“Once you get the hang of shifting, yes. I’ll be at your side every step of the way, guiding you. And then, when you don’t need my help, I’ll be at your side chasing away any potential admirers.”
“I don’t want anyone but you,” I told him.
“Sweet Marie-Pierre,” he said, and grinned at the face I made. “I’m glad you’re all mine.” He knotted his hand in my hair and tugged my face down for another long, sweet, licking kiss. “And I’m so damn relieved that you’re better.”
“Me, too.” Then I sat upright, glancing around the room. “Oh, shit. My dad. I should call him and tell him everything is okay. He’s worried for you.”
Josh dragged me back down to his chest. “Call him tomorrow. Tonight, you’re all mine.”
“Only tonight?” I teased and leaned in to nip at a promising spot on his neck, enjoying his masculine shudder of response.
“We’ll start with tonight,” he said. “But I’m greedy, Marie-Pierre. I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to settle for less than every minute of the rest of our lives.”
“I’m okay with that,” I told him and sank my teeth into his neck.
• • •
That evening, as we lay in bed, Josh played with a curl of my hair, my chest propped on his. “I love you, Marie-Pierre.”
I pinched his side. “You’re cruel.”
“For telling you that I love you?”
“No, for using that name. Telling me that you love me is just . . . confusing.”
He sat up, jostling me from where I was nestled against him. “Confusing? What are you talking about?”
I rolled in the bed, moving away from him and wrapping up in the tangled sheets. “I don’t know. I just don’t see how you can be in love with me. Unless you fall in love with everyone you sleep with.”
“Well, this is flattering,” he said dryly. “You’re so good with compliments, it’s astounding that you’re single, Marie. Absolutely astounding.”
“I’m serious,” I said. “You’ve dated dozens of women. Gorgeous women. I’ve seen some of your dates. They’re bangin’. And you declare love for a skinny woman with enormous bags under her eyes and sleeping problems? You’ll have to excuse me if I have a hard time believing I’m not some kind of charity case.”
“Are you kidding me? You’re skinny because you were sick. Emphasis on
“More beautiful than double-D cups?” I asked doubtfully.
Josh laughed. “I can’t believe I’m reassuring you about your looks. Your figure is gorgeous.
I waved a hand. “It wasn’t mainly my looks I was worried about. I want to know why you love
“It’s just you—everything about you. The way you flay me with your tongue in one sentence and then devour me with your eyes the next. It’s your grit. Your refusal to give up when things look their bleakest. The way you won’t back down from a challenge. I love all of that about you. It makes me want to challenge you even more, just to see how you react.” He grinned. “It’s why I loved teasing you in the first place.”
I leaned in and gently kissed him. “I love you.”
He pulled me in close, grinning. “Now say something dirty in French, just for me.”
I laughed and did just that.
• • •
After a fierce round of lovemaking and a night of blissful sleep, I called my dad the next morning. We made plans to meet him and Posey for breakfast. I’d promised Josh that I’d tell my dad everything, though we were resolved to be careful about anything related to vampires or shifters, since Posey hadn’t signed a nondisclosure like Dad had.
The diner was crowded this morning, but as soon as we walked in the door, Carol gave a cry of delight, throwing her arms out to hug Josh. He enveloped her in a bear hug and gave her a smacking kiss. “How’s the most beautiful girl in the world doing?”
She batted at him with her notepad. “She’s still immune to your bullshit, young man.”
Oh, please. If there was anyone who loved his bullshit, it was Carol.
I was surprised when she moved to hug me. “You look well, honey. Those dark circles under your eyes are gone.”
“Thanks,” I said. “I’ve been catching up on my sleep.”
“Josh, honey,” Carol said. “The manager ran out to the bank and I need a box of menus from the top shelf in the back. Could you be a dear and go help the cook get it for me?”
“Of course.” He winked at her and sauntered back to the kitchen. “I’ll be right back, ladies. Marie, baby, I see your dad over there.” He gestured at the far end of the restaurant just before disappearing through the swinging door.
I glanced in that direction. My dad sat in the back booth with Posey, who was wearing enough makeup to make Mary Kay pause, and even though it was seven in the morning, her hair was in a huge, perfect blond bouffant. For some reason, though, she didn’t fill me with the annoyed dread that she normally did.
Dad raised a hand, waving me over.
I began to step toward the table when Carol batted me lightly with the notepad in her hand, getting my attention. “I’m glad to see you back, missy.”
I smiled. “You are?”
“You had him all tangled up,” she said. “Every night he came in, he was stressed out about you. Said he couldn’t charm you like he charmed everyone else. I never saw him so flustered over a girl.”
Well, wasn’t that adorable? I laughed. “Oh, he’s just saying that. I’m sure he tells you that about all the girls he brings here.”
She shook her head and gave me a sharp-eyed look. “You’re the only one he’s ever introduced me to, honey. When I saw him come in with you, I thought, he’s going to marry this one. He’s asked you, hasn’t he?”
Jeez, she was sharp. I felt myself blush and resisted the urge to touch the mate mark on my neck. “More or less.”
“That’s good,” she said, patting my hand. “That’s very good. You make him happy.”
“And he makes me happy,” I said softly.
It was true. When he emerged with that box of menus and shot me a cocky, confident grin, my heart melted all over again. I adored the hell out of that overconfident, arrogant, loving, caring guy.
And I planned on spending the rest of my life proving it.
Epilogue
Wake up, sleepyhead,” a voice murmured in my ear, rousing me from the most delicious dream.
I snuggled deeper into the pillows and didn’t open my eyes. I mumbled, “Five more minutes.”
There was a soft chuckle, then a hand pulled me against a large, hard male body. I felt Josh lean over me, and felt his warm breath on my ear a second before he began to nibble on it. “You naughty minx. You’re always sleeping late, aren’t you?”
“Mmm,” I said, sighing with pleasure at a good night’s sleep—and the delicious man teasing my ear. “I love sleeping.”
“It’s time to wake up,” Josh murmured, then kissed my neck. “You know what today is?”
It took a moment for it to register in my sleep-groggy mind, and then I realized. My eyes flew open. “Oh, jeez. My picnic!”
He chuckled. “That’s right.”
“Oh, heck, I’ve got to get up,” I said, all sleepiness vanishing from my body. Today the were-cougar clan was gathering in my honor. It promised to be a big party, and it wouldn’t do if I showed up late. Plus, I’d promised
