“No. How would you like to design something for us?”
She straightened. “I’m not an architect, but I can definitely come up with what I want, if there is an architect.” She frowned. “Do you have one in the pack?”
“No, but we have a couple of builders that are pretty close,” he murmured. “I can make it happen. You tell me what you want, and we’ll do it.”
She shook her head. “Seth, you don’t have to build something for me.”
“Sure, I do,” he said. “I want to.” The song ended, and another began.
Unable to stop himself, he reached for her hand and stood. “Dance with me, Mia.”
Billie Holiday started crooningI’ll Be Seeing You, and Mia sighed, standing and stepping right into his arms. He’d never forget the first dance they’d shared at that ball, which seemed like such a long time ago but really wasn’t.
“I guess this is our song, too.” She turned her head and placed her cheek against his chest.
He ran a large hand down her back to settle at her waist. “It most definitely is.” Then he led her around the table, holding her close and shutting his eyes. He’d learned young to take the good times and enjoy them, and this was the best he’d had in a very long time. Peace was temporary for him, but he planned to engulf her and their baby in it.
Mia stretchedbeneath the warm blankets, brushing against the hard body behind her as dawn barely peeked through the blinds. “I have to get going,” she murmured.
Seth wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her tighter against his body. “It’s too early to move.” His lips skimmed her bare shoulder. “Are you sure you have to go?”
She so did not want to go. “I do need to get going.” The night had been romantic from beginning to end, and parts of her were still a little sore as they’d taken their dance to the bedroom. The many facets of Seth Volk fascinated her, and she wondered if an extra-long lifetime as a wolf’s mate would be enough to learn all of them. She purposefully didn’t question whether or not she’d gain a longer lifespan. Surely, her sickness had been from the pregnancy, and she would refuse to listen to any more doubts, even inside her own head, until she had some answers.
He nipped at her shoulder, and shivers cascaded down her body. “All right, but be careful. Check in with me and keep your GPS active on your phone.”
“Of course,” she said, surprised again that he wasn’t arguing about her going to Seattle or even to DC. She’d expected a fight, and when he’d said he understood that she needed to follow the case, she’d been more than a little shocked. Reluctantly, she pushed away from the bed and padded barefoot into the massive master bath, tossing over her shoulder, “You know, if we do build a new home, I like huge bathrooms like this—as well as big closets.” Not that she had a lot to put into a closet, but she knew they were important to most people.
Seth’s chuckle followed her into the bathroom. She showered quickly and dressed in pressed black pants and a white silk shirt with a black jacket. Yes, it was definitely her FBI uniform. She had just finished tucking her gun into the holster at the back of her waist and clipping her badge onto her belt when Seth returned from the kitchen with two cups of coffee.
It was all she could do not to push him back onto the bed. He wore only dark boxers, and his body was hard and cut. Her mouth watered, and she swallowed. “Thank you.” She accepted the coffee.
“Anytime.” He leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek. “If you need me today, call me. I’ll be there.”
She looked at him, taking in the lazy blue of his eyes. His dark hair curled over his forehead and had grown even shaggier beneath his ears. A satiated and lazy Seth Volk in the morning was a temptation no girl could resist. She levered up onto her toes and kissed him. “Thank you for understanding.”
“Of course.” He kissed her back. “I think understanding could very well be my middle name. For now, your ride is here.”
She blinked. “I thought I’d drive into town.”
“Nope, you have a ride.” With a wink, he turned, stalked into the master bath, and shut the door.
She frowned and walked out of the room and down the stairs while drinking her coffee. She could already tell it was decaf, which she appreciated, but, man, she missed caffeine. Just how much could it hurt a wolf shifter pup, anyway? She didn’t want to find out.
As she reached the bottom step, she saw Erik lounging against the door, scrolling through something on his phone. “Erik, what are you doing here?”
He glanced up, dressed in ripped jeans and a black T-shirt today, looking more like his brother than ever. “I’m your driver.”
Well, that just figured. “I don’t need a bodyguard on the way into the office.” She tried to sound cheerful.
“That’s too bad, because you’ve got one.” He opened the door, and she glanced out front to see a black SUV already rumbling in the light rain. Todd waved from the passenger side.
“Are you kidding me?” Her chin dropped. “You and Todd both have to drive me into town this early in the freaking morning?”
Erik grinned. “We have our orders.”
“Oh, yeah?” She finished her coffee and set the cup gently on the entryway table. “Then who’s covering Seth’s back? I thought you were all into being his Enforcer these days.”
Erik smiled even wider, looking like a wolf that had just found prey. “Don’t worry, I have him covered, and Emily is staying around, too. She’s still pretty sore and needs to rest.”
