She tilts her head from side to side as her eyes roam my face, searching for something unknown to me. I wonder if she feels the pull toward me that I feel for her.
“I’m okay,” she replies, more of a timid question than a statement of fact, as her body begins to relax.
“I want to kiss you,” I tell her, praying with everything I have that she wants it, too.
My leopard takes this moment to show himself and I feel him slip into partial control. Her eyes widen when a low, rumbling purr escapes me. Leaning down, I rub my cheek along hers, eyes closed in contentment from the feel of her soft, creamy skin on mine. Larken returns my cat’s affection and wraps her arms low around my waist, pressing us together. Heaven.
Slowly, I move my mouth to kiss her softly. The moment she returns my affection, I nearly lose control of my actions, my leopard focusing on bonding us together permanently. But, someone like my little bird needs more than to be claimed like an animal. She needs to be cherished, and I’ll make sure she has that.
“Mmm,” she purrs when our lips slow against one another.
“You taste like the best kind of sin,” I mumble, lips remaining on hers. “You’re mine.”
“What?” she asks dreamily. I did that to her. My kiss. I’m the one who’s going to do that for the rest of her life.
“You belong to me, little bird.”
“Belong?” she frowns, her mind clear of the kiss-induced fog I had her in. “I don’t belong to anyone,” she protests as she tries to pull out of my hold.
“Don’t you feel it?” I question, holding her close. I run my hand over her cheek and cup the back of her head, tangling my fingers in her silky, coppery auburn hair. Her eyes close as she automatically leans into my touch. “Listen to your cat,” I urge, watching her face as she does what I ask. “She knows.”
Her eyes jerk open and those beautiful green eyes of hers stare into mine. She owns me already and doesn’t have to do a single thing. “How?” she asks in a mere whisper. She looks behind me out into the hallway and frowns. “I don’t feel anything.”
Not what I want to hear.
“It’s here,” I place a hand over her heart. “Can’t you feel it?”
“No,” she shakes her head and looks down. Her forearms are braced on my chest as her long, delicate fingers fumble with the buttons of my long-sleeved henley. “It’s not that, it’s,” she pauses. “I don’t feel afraid or scared or angry.” She raises her head, brows furrowed, and says, “I don’t do so well around large groups of people.” She searches my face, which I am sure is confused as fuck, before continuing. “But when you’re with me I don’t feel any of that. No other feelings.”
I’m still not sure I understand what she’s trying to explain, so I try something different. “What do you feel when I’m with you?”
“Calm. Safe.” She looks over her shoulder at the room she’s been given. “I didn’t feel stressed until I left you outside.”
“No one here is going to hurt you,” I promise a lot gruffer than intended.
“I know that. Etienne wouldn’t have sent me here if I weren’t safe, but it’s just how I am.”
I have no idea what she’s talking about but I can’t stand here any longer. She isn’t staying in this room alone, and I don’t give a fuck if she doesn’t like it. Reaching down to grab her suitcase, I take her hand with my free one and walk her into the hall.
“Where are we going?”
“You’re staying with me.” Her little weak attempts at protesting don’t deter me as I lead her to the very end of the hallway and to the right where the officers’ quarters are. Releasing her, I use my key and unlock the door to my room.
“I don’t know,” she shakes her head back and forth gently.
“We’ll talk about everything, but I can’t think straight until I know for certain you are taken care of. You’ll stay here where I know you’re safe.” I take her by the hip and pull her inside with me, moving her suitcase to sit by the dresser. Locking the door, I turn and pull her to my chest, right where I like her.
“This is all going so fast,” she says quietly. Yes, it is, but that’s just how my leopard works. No indecision. No hesitation. Just action.
“You must be tired,” I tilt her chin upward to look in her gorgeous emerald eyes. “Want me to warm up the shower for you?” Having her leave my side isn’t what I want right now, but I know she needs some space in order to process everything that’s transpired, so I'll give her this.
“A hot shower would be nice,” she smiles gratefully, exhaling in relief.
“I’ll get everything ready while you grab what you need.” Kissing her briefly on the temple, I leave her to get her things.
“Need to claim her,” my animal demands as he paces back and forth in my mind. I’ve held him at bay for this long and I’m not giving in just yet.
“Not yet, but soon,” I promise, giving words I hope will soothe him. “She needs gentle,” I remind him.
“For now,” he gives in and curls up to watch over things.
It’s getting harder and harder to placate his need to claim her, but I’ll do whatever it takes.
349
Larken
“Holy Crap,” I think when he walks into the bathroom.
“I told you,” my bobcat speaks up.
“Oh, shut up,” I mentally roll my eyes. Hearing her gloat is the last thing I need. I must get a grip before he walks back in here and I make a complete fool of myself, but I’m not as strong as she
