Leopard's Prey

childhood.”
    “I can do without the sarcasm, bro,” Gage said, handing back Remy’s phone. “I’m not as dense as you think I am. Clearly her childhood wasn’t great, and she isn’t the stuck-up bitch I always thought she was.” He turned and looked at the woman who, if Remy had his way, would be his sister-in-law. “She does look . . . unreachable. A dream or fantasy, but definitely untouchable. And a little haughty. She has an attitude, Remy, distant and beautiful and so very far above us.”
    “She damn well better be unreachable or untouchable,” Remy snapped.
    Gage laughed at him. “I’ve never seen you so messed up in my life. Wait until the boys get here and see you like this.”
    “I’ve got a gun, Gage, and I’m not afraid to use it,” Remy warned his brother.
    The smile faded from Gage’s face. “You already stuck me with a knife. And I’ve got about a million scars from your leopard beatin’ the crap out of me for some silly indiscretion when our leopards were just playin’ around. There’s no shootin’ me. I’d be damned mad if you did.”
    “Quit bein’ such a baby. It was just a little slice and you should have been payin’ more attention. I told you a million times you weren’t judgin’ the distance correctly and don’ be gettin’ into a knife fight until you practice a whole hell of a lot more. You didn’t believe me so I made my point.” Remy deliberately sounded self-righteous. He was the older brother just helping his younger brother out and making certain he stayed alive. “That leopard of yours doesn’t take anythin’ seriously, not even trainin’. I’m savin’ your life whether you like it or not.”
    “I don’ have to like your methods. Your leopard is a tyrant and must be obeyed in all things.” Gage made a face. “Oh, wait. That would be his human counterpart.”
    Bijou had reached the tables at the rear of the club and moved around them laughing softly at something someone said before approaching the two of them. “Are you all right, Remy? You look . . . upset.”
    It was her voice, that sensual, sexy, voice of hers, there was no blaming his leopard—or even himself. Later he would swear it had to have been her voice that turned him into a complete idiot. Remy circled the nape of her neck with his palm, his fingers nearly wrapping around her throat. He pulled her to him, savoring the feel of her body so close to his—savoring the fire burning hot in his veins. The moment he touched her, the moment her breasts brushed his chest and the scent of lavender surrounded him, sinking into his lungs, the world faded until there was only Bijou.
    His eyes met hers. He felt her body melt into his as her breasts rose and fell, her breathing ragged. Those amazing eyes, that deep cornflower blue, began to take on a glow. He bent his head to hers, holding her gaze as his head slowly descended toward hers. Her long lashes fluttered.
    “Remy,” she whispered his name.
    A protest? Consent? She didn’t pull away. Her eyes closed and his mouth found hers. Flames raced over his skin, through his body and lodged like a roaring fire in his groin. His cock lengthened and hardened until he was so thick he was afraid he might burst the material of his jeans. His leopard roared and raked his belly in an effort to call to his mate.
    Bijou gasped and pushed at him, her eyes glittering, her face flushed. She made a small sound of distress and stepped back, shaking her head. He could see her leopard had risen and was close to the surface. She didn’t understand what was happening and she was afraid, probably equating the unfamiliar feelings and body pains with their intense and rather brutal sexual encounter.
    “Come with me,” he whispered, trying to entice her. Seduce her. Hell, whatever it took. He just needed her to stop looking at him with fear. “
Chere
, let me explain what’s happenin’.”
    She took another step back, shaking her head, one hand going defensively to her throat. “I’m workin’, Remy. This isn’t the time.”
    “It might be too late in another half hour or so,” he pleaded. Her eyes definitely had turned cat.
    She was afraid of him—or herself. Either way, she was retreating, and he couldn’t blame her. She had every reason to be frightened. Her body no longer belonged to her. She ached. She hurt. She had no one to turn to. Remy knew he threatened her on an elemental level. He should have stayed, not taken the chance, and explained