3 Chapter 3

Gideon’s nostrils flared, and Jesse knew he didn’t have a chance at bluffing his way through this, or playing dumb. Questions he’d long suppressed came to the surface of his mind. What did Gideon taste like? What did he feel like? What did he smell like? What the hell was going on in Gideon’s mind? Why this? Why now? Did Gideon see these questions reflected on his face?

“Maybe I do.”

For long seconds, Gideon merely gazed at him. The night shadowed his eyes from Jesse’s careful scrutiny, but the twitch in his jaw and the continued flare of his nostrils sent a dark thrill through Jess’ veins.

“And who would’ve thought that needand wantmeant the same thing to Jesse Madding,” Gideon murmured. “You want it spelled out for you? Let’s start with A. For arousal.”

The axe clattered to the ground as Gideon tossed it aside, and the hand that had gripped the handle so assuredly was suddenly around Jesse’s wrist. Hard enough to border on pain. Immovable.