“But his relationship ended because she cheated?”
“Yeah.He must think because they moved fast and she wasn’t faithful that every situation that’s similar will end the same way.”
“I’d never cheat on you,” Ford said, his stallion surging inside him.
“I know,” she said, beaming at him.“I can feel how close we are, like you’re already part of me.”
“Let’s get to bed,” he said, putting his arm around her as they headed toward the farmhouse.“We’ll run to your place when we get up.”
“Sounds good to me.I can’t wait to fall asleep in your arms and wake up in them too.It’s definitelyoneof my favorite things.”
“One of them?”he asked.
“I also really like it when you go down on me.”
He growled playfully.“I like that too.”
* * *
After a quickie that started with him just wanting to give her one of her favorite things, they fell asleep tangled together and woke up around lunchtime.The only people in the kitchen when they wandered down to the first floor were Dexter and Nancy, who were fixing sandwiches and talking quietly.Ford introduced Darcy to them and they fixed sandwiches too, sitting at the table with the older couple and talking about the farm and herd life.
By the time they got to Darcy’s apartment, Ford was dreading a confrontation with Cruz, but it turned out he was at the gym, so the place was empty.
She changed and packed a bag with toiletries and clothes for the weekend.He was glad she didn’t have to work so they could spend time together, although he was on schedule for patrol that night.And he would freaking hate not sleeping next to her.
But he’d do anything to keep her and the herd safe.
The afternoon sped by as they hung out together in the barn while he worked on the tractor.And then they joined everyone in the farmhouse kitchen for dinner.The females all pulled Darcy into their group, talking quietly around the island as they got dinner together, while the males all set the table and got drinks for everyone.
Avi clapped Ford on the shoulder.“I’m so happy for you, man.Our herd is finally complete.”
“Thanks,” Ford said, smiling at the way Darcy’s eyes danced when she laughed at something Zara said.“Trust me, I’m the happiest guy on the planet right now.”
When the food was ready—a huge chicken and rice casserole with sweet corn that had been frozen from the summer’s harvest—Crew tapped his fork against his glass and everyone went quiet.
“I’d like to welcome Darcy to the herd.Congratulations on your mating, and we look forward to you joining with us officially.”
“Thank you,” Darcy said.
The herd clapped and cheered, and Ford gave her a quick kiss.
“What’s an official joining?”she asked him.
Ford told her about the herd’s mating ceremony, which joined a couple together officially in the eyes of the herd and made the soulmate a member of the herd.
“You’re already officially mated,” Nancy said.“But the joining ceremony is really more of a celebration that the herd throws for new members with a big dinner.”
“We’ll make all your favorites,” Zara said.
“That sounds really neat,” Darcy said.“When does that happen?”
“Whenever you want,” Tris said.
Darcy looked at Ford, and he said, “We don’t have to do anything right now, we can wait a while.”
“Can Rhomi come?I know Reagan can’t, or Cruz.Is it only for stallions and their soulmates?”
“We’d love to have Rhomi and Mercer come,” Crew said.
