The Lion’s Mate

Leah glared at him, remembering herself and his invasion of her privacy and her property. “Explain what, you pervert? That you were watching me swim and saw me naked? This is private property!”

Mark’s hands were up in a defensive position. “Whoa whoa, I messed up. But I’m standing naked in front of you right now. Aren’t we even?” he asked with a mischievous grin.

Leah’s eyes, of their own volition, dropped to his co*k, large and impressive even while flaccid. She jerked them back up to his and lifted an eyebrow at him. “That does not make us even. I did not choose to be naked in front of you.”

Mark chuckled but smothered it quickly; her eyes were green like the leaves of the trees around them. “I didn’t choose to be naked in front of you either. Just happens when I shift back.”

Leah rolled her eyes and groaned. “Oh, good lord.” Exasperated, she mumbled, “Shifters and their senses of humor.”

Mark’s eyes lit up. “So you have friends who are shifters then?”

“Of course I do. But they don’t sneak up on someone when she is naked and enjoying a relaxing swim.”

“Back to that,” Mark nodded, the humor in his eyes clear. “Listen, I was just letting some steam off by exploring the forest. I didn’t even know there was a lake here. I just happened to stumble on it and there you were.”

“On my own property. This lake falls inside my fence line, which means you must have crossed it at some point.”

“There was no fence in the forest.”

Leah cursed silently. He was right. She hadn’t wanted a fence built in the middle of the forest. The animals needed freedom to move about as they wished, and she wouldn’t hinder that with a fence.

“Regardless, you are trespassing.”

Mark roared with laughter but sobered quickly. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I was really just passing by.” He looked around. Her cabin sat back in the trees, hidden from any roads that might be nearby. The driveway curved around and headed away through the forest, and a small truck sat in it. Her porch faced the water, and he would bet the view of the sun setting over the lake was just about the most beautiful sight in the world. “Your place is great.”

His compliment took her off guard. She was still angry but couldn’t be as she followed his gaze to her home. “Thank you.” She turned back to him, a smirk on her face. “I’ve lived here three years, and you’re the first person to trespass.”

Mark shook his head at her, amusement in his eyes. “You’re a touch broad to crack, I see. I’ll just have to turn on the charm.”

Leah snorted. “Broad? Are you from the 1920’s?”

“You almost smiled that time. I must be doing something right,” Mark said.

Leah couldn’t help it; she grinned at him, then giggled when he threw his arms up in the air in triumph. “Don’t be so damn proud of yourself. I’m laughing because this situation is just absurd.”

“Absurd? Why?” Mark asked, leaning in a little closer. “I’ve met a beautiful woman and am flirting with her. Why is that absurd?”

“You’re naked,” she pointed out.

Mark looked down at himself, up at her with a sexy smile, and said, “See anything you like?”

“Oh good lord,” Leah said, her eyes nearly rolling out of her head. “Are you always so arrogant?”

“I prefer to call it confidence.”

“Semantics. You use one because it doesn’t sound as negative as the other.”

“Ah ha! She’s a smart one!” Mark exclaimed with a wink at her. “I like smart women.”

Leah laughed at him, charmed in spite of herself. “I bet you do.” She finally let her curiosity take the lead. “Where did you come from, exactly? There aren’t any houses nearby.”

“Actually, there’s a cabin on the other side of the forest. I’m renting it for the next two months.”

Leah mused, “That cabin is almost three miles away. The forest is extensive. How did you not get lost?”

“I’m a shifter. We don’t get lost.”

Leah shook her head, chuckling. “There’s that arrogance again.”

Mark lifted a finger as if schooling her. “Confidence, beautiful. Confidence.”

“Sure.”

“So, am I forgiven for my indiscretion earlier?” He gave her a winning smile.

Leah pretended to consider for a minute, then conceded. “I’ll make you a deal. I swim every evening, when it’s warm, around this time. Usually for about an hour or so.”

“Naked?” Mark wiggled his eyebrows lasciviously. Leah stared at him, her lips pursed in irritation. He lifted his hands in defense again. “Sorry, sorry. Please go on.”

She pointed a finger at his chest. “I honestly don’t mind if you run through my property as long as you stay away at this time of the day. And as long as you don’t kill any of the animals.”

Mark pretended to be affronted, his hand on his chest mockingly. “I would never harm another creature!”

“Whatever, carnivore. Just don’t do your hunting on my land,” Leah ordered.

“Yes ma’am!” Mark saluted her, which elicited another giggle from Leah. “Can I ask you one question?”

Leah’s look was suspicious, but she nodded. “Yes.”

“Can I come to the lake and watch you swim if you invite me?”

Leah’s laugh echoed. She threw her head back, and Mark’s eyes watched as her chest heaved from the laughter. When she looked at him again, eyes filled with mirth, he was struck by her. He smiled.

“So? Can I?”

Leah shook her head. “If I invite you to watch me swim, you won’t just watch me. You’ll join me,” she teased.

“I like the sound of that, human,” Mark said with a grin. He glanced over his shoulder; the sun was low in the sky, and just as he’d assumed, the view was breathtaking. “Magnificent.”

Leah smiled as she looked at the horizon. “Yes. That’s why I chose this place. I would have paid double for it.”

“I can imagine.” They watched the sun set for a few silent moments, then he shook himself and returned his attention to her. “I’d better be going. I said I don’t get lost, but I’m not familiar with these woods yet. A trip in the dark may be treacherous for such a delicate being as myself.”