A Jaguars Touch by Lacey Thorn

Gideon had expected the other man to be as dismissive as Gideon had witnessed previously when someone had interrupted the Professor at work.
    “Get some sleep,” Vic ordered, turning and walking back to Gideon. “You seem exhausted lately. I’d hate to feel the need to call Abby on you.”
    The Professor’s eyes narrowed, and Gideon almost laughed.
    “Good night, Professor,” Vic said as they headed on.
    Gideon juggled the food in his hands until he could grab the doorknob. He pushed open the door and waited for her to enter before following. He turned, nudging the door shut with his foot then balancing the food once more so he could flip the lock. He didn’t plan on allowing anyone to disturb them.
    “Hurry up,” she said. “I’m starving and that smells good.”
    “It was very good when it was hot,” Gideon said.
    “You’ve never had cold pizza?” she asked incredulously.
    “Of course, I have,” he admitted. “But it’s still better when it’s still hot or at least warm.”
    “No,” she disagreed. “Cold pizza is the best.”
    She took the plate from him, ripped the foil off and took a piece. He enjoyed viewing her as she ate. She devoured the pizza, moaning in pleasure as she worked each bite. His dick throbbed by the time she’d eaten her second piece. He wanted her to be nibbling on him and moaning in ecstasy.
    “Full?” he asked and knew his voice was husky. There was no hiding the way she affected him. He wanted her, more than he ever had anyone else. It scared him.
    She licked those lush lips of hers. “I’m thinking about dessert.” She purred, her gaze dropping to the bulge of his cock.
    “Dessert can be arranged,” he said. “How about a shower, first?”
    “Excellent,” she agreed and bounced off the bed, moving the food to the side table and kicking off her shoes. “Last one in gets no hot water,” she called and headed toward the attached bathroom, stripping as she went.
    He stood in place, watching until she disappeared then began disrobing as he listened to her get the shower ready. His heart had taken a huge jolt twice tonight. The first time was when she’d joked about him scratching her with his teeth. He’d felt the urge to bite her several times but had managed to hold it back. In a different life, he would have been able to claim her as his. His jaguar was adamant she was their mate. But Gideon knew it didn’t matter. The life he’d led, things he’d done, blood he’d spilled. They all added up to a man unworthy of a mate, especially one as magnificent as Vic. She deserved far better than him.
    She poked her head around the corner of the doorway. “You coming?”
    “I’ll be right there,” he promised and caught a glimpse of the curve of her sweet ass when she turned.
    The second time his heart had stopped was when he’d sensed Murphy. He’d known who it was, known the other man wouldn’t hurt Vic. He’d also known he meant to separate them, and his instincts had kicked in. In that moment, had Murphy challenged him, he would have ripped the other man’s throat out to protect what Gideon saw as his. No, who he saw as his. He shook his head. She wasn’t his, and he needed to remember that.
    Maybe he should leave sooner. Sneak away without saying goodbye. His beast stretched inside him, pressing against his skin. He could feel the vibrations of anger. The jaguar would fight him when the time came. He’d have to be prepared for it.
    He finished pulling off his clothes quickly and glanced down at his bicep. He’d bitten himself when he and Vic had fucked earlier. The urge had been so desperate, he’d been afraid he wouldn’t be able to hold back the impulse to sink his teeth in and claim her.
    “Gideon!” Vic yelled from the shower. “Get your ass in here, cat boy.”
    He was going to miss his hellcat when he left. The best thing to do was spend as much time with her as he could over the next few days. He needed to store up a lifetime of memories.