“I like when you tell the truth,” he said.
“I’m a work in progress.” I pried myself off of his lap. “Now we’re gonna eat. And then you, mister, are going to play a video game with me.”
“Oh?” He stood up and pulled me back against him, nuzzling my hair.
I could definitely get used to that. “Yep. I can’t date a non-gamer. It’s just not done. So we’re going to have to shoot some bandits and save the Borderlands.”
“I’ve never played a video game,” he said.
“Don’t worry,” I teased. “I’ll be gentle.”
He bent down and bit my ear lobe before whispering in Russian, “I won’t.”
His words turned my legs into Gumby imitations, but I managed to stagger away from him toward the kitchen, ducking my head so my hair fell in a curtain and covered my blushing face. I might have brown skin, but I was sure I was scarlet at that moment. This thing between Alek and I, whatever this was, it was new to me. I hadn’t dated in years, choosing to keep my relationships in Wylde strictly friendship-based. After all, I really hadn’t shown great judgment in choosing boyfriends before.
But here I was, about to share a meal with a sexy tiger shifter who knew what I was, knew the dangers I posed, and was still here. In my home. Not running.
I knew then that Alek was right, damn him. I was done just surviving. It was time to live.