May 31, 2017

Remi had just returned from taking yet another cold shower, when there was a knock on his door. He was almost frustrated to see Korina there. Damn it. He didn't want two cold showers in a row. Yet, he couldn't stop himself from letting out a quick laugh at her while she stood there with a scowl on her face and a book in her hand.

"This is just not right Remi." She reprimanded him as she waved the book.

Remi leaned against the doorframe as he took in the sight of her. She was just so damn cute when she was frustrated.

"And, what is not right about the book?"

Korina stalked up to him and poked him in the chest until he started backing up into his room and she followed. "The Count of Monte Cristo. I have been practicing my reading. It took me two months to sort of understand what is going on. And, and…" She growled. "Really? You read a book about a man betrayed by a friend he loved like a brother, because the one wanted to steal the woman that he loves? Why would you read that?" She had figured out its relation to Remi's life with Quinn and Becca. And, she could not understand why he would add to his pain by reading more stories like his. Quinn didn't try to betray Remi, it was a mistake.

Remi's face split into a wide grin. "You didn't finish did you?"

"No. It is not right." She growled.

"I read it because it is not about the man losing the woman he loves to his friend. It is about the revenge that the man takes out on his friend." Remi stopped himself from adding the part about him getting the girl back in the end. He just did feel right saying that to Korina.

Korina's jaw went slack. "Oh. Well, then, that is just mean."

Remi turned the tables and stalked up to Korina. To her credit, she did not back down. But, he got within half an inch of pressing his body against hers as he dropped his head to growl in her ear. "That is because I am a mean bastard. You don't want to believe it. But, I am."

In involuntary reaction to the combined effects of the vibrations in her ear from his voice, the intensity of the moment, and the general thought of the sweetest man she had met so far, ever thinking that he was just some mean bastard… Korina started to giggle.

Remi's breath caught in his chest and his body tightened at the sound. He had never heard her laugh or giggle before. It was enough of a shock that he almost forgot what it was that started it.

As soon as she realized what she did, her eyes grew to the size of saucers and she quickly covered her mouth with her hands. Korina turned bright red and sprinted for the door.

Remi started to reach for her as she took off. But, he stopped himself. She triggered something playful in him. His mind raced as he thought of chasing her down and tickling her to hear that giggle again. Seeing her eyes light up as she smiled. And then, kissing her until she was breathless. May the gods help him. He needed another cold shower.

Korina was so embarrassed as she fled Remi's room. She had never laughed before. It was so shocking to her that she didn't know what to do. And, then to laugh at Remi, when he was trying to be mean and intimidating. She must have hurt his feelings. But, she couldn't stop it. His deep voice affected her in ways that she was not prepared for. Her body always wanted to touch him, for him to touch her. But, when he spoke in her ear like that. It not only tickled, but it made her knees weak. It made her weak. It was all just so intense that it came out. And, she didn't want to embarrass herself further. He was just a good man that protected her. He loved someone else. She had to remember that.

June 25, 2017

Aimee had started to show Korina how to keep accounting records. Korina had discovered that she liked numbers. Aimee was too much of a perfectionist to let Korina take over yet. However, Aimee was trying to teach her and start with some small things. Aimee needed to get some work done as the bar was getting busy after the sun set. So, Korina decided to get something to eat before heading back to her room as well. Normally, she would order from the kitchen and take it back to her room. But, today, she wanted to try to get out of the house more. Eventually, she would have to get out and see more of the world and interact with people.

So, she walked over to the bar.

"Hi Trip." Korina greeted quietly. Trip was part of the house band that played on the weekends.

"Hey girl. Are you sure you want to sit out here?" He asked.

She sighed. "I have to try sometime."

He smiled. "Well, then, what can I get for you?"

She tilted her head. "Do you really have to ask?"

"One steak coming up."

"Thank you."

Remi heard Korina's voice through the kitchen door behind the bar. He couldn't stop himself from leaning back to get a peek at her. She really was a beautiful woman. Her coloring reminded him of the snow leopard that he knew that she was. Elegant. Captivating.

He was proud of her for trying to get out of the house more. In the several months that she had been there, she had not stepped one foot outside the front door. He was hoping that she would try soon. Until then, sitting in the bar was a start. Although, her soft and submissive voice was still needing some work. Baby steps he thought, baby steps.

Just as Korina finished her plate, some handsome looking Were-leopard made his way over to her. He was tall and lythe with short auburn hair and amber colored eyes.

"Well hi there pretty kitty." He said with a very seductive smirk on his lips.

Korina stiffened. "I am not interested."

"Oh, come on now. Don't be like that. Why don't we just get to know one another?"

Korina stood up to leave, but the man grabbed her by the arm.

"Where do you think you are going?"

She turned and kicked him straight in the groin. He doubled over in pain, screaming. "You bitch!"

When the man lunged forward for Korina, Remi grabbed him and threw him to the ground. Then he laid into him, fists flying. Remi was in full rage and ready to kill the leopard. It took four of the others to pull him off of the asshole. Yet, still, Remi fought against them.

Korina was in tears. It was all her fault. The scene. Remi's anger. All of it. She should have stayed in her room.

She didn't want Remi to get hurt or get in trouble because of her. She stepped in front of him as he struggled to get free of the others so he could kill the man that attacked her. "Hey there grumpy bear. I am alright. Please Remi, calm down. I am alright."

His face started to fade away from the redness of his rage, his muscles relaxed. But, his breathing was still heavy. She reached passed everyone's arms and shoulders, as they held him back, to cup his face. "Remi, please calm down. It's time to stop."

All of the fight drained from him. He was lost in her eyes, the feel of her skin on his. The others let go of him and he pulled her into his arms.

"Are you sure you are okay?" He asked her. She nodded.

The leopard growled. "What kind of a sick freak show are you people running here. First, we hear about the bear and the wolf. Now you two? It isn't natural." Then he pulled away from Trip's grip enough to storm out of the bar.

Remi couldn't believe that he had made such a public scene with her. But, he needed to know she was really alright. The two of them had been talking more lately. Not just Remi helping her learn. But, really talking. Because he was one of the few people that knew the whole story, she felt more comfortable opening up with him. He knew about her PTSD and how she was scared of losing control if someone hit her or grabbed her wrong. She already had a hard time calming down after she woke up from her nightmares. He didn't want her to have to face that. He desperately wanted to protect her from the kind of blind reaction that he knew so well.

Korina wanted to just stay there, in his arms. But, she knew that he was just being protective of her. And, she was already embarrassed by the scene that she caused. She didn't need to make a fool out of herself as well. So, she pulled back and mumbled an apology to everyone before she quickly headed back to her room.