She laughed softly, happily, unable to believe she was so alive. That the world around her was so beautiful and new. She was walking faster, listening to her heartbeat, reveling in its strong rhythm.
Dayan allowed her to slip out from under his shoulder, watching her body move, sensuous, enthralling. She lifted her arms again to the moon and dark clouds, her hair wild and rain-slick, her breasts rising as she inhaled sharply to take in the scents of the night. She looked like a goddess, a wild, untamed siren lifting her arms in pagan sacrifice as she turned in a slow circle. “I want to run, Dayan,” she repeated.
“Then we will shape-shift, honey.” Who could ever deny her anything? Dayan knew it would be impossible for him. “Remember what I told you before? It always starts in your mind. You must build a complete picture in your head and hold that image. It is an odd sensation, although not unpleasant. If it frightens you, Corinne, reach for me. I will be with you in your mind at all times.”
Corinne stopped moving, abruptly, swung around quickly to look at him, her eyes wide with excitement. “I’m not afraid. Really, Dayan, I’m not.”
“Picture a leopard.” He did it for both of them, creating the image so she could capture it down to the smallest detail.
She made a little sound, a throaty purring as fur rippled along her arms, as her muscles contorted, her body stretched, and then she was running on all fours, a sleek jungle cat. Her body felt like a well-oiled machine. She ran quickly, reveling in her ability to do so. She had ropes of muscles and sinew.
Cushioned paws. Running in this form was unlike anything she had ever experienced, complete and utter freedom. She bounded across the ground, her paws barely skimming the earth. Her pelt kept the rain from penetrating to her skin. Whiskers acted like radar so that she was aware of everything around her.
Dayan! This is wonderful!
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.
Desari and Julian were frequent visitors, and Corinne really liked them both. She found Julian’s sense of humor a good counterbalance to his intimidating demeanor. She knew Desari didn’t find him in the least intimidating. Desari had a sweet personality, and she welcomed Corinne as a sister. It was taking a bit of time, but Corinne was beginning to feel as if she might fit into Dayan’s family. All of them seemed excited about the baby, even Darius, who was by the far the scariest man Corinne had ever met.
“Darius is not in the least scary,” Dayan denied, moving up behind her to rest his head on her shoulder so he could look at the infant. “Jennifer’s color looks better today.”
“You’re reading my mind again.” Corinne leaned back, pressing her body into his much harder frame. At once his body stirred to life, tight against her bottom.
Dayan was always in her mind. He would always be in her body, too, if he could manage it. He didn’t want to leave her side. Corinne caught the echo of his thoughts and laughed softly. “That will look good when you’re playing with the band on stage. A little kinky, though. I’m not certain the censors would let us get away with it.”
Dayan allowed relief to wash over him. Several times in the course of the last few days, Desari had gently made references to traveling on the road with the band, but Corinne had never answered one way or the other. When Dayan touched her mind in an attempt to gauge her mood on the subject, he always found she simply avoided thinking of it. “You are not opposed to traveling with musicians from town to town? Leaving everyone you love behind?”
Corinne moved her body provocatively against his. “Everything I love is right here with me. And Lisa. I can’t stay home for her. Lisa has the money to travel, if she wants to visit us. If she really is in love with Cullen, as I keep hearing from everyone, then my guess is she will want her own home.”