“Ugh, it’s delicious, but I couldn’t eat another bite,” Selene said.
It had been two days since he’d tackled Alex through the window—two days since they’d moved in together—and Jason couldn’t remember ever being happier.
“I love to watch you eat.”
“Really?” She laughed.
“Really. The thought of providing for you is oddly satisfying.” He leaned over her, stroking the delicate space between her eye and her cheekbone with the back of his fingers. “I want to give you the best of everything until the shine coming off of you tells everyone you’re mine.”
Selene glanced around the room at the dozens of packages lined up against the wall of their bedroom. “The things you buy me won’t say I’m yours.” She laughed when his face fell in horror. “But I will. I’ll tell everyone.”
He kissed her softly. “I like that. I plan to do the same. Speaking of telling people, I was thinking we could get married next summer, in Italy. We can go there first. Soon. Find the perfect place.”
“Italy? But… I need to find a job. I’m not an acolyte anymore. I thought you could help me choose a new career.”
He lifted his eyebrows. “You don’t have to work if you don’t want to.”
“I want to! I have to have something to do while you’re doing what you do.”
His face turned serious and he gave her a long hard look. “What is it that you’re passionate about?” In all his years as an investor, he’d learned the most successful careers and companies were based on passion. He wouldn’t let her settle for anything less.
She stared at the ceiling for a moment. “Other than studying the goddess, I’d have to say baking. I love to bake.”
Jason gave her an ear-to-ear grin. “Perfect. My company will fund your bakery start-up. Step one: research other bakeries. I recommend we start in Italy, perhaps with a side trip to a culinary school in France.”
She giggled. “Italy. What a coincidence.” She shrugged. “Fine. I guess I have to start somewhere.”
“Me too.” He kissed her neck in earnest.
“Haven’t you had enough?” Selene joked as his lips worked their way down her body once more.
He stopped and locked eyes with her, allowing all levity to bleed from his expression. For days he’d analyzed his wolf, waiting for his vice to return with a vengeance. Waiting to want another woman so badly that he’d have to lock himself in his bedroom again to stop from hurting Selene. But that day hadn’t come. All he wanted, all his wolf wanted, was her.
“Yes and no,” he said. She quirked an eyebrow. “Yes,youare enough for me. Just you. Forever.”
She smiled sheepishly. “And no?”
“No, I have not had enough… of you.”
She squealed with joy as he pulled her beneath him once more, her body quickly melding with his. Threading his fingers into hers above her head he dedicated himself to making her believe she was the only woman in his universe.
Epilogue
Silas sat at the bar in Valentine’s restaurant, sipping his vodka and tonic and trying hard to forget that Alex was back in Carlton City. With the dragon fae amulet in his possession again, no one was safe. Sometimes being a detective and the alpha responsible for Fireborn pack was like bailing a boat with a large hole in the bottom. As soon as he thought he’d done what was necessary to keep his wolves safe, something would happen and they’d be at risk again. And nothing he could do as their leader or as a member of the Carlton City PD could help.
He didn’t blame Jason for what happened. If he’d had to choose between Nickelova or Alex, he’d have chosen Alex too. What was that old saying? Out of the frying pan, into the fire? As a werewolf, Alex was the less threatening option, with or without the amulet. Not to mention, according to Jason, he was still recovering from his injuries. With the right help, Silas knew he could track Alex down and end this war for good.
“The answers you’re looking for aren’t at the bottom of that glass,” Soleil purred into his ear. When had she arrived? Standing behind him, her presence put off a sunny glow in the dim light, her radiant heat warming his back. “I came as soon as I heard.”
She slid onto the leather seat of the stool next to him with the grace of a dancer. Everything about her was long and polished, down to the golden blond chignon that crowned her head. His stomach twisted from holding back his desire for her. For a moment, he flashed back to the last time he’d had her in his bed, the alcohol fueling a vivid recall of the warmth of her skin and the soft feel of her body. He squirmed on his stool and focused on his glass.
“Have you heard anything? Any sign of Alex?” he asked her.
“No. I’ve spoken with all the girls. He hasn’t come into the bordello. With dragon fae magic, he might be able to conceal his appearance, but as you know, what makes Maison des Étoilles extraordinary is my girls can read our patrons’ thoughts, their deepest and truest desires.”
“I remember,” he said. His eyes betrayed him and he looked at her again, his gaze tracing the deep vee of her royal blue wrap dress. It tied at her waist with a bow that Silas desperately wanted to pull. He forced his attention back to his drink and cleared the thickness from his throat. “He’s weak. Not visibly injured, but emaciated. In need of care. Jason doesn’t think he could have gone far.”
“I see. Probably in no need of sex then.” She narrowed her blue eyes. “He’ll go underground. You said he was last seen in the vampire district?”
