Free The Leopard King by Ann Aguirre Page A

place with lots of pictures commemorating their happiest moments. Her mother smiled from the shelves beside the tan sofa.
    “How is it?”
    “I never want to leave.”
    At first she thought he was kidding, but when he pulled off his jacket and fell onto the couch, loosening his shirt collar, it seemed he did feel at home. With a soft smile, she carried his belongings to her room in two trips. Since he’d closed his eyes, Dom didn’t appear to realize she was unpacking for him until she was half done.
    Looking abashed, he hovered in the doorway. “That’s daunting efficiency, Pru. If you keep this up, you’ll spoil the shit out of me.”
    “Somebody should,” she said.
    “I feel like I ought to make some compelling arguments otherwise, but all I’ve got is this stupid smile.” Dom did look softer than she’d ever seen, except when he’d forgotten about pride business and played with Dalena. “How much longer will you be on vacation?” At her surprised look, he went on, “You must be on winter break, unless the school schedule has changed.”
    “It hasn’t. I’ve got almost three weeks to help out with the conclave.” Pru couldn’t hold his gaze, as it felt strange to be the sole focus of his attention. Everything happened so fast that it didn’t sink in before, but now realization settled on her like a slow-falling snow. Guilt swept her in a suffocating wave, and for a moment, she couldn’t breathe, seeing only Dalena’s eyes and imagining how her friend would feel.
    “I’m glad,” Dom said. “I’ll need you to get me up to speed.”
    Pru nodded. “Why don’t you take a bath? I’ll finish up in here, find you some pajamas, and then get started on dinner.”
    He shook his head, laughing quietly. “Shower, yes to clothes, and I’ll help you cook.”
    God, this is strange.
    But not in a bad way. It didn’t take long to clear out space in her drawers to put away the rest of his clothes. She left loose drawstring pants on the bed, along with briefs and a thin, comfortable shirt. For obvious reasons, she had no idea what Dom normally wore to bed. Pru could hardly believe he was here for good; they’d be sleeping together from this day forward.
    When he came out of her room, dressed and drying his hair, she was slicing meat for a fry-up. At least that was what her mother had called it when she cut up whatever was in the fridge and sautéed it together. He took the knife from her and made short work of the few vegetables that were still good. It turned out fairly tasty, she thought, and he didn’t complain.
    As they ate, he filled her in about the Golgoth activity in the north. “Hard not to worry about that,” she muttered, once he finished.
    “Don’t. That’s my job.”
    “Mine is to halve your burdens, however I can.”
    His gaze locked on her, all citrine intensity. “When you say shit like that, it is impossible for me to fathom why Slay didn’t lock you down years ago.”
    “Funny, huh.”
    Though he doubtless intended his words as a compliment, they stabbed her in the squishy bits. Tears threatened, so she gathered their plates and retreated to the kitchen. Pru thought she’d have a minute to compose herself, but when she turned, Dom stood there with a penitent look.
    “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
    “No, I don’t want you to be guarded. Dalena and Slay were part of our lives for so long… it doesn’t make sense for us never to mention them. It’s critical that we stay honest, if we’re building something together.” That sounded wrong, but it was the path they’d both chosen.
    He nodded. “Just know… if it was me, I’d have claimed you regardless.”
    Dom cursed himself inwardly. Throwing Slay under the bus was a shitty thing to do, and he’d hurt Pru with his careless tongue. His conscience might be technically clear, but he also felt like a backdoor man who crept around while the husband was away. They weren’t bonded, he told himself. It’s