To Hiss or to Kiss (15 page)

“Well, we are stronger than the average human. And we all possess an aptitude for psychic gifts, but, as you yourself are an example, the gifts are not unique to our kind. We don’t wield the kind of power that came or still comes from darker practices. And we live a fairly normal lifespan for humans these days.”

My lips twitch in a teasing smile. “So really you’re not all that special after all. Aside from the whole you-can-turn-into-a-jaguar thing.”

He shoots me his devastating smile and raises his eyebrow.
Oh, God.
“Yes, besides that, I’m a completely normal human,” he deadpans.

I find myself laughing easily at this joke. Was it really less than a week ago that I met him and found out he was a jaguar? Life is fucking strange.

* * *

After spending most of the day studying Reiki and then giving Jorge the go ahead to give me the first level attunement, I decide it’s time to visit the dogs again.

Jorge seems unconvinced. “Are you sure you don’t want to wait until tomorrow? See if you make any progress with the addition of Reiki?”

“Is that an end around to say you’re worried about me going down there? I haven’t checked in for several days now. What if something’s happened?”

He gives me a thoughtful stare, and I’m glad that he’s at least considering not arguing with me. I’m not feeling up to bullshit or a fight right now. The last thing I need is for him to get all protective on me.

“Yes, I worry about you, and I doubt anything has happened.” He sighs. “But I can see why you want to check in. I’ll go with you.”

His trust in me breaks down my fear a little more. “So let’s go.” I stand and head to get my shoes.

“I suppose there is no point in prolonging the inevitable.” With a grin, he follows me to get his shoes.

Once we’re properly attired for the outdoors and covered in dark clothing, we head out. Jorge grabs my hand, and we walk in silence to the quiet farmhouse down the street. Even though we could talk without speaking, we don’t. Instead, we stroll in the moonlight, serenaded by crickets and bullfrogs and all the other night creatures. If I weren’t going to converse with imprisoned, abused dogs, this moment would be perfectly magical. And in some ways it is because I’m with Jorge and it’s easy and natural and fills me with such happiness, I almost find myself believing in true love.

“
Chloe?
”

My ruminations get interrupted by Gracie, and while I’m heartened to know she trusts me enough to initiate a conversation when she senses me getting close to the property, I am loath to leave the daydream of the walk here.

Then I realize we’re not even to the property yet. I stop, pulling Jorge up short with me.

“What?”
His face is instantly on alert.

I’m so excited that my range has expanded, be it ever so slightly, that I almost reply out loud, but swallow my initial sounds.
“I can hear Gracie already.”

He smiles and squeezes my hand.
“I knew you could do it. Your work is paying off.”
He leans over and kisses my cheek.

“Chloe?”
Gracie questions again, and I snap my attention to her.

“I’m here.”

“Good. I was afraid you might not come back.”

“I will always come until I get you out of there.”
I hope that I can get her out of there and keep that promise. I can’t let myself think I won’t be able to, and focus in on her.
“Have you learned anything new? Do you know when they might take you somewhere again?”

“No. They haven’t been around much the last few days.”

At first, I feel her relief at not having to face her captors, but then I notice her hunger and thirst.
“How long has it been since you’ve had food or water?”

“How did you know?”
She seems surprised, and I wonder how I did know if she wasn’t sending that to me intentionally. Something to contemplate later.

“I could sense that you are thirsty and hungry.”
When I pay attention, I also feel the discomfort of the other dogs. They are still wary of me, but a growing curiosity is beginning to overtake their animosity. Perhaps they won’t trust me until I can prove I can help them get out.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It is not your fault. How long has it been?”

“We ran out this morning. But they’ll probably be back any moment now. They never leave us too long. And it should be a while still before they make us leave again. It’s usually a few rounds of hunger and thirst.”

I feel sick. How could anyone be such a poor excuse for a living being? I generally eschew violence, but I can’t help but wish bad things on such lowlifes
. “I’ll come check on you tomorrow night. And I’m learning how to communicate over longer distances, so maybe you’ll hear from me sooner.”

“Thank you.”

My heart aching, I turn my thoughts to Jorge.
“Did you get any of that?”
I wonder if he can eavesdrop on my mind now.

“Nope.”

Interesting.

“We can go now.” I pull on his hand as I turn to go. “The men have been gone for the day. The dogs are out of food and water, but Gracie thinks they’ll be back any time. Bastards. I’d like to starve them.”

“The jaguar in me also wishes for vengeance.”

I feel him holding back the strong need of the jaguar.

“But two wrongs don’t make a right.”

“Yes. Violence only begets more violence.”

“Karma and all that shit.”

“And all that shit.” A slight smile twitches around his lips. “Blood sacrifices just don’t have the appeal they used to.”

“Sometimes enlightened thinking just sucks.”

And at least we can laugh, even if the magical moonlit evening seems a world away in such a short time. I don’t want to cry—or punch some bastard in the face. Not really.

Chapter Eleven

Despite the evidence that my range has ever so slightly expanded, I still feel gloomy the next morning. Even Jorge bringing me breakfast in bed doesn’t pull me out of the funk.

“Are you going to share what’s wrong?” He steals a strawberry from the plate he brought me. He’s reclined on his side, one arm supporting him as he faces me.

I avoid eye contact. “What’s not wrong?” I grump, taking a bite of pancake.

“Well, if you’re going to be all melodramatic, maybe I’ll take my breakfast back,” he teases.

“Fine.” I drop my fork like a hot potato.

He grunts a laugh, and I bury my desire to whack him with a pillow. And then he shifts to sitting and starts kneading my neck, which makes my bad mood start to dissipate. I feel myself growing up under his hands. “Sorry for grumping. I’m just frustrated.”

“No problem.” He speaks softly, placing gentle kisses along my ear. “There’s a lot going on and the attunements can bring up stuff you need to deal with and release. But don’t fret. Your range increased last night.”

“Yes, it did, so there’s something to be grateful for.” I recall one of the Reiki principles I read about:
Today I am grateful.

“I’m grateful for you.” He caresses the side of my face, turning my head to him for a kiss, and I melt into his lips. He pulls back and licks his own luscious lips. “Mmm. Syrupy.”

I giggle, then turn back to the food. “Thanks for my breakfast. You spoil me.”

“Don’t get used to it.”

“Really? Because I already decided I could wrap you around my finger.”

“Oh, really. Is it this one?” He takes my left index finger into his mouth and gently sucks as he pulls his mouth back.

“Could be.” I suddenly feel out of breath. The heat in his eyes goes right to my core.

He releases my hand and leans back—and away—from me, a decidedly pleased smile on his lips. “Your pancakes are getting cold.”

“Tease.”

He shrugs, and I go back to my pancakes with a shake of my head.

He slides his hand under my unflattering pajama shirt and draws circles on my abdomen and side.

It feels so natural to be here, eating pancakes on his bed, his hand up my shirt—and that quickly I feel the panic start to rise again
.

My body stiffens, and Jorge senses it. He withdraws his hand with a small sigh. “Do you need anything else?” He rises from the bed.

I don’t know if I’m relieved or disappointed. Not that I should expect him to keep trying to break down my shields. Yet I do.

“No, this is wonderful. Thank you.” I figure a compliment is the least I can do.

“You’re welcome. Mind bringing it to the kitchen when you’re done?”

“No.” Damn I wish he’d stay. But he doesn’t.

I finish the food, which doesn’t taste nearly as good now, but no sense being a completely ungrateful guest. I move the tray aside and heave myself up to get dressed in jeans and a tee.

Jorge is in the living room reading when I slip into the kitchen with the tray.

As I load the dishwasher, I realize I’m just not ready to work on my range/do something that makes me want to beat my head against the wall in frustration. I’ve already got enough sexual frustration right now thanks to my inane attempt
not
to seem like a loose woman. Or a scared one.

A distraction is in order, and my eyes fall to the folded-up map from the other day and the bag full of gadgets I didn’t really ever get Jorge to fully explain to me.
Bingo
.

I screw up my courage and walk to the living room. “I’d like to go over your plans in more detail in case we need to go after the dogs.” I’m pleased I sound pretty confident and even a little demanding.

He looks up from his book, studying me for a moment. “I thought we agreed we’re not going to do that.”

“Well, what if we have to go after them? I’m sure Barb would call me if anything moved forward with the warrant for surveillance.” I continue to stand in what I hope is an intimidating, don’t-argue-with-me-because-I’ve-made-up-my-mind kind of way.

He sighs and avoids meeting my eyes, instead studying the book in his hands. “Well, even if I do agree to go after the dogs at some point, you don’t need to know the plan. I’ll be doing it while you talk to the dogs.”

“You can’t know that. What if something goes wrong and the people attack? I sure as hell can’t fight the way a jaguar can.” My annoyance is taking over, and I can tell Jorge’s is too by the set of his jaw, as if he’s grinding his teeth.

After what feels like minutes of silence, but I’m sure is only seconds, he answers, “Fine.” He stands and brushes past me to the kitchen. He turns at the doorway, his gaze and voice equally sharp. “Coming?”

I don’t respond, just follow him, and he turns and goes to the kitchen table. He unfolds the map as I sink into a chair, and then he unloads all the gadgets from the bag.

I point to the spot on the map. “You’ve already pointed out the one window with off-camera access and the path to get there.” I try to sound all business. I think I succeed fairly well.

He nods. He’s all business, too, although with a side of angry. “The next step is this.” He holds up a small black device that resembles a pager with an antenna. “Flip this switch and attach it on the left side of the window. It will scramble all the video feeds in the house.”

He sets it down and picks up another, smaller device of similar shape. “This goes exactly opposite the alarm sensor. It will be on the right side of the window on the inside. Line this up with it and flip it on. Within sixty seconds, the green light will come on when it’s disarmed the system.”

“Wow, I think you underestimated when you told me your family isn’t that rich. This stuff can’t be cheap. And how the hell did you get it?”

“We have many connections, and you are correct, these are expensive items.” He hesitates. “I do not like to boast of our wealth.”

“Think I’m a gold digger?” It’s not a teasing remark.

He grabs my hand with his free one, and I feel the electricity all the way to my heart. The heat starts to dissipate some of the anger and tension between us. “Never. But there have, uh, been, uh, before.” He glances away nervously.

Part of me feels a stab of jealousy, but it’s not worth it, so instead of asking how many ghosts he’s got in his past, I go with lightness. “Do you really fly commercial?”

He laughs, his anger further recessing as our easy banter returns. I even feel less unsettled myself.

“I do. There’s no sense spending money on things that aren’t necessary.”

I pick up the video scrambler with a snort. “And this is necessary? What type of world do you live in?”

“One where people cannot discover the existence of shape-shifters.” He’s dead serious.

“Oh, yeah, that.” I reach for the last item, which reminds me of a giant compass with a razor blade at the end instead of a pencil. “What’s this for? Cutting the glass?”

“Exactly. If the windows are locked. When I scouted they weren’t, arrogant bastards.”

He growls out that last part and I’m starting to find him incredibly sexy again, but I try to remember that I’m all about business right now. That means paying attention to learn all I can so I’m prepared to help Gracie and the other dogs—not get lost in ridiculous, lusty daydreams.

“All the better for us.”

“
If
we need to go in.” He gives me a meaningful stare that dares me to disagree.

“If we need to go in.” I want to believe we won’t, but my gut is telling me it’s a good thing I asked to learn about all this stuff.

He starts gathering up the gadgets, and I fold the map. “Should we begin working on your range?”

I know I should jump at this given my desire to help the dogs, but just knowing the frustration ahead makes me hesitate and sigh. I still want to procrastinate. “I need a shower first.”

Jorge nods, and I half expect him to ask if he can join me, but he doesn’t. What a gentlemen. I can’t decide if that’s good or bad in this instance, so I push myself up and head to the bathroom. A quick detour into the bedroom to get my still-unpacked bathroom bag, and I’m good to go. No time like the present to invade the bathroom.