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“Yeah. She likes how you treat me, so she likes you.”
He felt his mouth kick up slightly. “I bet you never thought you’d say the latter.”
“As it happens, no, I didn’t. She’s considered killing you more than once in the past.”
“I picked up on that when she kept launching herself at me.”
“Just so you know … I can’t promise that will stop.”
He full-on smiled. “I’d have been surprised if you could.” And he’d have accused her of bullshitting him if she had.
After they’d finished eating, they loaded the dishwasher and switched it on. She then turned to him and said, “I better get going. I need to change before I head out.”
As had become the norm since the morning after the “car incident,” he and Isaiah would be following Bailey and her girls to the center in a separate car. Tate had ordered that the females have an escort to and from the center for the foreseeable future. As an added precaution, the trio had agreed to switch up their routines by changing their hours and using different routes.
Deke cupped her hip. “What time do you finish work?”
She rested her hands on his chest. “Noon. I’m only pulling a short shift today.”
“Meet me for lunch at the deli, then.”
“Why?”
He felt his eyelid twitch. “Because I’m asking you to.”
“Why?”
“Because I just am.”
“Oh. Okay.”
Jesus, she’d never be anything close to easy, would she?
“What time?”
“Twelve-thirty.”
She gave a curt nod. “Got it.”
Pulling her flush against him, he dipped his head to hers and dragged her scent into his lungs. He skimmed his lips over a spot near her pulse. “Tonight, when I have you beneath me, I’m going to bite you right here.” She was his to mark now.
“I might bite back.”
He met her gaze. “You’re welcome to.”
“Your cat won’t get mad?”
“Do you care if he would?”
“Nah, just curious.”
He couldn’t stop his mouth from twitching. “The last thing he’ll be if you mark me is mad.”
“Oh. Okay.” She smacked a hard kiss on his lips. “Gotta go.”
He gave her hip a little squeeze. “I’ll be at your door in twenty. Be ready. And don’t forget we’re meeting for lunch.”
Backing up, she pointed at him. “One-thirty, right?”
Quite aware she was screwing with him, he narrowed his eyes. “Twelve-thirty.”
Her brows slid together. “I don’t think that’s what you—”
“Don’t even.”
Snickering, she walked off.
Bumping her shoulder into Bailey’s, Aspen grinned like the smug little shit she was. “Told you this would happen.”
“No, you didn’t.” With an airy sniff, Bailey moved her attention to the people skating around the rec center’s gymnasium.
“Uh, excuse me, I said I believed that Deke wouldn’t walk away after the touch-hunger was gone,” crowed Aspen. “You called me moronic.”
“Well, you are,” Bailey told her.
Havana snorted, shaking her head.
“And,” began Bailey still not looking the bearcat’s way, “you didn’t say you believed he wouldn’t walk, Aspen. You said you weren’t so sure he would.”
The bearcat frowned. “Same thing.”
“Nope, not really.”
A huff from the bearcat. “You’re picking at words. The point is, I predicted this. And I was right. You don’t listen to me often enough. Why is that?”
“You bore me.”
Aspen gave her a playful shove. “Bitch.”
“Heifer,” Bailey sassed, no heat in the word. She winced as a skater crashed into the wall near the retractable bleachers. Ow. They admirably managed to stay on their feet.
Skating sessions were surprisingly popular. Three rec center workers often supervised. This morning, it was her and her girls.
Shifters of all ages were skating around the gym—some confidently and expertly, others nervously holding onto each other or the cinder block wall.
Everything echoed in the gym—the voices talking and laughing, the music playing on the stereo system, and the sliding of the roller skates along the shiny wooden floors.
Havana squeezed Bailey’s shoulder. “Personally, I am thrilled that you and Deke decided to give things a go. Livy will be on cloud nine when she finds out. I’m sure she’ll also take credit for you two getting together.”
“It wouldn’t surprise me,” Bailey mumbled.
The devil nudged her. “So, you happy?”
“About what?”
Havana sighed. “I mean, in general.”
“Oh. Yeah.”
“Good. I want that for you.”
Bailey felt her brow furrow. “I’m always happy.”
“You’re always lively. Always smiling and nattering and laughing. That’s not the same as being happy, when you feel all light and warm inside. I knew he’d be good for you.”
Bailey raised a cautioning hand. “Don’t get too excited. We didn’t take each other as mates or anything. We’re just gonna let nature take its course and see where we end up.”
“Yes, but you could end up mated.”
Aspen nodded, still grinning.
Bailey felt her nose wrinkle. “I don’t know about that. I mean, everyone knows he hopes to find his predestined mate. I don’t believe for one moment that it’s me.”
“Just because he hopes to find her doesn’t mean he won’t be open to imprinting on someone else instead,” said Havana.
