“Worry about you,” he said. “What else?”
“I’m serious.”
“So am I. Besides, I won’t be far away.” He ran his knuckles along the length of her neck. “Kiya, please reconsider. You know once your father has you back in his control, he’ll never let you go.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
He had one last argument, one he would never have used if he hadn’t been so desperate to keep her from returning to the Shadow Pack’s compound. “Your mother sacrificed her life so that you could get away from your father. Would she think it was a good idea for you to put yourself in harm’s way again?”
He wanted to take the words back as soon as they left his mouth. Kay stared at him, mute, her eyes dark pools of pain.
“Kiya, I’m …”
“Don’t talk to me!” She pushed him away and scrambled out of bed, stood with her back toward him, her arms tightly folded over her chest. “Don’t you think I’ve thought of that?”
Sitting up, he raked a hand through his hair. Dammit, why hadn’t he kept his mouth shut? Or ripped out his tongue? What kind of heartless, thoughtless monster was he, to say such a thing out loud?
She was crying now, silent tears that wracked her body from head to foot. If she never forgave him, he wouldn’t blame her.
Slipping out of bed, he moved up behind her, tentatively placed his hands on her shoulders.
She stiffened at his touch, but didn’t move away.
“Kiya, forgive me. That was a rotten thing for me to say. I don’t have any excuse, except that I’m worried sick about you going back home.”
“I know.” She drew in a deep, shuddering sigh, then slowly turned to face him. “But I have to go.”
“You’re a stubborn woman, Kiya Alissano.”
Nodding, she got into bed again.
Gideon stayed where he was, not moving until she held out her hand. Sliding in beside her, he drew her gently into his arms. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “Forgive me?”
“You didn’t say anything I haven’t thought a hundred times myself.”
“That doesn’t excuse me.”
“I don’t know how to explain it, but there’s something deep inside me, some kind of pack instinct, that’s calling me back home, something besides the funeral. I don’t expect you to understand.” She shook her head. “I don’t understand it myself. I just know I have to go.”
“You’re a strong woman, capable of making your own decisions. It’s one of the things I like best about you. I’ll be nearby if you need me.”
“I know. Make love to me again. I want to forget everything but you for a little while.”
“Always my pleasure, darlin’.”
He kissed her then, his hands gently caressing her, arousing her, his own desire growing with the sweet seduction of skin against skin.
Kay raked her nails down his chest, then bit him on the shoulder. She bolted upright when she drew blood. “I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to bite you so hard!”
“Hey, don’t worry about it. It didn’t hurt.”
“But … you’re bleeding all over the sheets.”
Swinging his legs over the edge of the bed, Gideon went into the bathroom. After wetting a washcloth, he pressed it over the bite.
He grinned at Kay’s reflection in the glass when she came up behind him.
“I’m sorry,” she said again.
“It’s okay, as long as I get to bite you back.”
“Gideon …”
Turning, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. “Forget it, Kiya. You didn’t hurt me.”
“But I’ve never done anything like that before.”
“I guess I’m a bad influence on you.”
“It’s not funny!” she exclaimed.
“It’s not the end of the world, either. Lighten up, Wolfie.”
She rested her forehead against his chest. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
Gideon stroked her hair. “There’s nothing wrong with you, sweetheart. It’s natural for you to be upset over your mother’s death, and all things considered, I’d be surprised if you weren’t more than a little edgy about going back home.” He put his hand under her chin and lifted her head. “I won’t let anything happen to you, Kiya.”
“I love you.”
“I know.” Cupping her face in his palms, he kissed her gently. “I love you, too, sweetheart. Believe that if you believe nothing else.”
“Are you ready?”
Kay closed her suitcase, then looked across the bed at Gideon. “I guess so.”