Leopard 04 - Wild Fire

interested, she was certain of it.
    She softened her voice and forced herself to look at Marcos. “Come. You’ll find the accommodations to Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    your liking.”
    “It’s a great distance to travel, Imelda,” Marcos hedged, forcing her hand.
    “I have plenty of room for your entire party. Bedrooms are empty and you would be welcome to stay a few days.” She wanted the time with his bodyguard. “Don’t think of it as work. You can play all you want. We have everything you can imagine or need.”
    Marcos turned to his friend. “Elijah?”
    Elijah shrugged. “Give her a couple of days to take care of this business,” he indicated the body and Philip. “I can see what Isabeau is up to and then we’ll be free to take Imelda up on her offer.” His cool black eyes met hers. “You can give directions to my men.”
    Imelda sucked in her breath, wildly excited. What could have been a disaster had turned out to be perfect.
    Elijah looked at his watch. “Where the hell is Isabeau?”
    She hadn’t heard the man swear. Or worry edge his voice. Nothing had gotten to him, but that one little sentence betrayed his weakness. Isabeau. The silly nothing cousin. She should have been more careful to instruct her grandfather to really watch over her. Overlooking details like that could ruin one’s plans.
    Isabeau, a potential fly in the ointment.
    “Shane, please find out why Martin or Ottila haven’t answered. I want to make certain that my grandfather and Elijah’s dear little cousin are being looked after.” She rose gracefully. “You stay here and lock the door, keep everyone out.” She smiled up at the two men. “I’ll take you to the garden and personally see you out. Don’t worry about the mess.”
    “There was a young lady, a server . . .” Marcos broke off.
    “Teresa,” Imelda supplied, showing once again she’d had access to the video before she’d arrived.
    “I’d very much like her to accompany us.”
    Imelda’s smile was pure canary. “That can be arranged, Marcos.” She started to step out into the hall, but Conner dropped a hand on her shoulder to prevent her leaving. She looked up at him over her shoulder, her expression coy, one eyebrow raised. Deliberately she looked at the hand on her shoulder.
    “I go first.” His voice was firm. Commanding, leaving no doubt that he meant to be obeyed. The hand remained on her shoulder. He waited until she felt the heat spreading. “To make certain it’s safe for you.”
    He added the last two words deliberately to connect them. She’d repeat those words over and over to herself, convinced he was sending her a private message, convinced she had a chance to lure him away from his employer. What better way than using sexual attraction?
    Imelda flushed and inclined her head, princess to peasant. He removed his hand, but slowly, allowing his palm to slide in a caress across the nape of her neck. She shivered. His cat roared with rage, spitting and growling, prowling close to the surface so that he felt the ache in his muscles and jaw.
    She caught the nightglow in his eyes as they went completely cat, the burning, fixed stare unnerving her.
    He forced his leopard under control. Soon, he promised and moved past her into the hall. As he pushed past, he let his body slide against hers, skin to skin. Her gasp was audible, her gaze hot, no mistaking the sexual intent. He got a whiff of her arousal and it sickened him. He felt dirty. How could he go to Isabeau after touching Imelda, letting her believe that he would take her to bed?
    Cursing under his breath, he swept the area and announced it clear. He led the way to the garden, not looking at Imelda again. He could smell her. Hear her breathing. That was bad enough.
    JEREMIAH swore softly and shifted position for the third time, praying he could get a clearer line of vision. He’d seen the rogue leopard. Ottila, the quiet one. Suma gave all the orders, and strutted around like a big shot. Jeremiah had been impressed with him, especially when he’d flashed all the money around. Now he wasn’t so certain Suma was the one to watch, not after being around Conner and Rio and the others.
    “Come on, Isabeau. Get out into the open,” he whispered softly. “You know I’m here, right? Come on, Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    honey, just get out of that little section.”
    He had a clear