One Down: Bayou Heat (Pantera Security League Book 1) by Alexandra Ivy, Laura Wright Page A

together.
    “Where are we going?” she asked him, so deep in thought she hadn’t noticed they had gone farther into the bayou—the cottage no longer in sight.
    “A favorite spot of mine.”
    “Oh, then I definitely want to see it.”
    He glanced over at her, his eyes chocolate in the warm sunlight. “Being here with you, it’s changed things for me, Hallie. Everything feels new again, not tainted with pain and sadness. But open, I guess. To possibilities.”
    Her heart squeezed. “I’m so glad. When you walked down those stairs at the ranch, it changed everything for me.” She stopped and turned, looked up at him. “You healed me, Cerviel. My heart, my soul, my outlook.”
    He pulled her into his arms, kissed her gently. “I’ll never be apart from you. Or you from me.”
    She nodded, tears pricking her eyes. “Listen, I know we have to stay here for a little while, figure out what I know or have that’s so vital to the Pantera, but if after that you want to go, leave the Wildlands behind and never come back, I’m with you.”
    Something flickered in his eyes. Raw emotion, perhaps even love… It was there inside her too, so she recognized it. Then he glanced past her, into the distance, toward the wild land of the Pantera and a wistful expression took over his features.
    “I would love to take you there, my home. Used to be. I’d love to show you a real life, out of the shadows and into the light.” His gaze returned to hers. It was soft and adoring. “The Wildlands has such beautiful light, kitten.”
    “Your parents…” she began tentatively.
    He nodded. “Remember what I told you about facing your past, and the truth?”
    “Sets you free?”
    “Yes.” He shrugged. “We’ll just have to wait and see.”
    “I’m good with that. As long as I have you waiting right alongside me.” She grinned up at him. “There are so many things we can do while we’re waiting.”
    A low growl rumbled in his chest and his eyes darkened. “Agreed. And I say there’s no time like the present.” One dark eyebrow lifted seductively. “You know where we are right now, kitten?”
    A ripple of excitement went through her. “Tell me.”
    “We’re just shy of the border.” His eyes glistened, and when he blinked, Hallie was sure she saw something feline behind his pupils.
    The look sent her body into flames and she inched closer to him. She was all for making love on the soft patch of ground beneath their feet. Hell, with Cerviel, she was for it anywhere, anytime.
    “The magic extends a few feet,” he continued, his tone husky and deep. “You want to?”
    The implication of his words sent jolts of electricity to all her warm, wet parts. She nodded eagerly.
    But when he suddenly released her and backed up a foot, she was left confused, and irritatingly sexually frustrated.
    Sensing or maybe scenting her mood, Cerviel chuckled. “Later, kitten. I promise. All day and all night. But first…”
    She didn’t understand. She stared at him. Waiting.
    “There’s magic where we stand,” he said, then growled at her.
    But it was no growl she’d ever heard from him before. There was no male in it. Only feline. It reminded her of her dreams.
    Nerves gripped her as she now understood what he was asking. What he was attempting to bring forth. “What if I don’t have it?” she muttered. “What if it’s not there and you—”
    “No more what ifs, kitten,” he interrupted, his eyes fixed on her. “I know she’s in you. Takes one to know one, ma chère .” He grinned. “Now. Bring her on. Let her come out and play. With her mate.”
    Inside Hallie’s body a potion was brewing. One she didn’t seem to have to add to or even stir. It was just there. And this male, and this land—this magic—called to it and forced it to rise like a phoenix from the ashes.
    Just as she had from that cage.
    Eyes closed, she felt a rush of intense heat. It overtook her, every inch, including her mind. It was like a tornado.