Leopard 04 - Wild Fire

circumstances, he was a man to inspire confidence.
    She dug her claws into the tree. He stretched his own arms above hers, caging her in, making her feel safe as she pulled. She was shocked at the strength running in her body. It was exhilarating to climb with such ease, claws curling into the trunk, roped muscles sliding beneath her skin as she heaved herself upward toward the canopy. She didn’t look down, but up, at the broad branches interwoven like a highway. The thick veil of leaves hid the life of so many creatures hundreds of feet above the ground. It was an entire new world up there.
    She nearly forgot about the fire and the guns. There was more of a wind and she smelled the smoke, shocking her out of her surreal experience and back to real life. That had always been the way it was when she’d been with Conner. Each thing they’d done together, every place they went, had taken on a life of its own. She’d almost been afraid to go to sleep, afraid she’d miss something. Life with Conner was vivid—electric—passionate—everything she’d always wanted.
    She climbed methodically, finding a rhythm in the movement as she pulled herself up the tree trunk.
    Conner always covered her, in perfect sync, as if they were dancing—or making love. She felt the muscles in his body, hard and defined, sliding against hers. His thick thighs stayed beneath her at all times, his arms surrounding her, his chest tight against her back so they moved together, almost as if they were one person, not two.
    Raindrops splashed down as the roiling clouds above the canopy burst and dumped sheets of water onto the smoldering trees, effectively dousing the crackling flames. Black smoke rose to mix with the thick grayish vapor surrounding the canopy, creating a thick veil. Conner stepped easily onto a branch and pulled her next to him, keeping his arm around her waist. She felt like she’d stepped into the heavens.
    Conner was right: The gunmen couldn’t possibly see them up in the thick branches, not with the thick mist blanketing them.
    “I want to keep moving. I doubt they’ll notice the marks we made on the trunk, but I don’t want to take any chances. The others will have made for the river and if they run into trouble, we’ll be there to help them.”
    She stared down at her hands. The claws had retracted as if they’d never been. She turned her hands over and over, inspecting them. “I saw it, but I can’t believe it.”
    “Come on.” He took her hand. “It will be slippery with the rain, so watch your footing and don’t let go of Generated by ABC Amber LIT Conv erter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html
    me. If you slip, Isabeau, trust your cat. Don’t panic.”
    “You say that a lot to me.”
    “Our ability to land on our feet is legendary for a reason,” he reminded. “It’s true. Even if you somersault upside down, your cat will right you in under two seconds. You’ll be fine and I’ll be right behind you.”
    She took a breath, a nervous laugh escaping. “I think I’ll just take your word for it and skip the actual experience, if you don’t mind.”
    He grinned back at her. There, with the smoke and clouds surrounding him, his scarred face strong, his eyes a deep whiskey holding a trace of amusement, she found him far too attractive. She had to look away. Animals were everywhere, the canopy in constant motion, saving her from embarrassment.
    “This is amazing.”
    “Yes it is.”
    The coloring on the birds, up close, was vivid—brilliant blues and greens and even reds. She’d never really noticed individual feathers and how large and sharp beaks could look. He tugged on her hand.
    “Let’s go. We’ve got to get out of this tree.”
    “They’ll never believe we could get up here.”
    “Cortez has two rogue leopards on her payroll. They could follow us.”
    Her heart jumped. “Men like you?”
    “Men a lot worse than I am.” His gaze slid over her face. “You may not believe me, Isabeau, but I do have a code. I screwed up with you, but I’ve got one. These men don’t.”
    She ducked her head. She didn’t want to talk about the past. It was too painful. He’d shattered her, left her half alive, an empty shell who would never be able to love another man. She knew that with absolute certainty. It would always be Conner she craved, as much as she despised him.
    She followed him, surprised by the ease with which she was able to balance as she stepped over the network of limbs and