That wasn’t the reason and he knew it. Instead of running away at the truth he gave her, she was reaching out to him. He could feel the threads binding them together tighter and tighter. Could she feel it as well? He studied her face as she chopped vegetables. And she was fast with the knife. He’d have to remember that.

“Keep talkin’. You were sayin’ your leopard wanted to kill any woman you were with.” Her exotic green eyes were suddenly on him, just for a moment, looking at him from under her thick, black lashes. She looked as if she might have sympathy for his leopard as well.

“He wanted to kill. He needed it then.” He sighed and ran one hand through his hair. He had scars on his body. Scars on his face. Several on his hands and arms. He looked what he was, a savage, violent man matching the nature of his animal. “I knew it was only a matter of time before my leopard escaped while I was fucking some woman and then he’d kill. I had to stop giving in to my own needs to consider those of my cat.”

“No sex?” She didn’t sound in the least sympathetic; more amused.

There was a small smile playing with the curve of her bottom lip and he couldn’t help himself. He stood up abruptly, leaned over the counter, one large fist closing over her hand holding the knife because he didn’t trust that she wouldn’t stab him. His mouth found hers, lips brushing gently. So gently. He heard her gasp. Her lips parted. That soft rush of air against his mouth. His teeth found her lower lip and he tugged. Then bit down.

She gave a small shocked cry and his tongue slid along her lip, easing the ache he’d caused. He should have backed off, but he couldn’t. Almost of its own volition, his other hand slid beneath the heavy fall of hair to curl around her nape, bringing her closer. His mouth came down on hers, taking control. Losing himself in all that cinnamon and spice. She looked sweet. Maybe she was, but she had a definite kick to her. She wasn’t going to let him take her over, not without a fight. He tasted that in her mouth. That kick. That spice. It fed his hunger like a drug.

He couldn’t stop. There were no brakes and she didn’t help, her mouth moving under his, her tongue dancing and stroking, feeding the fire that began to flicker hot and bright through his body. Wanting a woman had never been like this. Feeling. So strong. So much. He could kiss her forever when he never gave that intimacy to other women. He hadn’t known kissing could be an obsession with a woman.