The Jaguar Star (Tales of the Were: Jaguar Island Book 4) by Bianca D'Arc (e book reader android .TXT) 📗

acknowledgment. “Thank you for that consideration,” she replied. “I would like to be certain the right person is punished. If this man is under a compulsion, his actions are not his own, and it would be better to free him and ward him against such things in the future. He might be innocent,” she said, shrugging.

“What if he isn’t?” Greg asked.

A cunning smile came over the fey’s lovely face. “If he isn’t, then you can happily rip him to shreds.”

Those words stilled Ren’s inner cat and allowed him to get on with things. Fey were known as fierce warriors for all their delicate outer looks. Ren would not underestimate Sonia again.

He’d been thinking of her more as a delicate doll that had to be protected, but she’d just subtly reminded him that she was immortal and as fierce as any shifter. Perhaps even more so. Ren had heard legends about the battles Sonia had been involved in the last time the Destroyer had been running around loose in the mortal realm. He hadn’t quite believed them or been able to equate this delicate-looking woman with the warrior wench of the tales. Now, he was beginning to see a glimmer of Sonia’s past, and it was incredibly intriguing, as well as very, very welcome.

This warrior woman wouldn’t cringe at the need of his inner cat to slash and destroy its prey. The moment old T.J. had jumped in front of Kat, Ren had been ready to rip the other man’s head off. It was good to know that, if justified, Sonia would not try to get in Ren’s way.

Nerves settled, he made his way back to his suite. He discussed elevating the security with the Hilliards and Greg, who had stuck with him after leaving Sonia with Stella. Stella would begin getting the word out tonight to the rest of the Clan members in the cast while Greg, Bryan, Dave and Ren nailed down the logistics.

Every member of the Clan was accounted for immediately and instructed to stick together while they ironed out the new security scheduling. Nobody would be left on their own. The shifters understood, but Kat might still be an issue. Ren couldn’t really tell her what was going on—not all of it, anyway—but she needed protecting, perhaps more than anyone else. He’d have to see to it himself.

*

The next day on the set, Katrina noticed that everyone seemed a bit more solicitous toward her. She didn’t know exactly why, but she welcomed the friendly gestures from one and all. It gave her a buoyant feeling as she reported for duty on set and listened closely to Sonia’s instructions.

“We’re going to essentially do this same shot twice. This is the before,” Sonia told her. “When you haven’t yet established a relationship with the outlaw. You’re attracted, but you aren’t sure, by any means, that this is a good thing. We’ll do a similar shot again, when we’re in England, which will establish the progress the relationship has made. In the second shot, you’ll meet his gaze boldly, as an equal, and very much in love. This shot is the setup. You’re timid. Shy. Unsure. Got it?”

Mutely, Katrina nodded and lifted her lovely silk skirts with both hands to move closer to where Ren waited, looking sexy as anything in dark leather. Sonia framed them in the doorway. They were standing close. So close.

“Just look into my eyes,” Ren told her, his voice a mere whisper of sound. They were standing so near to each other, his nose almost brushed hers.

“I… Um…” She felt so many things. Uncomfortable, yes, but also mesmerized when she allowed herself to gaze back at him. He was looking at her as if he could see deep within her soul. Those famous green eyes of his pinned her, seemed to want to trap her, but not in a bad way. Still, she found it difficult to hold his gaze for more than a few moments.

The heat in his eyes was enthralling, and as she dimly heard Sonia call action, Katrina finally fell under his spell. Little by little, she overcame her shyness and was able to meet his gaze for longer moments until, finally, she thought she saw the swirl of energy in the green glow that wasn’t quite hidden deep within his eye.

Mouth open in mute amazement, she felt herself being drawn in. Her own eyes were wide as Ren delivered his line.

“Do not dance too close to the flame, little moth, or you might get singed,” he whispered, his gaze dropping from her eyes to her lips. She felt the heat of his attention like that very flame he’d mentioned, and then, he moved closer.

Thankfully, she didn’t have a line at that moment because she couldn’t have spoken coherently. Not when Ren’s head dipped to capture her lips with his.

Sweet Mother in Heaven, that felt good.

She let him kiss her, at first, and then she found herself joining in, almost against her will. Her arms crept up his chest, her hands going around his shoulders to tangle in the silky strands of his dark hair. Her lips surrendered all to him and took pleasure in return. Little moans of enjoyment rose from her chest, and still, the kiss went on.

Only dimly, moments—or was it hours—later, she heard Sonia call cut. Ren backed off slowly, his gaze holding hers, mysteries in his eyes that she couldn’t quite decipher. Not then. Not when the world was spinning out of control from the hottest kiss she’d ever known.

Somewhat to her disappointment, Sonia decided that shot was enough, and they were moving on to another section. Ren steadied her by the shoulders, making sure she had her balance before he stepped out of the doorway. She saw the little flicker of a masculine smile on his lips as he left her to answer Sonia’s call, but she didn’t let it get to her. When a man kissed like that, he had a right to be a