If she laughed, Ruby would bevery upset.
“That was… very cheeky of them,” she managed to say at last.
Jasper looked confused. He must not have heard the whisper.
“I never did that!” Ruby stuck her chin out.
“Nope. You never did.”And I didn’t know just how lucky I was,Abigail added silently.
Ruby’s expression changed to one of mercenary hopefulness. “Does that mean I get more presents? Because I never set my wees on fire?”
Jasper burst into a coughing fit.
“We’ll see,” Abigail said firmly. “It’s getting late. If Santa’s going to have time to reach our house you’ll need to get some sleep now, won’t you?”
Jasper was still coughing when they kissed her goodnight and left the room. He clicked the door shut behind him and sagged against it, sliding slowly to the floor.
“Of all the things I never knew I had to be grateful for,” he groaned. “I thought little girls were sugar and spice and all things nice?”
“Sugar and spice and mass destruction.” Abigail sat next to him, her back against the door. “Are there any kids in our group whoaren’tgoing to be firebugs from birth?”
“Don’t tell the alphas just yet, but I think Sheena’s pregnant.”
“You noticed that too?” She took his hand, twining her fingers through his. “Sheena’s baby will be part sheep shifter…”
“And part hellhound. Which makes me think hell-lamb. Another checkmark for the firebug column, either way.”
She hummed. “Olly and Jackson are maybe going to start trying soon. I don’t think owlsorpegasi are known for their pyromania.”
“Ditto griffins and winged lions. So, there is hope. Eventually, the local kids will stop trying to burn things down.” He rested his head against hers.
“Or they’ll have to start trying harder.”
“Please, I’m trying to stay positive!”
“We need some friends with ice-magic to balance it out. Put that in the tourist brochures.”
Jasper laughed. “It’s the twenty-first century. I’ll put it in the tourist TikToks. With rizz.”
“With what?”
“You know, I actually have no idea.”
“Oh god. It’s finally happened. I’m too old for slang.”
“You’re perfect.” He lifted his head. She looked up to find him gazing down at her, his eyes like a banked fire. Her heart thudded. “And I’m an idiot for not doing this sooner.”
He lowered his head and kissed her.
Not one of the quick hello or goodbye kisses they exchanged as automatically as making coffee in the morning. Not a goodnight kiss or a quick peck on the way past. A long, slow, passionate kiss that sent ripples over her skin and made her toes curl.
His hand came up to her face, cupping and caressing, holding her gently as he explored her mouth with his lips, his tongue, his teeth. She melted against him.
Maybe her plans had worked, after all.
“So.” Jasper leaned back, surveying her with heat-filled eyes and an expression of mischievous satisfaction. “I hear you’ve been scheming against me?”
She was still light-headed. “Andyou’vebeen scheming against my schemes!”
