Page 8 of Rumble of the Crumble

“I’ll take you home when you’re ready.”

He frowned. “You’re offering to drive me home?”

“Yes.”

“But…” Leonidis licked his lips. “Don’t you want to fuck me?”

“Yes,” I admitted. “But not today and only when, if, you’re ready.”

“But you asked me on a date.”

“A date, not a hook-up.”

He fidgeted in his seat. “But—”

I swung my legs around so I could face him. “Today was just about me offering you dinner and a chance to watch the sunset. That’s all.”

“I think I’d like to go home.”

I nodded, disappointed he didn’t want to stay longer, but I’d said I’d take him home when he was ready.

“I’ll help you clear up first,” he murmured shyly.

We cleaned up, and he loaded the dishwasher while I cleaned the grill. Then I drove Leonidis back to the pride house.

He hesitated before he got out of the car. “Well, thanks—”

But I leaped out of the car and rushed around to open his door.

“We’re going to have to talk about this,” he muttered.

I ignored that and walked him to the front porch. He put his hand on the door handle and hesitated, then gazed at me.

“Thank you.”

I knew he was thanking me for more than just dinner.

“You’re welcome.”

My mate licked his lips again, a nervous gesture. “Would you like to come in for a coffee?”

Chapter Five

Leonidis

I had to be freakin’ crazy asking Butch if he’d like to come in. What I needed was to say goodnight and close the door on him, because the more time I spent in his company, the stronger the urge was to leap on him, bury my fangs in his neck and fuck him senseless. Then do it all over as a lion and a stalk.

“Whoa!” Butch stared at me wide-eyed.

“What’s the matter?”

“I…heard all of that,” he gasped, wide eyes revealing the truth.

“How?” I had our link locked down tighter than a… than a bear’s ass.

Butch quirked a smile. “A bear’s ass?”

“I couldn’t think of what to say,” I snapped, realizing he was picking up everything.

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