“That’s because you’ve been brainwashed. I’m here to show you the light. A healthy amount of procrastination is the bestway to get things done, because it keeps you focused when the time to really get going arrives. But we’re not there yet, so there’s no need to rush.”
I closed my eyes as her hand wandered along my hip and over to my ass.
“I want this more than anything, but—”
She cut me off. “I also want this more than anything, and as for butts…” She snaked a leg around my hip and tapped my behind. “This is the only kind that counts.”
I had to laugh, though she cut it off with a kiss. And since her hands were wandering around, taking an inventory of every spot that drove me wild, I had little choice but to pay her back.
Minutes later, I had her knees hooked over my shoulders, my hips pumping hard, and no clue where my self-discipline had gone. It didn’t seem to matter much either. Not as long as Gen fisted her hands in the sheets, barely biting back frenzied cries.
Focus here,my tiger urged me.Focus on our mate. Our future. Our love.
So I did focus, and focus hard.
“Roux…” she cried. Then she moaned and shuddered in ecstasy.
I came a split second later, wincing at the burn of pleasure-pain. Then I dropped down over her, panting hard.
Gen locked her arms around my back, keeping me in that small, sensual world. The animal instinct to claim was all-powerful, but even my tiger knew this wasn’t the time, so I nuzzled her instead. Stiff tiger whiskers emerged along my jaw, and she giggled.
“Oh. Ah. Ouch.”
God, I loved that sound.
“Now if I could just rub those soft tiger ears too…” She sighed, making my inner tiger claw for control.
“I swear, you’ll kill me one day,” I groaned.
She shook her head. “No. One day, I swear I’ll give those tiger ears the massage they deserve. But now…” She reluctantly relaxed her grip to peer at the clock. “Now, even I have to admit this is not the time.” She let a beat go by, then flashed a huge grin. “Not if we’re going to leave time to shower. And I don’t mean the military kind.”
* * *
Half an hour later, Gen gathered her clothes, kissed me one last time, and slipped out. I took a second shower — a cold one, with plenty of hard scrubbing to erase the scent of sex. Then I dressed and headed down to breakfast. As usual, I was the first one there, but not by my standard ten-minute margin. Mina and Marius strolled in just as I grabbed the local newspaper and folded it open to page eleven.
Marius gave it one look and rolled his eyes. “One of these days, man, you’re going to learn to sleep in.”
He had no idea how close I was to the dark side, but I took advantage of my bluff.
“Maybe, but not today,” I said, telling myself morning sex didn’t count.
Heavenly morning sex,my tiger hummed.
I cleared my throat to cover the sound.
Gen arrived next, making a show of yawning into her hand.
“Morning, everyone.” She loaded her plate at the buffet, then sat opposite me with her foot against mine.
Bene appeared ten minutes late, as usual, yawning and scratching his chest.
“Still no sign of Henrik?” he asked.
“No,” Mina said.
Bene grinned. “Good.”
I froze.Notgood, because he’d totally slipped my mind.
