voice huskier than usual. “Most leopards do.” It was part of their nature. “But while I liked seeing the world, visiting other packs, it was fun only because I knew I could come home anytime I liked.”
Felix’s eyes opened to reveal pupils dilated in pleasure from her petting. “You wouldn’t mind being with someone who’s a homebody?” His heart thudded under her hand as he asked that question, as he let her see that he was thinking beyond this moment, beyond skin privileges.
“I’d love it,” Desiree whispered, her own heart thudding as hard. “I’m a homebody, too.” She could feel her smile deepening as all the hopeful joy inside her fought to escape. “I’m also a really good cook. Bet you didn’t expect that.”
• • •
Felix was forced to admit he hadn’t; she was so much the soldier that he’d never linked her to anything domestic. “Did you make the picnic?”
“Yes.” Sitting up, she reached for the basket. “I even made dessert.”
Rising to a seated position beside her, Felix tried to hold on to his heart when it wanted to burst out of his chest and lay itself at her feet. It was all happening too fast, too hard, but she was destroying him. More than one woman had tried to seduce him over the course of his lifetime. In the modeling world, would-be lovers had attempted to do it with fancy dinners and dressed in sexy clothes. Within the pack, it was flirtation and sensual play.
No one, however, had ever done something so painfully romantic, spent so much time and effort to create a night that would make him feel special, with no expectation of a return. Desiree knew full well his wolf wouldn’t permit total skin privileges tonight, that they might never get to that point, and she’d still given him romance.
How was he supposed to hold on, keep himself from falling?
Swallowing the raw emotion in his throat, he said, “What’s that?” as she set out pieces of French bread, then spread them with something fresh and herb-scented she had in a small jar. She topped the bread with chopped onions, tomatoes, and green peppers.
“My take on bruschetta.” She lifted a piece to his lips.
Taking a bite, he groaned. “More.”
Smile bright, she fed him the rest. He picked up the second slice before she could and held it out to her. She bit at it, threatened to nibble on his fingers. He decided he wouldn’t mind, his wolf charmed into lowering its guard by this dangerous, beautiful cat who treated him as a man. Not a submissive, not a pretty plaything. A man.
It only got better from there.
The night was intimate and magical.
Picnic eaten, they lay on the blanket again, talking and occasionally kissing. Felix’s heart slammed against his ribs each time his lips touched Desiree’s, her long and limber body rubbing against his. She was so small in comparison to him, her weight far less. It made him feel intensely protective though he knew it was a foolish thought, given her lethal nature and skills.
That didn’t change how he felt. When they pressed up against each other for a kiss, he turned and took her with him, ensuring she was on top so her back wouldn’t be against the hard ground. Afterward, their breaths short, he dared stroke her throat with his hand.
She shivered, some of her braids falling over one shoulder to kiss his chest. “Why does that feel so good?”
Felix’s wolf nudged at him, guilt twisting in his abdomen. “I shouldn’t be doing this,” he admitted, unable to steal the gift.
“Why not?” Desiree closed her fingers over his wrist but her grip was light, more caressing than caging.
“It’s intimate,” he admitted. “Between wolves. To touch the throat, it means a lot.”
Desiree’s eyelids lowered, leopard-green eyes glinting at him from between her lashes. “Sneaky.”
He drew in a deep breath, released it. “Yes.”
“I’m a cat,” she said, leaning forward to flick the tip of her tongue across the seam of his lips in a quick, playful caress. “I like sneaky.” Then she took the hand he’d dropped off to the side and brought it back to her throat. “Pet me.”
The husky demand made his already hard cock throb.
Chapter 6
Arousal a fist around his throat, his respiration shallow, and his wolf astonished at her trust, Felix stroked lightly with his fingertips. They were rough because of his work but Desiree purred at the sensation, her eyes fully closed as she arched her neck. The move pressed her pelvis