Page 20 of Loaned to the Leonid Knight

“I’m going to study, Sasha. Everything they have written about making human Queens feel good, I will study. It won’t hurt, my Queen.” His paw tentatively reached out and stroked her hair. “I will quit before I let anything hurt you.”

He was going to melt her. Turn her into a puddle. Her thighs clenched again, this time in pure want.

Gideon sniffed, and his brows arched as he turned his head to look at her more fully. “I am confused.”

“Me, too,” she confessed. “But I’m not confused about you.” Sasha felt like her knees were on autonavigation as she crouched on them, pushing herself up higher, lips aimed at Gideon’s cheek. She connected with his warm, furry face, and his purr began again, a louder, deeper rumble that sent vibrations through her where they were touching.

It wasn’t just adorable. It was pleasurable.

“You’re purring?”

“I know. It is very rare for me to do so. I don’t think I have done it in years.”

“Oh. That’s so sad.”

“Well, I have not been very happy, I suppose. But when I’m with you, Sasha, I’m so happy. I don’t expect anything more than what’s scientifically required for the program, but your presence brings me joy. I can’t help that.”

“I’m happy around you, too. I don’t purr, but according to you, I’ll smell different,” she giggled. “Do I smell happy?”

“You do.”

Sasha had a feeling he wanted to add something, but he didn’t. “Um. I’m going to freshen up and go see Dr. Marcus. M-maybe we could spend the day together?”

“I would love that. You see Dr. Marcus, and I’ll return to my quarters. To study.”

Maybe he didn’t mean to do it, but he licked his lips and looked right at her as he explained his plans.

Sasha felt heat settling low in her belly, and something she hadn’t felt in a long, long time started to flow through her. A liquid warmth, an urge that started suddenly and grew, until, like last night, she wanted to explore with Gideon.

“Goodbye for now, my Queen,” he said, rising and bowing.

“Goodbye for now,” she echoed, watching him back away.

Sasha flopped back on the bed when the doors closed behind him. “Oooh,” she let out a long, shaky breath. “Maybe...”

“YEP,” DR. MARCUS LOOKEDat the hemoanalyzer. “You’re good to go, Sasha. I can start the injections, but they’ll have an impact on your hormones pretty quickly, in the next day or two. Layla said it was even quicker with her and Rupex,” Marcus lowered his voice and winked, “but I suspect that might have been pure lust, too.”

“Ah. It’s not lust over here. Actually, I’m getting more worried about the size issue. He’s big. I’m not.”

“Right. Well, I assure you, we are compatible, with a little patience and a lot of lubricant, whether it’s naturally created or from the bottle of warming liquid lubricant I included in the kit that’s in your quarters.” Marcus sat back down in his chair and looked at her. “If you’re apprehensive, you could just wait until next cycle. The window is going to be shorter on this one, anyway, and that’s Farhet’s fault, not yours.”

“It’s a shorter span, but it’s still something. Itcouldwork, right?” Sasha asked.

Marcus nodded. “It could. I don’t give it my highest odds, but... Well, you know, if you’re a little apprehensive, this cycle might be your practice run. Getting to know each other and feeling comfortable. I must say, I like Gideon’s ways far more than Farhet’s. What do you think?”

“No contest. Gideon is wonderful,” Sasha said firmly.

Marcus grinned. “I knew I liked you. You are an excellent judge of character. And if you like Gideon so much, you must know he won’t push you to go faster or farther than you’re ready?”

“I do know that. But I also... I want it to be painless. Can I just get some sort of numbing shot?”

“No. That’s not something we do.” Dr. Marcus shook his head. “It could lead to greater pain later. You wouldn’t be able to feel what’s comfortable and what isn’t.”

“Nothing has ever felt comfortable there. I don’t have any physical problems, and I don’t have abuse issues. I didn’t lie in my files; I passed my physical exams. I just haven’t enjoyed smaller human men, and I’m pretty sure I’m not going to enjoy something a lot bigger.”

“Then all the more reason to feel things, go slowly, and take your time. If you want me to speak frankly with Gideon about your need to go slowly and carefully, to work up to him, then I will.”

“No. I can do it,” she said, letting out a shaky breath. “But these shots... Do they make you want sex, even if you don’t like it in general? How is that possible?”