He gave her a faint grin, not admitting a thing. "The quicker we get started, the better."
The setting sun dropped a fiery shower of light just before it sank fully into the river, bathing her in red and orange flames. The silken fall of her hair beckoned him, impossible to resist. He reached out and tucked a stray strand behind her ear, his heart pounding. He felt a rush of heat pour through his bloodstream. Blood roared in his ears, thundered in his head.
She was potent, no doubt about it. She went completely still when he touched her, but she didn't bat his hand away, as she had every right to do. Her eyes went liquid and she blinked, locking her gaze with his. She looked untamed, unattainable, and everything male in him responded to that challenge. He felt the ripple of response run through his heavily roped muscles, felt the strength and power of his body. She made him wholly aware of his power.
He had the ability to leap huge distances with absolute agility. He could land gracefully in either form--cat or man. He could slink like fluid water over the ground, so silent, not even the leaves dared move. Like his cat, the sheer power of his muscles enabled him to move fast to control prey. Those same muscles allowed him the stealth of freeze-frame motion, holding completely still until he disappeared into his surroundings.
He was power and in that moment, he knew she was wholly aware of it as well. The gold flecks in her eyes grew until they ringed the darker chocolate. She didn't look away. Didn't blink. His body went into overdrive, hard and full and suddenly aggressive. The woman triggered the same exact reaction in the man as the elusive female of his kind had done to his leopard. He would have to revise his opinion of her. Saria Boudreaux was more than the young woman he'd first thought her--much more--and he intended to uncover every secret she had.
Saria shivered as she stared into Drake Donovan's unusual eyes. Piercing. His steady, direct stare was disturbing. She had the feeling he could see right through her, into her deepest thoughts. She blushed at the idea, thankful darkness was falling fast. Drake Donovan was an unusual man. He had stood so still that, although outlined by the river, she had barely managed to see him--and she had unusually good night vision. He seemed to have a trick of disappearing into the background around him.
It didn't make sense that he could fade into his surroundings so easily. He was a formidable if not striking man. His shoulders were wide, his chest thick and muscular. He had the strongest, most impressive arms of any man she'd met. Ropes of muscle rippled enticingly every time he took a step. He had a wealth of thick blond hair and a face that was carved in strong lines. The moment she laid eyes on him, her heart beat too fast and a million butterflies took wing in her stomach. Even now she felt jittery.
She was used to being around men--even being alone with them. She worked the bar, sometimes alone, but she'd never felt so aware of herself as a woman. She could barely breathe. The heat of the evening seemed just a little worse. She could feel sweat trickling down the valley between her breasts and it was a struggle to keep her breathing even. Every breath she took just brought his wild, unusual scent deeper into her body. She had never been so utterly, acutely aware of a man in her life.
He was so silent when he walked, she couldn't stop herself from glancing over her shoulder every now and then to reassure herself that he was following her. He was the type of man she normally would avoid at all costs. She had seen other women around her succumb to physical attraction, or even genuine love, and all had ended the same way: doormats for demanding, needy husbands. That was so not going to be her.
She was not even close to his league and she wasn't stupid enough to pretend she was. He had a hard-won sophistication about him, and he carried authority as easily as he breathed. Physical attraction died fairly quickly when everyday life set in and then where would she be? Donovan was the kind of man who ruled everything and everyone in his domain with an iron hand.
He wore his blue jeans low on his hips and his thighs were twin, strong columns. She couldn't help darting a couple of furtive glances at the impressive package in the front. Drake Donovan was perfect as eye candy, but she needed to pull herself together fast. He would eat a woman alive.
She searched a little desperately for something to say to him, feeling awkward. "Have you been here before?" She was a professional guide, for heaven's sake, yet she couldn't even make small talk.
"No."
She swore under her breath. A week with him. An entire week. The money was good, but she couldn't control her reaction to him and it was very clear he didn't want to even engage in polite conversation. She bit down hard on her lip and picked up the pace. Another quick glance over her shoulder told her he'd kept up with her easily.
"You seem a little young to be a guide in the swamps," Drake said.
Saria bit back her first retort. Great. Her first real hot-tie and he thought she was young. She kept her back to him, trying not to stiffen her shoulders. Who cared what he thought? Just because he was the hottest guy on the planet didn't mean a thing. She didn't want anything to do with him, but he could at least see her as a woman, not some little kid.
"I grew up here. If you aren't familiar with the swamp it can be very dangerous." She couldn't help the little bite to her voice. "There aren't any landmarks out there. If you prefer another guide, there are others available. You won't have any trouble gettin' anyone with the kind of money you're payin'." Like she could afford the loss of income. Pride was a terrible thing, she reminded herself, but she wasn't going to beg for the job.
"When we asked for someone who knew the swamp, plants, and wildlife throughout this area, you came highly recommended by several people," Drake said. "And you did say it was possible we could extend the time if needed."
She couldn't help risking another small glimpse of him. Mon dieu, he was beautiful. She could spend a lot of time with him--he was that easy on the eyes. And at least he was talking to her now. "Yes, if you let me know a few days in advance, I can arrange it." Maybe not. Every time she looked at him she lost her mind. There was something compelling about his eyes, those deep gold green eyes framed with impossibly long lashes. He had a five-o'clock shadow that made him look even more rugged.
She made her way through the small town, avoiding getting too near the church, afraid of running into the priest. She hadn't been back to confession since she'd given him the letter and now she didn't want to chance contact. The long streaks on her back and the bite mark on her shoulder were healing a bit, but left enough of an ache that they, along with the nightmares, convinced her to mind her own business. She didn't want Father Gallagher asking her any questions. She'd managed to avoid her brothers, and now, by taking this job, she'd be out in the swamp for at least another week.
"You married?" Drake's voice was very casual.
Her heart jumped. "No."
"I didn't think so. No man in his right mind would let someone like you take strangers out alone into the swamp."
She touched the knife at her belt. "I can take care of myself." Why had he asked? She'd seen the way his gaze drifted over her, taking in everything. He couldn't have failed to note her lack of a wedding ring. Still, maybe some women didn't wear their ring. She let her breath out. Maybe under that expressionless face he was a little more interested in her than he let on. "Are you?" She couldn't imagine it. She couldn't imagine any woman holding his interest for long.
Silence stretched between them until she stopped again and looked at him. He gave her a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I doubt I could find a woman who would put up with me."
Her eyebrows shot up. "Are you that difficult?"
"I imagine I might be, yes," he admitted. His voice dropped an octave--became soft, seductive, an intimacy she was totally unfamiliar with. "You'll be living with me for the next week. You'll have to tell me."
Her mouth went dry. Her heart jumped and damp heat collected. His gaze locked with hers and she immediately experienced the sensation of falling into him. It was bizarre, but she could
n't look away, as if he'd managed to take her captive in some primitive manner. His stare was both charismatic and alarming. Her heart began drumming a very real warning. Everything feminine in her responded to him, yet at the same time urged her to run.
She was lost in his gaze, so she witnessed the abrupt change. The green with golden flecks suddenly went antique gold. The round pupils dilated three times wider. He moved, or did he? She didn't think she'd blinked, but his body was suddenly close to her, almost protective, shielding her from something he'd seen without so much as turning his head. Icy fingers crept down her spine. Her warning radar exploded, and this time the threat wasn't emanating from the man in front of her. Maybe it never had been and his predatory magnetism had confused her. Whatever the reasons, she hadn't recognized her alarms for what they were.
"A man is back in the shadows just at the entrance to the trees. He's watching you." His voice was pitched very low, nearly inaudible. Had she not had such good hearing, she would have missed the whisper. "Do you know him? Look over my left shoulder." He took another step closer, bending his head toward hers as if he might kiss her.
Her breath caught in her throat. Everything in her stilled. She placed the palm of her hand on his chest, right over his soundly beating heart, but whether to push him away or to steady herself as she raised her head, she wasn't certain.
She flicked a quick glance to the tree line and her throat nearly closed. Red eyes glowed back at her. Something was there all right--someone. She couldn't tell who it was, only that human eyes didn't reflect back light in that manner.
"We don' need to cut through the grove to get to the dock. This road curves around and then goes back toward the canals. It's a little longer but ..."
"I think a stroll through the grove is just the thing," Drake interrupted.
She shook her head. "I don' know if you've been readin' about the ghost cats people think they've been spottin' in the swamps, but sometimes those things are more real than we want them to be. I'd just feel safer if we stayed in town."
"Look at me." He kept his voice low, and she swore it was almost a purr it was so soft and alluring, but it was definitely an order.
Beneath her skin, she felt an itch. If she'd been a cat she would have sworn he'd ruffled her fur the wrong way, but before she could stop herself, her gaze jumped to his. Instantly she was caught by that commanding, focused stare. His eyes were gorgeous, frightening and sexy all at once.
"You're safe with me."
His tone was just too intimate, too certain--so certain that when she stared into his eyes, in spite of her brain telling her to be logical, she believed him. And how dumb was that when she knew there was a leopard stalking and killing people? Drake Donovan might be a powerful man in his world, and clearly everything about him shouted he could handle himself--but not with a killing machine like a shifter. Cunning and intelligent, the shifter used both man and beast to bring down prey.
She swallowed hard, unable to escape those piercing eyes. He'd locked in on her and there was no fleeing. It occurred to her suddenly that he was telling her something altogether different than she'd imagined. She frowned, but he was already turning her very gently but firmly back in the direction of the grove. Reluctantly, she took a few steps, confused by Drake, confused by her reaction to him.
She scowled. Drake Donovan threw her off balance. She glanced deeper into the shadows. Nothing moved. No eyes stared back. Whoever had been there had changed position. Still, she was uneasy and that wasn't a good sign. She dropped her hand very casually to the knife at her waist, unsnapping the safety flap with one thumb.
"We're fine," Drake said softly. "A man at ten o'clock and two more trailing after us."
Her scowl deepened. She was the guide. It was up to her to protect him in the swamp. This was her home turf and she should have spotted the others long before Drake became aware of them. He was messing up her warning system. She had the uncomfortable feeling he was setting off the alarms and she couldn't see beyond him. So why would she feel safe with him?
She flicked her gaze to the position he'd given her. Walking along the path merging with theirs was Amo Jeanmard, a man she'd known for some years. She glanced behind her and identified the Lanoux brothers, Robert and Dion. Twins, one was rarely seen without the other. They'd gone to school with Mahieu, but often dropped by the bar late at night to say hello. She liked both of them. She suspected
Robert flirted with her for fun, but that Dion was quite serious. From the look on his face, he wasn't happy to see her with Drake.
She came from a society of people who were friendly but very private. The men had long ago tried to point out to her father that she was a wild child, but when he hadn't responded, they all seemed to think they needed to keep an eye on her, from a distance of course.
"They're neighbors," she announced, relaxing a little. If a killer lurked in the grove, he wouldn't show himself with so many grouped together. Once she got her charge settled into the bed-and-breakfast, she'd go back to the house and add to her supply of weapons. She wasn't going to endanger anyone, but she had to make a living. Donovan was paying too much money and she needed it. She refused to be dependent on her brothers for income. That would give them some semblance of control over her and, at this late date, now that she was grown, she wasn't about to let them have any say in her life. She flashed a smile at the Lanoux brothers. They had obviously quickened their pace to catch up.
Beside her, Drake reacted so subtly she couldn't put her finger on what he did, but the air charged with tension and he seemed all at once dangerous, not at all the easygoing man he had appeared. His gaze settled on the two men and didn't waver. She felt the difference, felt him coiling in readiness, and suddenly she wasn't so certain anyone was safe with Donovan. His eyes glittered with menace and he very gently but firmly lifted her by the waist and put her behind him, leaving him to face the two brothers alone.
Dion and Robert were nearly as bad, splitting apart to come at Drake from either side, looking like professional fighters instead of the easygoing men she knew them to be. She was fast losing control of the situation, the tension in the air stretching so thin it could be cut with a knife. She should have been afraid for Drake, but something, some coiling tension in Drake, made her afraid for the brothers.
"These are my neighbors," she reiterated. "My friends." She curled her fingers around Drake's biceps as if that might hold him back. His body was warm; no, hot. She felt the ripple of muscle beneath his skin and an answering heat pulsed between her legs.
Drake hesitated and then, to her relief, she saw him flash a brief smile. His eyes were still as focused and she noticed that his body still shielded hers, but some of the tension in him eased. Not tension, she corrected herself--that was coming from the Lanoux brothers. But certainly Drake was coiled and ready should an attack come.
"Dion." Saria projected more friendliness than usual into her voice. "How are you? What are you doin' here?"
"I could ask the same question of you, chere," Dion greeted, stopping just a short distance from them, his gaze running over Donovan, sizing him up. Apparently whatever he saw he didn't like, because there was no friendliness whatsoever.
"I've got a guide gig." She willed Dion to understand it was lucrative and he'd better not blow it for her. "Drake, this is Dion Lanoux and his brother Robert. They're close neighbors. Dion, Robert, this is Drake Donovan. I'm going to show him around the swamp and bayou."
"Really?" Robert's eyebrow shot up. "Why?"
"Robert." Saria was appalled. "Mind your own business."
"You don' mind, Donovan, but I need to speak with Saria a moment," Dion said smoothly, and held out his hand to Saria.
She felt a sudden surge of power running beneath Drake's skin. Her eyes jumped to his face. He was looking at Dion, not Robert, and there was something very deadly in his expression. "Saria." His voice was very soft. "If you're afraid of them, you don't have to go with them."
He knew. She had
thought she'd been so clever and careful. She'd hidden terror from her own brothers, from her neighbors, and yet this total stranger, within minutes of meeting her, knew. She forced a smile, a little impressed that he was obviously willing to fight off both brothers on her behalf. "No, even though they have clearly forgotten their manners, they're friends." Maybe if she said it enough times, both sides would stop posturing and play nice.
Ignoring Dion's hand, she stepped around Drake, or nearly did. He shifted his weight slightly, cutting her off. His fingers just barely trailed down her arm to her wrist, settling with infinite gentleness. "You're absolutely certain, Saria? I assure you, there's no need to protect me." He gave her a faint grin.
Her heart nearly stopped and then began pounding. He was so gorgeous. And the way he touched her, featherlight--she felt it all the way to her bones. Heat rushed through her veins and she swallowed hard, trying not to give in to sheer physical attraction.
"You're wrong about that," Dion said, glaring at the sight of Drake's fingers loosely forming a bracelet around Saria's wrist.
She followed his annoyed gaze and had to fight from blushing as she pulled away and very firmly stepped around Drake. "You could use the phone, Dion," she said, "if it is so necessary to get in touch with me." She walked ahead of him, but stopped where she could keep an eye on Drake and Robert. If the twins had planned some underhanded sneak attack on her customer, she was going to let them know once and for all that she could take care of her own.
"Do your brothers know what you're doin'?" Dion hissed between clenched teeth. "That man is dangerous, Saria. You're in over your head."
She tapped her fingers on her thigh, wholly aware of Drake's interest. She was careful not to look at him. "This isn't any of your business, Dion, nor is it my brothers' business. I'm a licensed guide. In case you haven't noticed in the last few years, it's how I make my livin'."
Dion shook his head, stepping closer to her and lowering his voice another octave. "Not with this man. If he wants a guide, I'll do it for you. You have no idea what you're dealin' with."