a pouty look, her lips puckered in a way that was distracting to say the least.

He lifted an eyebrow at her…he knew she would make it up to him, and he was getting very definite ideas on how. Someday he was going to have to tell her just how much he was learning; before her, sex had always been rough, always just him taking what he needed, usually from a very unwilling frail that usually ended up very dead. She had no idea just how much her gentle touches and smiles affected him. This had been the longest he had gone without killing, without drowning in the bloodlust, and deep down he was starting to feel something he was trying to deny - fear.

She reached up and caressed the side of his face, he leaned his cheek into her hand, marking her with his scent.

"Are you alright?" She asked.

"Yea, Kitten, just wondering how much longer I can keep the blood need at bay."

"Vic, it's Friday, we can go up out to Dad's and use the cabin, maybe go hunting this weekend. We need to check on Mom and JR anyway."

"Hunting?"

"Vic, you aren't the only one with blood needs…Dad used to take me hunting all the time, at least once a month, so I could get a kill in."

"Not a bad idea, Kitten, but no rabbits."

"Right, no rabbits." Just then they both jumped as the alarm went off on the nightstand.

She leaned up and kissed him. "That's my cue."

He just growled as she climbed out of bed and padded to the bathroom naked. To hell with this, he was at least getting a quickie in the shower. He followed her into the bathroom.

"VICTOR!" She squealed at him as he climbed into the shower with her. He turned her around and picked her up, kissing her hard, before letting her body slide down his, She wrapped her legs around his waist and he leaned her back against the wall, and seated himself with one smooth thrust.

"Quit complainin'" he growled at her, tracing his lips down the side of her neck as he set a fast demanding rhythm. He heard her moans as he slowly let himself lose control. She was his wife, his mate and he NEEDED her.

"VICTOR!!!" This time it was demanding, her claws sunk into his shoulders, her legs wrapped tight around him, urging him deeper and faster. He growled against her lips as he captured them, her scream of release swallowed by the kiss. That scream was all it took and he let himself tumble over that edge, spilling himself deep inside her.

He was still buried deep inside her, and just turned so that she was under the stream of water from the shower. "Want me to wash your hair." He grinned.

"No, you pig, I want to get my shower so I can get to school…you are so going to pay for that later…." She grinned at him

"PIG…PIG MY ASS!" He snarled at her. "That's Sabretooth, missy and don't you forget it." He slapped her naked ass as he climbed out of the tub. He had things to do today anyway.

She came out of the bathroom, a towel wrapped around her body and one wrapped turban style around her head. She gave him a mock glare, and he could smell she was still very aroused. He just leered at her, watching her as she went through the closet, looking for something to wear.

"Are you fixing breakfast or am I eating Pop Tarts again?" She said.

He had a sudden flash of insight. He was spoiling her way too much, not that he wasn't enjoying it, but he needed to get some control back and quick.

"Fix your own damned breakfast; I have work to do this morning." He snarled as he pulled on a pair of slacks and tucked in the tailored shirt. He actually did have some work to do, Al had asked him to come down and endorse him for his reelection bid as Judge. Then he had some stuff to do downtown, he was looking into purchasing a couple more properties in town. There were a couple old warehouses that would make ideal storage for some items he wanted close but not in the house.

She stuck her tongue out at him as she pulled a blouse on over her head. He considered throwing her on the bed and teaching her a lesson in submission, but decided he had other fish to fry this morning. She would get a good lesson later, when she got home. She finished dressing and ran out the door. He heard her downstairs, in the kitchen, and grinned. She was so easy – just a little effort on his part and she was in line. He finished tying his tie and pulled on the jacket to his suit. His hair was pulled back in a simple tie, and he decided he didn't need a shave this morning. They were going hunting this evening.

He walked downstairs and into the study. She was already gone. He was going to have to remind her he wanted his good bye kiss in the morning. He could smell sausage and eggs from the kitchen and thought she might have actually cooked HIM breakfast. He grinned at the thought. Just a little effort and she was coming along as an ideal mate.

He walked into the kitchen and just stood in shock for a second, he wasn't sure if he should roar in anger or laughter. Sitting on the table was a big metal bowl with sausage and eggs, including shells, all scrambled up. Taped to the outside of the bowl were the words…FOR THE TOM CAT. The Pop Tart package was lying next to it, empty, and so was the box. He started to throw the contents of the bowl in the trash, but a thought struck him. He opened the refrigerator – yep she had used the LAST of the breakfast foods to make that mess. He sat down and started picking out egg shells. She would definitely get a good lesson tonight.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

She laughed all morning about the 'breakfast' she had left him. Heather kept telling her how mean she had been, but she kept trying to tell them how mean he had been to her. Even Amy wasn't buying it.

"Kat, he spoils you rotten, the least you could do is be NICE."

"He was being a jerk."

"He was being BUSY, being an ADULT – HELLO…he's not in high school with us, remember. It's not his job to wait on you hand and foot."

Even George was glaring at her. Ok, so maybe she had been a bit out of line – a lot out of line. She'd make it up to him later. She went home for lunch hoping he would be there so she could apologize but he was gone. The mess from the morning was cleaned up, and she made herself a quick sandwich. She hoped he'd pull up, and stayed home as long as she could, but she ended up having to run back to school, and barely made it to her Chemistry class before the second bell rang.

Damn him. She thought as she stared at the test in front of her. She had studied all week for this test, and now, all she could think about was how she wanted to see him, to let him know she was sorry. She stared at the same question for five minutes before shaking her head and trying to concentrate. At least Josh was finally leaving her alone, he had been avoiding her since the book incident, as everyone was calling it, and she hoped he hadn't been too embarrassed by Victor.

She turned in her test, finally and prayed she answered everything correctly. She SHOULD have done fine, but with feeling guilty about what she had done to Vic this morning, she just wasn't sure. She almost wished Monday wasn't Teacher In-Service day, but a three day weekend wouldn't hurt her feelings any.

Heather caught her on her way to the fence.

"Hey don't forget, Sunday, my house, GIRLS only, leave Victor at home."

"Isn't George invited…?"

"As I said, Girls only." The two girls laughed, George loved it that all of their parents considered him one of the girls.

She walked through the fence and around to the front of the house. The car still wasn't back yet. She climbed the steps and opened the front door with her key. Maybe a nice dinner would make up for breakfast. She decided to go upstairs and pack her hunting clothes, basically jeans and dark colored long sleeved T shirts, and her good hiking boots. She looked for his hunting gear but didn't see it anywhere. She picked up her bag and took it downstairs. She set it by the door, and then went into the kitchen. He had put out some pork chops to thaw in the fridge, so she started cooking dinner.

She set the table, using the nice plates and good silverware; she even set a beer on the table for him, so that he could have it with dinner. She waited – and waited. She called her mom to see if he had already gone to the cabin, but Diane hadn't seen him. He hadn't told her what he planned on doing today so she didn't know where to call, to look for him. She was starting to get worried. She put the platter of chops in the oven to keep warm, and covered everything else and put it back on the stove, she could reheat it when he got home. She put the bottle of beer back in the fridge so it would be cold when he got home.

"Where the hell are you?" She whispered out loud. She looked up at the clock, it was nearly six and he wasn't home yet. She had been home for almost three hours. She started pacing the floors, walking from room to room, looking out the front window every time she heard a car, to see if he had pulled into the driveway. He couldn't be that mad about her little prank this morning.

Finally she heard his key in the door. She was in the kitchen, so she grabbed the platter out of the oven and made sure they were still warm. She put the rest of the dishes on the table, and pulled the beer out and set it on the table. She could hear him grumbling in the front hall, and she stepped out of the kitchen door to see if he was alright.

She sucked in a breath at the sight of him. She had never seen him dressed up like that. He was in a dark grey suit, with matching tie, light grey shirt, and dress shoes. His hair was pulled back, he hadn't shaved this morning and he was a little scruffy, but she thought it was the most beautiful sight she had ever seen, well next to him naked. He was setting down a thick leather briefcase next to her bag by the door.

"I'm sorry." She whispered. He looked up at her and smiled

"For what?"

"Breakfast."

He chuckled. "Hell, Kitten, I forgot about that a long time ago."

She ran up to him and he scooped her up against his chest. "Miss me?" He whispered against her ear.

She just nodded; she knew he could smell her tears. She had missed him, had been afraid he would just go off and leave her here with no warning. She didn't want to let him know she doubted him, she knew it would make him angry.

"Kitten, shhhh, it is okay." He carried her into the living room and sat on the couch with her in his lap.

"I hope I did okay on the test, all I could think about was how mad you were this morning." She leaned her head on his shoulder.

"Kitten, you ain't SEEN mad yet, trust me. If I get mad you will KNOW it. Now what smells so good?"

"Dinner's on." She said softly.

"I ain't talkin about dinner." He grinned at her.

"Vic, please…" She really had worked hard on dinner.

"Ok, let's eat."

They sat down in the kitchen to eat.

"I went looking for your hunting gear, I couldn't find it." She said as he opened his beer.

"It's in the car. I packed this morning after you left for school."

"Oh…I thought you might have forgotten…never mind, I'm being an idiot."

He slammed the beer bottle down on the table. "WHAT THE FUCK?!"

She jumped.

"Who the fuck said you are an idiot?"

"No one…I…" She was trying not to cry again.

"Kitten, tell me what the fuck is going on. I am tired, I ain't in the mood to try to decipher frail speak so please, plain English…WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG!"

"I just thought you were upset…and forgot about the hunting trip and…"

"Kitten, the best hunting is at night, sun still isn't down yet, at least another hour or so of daylight and twilight. There's no way in fucking hell I would forget that YOU wanted to go hunting with me. FUCK get blood lust out of the way and have you handy, that's my idea of paradise at the moment – as long as you aren't pullin this frail tears crap."

She smiled at him. They both put their plates in the dishwasher and he walked out to the entry hall and grabbed her bag.

"You comin?"

"Yeah." She ran to the front door. He slipped an arm around her waist.

"Kitten, you are going ta have ta trust me." He said, as she leaned against his chest.

"I do."

They walked out to the car, his arm around her waist. She opened the passenger door while he put her bag in the trunk. He was still in the suit he had worn today. Was he going hunting in that?

The drive out to her parents' house was quiet. She hoped that the hunting trip would take care of this nervousness, the restlessness she had been feeling. Usually a hunting trip helped. She knew Vic had been feeling restless, too, and hoped this would help.

They pulled into the driveway, JR was on the front porch with her mom.

"I see you found him?" Diane said as they got out of the car.

"Yea…he was just late for dinner." She said to her mom.

Diane came down from the porch and gave her a hug. "How are things going?"

"Pretty good, I told you we wanted to borrow the cabin this weekend. Want to get some hunting in."

"Sure. It'll be nice having someone here this weekend. Am I cooking breakfast in the morning or are you two sleeping in."

"MOM!"

"Breakfast…" Victor said. "I doubt there will be much sleep. If we take down anything big, we'll split the meat."

"Sounds good." She waved as they picked up their bags and followed the path to the cabin.

They didn't say much on the way to the cabin. He opened the door and took his bag straight back to the bedroom.

"Going to get changed…want ta join me?"

She grinned at him and followed him. Not much had changed, since their first night, He had changed the bed before he left but that was about it. Her mom must have gotten the dress out of the sink in the kitchen. She pulled her white T shirt over her head, and pulled one of the dark long sleeved shirts from her bag.

"You know we have time before it gets dark…" He said as he slipped his bare arms around her chest. She turned in his arms and snuggled against his chest, his hands slipping up and down her bare back. She laced her fingers through the down on his chest. They just stood there, neither one of them wanting to move, his light scraping of his claws along her back just building the anticipation.

"Want to put a bet on the hunt?" She asked, she knew exactly what she wanted.

"What kind of bet?"

"Let's go after deer, whoever gets the killing blow, gets to do whatever they want to the loser." She watched the grin spread across his face.

"Darlin' neither one of us are losers on that bet."

"Yea…but the loser CAN'T say no to the winner for twenty four hours."

"Can't…hrmmm, that could be dangerous."

"For who…?"

"You."

"Is it a bet?"

"Hell yes. Shake?"

"Huh uhhnn…no crossed fingers, no way out…kiss on it."

"God, Kitten, I love the way you think." He leaned down, kissing her gently. "Loser has to do whatever the winner wants for 24 hours." He was grinning as he lifted his head from hers.

"Good…now I am going to change into my hunting gear…" She grinned back at him, grabbing her bag and shirt and walking into the bathroom, she closed the door, grinning. She had managed to pack a secret weapon for this hunting trip, she just hoped it worked.

XXXXXXXXXXX

He pulled his leathers out of the bag. He pulled on the pants, lacing up the double flap, he pulled on the long leather tunic, and pulled the lacings on the sleeves that pulled them tight on the arms, wrapping the thongs around the wrist and tying them off. The pants tucked into his moccasin style boots, he pulled the lacings tight on the boots and pulled his skinning knife out and slipped it into the slot on his right boot. He didn't like to SKIN animal prey with his claws, you tore up the hide that way.

He could hear her in the bathroom, and grinned this was going to be a fun night. He needed to see just how well she could hunt, could move in the dark, how much she had learned about stealth and tracking. If she was going to hunt with him on a regular basis, he needed to make sure she wouldn't scare the prey. He knew he would be silent, deadly, and most of all efficient. She was the unknown element in this hunt.

He was lounging on the couch waiting for her to come out of the bedroom. When she did he just stared - the top wasn't bad, just a clingy T shirt with long sleeves, but those damned pants. Leather, skintight leather, well worn, not shiny treated leather, but handmade, hand dyed black leather pants. He just shook his head; they were not going to get any hunting done if he kept looking at those pants. He made his eyes travel down to her feet. Her boots were also handmade, moccasin style like his, simple, silent, and easy to move in. He nodded in approval. She knew SOMETHING about hunting.

"Let's go. Moonlight's a-wasting." She grinned at him. He stood up and led the way out of the cabin.

"Stay close. You've been out with your dad before so you know our hand signals -right?" He said as they moved out into the moonlight.

"Yes, Victor, I HAVE done this before."

He took a quick scent. The scent of the herd was faint; they'd been nearby this morning so it shouldn't be that difficult to track them. He grinned, if she was going to hunt with a Sabretooth, she needed to know how to keep up. He jumped up into the trees, taking off, jumping from tree to tree, not wanting to leave any tracks on the ground, no spore, no scent to scare the prey. He looked behind him but didn't see any sign of her. He almost slowed down, he couldn't hear her. Her scent was close, but there was no sign of movement, no sound of her passage behind him, and then he got a strong scent. She was close, very close.

He felt something brush the back of his neck. He looked up – she was grinning at him from the branch above him.

She signaled him to keep moving…and even included the signal he and Dave had developed for a teasing get a move on old man…he usually used it on Dave – she was using it on HIM. He growled softly, he was going to show HER who was an old man. He set a grueling pace, reaching the spot where the herd was grazing in the moonlight. He watched; wanting to decide what would be the best target.

She was right there, on the branch behind him, they sat there, motionless, for hours as they watched the herd. Finally he glanced back, and she signaled an older doe, one with no fawn, she was still young enough for the meat to be worth eating, but hadn't been bred this season, which was a good indicator that she was considered a liability to the herd. Like the predator she was, Kitten had found the best target, the one that culling would help strengthen the herd for later hunting. He nodded, the target was a good one, and she had proven her instincts, he almost thought about letting her take the kill, but then he remembered the bet.

He started out, moving along the trees before dropping down to the ground, downwind of the herd. He didn't want to spook them, not yet. He felt her drop down behind him, her silence nearly as skilled as his. He pointed to their doe, standing on the outside of the herd, and they watched again, as the other does in the herd butted and pushed her further and further to the outside. Yep – she'd make good meat for the freezer, and a nice hide to start replacing his leathers with…they STILL smelled like the damned river. He signaled Kitten to take to the right, he'd flank to the left.

They moved in, slowly, staying where the herd wouldn't scent them. He hadn't even thought about a gun, or anything that would make it easier. He always killed with his hands, his claws and his fangs; he had just assumed Kitten did too. He looked over at his partner. She was just slightly ahead of him and he watched her moving, silent, she slipped into a patch of moonlight and he was stunned. He didn't know leather could cling like that, he knew she had a nice ass, but damn – she was going to have to wear those pants…WHAT THE FUCK!

She had taken off at a run, spooking the herd and effectively separating the doe she was after. She made a running leap, landing on its back, sinking her claws into one side of its thick neck and slicing through to the other side. It was dead before it hit the ground. He just watched, she was GOOD – effective, silent, and damned sexy, especially covered in blood from her kill. He walked toward her, a deep growl resonating through the clearing. She looked up at him, claws dripping blood, fangs out, ready to defend her kill from him.

"Damn, Kitten…good job." He looked around but the herd was gone. At least one of them managed to get a blood bath. He shuddered, he wanted to feel hot blood spraying on his face, see the life drain out of his prey's eyes as he ripped into them with his talons. He shook his head. He just growled, and advanced on her. It was time to begin teaching her to fight, and over her kill, when her instincts were raging was a good way to start. She didn't back down, she crouched low, claws out, a soft threatening growl coming low from her throat.

He could see it in her eyes, this was her kill, fair and square; he had no right to try to take it from her. She crouched ready to spring at him, but the sudden yip of a wild dog caused them both to look up. She was going to have to defend her prey all night if they didn't get it back to the house.

"Kitten, let's get this back to the cabin…" He felt his eyes drain back to their normal soft brown and she began to relax. He was her mate, not after her kill. She stood up and looked down at the carcass on the ground.

"You're cleaning it." She smiled at him.

"You killed it, you clean it." He growled back.

"Huh unh…bet remember, you can't say No, not for twenty four hours."

He growled…and reached down, grabbing the carcass by the feet and throwing it over his shoulders. Couldn't say No for twenty four hours, what the fuck had he gotten himself into. She wanted something, wanted to ask for something. The day that she realized she didn't have to ASK for anything, that he'd give it to her, would be the day he was in a world of hurt. He just prayed she would be much older when she realized just how tightly he was wrapped around her little finger.

"Anything else."

"That's it for now." He could see a very mischievous sparkle in her eye, even in the moonlight. He almost groaned. She was up to something, he just knew it.

XXXXXXXXXXXXX

He was good at cleaning game. By the time the sun came up he had it ready to rough butcher. They split the meat, left their half in the freezer in the cabin to pick up later, and went up to the house for breakfast. Victor was carrying her mom's half of the deer.

Diane just looked at them and pointed to the freezer in the kitchen. "You two are eating outside. You are not tracking that mess in my house."

They laughed and she fixed them plates and brought them out on the back porch.

"I take it you managed to actually get some hunting done last night."

"MOM…!"

"Kitten needed ta hunt." Was all that Victor said. Diane just looked at him, a knowing look on her face.

"Well, you are both welcome to clean up here and get some rest…Victor a friend of yours called, said he would be in town Sunday morning."

"What friend?" He looked up from his food.

"Said his name was Raven…?"

"Ohh…okay." Katherine's stomach dropped. The woman from the phone, the shapeshifter was coming to visit. She shook her head; she wasn't going to think about that…she had twenty four hours of Victor all to herself. She needed to plan how she was going to do this.

"Mom, I really want to get home and clean up…" She said.

"Okay…JR and I are fine, I heard from your dad the other day, and everything is quiet on the rig."

"Glad to hear it."

She looked over at Victor and grinned. "You coming?" She smiled. She walked back toward the cabin. She heard him following her.

"We could clean up here…You don't want to get blood in the car."

"That's what drop cloths are for…besides we need to get this meat home, and I want to soak in the tub."

He just grumbled and loaded the half frozen meat into a burlap sack. She knew he didn't like the terms of their bet – she just hoped he changed his mind later. She threw a piece of burlap over the car seat and got in. He loaded their gear and the meat in the trunk and climbed into the driver's seat.

"Home, huh?"

"Yep."

He growled low but drove straight home. She opened the door for him, and helped get the gear and meat into the house.

"I'm getting a bath." She said as she headed for the stairs.

"You aren't going to help with this meat?"

"No." He grumbled and growled again, but went back to putting things away. She needed the time to plan – there was something she had wanted to try, but he had never allowed her to do. She ran a hot bath, stripping off the blood soaked shirt and leather pants. She would wait for them to dry, then a good scrape and air, and re oil and they would be fine. Her dad had taught her a lot about taking care of her leathers, how to tan the hides, sew them together, dye them, take care of them…this was her second pair of pants, she still hadn't made a shirt, but from the look of Victor's she would wait, the next few hides would be his.

The heat of the water relaxed her, but she was still tingling in anticipation. She knew he wouldn't take long with the chores in the kitchen and she wanted to be ready when he came upstairs. She climbed out of the tub and slipped a silk bathrobe on over her. She was lounging on the bed when he came up the stairs.

"Kitten, this is gettin old. I'm tired; I just want to get some sleep."

"You need to get cleaned up first."

"I was planning on it. He started to unlace the sleeves of his tunic. She shook her head. "What?"

"Slowly, I want to watch." He glared at her and started to rip at the ties, she just shook her head. "Are you backing out on our bet this quickly?"

He growled at her, but took his time getting out of the shirt. The blood had soaked through the shirt where he had carried the deer and coated his back and chest. She wanted to lick it off, but decided against it.

"Happy, can I get a shower now."

"Nope." He growled louder. "Keep going."

He unlaced the boots, slipping them off, one foot at a time, and then began to unlace the ties on his pants. She knew he had to be angry, he wasn't even the least aroused, but that would change. He started to slip the pants down his hips, and she watched, mesmerized. He really didn't have any clue just how beautiful he was, always when they were together, it was him touching her, caressing her, she rarely was able to look at, to touch his body, almost as if he were ashamed of it. He looked up at her, catching her gaze as the pants slid to the floor and he stepped out. Anger blazed in his eyes, she didn't want him angry, but for now it would do.

"Ok you can get your shower now."

"Thanks for your fucking permission." He stormed into the bathroom his hand on the door to close it.

"But leave the door open."

"WHAT."

"I want to WATCH."

"SHIT!" Was all he said as he climbed into the tub. He noticed the shower curtain was missing. "KITTEN!!"

"I told you I want to watch."

He just glared at her, and turned his back, turning on the water full steam, fogging the bathroom as he scrubbed the dried blood off of him. She watched him moving, graceful, even with something as simple as a shower. She climbed off of the bed and picked up the towel she had put on the chest at the foot. She knew there was a risk with this next part, he could always back out, refuse to go along with the bet, and as mad as he was, reprisals were definitely a possibility, but from what some of her friends had said, she thought it just might be worth the risk.

"WHERE ARE THE FUCKING TOWELS!?" He roared.

"Out here." He came out of the bathroom surrounded by a billow of steam.

"Give me a fucking towel, Kitten."

"Nope."

"WHAT…I am dripping on the damned floor. Give me a towel.

"Nope, you come here." She gave him a little smile.

"You are going to think come here." He growled at her.

"Are you backing out…?"

"It wasn't fair, you distracted me."

"I did not. It was a fair kill, and you know it…now are you backing out of the bet like a weasel, or are you going to give me my twenty four hours."

He growled, but walked to the bed. She had a towel on the floor next to the bed and one in her hands.

"Put your hands on the canopy rail."

"WHAT!?"

"Just DO it. Two rules; your hands never leave the rail, and you can't say No."

"I don't know what game you are playing, but I don't like it."

"You weaseling out?"

He growled again, but reached up to the top of the bed and gripped the iron rail for the canopy. She took the towel in her hands and began to dry his back, and then down the backs of his ass and legs. He was facing the bed, with her behind him; she followed the path of the towel with her hands, marveling at the firm body under her hands. She still didn't know what exactly he thought he needed to be ashamed of.

She reached between his legs, gently nudging him to spread them out as she dried up the inside of his thighs, and down the front of his legs, reaching in from behind him. She thought she heard a slight moan out of his lips, but wasn't sure. She walked around him and climbed up onto the bed. She was just the right height standing to dry his hair with the towel, wipe the beads of water…or sweat from his face, down his neck, and then up his outstretched arms. She brought the towel back down the undersides of his arms, and began to dry his broad chest, careful to keep herself just to drying him. She didn't look down, but she could feel him beginning to get interested in her little game against her leg.

She gently dried his stomach and hips, before reaching the towel down to dry his more intimate areas. He grabbed her hand and she glared at him.

"You broke a rule." She said.

"I don't know what you are playing at, Kitten, but…" She looked him in the eye, and he slowly reached up, grabbing the rail again. She quickly finished drying him off, and then took the damp towel to the bathroom. She left him standing there a few minutes while she folded it neatly and hung it on the rack, taking her time. She kept glancing over her shoulders at his outstretched form. She waited, knowing it was coming, he would get impatient.

"KITTEN!" He roared. Her Tom Cat was never docile, by any means.

"Just putting the towel up."

"Can I put my arms down now?"

"Nope." He growled.

She walked around to the other side of the bed and climbed on, just looking at him. He was somewhere between angry and amused, which was better than just angry, and boded well for what she wanted to do.

She crawled across the bed, the tie of the robe slipping open; she watched his eyes travel down the narrow expanse of exposed skin, his body reacting, just the way she wanted. She knelt in front of him on the bed, her eyes traveling over his body, starting at the top, where his hands gripped the rail, claws sheathed, but strong, firm; she could almost see the iron trying to bend under them. Down his arms, corded muscle taunt, struggling to obey what she asked him to do. His face, anger fading, and something just as fierce filling its void, passion, need.

His chest was tense, and down his firm stomach, past his now straining erection, down his firm legs to his feet planted solidly on the floor. She stood on the bed, eye to eye with him, and leaned in, gently kissing him on the lips. She felt him let go of the rail and glared at him.

"You let go, I quit." He moaned, but gripped the rail even tighter. She kissed him again, and he managed to grab control of her mouth, demanding she give him what he wanted. She pulled back, breathless. His eyes were filled with passion now, she knew he would try to seize control soon, bet or no bet, but she needed to make him understand just how important this was to her. In the weeks they had been together, he rarely let her touch him, had never let her touch him; caress him, without him being in complete control. This morning, she wanted to touch him, to give back some of what he had given her.

"Victor, don't let go of the rail. I want to touch you, and you can't say no." She whispered it against his ear, letting her breath caress the fine hairs under the lobe. She felt him tremble, watched the tendons in his arms tense up even more as he gripped the rail over their heads. He just nodded, and she gently traced her lips down his neck. She trailed her fingers up his arms, and back down following the path she had used with the towel. Her fingers brushed along his shoulders, followed by her lips, and she felt his soft breath, if he had been anyone else she would have called it a sigh. Her hands brushed lower, across the expanse of his chest, feeling the contours of the muscles in stark relief below the down covered flesh. Her lips followed, brushing against the already firm nipples, her tongue gently brushing against each one as his hips bucked, straining to reach her. She smiled against his chest, before kneeling on the bed, her fingers trailing down his stomach, down the outside of his hips, before continuing their exploration, down his long muscled legs.

She reached down as far as she could from her kneeling position, and then sat down on the bed, her legs open, her toes caressing the outside of his calves. In this position she was given a complete and unobstructed view of her target. She heard what sounded like a strangled moan from above her, as she gently reached out a finger and traced the length of him, starting at the base, and ending with a single drop of moisture on the tip of her finger. She looked up at him as she slipped her finger into her mouth, taking her first taste of him. This time, it was more like a strangled whimper out of his mouth. She looked him straight in the eye, before following the path of her finger with her tongue.

That time it was a roar, her name came bursting out of his mouth. "KATHERINE!"

She stopped at the tip, waiting for him to look back down at her. Finally her stillness captured his attention. The look of passion filled agony on his face spurred her on. She trailed her tongue up him again, this time taking the tip into her mouth. She licked it gently, one hand firmly around his base, holding him so she was able to control what happened. She could feel him throbbing in her hand and in her mouth. She took as much of him into her mouth as she could and then slowly trailed her lips and tongue back up and down his shaft, teasing him as she slowly reached the tip again. The sound of metal snapping stopped her. She lifted her head and looked up. The rail had snapped in two. His eyes were blazing black, almost out of control; she knew her time was up.

She stood up and slipped the robe off, and looked him in the eye.

"You can let go now." She smiled.

He reached out, crushing her against his chest, as he took them both to the mattress. He was inside her in one thrust, her legs wrapped around his hips. He didn't warn her, just exploded deep inside her, his head buried against her hair. Their healing factors allowed them to just keep going, and it was several hours before they lay spent in each other's arms.

XXXXXXXXXXXX

He was still stunned. In all of his years, he had NEVER EVER allowed anyone to do that. It wasn't that he had been afraid, hell NO, he just never trusted anyone, especially not a frail, that much – until now. He still didn't understand it. She had WANTED to do that, had set him up so that he wouldn't say no to her, just for that. She was lying on his chest, purring contentedly. He knew she was awake; her fingers were gently stroking his chest. He was trying to decide if he should tell her just how much she had surprised him.

"So what should we do the rest of the day?" She said teasingly. "More of the same?"

"Damn it, I couldn't survive more of the same." He had to laugh.

"Oh, come on, was it that bad. I mean Dana gave me a few pointers, so I wasn't totally in the dark."

"Who the fuck is Dana, and why the FUCK are you talking to her about THAT."

"She's a friend…and it came up."

"How the hell did our sex life just COME UP?"

"We were talking in English class the other day…she was talking about her boyfriend and that she envied me because I didn't have to worry about going all the way, the closest she could get was…well anyway…I told her that I hadn't done that to you yet, and she gave me some tips."

"Do girls really talk about that shit?" She had stunned him again.

"Yeah…we do."

"Why didn't…why did…you could have talked to ME."

"Hey…you are NOT a girl…sometimes, I just need my girlfriends to talk to, you know."

He tightened his arm around her. Hell…it wasn't like the whole damned school didn't know they were married and having sex. Shit. He looked up at the ruined canopy…he wondered if they came in adamantium.

"Kitten, I just - if you tell anyone what I am about to say, I will ring your neck – that was the first time that…anyone has done that to me."

She sat up, looking down at him. "What?"

"It's a trust thing, okay. I just ain't ever trusted anyone with TEETH down there."

"I wouldn't bite…"

"Kitten, I…trust you…"

"That was really your first…?"

"Yeah…"

"Oh…any other firsts I should know about?"

"Now that you mention it…there have been a few."

"Wait a minute, you are over a century old, and I have been your first in some things…wow." He could tell she didn't know if she should laugh or be serious.

"I ain't exactly been really…popular with the ladies. Hell…I didn't want to have to tell you this crap." He sat up, wiping his hands over his face, but they didn't wipe away the old memories.

"What crap?"

"You've heard me and your dad talk. You know how…violent my life has been."

"Yeah."

"All of my life has been like that."

"Huhh?"

"Kitten…Katherine; I didn't want you to know about this part of me; not now, not yet."

"What are you talking about Victor?"

"You thought I would force you, the first night, when your cycles started…"

"I didn't know what to think then…I know better now."

"No you don't…that's just it. The ONLY reason I wouldn't have…is it was you. Rape is…normal for me. This…with you…I am playing it by ear."

"What do you mean – normal?"

"I wouldn't hurt you…but that doesn't mean I haven't hurt others. Katherine…maybe I need to leave. You don't need this.

"WHOA…you are not going anywhere."

"What do you know about what I do? What I am? What I am capable of?"

"I know what Dad has said…that you are an assassin, murder for hire, and generally all around not a nice guy, well to anyone but us, and the people you trust. I worry every day that you will not be here when I come home, that someone who is hunting you has found you. I am taking one day at a time. I love you."

"Shit…I didn't know you knew that much."

"Vic, you're my mate…my husband, you have been my parents' friend for years, my DAD worked for you…and believe me…when he started teaching me to hunt, and we went out alone…he told me things, things I think he didn't want Mom to know about you…but things he thought I needed to know, and he was right. I needed to know…to know what I was getting into."

"Katherine…when the fuck did you grow up."

She laughed. "Oh I don't know when I was about fourteen…and heard you and my Dad arguing about what I could do…I think I realized then you had more say in my life than they did."

He just shook his head.

"Can we get back to the firsts thing…" She wasn't going to let it go. She was leaning back on a stack of pillows, sheet around her waist and nothing else on. He didn't want to talk…but she wasn't letting go.

"Fine…you asked what I meant by normal. I…umm…have had ONE willing woman before you, and she liked things rough…very rough."

"In over one hundred years, you've never had a girlfriend."

"Kitten, I ain't needed frails for shit. I wanted sex; I took it, usually along with their life. That's what I am. What I have always been."

"No, Victor, that's what you were…but not who you are." He looked at her, trust in her eyes. He didn't know if he would be able to keep it. Would she be able to trust him, if she ever saw the monster that he truly was.

"Kitten, you are my first WIFE…the first woman I gave a crap about, in bed or out. The first time I even felt a woman climax was with you. The first time I ever slept with a woman in my arms was with you. You were the first baby I ever held, without snapping its neck, the first frail - kid - girl - woman…I ever wanted to protect, even from myself."

"I almost ran…that night. Called someone I knew could be the kind of man you deserve, but I didn't have time…didn't have the strength. I couldn't leave you…I couldn't protect you from this, from me. I wouldn't blame you if you threw my ass out."

"Why would I do that?"

"I am a fucking monster, Katherine…and you don't need that."

"YOU are my FUCKING MATE! I NEED YOU!!!" She was sitting up, her hands on either side of his face holding him so that he couldn't turn away. "I am going to say this one more time, Victor Creed; I love you, just as you are. I may not be as old, or as skilled, or even as wild as you are, but I am like you…and you are the only one who makes me whole." She gently kissed him. His arms snaked around her, crushing her against him. He didn't know where this woman came from, sometimes she was hidden inside the child, but when she came out, when she was here, she made him believe anything was possible.

"Now then, I have one more question…" The mischief was back in her eyes. He grinned.

"What?"

"Heather is having a girls only slumber party Sunday night…can I go?"

He burst out laughing…and then stopped. THAT's what the whole thing had been about. She wanted to go to the fucking slumber party.

"Just remember you can't say no…"

"Fine…but I get to wear you out first."

"OKAY!" She laughed. He rolled her under him, kissing her. The kid was fun, made him laugh, and he never wanted her to lose that fun spirit. She was growing up, becoming the woman that he wanted for the rest of his life, but he was going to enjoy the girl while he could.