Katherine wandered restlessly around Crystal’s house for awhile after Lady left. A lot of things were going through her mind and she was trying to make what she was feeling straight in her mind. At one point she was tempted to pick up the phone and tell Lady that she couldn’t face going out with Ben Adams after all, and at another she was ready to flee the city to avoid facing the problem. But she knew that neither one of those actions would solve anything. Trying to clear her mind of all the confusion, she decided to take a walk.

She had been walking around for about a hour without paying much attention to where she was going when she looked up and was surprised to find herself in the zoo. She couldn’t help but giggle while wondering if that handsome zoo director was available. As if right oncue, John Clayton rounded the corner of the sidewalk in front of her. He smiled brightly, recognizing her immediately as the young lady he had so shamelessly flirted with the day they had met.

"Good Afternoon, Lady Katherine", he said as he took her hand and kissed the back of it. She dropped a curtsey and replied "Greetings, milord" in a soft Scottish accent, slipping easily back into her role of a proper Lady of royal blood. Lord Greystoke looked down at the petite young woman and grinned. There was something about her that

stirred him and he was finding it a little difficult to act like a gentleman. He had a feeling that she did not know his complete background and did not want to scare her off with any jungle behavior.

"I seem to have some free time at the moment. Would you like a private tour of the zoo?" He offered her his arm as he smiled in encouragement. She slipped her hand into the crock of his arm, smiling shyly back. Even that little bit of physical contact sent a pleasant feeling up and down his whole body and again he had to struggle to control the jungle noises that were stirring inside of him. Time for that later, he thought.

Katherine’s face was glowing as she relished in the complete attention being given to her by this wonderful gentleman. She could feel his struggles for control of course, but respected him even more because he was able to maintain his courtesy towards her. It was no secret to the little empath that the handsome man walking beside her wanted her as much as she was beginning to want him. Underneath the control, she sensed something else; it didn’t feel threatening or dangerous to her, just strange and somehow very exciting.

He led her into the aviary, a wonderful place full of beautiful flowers and exotic birds. Standing in the middle of it, he could tell she appreciated it as much as he did. "It’s beautiful!" she whispered in awe as she gazed at the colorful spectacle around her.

"Would you like to sit down?" he asked motioning to a park bench nearby. She nodded in agreement, still enthralled by her surroundings. He led her to the bench and she sat down gracefully. John sat beside her and placed his arm around her shoulders.

Katherine turned to him and smiled. "It’s almost like I'm in the jungle again!" Her blue eyes sparkled as she looked at him. John smiled back, his hand lightly running up and down her back, curious as to when and were this little one had been. "Have you been to Africa then, my dear?" he asked, a low growl escaping as he spoke. She looked at him with interest. There was definitely more to this man than meets the eye, she thought.

"Several times. It has always been one of my favorite places to be."

"Close your eyes then and imagine yourself there" he said in a low voice. Amused now, she did as she was told. It wasn’t hard to do, with all the smell of the flowers and vegetation around her and the sound of the birds in the background. She was keenly aware of his body close to hers and she could feel his breath of her neck. Down girl!, she

admonished herself. Then he started to mimic the sounds of various jungle animals and birds. Katherine shivered in excitement, immensely enjoying this little interlude. With each sound she drew upon his feelings and went deeper and deeper into these imaginary jungle scene he was skillfully creating in her mind. Her body felt like it was on fire as his fingertips lightly caressed her back and shoulders. She could feel him lean towards her even closer as his lips lightly touched her neck just at the jaw line. She was breathing faster now as she waited in anticipation, completely under the spell he was weaving.

"Excuse me Sir, I don’t want to interrupt but…." Katherine’s eyes flew open and the jungle scene he had made vanished. Both she and Lord Greystoke glared at the intruder.

"This had better be good, Hudson!" he growled. He sighed deeply when told one of the monkeys had managed to escape the confines of the zoo and they were having trouble persuading it to return. "I’m sorry, my dear. I really must go. Perhaps sometime you would permit me to show you what this place is like at night." The look on his face promised much more than just a tour.

"I would enjoy that very much, milord", she said with a smile. She sat almost writhing in frustration as she watched him leave. Just when things were getting interesting!!!