He nodded. “Baby, listen to me. My leopard is big. He’s an alpha. But he would never, under any circumstances hurt you. You hold his mate inside of you. You are part of his mate. He knows that and he knows you’re mine. I’m not saying this very well, talking, explaining things, is not my forte—but you belong to us. To both of us, and he would die to protect you.”

Her small tongue came out and she moistened her lips. “When?”

“Right now. You’ve got your courage up, let’s just do it now.”

He saw her take a breath, but she stood up. His Catarina. Yeah, she was scared, but she didn’t let that stop her.

“Um. Eli. I’m not dressed. I don’t even have shoes.”

“You don’t need shoes or clothes. You’re just going to sit in the truck and watch.”

“What if I want to touch him? Can I do that?”

She was killing him. “Yes, baby, if you want to touch him, you certainly can.” He got the truck keys and came back to her, reaching out his hand. She hesitated, but she took it.

“I’m going to take us out into the middle of the property, Kitten. That way no neighbor might accidentally stop by. It doesn’t happen often but I don’t take chances. You always have to remember, you can’t take chances either, once she’s emerged. She’s your responsibility. You have to control her and protect her.”

He opened the door to the passenger side and when she stepped up, his hand slid over her bottom, shaping her butt, a small gesture of male possessiveness. He didn’t do it with the long shirt over her bottom, he slipped his hand under the material to caress bare skin. She recognized the gesture for what it was. The warm slide of his hand sent heat rushing through her body, streaking through her veins like a drug. Once she was in the seat, he leaned in to fasten her seat belt.

“You do know I’m perfectly capable of putting on my seat belt,” she said, mostly because his head rubbed against her breasts, sending sparks of electricity straight to her feminine channel.

“Of course I know,” Eli said. “But then I’d miss a golden opportunity.” His fingers deftly undid two of her buttons and his mouth closed over her breast, mostly because he couldn’t resist her, but also to see her reaction.