What’s your name?”
Her voice strangled in her throat. When she finally worked it out, it was merely a husk of a whisper. “This is impossible. I saw a lion. And then you. This is not happening…”
The man’s smile widened. “You’re not crazy. You never saw a shifter before?”
“Shape shifters aren’t real.”
“Is that so? Then I’m only a figment of your imagination?” He touched her arm.
She squealed.
“Relax. I won’t hurt you.”
“What…what are you going to do to me?”
“Bathe you, of course. You’re filthy.”
“I…” Her protest died when she saw his eyes. The man had the most gorgeous eyes she had ever seen. They were large and almond shaped. His irises looked golden and luminous, cat-like. His eyes were fanned with thick, dark lashes, contrasting against his golden, long hair. He was a beautiful man. An eye candy of a man like she often saw in magazines. But unlike those models, this man looked dangerous. The raw power oozing from his every pore shut down any urges for rebellion. Jen decided not to do anything stupid.
This man wasn’t completely human. Who knew what a manlion would do if he flipped out? She’d like to keep her neck intact, in one piece, thank you very much.
Jen cautiously climbed off the bed, trembling. The man grabbed her wrist and tugged her into an adjoining room, which turned out to be a bathroom. To her surprise, the place looked very clean. A large, sunken tub graced the center of the room. All of the man’s personal belongings were arranged neatly. Even she couldn’t keep her own bathroom this tidy. She wondered if this stranger was a clean freak.
He closed the door and plugged the drain in the tub. “What’s your name?” he asked, turning the faucet on.
“Jen. Jennifer White.” Her voice sounded as timid as a mouse.
“Jennifer,” the man echoed. “My name is Cyeon. Welcome to K’stal’s humble abode.”
Cyeon. An exotic name just like the man himself. He didn’t look either old or young, making it difficult for Jen to guess his age. The man was tall, and she felt like a dwarf standing beside him. His body was well-built. Okay, he had the most impressive six-pack abs she had ever seen. Dressed only in battered jeans, she saw every inch of his rippling muscles that were encased in delicious sun-tempered skin.
Jen frowned. How did this guy maintain his clothing while he shifted from lion to man? Magic?
“Take off your clothes,” Cyeon ordered. “And get into the tub.”
“I can take a bath on my own, thank you.”
“I know, but where’s the fun in that? Come here.”
“I can’t.” Her heart raced again. “What exactly do you want from me?”
A mischievous smile hovered at the corner of his lips. His golden-eyed gaze raked over her body. “What do you think?”
A wave of vertigo almost made her faint. This gorgeous man wanted to have his way with her? Outrageous. Flattering, but outrageous. “I…I can’t. I’m engaged.”
“I know. I can see the ring on your finger.”
For a second, she was baffled. “Then you know why I can’t. I appreciate your help, but I need to get back to my fiancé.”
Cyeon laughed hard. His deep, buttery voice reverberated in the enclosed room.
“You want to go back to a man who tried to kill you? Unbelievable.”
Jen blinked. “What do you mean by that? Seth would never do such a thing.”
“Really?” His eyebrows arched, mockery in his tone. “He drugged you and dumped you out of his jeep. If I hadn’t spotted you, you would probably be dead already. All kinds of animals come to ou
r watering hole, but none dare to drink from it when one of us is around.” Cyeon pulled her closer. “And since I’m the one who found you, it’s only fair that I claim you as mine. Finders, keepers.”