He found himself clenching his teeth, biting back the need to swear. He’d never had anyone protecting him, not since the night the pakhan and his men had come to murder his family and force his mother—and him—into service. He had mixed feelings about Meiling shielding him. She could say he was her client, but he wasn’t paying her, and as far as he knew, she didn’t owe him a damned thing. He didn’t like her exposed—and she was. Had he not been blind and had some infection that was still raging in his body, he would have been on the first plane to France, or wherever Etienne and his crew had their home base, and he would have eliminated Jules and Louis immediately.
“Babe, you can’t go around standing in front of your clients like that, not when you’re being hunted. I’m not dictating. I’ve been in this business a long time and I know the rules of survival. Drawing attention to yourself in order to save your client isn’t an acceptable practice for any reason.”
“I don’t make it a habit.”
“That’s good to know.” He stroked a caress over the bruise on her thigh, wishing he could see how extensive the damage was. “Just how often have you done it?”
She sighed. “Seriously? You’re going to ask me that? Is this an interview for the job? How many other applicants are there? Because I don’t think too many people will be able to put up with your rather—er—intense personality.”
“I like the way you avoid answering by going on the offensive. You still have to answer the question.”
“I did it the one time, just to save your butt, although I’m beginning to think it might not have been worth the trouble, especially considering the favor I called in. You can be maddening. Annoying beyond reason. In fact, Leopard Boy, I want to hit you over the head with your knockoff Ming vase and hope, somehow, a miracle occurs and you suddenly lose half your arrogance.”
“Knockoff?” She made him want to laugh. He had forgotten what laughter was. He swore even his leopard found her amusing. No one had protected him and no one had ever stood up to him the way she did. “What makes you think it’s fake? If you’re going to hit me over the head, maybe don’t choose the vase.”
He was rewarded with her soft laughter. He found that the sound of her laughter did something extraordinary to his mind. She brought him peace. Just as his leopard felt peaceful, so did he. To a man who hadn’t known peace, she was a miracle. She was so many parts of a puzzle and he needed to know every single one of them.
It was frustrating to be blind. He wanted to see her expressions and be able to read her. He was extremely good at reading body language. He couldn’t afford to lose her because he didn’t have his sight and made a misstep with her. He sensed she was always on the verge of flight. In some ways it was good that he was blind and had an infection. She wouldn’t leave until he was better. He hadn’t been with her that long, but he already knew that about her.
“Have you made this offer to anyone else?”
“No. I’ve never come across anyone who had your capabilities.” He was honest. “In any case, my leopard wouldn’t tolerate anyone in my space for any length of time. I would most likely have a difficult time as well. I’ve lived my life alone when I’m not working. My home is my space and I need it that way.”
“Why would you want me to move in here?”
“My leopard is calm when you’re close.” Again, he was honest—or was he? Did he want her to move in just for his leopard? Or was it because she challenged him? Made him laugh? Because she’d protected him when no one else ever had? He didn’t have an answer, so he left it the way he’d said it to her.
She stayed silent longer than he was comfortable with. Silently cursing his eyes, he forced himself to give her time. It was reasonable to want her near him if his leopard was calm. She had to know that.
“I’m used to having my own space.”
He could understand that. He was the same way. He had forgotten about walking around naked in his home because he’d done it for years. He was comfortable without clothes. He could shift easily, accommodating his leopard when the cat wanted to curl up in the window seat to bask in the sun.
“Go up to the third floor. We can change it to suit what you need for your own apartment. You can have your own entrance. It won’t take much to make that happen.”
“You can put a little kitchen up there for me?”