He got into the truck, handing the bag over to her.
“This is way heavier than just two cheesesteaks.”
He started the truck. “I also got fries, onion rings, and two molten lava cakes.”
“I love their onion rings. Good job. But since when does Mummy’s have molten lava cakes?”
“They don’t usually, but they’re trying them out. I figured after everything we’ve been through, we could survive a little chocolate experimentation. Plus, I thought they’d go well with some of that ice cream we still have.”
“I like that kind of thinking. Man, this all smells good.” She inhaled. Her stomach rumbled in response. She laughed. “Drive faster.”
“Hey, I don’t want to get a ticket.”
She shot him a look. “Right. Like the brother of the sheriff has to worry about that.”
“All right, then.” He stepped on the pedal, happy to oblige and pushing her back in her seat with the force.
She let out a little squeal that sounded like pure joy. It made him happy. And she seemed happy. Sure, there could be better news about Ingvar, but Titus believed Jenna would get that tomorrow. After all, Ingvar was in good hands and had already survived Sola. She was a valkyrie like Jenna. And they were strong women. She’d recover.
She had to. They still had a wraith to vanquish.
A few minutes later, he pulled into his driveway. He parked but looked at Jenna before getting out. Even after the day they’d had, she still beamed light and beauty. Removing the spell had done nothing to take away his desire for her. “I’ll grab a couple of Warhammers, then get the jets going. Will you take the food to the kitchen?”
“Sure. I’ll get plates out.”
“That would be great. I have a tray that hooks on the edge of the hot tub. I’ll set that up to use as our table.”
“Hot-tub picnic. I love it.”
“I’ll meet you in there after I change into my trunks.” He smirked, suddenly wondering what she’d be changing into. “Will, uh, Miss America be making an appearance this evening?”
She laughed. “I think that can be arranged.”
He opened the truck door, grinning so hard his cheeks were starting to ache. “This might be the most epic night of my life.”
“It might be.” She said the words so softly he almost didn’t catch them.
When he looked over at her, she just grabbed the bag and got out. Did she have plans for this evening? Plans for what might happen after the hot tub? Now that they were no longer under the influence of any magic, there was no reason to hold back. Not if she gave him the green light.
Maybe it was time to see just how compatible he and the valkyrie were. With the same grin still stuck to his face, he disappeared into the garage.
Jenna headed for the kitchen. She put the bag on the counter, then went to her room to change. She slipped into the star-spangled bikini, smiling the whole time. Some men were easy to please.
So far, Titus was one of those men. And she liked that. She’d always thought she wanted a guy who was more like his brother. Kind of a gruff, super-focused, no-fluff kind of guy. Which wasn’t to say she was attracted to her boss. She wasn’t.
In fact, she couldn’t imagine being attracted to anyone but Titus right now.
She also didn’t mean that Titus was the opposite of those things. He certainly wasn’t a fluff kind of guy. Not at all. He was just more easygoing than his brother. He seemed open to all kinds of things.
And yes, easy to please. At least he was that way around her.
She laughed. She wouldn’t have said he was easy to please last week when they’d butted heads over where the water stands should be along the race route.
Now, however, she couldn’t see them having an argument like that. So what had changed?
They’d gotten to know each other. And she’d fallen for him. Head over sword.
She went back out to the kitchen and started removing the food containers from the bag. She took two plates down from the cabinet and set them out. She was dividing up the fries when she heard his outside door open and then close a short while later.
He was behind her a minute after that, leaning past her to sneak a fry. She didn’t have to look to know he was in swim trunks and nothing else. His bare chest brushed the back of her arm as he went for a second fry.
“The food smells great.” His hands went around her waist, and he kissed the side of her neck. “If I wasn’t so hungry, I’d suggest dessert first.”
“Really?” she teased. “You’d rather have the molten lava cake than the cheesesteak?”
He nipped her throat playfully. “I’d rather have the hot-as-lava valkyrie in my arms.”
She leaned into him, putting her arms on top of his. “Be careful. You might get what you wish for.”
He took a deep breath, and a soft, needy growl vibrated against her skin where his mouth was. “Blythe, don’t tease me.”
She turned in his arms, planted her hands flat on his chest, and stared into his wolfy, glowing eyes. “Do I look like I’m teasing?”
He stared back for a moment without saying a word. “No. You don’t.” He swallowed. “Let’s eat. I think we’re both going to need our strength.”
“Agreed.” She wasn’t about to argue with that.
They grabbed their plates and headed for the hot tub. The jets were bubbling away, and he’d set up the tray just as he’d said.
He took her plate while she got in. “Did you build that tray?” It looked like his work, and she’d never seen anything like it.
“I did.”
She took her plate back. “You have a lot of women over for hot-tub picnics, do you?”
He shook his head as he joined her in the water. “Not a one.” He put his
