His male rubbed his large head along her shoulder and then looked her straight in the eye. Like Alonzo, he knew what she was conveying to him. She wanted him to know that her leopard was extraordinary. He knew that already. She’d revealed herself immediately when her human counterpart had been a baby and needed her. That alone made her special.

“The other thing I think it’s important for you to know—” Evangeline said. She stopped abruptly and swept a hand through her hair. “Aside from the fact that I wanted time with you, Fyodor, so much more time before Bebe emerged, I needed to know you wanted me for me. Not just for her. I still need that. I’ve never been wanted. Not by my family. Not by anyone. I’m not tellin’ you this so you’ll be sympathetic. I want you to know how important it is to me to feel as if I am the one you want. Me. I foresee, in a long-term relationship, my self-esteem issues when it comes to you and me comin’ up and givin’ us problems.”

Alonzo wanted to shift, to hold her close, but he would have been stark naked and she wanted to talk. There was no getting close to her while he was naked and not taking her, so he remained in his leopard form. The male nudged her gently with his muzzle and then rubbed along her shoulder as if offering comfort or reassurance.

Alonzo knew he had a few of those issues of his own. He wanted her to be as obsessed with him as he was with her. He needed her to want him, to want to make a home with him. He’d never had that and he desired it—with her.

“I also think it’s important to tell you, because I spent so many years outsmartin’ that big male and livin’ in a dangerous situation, I know, no matter how much I tell myself that I want a normal, quiet life with a nice man, that just isn’t true. No matter how much I try to be someone else, I’m still me. I’ll always be me. And always want you and whatever life we have together.”

Alonzo couldn’t stop himself from shifting. That revelation had to be hard for her to admit to him. She’d come outside not to run from him or to be defiant, but because she needed it. She felt most comfortable outside, and he understood a comfort zone. He also understood needing that adrenaline rush.