August Contest

Winners are: Midnight Angel and Mindarcy

Tiger Eyes
by
Mindarcy and Midnight Angel
These two ladies have won an autographed copy of The Wild Irish West by Joan Avery


An early autumn breeze blew through the forest as the tiger walked silently on the damp ground, relinquishing the feeling of freedom all around her. Stars shone like diamonds in the blackened sky as they embraced the night, while the treetops swayed gently, draped in rays of moonlight. Fallen wet leaves glistened, their woodsy scent tickled her twitching black nose. As her tail whipped from side to side, all thought was of him. He was near; his scent surrounded her like the arms of a lover. It was just a matter of time now, before everything would fall into place right where it belonged.

Making her way back to her den with a full belly and satiated mind, she vowed to have him again, no matter the cost. Once inside her lair, she lay down, tail curling around her as her eyes drifted closed, a feeling of contentment lulling her into a peaceful sleep; knowing they would meet again, soon.

~~~~~~



Morrigan Flannery stared across the busy street alive with people strolling the sidewalks. Cars careened past sounding their horns in agitation and the sound of a church bell clanged in the distance. Her gaze lingered on the Bumpy Bistro Café. A green and white awning spanned the sidewalk, sheltering four wrought-iron tables with glass tops. Waitresses flitted back and forth serving the handful of customers on the patio. Morrigan wasn’t interested in the food or drinks the popular café had to offer, she had her mind on the person paying patronage inside.

The faint scent of spices and the aroma of food drifted on a light breeze across the street, carrying with it a wild, musky scent that assaulted her cat senses. Morrigan drank in his distinct odor, her nose twitched and her nostrils flared. Garrett James was definitely inside the café; her preternatural senses confirmed the fact.

He had returned--finally. Her mate was back within a claw’s reach, hopefully ready to fulfill his destiny. But, the hard part was yet to come. Convincing Garrett to embrace his life instead of shunning it was going to be one hell of a feat. Albeit, one she planned to conquer if for nothing else than to end her loneliness.

Garrett James had walked out on her and their life together because he couldn’t handle the truth of what they were. He decided to live among the humans, suppressing his true nature. Sure, Morrigan could have gone too, but she chose a life of freedom instead of being ruled by society’s dictums. However, the price she paid for her pride in what they were was almost too high and caused her one thing she despised; the feeling of loneliness that came with Garrett walking away. Now, a year later, she hoped things had changed.

Being a were-cat was an invigorating experience. For the life of her, Morrigan couldn’t figure out why Garrett would want to walk away from his nature. To run free and brazen in the beauty of the wilderness was something everyone should go through in his or her life. She wouldn’t have it any other way.

Running in their natural habitat under the light of the moon and stars, feeling the night caress you, was so exhilarating she never wanted it to end--but it did. It always ended with the morning light. Waking up naked had its downfalls of course, but as long as you were in control of yourself and didn’t let the beast consume you, it was easy to find yourself a safe haven to return to when you changed back. However, that took some time to learn.

Morrigan shook her head, remembering that her first experience with the change had not been quite so pleasant. In fact, it was the worst thing she’d ever imagined. Leaving her shaken and in need of dire answers immediately. Waking up as bare as the day you were born at twenty years old and not in your own house does tend to freak one out. The fact that you have no idea how you got where you were or what the hell happened tends to cause mass hysteria in your mind.

After the initial hysteria cleared, Morrigan ran to her parent’s home just down the block from where she had awakened. Hoping for answers and praying that the men with the straight jackets wouldn’t come looking for her just yet. She searched for her parents, finding them on the patio just outside their house. Guiding her sobbing, naked body inside, they gave her the answers she needed.

Eventually, Morrigan learned that she had come from a long line of were-cats, as did her parents and rest of her family. Some of them took the form of the tiger, and yet others took the form of panthers, cougars, even the lynx. Then of course, there were the wild cats. Inner bred creatures that were pure evil.

Morrigan smiled, redirecting her thoughts back to the café. If her instincts were correct, and they usually were, Garrett would be waltzing out very soon. He was just finishing his last bit of coffee, preparing to pay his tab.

Morrigan stood stone still, grinning like a giddy, pimple-faced teenager in love at the thought of actually seeing Garrett again. Stop it you nut, your hormones are going to get the best of you. Nothing can be done right now, it takes patience, which you are running out of. Now all she had to do was wait, watch, and follow from a safe distance to see where Garrett was staying. The actual confrontation would have to wait until tomorrow evening since she was becoming exhausted with the energy it took to use her powers--especially cloaking her presence. That itself was one of the hardest to learn and maintain unless you were one of the older cats.

Moments later Garrett walked out of the cafe, she watched as he stuffed his hands inside the pockets of his black leather jacket and headed down the road. Morrigan let out the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding as her eyes greedily soaked in the sight of him. It had been too long since she last saw him. She had to fight down the sudden urge to leap across the busy street, tackle Garrett from behind, and savagely strip him of his clothing right there in front of God and everyone.

~~~~~~



Garrett walked out into the autumn air, inhaling deeply as the smell of sodden leaves tingled his senses. It felt good to finally be back home, he’d been gone for what seemed an eternity. He needed to see her again, needed to tell her how he truly felt and that he was so wrong to leave like he did. It was time he faced the truth, he couldn’t live without her and it was time to let her know he had decided to face his destiny with her by his side. Garrett wanted a second chance. But, he wondered, would she give it to him?

His long, lean legs carried him toward the hotel in which he was staying, his head hung low, watching the breaks in the sidewalk. Suddenly, he faltered, as the hairs on his neck stood at attention. He stopped. His breath passed haltingly through parted lips. Someone or something was watching him. Slowly Garrett turned around, examining every street corner. Nothing looked out of the ordinary, yet, the feeling lingered.

Maybe whatever or whomever was watching him had cloaked their presence as Morrigan had called it before. She had said that their kind could do so with years of practice. Since he still didn’t have the full use of his cat senses just yet, he couldn’t tell one way or another if he was being watched, or if his imagination was running wild. Choosing the latter, he walked on.

Shaking his head and shrugging his broad shoulders, Garrett continued toward his destination, not bothering to look back again. Once he and Morrigan met face to face again, he’d have to ask her how to tune in his senses. If they met face to face again, as long as she didn’t walk away as soon as she saw him--like he had. Garrett turned the corner saying a silent prayer that she would understand why he had left in the first place.

~~~~~~



Reading minds was not one of the powers she had mastered yet. Sure, she could do it a little, but she was a long way from mastering it. Morrigan watched from her street corner as Garret walked, wishing she could read his thoughts. Hell, she was surprised that she had managed to hold the cloak for so long. She wasn’t advanced enough, supposedly, to maintain many of the powers for long. She was considered little more than a newborn cub compared to her elders, but the wasn’t enough to stop her from trying. And quite frankly, she was getting damn good at it, contrary to popular belief.

Morrigan continued her watch a little longer making sure there was enough space between them that she wouldn’t be detected like she had been just moments ago. Her cloak must have wavered briefly to cause Garrett to stop and search for her. She had to be more careful not to let her emotions distract her because one day it could be the death of her.

Before he had disappeared around the corner, she watched as his tawny hair billowed lightly in the breeze. The autumn air lapping at it like cat with cream, no pun intended. She laughed silently. She focused in on his sculpted legs as they carried him to his destination, muscles flexing through the tight black jeans he had on. She couldn’t see his face, but she knew every line and contour by heart. Especially when his ice-blue eyes filled with desire meant only for her.

With Garrett now completely out of her sight, Morrigan stepped off her curbside post still concealing her person as if she were underneath an invisible mantle. Jogging to the corner, she spotted him and began following like a stalker in search of prey. If she had it her way, prey was exactly what he would be. She just loved batting her toys around.

~~~~~~~



Minutes turned to excruciating hours as Garrett sat in his hotel room his second night back, flipping the television from infomercial to infomercial. His mind was incapable of all rational thought, except for the deep yearning to see Morrigan. He needed to see her, needed to explain; if he waited much longer, he’d go insane. It had to end, now.

Garrett stood abruptly, with a quick snap of his wrist he turned off the TV, slamming the damnable remote control on top of it. Memories flooded him as the room filled with silence.

Visions of fiery-red hair splayed across his naked chest as hunger turned to pure carnal need mirrored in her eyes. Tiger-eyes he’d always called them, eyes that could see right through you. Seeing them filled with a fire that he had helped build made his body tighten instantly. If he didn’t quit thinking about her body flushed with desire, and the warmth of her haven soon, he’d explode. It was time to go. Time to find her and spill his guts.

Garrett grabbed his jacket and headed for the door before he could change his mind. He paused at the door, the faint squeaking of the hotel maids cart echoed through the hall. He glanced down at the raging bulge in his pants. Poor Maria would never be able to look him in the eye again if she caught sight of his hardness screaming for release from the tight constraints of his jeans.

Hamburger. Fries. Taxes. The President. My grandmother naked. Garrett shuddered at the last thought. He didn't want to totally kill his libido, just put it on hold until he reached Morrigan.

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to clear his turbulent mind. He felt marginally better as his raging arousal slowed to a simmer. Only to rise up again a moment later.

Amber eyes met his when he yanked open the hotel room door, as their owner stood there in all her naked glory, not a bit reticent about her state of undress. Blazing, fire-kissed tresses cascaded over her breasts allowing only the slightest peek at hardened pink nipples. A triangle of soft curls rested below her navel inviting his touch. His heart leapt to his throat, every nerve awakened.

Breaking the silence, Morrigan drawled, “Don’t worry darling, they can’t see me, only you can, and I have so much to teach you.”

Regardless, Garrett gripped Morrigan by her arms, pulling her soft body against his rock-hard one. Firmly planting his lips on hers, beginning a dance of unbridled passion, with a promise of much more. Sparks ignited his body as her womanly scent and taste filled his senses.

Kicking the door shut, Garrett pulled her toward the queen-sized bed. With each step they took, he lost a piece of clothing. First came his jacket, and then his shirt as buttons flew around them, followed by his pants and boots. When he pushed her onto the bed and joined her, he was a naked as she.

“Morrigan, I am so sorry...” Garrett started, being silenced immediately by a soft, feminine finger to his lips.

“Shh, worry about that later. Worry about making love to me now.” With that she pulled his head to hers, capturing his lips. Their tongues danced erotically as the heat of passion soared through their bodies.

Feeling Morrigan’s supple flesh beneath his, Garrett moaned into her mouth. Pushing himself off the bed, he stood admiring the vision before him. Swollen lips from their kisses, her body flushed with passion, tight nipples waiting for his touch, and her long, red tresses spread out on his pillow. He wanted to pinch himself to make sure this wasn’t just another dream. To believe that she was really there within his reach and waiting for him. Garrett didn’t have time to ponder as a slender hand snaked out grasping his erection. Expert caressing caused a growl of savage pleasure to escape his lips.

Clenching his teeth and throwing his head back, Garret closed his eyes to endure the soft touch of her hand on him. Without warning, Morrigan replaced her hand with her mouth, bathing his penis with wet kisses. A low rumble escaped his lips as he reached into her tangled mass of hair, gently pressing her head closer.

“Oh God…” was all he could manage as stroke by wonderful stroke, Morrigan’s mouth sent electricity coursing through every nerve in his body. Unable to stop himself, Garrett thrust forward to meet her hungry mouth one last time before pushing her back onto the bed to repay the pleasure.

Morrigan sighed as Garrett planted feathery kisses on her eyelids and cheeks; she met his lips in a soft joining that melted her insides and sent shivers down her spine. Stroking the length of his back, she threaded her fingers through his hair and stretched languorously under him. Drawing her tongue into his mouth and nibbling her lips, he aroused her even more. Flames ignited as he left her mouth to trail down her neck to the hollow of her shoulders then moving further to her full breasts.

His warm breath teased her nipple while he brought his hand up, gliding it along her side, bringing it around he tweaked a raised bud. Garrett licked around her nipple causing it to pucker at his touch, his hand gently circling the other. Heat engulfed her as he drew one breast into his mouth, Morrigan whimpered as a swirling fire built slowly at her core, spreading intensely. She felt his hardness pressing down on her, her hips moved of their own accord, grinding against him. Sliding her hands down his back, she gripped his tight buttocks and pulled him toward her, wanting more.

Groaning with the intensity of her desire she almost let out a cry when he pulled away, staring at her. A growl of frustration escaped Morrigan's lips. Garrett just smiled seductively, lowering his head once more, this time his mouth finding the smooth skin of her flat belly. Drawing lazy circles around her belly button to her ribs and back again. Her skin prickled with sensations long overdue. Fire, hunger and need sliced through her as her lips parted enticingly, she arched her back, her hands clawing at the sheets.

Morrigan partially closed her eyes to mere slits when Garrett grasped her hips, pulling her toward him as he knelt on the bed. His hand found her mound. Slicking his finger, Garrett parted the delicate folds, smooth, wet, skin met his touch, as she arched her hips into his hand.

"Oh yes, Garrett…." Morrigan's voice came out a little more than a whisper. "Please, don't stop."

"No worries darling. I want to make you scream before I take you. I want to see you squirming with passion, feel your need while you twist around on the sheets, screaming and clawing for me to end the pain." Garrett smiled a wicked grin, a look of sheer devilment in his eyes. He stroked her swollen nub then dipped his finger into her, pulled it out, stroked her again and slid it back in. With his hand held tight beneath her bottom, the other continued its exquisite torture.

Morrigan gasped, air refusing to enter her lungs. She felt herself reaching for the heights of animalistic fervor, her body burning, and demanding release. She mewed in pleasure as her climax neared, spiraling her into a web of increasing euphoria. Her eyes widened as he stopped. Garrett grabbed her hips, driving into her like the powerful beast she knew he was. As he entered her depths, her muscles clenched. A savage, throaty cry escaped unbidden from her lips.

Gritting her teeth, she wrapped her legs around his hips as he drove into her relentlessly. She heaved herself up and threw her arms around his neck, riding him with wild abandon. Morrigan felt his body tense, sweat glistening on his back, his breathing ragged. She felt a tumultuous churning that crested to its pinnacle deep within.

“Garrett!" Morrigan cried out. She threw her head back, digging her nails into his shoulders as she felt the warmth of his seed spurting against her womb. His arms wrapped around her, his body shuddered as he pulled her closer. Vaguely, she heard a rumble. Did he growl? She smiled to herself.

A moment later, he relaxed, collapsing on the bed, and rolling her with him. Sleep took over their sated bodies.

~~~~~~



Oh, how she adored looking at him. From her perch in the tree, her legs dangling on either side of the thick branch, and her head resting against its trunk, she could see him in all his glory. Ice-blue eyes glowed in rays of moonlight that cast shadows across the forest floor. Garrett’s long, lithe legs moved stealthily toward her. He smiled sensuously as he looked up in the tree and caught her lazily watching him.

“Hey there tiger.” Morrigan leapt to the ground, landing next to him nuzzling and purring against his legs.

“Tiger-eyes, you get more beautiful with every passing moment. Even now, you’re still the most stunning creature I’ve ever laid eyes on.” With a soft chuckle at her antics, he shook his tawny locks, bending to caress her fur.

“I am so sorry I left you. I have been miserable this past year without you. I thought that by forsaking my true nature I would be able to live more comfortably in the human form, without complications.” He paused. “I was wrong. Without you, I am nothing. I love you, Morrigan Flannery, in either form.”

Breathing in the fresh, crisp, night air, Morrigan gazed into his eyes. “As I love you, and always will.” She said quietly. Garrett cradled her closer, kissing her lightly on her furry head.

Grinning wickedly she backed away from him, changing back to her human form, she crooked a finger at him, “Come on big boy, let’s see if you can keep up.” Turning, she took off running through the trees, her hair tumbling out behind her. Hearing his approach, she glanced back. He was almost upon her. Squealing with delight, she ducked under a branch, clearing a bush in one leap and picked up speed.

With her vision perfectly adjusted to the night, she raced toward her lair. Inside the dank cavern, she gasped for breath. Laughter echoed off walls of stone. She fell to the floor as Garrett tackled her, his throaty laughter joining hers. Garrett gathered her in his arms and held her against him. She smiled contentedly against his chest.

After catching her breath, she looked questioningly at him, “Are you ready? We’ll work on your teachings tomorrow, tonight is ours to explore what you’ve been missing.”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Garrett answered, shedding his clothes at the same time.

Moments later, a white tiger with ice-blue eyes and an orange tiger with amber eyes emerged from their lair, romping off together, the night created for them.