Life was to be lived. She put her own on the line for them every day in ways they would most likely never truly understand. But just seeing her there, shaking her ass, smile on her face, her magick floating around her like golden dust motes, it made a difference and he approved mightily.
Hell, she needed it too. Needed something that wasn’t work, or downtime related to being ready for the next bout of work. Constantly being on guard wasn’t good for her. For anyone really, but she was his to protect.
And, he could admit, he liked that they had couple time. Social time when he got to know her friends better and they him. Sure he knew most of the people on the hunter team, at least by sight. But this was different. He was there not just as a guard, but as Helena’s man. He knew they understood it. Liked the approval he saw in their eyes as well.
“Would you like a drink,
She got close, smiling up at him. No one had ever used a pet name before. Not more than honey or babe.
“That would be really good. Jack and Coke please.”
One of his brows rose as he bent and kissed her quickly. “I don’t think I’ve seen you drink more than a beer before. I can’t wait to see this.”
He spun her artfully and guided her back to the table, and before he could move toward the bar, a cocktail waitress made her way over.
“Hey guys!”
It was a girl Helena and Lark had gone to school with. A cousin of Helena’s assistant, Sasha.
“Hey Carla. How are you? Looks jumpin’ in here tonight.” Marian grinned as she took the place in.
“It is. And it’s good for people to see you all here. My boss is positively giddy. He wants me to tell you drinks are on the house and to thank you for helping people feel safe. It’s hard to go out right now. You know? But if the Hunter is here with part of her crew, it’s good.”
Helena was glad they’d come. Even if she planned on getting the hell out in an hour or so because Faine looked good enough to eat and she was going to at the very least lick him—a lot—once they got home.
Carla took their orders and their thanks and headed off to get their drinks.
Helena had a great time. Drinking and laughing and dancing with her man. And it felt, somewhere in the back of her mind, like the calm before the storm.
The drink was good but she wanted to dance and he obliged, taking her back out there. Of course he was good at that too. The man was sex on legs and he moved like it.
Never in her life had she imagined being with a man like him. Men like him were fantasies. They were in books or movies, but real-life men were different.
But there he was, looking smooth and sexy, and his gaze was only for her. Well, his gaze flitted around much like hers did, but his personal gaze, the one where a man saw a woman—that was all hers.
It humbled her, even as it filled her with wonder and satisfaction, that he wanted her the way he did. Supported her. Listened to and trusted her. Even with the weight of everyone’s trust and fear on her shoulders, it was easier with him there at her side.
About an hour later, he pulled her close and she tiptoed up. Of course he was still way taller but thankfully he bent down to meet her halfway. His hand slid around her, settling at her hip. The heat of him burned through her dress, against her skin. Her skin he knew so very well.
“I really think we should go home.”
The awesome thing about Lycians is that they didn’t really get drunk. Not the way humans or witches did, though he did say in Lycia they brewed some type of ale stuff that actually stayed in their system in a way human alcohol didn’t. That night he’d had a drink but it was through his system in less than ten minutes. He was alert and ready to drive home, though she was moderately tipsy. No need to wait any further for ravishment.
“I’ve just been waiting for your signal.”
They quickly said their good-byes and headed out. People waved as they made their way from the club and his car was waiting in valet when they got outside.
“It’s nice to feel like we’re all on the same page for once. Positive instead of terrified. Though.” She shrugged, settling back into the seat as he headed for the freeway. “I suppose the terror will be back by morning.” Every night there was something else. Every dose of the morning news had multiple stories of some violence somewhere. Fires. Graffiti. Attacks on schools and community centers. It sucked.
“Let yourself have just one night of happiness. Yes, morning will come with sad news, the way it has for some time now. But we have each other. We had a lovely time with friends. It’s all right to be young and in love. Yes?”
She took his hand. She could blame the four Jack and Cokes later. “It’s all right be to be young and in love, yes. Or four hundred years old and in love. Even tomorrow when there will be bad news it’ll be okay. Thanks for coming with me tonight.”
“There’s really no way I’d have missed you in this outfit.”
She laughed. “I’m glad you enjoyed it. I haven’t worn it in a long time. I was worried it wouldn’t fit.”
“It’s just perfect.” A smile ghosted his lips. “I can’t wait to get you out of it when we get home.”
She let go of a delighted laugh. “Well good. That’s the point of living with you. Having full-time access to all the filthy sexual services you provide.”
He took her hand as he drove and she allowed herself to enjoy their time together as a couple. Allowing herself to believe things could be all right when the dust settled. But at the very least, they were right then and that was enough.
DELILAH looked so lovely Tosh nearly regretted not having her all to himself. All that golden hair was pulled up and away from her face. She was old-fashioned in the best sense of the word with a brooch on her blouse and elegant, tailored pants that only emphasized her shape.
“Have I told you how beautiful you look tonight?”
“Thank you. You did, but it never hurts to hear it more than once. I promise. It’s all right? My outfit I mean. I didn’t want to go too casual and then I thought maybe you all keep it casual on purpose and I’ll be overdressed.”
“You’re perfect. I promise, they’re going to like you.”
The nervousness on her features eased a little. “I hope so. If they made you, they have to be good people.”
“You should say that to my mother. She’ll love it.”
Delilah laughed. “I’ll try to find a way to say it without sounding like I’m sucking up. You’re sure they’re okay with me coming?”
“Definitely. I spoke to my grandmother about it first and then got a call from my mother and one of my brothers about it. I’m sorry to say they might be pretty excited about having you there.”
“Sorry?”
He snorted. “They’re going to show you pictures and ask you rude, intrusive questions about your life and your family. They mean well, but they’re nosy, and since they know we’re together and I like you enough to want them to meet you, my mother might make hints about marriage or kids. I’m just warning you.”
“That’s better than telling me I should be using birth control because of mixed babies.”
He frowned as he pulled into his grandparents’ driveway. “What? Someone did that?”
“Yes. It happened a while ago. Before the Magister, but if you remember, the wolves have been out for a while now. It was one of the reasons I decided to stop dating humans. Clearly I break rules for you and that heart of yours.”
“My heart?”
She turned to him. “You have the heart of a lion. Full of passion and justice. It goes with your looks. All that gorgeous hair and your features, which would be perfect for an ad in
As compliments went, that one was one of the best he’d ever received.
“I’m really glad about that. While I do admire your heart and your brain, can I tell you it’s your lips that have always done me in?” And her breasts. He loved those though he hadn’t seen them yet. There was something
