Chapter One #3
“The pull,” his mate said, as if he had to remind Indy. He didn’t. Even now Indy felt it tugging at him, demanding he move closer to the cheetah.
Malik knelt in front of the chair, bringing them to eye level. This close, Indy could see flecks of gold in Malik’s brown eyes, could smell that earthy scent that made him want to bare his throat.
“Cheetah, right?” Indy whispered.
“Yes.”
His fox wanted to play, to tease, to see if Malik would chase. The thought made heat flood through him.
“And we’re definitely…” Indy wasn’t sure why he couldn’t say the word.
“Mates.” Malik’s hand lifted slowly, giving Indy time to pull away, before settling against his jaw. The touch sent sparks through every nerve ending. “If you want.”
Want. What a small word for the hurricane of need inside him. Indy leaned into the touch despite himself, his eyes fluttering closed.
“You act as if we have a choice,” he said.
“We don’t have to rush this.”
“Do don’t? What about the demons?”
Indy might’ve been swept up in Malik, but he still wanted to know why those demons had been after his mate. He was going to drop it, but he also wasn’t going to push either.
Malik’s thumb stroked along his cheekbone. “I’ll handle them.”
“You’re avoiding my question.”
“Yes. I am.”
Indy opened his eyes to find Malik watching him with an expression so tender it made his heart flutter. This impossible man had crashed into his life, bringing both danger and safety.
“I can’t think when you touch me,” Indy admitted, but didn’t pull away.
Malik’s hand dropped immediately. “Sorry.”
The hell?
“No, I didn’t mean—” Indy caught his wrist before he could pull away. “That’s a good thing. Not a scrambled brain. I mean you touching me.”
They stayed frozen like that, Indy’s fingers wrapped around Malik’s wrist, feeling his pulse race to match his own. The air between them felt charged, like the moment before lightning strikes.
A knock at the door shattered the moment. Indy was tempted to yell at whoever it was to go away. Worst timing ever.
“Malik?” Ryan’s voice called. “Grayson wants to see you.”
Rising to his feet, Malik couldn’t hide his reluctance. “I won’t be long.”
“I’ll count the seconds.” Indy instantly regretted his words. That had sounded so freaking lame.
Malik smirked, winked, then strode from the room.
“Sure. Scramble my brain then walk away. Typical guy.”
Alone, Indy collapsed back into the chair, thankful he hadn’t swooned.
Everything had happened in such a blur—demons, injured dogs, and now this.
He was afraid to wonder what came next. “Don’t you dare think about clowns or zombies.”
But that’s exactly what popped into his head. “You’re an idiot.”