“I don’t make it a habit.”
“That’s good to know.” He stroked a caress over the bruise on her thigh, wishing he could see how extensive the damage was. “Just how often have you done it?”
She sighed. “Seriously? You’re going to ask me that? Is this an interview for the job? How many other applicants are there? Because I don’t think too many people will be able to put up with your rather—er—intense personality.”
“I like the way you avoid answering by going on the offensive. You still have to answer the question.”
“I did it the one time, just to save your butt, although I’m beginning to think it might not have been worth the trouble, especially considering the favor I called in. You can be maddening. Annoying beyond reason. In fact, Leopard Boy, I want to hit you over the head with yourknockoff Ming vase and hope, somehow, a miracle occurs and you suddenly lose half your arrogance.”
“Knockoff?” She made him want to laugh. He had forgotten what laughter was. He swore even his leopard found her amusing. No one had protected him and no one had ever stood up to him the way she did. “What makes you think it’s fake? If you’re going to hit me over the head, maybe don’t choose the vase.”
He was rewarded with her soft laughter. He found that the sound of her laughter did something extraordinary to his mind. She brought him peace. Just as his leopard felt peaceful, so did he. To a man who hadn’t known peace, she was a miracle. She was so many parts of a puzzle and he needed to know every single one of them.
It was frustrating to be blind. He wanted to see her expressions and be able to read her. He was extremely good at reading body language. He couldn’t afford to lose her because he didn’t have his sight and made a misstep with her. He sensed she was always on the verge of flight. In some ways it was good that he was blind and had an infection. She wouldn’t leave until he was better. He hadn’t been with her that long, but he already knew that about her.
“Have you made this offer to anyone else?”
“No. I’ve never come across anyone who had your capabilities.” He was honest. “In any case, my leopard wouldn’t tolerate anyone in my space for any length of time. I would most likely have a difficult time as well. I’ve lived my life alone when I’m not working. My home is my space and I need it that way.”
“Why would you want me to move in here?”
“My leopard is calm when you’re close.” Again, he was honest—or was he? Did he want her to move in just for his leopard? Or was it because she challenged him? Made him laugh? Because she’d protected him when no one else ever had? He didn’t have an answer, so he left it the way he’d said it to her.
She stayed silent longer than he was comfortable with. Silently cursing his eyes, he forced himself to give her time. It was reasonable to want her near him if his leopard was calm. She had to know that.
“I’m used to having my own space.”
He could understand that. He was the same way. He had forgotten about walking around naked in his home because he’d done it for years. He was comfortable without clothes. He could shift easily, accommodating his leopard when the cat wanted to curl up in the window seat to bask in the sun.
“Go up to the third floor. We can change it to suit what you need for your own apartment. You can have your own entrance. It won’t take much to make that happen.”
“You can put a little kitchen up there for me?”
Gedeon had hoped she’d share his kitchen, but if she wanted a kitchen and that would get her to stay in the house with him, he’d get a kitchen put in for her. “I told you, anything you want up there to make the space yours. You would have the entire floor. If you go up and check it out, you could decide how best to design it. Once you do, let me know and I’ll get the workers to start as soon as possible.” In the meantime, he was going to find ways to keep her close to him.
She stiffened. “Someone just entered the house.” She made as if to get up.
He tightened his hold on her thigh. “That’s Rene. Just relax.”
She wasn’t relaxing. If anything, she had pulled out a gun and put it in the chair beside her where it wasn’t showing.
Gedeon’s leopard knew and even tolerated Rene’s presence. The cat was intelligent. Rene looked out for them, seeing to their everyday needs and providing security to their home base when they were away. They needed him. Gedeon’s leopard, Slayer, although increasingly vicious,had refrained from trying to break free around Rene. For some strange reason, that didn’t seem to be the case now. The male had awakened with a vengeance, catching Gedeon by surprise. The big male slashed and clawed for freedom, trying to tear free as if he needed to protect Gedeon and Meiling from Rene and his male leopard.
It took a moment to fight back and show the leopard he wasn’t putting up with his crap. “What’s wrong with you?” he muttered aloud.
“I’m sorry?” Meiling sounded genuinely puzzled.
“My damn leopard is losing his mind. Slayer knows Rene. He tolerates him as a rule. Right now he’s acting like Rene is the enemy.”
“Maybe he knows something you don’t. I told you, you’re too complacent.” She swiveled in her chair, so she was facing the door. “Slayer? You named your leopard Slayer? No wonder he’s vicious. He knows you’re expecting him to rip everyone apart. You need a different name for him. I’mnotcalling him Slayer.”
Once again, he wished he could see her expression. “What do you have in mind?” Despite his leopard giving him hell, he couldn’t keep the amusement out of his voice.
“Gedeon?” a man’s voice with a decided Cajun accent called out.
Slayer reacted again, raking at him, leaping toward the surface as if he could break through and take over their form. Gedeon fought him back. It took a minute. The leopard was in a fury. He had to breathe deeply and really reprimand the cat.
We need him. What’s wrong with you? Is he coming to kill us? Is he secretly turning on us? What is he doing that is causing you to act this way?
