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“I’ve been thinking.” Kai pulls a hairpin out of my bun to loosen it. I would usually be tempted to fix my hairdo—this is my workplace after all—but something about the man across from me makes me want to let my hair down. “As much as I like to break rules, you don’t.” He tugs another pin out, and my locks tickle my cheeks as they fall around my face. “You need me to run the security project, and I can’t do that until I’m good with your boss.”
“What are you saying?”
He slides his fingers through my strands to cradle the back of my head in his palm. “I love you, Abby. You are my mate. That means forever guaranteed.” He slides an arm around my waist and pulls me against his body so that I crane my neck to see him. “Marry me on your lunch break.”
My heart swells with the warmth of his words. I reach under his shirt and press against the rock-hard abdominals of his stomach as I slide my hand up to his chest over his heart. It’s beating quickly, and I wonder if he’s nervous that I’ll say no. It’s crazy, but I know I’m in love with him too. From the first moment I was with him I felt a connection that hummed with what must have been true-mate energy. I think something in me knew he was my mate. I smile slowly because I fell for him that day. “I love you, Kai.”
“Is that a yes?” He hooks a finger into my blouse and unfastens the first button.
I gaze up at the ceiling as my cheeks flush, and I try to find the words to convey what I’m thinking. “This is not how I usually do things.”
“I disagree. You’ve researched extensively for Life Shift. The rules you put in place say I’m one hundred percent yours.”
“You’ve got a point.” I take a deep breath like I’m about to go underwater. “Let’s do it. We can do it downstairs with the town clerk at noon.”
“Good. And then you should take the afternoon off.”
I frown. “I’m not?—”
“For medical reasons.” He leans down and kisses the hollow of my neck, and goose bumps of desire break out on my skin as I sigh. “Because I really need you, Abby.”
“You’ll mark me?” Which means turning me into a werewolf.
“If you want me to.”
I stop breathing as I think about what becoming a werewolf means. My voice cracks as I ask, “You really want me forever?”
Kai’s hands grip my hips now, and he presses his groin against me so that I feel his hard, thick erection. “It’s more than that. I need you, Abby. And I know you need me too. Are you scared of the change?”
I nod. But Charlie told me that while the change to a become a werewolf definitely sucked, she’d do it again in a heartbeat to have the life she has now. My knees nearly buckle when Kai slides his hands around and cups my bottom. My voice is breathy when I speak. “I do have some paid time off I could use.”
Kai places a kiss on my forehead. “You’re feverish. I think you need a sick day, and you should spend the afternoon in bed.”
I nod.
“With me,” he says. “Because I’m about to change your life.” He sears me with a kiss that leaves me hot with need and no doubt in my mind that we’re meant to be.
* * *
Our wedding was a quick ceremony with a confused Mallory, who I grabbed on the way, in attendance as a witness. It took me a while to convince my coworker I was serious, even after I showed her that Kai came up as a perfect match for me. I think Mallory may believe I’m under some kind of lovestruck spell because she asked the town official about the annulment process.
Kai’s fingers thread through mine as we walk the two blocks to my apartment. The sun is warm on my face, and my loose hair blows in the wind as my heart soars with happiness. While people stare at my large hunky werewolf as we pass them, he doesn’t appear to notice.
He says, “You’re quiet. Are you worried about the change? Because we can wait if you’re not ready.”
“That’s not what I’m worried about.”
“Then is it the hackers?”
“Should I be worried about them?”
“No. Nobody can get in for a while, and I’ll have it fixed for you in plenty of time. But if it makes you feel better, I can start first thing tomorrow.”
“We still need to get Kevin to sign off on this.”
“Leave that to me.” Kai nudges my shoulder with his. “How many kids are we going to have?”
I roll my eyes at him as I bump him back. “Two. A boy and a girl.”
