What depths this alluring woman has.And why did fate drop her on our path last night?
“Okay,” I say with a shrug.“I can shift for you.”I pull off my sweater and as I place it on the back of a chair I glance at Elias.
He’s drinking in the sight of my torso.His gaze is almost a caress.I tense my abdominals and slowly release my belt.
His gaze catches mine and then he looks away with a frown.But it’s too late.I saw the desire in his eyes.He’s denying it but fooling no one, least of all me.I hold in a smile and shuck down my pants, my boxers go with them, and when I’ve toed off my sneakers I stand before Maisey and Elias totally and utterly naked.
“Don’t be scared,” I say to Maisey.“I’m in total control when I shift and I won’t hurt you.”I pause and chuckle.“And I’m not hungry, which is always good.”
She’s paled a little and like Elias she glances at my cock.I’m big, there’s no disputing that, and right now I’m not completely flaccid.How can I be with Elias in the room?
“Get on with it,” Elias snaps.His jaw is tight.
“Why the rush?”I bite on my bottom lip and hold in a grin as I look at him.He makes a low growling sound and turns to the window.It’s killing him, seeing me naked and not touching me.He’s practically vibrating with want.Good.
“Ready?”I ask Maisey.
She nods.
I harness my panther self, find his energy, and summon him to the surface.My spine tingles, the sensation spreads to my ass and cock and up and over my scalp.My skin heats and my vision blurs, my jaw aches as do my hands and feet, elbows and knees, and then a blistering burst of panther power seizes me and I give in to it.The moment is almost orgasmic and I let out a roar as I fall to all fours landing on my paws.My tail tugs my lower back and my sight and sense of smell is suddenly so exquisitely sharp I catch my breath.
“What the...”She clasps her hands beneath her chin.Her eyes are wide and her shoulders shake.“You ...you really did that.”
“Yes, he did.And for the record, he doesn’t do that for humans.”
“Then I’m honored.”
I step closer.My pupils are thin slits against the brightness of the window behind her.Night is my comfort zone, the cover of darkness is my friend.
But there is no escaping her.I’m drawn to her.
I breathe deep.The swirling scent of ash is stronger to me now.It is rare ancient magic, a tiny fraction of her that isn’t human but has come down from a long line of witches.A precious power lives within Maisey.What it is I don’t know.But I’ve found it.We’vefound her.
“I...”She holds out a hand as though to touch the top of my head.Her eyes are fixated on mine.I know my yellow irises are startling and I hold her gaze.
“You can touch him,” Elias says.“He won’t mind.”
She seems smaller now that I am my panther self, even more delicate, vulnerable to the power my muscles hold.But when her hand connects with the top of my head, to my fur, I know in that instant I will do anything to protect her, fight for her, to make sure the wild road she is about to embark on will be a safe one.
I sniff her arm and let the scent go through my panther lungs and into my panther blood.
“You smell it too?”Elias is staring straight at me.
I dip my head in a nod.
He takes a deep breath.“Everything has changed for you, Maisey, now that you know our secret and now that we know yours.Your life will never be the same.”
“I don’t see how that is the case.”She continues to fondle my head and rubs around the base of my ears.“What secret do I have?”
A low purr sets up in my throat.Her touch is bliss.
“There will be time for explanations,” Elias says.“When we understand more.”
“What I need to understand more about is the attacks.”She frowns.“I have nothing to give my boss at the paper.No story to submit, I’m no further on with anything.He’s going to burst a blood vessel.”
“Attacks?”Elias says with a frown.“What do you know about the attacks?”
“That there were two animal attacks in Central Park this last week.”She stops petting me and leans back in the chair.She looks out the window.“Nasty.Awful.Brutal way to go.”
