If she was truthful with herself, she wanted Gedeon to call her. She wanted to be the one he turned to when he was in need. They spent so much time together, talking softly, telling each other secrets no one else knew and laughing at the silliest jokes. She gave herself permission to bury her fingers in the wild silk of his hair.
You feel so much for him. The little female was very tentative when she voiced her observation of Meiling around Gedeon.
I do. Can you feel Gedeon’s leopard when I’m with him?
There was a very brief silence, as if Whisper was trying to find a way to express herself to Meiling. This was all so new for both of them, but exciting. Very, very exciting.
Yes, his leopard is very strong. Scary.
That was a shock to Meiling. She caught the edge of fear the cat tried to convey to her. She had only been afraid of Slayer initially, when she’d warned Gedeon of the bomb and he had shifted on the run coming straight at her. That had been a little terrifying. She could admit it to herself now. But since then . . . she couldn’t remember a single time Gedeon’s leopard had frightened her.
She thought of all the times Gedeon had told her his leopard was particularly vicious. She’d seen how fast Gedeon was. He could be brutal when he had to be. Men reputed to be dangerous, like Timur Amurov, respected and were careful around him. That had a lot to do with his leopard. Around her, Slayer had acted almost placid.
“Why would you think Slayer is scary, Whisper?” Meiling asked. The terrible burning between her legs had subsided completely, leaving her feeling exhausted, damp and needing a shower. The offending toy she’d tried using to alleviate the fire had been thrown across the room. She forced herself to her feet. She’d need to wash that thing and put it away before showering.
Her phone buzzed. She’d laid it aside on the pillow when she’d gotten up. She knew from the brief ringtone it played her that it was Gedeon.
You busy?
Her heart did that crazy melting thing it always did the moment he contacted her. She didn’t seem to have any pride when it came to Gedeon. Or any sense of self-preservation. It would be so risky to be with him now that Whisper had revealed herself.
I can stay hidden, Whisper assured.
Meiling decided to be diplomatic. She needed a shower before she could face him. He would be able to smell sexual arousal if she didn’t shower thoroughly.
What’s up?
Come to my apartment. I need you to calm Slayer down. I haven’t been able to sleep and for some reason he’s gone psycho on me. I’ve asked him over and over to tell me what’s gotten him so riled up, but he won’t answer me.
She really wanted to spend a little time getting to know Whisper. She could do that and take a shower. She hastened into the huge master bath. She loved her bathroom so much.
Do you think it will do any good if I try to talk to him? I’ve never done that before. I mean, sometimes I do tease him, she admitted.
Gedeon didn’t respond right away, giving her the opportunity to turn the water temperature to the perfect degree she wanted.
You tease Slayer? How?
I sometimes call him Mr. Sinister. I get the impression of him lifting his lip at me. Lucky for me he has a sense of humor.
Yeah, try to talk to him. Anything. I need you to come to me.
I have a few things I have to do, Gedeon. I’ll get down there, but it could take me a little while.
Again, there was a long pause. Meiling waited, tapping her foot on the tiles while she twisted her hair into a knot and secured it on top of her head.
You always come right down. It’s midnight. What do you have to do at midnight?
Meiling had to smile. She shared with Whisper. “Sometimes, although he’s supposed to be this big scary dangerous badass to everyone else, Gedeon to me is like a petulant, pouty little boy who didn’t get his way.”
He makes you happy, Whisper responded.
“Yes, he does. Even when he’s bossy or pouty. It doesn’t seem to matter.” She ignored that little part of her that insisted on reminding her that he couldn’t be faithful if his life depended on it—the part that made her incredibly sad.
I said I’d come down later, and I will. I always keep my promises to you.
Fifteen minutes?
Gedeon! An hour. Maybe an hour and a half. I’ll be there before two.
She could make it downstairs a lot faster. She had no idea why she was being so contrary. She stepped under the steady stream of water, and the moment the water touched her, it was as if a thousand tongues lapped at her sensitive skin everywhere.