Read NocC 024 - Katie Reus - A Jaguar's Kiss - Harlequin 2012-10 for Free Online Page A

green knit cap tighter against her head as she trekked through the woods. Hours had passed since the revelation that her brother and Owen’s sister were having a baby together. Not only that, they were going to be mated .
    Gabriela’s older brother had always been serious and quiet so it was a surprise he’d ended up with Skyler, who had the sunniest disposition of anyone Gabriela knew. Seeing them together, however, there was no doubt of their love for each other.
    Owen had been oddly quiet at Dr. Shahi’s office and then afterward when they’d all decided to go back to Israel’s place to get Skyler settled in, Owen had declined, claiming he had pack business to deal with.
    It had been an obvious lie but no one had stopped him and Gabriela had let him take her rental truck. Now that darkness had fallen and he wasn’t back at his home—she knew because she’d asked Skyler to call him—Gabriela had a pretty good idea where he’d gone.
    Even though the smart part of her brain told her to stay the heck away from him, it was hard. Especially since he’d looked so lost as he’d stared at his younger sister earlier. Gabriela had never seen him look quite that vulnerable and even though years had passed, she could still read his expressions.
    And, she still cared. Way more than she wanted to admit. When Owen had taken her brother’s hand and welcomed him into his family, it had hit her with full force that he’d grown up.
    There was something about him that had always drawn her to him and once they’d become sexually aware of each other…she shuddered, forcing those memories away. No one had ever made her feel so needy and out of control and she didn’t want to think about that now.
    Her breath curled out in front of her like white smoke as she reached the edge of the cave she’d been looking for. There were many caves in Bear Mountain forest but only one she and Owen had spent a lot of time at as kids. It was only a guess that he’d be there, but she had nothing to lose looking for him there.
    The scent of burning wood teased her nostrils as she approached the opening that was only two feet higher than her head. A faint orange glow pulsed from deep inside. There was a big opening in the top of the cave, as if someone had carved it out intentionally, that was the perfect ventilation for building a fire.
    Her boots were silent as she entered, walking deeper into the mouth until she spotted Owen’s sprawled form on a puffy sleeping bag. He was on his back, wearing only jeans, no shirt—showing off all that muscle and exposed skin that made her think of sex—and had his head propped up on his folded arms.
    His eyes were closed but she knew he was aware of her. He’d be able to scent her. Taking off her backpack, she sat down a couple feet away from him. “You gonna pretend you don’t know I’m here?”
    Full lips that were the only soft part of his body slightly curled upward as he opened his eyes and scorched her with those baby blues. “Why are you here?” he asked softly as he pushed up to a sitting position, his arm muscles flexing with the movement.
    Lying down he’d seemed so nonthreatening. Not that she was worried that he’d hurt her, but looking at him now she was so aware of every part of him. Of how very male he was.
    She shrugged and pulled out a couple chocolate bars, a box of graham crackers and a bag of marshmallows. “Thought you might like the company.” Plus she’d needed to see him so badly it scared her.
    “I wanted to be alone,” he murmured.
    Her finger froze on the marshmallow bag. Something tight cinched around her chest. He didn’t want her here.
    “No,” he hurried on, probably sensing her distress. “You don’t count. Okay, that sounds wrong, but I’ve never minded your company.” He scrubbed a hand over a face with a dark five o’clock shadow and shook his head. “I sound like a jackass, but you know what I mean. I want you here.”
    Feeling an invisible weight