She rolled away, probably looking like a white tootsie roll with arms and legs. She didn’t stop until her head banged into the side of the tub.
“Ow.” She sat up, rubbing her head.
There was another loud purr.
Was the stupid jaguar laughing at her? She crawled into the tub, tucking her bath pillow beneath her head. It wasn’t as good as her pillow on the bed. This was just one of those cheap ones that you inflate. It was an indulgence, but it had only cost a dollar.
She tried to get comfortable, but finally gave up. It was a lost cause. She sniffed. Her first major orgasm and what happens, the guy changes into a jaguar. She snorted. That was one for the advice columns. Maybe she should write Dear Abby. She could see it now.
Dear Abby,
What do you do when you have the greatest sex for the very first time in your life, and your lover turns into a jaguar? Is it a reflection on your performance?
Need advice ASAP!
Signed,
One Who Sleeps in a Bathtub
This was so not fun.
Chapter 8
What happened? Rogar’s thoughts filled the jaguar.
Ahh, you’re awake, Balam communicated the same way. I had begun to wonder if you would ever regain consciousness.
Where’s Callie? Fear filled him. Rogar wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he’d harmed her in any way.
We didn’t eat her if that’s what you’re asking.
Then where is she?
I believe she’s in the other room. She slammed the door and locked it.
Rogar felt relief wash over him. I’ve never lost control like that before.
Because you’ve never lost control at all. It was not I who initiated the change. This sometimes happens with the males of our species when passions rule. Don’t worry, I have no desire to dominate.
Don’t you? Rogar could feel Balam’s amusement. Guilt filled him for even having those kinds of thoughts. Balam was a friend, not just his guide. I’m sorry.
You lead a more exciting life than I ever could. I don’t mind living vicariously through you. There was a deep sigh. Besides, our bond is stronger than most. It’s when man and beast don’t respect each other’s needs that trouble begins.
You’re right.
Of course I am. The jaguar jumped to the bed. You’d better go to her. I’m sure she didn’t sleep well last night.
Rogar flinched. I doubt she’ll be happy with me.
She’s very beautiful you know.
Yes, I do.
Rogar closed his eyes, felt the transformation begin, the damp fog as it began to roll in. He was used to it. The first time had been the hardest. At one point during the change, his thoughts were no longer entirely his. Rogar knew Balam experienced the same feeling. It was as though they stopped being two, and became one, if only for a moment in time. Never once had Rogar felt threatened—which made his guilt all the more harder to swallow. They’d always respected each other’s identity.
He growled from low in his throat. It changed to a moan. A paw became a hand, a jaw that could crush a human head returned to human form, hair changed to flesh.
Rogar opened his eyes, blinking several times until the room came into focus. It was always the same—as if he’d walked from darkness into light. Tiredness washed over him in waves. He sat up, swinging his legs over the side of the bed, and waited for everything to come into focus. To catch up to being human again.
He finally stood, remembered he was naked, and quickly slipped on his briefs and slacks. Rogar wasn’t quite sure if Callie would feel the same way about his nakedness as she did last night before they mated. And since she’d spent the night in the bathroom, he thought it might be wiser not to push his luck.
When he turned the doorknob and pushed, there was a catch that prevented him from opening the door all the way. He peered through the small crack, but he couldn’t see Callie, nor did he hear her moving around. She might be sleeping. If he could manage to get inside, he would know for sure she was all right.
He looked around, spotting a card on her bedside table that might work to unlatch the door. He picked it up, and slid it through the crack, then upward, unhooking the latch. He tossed the card on the bed, and opened the door.
She wasn’t in the room. Had Balam lied and ate her after all?
I don’t lie, Balam’s voice interjected into his thoughts. Try looking behind the curtain.
Sometimes you pain me, Rogar told him. He knew Balam was smiling.
Rogar slid the curtain open, making very little sound, then grimaced. Callie was curled in the tub, her knees scrunched to her chest. He leaned over and shook her shoulder. “Callie.”
She stretched, groaning. “Oh, Lord, I feel like death warmed over.”
He wasn’t sure what death warmed over meant, but from the pained expression on her face, he was pretty certain it didn’t feel good.
Callie opened her eyes, then frowned. “Why am I in the bathtub?”
“We mated last night…”
She smiled. “I remember.”
He felt heartened that her smile was full of satisfaction when she remembered.
Her smile quickly turned downward. “Was I so bad at making love that I had to sleep in the bathtub, rather than in bed with you?” she asked.
“You were magnificent.”
“No,” she said as if he hadn’t spoken. “I remember now, you changed into a jaguar and I was afraid.”
He nodded.
Her eyes grew round. “Oh, crap, it is all true. I didn’t dream I was alien—I am an alien. I changed right before we made love—into a freakin’ bunny which was so uncool.” She quickly sat up, then grabbed her neck. “Oh, damn!”
“Here, let me help you.” He practically lifted her out of the tub, then aimed her toward the bedroom. She held her neck as though it might snap in two at any second. More guilt washed over him. He helped her ease down to the side of the bed, then began to massage her neck.
“Oh, oh, oh that hurts…Ahh.” She sighed. “Better.” She leaned her head to the other side. “You have magical hands. I mean…”
When their gazes met, he saw her cheeks were a rosy hue. He couldn’t stop his grin from forming.
“That’s not what I meant, so deflate your ego,” she said, one eyebrow arching.
“You didn’t like when I touched you?”
She looked down, picking at the material of her white robe. “Yes, I liked it a lot.”
Heat flared inside him.
Someone knocked on the front door.
Callie came to her feet, looked toward the door, then at him.
“Hide?” he guessed.
She nodded. “I’ll get rid of them, then I have to get ready for work. Not all of us can make their own money.” She paused briefly. “We’ll talk about that later, too.”
Callie hurried to the door, her movements stiff. That was something else they’d be talking about, too. The next time they made love, there would be no more changing form, and if he did, he would be the one sleeping in a bathtub.
She glanced at the clock as she passed by. Who would be knocking on her door this early in the morning? It was barely seven.
For safety, she peeked through the window before opening the door. Not that she had much to worry about. All Rogar had to do was shift into the jaguar, and whoever was on the other side would have a heart attack.