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.You’re not a rabbit.”“I love it.”Ashe grimaced.“Why?”“It’s got everything I need, I assure you.”She sighed.“Fine.I know better than to argue with a woman smitten with a Pantera.”“I’m not smitten,” Taylor returned quickly.Though something in her gut was telling her otherwise.“Mmmhmm.” Ashe picked up the backpack and headed for the door in the tree.“Well, everything you need plus a few essentials.”“You didn’t have to do this,” Taylor said, following.“Yes I did,” she returned, gazing around the small interior.“Good Goddess, it’s smaller than a studio apartment.Where are you going to shower or go to the bathroom?”“It’s not forever.It’s for now.It feels good here, with him.” Is this smitten? “Look, I know this all seems crazy.First the running away from the ex, then running into Séverin and wanting to stay here with him.” Her gaze lifted and locked with her new friend.“It’s just, for so long I was going against my gut, you know? It feels good to follow it this time.Feels right.”Ashe nodded, smiled.“I understand.” Her smile widened.“Better than you can know, actually.” Impulsively, she reached out and hugged Taylor.“I’m glad you’re staying.I love what we’re building here.Us human girls.” She laughed.“I didn’t come to all of this with many friends either.”“Well, I owe this respite to you,” Taylor said.“Your mate obviously can’t say no to you.”“It’s how the Pantera males are.Rough and predatory and stubborn.But to their mates, they’re kittens.Ready to lick and play and please.” She wiggled her eyebrows.“Maybe I’ll find that out.”Ashe snorted.“No maybe about it…”That strange heat, that awareness was back.Running laps inside Taylor’s belly.“Okay, okay, settle in.I’m going.I need to feed the cub in an hour.” She headed out of the treehouse den and into the light of the early afternoon.“But remember, we’re expecting you for dinner tonight.Some great people for you to meet.My sister’s going to be there, too.”“How fun.I’ll be there.And Ashe?”“Yeah?”“Thank you.For the quick, uncomplicated friendship, and whatever’s in that pack.”Ashe grinned as Séverin appeared in the trees.“You’re welcome.”The puma trotted up to Taylor, something furry and dead in his teeth.She stared as he promptly dropped it at her feet.For a few seconds, she let the grossness of the act wash over her, then she laughed.“So charming,” Ashe remarked.She turned to Séverin.“Make sure you escort your guest to my house at seven.”He snorted at her halfheartedly.“I’ll take that as a ‘yes, ma’am.’” She gave Taylor a wave, then headed off toward town.With a deep breath, Taylor turned around and faced her puma.No…not her puma.The puma.Ashe’s observation had really done a number on her brain.“I could cook some of what you brought for us,” she said, bracing herself for a quick lesson in skinning a bayou critter.“Just give me a few minutes to start a fire.”But she only got a couple of feet before Séverin did that mouth around her hand thing.He was so gentle, she barely felt his teeth.When she turned, he motioned for her to climb on his back—just like he had when they’d left town.“We’re going somewhere?” she asked.He nodded, his eyes warm, liquid silver.Her heart leapt into her throat as she climbed onto his back and wrapped her arms around his soft, strong neck.With a howl to the air, he took off down the shoreline of the bayou.Water kicked up, splashing her and she laughed.Was this how she would live? For a short time, anyway? Racing through the beautiful Wildlands? Campfires at night.The puma curled up against her side as she slept.God…knowing she could sleep in peace and not with one eye open?Séverin slowed and padded up a small incline.The other side looked to be a very remote spot along the bayou.There on a large patch of clean, dry moss was a picnic set-up.Taylor sat up and slid off his back.She stared.A red blanket was spread out on the green, a picnic basket in the center, a plate on either side.Séverin came up alongside her and she turned to look at him.“Did you do this?” Then amended, “With some help?”He nodded.Her smile was so wide it made her face ache.“It’s beautiful.Thank you.”He rubbed himself against her side, then went over to the blanket and sat down.The golden cat on the red fabric, a male’s silver eyes…“When I was a child,” she said, joining him on the blanket.“I used to love coming to the bayous.My mom and dad would surprise me sometimes.Pick me up from school and away we’d go.” She opened the basket and started taking things out: bread, chicken, fruit, water… “Being here makes me miss them.But in the best way, you know?”He stared at her, but there was understanding, empathy behind those silver eyes.“Do you have family, Séverin?” she asked, popping a grape in her mouth.He nodded.“Do they know you’re here? Do you see them?”He shook his head, and his nostrils flared slightly.“Do you want to?” she pressed gently.He didn’t answer right away.His expression changed.From relaxed to pained.After a moment, he nodded.“We’re a lot alike, you and I.” She tore off two pieces of bread.One she placed between his paws, and the other she kept for herself.“Both hiding.Both wanting to protect ourselves against something painful.Both wanting to be free.”His eyes were piercing as they looked into hers.“Both accepting each other for who and what we are at this moment,” she added.Séverin leaned toward her and nuzzled her foot.So warm, a little wet.Her belly clenched.God.To anyone on the outside looking in, what she was doing and allowing and basking in, it was crazy.But she didn’t care [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]