Laughter filled the air as the group gathered around the fire pit. Someone had gathered logs from the wood pile and put them around the pit. It was a gorgeous night. West watched as Charlee and the others talked animatedly about today’s events. Luka glanced at him as the question came up on how they distracted the tiger.

“I mean, it sounded like another tiger was in the area,” Malena scoffed, throwing her hands in the air.

“I know,” Alf agreed. “That was weird. I kept expecting another tiger to jump out of the trees or something.”

West’s eyes met Luka’s from across the roaring fire as everyone wanted to know how they distracted the tiger.

“I don’t know what to tell you,” Luka joked, taking a sip from his bottled water.

West and Luka knew the truth. Drago had been nearby in his cat form and provided the distraction for them. He had been keeping a close eye on the female tiger to ensure that the poachers hadn’t returned.

The group had gone back to their spots when they first observed the tiger to ensure she was safe. Less than an hour later, the tiger sat up, a little dazed, but okay. After ensuring she was okay, the group returned back to their vehicles.

“It will remain a mystery,” West murmured as he finished the last of his sandwich. He glanced at Charlee as she shared a log with Malena. They were engaged in a discussion with Dr. Zhang and his graduate student, exchanging information and ideas.

He was impressed by Charlee and her handling of a rifle. He guessed he shouldn’t be. In her chosen career, traipsing around the world to study one of the most dangerous animals on the planet, one should know how to use a weapon.

“So where to next, Mr. Rogavac?” Dr. Skobo asked. West picked up on the slight hint of sarcasm that laced the scientist’s voice. West glanced at the Russian, and again that feeling in his stomach became noticeable. West leaned toward always listening to his gut, and in this instance he would. He knew that he would have to keep an eye on the Russian scientist. Something about him didn’t sit right with West.

“I was planning to have us go a little more south. According to Dr. Zhang, there have been sightings of the Amur tigers in China.” West gazed at the scientist, daring him to challenge the decision. Dr. Zhang had mentioned it to him earlier that he thought that would be the best place to go, and West agreed. It was also where evidence of poaching was the highest.

“That’s a great idea.” Charlee nodded. “I agree. I read your paper on this. How long have you suspected some of the Amur tigers have been migrating to China, and do they stay?”

West welcomed the change in conversation as Dr. Zhang answered Charlee’s questions. He shifted on his log and gathered the remnants of his dinner, then went to toss it in the bag that was saved for trash. He looked up and noted the small moon. He knew that once the fire went out, the camp site would be cast in complete darkness.

Once everyone went to their separate tents to turn in, Luka would shift and guard the campground. They didn’t want to let down their guard. As if hearing his thoughts, the scientists began to disperse, all making excuses of tiredness and commenting about early starts tomorrow. He watched as Malena winked at Charlee as she walked to the tent that they shared.

Charlee stayed on her log as he returned. He moved toward her, his eyes locked on her smiling face as he approached. She had taken her hair down again. His tiger rumbled his pleasure in his chest.

He had to have her.

He sat down next to her, needing to be close to her. He reached up, no longer able to keep his fingers from her hair. The silky strands were soft against his fingers. The dwindling fire provided low light, highlighting her creamy skin.

“Hey there,” she said softly. He glanced around and noticed that they were finally alone.

“Hey,” he murmured, threading his fingers in her thick hair. He guided her to him, leaning his forehead against hers. He was trying to keep his shit together. The animal in him wanted to throw her over his shoulder and carry her off.

“So, I was wondering…” She paused, a small smile playing on her lips.

He pulled back. “What is it?”

“I was wondering when you would invite me into your tent,” she breathed out, her eyes locked on his.

His tiger slammed into his chest. She didn’t have to say another word. West stood quickly, grabbing her hand. They quickly put out the fire and kicked dirt on it to ensure that it was out. Without the fire, the campground was dark. A normal human wouldn’t be able to see their hand in front of their own face, but thankfully for West, being a tiger shifter allowed him to navigate with ease in the dark.

Charlee remained quiet, her grip tightening on his as he stalked toward his tent. He was glad that he had bought the model that allowed for two people. He had contemplated when he bought it, and now he was so thankful to the salesmen who sold him the oversized two-sleeper.

They entered the tent and kicked their shoes off. He grabbed her by the nape of her neck and crushed his mouth to hers, needing to taste her again. Her hands found their way to his hair and gripped tight as the kiss transitioned to one of deep, urgent passion.

His hands slid beneath her T-shirt and pulled it over her head, breaking their kiss. She helped him out of his own shirt, leaving him bare. Her fingers trailed along his chest and down the ridges of his abdomen. Without light, his little human wouldn’t be able to see, so she would have to learn his body by touch. He held in a groan as his cock pushed at his pants, demanding to be set free. She soon replaced her fingers with her mouth, trailing her tongue along his pectoral muscle to lavish his flat nipple with her warm tongue.

He reached around and undid her bra, sliding the straps down her arms. The soft feel of her skin beneath his hands had his mouth watering. He couldn’t wait to taste all of her. They made quick work of their clothes in the small area before falling onto his sleeping bag.

She quickly shifted to allow him to settle within the valley of her legs. They both moaned as his cock brushed against her slick folds. He raised himself up slightly, not wanting to crush her with his weight. She met his kiss, inviting his tongue in. Her fingers dove into his hair as he trailed a line of kisses from her mouth, to the soft skin of her neck.

Her ample breasts pressed against his chest, as if seeking his attention. West couldn’t leave them be. He had fantasized about them, and now he had them literally in the palm of his hand. He shifted down farther and captured one of her plump mounds into his mouth.

Their lovemaking remained quiet, but urgent, not wanting to draw attention to their activities. He wished they could let loose, but they couldn’t, not tonight. This would not end once they left Russia and went back to the States. He would have her where he could hear her screams of passion.

Her short gasps drove his cat crazy. He moved to the other mound, dragging his tongue across the taut nipple before drawing it deep into his mouth. Her fingers tightened in his hair as he continued his discovery, moving even lower. In complete darkness, he knew that her senses would be heightened. He allowed his hands to trail along her skin as he moved. Her body released a shudder as he made it to his destination.

She hissed as he settled in-between her legs, eye level to her plump folds. He parted her lips and with his tongue, took one deep taste of her, running the flat of his tongue along the length of her slick pussy. He closed his eyes, relishing in the taste of her sweet nectar. Her legs spread even wider as he repeated the motion, before encircling her tiny nub with his tongue.

Her hips rose as he continued his gentle assault on her sensitive flesh. Her moisture coated his face as he continued to feast on her deliciousness. He pulled back on her clit before inserting one finger deep within her slick channel. Her inner muscles clamped down on his finger as he continued to maneuver her clit with his tongue. He increased the pace of his tongue against her sensitive nub as he moved his finger. Her legs shook as he inserted another finger, stretching her to prepare for him.

He increased the pace of his fingers, curving the tips of them. Her body jerked and her muscles tightened. Her silent orgasm caused her body to fly off the ground. He pushed her back down with one hand as he continued to suck on her clit. His cat was in heaven. Her creamy juices flowed right onto his tongue, causing his chest to rumble his pleasure.

Charlee’s legs relaxed as he finally released her. He climbed over her body, his hardened length ready for her. West picked up her leg to open her more to him. His shifter sight could see that her eyes had opened. She reached up and grabbed him by the neck, crushing her mouth to his as he thrust deep within her, catching her moans.

A shudder passed down his spine at the feel of her moist core gripping his cock. Her pussy was slick from her orgasm, allowing him to slide into her with no problems. The kiss grew deep as his hips moved to their own rhythm. Not a word was passed between them. West was afraid if anything was to come out, it would be more of a yell or shout—not words.

The feel of her surrounding him was heaven. He squeezed his eyes tight as he quickened his pace. Her hips met his with every thrust. He opened his eyes to find her head thrown back as she let loose another gasp. He could feel her soft mounds rock with every thrust. He reached for one, needing to feel her breast in his hand as he continued to delve deeper into her core.

She wrapped her legs around his waist, pulling him deeper. Sweat broke out on his forehead as he felt the familiar twinges deep in his balls as they swayed and rhythmically slapped against Charlee.

He let her breast go to rest his arms on both sides of her head to get a better position to thrust deeper. He couldn’t get enough of her, he had to get closer. She held onto his neck, bringing her head to the crook of his neck. She released a moan against his skin as her arm began to tremble, just as another orgasm took her over. She gently bit down on his skin, and that was enough to send him over the edge. He bit his lip to keep from shouting as he thrust harder, before pausing to release deep within her.

His breathing came fast and hard as he lowered his sweat drenched chest against hers. Both of them laid still, unable to speak. His cat was stiflingly quiet. It was content.

West knew one thing. This was just the beginning. No way was he giving up Charlee Black. She belonged to him.