“I’ll talk to Fyodor,” Timur said. “If he wants you gone, then we’ll go together. We can lead your enemy away from the two of them.”
For a long moment her breath caught in her throat as if a great lump had developed there and strained her airway. “You would come with me?”
He nodded.
She couldn’t read his hard features. His eyes were back to ice-cold—that blue that was so beautiful but deadly. “Why?”
“You know why.”
She didn’t. For sex? He’d leave his job and go straight into danger for the sex? It was, admittedly, great sex, but he probably had it all the time. “Actually, Timur, I don’t.”
“You’re leopard. So am I. My leopard claimed yours. He would never let you leave. Neither would I. If you go, we go together.”
Comprehension dawned. How could she have been so stupid? She thought it was about her. About them. About the two of them together. Timur could care less about her. It was all about his leopard claiming hers. Her mother had talked to her about it. She had said when the leopard went into her first heat …
“Oh God.” She covered her face with her hands. “This …” She flapped her hand between them. “This thing, the chemistry, it’s about the leopards, not us, isn’t it?”
“Did you feel your leopard come close? I didn’t feel her. Neither did my male. She’s resting up for the big day, or it’s possible you missed it by a few days. No, Ashe, I believe that was just the two of us. When the leopards get involved, it’s going to be unbelievable.”
She rubbed at the denim over her thigh. There was no point in arguing with Timur, he’d made up his mind. She didn’t have her car so that meant she’d have to wait until she got off her shift, unless Timur left the bakery for some reason. Fyodor had an office there, but Evangeline had told her sometimes he worked from home or had to see to other things. Timur supposedly always went with him. If that happened, she would leave fast. Until then, she’d play along. It was very clear she couldn’t stand up to Timur.
He covered her hands with one of his. “It’s going to be all right, Ashe. Don’t be worried.”
He didn’t know what they were facing or who, and she did. She’d seen their work. She would never get that sight out of her mind. Not ever. She turned her head and stared out the window, her heart racing. She knew he heard, he was leopard and all his senses were extremely acute. He would hear. She didn’t care. He could guess all he wanted, but he wouldn’t know for certain what she was thinking—or planning.
She didn’t wait for him to come around and open the door for her when he pulled into the alley and stopped just outside the back door. She leapt out almost before he turned off the engine. Unfortunately, her key to the door was on her car key ring and Timur had that in his pocket. He sauntered up and unlocked the door as if he didn’t have a care in the world.
The lights were on and Evangeline was already there working. Ignoring Timur, Ashe hurried over to her boss. “I’m so sorry I’m late, Evangeline.”
Evangeline’s gaze drifted over her, clearly noting her disheveled clothes. Ashe blushed, remembering the wet spot on her T-shirt. She looked around for a full-sized apron and hastily tied one on.
Evangeline glanced past her to Timur. She shook her head. “Coffee’s on, Timur, I still have some pastries in the oven. I’ll fix your drink when I’m finished here.”
“No worries,” Timur said and went from the heat of the kitchen to the cool of the shop.
“I really am sorry,” Ashe reiterated. “It won’t happen again.”
“He’s a good man, Ashe,” Evangeline said. “But scary dangerous. Be very sure you know what you’re getting into.”
“It was a one-time thing,” Ashe assured. “Really. It just happened, but I’m not looking to start anything with him. He’s not into relationships. He told me he doesn’t buy breakfast or dinner for his women. Of course, it may have been said a little cruder than that.”
“Sheesh. I ought to go out there and kick him or something.”
That made Ashe smile because Evangeline probably would really do it. “It was worth it. Seriously. And I’m not looking for a relationship.”
“What are you looking for?”
Ashe washed her hands and then pulled on tight gloves so she could begin putting the freshly baked pastries in their trays. “It isn’t here,” she said gently. “I thought it might be, but I’m going to have to go.”
“Timur?”
Ashe shook her head. “Life, I guess. I can’t seem to settle.”
“What kind of trouble are you in?” Evangeline asked. She wasn’t looking at Ashe, but at her oven as she slowly opened the door.