“Remy, I’m well aware we barely know one another. I’m not one to jump into bed with just anyone . . .”

“I know that. I was there, remember? I should have been much more careful with you that first time,” he admitted.

“I wasn’t sayin’ that. I just mean, you don’ know me any better than I know you.”

“You’d be surprised at how well I know you, Bijou. I didn’t lose track of you over the years. And I’m a cop.”

She turned cool eyes on him, although again, there was that tiny hint of amusement. “You investigated me?”

“Of course. Did you expect anythin’ less?”

“No, I guess not. But that doesn’t mean you know me, Remy. Nor do I know you. I didn’t even know about the leopard business.” She lowered her voice when she used the word leopard, clearly still uncomfortable with the idea of being a shifter.

He pulled her hand up to his mouth, brushing his lips over her knuckles. “I’m not good with words. I know that. Not with anyone I care about, but there’s a hell of a lot more to our relationship than our leopards—or great sex—regardless of what I may have said earlier.”

“See, I don’ know you that well, or I’d know whether you were just sayin’ that to make me feel better, and keep me around for your leopard, or if you mean it.”

“I’ve never once told you a lie. We do have great sex. And my leopard is crazy about yours. Maybe I left out how I feel, but only because I’ve never actually felt this way about a woman before. It’s new to me as well, Blue. Just give us time. We’re interrupted every two minutes and I have to find this killer. But you’re on my mind, every moment, you’re on my mind.”

Bijou smiled at him a little tentatively, but her smile reached her eyes. “I’m apparently not the most lovable person in the world.”

“That’s bullshit.”

“You said yourself half of New Orleans wants me dead.”

“True, I did say that, which is why you’re goin’ to stick close to the Inn when I’m not around. My brothers will keep their eyes on you when I’m workin’. Do you have anything important goin’ on in the next couple of days?”

“Arnaud asked me to go to the openin’ of his gallery showin’. That’s tomorrow night.” Her smile widened. “It gives me a chance to dress up. It’s a black tie affair.”

“Don’ be usin’ the word affair in the same breath when referrin’ to that Frenchman,” Remy groused. “He’s all over you.”