He lifted her off him and laid her gently on her back. “Give me a minute, and I’ll get a washcloth and then run us a bath.”
She waved a finger in the air and then dropped her hand back to the sheets as if her arm was too heavy to hold up. “It’s okay. I’ll just lie here and bask in the beauty of all things you.”
Gorya found himself smiling up at the ceiling fan. “I’d be fine with that, but you’ll be sore, and since I like step one hundred quite a bit and want to practice, I think soaking in a bathtub is necessary.”
She gave a little frown to the ceiling. “And there it is. Your bossy is coming out. Although practicing step one hundred is a good idea.” She turned her head to look at him. “I’m still not ready for leopard sex.”
He swept his palm over her thigh. “The leopards can handle their sex, baby, just as they did before. They aren’t worried, and neither should we be. We’re all in this together.”
Maya stretched her arms over her head languidly. “Who knew sex could be so good? I had no idea it would feel like that.”
A dark, malevolent shadow slithered through Gorya. He rolled over, partially covering her body, still careful not to pin her down. Catching her chin between his thumb and finger, he tipped her face up so she was forced to look up at him.
“I’d kill any man who dared to touch you.” He made that an absolute decree.
Her wide blue eyes searched his for a minute, and then her slow smile curved her lips, the one that always got him in the gut. “Are you acting like a jealous lover? Seriously? As if I’d ever let any man put his hands on me other than you. You aren’t really jealous, are you?”
Shit. He was acting worse than a teenager with his first crush. What the hell was wrong with him?
Rogue. I’m blaming this on you.
She won’t believe you.The cat sounded just as amused as his woman did.
Gorya knew she wouldn’t.No, but she’ll let me off the hook. She’s sweet that way.
She’s going to spoil you. Timur said you were going to be whipped. I think he’s right.
“I’m not jealous, baby. I know you wouldn’t take on another lover. It’s that ridiculous cat of mine. He can’t stand the thought of any man getting close to you. His mood riles me up, and I find myself blurting out outrageous things.”
Maya leaned into him to brush a kiss across his mouth. “No worries, honey. Rogue will settle once Wraith is through her heat and emerges fully for him to claim.”
Gorya sighed. He’d promised her he’d be honest with her, even if he had to sacrifice his pride and admit to being a jackass. “I’m lying my ass off.”
She rewarded his confession with a girlish giggle. “I know. Fortunately for you, I love you even when you’re being a jackass.”
16
SanAntonio, Texas, wasn’t nearly as sultry as the swamp he now called home. Gorya tightened his hand around Maya’s, pulling her closer and tucking her under his shoulder protectively. She didn’t like crowds. There would be a crowd at his cousin’s estate—a large crowd. He was looking forward to introducing her to his cousins. She wanted to hide in the house they were staying in. It wasn’t just the fact that there were going to be so many people, it was that they were all Amurovs.
Fyodor’s wife, Evangeline, owned a little jewel of a house in town hidden on a cul-de-sac. At one time Gorya knew Timur and Ashe had thought to purchase it from her and make it their home, but they lived on the same property as Fyodor and Evangeline. Timur was head of Fyodor’s security, and the estate was immense. Timur and Ashe had decided to add to an existing house there they’d fallen in love with. Evangeline had offered the house intown to Gorya and Maya to stay for the night should they need a place. That gave Maya comfort, knowing they would have a place of their own, apart from others, to go to at the end of the day.
Time was short and they would only have one day for San Antonio. Jaoa Escabar Velentez wouldn’t be happy with the lack of communication from his son. And Artur Krylov, the currentpakhanof the lair that had belonged to the Amurov family, would be anxious to hear from his brother. This was only the first visit of several they had to carry out quickly in order to ferret out and eradicate traitors and spies.
A small tremor went through Maya’s body as they walked into the enormous great room of his cousin’s massive estate. The stone fireplace was gorgeous, and a curved staircase wound around the room up to the next level. The floors were gleaming hardwood, with a starburst pattern ingrained deep in the polished wood. The hardwood floor extended into the sitting room, a much smaller and cozier version of the great room.
They could hear the sound of children laughing and the soft murmur of adults speaking together. Then Fyodor’s large frame was filling the doorway, his eyes lighting up when he caught sight of Gorya, a rare occurrence for him unless he was home with his family. Then his gaze found Maya and he stilled. He glanced behind him as Evangeline came to greet them.
“Gorya, we’re so happy you’ve come home. And you’ve brought your mate with you.” Evangeline sounded sweet and welcoming the way she always did. She stepped forward, immediately going straight to Maya and reaching to catch Maya’s hands in hers. “We’re so happy he found you, Maya. Ashe told me she’s never seen him so happy.”
Maya took her hands without a single sign of reluctance, but Gorya felt it. She’d never liked anyone to touchher, male or female, although most people found Evangeline to be soothing.
“Thank you,” Maya replied simply.
“I hope you’re hungry. We have breakfast ready. Gorya said you were arriving early and would only have a short period of time before you had to leave. Everyone has come to meet you. Gorya”—Evangeline leaned into him to kiss both cheeks—“the children can’t wait to see you. They’ve gone a little wild on us. I told Fyodor not to tell them ahead of time, but he couldn’t resist.”
Gorya was very aware of Fyodor’s frown of disapproval as he stared at Maya in disbelief. Mitya and Sevastyan, his other cousins, didn’t hide their shock at Maya’s appearance either.
Timur didn’t warn them about you.He poured amusement into his voice and took her hand, pulling her protectively under his shoulder as if she would need it from his big bad cousins.They’re buying right into your girl-next-door act.
