Paris and Ariel stumbled and bumped their way into her bedroom, Ariel was still wrapped around Paris's body, her mouth fused to his. Paris shut the door with his mind and let Ariel slide down his body, causing a delicious yet agonising friction against his erection. He pushed her back towards the bed, stripping his jacket then his t-shirt off as he went, when the back of Ariel's legs hit the mattress he stopped. His head lowered yet his eyes fixed unblinking on her face; he looked like the lion he was, spotting prey on the hunt.
"Undress for me," he demanded in a ragged voice that caused Ariel to shiver. Ariel's shaky hands went to the knot in the shirt tails beneath her ample breasts; Paris caught his bottom lip between his teeth letting it out slowly when the material came loose. Ariel watched the action feeling her body go up in flames, heat and wet pooled low in her body, her nipples hardened and all she could think about was Paris taking her. She started to slip the buttons from the shirt.
"Faster!" Paris growled, and a fissure of fear went through Ariel, she closed her eyes and pushed it down, before dropping her hands.
"No," she said simply and they stared at each other for a moment, which was the longest in either of their lives. Paris pounced, taking her down hard on the mattress, his tongue thrust into her mouth the same way his body wished to do as he rocked his hips in the cradle of her thighs. Ariel's muffled cry was quashed under the violent assault of her lion's mouth. There was a loud ripping noise and Ariel knew the shirt had been torn in two, using the remaining material that was still locked around her arms, Paris clamped Ariel down. His mouth marauded from her lips, down the sleek, elegant line of her throat to where her breasts waited for him, her nipples peaked and ripe and red, begging for his attention. Paris claimed them with a growl, biting down, Ariel gave a half scream edged with pain but drenched in pleasure. She wanted more; the lioness in her demanded it.
Ariel managed to pull her arms free and fisted her hand in his hair, pulling his head up to face her, he pulled away with a ferocious snarl.
"I want to touch you," Ariel breathed, she tried to roll over with him but he refused to budge, instead he thrust up, his cock hard and hot through the denim. Ariel cried out his name, her nails raking over his back. Paris pulled back slowly, his fingers sliding over her bared breasts, the soft, naked slope of her stomach until they came to the edge of her jeans. Curling his fingers over the waistband, he gave a ruthless tug and tore them from her body. Ariel had never been handled quite this way before and she almost came from it. Her body no longer had a mind of its own and as the pants came away her legs flopped open, her body begging for him.
Paris grabbed her thighs, his fingers leaving bruises upon her skin, he pulled them open wide, knowing what he was going for, knowing what he wanted.
"Tell me you want this!" he ordered her, a menacing look on his face that only made Ariel hotter. Ariel sat up, licking her lips she took his hand in hers and slowly trailed it up her thigh, it reached the waistband of her panties and she slipped his hand inside. Paris moaned when his fingers came into contact with her slick feminine heat, without preamble he plunged on inside her and Ariel screamed. Working her exquisitely, Paris took his time to watch her, her skin flushed with her pleasure, her mouth open, her eyes shut, her hips rolling against his hand.
"Do you like that?" he murmured, slipping another finger inside, he leaned over so he could bite her ear. "Say you want more. Say Paris, I want you inside me!"
Ariel hissed out the words and her body began to spasm, her orgasm inches away, Paris pulled his hand from her, ripping away the purple lace as he did so. He got to his knees staring at her swollen core; he made his jeans vanish with a thought while he took hold of her calves.
Pushing her legs up and back Paris kept his eyes on Ariel as he bent his head to taste what he claimed as his. Even should she reject his claim, there could be no one else, no one he wanted to give more to, and no one he'd sacrifice more for. She was his one, she was his only.
"My one. My only," he muttered before his mouth engulfed her, Ariel made a sound so erotic that Paris felt his cock twitch and he almost came. Catching hold of one of her legs he spread her wider, his tongue reaching out its whole length to touch her secrets and pleasure her. He worked it faster until she was moaning and writhing, her hands clutching his head closer all the while going back and forth between begging him to stop and pleading with him to go on. With a scream she came, her nails raking so hard upon his back they drew blood and Paris bit hard on her inner thigh to stop himself releasing upon her floor.
He stood then, his body thrusting out aggressively in front of him, aching terribly and she was the only cure. The lion in him was absolutely roaring for supremacy, calling for his right to dominate and fulfil his mate. Sensing this wildness Ariel smiled wickedly before swiftly turning and almost making it off the bed, but Paris, too far gone for play, flattened himself over her, sinking his teeth into her shoulder. One hand slipped under her to massage where she began to ache so badly, her juices saturating his probing fingers, with the tip of his erection he stroked her entrance. Ariel cried out as if in pain, her feminine channel hollow and needing to be filled.
"Please Paris, I need you!" she shouted out wildly, her hips grinding against him, he was torturing her and he well knew it; he loved it. The domination, the need, the wild insatiable hunger and the love, a heady combination that made him roar.
He hauled her up to her hands and knees and whispering her name thrust into her hard from behind, Ariel threw her head back roaring, behind her Paris's hips moved like pistons, each stroke harder and rougher and deeper then the one before. Ariel gripped the edge of the mattress and crying out her mate's name, she disintegrated into thousands of sparks, and still he went on plundering her body, owning it. Ariel collapsed on to the mattress and Paris went with her, holding himself up on one arm he continued his hard thrusts, watching his body working in and out of hers, loving the way Ariel cried out with each one. He watched her biting her bottom lip as the after shock from her first orgasm built up into a fully fledged inferno and she began her second one. The tightening of the already tight fist of fire that enclosed his body was too much for Paris to bear, he could hear Ariel sobbing with pleasure; see the tears on her face. Closing his eyes he imagined himself saying the ritual words to her and with that he came with one last powerful and slightly brutal thrust.
Ariel trembled as she felt his hot seed spurt inside her and then his exhausted weight falling on her momentarily, pulling out of her and rolling away. Ariel was too worn out to move, but she didn't want to feel his heat dissipate, she turned her head so she was looking at him. He lay on his back with his eyes closed, panting through his mouth, his skin was slick with sweat and his honeyed hair clotted in ringlets over his forehead. She wanted him all over again. His legs dangled off the edge of the bed that they lay across horizontally, she would never be able to look at their bed in the same way again.
She stilled. Her heart that had been returning to normal picked up again - it had gone from hers to theirs. The strangest thing was she wanted to smile. Why was she so calm, so accepting of it all of a sudden? Fixing her eyes on Paris one more she could have sworn what she thought was a bead of sweat actually rolled out from the corner of his eye. Her own throat tightened, she was causing him so much pain.
"Paris?"
Immediately his eyes snapped opened and he cleared his throat, turning to her straight away, his hand finding the small of her back.
"Yeah baby?" Ariel closed her eyes and waited for the butterflies licking the walls of her stomach to settle. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"
Ariel smiled at him and shook her head as well as she could with her cheek pressed into the duvet.
"Will you hold me?"
Paris's eyes deepened to a darker gold and he flashed them into a vertical position in the bed, with the sheet pulled over them, his strong arms wound around her tightly, with his thigh nestled between hers. Ariel sighed contentedly and kissed his bicep, no doubt they would have a round two any minute now but she was content to just be held by the lion that she unconditionally, absolutely, unequivocally, loved.
Paris knew Ariel had fallen asleep by her breathing, they could both have done with another few rounds but Paris had held out, happy just to hold her. He realised his deadline was fast approaching, he kept telling himself he had this many days or that many days, but truth was he had nothing until this beautiful woman took him in her arms and told him she wanted to belong to him. The sex had been mind-blowing and rough, he'd wanted to take it slow but as soon as she looked at him a certain way he went out of control. He wondered in a dark part of his mind whether she thought of Ramirez when they made love, whether she wished it were him. When Trey had left the bar earlier he had whispered in Paris's ear. Win her, he'd said.
How do you win someone who refuses to be won, to be the prize? Did she not realise how she had changed his life? Had he changed hers? What would happen when they were forced to part? The worry was making him feel physically sick, so he pushed it from his mind and would look at it tomorrow. Leaning over her he began to whisper in Ariel's ear, words that flowed through his mind from the days when he had been a callow youth.
"I won't think of you any longer, though my heart will call for you all my life.
But I will dream of you in trouble sleep, and I will yearn for you on sleepless nights."
Ariel frowned in her sleep and made a protesting noise before snuggling closer to him, Paris exhaled dejectedly before curling around her body and shifting forms, his heart already aching.
**************************
Paris awoke the next morning and saw his paw lay limp on cold sheets, Ariel was already up and dressed - and he was already missing her. It irritated him slightly that he needed her so much when she seemed to get on fine without him, not bothering to change forms he just lay in the bed, with the sun streaming through the open window. He closed his eyes and thought about last night, it had all felt so perfect yet the weight on his chest marred what had been the best night of his life. He thought about later when they had made love, when she had asked him to hold her …
The sound of footsteps approaching the room had Paris raising his head and looking around; Ariel pushed open the door carrying a silver tray that he had brought her breakfast up on. She looked surprised when she saw him.
"You're up already," she said, placing the tray on the empty side of the bed, then placing her hands on her hips, "I wanted to surprise you."
Paris flashed into his human form and sat up, he saw Ariel rake him with a hot gaze and immediately his groin jerked.
"You did," he muttered, breaking off a piece of bacon and stuffing it in his mouth. "Why are you up so early?"
Ariel waved her hand vaguely at the tray before scooting up on the bed so she sat opposite him. She looked delectable in a thin black dress with white flowers on it; her blond hair was tied back in a loose ponytail and strands escaped to hang around her face.
"Just to make me breakfast," Paris grinned cheekily, "I must have scored major points with my performance last night."
Ariel laughed, "You didn't do too badly," a blush was creeping up her face and she scratched the back of her neck before grinning at him. "By the way I'm thinking of getting up early all the time if your voice is always as sexy as that in the morning."
Paris laughed then sobered, Ariel noticed this and stiffened.
"What's wrong?" she asked, her hand touching his knee through the sheet. Paris blew out a breath and looked at her with sorrowful eyes. He reached up and smoothed his thumb over her cheek.
"I'm in deep, Ariel, I'm in real deep."
"I don't understand …"
"I'm in love with you. More then I ever thought it was possible to be in love with someone. You're … well, you're the only one. You'll only ever be the only one. But I can't stay when I know how this is going to end, because it'll only hurt more -"
Ariel opened her mouth to speak but he cut over her.
"Baby, I'm not trying to emotionally blackmail you into anything. Please, don't think that. I wouldn't want you committing yourself to me if it wasn't with a full heart. But … ah, I ah, I can't leave here in a few days time, with all that's between us. I can't just live out my life like that. So the way," Paris cleared his throat and blinked hard to clear his eyes. "The way I figure is if I leave now, then I cut you off completely, it'll be best for everyone concerned."
Ariel didn't realise she was crying until a tear fell on her hand, she wiped it away and stared long at the wet mark she made there. Why had it taken them so long to find each other, she hadn't a clue. But she would be damned if she'd let him leave her.
"Well," she began swiftly, "I respect your decision but I was wondering if first, before you leave, you could listen to a solution of mine."
Paris gave an exasperated sigh before nodding and Ariel smiled. "Good."
She crawled up his body and straddled his waist, knocking the tray over as she did, she laughed at Paris's shocked face before wrapping her arms around his neck and whispering in his ear.
"Mate with me."
****************************
Paris wasn't entirely sure he had heard right, Ariel laughed at the slightly dazed look on his face before kissing him hard on the mouth.
"Will you?" she asked again, rubbing her body intimately against his, Paris put firm hands over her hips to stop her. Ariel's smile became softer as she stared at him. He was so beautiful to her, whoever could have though such a beautiful man could be so deep and wonderful?
"I'm sorry I made you wait so long, Paris," Ariel whispered, she stroked her hands over his broad shoulders, her stomach churning nervously at his prolonged silence. Her hands slid over his abs as she began to speak in low, compelling tones that had Paris closing his eyes so he could block out everything but her voice.
"If … If living here is too restrictive then we could leave or -" she faltered, she could do better than this, gathering her courage she looked him in the eyes. "I really, really love you, Paris. I would be honoured if you would accept me as your mate."
Paris felt his grin almost break his face it lit up so fast, clasping his hand around the nape of her neck, he pulled Ariel forward and kissed her senseless. Joy the likes of which he'd never known before was rocketing through his system, his hands flew down to her buttons and began to pull at them. Ariel pulled back with a grin and moved his hands aside; she got off the bed and gave him a light kiss.
"Eat your breakfast," she said about to stroll out the room, Paris shot out of the bed and caught her waist, spinning her round, he clamped his arms around her.
"I thought you said -" he began but she cut him off with a quick, scorching, utterly unsatisfying kiss, she pulled back nipping his lips.
"Tonight."
"Tonight?" Paris echoed, still trying to get his hands up her dress, laughing she pushed his hands away. "But -"
"I want it to be special," Ariel said in a sweet, coaxing voice, slipping her arms around Paris's neck, Paris immediately began dragging her back towards the bed.
"It will be -"
"No," Ariel said firmly, ducking out of his arms and running for the safety of the door, she faced him with a brilliant smile. "Wait for tonight, baby. You'll find it's worth it."
It was the quickest hard on he'd ever got in his life and Paris was about to call Ariel back to see if she could help him do anything about it when he stopped himself. If she was holding out for tonight he could match her restraint any day, laughing he walked into the shower.
**************************
Paris couldn't quite get himself to calm down throughout the day; he kept finding himself following Ariel around the house. Ariel, who had noticed this, had a small, mysterious smile on her face that was driving Paris crazy. The clock on the wall was literally snailing along, and Paris couldn't help himself from looking at it and thinking how many hours until sundown. It came to seven o clock and the sun was halfway below the horizon, Paris could feel his body buzzing with excitement and a little bit of fear. In a few hours he would be mated. He, Paris Sebastienne, who had never thought to love another, let alone mate, was standing in front of a mirror staring at himself. He wanted to find something physically different about himself, some outward show that reflected the phenomenal change within.
"What are you doing?"
Paris looked behind him in the mirror to see Ly staring at him, wrinkling her nose, as though he were doing something distasteful.
"I'm waiting for a bus," Paris said sarcastically, though he could feel a blush threatening to creep up his neck and face at having been caught gazing at himself. Ly's face screwed up even more and she made a disgusted noise. "Where's Ariel?"
"Lost her have you?" Ly retorted nastily, Paris gave her a questioning look.
"What's up your ass?"
"You're such a pig!" Ly said disgustedly.
"I am extremely offended by that, okay," Paris said sternly, trying not to laugh, "I am king of the jungle, how dare you compare me to the first step of the food chain!"
Ly looked unimpressed by Paris's attempt at a joke and turned with a dramatic swish of dark hair and walked out of the hallway into the kitchen. Paris frowned and followed her; he leant against the door frame and watched her stomp about the kitchen. She ripped open and slammed shut the fridge door with more force then was called for; she threw the box of eggs on the counter, breaking some in the process.
"Ly, what's wrong?"
Ly looked around and her face was soaked with tears, she put her head in her hands and sobbed like her heart was breaking. Paris had not been brought up amongst hormonal women and was completely out of his depth, he ripped off a paper towel and handed it to her, and she took it with a hiccup.
"Are you okay?" Paris tried again, trying to gentle his tone and make it sound concerned rather than bewildered. Ly sniffed and rubbed her eyes, looking very young as she did so, she nodded.
"What's upset you?"
"Because of her!" Ly muttered mutinously, Paris looked around for said 'her'.
"Who?"
"Ariel!" Ly cried angrily and hiccupped again, immediately Paris felt his lion side snarl and make ready for attack in defence of his mate. He pushed it down and tried to act re-spon-sib-le, the word even sounded strange in his mind.
"What's Ariel done?"
"Oh, what hasn't she done?" Ly muttered viciously, "First she takes over the pride from my father when it rightfully should have passed to me and then to my mate. Then she goes and rescues the psychotic lion and brings it to live with us. Then there's you!"
"What did I do?" Paris asked indignantly, he had never really warmed to Ly, but he always had a feeling that perhaps after long term exposure to her, she might grow on him …. Eventually.
"Oh, as if you didn't know! She thought she was miss high and mighty before and now you've come along everything anyone ever talks about are you and her! The golden couple!"
Ly was literally spitting venom and Paris felt his hackles rise. Ly represented a side of Arcadian's and humans in general that truly made his teeth grind. It was that inconceivable jealousy! Instead of being happy that Ariel, the person that was able to keep their pride afloat when they were leaderless, had found her mate, Ly was pissing and moaning about her getting so much attention.
"What is wrong with you, you spoilt, selfish cow!" Paris snarled, his words vibrating with a growl.
Ly was shocked into stopping crying and she hiccupped as she stared, wide eyed at Paris.
"I can't even begin to explain to you, how much you truly sicken me! As if Ariel hasn't been through enough already and now she's got you harping on behind her back like an ignorant child! Because you're too insecure, stupid and utterly pathetic to be given the kind of respect that Ariel gets and deserves."
Paris let out a breath that rumbled into a growl, his breath was heaving and though he had never struck a female in his life, he could barely restrain himself from running Ly into the wall. Paris and Ly both looked up when they heard the distinct sound of Ariel's footsteps moving along the landing to the stairs with Aiyana trotting beside her.
"Now get out of my sight before I tell Ariel what her cousin really thinks of her. Thank the Gods that Ariel hasn't got just you as family, for that she is truly blessed. But God save her from back-stabbing bitches like you!"
Ly threw him a look of deepest loathing before exiting the kitchen via a different door to the one Ariel and Aiyana appeared through seconds later. Ariel looked around at the mess on the counter tops and raised an eyebrow.
"Hungry?" she asked with a grin.
Paris almost groaned, inside he felt his heart ache for her. His beautiful mate was so suspicious of outsiders and so intent on protecting her family that she forgot to look inward for the liars and traitors. That happy, naïve little smile was so bright, Paris could not find it in himself to hurt her by telling her what Ly had said, perhaps he would tell Theo instead.
"No I found it like this," Paris replied with an easy grin and with his powers made the mess disappear. He held his arms out and Ariel went into them willingly albeit a little shyly, Paris breathed in her scent. They both looked down when they felt Aiyana pawing their legs, Ariel laughed and bent down to hug her; she flicked her gaze up to Paris.
"I think Aiyana is worried we'll forget about her once we mate," Ariel said teasingly and the young lioness purred, Paris smiled and knelt down beside his mate to scratch Aiyana's neck.
"No, we won't. She can just be chief cub sitter when we have our own."
Ariel giggled before turning to look at Paris with eyes that reminded Paris not of ice as they once had, but of deep fathomless abysses. An ocean of many secrets and mysteries.
"I'm so happy," she whispered and Paris felt his heart clench, all thoughts of Ly and Arcadian and Katagaria were gone. His world simply narrowed down to one incredible female.
"I'm glad, so am I."
Ariel risked a quick look at the clock and gave a mischievous grin.
"Nearly time."
Paris rolled his eyes heavenward and clasped his hands as if in prayer.
"Let me just take Aiyana to her room and I'll be back down, okay?"
"Whatever you say."
Ariel smiled and leaned in to give Paris a fleeting kiss that turned his body to fire and flame, she tossed him one last promising look over her shoulder before moving to the stairs and out of sight.