Since the return from San Antonio, Gedeon had been even more restless than she had been, often coming up to her room at night declaring he couldn’t sleep, flopping on her bed and proceeding to fall asleep. Or he would call her on the intercom and cajole and plead until she gave in and went down to his room. She’d lie on his bed, and he’d wrap himself around her and fall right to sleep. It was disturbing the way he became more and more dependent on her to fall asleep at night. But she was becoming equally dependent on him, and she knew it.
“Gedeon.” She whispered his name. Because she was falling in love with him. Worse, she actually trusted him when she’d never fully trusted anyone. She didn’t want to, but to love someone, she had to trust him, not just with her life, but with her heart. If she had a female leopard, that would jeopardize everything they had together. She had no idea what she was going to do.
Her breasts felt swollen and heavy, her nipples hard pinpoints of flames desperate for attention. Between her legs flared a fire so intense she feared it would never be put out. She’d tried soaking earlier and used a toy, although that only made the sensation worse. She’d even been tempted to visit Gedeon’s nightclub and pick up a partner. For the first time she understood a little his constant need for sex. But she resisted. He didn’t even try.
Her bathrobe felt too heavy on her skin, rubbing against her screaming nerve endings, inflaming them more. She went back inside, leaving the doors open and closing the screen against insects. Pushing the robe off her shoulders, she paced nude in the dark. Her bedroom was enormous; so was the sitting room. The suite took up the entire third floor.
She would have to take a vacation. Leave. She couldn’t risk her leopard rising around Gedeon. She didn’t want him to claim her because she was leopard. Or because his leopard wanted her leopard. He would make a lousy mate. The man didn’t have a faithful bone in his body. After seeing what Lola Morales had done, Meiling feared, in a moment of madness, she might be equally as insane if Gedeon betrayed her—and he would. He wasn’t faithful to a woman for three hours; it wasn’t in his makeup.
She would have to leave right away, before they were called out of town on another case. She couldn’t go anywhere near him when she was like this. It was too dangerous for both of them. His leopard would react the moment her female began to rise, if only for a few moments. All male leopards would react. She’d need to find a retreat away from all shifters, somewhere she’d be safe. Where?
Pulling out her phone, she flung herself on the bed and began to look at various islands where she might be able to go. Transportation could be a problem in her condition. That and the fact that she had no idea how long it would take before her leopard decided to make an appearance.
She knew that the female leopard emerged when her cycle matched with her human’s. She just had never seen how long that took. She pulled up a calendar to check the dates of her cycle, which, unfortunately, was irregular. That wasn’t going to be extremely helpful to her. She stared at the dates while she rubbed her flat belly.
She had to find a place and she needed to go right away. Two heads were better than one. Over the past year she’d gotten to know Rene Guidry very well. She respected his expertise. He was extremely good at his job. They had become friends, although she never allowed herself to forget the fact that his loyalty belonged first to Gedeon. She looked at the time. Close to midnight, but he was always up. She wasn’t certain he ever slept.
Rene, sometimes I need a break. I go off alone for a couple of weeks and do a mini retreat. Feel that coming on. Place you recommend where I’d be safe, but no one would be around?
By alone you mean without Gedeon? Or your bodyguard?
Yes. I need to just be by myself with no one around. I need that time to recharge.
You know I would have to tell Gedeon.
I planned on telling him myself. I wouldn’t have put you in a position of lying to him. It’s no big deal. I’ll find a place.
She sighed, annoyed with Rene. Annoyed with herself. Feeling edgy and moody all over when the terrible sexual burning had begun to subside. She shouldn’t have asked him.
I was just clarifying, cher. I’ll find you the perfect place.
Thanks, Rene.
Meiling put her head back on the pillow and whispered to her leopard. “Listen to me, little sister. I welcome you. I do. You’ve helped me so many times when I needed it. Your strength. Your sense of smell, the keenness of your vision, your incredible speed. I want you to have your freedom, but I have to figure out some things before we find you a good partner.”