Isi was standing in the kitchen with pretty white cabinets and a black and white tiled floor, trying to work up enthusiasm for dinner, when Talon strolled through the back door.

Immediately she glanced toward the granite countertops for something to throw at his head.

The ceramic cookie jar would make a satisfying projectile, but it probably wouldn't cause much damage. While the knives stuck in a wooden block would draw blood, but only if he couldn't dodge them.

Highly unlikely.

She was debating between the coffeemaker and the blender when he prowled forward to toss a white paper bag on the polished oak table that matched the china cabinet filled with family heirlooms.

"Here."

She glared at him, hating the fact that her body was already reacting to his presence.

Not just the easing of her nausea that had become progressively worse during his absence, but the immediate awareness that shivered through her.

God. How could her nipples be hardening beneath her sweatshirt and her pussy already be dampening in preparation for his hard, uncompromising entry?

Okay, he was gorgeous.

A tall, stunningly handsome warrior with a lean, sculpted body and eyes that appeared more jade than gold in fading light.

She was mad as hell at him, but her body craved him as if...as if he'd used one of her love potions on her.

In a desperate effort to ease the destructive tide of lust that was as unwanted as it was unexpected, Isi pointed toward the white bag.

"What is it?"

He leaned forward, pulling out the plastic bowl and removing the lid. "Gumbo."

Isi's eyes widened as the mouthwatering smell teased at her nose. There was only one place that made gumbo that smelled like heaven.

"That's my..." She cut off her words, unwilling to reveal any part of herself to the ruthless Hunter.

"Favorite?" he murmured, moving to the cabinets to open a door and extract a spoon. Returning to the table, he put the spoon in the bowl of gumbo before glancing at her rigid form with an unreadable expression. "I know."

Her frown deepened.

She knew the Pantera could screw with humans' minds, but she'd never heard that they could read people's thoughts.

"How?"

His lips twisted. "I was just leaving your shop when a female stormed up to me demanding to know where you were and why she hadn't heard from you."

"Emile." The older woman owned the restaurant across the street from her shop, and not only made the best gumbo in all of Louisiana, but she watched over Isi like a mother hen. Isi's heart clenched with sudden fear. "What did you do to her?"

"I told her that you had been ill and that I was taking care of you." He pointed toward the bowl. "She insisted that her gumbo was necessary to your healing."

Isi shook her head in disbelief.

Even dressed in a pair of faded jeans and well-worn LSU T-shirt Talon looked like a dangerous, potentially deadly predator.

"She believed you?"

"Why wouldn't she? It's the truth." He pulled out a chair. "Eat."

She sucked in a deep breath, savoring the scent of seafood and rice in rich broth. It smelled incredible, but her stomach rebelled at the mere thought of indulging in such a spicy meal.

"I don't think I can."

His lips flattened. "Don't be stubborn. I can sense your hunger."

She folded her arms over her rumbling stomach, hoping that it was the physical hunger he sensed and not the heat that had nothing to do with the steamy bayou night.

"I can't keep it down," she muttered.

"Ah." Comprehension flared in the golden jade eyes. Then, astonishingly, he held out his arms. "Come here."

She took an awkward step backward. "No way."

"Stubborn," he breathed, moving around the table and prowling toward her.

Her ass hit the edge of the counter, halting her retreat.

"What the hell are you doing?" she rasped as he continued forward, not stopping until he was pressed tight against her.

He wrapped his arms around her, lowering his head until she was surrounded in the heat and musk of him.

"Making you better," he murmured.

"Don't..." She forgot what she was going to say as the nausea eked away, replaced by a warm sense of pleasure. Even the throbbing pain at the base of her skull disappeared. "Oh, dammit," she growled, dropping her head against his chest. She knew she should be fighting. The man had called her evil, for christ's sake. Asshole. But it felt so damned good.

Sucking in a deep breath, she concentrated on the delectable musk that seeped deep inside her, chasing away the last of her sickness.

Not that she wasn't acutely aware of his hand that rubbed up and down her back with a shockingly tender motion. Or his warm breath that brushed her cheek. Or even the hardening thrust of his arousal that pressed into her lower stomach.

But for now, it was the glorious sensation of well-being that made her sigh in pleasure.

"Can you eat now?" he asked.

"Yes."

Without warning, Talon scooped her off her feet and carried her toward the table. Then, instead of putting her down, he sat on a wooden chair and tucked her in his lap.

"Talon-"

"Shh." He reached for the bowl of gumbo, placing it directly in front of her. "Eat."

Once again she knew she should fight.

This new and improved Talon was obviously some trick.

She didn't believe for a second that he actually gave a shit if she were suffering.

But it'd been weeks since she'd actually had an appetite and the gumbo smelled so damned good.

Why not enjoy her dinner?

She had plenty of time to be pissed at him after she ate.

Grabbing the spoon, she scooped out a massive bite of the gumbo, shoving it into her mouth with an unashamed lack of female manners.

She groaned as the taste of crawfish and exotic spices hit her tongue. "Oh, god." She hurriedly scooped more of the gumbo into her mouth. "It's heaven."

Talon remained silent as she worked her way through her meal, his hand continuing its soothing path up and down her back and his gaze locked on her face. Isi did her best to ignore him. Well, as much as any female could ignore a six foot two puma shifter with the face of a fallen angel and a blatant sensuality that rubbed against her skin like plush velvet.

Eating the last bite, Isi managed not to lick the bowl-barely-and dropped the spoon onto the table. Then she heaved a deep sigh of satisfaction, savoring the sensation of being full.

"I could put that look on your face," Talon's dark voice whispered in her ear, one hand cupping the back of her neck while the other grasped her hip, pressing her against his thick cock. "In fact, I already did."

She narrowed her gaze. So now they were going from pretending he was some sort of nurturing saint to the smooth seduction routine?

"You're so full of shit," she muttered.

He nibbled a path down the line of her jaw, his hips lifting so he could rub his erection against the soft flesh of her ass.

"But you want me."

She shivered, need thundering through her body. Yes, she wanted him. Dammit. It was taking every ounce of her self-control not to turn so she was straddling him, pressing herself against the length of his cock to ease her ruthless need.

But she'd spent the entire day convincing herself that she wasn't going to give Talon the Bastard another chance to humiliate her.

He'd called her evil.

He believed she was fated to destroy his people.

She'd had enough people in her life judging her without ever knowing a thing about her, thank you very fucking much.

"Why were you in my store?" she demanded, needing to remind herself she couldn't trust this Pantera any farther than she could toss him.

He gave a low growl, his fingers tightening on her neck before he blew out a frustrated sigh and reached into his pocket to pull out his cellphone.

With a flick of his finger, he brought up his photos, choosing one that was clearly taken in front of her shop.

"This," he said.

She frowned in confusion. "My van?"

His finger touched the emblem painted on the back panel. A raven flying across a full moon.

"This is the symbol of Shakpi," he murmured. "Our enemy."

She stiffened in his arms. Even expecting the blunt accusation, she flinched.

"I didn't paint the van," she muttered before she could halt the words.

"I know," he said with surprising certainty, tossing his phone on the table. "Your employee Derek designed it."

She sent him a startled glance. How the hell did he know about Derek?

"Yes. He said it would bring in more customers. I just liked it because-" She lifted her hand toward her birthmark only to drop it as she recalled his assurance that the blemish was a physical manifestation of her evilness. She shrugged. "I thought it was cool."

He held her gaze, his hand moving to lightly trace the dark spot on her collarbone. "Because of this."

His touch blazed through her like a wildfire, scorching her nerves until they were unbearably sensitive.

Which only pissed her off.

She didn't want Talon to be the one man who could make her crave his touch. To make her so hungry she could barely think.

At least...she shouldn't want it to be him.

"So you went to my shop looking for my tails and horns and pitchfork," she muttered, her nipples hardening in anticipation of his touch. "Did you find them?"

"I found Derek," he admitted, leaning forward to replace his fingers with the destructive touch of his lips. "And he confessed you weren't involved with the traitors."

She shuddered, her gaze locked on the savage beauty of his face as he used his tongue to trace the distinctive birthmark.

"And yet you don't trust me," she husked, barely able to breathe.

His fingers slipped into the short strands of her hair, tugging back her head so his lips could explore the satin length of her neck.

"I don't trust my judgment when you're near."

She tried to squelch the moan that was wrenched from her throat. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"The prophecy says you're destined to destroy me." His fingers skimmed from her hip to tease the bare skin of her lower back. Then, as his teeth nipped the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder, he moved his hand to discoverri the ribbon that laced together the back of her tiny top. With one tug her silky fabric was falling down to expose her bare breasts. Talon hissed as he pulled back to admire his handiwork, the jade that rimmed his eyes darkening with a brutal hunger. "But when I look at you all I see is how desperately I want you."

"Talon," she breathed, unable to disguise the edge of yearning that thickened her voice.

His fingers tightened in her hair. Possessive. Demanding.

"Say it again." It was an order, not a request.

"Talon."

Isi was lost in the unyielding heat of his eyes, feeling as if she were slowly melting beneath the potent heat of his desire.

What the hell was wrong with her?

She better than anyone understood the need to protect herself from the monsters that filled her world. The pervs, the pimps and the users who were constant threats to young girls on their own.

So why now, when she was trapped in the Wildlands and surrounded by her enemies, was she so eager to make herself utterly vulnerable? She should be kicking some serious feline butt, not battling the urge to sink her hands in that thick, golden hair and kiss him senseless.

Of course, maybe she was looking at this from the wrong angle, she told herself as he dipped his head so he could use the very tip of his tongue to tease at her nipple.

Christ. Why not accept that she wanted this man, for whatever reason, and use him, just as he was no doubt using her?

If he intended to hold her prisoner, she might as well get a mind-blowing orgasm out of the deal, shouldn't she?

Not giving herself time to consider the numerous faults in her clouded logic, Isi reached down to yank her top off the rest of the way, before grabbing his T-shirt and performing the same service.

She trembled at the sight of his smooth, bronzed skin that was stretched tautly over the hard, chiseled muscles. His chest was broad and tapered to a flat stomach with a six-pack her fingers lingered to explore. He was sleek and well-toned without unnecessary bulk. And his hands...lord, they were magic as they cupped her breasts with a possessive touch that sent streaks of heat directly to all her most intimate places.

He was hard, male perfection top to bottom, and every place in between.

The bastard.

"This means nothing," she muttered.

"Tell yourself whatever you want, darling." A slow, wicked smile curved his lips. "But don't doubt for a second that I intend to give you a night you're never going to forget."

"Arrogant."

He nipped the tip of her nipple, making Isi's heart stutter in shock. How could the tiny pain send jolts of ecstasy through her?

"Confident in my ability to please you."

"You're so full of shit..." Her taunting words were completely ruined as his lips closed around the nipple, sucking her with an expertise that had her trembling with need. "Oh."

"Oh, indeed," he growled, moving his lips to her collarbone. "I fucking want to taste you all over."

His enticing musk invaded her senses, embedding itself so deep inside her that she feared it would remain a permanent part of her.

"What are you doing to me?" she muttered, her hands running a restless path down his chest.

His soft laugh brushed over her cheek as he reached down to grasp the button on her jeans, helping her wriggle out of them before tossing them across the room.

"Nothing you aren't doing to me," he muttered, arching back to run a searing gaze over her body now covered in nothing more than a red thong.

Isi shivered, the gold and jade gaze a near tangible force as it moved from the tattoo that ran the length of her neck to linger on her breasts that felt oddly heavy.

"Why does your musk make me feel better?"

His hands glided down to grip her hips, his lips tracing the curve of her breast.

"Actually, I don't have a clue."

"Can you use it as a-"

His hands gripped her hips, abruptly lifting her up so he could tug her to face him, settling her back down so she straddled his lap. A groan was wrenched from her throat as the hard line of his cock hit her tender clitoris, nearly making her come.

"A what?"

She struggled to think as he returned his attention to her aching breasts. "An aphrodisiac?"

"It can be." He tilted back his head to flash her a grin filled with wicked promise. "But trust me, I don't need an aphrodisiac to make you hot and bothered."

She dug her nails into the smooth skin of his shoulders. "Don't mock me."

He continued to tease her nipple, rubbing his cock with flawless precision against her. Oh...shit. It felt good. Violently, insanely good.

"Mocking is not what I want to be doing with you," he said, kissing a path between her breasts.

"Talon."

With a low groan, Talon lifted his head to claim her lips in a kiss that demanded complete surrender. Hunger blasted through her, searing away any hope of resistance.

"Before this night is over I intend to hear you scream my name," he husked against her lips. "Over and over."

She pressed against his erection in blatant invitation. "You talk a big game, but how do I know you can deliver?"

He chuckled, blazing a path of kisses down her throat. "Don't ever challenge a Pantera, darling. I might not ever allow you out of my bed again."

She instinctively shied from his possessive tone.

"I'll leave your bed whenever I want to," she warned, deliberately rubbing against his cock. She smiled at his violent shudder of pleasure. "And if you think you can manipulate me with sex, you'd better think again."

"Isi," he growled, his eyes narrowing. "Can you stop searching for an insult in everything I say?"

"I just don't want you assuming-"

His hands moved over her body, his mouth planting restless kisses between her breasts and down the quivering plane of her stomach.

"There's no assumption," he rasped. "Just you and me. Let yourself go."

Isi gasped when he grabbed her by the waist and before she knew what was happening, she found herself perched on the edge of the table with Talon kneeling between her spread legs. Leaning forward, he dipped his tongue into her belly button, a shocking bolt of pleasure aiming straight between her legs.

Holy shit. Talon truly was a Hunter.

He went straight for the kill.

She planted her hands on the table behind her, feeling as if she was being assaulted with sensations. The bold exploration of his hands, the moist caress of his tongue, the heady musk that stirred her senses.

It was like being tossed into the middle of a raging vortex.

"Just for tonight," she managed to rasp.

He lifted his head to stare at her with open amusement. "You won't budge an inch, will you, Isi?"

"Never." Way past the point of no return, Isi decided the only thing left was to give in to the inevitable. Running her hands up the curve of his neck, she plunged her fingers into his hair. "Now shut up and prove you're more than just talk."

***

Hell no, she didn't just go there.

What Pantera could resist a blatant challenge to his manhood?

Especially if proving his manhood meant taking this female over and over, until she was too sated with pleasure to move.

Of course, he would prefer if she wasn't watching him with that wary defiance, as if convinced he was plotting some nefarious means to hurt her. Not that he could blame her. He'd given her little reason to trust him.

Something that was going to change.

Gently spreading her legs wider, Talon allowed his hands to skim up her bare thighs, his gaze drinking in the sight of the tiny scrap of lace that was all that hid her delectable pussy.

His heart thundered as his fingers headed toward the sweet spot, feeling off-balanced by the intensity of his desire.

He expected the male part of him to be ready and eager to have sex with this female. Even when he was trying to convince himself she couldn't be trusted, he was battling his ruthless desire. But the hunger of his cat was unexpected.

He'd never had his animal so close to the surface during sex. It was intensely erotic to have his pleasure echoed within the cat.

He didn't question why his animal would be so intensely fascinated by Isi.

Not when he was already beginning to suspect the truth.

She hissed out a sharp breath as the power of his cat glowed in his eyes, filling the room with a golden light. Not that she was afraid. Not his foolishly brave Isi.

It was the same raw hunger that clawed at him.

"I need to taste you," he said thickly, his fingers at last reaching the edge of her thong. "I can't wait any longer."

Her eyes darkened, her hands tightening in his hair as he allowed a claw to form, slicing through the delicate fabric. His cat growled in pleasure as the satin fluttered to the table, leaving her bare to his avid gaze.

Damn.

She was beautiful.

His mouth watered as he slowly leaned forward, closely monitoring her reaction. As desperately as he wanted her, he was prepared to halt the second she revealed any hesitation.

She watched him from beneath lowered lashes, her face flushed with passion. Then, for one breathless second she tensed, her expression troubled. Talon swallowed a curse.

Isi had been forced to the Wildlands, and then bullied into staying.

He wasn't going to pressure her into sex if she had doubts.

But before he could pull away, she tightened her fingers in his hair and tugged him forward.

He met her smoldering gaze. "You're sure?"

"I'm sure." She gave a slow nod, her dark hair with its blue highlights shimmering like satin in the dim light. "Don't you dare stop."

He studied her for a long moment, waiting until he could see the frantic urgency smoldering in her midnight eyes.

Only then did he lean forward, at last allowing his tongue to stroke through her slick fold.

His eyes slid shut in pleasure.

Christ.

She tasted of magnolia and woman. Sweet, luscious cream and power.

Talon's cock twitched, pressing painfully against the zipper of his jeans.

He needed to be in her.

He needed to mark her. Not only with his passion, but with his musk. Hell, with his very essence.

The thought should have been terrifying. Instead, nothing had ever felt more right.

This female was precisely what he needed. Strong. Independent. But with a heart that was aching for the opportunity to love.

They'd both lost their families and deep inside they were both searching for a place to call home.

Something they could build together.

Isi, however, instinctively shied from his possessive animal instinct.

"Keep your cat leashed, fur ball," she muttered.

His hands grabbed the curve of her waist, holding her still as his tongue found her swollen clitoris.

"My cat is the least of your concerns, darling."

"You...oh, shit."

For once, she was speechless as Talon flicked his tongue over her tender nub, her hips rocking upward in a silent plea for release. Again and again he stroked through her damp heat, his cat snarling in satisfaction as he wrenched a low whimper from the stubborn female.

In this moment nothing was as important as giving her more pleasure than she'd ever experienced before.

"Isi, come for me," he commanded in thick tones.

She moaned, her body trembling as she hovered on the edge of climax. "No, Talon," she breathed. "I want you inside me."

Her soft plea sliced through him, and he reluctantly pulled back. As much as he wanted to taste her orgasm on his tongue, he wanted to please her more.

And if that meant waiting to give her an orgasm when he was buried deep inside her...then that's exactly what he would do.

Gritting his teeth, Talon rose to his feet, hastily yanking off his boots so he could dispose of his jeans. The taste of Isi lingered on his tongue, the scent of magnolias making his head spin.

Unaware of how close he was to the edge, or perhaps simply enjoying her power over him, Isi stared at the throbbing length of his cock, a hectic passion glowing in her dark eyes.

He reached to grasp her around the waist, hauling her up his body to claim her lips with an intensity that branded her as his.

"I can't wait," he muttered.

She deliberately wrapped her long legs around his hips, her smile smug. "I thought cats were known for their stamina."

"Hold on, darling." Talon lowered onto the chair, the tip of his cock at the entrance to her body. Then, with a slow, ruthless thrust he pushed himself into her damp channel, not halting until his balls were pressed tight against her ass.

"Oh, god...yes," she husked.

Running his hands up her back, Talon sucked the tip of her breast between his lips, relishing her low moan of pleasure. She fit as tight as a glove around him, making him tremble with the effort to wait until she was accustomed to his penetration.

"You feel perfect," he rasped. "Ride me, Isi."

Planting her hands on his shoulders, she lifted her hips, drawing him out to the very tip before slowly sinking back down, burying him deep inside her. Talon muttered a curse, his hands gripping her hips as he battled against the climax that was already building.

Dammit. She'd just challenged his stamina. There was no way in hell he was going to come before he was certain she was satisfied.

But never before had sex called to both the man and cat inside him.

Sweat gathered on his brow as he concentrated on the mesmerizing beauty of her midnight eyes. The wary suspicion was gone, the pupils dilated as she quickened her pace.

His hips lifted to meet her downward strokes, his growl of satisfaction filling the air as she leaned down to sink her teeth into the flesh at the base of his neck, drawing blood.

The air was saturated with the perfume of her arousal, her slender body bowing above him as she tipped back her head and lost herself in the pleasure.

"Talon," she cried softly, a desperate edge in her voice as her orgasm neared.

"Darling," he whispered. "Trust me."

"I..." She moaned in pleasure as Talon tightened his grip on her hips, driving deep into her with an unyielding tempo. "Yes, that's it."

"I have you, Isi," he swore, his hand cupping the back of her head and tugging her down so he could kiss her with savage pleasure. "And I'm never letting go."

Their tongues tangled, their bodies moving together at a frantic pace. Then, just when Talon feared he was going to explode, he felt Isi stiffen, her cry of completion muffled against his lips.

Talon felt his claws emerge, slicing through the lower skin of her back as her climax clutched at his cock, his hips slamming upward as he unleashed his passion in a flurry of wild hunger.

His cat howled in satisfaction as his orgasm burst through him, the violent jolts of pleasure radiating through his entire body.

Realization hit him at the same moment.

This woman was his.

His mate.

His destiny.

For all eternity.