Page 23 of Loaned to the Leonid Knight

“I am?”

“You are. I’m... I’m surprised you were available to help out your boss. I mean, if you were my boyfriend, I wouldn’t let you do this. I’d be too jealous.”

“As I explained, Queens are in short supply—”

“Yeah, but if any Queens knew you, they’d fight over you, and I’d be in there, throwing my puny human elbows against teeth and claws.”

Gideon stared at her, mouth open. “You... You would?”

“Well, yeah. You’re sweet and kind, and you work hard to help people. You’re great company. You’re so handsome.” Sasha knew her cheeks must be glowing like warning lights, bright red. She put her hands to her face and pulled them back in alarm. She was practically feverish. “Is it warm in here?”

“No, but perhaps you are dehydrated. I should have gotten you that tea. Come, we’ll go to the kitchens first, and then see if we may wander in the garden area. I will pick you freshplumcottas and citrines. They are excellent for your health. Very refreshing.”

No, what’s going to be excellent for my health is to think about anything else. Anything at all but how sweet Gideon is, and how this world is so different, and... And how it could feel like we’re going on dates, and growing attracted to each other.

How this could have been my life, if I’d known about it. A life of meeting someone who would treat me right, someone who was worthy of caring about, and so what if the sex is going to suck? We could have cute little babies, little cubs like Alana and Val, and...

I think the booster is just making me loopy. That’s all.

But it shouldn’t even have kicked in yet. Not all the way.

Sasha froze, looking at the digital display that was mounted in all the common rooms of the ship, seeing the time that had passed.

Six hours. Six hours since I got the first injection. Two of those hours were spent hanging out with Gideon. Is it him or the injection that’s making me feel warm and fuzzy?

“Here, let me help you up.” Gideon extended his paw and helped her out of her oversized chair as if she were already pregnant, puffy, and off balance.

Definitely him.

Chapter Seven

“Did you see how everyone kept looking at us during dinner?” Sasha asked.

Gideon nodded, but he was lying. He had not noticed anything in the world but Sasha.

“I guess they’re glad we’re getting along. No one liked Farhet, no offense.”

“I don’t like Farhet, so none taken,” Gideon admitted, hesitating at the door of his quarters. He didn’t want Sasha to leave his side—but he also didn’t want to continue things tonight.

If she became pregnant, he’d have to leave. He’d be done with this happy masquerade... Unless...

“Were you serious when you said you’d like to live in this galaxy?” Gideon asked.

Sasha pulled her hair up into a pile on top of her head. Waves and tendrils escaped and framed her face. If anything, it made her look more beautiful, sort of regal and seductive at the same time, drawing his eyes to her full lips and up to her cheekbones. “Is it hot in here?” she asked.

“Oh, yes,” he admitted, even though he knew all of his heat was generated by internal thoughts.

“Wanna come to my room and talk where no one is staring at us like the newest media?” Sasha snickered.

She was always laughing. She was always smiling and warm. In a world of cold formality, a world that had felt so lonely over the last seven years, Gideon found himself bewitched by so much brightness and joy.

“Gideon? You okay?”

“I’m okay. Uh, yes. Yes, I would love to talk, if you don’t mind putting up with me for longer.”

“Putting up with? Dude, you’re a delight.”

“Dude. I like that. I like when you say so many things, Sasha. Your voice is always so full of life.” Gideon left the door of his quarters and moved next door to hers, staring at her small hips and tailless backside as she moved. It made her look so different. So small. So helpless, even, and that made a low rumble start in his middle, a protective sound that was meant to let other males know that they should stay clear. To warn away any and all predators—but him.