He relaxed his shoulders. Yeah, he was the king’s bodyguard, more like a brother, and he was known as the most dangerous hunter in existence. But one woman could reduce him to nothing if she wanted.
Good thing his Sarah had a kind heart and would never hurt anybody. Well, usually. Max grinned at the little teacher. “I heard you almost skinned Garrett Kayrs along with two of his friends yesterday in class.”
Sarah chuckled and fixed his tie. In her heels, she stood over six feet tall, still several inches shorter than he. “Those three. Too much energy, too much intelligence, and way too much testosterone. They used the main computer as a dating site—and Garrett arranged to meet a much older woman from Toledo. She agreed to send him a plane ticket, of all things. Thank goodness I caught them first.”
“What did you do?” Max asked.
“I made them write essays about true love and how to respect women.” Sarah bit her lip. “You should’ve seen Garrett when he got to the part of the assignment that required him to write a poem.” She threw back her head and laughed, the sound free.
Max smiled. “You’re a mean one when you want.”
“Thank you.” Her grin was stunning. “I’m going to miss those boys after this year when they head off to college.”
“You’ve taught them well,
She slapped his hands. “We don’t have time to play.”
There was always time to play. So he dropped his mouth to her neck and traced her beating pulse with his tongue. She sighed and pushed him while angling her head so he’d have better access. He nipped just under her jaw.
She sighed, sliding her hands around his waist. Then she stiffened and drew back. “Why do you have a gun?”
He frowned. “I always have a gun.”
“We’re going to a wedding.” She shook her head.
Well, yeah. But they’d all be armed—even the groom would have a weapon somewhere. “Sweetheart, we’re at war. I’m always armed.”
“No.” She lifted the gun free of his waistband, turning it over.
He didn’t like seeing a weapon in her hands, and his heart rate increased. So he gently removed the gun and placed it on top of the refrigerator. “We’ll just leave this here.”
Her sweet smile made him feel like he’d already won a war. “Thank you,” she breathed.
He nodded. Of course, he had another gun along his leg and three knives hidden on his body. He was a bodyguard to the king, after all. “You know I’m a soldier, right?”
“Sure.” She patted his butt. “But this is a family wedding where your brother is finding happiness. No guns.”
Had she met his family? “If you say so.” He’d accepted a long time ago that even though they weren’t blood, the Kayrs brothers were his family. The idea filled him with warmth. “Weddings aren’t always safe.”
Sarah rolled her eyes. “Of course they’re safe. Don’t worry—this will be a relaxing, fun time.”
God. Sometimes he just loved her optimistic view of life. They were walking into a wedding room filled with vampires, witches, and shifters. It’d be a miracle if nobody got shot. So he smiled and gathered his mate close. “You’re right. This will be perfect.” He’d make damn well sure of it, just to keep his Sarah happy.
Kane leaned against the fireplace, his gaze implacable on the blond beauty trying to look innocent across the room. “What did you do?”
She lifted a creamy shoulder. “I have no idea what you mean.” So they were going to play it that way, were they? He set his scotch on the mantle. “When was the last time I spanked you, Amber?”
His mate lifted her chin. “Last week, when I organized the protest against the group doing animal testing on nail polish.”
“No.” He prowled closer to her, appreciating the fire that flashed into her gorgeous eyes. “I believe the protest was fine. It was your breaking and entering the facilities and putting yourself in danger that guaranteed my palm print on your ass.” He’d always planned to mate a logical easygoing doctor or scientist. Thank God Amber had blasted his plan to hell. The woman was a planet-protecting vegan with spirit. Which was fine, so long as she kept out of danger. “You know to be careful.”
She lifted her chin. “Careful is for wussies.”
Damn. Not one inch of her was afraid of him. He couldn’t help the slow smile. “Those countermoves you learned from Conn were damn good.” She’d nearly taken out his knee before he’d flipped her over it.
“I know.” She smoothed her hands down his tuxedo jacket. “I’m a pacifist, but I have no problem knocking you out next time you try it.”
“Tell me. Now.” He didn’t need to go into more detail. The woman could always read him.
Her grin was all imp. “I just made sure one of the caterers learned veal is bad.”
He didn’t want to know. He really didn’t want to know. “Tell me you didn’t mess with the menu Brenna wanted.”
“I didn’t. Brenna would never want veal.” Amber’s eyes widened. “You really need to learn to relax.”
With her as a mate? There was no relaxing. He tugged on a strand of her curly hair. “You promised to have fun today and not mess with anybody.”
“I always keep my promises.”
Uh-huh. “Did you hear the demons called and want to negotiate a truce?”
“No.” She stilled. “Do you think they mean it?”
“I truly don’t know.” He brushed a thumb along her smooth jaw. “I like the idea of peace.”
“Me, too.” She grabbed his lapels and yanked him down for a hard kiss. “If we stopped fighting the demons, we could spend more time and resources fighting the virus.”
Exactly. There was no question Virus-27 needed to be cured before more mates were infected, and Kane would love to spend all his time working on science instead of strategy. The idea of his mate being susceptible to the damn bug kept him up more nights than he could count. “I’m sure once everything settles after the wedding, we’ll sit down and figure out the right path.”
“Do you think Jase will want peace?” Amber asked, snuggling closer.
“Yes and no.” Kane slipped a hand down her bare back. “I’ll need to talk to Conn to figure out where we’d hold negotiations. This would be a military act.”
“So long as we find peace.”
Kane nodded, his hand dipping lower. “I love this dress.”
His wild vegan tilted her chin and smiled into his eyes. “I love you. Let’s go to the wedding.”
Conn paced the wall of windows of their house, his hands in his pockets. The sun glittered off the ocean waves. What a perfect day for a wedding. He needed to relax and put himself into party mode.
Moira swept into the room. “Sorry I’m late.”
“You’re fine.” He turned from the window and nearly swallowed his tongue. Talk about an understatement. “You’re gorgeous,
She smiled, her green eyes lighting up. “Brenna made us all wear blue dresses, and I thought mine needed some sparkle.”
Yeah. Shimmering, sparkling, sexy-as-hell dress. “I totally agree.” He tugged his hands free. “Where’s your weapon?”
She lifted her chin, power dancing along her skin. “Which one?”
“You keep looking at me like that, and we’re never gonna make it to the wedding.” He wanted to tease her, but damn, he might be serious. Getting her naked and beneath him was far too appealing.
Delight flashed across her face. “While I love the thought of grappling in bed all day, your baby brother is marrying my baby sister. Our families would break down our front door looking for us.”
Now that was the truth. He studied his witch. “You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in three centuries.”
Her smile slid to sweet. “Aren’t you charming today.”
