She gave him a piercing look. “And how do you know what I can and can’t do? Or maybe you think because I couldn’t escape the lion that I’m weak.”
“I never said that.”
“You implied it. Skulking in the shadows and following me all over the city proves you think I need a bodyguard. Maybe that’s the kind of flattery Chitah women need in their lives, but I won’t tolerate it. This is a secretive job, and if my boss found out you were following us, he’d have your memory scrubbed. What you did helping us with those kids won’t matter. You have no right to meddle in our business.”
“For that I apologize. I have no desire to… meddle in your affairs.”
“No. You just want to make me your bride and fill me with babies.”
Matteo came to a hard stop.
Blue faced him and studied his downward glance. A shadow crossed his features, one so black that she could almost feel its presence as if it were a living thing. “Look, I don’t want to get deep with you. I also don’t want to tiptoe around your feelings. You shouldn’t be here. I’m not the one. I’m just a girl you rescued one night when no one else could carry me.”
He lifted his gaze. “If you choose me, I’ll always carry you.”
“I don’t want to be carried. And I don’t want a man who thinks I need to be carried.”
Incensed, she marched up the road. How the hell was she going to shake this guy off her tail? Chitahs and Shifters had one thing in common: they were persistent. Shifters she understood, but how could she turn off a Chitah?
Matteo caught up again. “Tell me about your kin.”
“Next question.”
“How can I woo you if I don’t know what you desire in a family? Did your name come from your eyes?”
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
“I just assumed…”
Blue stopped in her tracks and shot him an icy glare. “You assumed what?”
He lightly shrugged. “It’s uncommon to see a Native with blue eyes.”
“It’s also uncommon to see a Chitah with dark hair. What’s your point? Do you think I’m a product of a mixed mating? Or maybe you’re suggesting something more sinister.” She turned away, thankful she didn’t have her tomahawk.
His hand gripped her arm. “Wait. I have no wish to insult you, female. I want to know you. I want to learn all there is about you.” He released his hold, and his gaze softened. “Tell me something.”
She pondered a minute before giving in. What could it hurt? “My name is one I gave to myself, and that’s a story you don’t get to know about. Yes, my eyes are blue. All my people have blue eyes.”
“Is it because you’re a falcon?”
“No. It’s just a trait within my tribe. I’d never seen people with brown or green eyes until I left my childhood home.”
He tipped his head to the side. “You were isolated as a child. That’s unusual in these times. What did you think when you first saw brown eyes?”
She thought back. “I thought they were beautiful. They were rich and came in many shades, like the earth. Some light, some yellowish, some as dark as a bear’s. The blue eye color in my tribe didn’t have as much range—just the same dull shade.”
“Not dull,” he said, brushing his knuckles against her cheek. “Like two sapphires under the sun. And what do you think of my brown eyes? Do you find them desirable?”
She slapped his cheek and then held out her palm to him. “Mosquito.” After resuming her hike, she thought about Claude and all his stories. She knew just enough about Chitahs that she might be able to scare this guy off by becoming the antithesis of what he desired in a woman.
He jogged up beside her. “I’m grateful for your kindness. Many would have let the insect feast on my blood, but you have a thoughtful spirit,” he said, his voice laced with humor.
She stopped again and wrinkled her nose. “You smell like a feral hog.”
“Does it please you?” He tossed back his head and laughed. “Don’t worry, female. I’ll wash in your creek upon our return.”
Oh, this guy is a riot.
“Viktor’s only tolerating your presence because of the favor you did for us. Don’t count on it lasting.”
“Then I better work harder to win your affection.”
“You seem to have a habit of accepting jobs with little payment.”
His gaze fell to her lips. “The last payment received was the greatest of my life. I thought the kiss would satiate my broken heart, but all it did was make me hunger for you.”
“Those are sweet words you should save for a woman who has a heart to give. Did you really think I’d just ride off into the sunset with you? Live in a cabin in the woods?”
He leaned in, his eyes predatory and his mouth wanton. She remembered the taste of his lips. “I know your heart yearns for the wild. I see it in your eyes.”
“You’ll tire of this.”
“Men tire climbing mountains that reach the heavens. Some journeys are worth the uncertainty of success.”
“Exactly how old are you? You look fairly young, but I get the feeling you could be my grandfather.”
“I’m a young six hundred. In my time, we didn’t ask a person’s age. Do you think wisdom comes with youth?”
She patted his chest. “Apparently it doesn’t come with age. You’re chasing a mouse that can’t be caught.”
Before he could reply, Blue released her human form and let her animal take over. Clothes fell away from her body as she morphed into a winged creature. Matteo’s mouth fell open as she soared upward to the one place she truly belonged.
The world was much quieter from above. She didn’t have any clouds to ride, but the earth unfolded beneath her like a patchwork quilt. Land was divided between territories, farmland, and the wild. Small rivers and creeks carved through them, and the urge to hunt grew strong as her falcon scanned the open fields below. Late afternoon to early evening was the best time to catch wild rabbits, and even though it was too early for hunting, Blue decided to let her falcon take the helm. Through her animal’s eyes, she became a passenger on a spectacular flight.
Far from Matteo and his honeyed words. Far from obligations. Far from remembrances.
Chapter 10
Before going home, I drove by Crush’s trailer. I was curious how he was getting on with his new companion. Crush’s red truck was out front, but I didn’t see any sign of the dog in the yard. Had he gotten rid of him? I sped off before Crush heard my motor humming and came running out with his shotgun.
After gassing up my truck and driving it through the car wash, I went home. The sun had gone down by the time I got there. Judging by the lingering smell of pot roast and the empty dining room, I’d missed dinner. The burger had filled me up anyhow, so I ascended the wide staircase in search of Blue. The wall lanterns guided my way through the stone hallways. In the daytime, Keystone was a castle. But at night it was a place that could make children afraid of monsters.
Maybe I’d bitten off more than I could chew. Hunting murderers was more my speed, but detective work had too many moving parts. Hopefully those bears hadn’t gone back for Blue. She’d left her phone in my truck, so I had no way of getting in touch with her.