Page 37 of Live Love Lasso

“Wouldn’t have pegged him to be one to help,” I muse as I join her and look into the burbling pot. Garlic, tomato, celery. A half-dozen scents waft up and fill my senses. My stomach grumbles, despite the pain in my ribs. When I place a hand over the sore spot, Lemon frowns.

“You’re still hurt. Why don’t you lie down, and I’ll bring you a bowl in a second?”

I shake my head and turn from her, dropping gingerly in one of the dining chairs just behind her. “And miss this opportunity to watch my woman cook? Why don’t you strip those clothes off, Lemon, and let me stare at your ass?”

She scoffs and shakes the stirring spoon at me. “You basically died tonight, and your first commentary is sexual? You’re worse than a vampire!”

I fall silent as I stare at her, smiling. I don’t need to remind her that she loves my teasing. “There’s a reason I couldn’t steer clear of you even when I thought you might’ve committed a serious crime.” I wink at her. “C’mere, Lem. It wasn’t just those sparkle boots after all…”

She sets the spoon down and joins me, slipping easily between my thighs. When I pat one, she drops delicately onto it, folding her hands in her lap.

I shoot her a careful look as I trail my fingers over the gorgeous family tattoos swirling down her neck. “Is it too soon for me to try calling you mate? Just to see how it feels?”

She clears her throat. “It complicates things, doesn’t it? I never intended to stay here, Furyon. I’m just…” She waves at the cottage around us. “Shit, I thought I was heading home soon, and now I’m in utter and complete shock.”

I continue stroking down her chest until I reach her nipple. I pinch and pull until she mewls and arches into the touch. “You’re probably right. I got an idea, then.” Looking up into those ruby eyes, I smile. “Let’s take this a day at a time, Lemon. I won’t call you mate until you’re good and ready. But let’s make this a little more official. All I ask is that you keep an open mind about me and this place.” My smile grows bigger. “There’s a whole beautiful world out there for me to show you, Miss Knox.”

Black lashes flutter against her high cheeks. She rises off my lap, crossing her arms over her chest. “Knox is my middle name. I might as well come clean about this right now, given…things.”

Alarm trills through me. “Knox ain’t your last name? But…”

She sighs. “My last name’s Denton.”

Understanding fills me. Denton’s a unique name, a famous vampiric house name. I’ve known a Denton or two in my time. Ancient, snooty fucking vampire house. New York-based if I remember correctly. I straighten in the chair.

She takes another step away from me. “I didn’t want to be judged by the name. I didn’t want folks to look me up and make assumptions based on the city news. I…I was looking for a fresh start, which is why I lied about my name when I got here.”

I keep my tone neutral. “Anybody else know who you are?”

“Letitia does,” she grumbles. “Because my father got me the job, which is why she hates me.”

It’s all falling into place. But the biggest emotion I can name at the moment is how my mate didn’t trust me enough to share her truth with me from the beginning. Although that’s not really fair, because the day we met, I basically accused her of a crime.

Trust has to be a two way street.

“I see.” It’s all I can manage.

Lemon blanches but recovers quickly. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you, Furyon. I really didn’t think I’d be here long, and so I hoped it wouldn’t matter at all.”

“It does, though,” I correct. “Because you’re a Denton, and you’re mine. And that makes all of this a fuckload more complicated, doesn’t it? The Dentons are a New York vampire house…you never meant to stay here.”

“Yeah.” She sighs and returns to the soup. After ladling out a bowl, she sets it in front of me with a predictably neutral look.

I rub my hands over my face, then run them up over my horns as I think through all of this.

“Alright,” I say finally. “Here’s what we’re gonna do, Lemon. We’re gonna start over right now with no secrets between us. Tonight was quite the realization, so let’s just take it easy and agree we’ll be forthright with one another. I trust you.”

I tip her chin up so I can look deeply in her eyes. “I liked you the day we met, despite everything. And I haven’t been able to keep my hands off you since. Whaddya think, city girl?”

Dark lashes flutter against her cheeks as her lips part. “If you’re sure, Furyon. I…I’m sorry for how this all happened.”

“I’m not,” I whisper, bending to press my lips to her forehead. “You saved me, baby girl. But I do gotta get home and feed the animals, or Roger, my spitfire of a rooster, will raise hells at my place. Come with me?”

“Are you sure?” She plants both palms on my chest.

“I got no doubts, Lemon.” I place my hand over hers. “And that’s the honest truth.”

Lemon