Free The Lion Within (Ghost Cat Shifters #1) by J.H. Croix

bathroom to dispose of his condom. He’d immediately returned to the bed and tugged her close. Her body was only now beginning to cool. His palm was warm on her back, moving in slow circles. As the pounding beat of desire quieted now that her need had been slaked, awareness sifted into her consciousness. She had enough sense to know what had just transpired between them was far beyond what she’d expected. She wasn’t quite ready to face what that might mean for her, so she shook the thoughts away.
    When she woke, the first rays of sun were angling across her bed. Daniel was sound asleep beside her, his hand resting on her hip. What she wanted was to stay here all day and explore more of him. Yet, she had to go to work and needed time to sort through the muddle of confusion between her mind, body and heart. She carefully untangled her legs and sat up. When she glanced back at Daniel, his eyes were open and alert.
    “Morning,” he offered with a half-smile.
    She flushed instantly, and then flushed even deeper. “Good morning. I have to get to the coffee shop.”
    “I figured,” he said softly. He drew his hand slowly over the curve up her hip, into the dip of her waist and up over the curve of her breast. His touch sent sparks through her while warmth curled around her heart. She loved the easy feeling with him. When she glanced over at him, he rolled his head to the side and caught her lips in a quick kiss before he moved swiftly and threw the covers back. As he stood, she couldn’t keep her eyes off of his body. He was simply a work of art, honed muscle from head to toe with that lean, coiled energy shifters carried. He paused by the bathroom door. “Coming?”
    Her confusion must have shown because he clarified. “Shower?”
    “Oh, right.” She stood and hurried after him. He was all business in the shower until the end. Just as she was about to step out, he slipped a hand around her waist and tugged her close for a kiss. In seconds, she was nearly on fire again. He pulled back, a wry grin curling the corners of his mouth. “Didn’t mean to go too far,” he said with a soft chuckle. He shook his head sharply. “You have to go to work, and so do I.”
    They dressed quickly. Daisy was waiting patiently by the door. She nudged Daniel’s hip and followed them into the kitchen. After Sophia fed Daisy and let her run around outside, she grabbed an apple from the bowl of fruit she kept on the counter and held one up for Daniel. At his nod, she tossed it to him.
    “You want me to drop you off at work?” he asked.
    She hesitated, but usually she’d walk, so there was no reason not to accept a ride. “Sure. I’ll walk home later.”
    When he pulled up in front of Mile High Grounds, she turned toward him. Before she had a chance to think, he leaned across the console and brushed his lips across hers. That brief point of contact sent heat swirling through her center. Her belly fluttered, and her breath caught. When she looked up, his eyes reflected the desire she felt.

    ***
    Sophia was walking around her house watering plants when there was a knock at the door. As she turned toward it, the door opened and Heath walked through. She set the watering can down on a side table, ran to her brother and threw her arms around him. “I’m so glad you’re home!”
    Heath hugged her tightly before stepping back. His green eyes, so similar to hers, were warm and steady. The old clarity and confidence he used to convey had returned. He’d lost it for a while after his accident. There was an added layer of humility in his gaze. It had hurt to watch, but her brother had been brought low in the domino chain of events following his car accident. She squeezed his hands before releasing them.
    “How are you?” she asked.
    Heath nodded firmly. “Believe it or not, pretty damn good. I hated to end up there, but rehab was the best choice for me. Honestly, the arrest scared me straight, but I needed the time to recoup. I can