Chapter 20

It occurred to Gideon when they finally parted and Jess was leaning his sweaty brow against Gideon’s cheek, that it was their first real kiss. There had been plenty of caresses that night in the alley and afterward, but that had been under the effect of whatever poison was in the warehouse. Those didn’t count. This…this long, hungry, sensual exploration was the real deal.

He grazed his lips over Jesse’s cheek, closing his eyes as he got lost in the hot breath on his neck and the vibrations still pulsing through Jesse’s body. Maybe his fears that pushing their relationship to a new level would spoil their friendship were silly. He cared about Jess as much as he wanted him, and if that kiss was any indication of what was to come…

Gideon stopped the thoughts before they took root too deeply.

Time would tell. The true test would be in a week. Only then could he dare to hope that Jess would fit into a life they both wanted.6