She nodded, miserable. “I hate not knowing what I’m supposed to do. And there might not be a right way, but there’s a way you like it. That’s the way I want to do it.”

“What did I tell you about that, Cat? When you need something, talk to me. You want information, especially about something as important as this, you talk to me. Kitten, I like anything I can get from you. Anything. Any way. I need to know you’re with me because you want to be with me, not because you have to.” He shoved a hand through his hair, messing it up.

She liked his hair messed up. Already her body was heating up. Needing. Hungry for him. She let it happen because this time she was going to ask. If he needed to know she wanted him as much as he wanted her, she could show him that.

“I thought tying you to me with sex would be a good idea, Catarina,” he confessed. “But in the end, all it’s done is make you think that’s all I want from you. I have to admit, I’m very sexual, it matters. I’m not saying it doesn’t. But all the rest of it, all that you give me, the way you give it to me, your surrender to me, putting up with my shit, that makes the physical take a backseat. You get me? Do you understand what I’m saying to you, baby? Because it’s important you know that.”

She nodded. Took a breath. Made a decision. “I’m going to get your coffee for you. I want you to take your clothes off and sit in your favorite chair and wait for me. I’ll be out in a minute and I’ll expect a little direction.”

His golden eyes searched hers for a long time. A slow heat crept in. Hunger. Desire. Lust. She watched it build. She had put that look there. He liked control, but she was taking charge and he liked that too.

“Don’t be long, baby. I’m already dying here a little.”

He leaned down and took her mouth in a long, slow kiss that only added to the fire burning so hot in her veins. When he lifted his head, she saw it. Stark, raw love. He took her breath away, but then he always did. She turned back to the kitchen, needing a little space to collect herself. She’d tamed the leopard. It was powerful and exhilarating. She’d made her stand, and he’d listened to her. He’d shared himself with her. He’d given her his childhood and his struggles.