“Most definitely.”
“It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen in my life, but it also makes so much sense.I couldn’t figure out why I felt so drawn to you, why I fell for you so fast and hard.You’re human but not human.Our attraction is supernatural.”
He nodded and kissed her.“I’m so glad I got to share my shift with you.I’m sorry that I couldn’t tell you about it right away.I hated not being able to share my whole life with you.”
“I understand.Every shifter must feel so burdened if they have a human soulmate on when to share the truth and to keep their people protected.”
He grabbed his jeans and tugged them on.After he finished dressing, they walked out into the pasture and leaned against the fence.
It was quiet outside save for the rustle of leaves in the trees.Two park shifters were out on patrol, males from the lion pride.The park had agreed to help the herd with overnight patrols.Since the park had so many shifters living and working there, and was also basically a walled fortress with underground living quarters, they could spare a couple of guys each night and ease some of the patrol burden.Sometimes only one male came, but usually it was two.
Right then, Ford was thankful two lions were watching things so he could concentrate on his mate.
“I wanted to ask you a question,” he said.
“Sure.”She turned to face him, leaning against the spilt-rail fence.
“You’re so freaking beautiful.”
She giggled.“That’s not a question.”
“No, but it’s worth saying because you are.”
“You’re hot stuff yourself.”
He hummed and then chuckled.“I want you to move into the farmhouse with me.Notjust because I’m worried about your safety with Colton, because part of me is.But because I want you with me.My favorite thing is going to bed with you in my arms and waking up with you next to me.”
She tilted her head but didn’t say anything for a few moments.Then she reached for his hand and linked their fingers.“I love you and I want to be with you, but I don’t want to fully move in here yet.I’m okay with staying tonight, obviously, and maybe we can go to my apartment later today and I can pack a bag for a couple nights.But things are dicey with Cruz.He’s already being pushy about me spending so much time with you, and suddenly moving out might send him over the edge.”
“I don’t want you to lose your relationship with him,” Ford said.“And I don’t want you to move in here until you’re ready.”
“I just need a little time.To make peace with Cruz mainly, but also give me a little more time to get to know you.Plus, I haven’t met everyone in your herd.”
He frowned.He hadn’t even thought about how she might not feel right moving into a home with strangers.That was definitely a miscalculation on his part.
“How about you come for dinner tonight with the herd?”
She smiled.“I’d like that.”
He pulled her close and gazed down at her.The moment was intense, and he was going to kiss her, when she yawned, turning her head and covering her mouth.
Which made him yawn.
She pulled her phone from her pocket and said, “Holy crap, it’s late.Oh man, and Cruz has been texting me.I had my ringer off so I didn’t realize it.”
She made a face as she scrolled.
“He’s such an ass.He’s acting like I’m a preteen with my first crush or something.”She showed him the texts that he’d been sending since midnight.
Not coming home?Again?
We really need to talk about this.You’re not answering me and I hate that this guy is coming between us.We’re family.I never thought you’d put me last.
Darcy?
I’m at work.I hope I see you in the morning because we really need to talk.
She snorted and put the phone away.“You know what’s weird?When he first started dating his ex, he went all in with her right away.They got a place together after a couple of weeks, were engaged pretty soon after that, and were so lovey-dovey all the time it was hard to be around them.”
