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“Then what is he here for?”
His feline face is impassive. “I do not know.”
I can’t tell if he genuinely has no idea or if he’s lying to me. I study his face, worried, and then nod. “Did Bethiah agree to hunt down the information on what’s going on?” When he grunts in agreement, I add, “I can help pay for her services.”
“You will do no such thing. It is taken care of.” Nassakth studies me for a moment longer, and then inclines his head. “Good night to you, Kim. Sleep well.”
“Night.”
I watch him leave, shutting the door behind him. “Lights,” I murmur, and they dim, then wink out and the room is left in darkness. I’m alone in the massive bed. I curl my legs under the tunic to work as a blanket. It’s not that I’m cold, exactly. I just feel…a little frightened and very alone now that the lights are out. What did the bounty hunter want? What’s the piece of the puzzle that I’m missing?
Minutes pass. I’m tired, but I can’t find it in me to close my eyes and sleep. My brain won’t shut off. I keep thinking about the bounty hunter. About Bethiah. About Nassakth. About his smile when we played Slapjack yesterday. How caring he’s been. How good it felt to wake up next to him and feel so protected, sheltered and secure.
I climb out of bed and head for the door. All is silent on the other side. I crack it open and peek out, and the lights are off in the rest of the house. I cross my arms under my breasts and tiptoe on the cool floors, heading into the living area. Sure enough, Nassakth is lying flat on his back on one of the rugs, his eyes closed. He looks more like he’s going to meditate than sleep. It doesn’t look comfortable.
I take a small step forward. The sound of my feet on the tile must make a slight noise, because he immediately jumps up, fur bristling. His eyes shine in the darkness. He’s alert, his claws unsheathed, teeth bared, and my eyes go wide as I freeze.
The moment he realizes it’s me, he relaxes, his shoulders slumping. His claws retract as he lowers his arms. “Kim.”
“I thought you said we weren’t in danger,” I accuse.
“We are not. But you should not sneak up on a gladiator at any time in your life.” He rakes a hand through his mane, smoothing it down, and offers me a wry smile. “Even an old one like me.”
“Oh shut up. You’re not old.” I think of the gray hair I plucked out earlier today. He’s gray all over but I don’t think he’s old. Not in the slightest.
“Can you not sleep?” he asks, changing the subject. Nassakth’s eyes are still shining in the darkness. Instead of unnerving, I find it kind of…cute.
I shake my head. “I can’t sleep in that big bed by myself. I know this is a big ask, but will you come sleep with me? Just as friends of course.” I hastily add the last part, just in case he thinks I’m asking for more this early.
Early. What is wrong with my brain? Why am I thinking there’s a “later”?
Nassakth studies me for a long moment. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
I nod, feeling a little shy. My toes curl on the cold floor. “I liked it when we slept together. I felt…safe.”
“Then I am yours.”
And I prickle all over again with that nameless feeling I don’t hate.
28
NASSAKTH
I climb into bed with Kim, a little uncertain how she wishes to handle things. Does she merely want me in the same room with her? Or does she want to sleep as we did last night, bodies touching? I know which one I am hoping for, but I will be fine with whatever she decides. It is enough that she trusts me to allow this.
No, I realize. Not just allow. She asked me to stay with her. She prefers my company.
For a moment, I want to race into the bathroom and brush out my tail. To wave it like a banner as I climb into bed (again) and hope that she notices what a strong, brave, attractive partner I can be. But I discard the idea—Kim just wants to sleep.
I settle in at the edge of the large mattress, a polite distance away. Kim gets into bed and immediately moves to my side, snuggling up against me.
“I don’t know why I’m surprised that you’re always so warm,” she says between yawns. “But you are.”
“Are you cold?”
“Not now.” Her fingers curl in my fur and she tucks her head against my shoulder. She’s still for a moment, and then her leg worms between mine, and she sighs. “Comfortable.”
I am glad one of us is, because now I am aching. My cock is rising in my trou, my body utterly aware of her nearness. This is what I wanted, and it is both the best thing ever and the most frustrating. I watch her as she relaxes in my arms, her eyes closed, her lips slightly parted. The collar of my tunic is oversized on her and reveals a delicate, pale shoulder that begs to be touched. Unable to resist, I gently tug the collar back up, hiding her flesh….even as I let my fingertips graze her skin.
