Bijou hurried to keep up with his fast pace. “Remy, no one’s after us, there was a wall between us and anyone else. No one would ever be so stupid as to challenge all those men. What’s goin’ on? This isn’t about those drunken idiots is it? Somethin’ else is goin’ on.”

“Yes, but I need somewhere far away from here to tell you. Somewhere safe where we can be alone.”

Bijou shook her head. “Nowhere is safe if we’re alone.” She looked up at him, her eyes meeting his. “Is it?”

If she was seeking reassurance, he couldn’t give it to her. His body was already on fire, his leopard almost mad with the need for hers. He knew her body was reacting to his, and her leopard was so close he doubted if they would make it too far before she began to insist on emerging. He didn’t have a lot of time to get Bijou back to the privacy of the swamp.

“My car’s straight ahead. Keep movin’.”

“I feel sick, Remy,” she admitted, pressing a hand to her stomach. “And hot.” She pushed at her hair, her hand coming away damp. “I’m so hot. I feel like I’m runnin’ a high fever.”

“I know. Just get in the car.” He yanked open the passenger door for her.

She slipped inside and he rushed around to the driver’s side. He jumped inside and kicked off his shoes. She didn’t notice. She was too uncomfortable, squirming, her female leopard in a frenzy after the close proximity of all the male leopards.

Bijou continually rubbed her hands and knuckles. He knew how bad it hurt that first time, the terrible, brutal, yet wonderful gift of shifting. Every joint, her jaw and mouth would be painful, while the tips of her fingers and toes burned as if she was touching flames. Worse than all of it was the ferocious drive to have sex.

“Remy.” Bijou cleared her throat repeatedly in an effort to talk. “Why does this happen to me every time I’m with you?”

“I’ll explain everythin’ to you, chere, but you have to trust me. It’s all goin’ to sound like somethin’ out of a movie. Right now, the only thing that matters is to strip. And do it fast.”

She frowned at him. “I’m not havin’ sex with you in the car, Remy.” She breathed deep, put her head down as if to keep from fainting and then sat back up, glaring at him as she touched her breasts through the material of her dress as if they were hurting. “I’m not.” But she didn’t sound as certain as she wanted.