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It ell past s Head owned by the Sha, with a colorful windsock blowing cheerily froht The house o stories atop the requisite stilts, weathered gray wood siding, each story with its oraparound deck

Skye looked up at the house, exhausted and bitterly disappointed the ritual had failed She’d thought she’d finally found a purpose for her gift, but nothing in her life seeht

Paenther parked the car in the space beneath the house Part of her wanted to curl up and go to sleep, but she was afraid Birik would only send her another nightmare

What she needed more than sleep was freedom She needed to feel the wind

As Paenther opened her door, she looked up into his rugged face "I’ to stay outside for a while if that’s okay"

He held out his hand for her and helped her out of the car "If you can get o down to the beach"

She set you into your animal, then we’ll both take a run"

"You are a nature spirit, aren’t you?"

"I spend almost all day every day in the woods I’m happier outside"

They went into the house, a casual, coht upholstery Three bedroo soared over the living areas on the floor above

Once they’d taken a look around, they deposited their overnight bags in the largest of the bedrooms Skye eyed the bed with a mix of anticipation and trepidation Anticipation because she’d be sharing it with Paenther But beds ultiht thee, hard body uned at herfor a run"

"We are" But he padded toward her like the dark, dangerous predator he was

She glanced down lint shone in his eyes "Now" But his hands gripped her shoulders and he hauled her into his arainst his hard, ready body, and kissed her until her head spun and her legs felt too weak to stand

His hand covered her breast His lips left her mouth to trail across her cheek and down to her neck, where he nuzzled and kissed and nipped until her body was hot and heavy with need

"We can run later," she ers went to the belt at her waist and unhooked it He slid his hand into the too-large waistband, beneath the elastic of the panties Reaching behind her, he pressed her hips forith one hand while the fingers of the other burrowed between her legs and slid deep inside her

Skye clung to his ar at his arive way beneath her

"Paenther"

His mouth nibbled at the base of her throat "I want a run"

"You’re sending es here"

"You ht" His mouth turned frantic as the kisses and the nips traveled up her throat to her jaw "I want you, but I want to take , her body on fire "Just come inside me, just comeinside Take our timelater"

With fast, frantic movements, he unzipped her jeans and shoved thehs, then he turned her around

"Bend over, Beauty" His voice was husky with need as he pushed her down, one hand in her hair as the other gripped her hip Pulling her close, he took her fro her, as he rocked against her, slaasped with the raw pleasure of this basic act, crying out as she ca the sound of his pleasure as he followed her over that sensual precipice When he was through, he pulled out of her, pulled her around, and kissed gently, thoroughly

Finally, he pulled back and looked down into her face, his dark eyes ith an es deep inside her chest His hand brushed back her hair, then he pulled up her clothes and fastened her belt Taking her hands, he pressed theo for that run"

As she touched hi Paenther pulled on the power and at the same time she called on the aniht, the le cat, a sleek black panther Like before, she reveled in his beauty, his emerald eyes, his black pelt

She knelt and stroked his head and neck "You’rea laugh out of her

I like the sound of that

"Of what?"

Your laughter You don’t laugh often enough

She peered into those e the h about But being with you lad Let’s run

She took off her shoes and socks, then rose and let theether, they ran down to the beach, the cool breeze in her face, the big jungle cat at her side His presence thrilled her

When they reached the dune, the panther took off I’ll be right back I need to run

Skye waded through the soft sand, but when she reached the hard-packed beach, she began to run, too, feeling her spirit briefly soar Theit sparkle and dance withto her

She sent love and well-being out to the beautiful creature Aback under the surface of the ocean Two e and watched them dance for her

They were so free So at one with their world, as she would never be with hers The panther raced back down the beach toward her and ca hile" style="display:block" data-ad-client="ca-pub-7451196230453695" data-ad-slot="9930101810" data-ad-format="auto" data-full-width-responsive="true"></ins>