other as they gazed at the piece of wood that she’d given Lionel to carve.
She’d wondered if Lionel would choose to carve wolves because she did. But no. He’d wisely decided to take a different path. In his carving, a majestic eagle soared over a rugged mountain range. The rush of freedom he’d caught in the eagle’s flight took her breath away.
“It’s good,” Jake said.
“It is.” She tightened her hold on him. “Very good. He’s going to make it as an artist.”
Jake was quiet for a moment. “I’m glad I’ll be here to see it happen.”
She glanced up at him, so afraid that his choice would be painful for him, at least in the beginning. “Will you become a pariah because of me?”
His gaze was filled with love. “Even if I did, I wouldn’t give a damn. But I won’t. If there’s one thing werewolves understand, it’s the importance of finding a soul mate. I’ll have to eat some crow when I admit that my soul mate turned out to be you, a human female, and WARM will take a big hit.”
“I hate that. It was your baby.”
“I know, but thanks to this humbling experience with you, I realize the concept was too limiting. I have to expand my thinking, and there will be those who criticize me for changing my mind, but . . . it’s a small price to pay for being able to love you for the rest of my life.”
“What about the Hunters?”
A shadow crossed his features. “I’ll have to deal with them, no question. They’ve hooked up with some fringe group called the Consortium, and I’ll have to report that to the Were Council.”
“They don’t want me to live in your world.”
“No.” His jaw tightened. “But they’re renegades. I’ll protect you with my life, and so will those who support our nonviolent heritage, which is most of us. Don’t be afraid, Rachel. You’ll be safe from the likes of them.”
“But your life is more complicated because of me.”
He laughed in that low, intimate way she loved. “Of course it is. I’ll have hell to pay, and MacDowell will be insufferable. But you’re worth it.” Still holding her, he turned so that they were face-to-face. “I humbly ask you, Rachel Miller, if you will consent to be my mate.”
She looked into those green eyes, knowing that they were the eyes of a creature she only partly understood. But she knew his heart, and it belonged to her. She didn’t intend to give in quite that easily, however. After all, he had recently rejected her on the basis of her human genes. “It’s a thought. I’ve always wanted a wolf of my own.”
“You’re going to make me beg, aren’t you?”
“Yes.” She smiled up at him. “You spurned me before, so now you’ll have to work to win me over.”
“Rescuing you from the kidnappers wasn’t enough?”
She laughed. “It was a start.”
“My God, you’re issuing a challenge!”
“Are you up to it?”
He gave her a slow, easy smile filled with all the confidence of a sexy werewolf alpha. “Yes, my love, I am.”
Praise for the Novels of Vicki Lewis Thompson
The Wild About You Novels
“A clever lighthearted tale. . . . The story line is fast-paced as the lead couple fights each other and their respective hearts.”
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“A fun frolic starring two likable protagonists . . . witty.”
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“I really love this book. Vicki Lewis Thompson did it again. She can’t write fast enough for me! This is another keeper for my very full bookshelf. It will have you reading long past bedtime and still wanting more.”
—Night Owl Reviews
“A fun, lighthearted romance, as are the previous books in this series. It’s a feel-good read that will brighten any bad mood or reading slump. If you’re not sure what to read next, try this one. It’s time for some fun!”
—The Good, the Bad and the Unread
“A sweet romance which has humor and love throughout the entire book. . . . I love werewolves, love, and humor mixed together, and this series seems to have it all.”
—TwoLips Reviews
“Perfect for when you need to add some romantic comedy to the daily grind. Thompson does her werewolves justice. . . . Sparks and fur do indeed fly.”
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“A great read.”
—Bitten by Books
“Sizzling as well as howlingly funny.”
—Fresh Fiction
“A humorous and romantic comedy.”
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“Enough heated sex scenes to satisfy any werewolf romance fan.”
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“Readers will enjoy Vicki Lewis Thompson taking a bite . . . out of the Big Apple.”
—Genre Go Round Reviews
“I loved this book and I can’t wait for the next one. . . . A definite keeper and will be on my shelf for a lifetime.”
—Night Owl Reviews (top pick)
The Babes on Brooms Novels
“Thompson again gives readers a charming, warm, humorous, sexually charged romance with likable characters, a magical dog, and a feel-good ending.”
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“Extremely readable . . . terrific writing and great character development. . . . Readers will fully enjoy this confection.”
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Further Praise for Vicki Lewis Thompson and Her Novels
“Snappy, funny, romantic.”
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“A trademark blend of comedy and heart.”
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“Count on Vicki Lewis Thompson for a sharp, sassy, sexy read. Stranded on a desert island? I hope you’ve got this
book in your beach bag.”
—Jayne Ann Krentz
“Wildly sexy . . . a full complement of oddball characters and sparkles with sassy humor.”
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“A riotous cast of colorful characters . . . fills the pages with hilarious situations and hot, creative sex.”
