LostwithLeo

by Shelley Munro

  “What is that scent?” Iseult asked in an abrupt voice. “It seems familiar.”

  “It’s the coffee.”

  Iseult picked up her glass and took a sip. Her hand trembled, and Betrys concealed her astonished reaction.

  “You were late.”

  “I needed to collect the breakfast.” It was surprising how easy it was to lie, how the false words rolled off her tongue when there was so much at stake.

  “False,” Iseult said. “I heard the vibrations of a second being.”

  Betrys felt herself blink.

  “Why were you late?” Iseult leaned closer, her nostrils flaring.

  “I slept in.”

  “Truth.” Iseult drank more water without taking her penetrating gaze off Betrys.

  Don’t move. Don’t blink. Don’t let Iseult suspect there is a plot afoot.

  Iseult leaned forward, sniffed the air around Betrys. “You don’t smell right.” Her nostrils quivered. “The scent on your skin is combined with another. Have you been with a man?”

  Heat burst in Betrys’s face and a croaking sound emerged from her throat. “I-I—”

  Iseult leaned back, more her old self—unpredictable and in charge. “Don’t bother to deny it. What I want to know is why you’re enjoying yourself, partaking of the resort amenities, when I sent you here to do a job.” Her gaze journeyed up and down Betrys until it landed back on Betrys’s face, she scowled. “Why would a man spend time with you when he could have me and get paid for the episode? Is this man blind?”

  A lump bloomed in Betrys’s throat, blocking her emotions and the mechanism of successful speech. She bit her bottom lip and concentrated on keeping a professional image.

  “I need a man,” Iseult said.

  Betrys wanted to tell Iseult that most women wooed on their own. She wanted to tell Iseult that Leo appeared to enjoy taking her to bed. She wanted to tell Iseult to get fucked, and not in the way she wanted.

  But she knew better.

  Control was the key here. Hidden by the folds of her robe, she balled her hands to tight fists, dug her fingernails into her palms.

  Control.

  Instead of replying, Betrys said the words that tingled on her lips in her mind. Get fucked, Iseult.

  The act of rebellion cheered her, lent steel to her backbone, and she lifted her chin. “I have a suggestion. I could arrange for several suitable men to come and meet you and you can put your case to them yourself. Maybe if they met you in person your offer of employment would prove more attractive.”

  A slow smile curled across Iseult’s lips, and Betrys knew the woman liked the idea. She thought she’d sweet talk every man she met into signing her contract.

  Betrys knew that wouldn’t happen.

  “Should I arrange the meetings?”

  “Yes. That is a good idea. Arrange this for tomorrow. That will give me time to recover from the journey and refresh.”

  “Of course,” Betrys said. “Was there anything else you required before I leave?”

  “No, you may go. Report back to me tonight before dinner.”

  “Should I order dinner for you?”

  “Yes, make sure you order fruit nectar and red meat. I wish to build my strength.”

  “Of course.” Betrys turned away to unload the various plates of food items before wheeling the trolley to the door.

  “Oh, Betrys.”

  Betrys turned to face her employer. “Yes?”

  “I expect you to work, not play with the resort employees. You are here to do a job and your son’s safety depends on your success in recruiting a man for my use.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Leo paced his rooms while he waited for Betrys to arrive back from her interview with Iseult. The woman was evil, and despite Betrys’s assumption that Iseult wouldn’t attack her, there was always a first time.

  A tap sounded on the door and long strides took him there. He wrenched the door open.

  “It’s you,” he said to his oldest brother and glanced along the gravel path. He couldn’t see Betrys. “I thought it would be Betrys.”

  “She still with Iseult?”

  “Yeah.”

  Saber pushed Leo back and stepped inside. “I’ve heard from Sly and Joe. They think it will be easy enough to snatch Ricci and intend to go in tonight. Sly said they’ll ring us as soon as they have Betrys’s son.”

  “Good.”

  “How are you feeling? You’re moving better—not so hunched over.”

  “I’m fairly sure I’ll be able to shift.”

  “Do it,” Saber said. “You’ll heal quicker.”

  “Not until I speak with Betrys.”

  “Are you playing her?”

  “What? No!” His denial was an explosion of sound. “It started out that way. You know it did. But once I learned about her son—hell—before that I started to like her. She’s done the best she could to keep her and her son alive. I thought about her situation, and once I decided I would’ve done the same thing, some of my anger faded.”

  “Some?”

  “If I come face-to-face with Iseult I’ll be tempted to attack first and ask questions later.”

  The door opened and Betrys glided into the room.

  “How did it go?” Saber asked.

  “She thought it was a good idea and wants me to arrange the meeting for tomorrow. She doesn’t look well.”

  “Don’t feel sorry for her,” Leo snapped.

  “I don’t. She told me I was here to work, not sleep with the merchandise. Then she implied I was ugly and the man who slept with me needed glasses.”

  “Bitch,” Leo said.

  “I’m not beautiful.” Betrys sounded neutral.

  Damn. She was thinking too hard and coming up with the wrong answers. If only they’d had more privacy. He sighed. “Saber heard from the twins. They’ve reconnoitered and intend to snatch your son tonight. They’ll contact us as soon as they have him safe.”

  Betrys nodded, and when he went to her and wrapped his arm around her waist, she stiffened and moved away.

  “I’ll arrange five men to see Iseult and explain the circumstances,” Saber said. “Scarlett hasn’t heard back from her contact yet, so we wait.”

  “I don’t need to report back to Iseult until dinner hour tonight. Can I have a list by then?”

  “I’ll have it ready for you this afternoon. Leo, why don’t you take Betrys to our private beach? I’ll ask the kitchen to prepare a picnic basket for you.”

  Relief shot through Leo. Time alone was what they needed. “Make sure we’re not interrupted unless it’s an emergency.”

  Saber grinned, and Leo realized his big brother was doing a lot of that lately. Mating with Eva had brought happiness to his brother’s life, and it was rubbing off on all of them. The opportunities their people had now due to the new businesses Eva and Casey had started made everyone happier and more settled. They’d even started trading with the Froggish people who lived deep in the jungle, a few days’ trek inland.

  “I should stay at the resort and speak with the staff,” Betrys said.

  A stubborn woman and a silly one, if she thought he intended to walk away. He was capable of deciding on the woman he’d like as a mate, and physical appearance meant nothing to him. People had judged him all his life on his looks instead of trying to see the man beneath the good genes. He, better than anyone, knew appearances didn’t mean a damn. Pretty and attractive faces didn’t make the person good. Often, it made them selfish and self-centered, and they were qualities he refused to have in his mate.

  “No, I want to—need to get out of these rooms before I go crazy. Someone should stay with me in case I have a problem.”

  Saber came to his rescue by adding his support. “Would you go with Leo please, Betrys? I need to speak with my employees and monitor Iseult. From what we’ve learned, I think she’ll stay holed up in her room, but I intend to place a couple of guards on her bungalow. I need to organize that too. If we hear an
ything further from Sly and Joe, I’ll contact you. Take your com-circle with you.”

  “All right,” Betrys said after a long pause. “I’ll babysit Leo.”

  Leo bit his tongue, but his big brother laughed under his breath. Betrys never registered but Leo’s feline senses heard just fine. He shot a warning at Saber and received a wink in return.

  “I’ll meet you here late afternoon,” Saber said.

  “Can you give me brief details of their physical appearance too? Iseult will ask. She’s rather particular in that way.”

  “What type of man does she prefer?”

  Betrys glanced from Leo to Saber and back. “Tall and fit build and a pleasing appearance. Any man who looks like both of you.”

  Saber grinned. “Done deal.”

  “Do you want to have a shower?” Leo asked once his brother had left.

  “Not you too,” Betrys muttered and stomped off. Seconds later Leo heard the sanitizer start.

  “I’ll take that as a yes.” Leo thought for a second and picked up his communicator to ring Casey, his sister-in-law, and the manager of the resort boutique. There was nothing wrong with Betrys’s figure. Maybe if she started dressing in something other than her robe, she might start to feel better about herself.

  With his call made, he stalked to the small en suite sanitizer room. The wound in his stomach was healing well, and once they arrived at the beach, he’d try shifting.

  He peeled off his clothes and stepped into the cleansing unit.

  “What are you doing?” She glared at him through wet hanks of hair. “Can’t a woman have some privacy?”

  “I thought we’d save time,” Leo said. “Let me help you wash your hair.” He picked up a soap tab and lathered it between his palms.

  Her scowl changed, shifting to wary. Maybe a trifle confused, he decided. Good, because she was kicking him off-balance too.

  He lathered the cleanser, patiently massaging her skull. Warm water poured over them, the faint metallic scent indicating it came from their recycle plant. Gradually, she relaxed, her shoulders settling into a more normal posture.

  He rinsed her hair, then briskly washed his own body. “My mother makes a conditioner for the ladies to rub into their hair. It smells of coconuts, and my sister says it works well.”

  “What’s a coconut?”

  “It’s a plant that grows on Earth. I don’t know how my mother replicated the scent, but she’s good at stuff like that. Finished? Good. Let’s dry off and hit the beach.”

  Somehow, Betrys found herself organized and sitting on a private beach. She wore a black, white and red wrap with what Leo told her were turtle designs. Another Earth thing, according to Leo.

  They sat under a shady thatched umbrella. Leo was stretched out on his wrap, his body naked and relaxed, his eyes closed. His breathing was even and she thought he was asleep. Her mind too full of worry about Ricci to rest, she fidgeted in her effort to find a comfortable spot. That done, her gaze wandered Leo’s chest and came to a screeching halt at his stomach. Her mouth fell open. Magic. It was magic. The flesh had knitted together overnight, although the scar appeared scarlet against his tanned skin. She hadn’t noticed earlier in the shower.

  “Stop staring.”

  “You look at me. I was returning the compliment.” Despite her anxiety, her longing to hug her son in person to assure herself of his safety, she couldn’t help but smile at Leo. Even with his scars, he was a beautiful specimen. At the thought, some of her feel-good mood packed a bag and sneaked off for a happier hangout. When she picked the scabs off the known facts and her involvement, she came up with the only possible answer.

  “Why are you paying attention to me?” She winced at her runaway tongue, then decided to continue because the subject was worrying her. “I don’t understand why we’re here at the beach. I’m sure you have better things to do.”

  A frown creased Leo’s brow and his eyes snapped open. He propped himself up on one arm, his look intense and thoughtful. He stared at her without saying anything, the silence stretching out until it became uncomfortable. “Whatever you’re thinking, you’re wrong. If I didn’t want to spend time with you, I wouldn’t. It’s as simple as that.”

  “But Iseult—”

  “At this moment I don’t give a flying fuck about Iseult,” Leo snapped. “Once we get Ricci back and this business with Iseult is over what would you like to do?”

  Betrys frowned. “I’ll have to find a new job. Hopefully, I can retrieve my stash of money from the mansion.” Her shoulders slumped because the chances of that weren’t good.

  “That’s easy,” Leo said. “We’ll contact the twins and tell them where you’ve hidden your currency. They can collect it at the same time they retrieve Ricci.”

  Hope sprang to life in her and her gaze snapped to his face. “Really?”

  “Sure. We’ll contact them now.” Leo reached for his com. “Sly,” he said, and just like that, he spoke with his younger brother and handed over his communicator for her to relay the details.

  “Thank you,” she whispered, her heart full of hope. “That money will mean I can find decent lodgings in Dalcon city and give me breathing space if I’m not able to secure a job straight away.”

  “Why do you want to go back to Dalcon? You could stay here. There are other kids in the village, and Ma was muttering about starting a school the other day. We need help at reception. I know that because we’re keeping Scarlett busy with other stuff.”

  “No, I think it might be better if I leave. My presence will remind everyone of the bad things—”

  “Bull crap,” Leo snapped. “Has it occurred to you that I want you to stay?”

  She stared at him, shocked to the core by his words and the underlying anger in them.

  He laughed without warning, and that made her frown harder.

  “I might try to shift and then have a swim,” he said, changing the subject. “Will you swim with me?”

  “I can’t swim in this.” She indicated her wrap.

  “Take it off. No one comes to this beach apart from my family. They know we’re here and they won’t interrupt us unless it’s an emergency.” He stood and extended his hand.

  She took it and he hauled her to her feet. Deft fingers untwisted the knot at her breasts and before she could gather a protest, the silky fabric fluttered to the sand, leaving her naked.

  “I’m going to shift now,” Leo said. “Fingers crossed that everything goes as it should.”

  Betrys stood back and watched Leo. The transformation from humanoid to feline seemed to take even longer than the first time she’d seen him shift. The sounds of bones cracking and reshaping made her wince. Then, Leo stood before her in leopard form, his sides heaving with exertion and his maw open wide while he panted.

  “Do you want some water?”

  He grunted once. Once for yes, she recalled, and reached for the water bottle. She was unsure of what to pour the water into then noticed the shallow bowl in the basket of food someone had packed for them. She poured water for Leo and waited while he drank his fill.

  The solar star was hot on her bare skin, and when Leo ambled into the jade water, she followed him.

  “It’s cold,” she shrieked.

  Leo grunted and he gamboled around her, splashing her with more cool water, his mouth open in a kind of a feline smirk. The expression on his face, the humor in his familiar green eyes reminded her of her son. For once it was a good memory, one of fun and games, and she laughed out loud and scooped up water in her hands to splash him in the face.

  He let out a strange, yet heart-warming bark of laughter and burst into a frenzy of movement, splashing them both.

  “Right,” she said. “This is war.”

  They played and giggled and splashed each other until they were both soaked and Betrys warded him off with raised hands.

  “Enough,” she said, still chuckling.

  Leo exited the sea and shook himself with vigor.

 
“Hey!”

  Leo flicked his tail and trotted up the beach to where their belongings lay on the sand. Betrys paused to release her hair from its scraggly bun and wrung out the excess water.

  “Hurry up, slowpoke,” Leo called.

  Betrys glanced in the direction of his shout. “You shifted.” She hurried across the sand. “Are you all right? How do you feel? Do you need to take more painkillers?”

  “I’m fine.” Leo cupped her face and smiled. “Saber was right. I feel much better after my shift, and the transformation was much easier just now. I’m starving. Do you want something to eat?”

  He grabbed her hand and tugged her onto the blanket they’d spread out earlier. His gaze wandered her bare shoulders and followed the progress of a droplet of water as it dripped off a tendril of hair and rain over her collarbone and down, down across the curve of her breast.

  “Or maybe we’ll eat later.” He leaned closer to lick the bead of water off her skin.

  Her breath caught and caught again when his mouth shifted to settle on one nipple. Instead of sucking, he delicately licked, his tongue a brand on her senses.

  Betrys clutched his shoulders and clung, her head tipping back as she thrust her breasts forward in a silent demand for more. “Leo.” She followed up with a verbal entreaty. “Please.”

  He lifted his head, his eyes doing a weird shift to partial feline. “I do please.” And he pushed her back onto the blanket and rose over her. “I want you. I always want you.”

  “You do?” She bit her lip on hearing the insecurity in her tone, but the truth was Iseult had dented her confidence, made her doubt herself and wonder about Leo’s intentions. She tried not to dwell on things outside her control. Yes, once Ricci was safe she could move on and create a new, safe future for both of them.

  “One day you won’t doubt me.” Leo’s voice took on a hard edge. “I understand more than you think, which is why I’m willing to give you a chance to accept this, us.”

  “We’re friends.”

  He gave a sharp shake of his head, his eyes shifting even more catlike. “We’re more.”