Heart of the Hunter Read online

  “You are my dream come true, lady. And if you ever doubted it, you won’t anymore… .” He moved lightly against her. He felt the hardened nipples of her breasts against his chest, felt her hips arch to meet him and her hands range demandingly across his damp shoulders. The moment he met her heated warmth, he froze with pleasure, with anticipation of the treasure that each was going to bequeath the other in the delicious moments to come. Closing his eyes, Reid found his breath growing ragged as she not only met him but twined her long legs around his own. No one would ever accuse Casey of being cowardly, of not facing danger. Not even the danger of loving once again.

  Heat scorched his body as she brought him inside her. He groaned. She cried out. Her hands opened and closed against his shoulders. She felt so damn good to him. So tight, hot and willing. He couldn’t still himself, or the rocking motion she established with him. Her mouth was wild, searching and hot against his jaw, his neck and chest. He felt her teeth scrape his nipples and he gripped her hair in his fists, his lips curling away from his clenched teeth. He wanted to wait, to give her pleasure as well, but she was untrammeled, taking him fiercely. Fine. He would match her equally… .

  Leaning down, Reid captured her mouth and drank of her sweetness. Thrusting his tongue deeply, he rocked forward, moving into her sweet womanly depths. He felt a cry reverberate through her and he absorbed it greedily. It was a cry of utter pleasure, of surrendering to him in all ways, on all levels. Their breathing became ragged. Their heartbeats soared and thundered. Their wild, hungry kisses became flames of heat licking across their straining, slick bodies. Death had almost claimed him. He wanted to renew himself within her. He wanted to love her so deeply, so profoundly, to touch her soul and drink of the sunlight and honey within her. Every second was molten, sliding into the next. She rocked in unison with him. He felt her power, felt her nails digging into his back. Felt her cries of joy with each thrust as he took her harder and plunged deeper within her yielding body.

  Ripe, golden sunlight hurtled out of him and into the dark vastness that was the mystery of womanhood. In those hot, explosive moments, Reid felt his heart burst with such powerful love for her that he could only lay there frozen with pleasure, grasping her shoulders, his face buried in her hair, his teeth clenched, his nostrils flared. And yet she continued to rock her hips with a such graceful, unbroken motion, pulling him even more deeply into her, that he could only sob for breath. Just when he thought he could bear no more of the razor-edged pleasure shearing through him, he felt her arch. Air rushed from her lips, and he slid his arm beneath her hips and lifted her slightly. Then he thrust deeply, repeatedly into her and absorbed each of the cries of pleasure that bubbled up that long, exquisite throat of hers. He felt her grow soft in the aftermath of her own release as she surrendered completely to his arms and to his body and to him. She felt as if she was boneless as he rolled over on his side and took her with him, so that she lay completely against him, her head resting on his left shoulder, her arm limp across his hip, hex-breathing broken and shallow.

  He tried to smile, but he was too weak to even manage that. All he could do was hold Casey and feel the wild beating of her heart fluttering against his thundering one. Her breasts were soft and pliant against him. Their hips met and fused. Her long legs were entwined with his. It was perfect. So perfect that Reid wondered if he wasn’t dreaming again.

  Weakly, he touched her flaming cheek with his fingers. “I dreamed of this, but not like this—the wildness… your heart… .” His voice trailed off in wonder and awe at their lovemaking. He closed his eyes and flared his nostrils. He wanted to drink in her womanly scent, the fragrance of her damp skin, and he leaned over and gently bit her shoulder. She tasted good to him, slightly salty, her flesh firm and warm. Easing back, he ran his tongue across her lower lip. “You taste like honey no matter where I kiss you… .”

  Forcing her eyes open, Casey met and held Reid’s silvered gaze. She felt like an animal. A wild, untamed, liberated animal at his side. Like that lioness that Grandfather Henri had always said she was. She recalled hazily that Henri had told her she would one day claim her lioness heart, and that when she did, she would know it. She knew it now.

  Reid was primal. There was nothing tame about him as a man. How had she been so fooled by that military veneer of his? Smiling carelessly, she slid her fingers up his darkly bearded cheek. That dangerous male, predatory quality was clear to her now. Her body sang because of it. Her heart was exploding with such joy that she found herself breathless, her voice soft and rich with emotion. “You’re more lion than even Grandfather Henri realized. You are a lion in a man’s form, do you know that?”

  Reid caught her hand, kissed her palm slowly and then ran his tongue in a circle around it. Casey sighed and moaned. She pressed her hips insistently against him. Amazingly, she felt him hardening once more at her teasing gesture.

  “Grandfather Henri knew exactly who I was,” Reid growled, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

  Giggling, Casey felt like a schoolgirl in his arms, in his powerful and protective aura, which surrounded them. “Well, if he did, he sure didn’t let on to me!”

  Reid’s eyebrow moved up. “Why would he?”

  With an unladylike snort, Casey said, “You Neanderthals all stick together, don’t you?”

  Chuckling indulgently, Reid gently moved her onto her back and placed her arms above her head, capturing her wrists. Then slowly, with his free hand, he began to trace the curve of her left breast. He watched as her lips parted in reaction.

  “I may be a Neanderthal, good doctor, but sometimes that’s just what the lady needs.” He leaned over and drew the hardened tip between his lips. When he began to suckle her, she moaned and tossed feverishly against him. Lifting his head, his eyes glittering, he met and held her burning gaze. Settling his hand across her abdomen, his darkly tanned fingers against her pearl white flesh, he rasped, “And you’re mine. Now. Forever.”

  The force of his comment flowed through her like a bolt of white-hot heat. Casey felt the strength of his hand upon her rounded abdomen; she felt so loved, so protected. Yes, Reid was like a lion claiming her, his lioness mate, forever. Her lower body warmed beneath his captive hand. She fearlessly met and held the challenging look gleaming in his hooded eyes. “Yes,” she whispered softly, “I want to carry your babies in me. I want to feel them grow deep within my body—our children that we’ll make as we lie here loving one another… .”

  Her words were joyous and so alive with life. Whispering her name roughly, Hunter brought her into the protective haven of his arms and held her so tightly that he was worried he’d crash the breath out of her. Instead, she wrapped her arms deliciously around his sweat-slick shoulders and embraced him with the strength of a lioness, which was really what she was in his eyes and heart.

  Moonlight shifted brokenly through the French lace curtains. Reid awoke with a jerk. He’d had a nightmare about the black mamba striking him, its fangs sinking deeply into his calf. Forcing his eyes open, he felt the strong, supple warmth of Casey lying next to him. She was in his arms. He was alive.

  Sweat trickled down his temples. He blinked away the burning perspiration that flowed into his eyes. Breathing roughly, he sat up. The thin sheet fell away, exposing his naked upper body as he turned to the woman he loved. The moonlight caressed Casey as she slept. One hand was beneath the goose-down pillow, the other stretched outward, her fingers slightly closed. Hands that had loved him earlier. Had held him. Had pressed against his fingers as he’d caressed her rounded abdomen. Babies. Yes, life.

  Running his fingers through his damp hair, Reid looked around the quiet room. The moonlight chased away the darkness. His gaze returned to Casey as she slept. She’d chased away the darkness that had haunted his heart for so long. A tender smile tugged at his mouth as he reached out, his fingers sifting lightly through her mussed red hair. She was part tomboy, part woman, part fierce lioness— and all his. The strands of her hair f
elt strong and sleek between his thumb and forefinger. Like her. She was such a brave woman. Did he really deserve someone like her?

  Reid lay back down and fitted his body against the back of hers. He rested his head on his arm and allowed his hand to trail across her waist, hip and thigh. Her skin was cool and yet so alive and inviting to him. He was alive. He’d survived. And she loved him. What a fierce heart she had! But Reid had known that all along. He didn’t know many people who would brave the killer Ebola virus, look it in the eye and gaze fiercely back at it like Casey did on a regular basis. She had braved going back to Africa, even with the threat of terrorists, the possibility of being killed like her cohorts, or worse, being kidnapped by Black Dawn, just so she could settle the score on Steve’s account. She had gone for revenge against Ebola and had found Reid—and love. His hand stilled on her hip and he smiled a little as he watched the moonlight play through her hair. Casey had even braved the likes of him. And won his heart… hi s soul.

  Closing his eyes, Hunter felt the fingers of sleep tugging once more at him. Tomorrow was a new day—for both of them. One that he eagerly looked forward to, with Casey. What a team they were going to be! She was a leader in so many ways, and so was he. Reid could imagine the healthy discussions they’d get into from time to time, but that would never dim the love and admiration and respect he felt toward her. No, any relationship with Casey was going to have its fair share of fireworks. Reid felt more than up to the challenge of it all because the bottom line was the love they held for one another.

  The idea crossed his mind that perhaps it was time to leave the Marine Corps. He felt far less vulnerable, emotionally, and the possibility of being a civilian seemed less risky than before. He knew it had to do with Casey’s love for him. It would be very easy to get a job with Perseus, perhaps in their Intelligence section so that he didn’t have to go overseas like most mercenaries did. Morgan could use someone with his knowledge, since black biology was a looming threat and would be, unfortunately, for decades to come. Reid would discuss this idea with Casey and see what she thought. He knew she’d tell him to jump ship and don civvies in a heartbeat. He grinned at that. Besides, he could live here, with her, and still do his job. Perseus had a satellite office in Atlanta, so it would not be a problem. No longer would he use the military as a way to hide, to shield himself from his emotions. Leaving the corps would be a symbol of his resolve to learn how to live with his feelings daily, like Casey and many other people did.

  Sighing heavily, he allowed his hand to remain on her hip. She felt damn good against him. She smelled good to him, too. There wasn’t anything not to love about Casey. He liked the way she loved him, like a fierce lioness claiming her mate with equal veracity and powerful intent. Yes, they were a good match. And in the very near future, he wanted to ask her to marry him. She wouldn’t leave him waiting at the altar, he knew. No, not Casey. She’d beat him to it and demand that he arrive there on time or else!

  Joy floated through him over that last thought as he drifted toward sleep. Somehow, Reid knew that his fears about being only half a man, a man without a heart, were now laid permanently to rest. Casey had brought out his heart and revealed its vulnerability. She had held it tenderly, without judgment, and had showered him with nonstop love in so many different and wonderful forms. Reid had learned a lot from her. She had so much more to teach him. He recalled Grandfather Henri’s words that a strong woman made a man feel weak. Only if the man refused to learn about and respect the woman he loved, for that woman could turn out to be one of his greatest, most loving teachers.

  A careless smile crossed Reid’s mouth. Somehow, he knew that Grandfather Henri already knew that. He hadn’t told Reid because he’d wanted him to discover this incredible treasure in Casey on his own. And he had. The heart of the hunter had been captured, opened and lovingly tended by a woman who was as strong and fierce as a lioness, who knew herself and wasn’t afraid to stand whatever tests he’d thrown at her. Casey had passed them all and become not only his teacher, but his guide. As he gently moved his hand down across her firm thigh, his eyes glimmered with tears. His wife-to-be was an incredible woman who led with her heart, first, last and always. He was looking forward to learning how to do that himself. Casey would be more than happy to show him the way.

  Life had never look so good to Reid.

  Epilogue

  Casey moaned and slowly turned over on her back. Sunlight was bright outside the window, and she wrinkled her nose and lifted her hands to her eyes. A slight breeze moved the curtains. As she grew more alert, she realized with a start that Reid had left her side. Pushing herself up on one elbow, she looked around for him. The bedroom was quiet, and he wasn’t around. A sudden stab of fear plunged through her heart. Throwing off the sheet, she got to her feet and reached for her pink silk robe. All kinds of awful thoughts assailed her as she quickly padded barefoot out of the room and into the hallway.

  “Reid?” Her voice sounded hollow. Fearful. She pulled at the collar of her robe as she headed down toward the kitchen. Halfway there, she sniffed the odor of freshly perking coffee. Entering the kitchen, she saw Reid at the stove. She halted. Laughter bubbled up her throat as she leaned lazily against the door jamb, her arms crossed. He stood there in his jeans and a red polo shirt, a checkered green-and-white apron wrapped haphazardly around his waist. The look on his face was one of pure frustration. In his hand was a spatula. In the skillet were eggs burning.

  “I didn’t think Neanderthals could cook,” she murmured wryly. “Although I’ve gotta give you an A for effort.”

  He twisted around and gave her a slow, welcoming grin.

  Holding up the spatula in defense, he muttered, “Well, I had good intentions. I woke up early and thought it would be nice to serve you breakfast in bed.” Giving the eggs in the skillet a doleful look, he removed them from the stove. “Best laid plans, you know?” He liked the drowsy sensuality mirrored in her face, the remnants of sleep still lingering in her green eyes as she walked slowly toward him as he stood at the sink.

  Touched beyond words, Casey lifted her arms as he laid down the utensil and turned to meet her. There was a bashful, little-boy look on his face and it endeared him to her even more. “Somehow,” she murmured as she slid her hands over his shoulders and curved them around his neck, “you give new meaning to the word apron.”

  Chuckling, Reid felt heat nettling his cheeks. Just the way Casey’s body fit with his made everything right in his world. He embraced her and brought her solidly against him. She lifted her chin, her eyes slumberous, her lips parting, asking… . He didn’t disappoint her. Sliding his mouth commandingly across hers, he felt her give a little moan as she surrendered entirely to him. She tasted of sleep, of a woman in love with him, a woman who wanted him all over again. Her fingers threaded through his dark hair as he continued to worship her mouth. Never would he get enough of her. Not ever. Nostrils flaring, he drank in the sweet fragrance that was hers alone. Moving his hand from her waist to her cheek, he angled her jaw just slightly so he could drink even more deeply of her honeyed offering.

  ”Mmm… ” he rasped against her lips “… this is better than scrambled eggs… .” Reid felt her laugh.

  Lifting her lashes, Casey met his silvered gaze and that heated, predatory look that lingered in his eyes. Her stomach curled in anticipation as his strong arms encircled her and held her captive against his tall, lean frame. “My kiss had better taste a helluva lot better than those crispy-critter eggs you just destroyed, Hunter.”

  Chuckling, he caressed her smiling mouth. “Just a little, good doctor… .”

  Her body burned hotly with a renewed hunger for him, for his masculine touch. Casey kissed his mouth, his cheek, and then nibbled teasingly on the lobe of his ear. She felt him stiffen, then grip her hips and pull her demandingly against him. She reveled in his male hardness. “What can I do to get a cup of coffee out of you?” she asked huskily, lifting her chin and meeting his amused, hungry gaze.


  “Bribery will get you everywhere.”

  She laughed and said, “I’m torn between you and the IV of coffee I need first thing in the morning.”

  He raised his brows. “There’s no contest here. I should win that one hands down.”

  Her lips curved more. “There goes that Neanderthal ego again… .”

  Casting a rueful look over at the coffeemaker, Reid tried to pretend he was hurt. He wasn’t, of course, but he enjoyed teasing Casey because she was so easy to laugh with. Finding a woman with a good sense of humor was worth gold, in his opinion. “Coffee—over me? How could you?”

  “Hmm, let’s see,” Casey whispered, falling into his arms and resting her brow against his neck, “do I want you or the coffee worse?”

  He moved his fingers through her mussed red hair. “As if you’d even think there was a choice.” He laughed deeply.

  Casey laughed with Reid. She felt joyful and free in his arms. Sobering a little, she gripped his arms, pushed away just enough to look up at him. Despite his loss of weight, Reid would bounce back quickly, she knew. “I think,” she murmured, giving him a coy look, “that I really ought to make us a huge breakfast of grits, ham, fried eggs and the best Southern biscuits you’ve ever tasted. I have to keep the man I love in peak health because—” she grinned impishly “—you’re gonna need all the stamina you own, Captain, to keep up with me in bed. You thought humping hills was tough. Just wait and see… .”

  “I always did like a challenge, Doctor.” He grinned and framed her face. “I love you, Casey Morrow. In every way possible. In sickness. In health. I’m yours and you’re mine. Forever, if you want?”

  Her smile dissolved. Tears pricked at her eyes and she blinked them away. Standing captive in Reid’s embrace was the only place she ever wanted to be. Placing her hands over his, she held his dark gray gaze as he mercilessly probed hers for an answer. “Yes,” she whispered softly, choking back the unexpected tears. “Yes to anything and everything you ever ask of me, Reid.”