“Do I want to know?” her dadasked.
Sally shook her head as she attempted to get herself under control. Leave it to her mate to help bring the drama down a notch or five. She turned to look at him. “Thankyou.”
“Any time, Sally mine. That’s what I’m here for. Well-”—he shrugged and smiled smugly— “that and to be your boytoy.”
She patted his leg. “That you are, dimple boy. That youare.”
Her parents stood, both smiling at them but looking very tired. “One more thing before we call it a night,” her dad said. “That locket.” He pointed to her neck. “I found a journal from my … well … let’s just saymanygreats grandmother. She mentioned the locket. We know it has always been in the care of a gypsy healer, and it was blessed by the Great Luna. But the journal didn’t mention what power it contained, just that it somehow always ended up with whatever healer seemed to needit.”
Sally pressed her hand over the locket. “I guess it’s important I have itthen.”
“Looks that way. You were supposed to end up with it. Who knows? Perhaps it will be a help tomorrow.” Her dad walked over and leaned down. He pressed a kiss to her forehead and patted Costin on the shoulder. “You two get some rest tonight. Tomorrow is bound to betiring.”
“Night, Sally,” her mom said blowing her a kiss. “Costin, make sure to get her into bed at a decenthour.”
“No worries, Mrs. C.” Costin winked. “I’m good at getting your daughter intobed.”
Sally smacked him with a pillow in the face as her mom covered her ears and started singing. Her dad just laughed and led her mom from theroom.
“Really?” she asked, turning her narrowed gaze onhim.
“What?” he said, looking entirely innocent. “It’s a fact. Iamgood at getting you into bed. You guys are the pervs that took it to a sexuallevel.”
“As if you didn’t mean it that way,” shechallenged.
“Never.” He gasped, pressing his hand to his chest and opening his eyes wide. “How dareyou?”
Sally snorted. “Okay, don’t do that again.Ever.”
“Toomuch?”
She rolled her eyes and then stood. “Come on, I’ve got something to showyou.”
Costin jumped to his feet and rubbed his hands together. “Now that is what I like to hear from mywoman.”
She laughed as he picked her up and threw her over his shoulder, taking the stairs two at a time. “So eager to read a piece ofpaper?”
He paused just outside of her door. “Paper?”
“Ugh! Costin, put me down. Your shoulder is crushing mydiaphragm.”
“What do you mean paper?” he asked, sounding like a forlorn child. “No smexy time?” he said as he slid her down his body until her feet were planted on thefloor.
She shook her head. “Nope. Right now is healthy, relationship time.” Sally pushed the door to her room open and walked inside, trying not to laugh at the look on her mate’sface.
“But healthy, relationship time can lead to smexy time, right?” He shut the door behind him and clicked the lock inplace.
Sally picked up a journal from the bedside table and sat down on the bed. She looked up at him and patted the spot beside her. “I’m not saying to rule it out oranything.”
His smile was back as he sat down next toher.
“Here.” She handed him the journal. “Turn to the page with the paper clip on theedge.”
Costin flipped it to the page, and his eyes began to shift back and forth across the paper. A slow smile began to form on his sensual lips. “When did you dothis?”
She willed herself not to blush as she spoke. “While I took a bath lastnight.”
He chuckled. “So that’s what took you so long.” He held the journal out to her. “Go on then. Let’s hearit.”
