Chapter Twelve
From one breath to the next, Gabriel went from deadly panther to handsome human. As much as Chay admired Gabriel’s feline form, holding the man in his arms was so much better.
He hugged Gabriel tight. The fight had been horrendous, but only because Gabriel had been forced to fight. Chay had been terrified the entire time, which probably accounted for some of the scrapes and scratches he had received. His mate should never have to be in a position where he had to fight for his life.
And Chay had no doubt that it had been a fight for their lives. Every time he had dispatched one attacker, he had found the others all going after Gabriel. It seemed as if they were there for one purpose—to kill Gabriel.
“You did so good today,” he told his mate, “but you scared me to death.”
Gabriel’s chuckle was stiff and tentative. “I scared myself.”
“You fought very well.”
Chay didn’t like admitting that because he didn’t want it to go to Gabriel’s head, but it was the truth. Gabriel had defended himself as well as the others. It sucked that he’d had to kill someone, but those men had asked for it when they broke in and attacked.
“Let me check your side.” He had to know Gabriel was fully healed.
Gabriel sat up and glanced down to where the wound had been. There was still a thin pink line, but the wound had stopped bleeding and sealed up. “Wow, that’s amazing.”
“Just remember not to abuse it.”
Gabriel frowned and looked down at Chay. “Huh?”
“Don’t go around getting stabbed.” Chay’s heart couldn’t take it.
“Oh yeah, I’d be happy to never be in another fight in my life.”
Chay didn’t see that happening, not if someone was out to kill Gabriel and his brothers. As much as he hated the idea, he refused to leave Gabriel defenseless. If he had to teach him to fight to keep him alive, that’s what he’d do.
“I’ll teach you everything you need to know.”
“It’s a lot, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, baby, it’s a lot. It might take a lifetime.”
Hallelujah.
Gabriel leaned over Chay, planting his hands on either side of his head. “A lifetime, huh?”
“If not longer.”
Gabriel grinned. “A lifetime sounds good to me, mate.”
Chay answered Gabriel’s grin with a kiss, pulling the man down to him until their lips smashed together. He moved his lips over Gabriel’s, devouring their softness. He felt Gabriel open to him and swept his tongue inside. His moist, firm mouth demanded a response.
Gabriel melted into him, his warm body settling down on Chay’s.
The first kiss had been tentative, gentle, and sweet. The second was anything but—hard, wet, and demanding, Chay devouring Gabriel as he reached out to touch and then hold his mate tight. By the time Chay leaned back and their lips separated, he was panting heavily.
“Is that part of my lessons, too?” Gabriel asked with a cheeky grin.
Chay grinned right back, happiness bubbling up inside of him. “Definitely.”
“Maybe I should bring teacher an apple. Do falcons eat apples?”
“Field mice.”
Gabriel’s face scrunched up in disgust. “Eewww.”
