Catarina burst out laughing. She touched her trembling mouth and wondered if her shaky legs would hold her up. Happiness burst through her veins like champagne bubbles. He had a sense of humor under all that alpha leopard macho nonsense that she found hotter than anything. Which was unfortunate because he already got his way in all things. She just liked taking care of him.

“Is it now?” she prompted as she ground up the coffee he liked.

“You’re wearing my shirt and no panties. And you know when I’m telling you that you fucking belong to me. So, yeah, communication is getting better.”

“I’m not so afraid all the time,” she admitted. She kept her back to him while she made his favorite cup of coffee. He liked caramel. She’d been surprised that he was a caramel man, but when he had something sweet, it was coffee and caramel and he liked two shots with that. She was careful to make it perfect for him.

“Kitten.”

His voice turned her heart over. It was amazing to her what that tone could do. She immediately became aware of her breasts because they ached and her nipples scraped against the soft flannel of the shirt she wore. Little fingers of desire teased her thighs, and if he asked, she’d have to admit she was getting damp for him. With just his voice. How far gone did that make her?

“Well, it’s true. You gave that to me, Eli. I’ve been so afraid for so long that I almost don’t know how not to be. But you took that away . . . mostly.” She had to add the last because she was being strictly honest with him. She still couldn’t quite make herself look at him.

“I don’t want you ever to be afraid, Cat. Not anymore. We’ll make you safe. The more you know about self-defense, the better you are with a gun and other weapons, the more you feel you’re in condition, the safer you’ll feel by yourself. My male will teach your female how to protect herself, but always, always, know I’m going to defend you and protect you with my last breath.”

She glanced over her shoulder at him. He looked—invincible. Maybe it was that strength in him. She saw him naked, all the flowing power, the roped muscles and easy, fluid way he moved. He was fast, and when he shifted, he could do so on the run. His presence made her feel safe, but more than that, she liked that it was important to him that she learn to defend herself. He wanted her strong. He wanted her to feel as if she could survive an attack. That meant something to her.

Catarina cleared her throat. “There really isn’t any information on shifters so after I learned about Rafe, I studied leopards. They mate and then the female raises her young alone.”