Lucas’s hand reached for mine. “I’ll call you tomorrow.” A tight, quick hug followed before he backed away and headed to his workstation.
I owed Lucas so much. He’d put everything at risk for Lucinda and me. Thank Christ it had paid off.
“Ready?” Thatch was at my side, his heat welcoming.
“Absolutely.”
“Seriously, just get the hell out of here already. How the hell am I supposed to talk shit about you both with you still here?” Kent threw me a wink at the same time she flipped me the bird.
Hand in hand, Thatch and I turned towards the exit and left for home, me hollering over my shoulder, “Love you too, woman.”
It didn’t take long before we were heading through the main gates of Thatch’s place, now officially my home too. Just last night, I’d finally met Mary, his amazing housekeeper, and I’d seen Bert again, who was assisting more with Lucinda and Koen, especially for setting Lucinda up with clothes and whatever else she needed to make her room her own.
Koen had taken the small guest house that was to the west of the property, giving him some separation, but close enough should we need each other.
“They seemed to take that well.” Needless to say, Thatch had had some concerns about how his team would take him stepping down once he’d decided to take on the new role at the academy.
“Lucas is a good guy. They’ll do well together.” He offered me a lopsided grin. “Obviously he’s not me.”
I laughed. “That he’s not.” I leaned over the console and pressed my lips to his. “Not quite sure there’s another like you.”
His dark eyes scanned mine, those tiny specks of green bright in the afternoon sun. “Best not forget that either.”
“As if you’d let me forget.” I rolled my eyes and reached for the door handle.
“Do you fancy a shift and a run?”
His request took me by surprise. Immediately, warmth spread through me. Thatch had taken to his new shifter self with such ease. I loved seeing him in wolf form. “I’d like that.”
He grinned. “I just need to talk to Mary. Do you want to get Lucinda and perhaps Koen? It’ll help him, right?”
I nodded, my heart full from this man’s thoughtfulness. He did this whole family thing and caring for others stuff so much better than I did.
“What?” he asked, and I realised I’d been silently staring at the dude like a goof.
“Just thinking how hot you are.”
His brow quirked. “No, you weren’t.”
A snort escaped me before I admitted, “Well, I do think that all the time, but I’m just… er… happy, I guess.” I rolled my eyes at myself.
Thatch’s smirk came quickly. “You guess?”
“Yeah.” I shook my head at him. “You know you’re God’s gift to shifters and all that jazz.”
“All that jazz? Is there something we need to discuss?” he sassed.
“Piss off,” I said with a grin.
“Speaking of things to discuss, ABBA?”
I snorted. Maybe one day I’d treat him to a replay, complete with white spandex and a beard. For the moment, distraction would have to do. “I love your sexy arse and am more than okay that you’re mine.”
Heat filled Thatch’s gaze, and he tugged my hand from the door so I fully faced him. “Just so we’re clear, I love your fine arse just as much. And you’re mine, too.”
“Goo—”
The word wasn’t quite out of my mouth before his lips pressed against mine. An intensity that I’d only known with him beat a rhythm through my heart, taking residence there. This was what love and family was, should be, would forever be if I had my way. I clung tightly to the emotion. Imprinted it to memory. Yeah, there was no chance in hell I’d be letting go of my shifter. Ever.
THANKS
Thanks for reading Thicker Than Water. I do hope you enjoyed Callen and Thatch’s story. I appreciate your help in spreading the word, including telling a friend. Before you go, it would mean so much to me if you would take a few minutes to write a review and share how you feel about my story so others may find my work. Reviews really do help readers find books. Please leave a review on your favourite book site.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I’ve really ventured into new territory with Thicker Than Water. Halfway through I stopped writing and abandoned this book for about three months. Even though this felt like a story that simply must be written, I faltered, admittedly frightened that fans of my contemporary romance wouldn’t be keen.
It was only when so many readers reached out to me with so much positivity from my last release, that I worked up the courage to pick this back up and continued to write.
Thank you, reader, for being kind and generous with your praise. Without you, this manuscript would likely have gathered dust for a wee bit longer. I appreciate your support so much.
A few extra shoutouts:
My bestie at BookSmith Design has once again rocked my cover. She really is such an incredible cheerleader of mine.
There’s not been a day in my life that I didn’t know my parents were proud of me. I’m grateful for their support, their love, and am so lucky that we’re also such amazing friends too.
Donna, my wifey, my friend, my sanity, you are my rock.
Louisa Masters, my sister author, you’re my favourite person to share cocktails with. I’m so thankful to have you as such an incredible friend.
Ink-N-Flow simply rock. Our weekly calls, the loo breaks usually because the Jizz and Shat show is on form makes my week. I adore you, ladies.
A special shoutout to Annette B. Thank you for being such an incredible human being. Your friendship, your individuality, your absolute kick-arse self have had such an impact on me and my own world. I am grateful to call you a friend.
And finally, my boys. You are my world.
