Leopard's Prey by Christine Feehan

very much,” Bijou admitted, compelled to confess.
    “I know,” he said, in no way perturbed.
    “I’m just sayin’,” she insisted. “You need to hear me, Remy.” She didn’t care if she was making a fool of herself. It had to be said. She looked good, she wasn’t going to pretend she didn’t know that, but she was broken. She didn’t relate to men. She didn’t let them close to her. She couldn’t have a physical relationship because she couldn’t ever let herself get that intimate.
    Maybe she was reading Remy all wrong, but she wasn’t going to lead him on. She knew she was flirtatious with him, and she was so attracted physically she wanted to rub herself up against him like a cat, but she also knew she wouldn’t get past the initial first base. She’d rather make a fool of herself than have him think they could have any kind of physical relationship.
    “I hear you, Blue. It’s just that you’re not makin’ any sense right now. Keep it up and I’ll have to show you what I mean and then you’re going to go all rabbit on me and try runnin’.” There was amusement in his voice.
    Once again she had no idea what he meant. Remy could be quite cryptic when he wanted.
    “It’s not that,” she said. “I’m not a coward. I may throw up when I see a brutal murder, but I don’ run, not even from stalkers.”
    “That’s a good thing, because you’re about to get another one.”
    “Very funny.” She was through trying to tell him she wasn’t going to sleep with him no matter how charming he was. She wasn’t built for one-night stands and she didn’t trust anyone enough to actually sleep in a bed with them, so she was sorry, out of luck, even if the man was fine like Remy. He wouldn’t listen to her, so that was on his shoulders.
    His soft laughter brushed against the insides of her mind, curling her toes and sending alarms shrieking through her entire body. She was lost when she was in his presence – so consumed by childhood hero worship she couldn’t think straight.
    Remy’s fingers tightened around hers and he stopped abruptly right in front of the stairs to the voodoo shop. She was so close to him she felt the heat pouring off his body and tiny electrical charges seemed to arc between them. Bijou stared at the buttons of his shirt. Self-preservation was an absolute must. He had other ideas. He lifted her chin with one finger, forcing her gaze to jump to his.
    There was an invitation to laughter there and something more. It was that dark, rising lust mixed with genuine affection that fascinated her. He bent his head slowly toward hers even as he gathered her closer, shifting his body just slightly. His lips whispered against hers, the merest of brushes, but the feel of his mouth against hers was too exquisite to just pull away.
    “I’m goin’ to kiss you, Blue. So don’ do anythin’ rash.”
    She blinked at him. “Why?”
    “Because I know a thing or two about makin’ a public statement.” His hand slipped to her throat, and he lowered his head that scant few millimeters to her mouth.
    Time stopped for her. The ground under her feet shifted. His mouth came down on hers, his lips moving, teasing, teeth nipping at her bottom lip so that she gasped. Instantly his tongue swept inside, tangling with hers, taking command. He led her right over a cliff where there was no way back. Lights danced at the back of her eyes and her body seemed to melt against his. He was the one who broke the kiss, slowly easing back, kissing the corners of her mouth before lifting his head.
    She blinked rapidly, trying to come back down to earth when she’d been soaring across the sky just moments earlier. Taking a breath, Remy’s hands steadying her, she glanced around, hoping for a rescue. Her body didn’t feel her own anymore. He’d laid claim to her and all he’d done was kiss her.
    Blinking again, she focused on the buildings across the street. Two cars were parked close together and both had cameras