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“Because you’re myadara, Kammie. I don’t want you to be upset, ever. If I can fix it, just tell me what it is.”
“You’re too good to be true.”
“I’m right here.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the top. “Tell me.”
Sighing lightly, she said, “You’re not a housekeeper.”
“I don’t understand what you mean.”
“Returning to Wilde Creek means that you’ll be serving the pack with me. You could work outside of town, find another job that you’d like to do, but you seem so adamant about being an omega with me. Your mom saying that you aren’t naturally neat just reminded me how much you’d be giving up to stay in Wilde Creek.”
He brushed his thumb across her jaw, tilting her face until she really looked at him. “I would give up everything for you. I hope you realize that. I don’t know if I could tolerate being without you, knowing you were working alone in unmated males’ homes while I was out of town, if I could even find work. The best thing for me and my bear is for us to be together. If Wilde Creek is where you want to be, then I’ll be by your side, no matter what you’re doing.”
“It’s not fair to you.”
“I get to have you in my arms at night, Kammie. Whatever happens during the day, it’s a very fair trade.”
She chewed on her bottom lip, staring at him. “After we unpack, can you show me around your sleuth’s territory?”
He knew she was still holding onto something she wasn’t sharing with him, but he decided not to push her. He’d give her a little time to sort it out on her own.
“Yes. I want to introduce you to my king, Fayar, and get permission to use the sacred cave tomorrow night.”
They exited the SUV and moved to the back to unload their luggage. He slung several bags over his shoulder and ensured that Kammie only carried one light thing. He didn’t want to take a chance on her slipping on the icy sidewalk.
He unlocked his front door and let Kammie in. Then he left his bags on the floor and hustled out to the truck, returning with the remaining bags. Once he was finished, he shut and locked the front door and found Kammie in the kitchen, looking out the sliding door to the backyard. He slid his arms around her, drawing her close and pressing his face into her neck.
He kissed her throat, and she tilted her head to give him better access. “This is what I always wanted.”
She shifted her hips, rubbing herself across his growing erection. “Me?”
“Our connection. The knowledge that we’re perfect together, that we fit together just right because we’re meant to be mates. Anything else would be false and my bear would never be content.”
“My wolf wouldn’t either.” She turned in his arms. “I’m glad you’re mine, Row.”
He kissed her gently, teasing her lips with his until she pressed against him and growled in eagerness. He lifted her into his arms and turned toward the bedroom. “How about a tour?”
“A naked one?”
“I love how you think,” he said, chuckling.
* * *
Row and Kammie spent several hours in bed. He knew she was happy to be off the road and settled for a little while. She’d taken two weeks off from her duties with the pack, and he planned to make the most of that time. He hoped that while she was here she’d fall in love with Oakville and want to stay; to leave Wilde Creek behind and embrace being his mate in a place where her scars were marks on her skin and not the definition of her being.
She stretched out on the bed, rubbing her toes along his calves as they snacked on a plate of cheese and crackers. Having naked conversations was one of his favorite things to do with his mate.
After they finished their snack, they unpacked their belongings. He gave her the top two drawers in the dresser and half of the closet, and helped her hang up her clothes. He loved to see her things hanging next to his—her pastel-colored tops alongside his black shirts.
“I saw some steaks in the fridge. Want to grill for dinner? I have this great recipe for cheesy potatoes you make in a foil packet on the grill,” she said.
“Sure, sweetheart.” She liked to cook for him, but he liked taking care of her, so they’d come to an agreement to both help during mealtimes. He liked sharing household duties with her. He didn’t mind running a broom around the kitchen, when it was for her.
They dressed warmly and he took her on a walking tour of the sleuth’s territory before it got dark. The territory was several hundred acres, and he’d grown up exploring them. They walked to the mating cave first. He couldn’t wait to take her inside and hole up for a night so he could mate her in the traditions of his people.
She stood in his arms and looked at the entrance to the cave. “Remember, you promised to keep me warm in there.”
“You know I will, sweetheart.”
