He found himself curled protectively around her back. He caught her face, turned her so she looked over her shoulder at him and then his mouth was on hers. Heat rushed through his veins, a fireball spreading hunger as he kissed her. He loved her mouth. Her soft, full lips, how velvet soft her mouth was, moist and hot and tasting like cinnamon and honeyed spice. He didn’t give her time to breathe. To protest. He simply poured everything he was into her. Demanding she give him everything.

“Everything,” he whispered against her lips. “I want it all from you.”

“You have it,” she reassured, reaching with one arm to circle his neck, holding him to her.

He kissed her again and again, losing himself in her taste. Despite the cool of the night, her body felt warm to him. Hot even, as if her skin were on fire. He closed his eyes for a moment, knowing her time was close. Too close. They weren’t going to get what she so desperately wanted.

He lifted his head and very gently turned her toward him. He could see the knowledge in her eyes. The fear. She was trying to be brave, not to panic. He couldn’t imagine what it must feel like for her. He reached around her and unzipped her jacket, tugging her arms out of the sleeves.

So terrible. She burns. Inside. Outside. Both of them. His leopard pushed closer to the surface. Desperate to get at his mate. The heat rose in the male leopard as well, answering the fire in the female.

Alonzo knew that was true because he was already burning for her. His cock was a steel spike, so hard and thick he felt his heartbeat pounding right through it. He cupped Evangeline’s face between his palms. “She’s close. Timur will warn the other leopards away. It’s going to be rough, malen’kaya lyublyu moyo, but I’ll get you through this.”

Evangeline curled her fingers around his arm, almost convulsively. “It happened earlier. When you were busy. I tried to get through it alone but it was horrible.” She made her confession in a low, frightened voice. This was worse. So much worse than before. Every single cell in her body was on fire. She could barely breathe with the need burning so hot. Her heart pounded and the roar of her blood was like thunder in her ears.

Alonzo brushed kisses over her eyes. Trailed them down her cheek to the corner of her mouth.