Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 127461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 637(@200wpm)___ 510(@250wpm)___ 425(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 127461 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 637(@200wpm)___ 510(@250wpm)___ 425(@300wpm)
The leopard was heavy, all roped muscle, long and lithe, and that was just his upper body. He rubbed along her spine up to the nape of her neck. His fur felt thick and soft rather than rough and coarse. A blast of hot air startled her as the large cat nuzzled her shoulder. His teeth sank in a holding bite as he flooded her body with male hormones, calling enticingly to the female to come to him.
Maya willed Wraith not to move, but the female leopard rose eagerly, rushing to the surface, matching the male with her own tempting, very feminine pheromones as she touched her nose to his, accepting his claim on her. She subsided, retreating to rest.
Triumphant, Rogue licked at the punctures on Maya’s shoulder, numbing and cleansing the wounds before Gorya shifted back to his human form. Gedeon came closer, handing him antibiotic cream and bandages.
“I guess that answered your question about your leopard, Gorya.”
Gorya didn’t reply. Maya didn’t turn around to face either man. She still struggled to breathe. She’d never felt more alone in her life. She wanted to crumple to the floor and hide from the world. Wraith. Her only companion. Her one ally. Her friend.
I am with you.
Maya refused to acknowledge her, afraid anything she said might be too hurtful. They were two separate entities, yet they had to coexist. She wrapped her arms around her waist, hugging herself as Gorya lowered her shirt over her back. Slipping down to the floor without looking at him, she drew up her knees and made herself as small as possible. She was still in the shadows. It was too late to undo what Wraith had done. She had to decide what to do before Gorya decreed that she go with him.
The one path she did have open to her was to live the majority of her life as a leopard rather than as a human. She could avoid Gorya, and he could avoid her. If he followed the rest of the Amurovs, he had a strong sex drive. She was having no part of that. She could take herself out of that equation. If he wanted to use other women for that purpose, he had her blessing. She would disappear and let Wraith have their form.
“You can’t stay here indefinitely,” Gorya informed her in that same mild voice. He held out his hand to her. “Come with me. No one is going to harm you, Maya.”
She lifted her lashes and studied his face. How could he look so deceptively young and easygoing? If one didn’t look at his eyes, they might not see the danger lurking just below that facade.
She gave him a faint, practiced smile. Two could play at the civilized game. She’d perfected that art a long time ago. “How can you be so sure? Essentially, you said you don’t trust yourself.”
It wasn’t easy to allow him to touch her, but she put her hand in his and allowed him to pull her to her feet. The moment she was standing, on the pretense of finding her backpack, she turned away from him, forcing him to release her.
I am with you, Wraith repeated, insistent.
Maya shoved down her sorrow and the overwhelming fear she felt at having to go with Amurov to his home. Wraith had placed her in this position knowing what had happened to her. She’d protected Wraith, and yet her leopard had chosen an Amurov leopard as a mate. It was the worst kind of betrayal.
Maya picked up her backpack and slung it on so Gorya wouldn’t be tempted to touch her as they walked out of the room. He hadn’t searched her for weapons. Neither had Gedeon. That surprised her. Gorya might be arrogant enough to think he could stop her from getting to him, but Gedeon was his bodyguard and he seemed deadly. Extremely competent. It was a little shocking that he didn’t at least ask her if she was armed. She would have widened her eyes in innocent shock and given a little nonverbal shake of her head.
Gedeon stepped back to allow Gorya and Maya to go through the heavy door first. Matvei and Kyanite waited just outside, and both looked her over as she stepped into the hallway.
“Maya, this is Kyanite Boston and Matvei Jarvis. I’ve known them most of my life,” Gorya said. “We’re new to this lair. For now, we’re careful who we trust. Kyanite, Matvei, Rodion, Gedeon and his wife, Meiling, are the only ones I want you to rely on. Stick with one of them if you leave the residence. Don’t go anywhere alone. It isn’t safe yet.”
Maya flashed them a small smile designed to make her appear fragile, sweet and demure. “Nice to know. Thank you.” She looked out the window toward the swamp, and a visible shudder went through her body.