Leopard 01 - The Awakening

you can do this to me with just a look,” Maggie said. “I came back, Brandt. I came back when I didn’t have to.” But she did have to come back. She was afraid that if she was away from him, she might cease to exist. She would be Maggie, but walking through life, not living it.
    “It’s my fault you were out there alone,” Brandt said. He allowed his gaze to drift over her, a slow, lazy inspection of her lush curves. “I’m not blaming you for being afraid. I blame myself for leaving you alone when I knew you were close to the change.” He moved to stand beside her while she sat at the water’s edge. His fingers tangled in her hair, rubbing in the silky strands. “I didn’t mean to snap at you, Maggie. The Han Vol Dan is a frightening experience even for those of us who know what to expect.
    I’m proud of you that you went through it alone and still had the courage to come back to me.” It humbled him as nothing else could have.
    Brandt knew he looked stiff and grim and aloof, but fear for her was still an ugly presence in his heart, and he couldn’t seem to calm the demons raging in him. He had wanted to break James’s neck, and the thought of the man roaming freely, presenting a threat to Maggie, made him resent his decision to allow James to escape the jungle justice.
    His hand trembled as he reached down and simply pulled her shirt over her head and tossed it on top of his own. “We can change easily and naturally, fast and on the run if there is need. It’s only another form, not a change of character.” Her skin gleamed at him, as smooth as silk. She was utterly beautiful to him, as exotic as any of the creatures in his care. “I’m going to show you, Maggie.”
    His hands were on the waistband of his jeans and her heart pounded as she heard the rasp of the zipper.
    She tilted her head to get a better view as he pushed the jeans away from his body without a semblance of modesty. He was ferociously aroused, thick and hard and tempting beyond her ability to resist. She instantly forgot she was tired.
    “I love looking at you.” The words slipped out of their own accord. Honest. Simple. Life in the rain forest.

    For the first time he seemed to relax, some of the tension seeping out of him. “It’s a good thing, honey, because I’m very partial to looking at you.” He stepped away from her. “I think about the leopard in my mind first, Maggie, before I actually start the change. It takes practice, but you’ll be able to do it.”
    She was sweating. Just looking at him and hearing the sensual note in his voice was making her ache in the most wonderful places. He robbed her of air even in wide-open spaces.
    Brandt reached down, locked his fingers around her wrist, and effortlessly pulled her to her feet.
    “Watch, Maggie.” He held his arm away from her while the fur raced over his skin.
    Maggie had eyes for other things. She allowed her palm to slide up his thigh, to cup his heavy sac, to linger playfully along his erection.
    “I’m showing you something important here,” he said, trying to sound stern.
    “And I’m looking,” she answered truthfully.
    “You’re doing more than looking.” His breath caught in his lungs as her fingers danced, closed tightly around him, slid, and caressed.
    She arched an eyebrow at him, her smile teasing. “Poor baby. And you were feeling all mean and bad, too. I’m soothing you. You should thank me.”
    “Mean and bad?” he echoed, every muscle in his body taut with need.
    “Snarly. You were snarling. You know, curling your lip and exposing your teeth.” She went up on her toes, pressed her breasts against his chest to nibble at his lip. “You have wonderful teeth, by the way.”
    Her tongue slid tantalizingly over his lips. She pushed away from him when he reached for her.
    Laughing, Maggie wiggled out of her jeans. Instead of turning back to him, she jumped straight into the water.
    Nine
    The water was cool, bringing instant relief to Maggie’s body. It was aperfect temperature in the sultry heat of the morning. She ducked beneath the surface, wanting to feel clean, wanting the thick mass of her hair wet and cool for a change. Most of all, she wanted Brandt to play with her. The hard edge to his mouth, the glittering menace in his eyes were intimidating. She had made a monumental decision, her entire life changing in the blink of an eye, and she needed comfort. They both did.
    Brandt watched Maggie’s body move through the water,