Cats Meow Page 4

  “Well then, cowgirl, come on up here and take what you want.”

  His generous nature had her heart jumping for joy as she slid up his body, slow and salacious.

  “Lock those pretty thighs on my hips, Becca.”

  He helped her into position and held his cock upward, never losing patience as she took her time finding the right angle before easing down his shaft. Awkward at first, it took a bit of trial and error to find her rhythm but once she got going…oooh yeah.

  Being on top was turning out to be her favorite position. Controlling the pace, depth and angle of each thrust put her in command of her pleasure. His too. And with her on top, the broad head of his cock had a farther reach, tapping against her cervix.

  Her orgasm built fast and arrived in a powerful blast, exploding over her body. The long, sustained rapture shook her from head to toe. Micah joined her in ecstasy, the hot splash of his cum washing over her womb extending the earth-shattering elation.

  ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

  Awareness returned in the form of someone lightly smacking her cheek, bringing an abrupt end to memories of a night she held dear.

  “Stop that,” Rebecca grumbled. “I’m awake.”

  Even if she didn’t know what had happened. Wasn’t too sure she wanted to know, either.

  “Come on, Becca. Open up those pretty green eyes for me, baby.” The deep masculine voice made it past the layers of fog clouding her mind.

  Becca? Only one man had ever called her Becca. Someone she left behind more than four weeks ago, sleeping among rumpled sheets that failed to cover miles of sexy, hard muscle and tan skin. A fallen angel who gifted her with one amazing night of pleasure beyond her wildest dreams.

  But he couldn’t be here, in the mountains. In the top-secret research laboratory she’d been touring with Mr. Weltman, head honcho of Nanotech. She remembered her new boss’s brief explanation of the work being conducted. Gene manipulation, a cocktail blending the DNA of humans with that of predatory animals. Surgeries to make it stick.

  “Refusing to open your eyes isn’t going to change anything.”

  No, but the delay gave her a chance to gather her composure. She compromised, opened her eyes the barest fraction, just enough to see the gorgeous man who’d invaded her dreams, before slamming them shut again.

  She didn’t want to face reality. Rebecca would rather be a coward, pretend to be asleep. But the hard, cold surface she lay on was not her bed. The man leaning over her was not her imagination. This was no dream.

  And the object of her desire had turned into a lion.

  She skittered away from the man she’d once trusted with her body, seeking safety, moving until running into a wall. With her knees tucked up against her chest, she fought to calm her breathing and figure out what on earth was happening.

  “W-why am I here? I’m not a genetic scientist. Mr. Weltman said that’s what they’re doing in this lab.” She coughed, choking on the words. “I’m a freakin’ zoologist, for crying out loud. I work with—”

  The words echoed in her head. I work with big cats. Tigers, jaguars, leopards—

  And lions. Oh Jesus!

  A light bulb snapped on, illuminating the darkness. She’d been hired because Nanotech had been testing their insane genetic concoction on humans—

  On Micah.

  And he’d turned into a lion.

  She slapped a trembling hand over her gaping mouth and stared.

  He didn’t appear any different. Same dark blond hair bound in a ponytail. Same hard features and observant brown eyes. Same sexy mouth that had done such wonderful things to her body. And the same tall, muscular body she touched in her dreams every night. The same gorgeous man who had brought her to multiple screaming orgasms.

  Had they done this to him before the night they’d met? Had she slept with an animal?

  Oh my god!

  On the heels of that thought came another, more distressing concern as she remembered how her morning had started. With a pregnancy test.

  Her cycles had never been regular so being late had not been a concern. Not until her period was two weeks overdue. Last night she picked up a test kit at the local pharmacy. This morning she peed on the stick. When a blue plus sign showed up she raced back to the pharmacy and bough two more kits, different brands to be sure.

  One showed two hot pink lines.

  The other spelled out the dreaded word “pregnant”.

  As she toured the facility with Mr. Weltman, Rebecca had barely paid attention. There was so much she had to think about, figure out. Her number one worry, the father. Micah.

  Should she try to find him? He deserved to at least know about their child, whether he chose to be a part of either of their lives or not. But how was she supposed to break such life-altering news? She didn’t even know if he wanted children or where he lived. She didn’t know much about Micah at all.

  And what about the child?

  Rebecca swallowed hard. Forget wondering if it would be a boy or girl. Concerns about the child’s health. If Micah’s DNA had been altered before she slept with him—

  She didn’t want to think it, but would have to get answers. Was it even possible for a human woman to carry an animal fetus? Would the baby be human, lion or able to change form, same as its dad?

  She searched her memory for facts on pregnancy in lions. Gestation for lion cubs was around fifteen weeks. And lions birthed litters of one to four cubs.

  Could she be carrying more than one fetus?

  The room spun, her vision narrowed and Rebecca’s consciousness wavered for a few seconds.

  Were you? Did they? Before we?

  She couldn’t bring herself to say the words out loud. She decided to start with the basics. “What’s going on, Micah? Please, help me sort this out.”

  He seemed reluctant, gave a heavy sigh and finally began speaking.

  “I worked covert ops in the Army. Got shot and had to retire. When I got out, I took a job as head of security for Nanotech. Figured it was an easy job. Guard some scientists, secure their research.”

  He paused, rubbed at his temple. Rebecca took a closer look, noting the new lines of fatigue along his brow and bracketing his eyes. Signs of stress.

  Hah! Wait until she sprung her news, then he’d know the real meaning of stress.

  “I blew out my knee trying to catch an employee stealing information. That may have been weeks ago. I don’t know. It’s hard to judge time in here.”

  He extended his arm indicating the caged-in room. She glanced around. No windows or clocks. Just bare walls, narrow cot, exposed sink and toilet, steel bars, and mounted high on each wall, security cameras. Tiny red lights blinked menacingly from the devices.

  They’d locked Micah in a cold prison cell, watched his every move, allowed him no privacy. In essence he was a prisoner. In a research laboratory? Good Lord, what was Weltman hoping to achieve?

  Hell, she was a prisoner now too. God forbid what would happen if her new employer learned of her pregnancy and who sired the fetus, or fetuses.

  She scooted closer, wanting to offer comfort, maybe receive some in return. But she was still very frightened and held back. He continued to talk, telling her about the operations and extent of damage to his knee.

  “My body was getting older, weaker. I’ve put it through a lot over the years. With this latest injury.” He shrugged. “I would not have been able to keep working. But I can’t even imagine being retired. I need action. I’d go stir-crazy within a week. Give me a month and I’d be climbing the walls. I could take a desk job—”

  “But it wouldn’t satisfy you.”

  He nodded and some of the tension eased from his broad shoulders.

  “Weltman came to the hospital, told me he could help. Told me they’d perfected a procedure that would make me strong again, stronger than ever before, able to keep doing the kind of physical work I love. Once he gave me details of what they are doing there was no turning back. I knew too much.”


  And now, so do I.

  His story made it sound as if this had all happened since she’d last seen him but she had to be sure. Rebecca kept her gaze averted as she asked the question she dreaded. “So all this happened after we met?”

  “Yeah.”

  Thank goodness! A wave of relief surged through her. There would be no litter of lion cubs, no child able to change its form. A huge weight lifted off her shoulders. She’d still have the normal pregnancy worries, but those were easily manageable in comparison.

  She’d edged close enough that when Micah reached out, he touched her arm. Rebecca took the comfort he offered, thinking only of her own bleak situation for a moment. She was trapped in more ways than one.

  Tremors assaulted her and she shook uncontrollably. Micah pulled her into the shelter of his strong body, made her feel protected, soothed some of her fears. They were joined now in this and no matter what happened, they’d face it together. Be strong for each other and their child.

  “It’s called the Predator Project. They started out kidnapping homeless men and women from the streets, people no one would miss.”

  Rebecca gasped. “But there are safeguards in place, rules governing how research is conducted. You can’t leap from conception of an idea to clinical trials on humans. It doesn’t work that way.”

  “Nanotech has circumvented the safeguards, ignored all legalities and moral principles of ethical research practices. The project started out innocent and with good intentions.” Micah sighed. “I don’t know what motivated the change. Greed, ambition, an external influence—something made them deviate from the initial objective and took the project down a different path.

  “I’m their first real success. Weltman himself injected me with the altered DNA. Since then they’ve done multiple surgical procedures altering my body to accept the changes. No one expected me to turn into an animal. The scientists were almost as shocked as I was when it happened.”

  A barrage of questions raced through her mind. Was he able to change into the lion at will? If not, what brought the shift on? Was his metabolism higher? When he was the lion did he still have the man’s rational thoughts and intelligence? Would he have to fight the natural predatory instincts of the lion? Would he attack her, eat her? Try to mate her? She whimpered.

  Micah’s warm palm rubbed soothing circles on her back. “Shh, baby. I don’t know much about being the lion. It’s only happened twice, and both times seem to have been triggered by intense emotion—frustration, anger, fear. We’ll figure everything out together. I’ll make sure you’re safe.”

  And for the time being, she’d make sure their child remained safe. She decided not to tell Micah. Not until they figured out how to deal with what had been done to him. They would tackle the pregnancy issue later.

  The man amazed her. He was the one who’d had his entire existence reshaped and here he was comforting her. She’d been brought here for him, probably to help him adjust since she had a better grasp of felines and their behaviors than she did for people, but she knew one thing for certain. Micah needed her support and knowledge.

  She sat up straighter, determined to see him through this bizarre situation. “Tell me, I’m dying to know, what’s it like? Does the change hurt? Are your senses different when you’re the lion? Are your thoughts still human?”

  His smile was tentative, but she sensed his relief over her acceptance.

  “I can help you, Micah. We can both get through this, together.” Sure, there would be an adjustment period. It would take time for the shock to wear off and for her to come to terms with the overwhelming circumstances. She was certain of one thing, she would not turn her back on him. Rebecca had to come up with a plan and get him out of the lab. This time, there would be no walking away.

  Micah had known she was a special lady. Becca’s response to this insanity proved it. He shifted their positions, turned so he could see her expressive face. He wanted to give her answers, but he had a few questions of his own. Important questions.

  “We’ll talk about that later.”

  His thoughts wandered to the night they’d shared, as they often did. Becca sparked a strong emotional response in him. She made him want things he’d run from in the past. He wanted to wake up holding her every morning. For a man who never spent the entire night with any woman that was a big step. He longed to know everything about her. What made her happy or sad. Her dreams and ambitions. Her heart’s desires.

  “Why did you walk out on me?”

  He didn’t have to spell it out. Judging from her body language, she knew what he was talking about. She flinched and lowered her gaze to her hands, which she twisted in her lap. Her response reminded him of how her confidence had faltered after she’d sucked his cock dry. At first, blinded by pleasure, he hadn’t recognized the signs. Later, when he’d thought back, he put the pieces together. She didn’t put much stock in her sex appeal or prowess. This was the perfect opportunity to give her a boost.

  “Becca.” With the tips of his fingers, he tilted her chin up, forcing her to make eye contact. “When I woke up alone, I was devastated. I’d thought we really connected, and I wanted more time with you. More of you.”

  “You did?”

  Her voice was soft and uncertain. Micah felt the deep primal compulsion to hunt down whatever asshole had shaken her confidence and beat the living hell out of him.

  “Damn, woman. You’re so hot, sexy and passionate you nearly burned me alive. You’re all I’ve been able to think about since that night. I can’t sleep, my concentration has been shot. When you walked through that door, regardless of this fucked-up mess, I had an instant hard-on.”

  “Really?”

  This time her voice was stronger, and her pouty lips curved up in the stunning smile that had lingered in his mind while they were apart.

  “Mmm…if there were no cameras…” He sucked in a hard breath. “Damn, baby. We’d be reenacting that night down to the last, delicious detail. But I’m feeling very possessive. I don’t want anyone else to see your gorgeous body. It’s mine!”

  She snuggled against his side, rested her head on his chest and held him close. “For now, all I need is for you to hold me. Please hold me, Micah.”

  I’ll never let you go! He left that unsaid for the time being.

  “I’ve got you.” There was a slight catch in his voice as unfamiliar, tender feelings swamped him. While he wouldn’t wish being trapped in the lab on his worst enemy, he was glad to have Becca there. With her by his side, he had a reason to fight and a chance of actually making it out alive.

  “We’ll get through this together.” He didn’t make the promise lightly. Regardless of what it took, he intended to make it happen. And he wouldn’t let her slip through his fingers again. They’d walk away from this side by side.

  Chapter Five

  Rebecca figured she spent close to two hours locked up in the cell with Micah before the security guards, casting wary glances in his direction, finally released her. She’d come to the decision that if she was going to be of any help him, she had to gather information. This meant spending at least a little time with Weltman, the crooked jerk. His total lack of morals and ethics disgusted her.

  She figured he’d left her in with Micah for a baptism by fire. Let her get over the shock by seeing firsthand what they were dealing with since messing with his DNA. There really was no way to prepare for something no one has ever dealt with before.

  “Rebecca…may I call you Rebecca?”

  You already have.

  She bit back the sarcastic reply and pasted on a phony smile. “Certainly, Gabe.”

  He patted her shoulder and directed her to a steel door with a digital plaque bearing her name. Next to the door was a handprint scanner. She placed her hand on the panel and a few seconds later the door slid open to reveal an ultra-modern workspace.

  She shivered, the coldness of the room having a profound effect on her. Front and center sat a crescent-shaped, frosted gl
ass desk with steel legs. At the center of the desk was a thin flat-panel computer monitor, stationed between a sleek phone and an adjustable gooseneck lamp. Everything was shiny silver. The windowless walls and tile floor were pure white. Stainless steel cabinets lined the back wall, several with frosted glass doors. The only bit of color came from a silk bird of paradise placed atop one of the cabinets.

  Weltman edged around her to gauge her reaction, anticipation brightening his features. “I hope you like it?”

  “I’m stunned,” she answered honestly. “It’s so…”

  “Elegant,” he supplied. “I know. I picked it out with you in mind. I think it suits you.”

  Elegant was not the right description. Cold, sterile—those fit. And he thought it would appeal to her? Not in a million years. She preferred warm colors, living plants and natural wood.

  “I…uh, thank you.”

  She had to fight back a shudder of revulsion as his hand came to rest at the small of her back and he guided her around the desk. He didn’t remove his hand or give her any space when they stopped before the computer screen. Instead he moved closer, breaching her personal boundaries.

  “The subject’s medical files have been uploaded onto your computer. My office, cell and home numbers are programmed into the phone.” He handed her a business card with numbers written on the back. “My numbers are on here. You can call me anytime, Rebecca.” His voice dropped to a whispery, intimate tone. “Anything you need…or want…I’m here for you. Day or night. I will provide everything you could possibly desire.”

  Ewww, he’s coming on to me.

  If she judged correctly by his gray hair and wrinkles the man was old enough to be her father. At least the files being on the computer limited how long she’d have to suffer through his creepy presence.

  Desperate to put some distance between them without insulting her new boss, she pulled out the chair and plopped down. She had to tread carefully. She didn’t want to piss him off and get fired. Then she’d be separated from Micah, having no idea what was happening to him. That was unacceptable.