Daylight was breaking as I rode north toward the river. Lloyd had been emphatic. He saw it near the river south of Swaukane Canyon two days earlier. He should know. He’d lived more than half his life in this country.
Riders were leaving the bunkhouse as I arrived at the Keystrone Ranch. Barclay, the ranch owner stood by the corral gate peering intently at a Morgan colt he’d recently acquired. “Morning James Loren.” He greeted me with a friendly smile and a handshake. “Been awhile since you’ve been up our way.”
“Mornin’ Barclay. I met up with Lloyd at the feed store last night. He’s tell’n me he spotted a snow leopard up around Swawkane Canyon. Says he’s seen it more than once. You reckon he’s full’ve shit?”
Barclay’s face stiffened; his expression was a mix of irritation and concern. “Lloyd knows what he sees and I’ve seen it down by the Ardenvour River.”
“A snow leopard? There’s critters up here but damn sure no snow leopards. Not unless some joker transplanted one from the north. I mean way the hell north. It ain’t possible.”
Barclay smiled and turned away. I was dismissed. That’s the way Barclay was. He was irritated. Always the gentleman, he’d never let it show. To him, I was an enigma. Despite our differences we’d been friends for many years. I didn’t think what Lloyd and he had seen was a snow leopard and I wanted to see for myself. I turned and rode back toward the river.
I followed the rambling ribbon of water that was the Ardenvour River. Midday sun blanketed me in heat and my shirt was wet with sweat. I dismounted and sat leaning against a fallen fir tree as I rummaged through my saddlebag, retrieving dried salmon and a water canteen. As I ate, I could hear the rapid water rushing over the rocks in the river bed. My mind filled with thoughts of the elusive snow leopard.
It was a strange sensation, an obsession, really. I finished my meal and drifted off to sleep. An hour passed and I came awake with a jolt. It felt as if the earth had moved under me. My sleepy eyes struggled to focus and then I saw it standing, not thirty yards away. What the hell . . . ?
I shook my head and squinted. It was a snow leopard. I tried to reconcile what I saw with what I knew. Snow leopards were common hundreds of miles north but even in the northern-most Cascades they were rare. It was impossible, yet there it was. I remained still. Sudden movement could incur attack and I was in no mood to wrestle with a cat that size. Tough as I was, I knew I’d lose. The cat moved toward me and I watched anxiously as it advanced.
The cat came closer and I could see it clearly. It was female; a beautiful animal, but dangerous, very dangerous. My hand reached behind me, searching for anything I could use as a weapon. I pulled a fir limb loose. It wasn’t much but it would give me a marginal advantage should the cat decide to attack. I watched as the magnificent animal approached. My body tensed, adrenaline coursed through my veins and fear tugged at every fibre of my being. I recalled my grandfather’s words. “Confront your fears James Loren. Never let them confront you. The Manitou takes many forms. Trust not only the spirits, but yourself.”
His advice was proving difficult to follow. I was no stranger to fear. I'd confronted it many times, yet somehow this was different. I’ll get through this one god damn way or another!
Suddenly the snow leopard dissolved into human form, a magnificent female, tall and brunette with striking features and the greenest eyes I’d ever seen. Her breasts strained the stitching of her denim shirt and she wore canvas trousers. I leaped to my feet as she gave me a curious stare.
“I knew I’d find you, James Loren.”
Silent whispers of air took the place of my words. She came closer and smiled. Standing inches from me, she slowly unbuttoned her shirt. It fell from her shoulders and landed at her feet. Her fingers undid the snaps on my shirt and she pulled it free. Her half-naked body pressed close to mine and she found my lips with hers. It was a surprisingly gentle kiss. She kissed me again, more forcefully than before. My arms encircled body and I pulled her closer. The sensation of her body heat and the mysterious scent of her presence were intoxicating.
She took my face in her hands and studied me with a piercing stare. Her gaze bathed me in a warm rush of passion. She lay her head on my chest and her soft lips gently nuzzled my neck. I ran my fingers through her long, black hair, trembling slightly as a wave of arousal swept over me.
“Come with me.” She took my hand in hers and led me deeper into the forest. Sheltered under a stand of tall fir trees, we lay next to each other on a bed of pine needles and ground cover. Her hands explored my body as she slowly removed my trousers and boots. Her hair gently brushed my chest as she nibbled and kissed my nipples. I ran my hands over her back, my fingers tasting her beauty. Her muscles quivered as her passion increased.
She leaned over me, her firm breasts brushed my face and I kissed them, first one and then the other. I could hear the sweet sound of her muted moans of pleasure as her hips moved with a slow, seductive rhythm. I captured her protruding nipple in my mouth, my tongue teasing her flesh. Her breathing grew louder as her arousal increased. She rolled over, pulling me down onto her.
My lips and tongue tasted her exquisite body as I kissed and licked her neck and shoulders. I moved slowly and enticingly down her torso, sprinkling wet kisses from her waist to her knees. Her breathing came in long, ragged gasps as I kissed and licked and nibbled at her inner thighs. My lips and tongue gently teased the perimeter of her warm pussy. She moaned loudly and tugged at my hair, urging me closer. Her lips thrust upward to meet me as my tongue penetrated her center. I slowly licked and sucked, coaxing her closer to climax. Her luscious long legs entrapped my head and she pulled me tightly into her. It was impossible to maintain a slow and deliberate pace. My passion was flaming out of control.
With a powerful burst of strength and emotion, she rolled on top of me, slowly sliding down my torso. Her hips meshed with mine and I could feel her guide my throbbing cock into her. Her trembling pussy held me tightly, sending waves of pleasure through my body. I thrust upward, driving deeper into her. She exhaled loudly, her half-closed eyes, trumpeting her impending orgasm. Her hips pumped wildly as she clawed my chest and gasped with exertion.
We were lost in a sea of pleasure, our writhing bodies joined as one, no longer able to control our passionate destiny. She rode me like a wild stallion. Her hips thrust forward and back, her contorted face mirrored the height of her intense emotion. The sounds and sights of our lovemaking were powerfully intoxicating. I could feel myself nearing the pinnacle of release. I was sure it was the same for my beautiful lover.
Our moans and shrieks echoed through the forest. The sun smiled down on us and we erupted in a burst of mutual satisfaction, warm love liquid mingling with the sweat from our spent and trembling bodies.
We lay together, wrapped in each other’s arms, sharing soft and gentle kisses; basking in a warm glow of contented sighs as we drifted in a pool of peaceful sleep.
“It is as it was intended”, she whispered quietly.
When I awoke she was gone. I sat up and peered at the horizon. She was nowhere to be seen. Then I saw them. Tracks led away from where we’d laid. They were tracks of a strange and beautiful snow leopard.
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