The male leopard closed the distance between them in a single leap, its larger, heavier body protectively close. He didn’t want her to get carried away with her exuberance. She had undergone a terrible ordeal, and even if she thought she was strong enough, he couldn’t take the chance of her being injured. Not even a stubbed toe. Not a chipped fingernail.
‘I’m reading your thoughts, and you’re being silly. I’m whole! Isn’t it so great to be alive?’ He could hear her excited laughter as she leapt up on a thick tree branch and lifted her muzzle to the wind and rain.
He was catching her joy. How could he not? She was bathing him in her warmth, her light, her total pleasure in the moment. He would have soared to the moon and pulled it out of the sky if she asked him. He prowled below her, his ears and eyes alert for danger, yet he was merged deeply with her, immersed in her childlike happiness.
Corinne leapt from the branch because she could. There was untold power in the cat’s body. She wanted to use it, try it out, see what it felt like to be a leopard. Dayan was unbelievably sensuous in the body of the male leopard. She realized, with a slight shock, that she was taking on the attributes of the animal. It was amazing to her. She rubbed against the tall fronds of grass, enjoying the sensation.
‘Baby, be careful here. We both are very heightened sexually. In this form, sex is possible between us, and you might trigger both of our instincts, but I am not certain it would be entirely enjoyable to you. Leopards are very dangerous at any time. When they mate, the male must hold the female in a submissive position for his own protection. You need much more experience to control animal passions. On the hunt this form is extremely difficult to control.’
Corinne was tempted to discover what he was talking about. The female leopard certainly wanted to mate, but, merged as she was with Dayan, she could easily read that he was worried, even though the male shared the same desire. She immediately controlled her impulses and took off running again, stretching out her sleek, muscled body. She was silent, her leaps taking her over fallen tree trunks and even wider streams. She loved the sensation and wanted it to go on forever.
‘We can do this at any time?’
‘Of course. You should practice with me often. There is much to learn, honey, and I can see you will take to it easily.’
‘Can I fly?’
His laughter was a soft joyful sound in her head. ‘It is raining. Birds don’t like to get wet.’
“This bird likes it. We can fly to see Lisa and Cullen.’
In the body of the leopard, Dayan shouldered her around, turning her back toward the shelter of the house. ‘It is too soon. Lisa knows you were very ill and you have had the baby. She would expect you to take a few days to recuperate.’
‘It has been a few days.’
‘I want you, Corinne. All to myself. I want to taste every square inch of your body. I want this rising and the next and ten more to make love to you.’
Her answering laughter was tender. ‘Really? So why didn’t you just say so?’
* * *
Chapter 18
Corinne looked around the crystal chamber with its steaming pools and flickering candles. Water lapped at the large rock formations and reflected colors from the various crystals along the curving walls and ceiling. This underground cave with its network of tunnels and large rooms was beginning to feel like home to her. The baby was growing stronger, gaining enough weight that Shea was certain they would be able to remove her from her protected environment soon. Corinne held her daughter for small blocks of time, very aware of the dangers outside the incubator. Both Dayan and Corinne often merged with the infant to comfort and soothe her. They wanted her to know she was loved and wanted and they couldn’t wait for her to be out with them.