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“I can’t stop you from doing what you want to do, Val. But I can be there in the background, making sure I can help if you need me.”
She was silent for a few seconds. “That’s nice.”
“Good,” he smiled at her. “That’s a good first step.”
“Are all shifters this hard to resist?”
He laughed again. “I wouldn’t know. But I am happy you find me irresistible.”
She clicked her tongue. “Notwhat I said.”
“Isn’t it?” he teased.
She’d said too much, but her mind was made up now. “You can take me out on a date. A real date. When all of this is over.”
Nero nearly stumbled on a fallen tree when he whipped his head up to look into her eyes. “I can?” He placed his hands on her shoulders, slowly bringing them up to cup her face. “A date? Only one?”
“To start,” she warned, but her big smile might have ruined the effect. “Then we’ll see where this whole mate thing takes us.”
“Fine with me.” He leaned close, his lips hovering close to hers. “I’ll win you over, Valentine.”
He pressed a soft kiss to her lips, and she thought he might already have.
TWENTY-SEVEN
NERO
Nero’s fingers interlaced with Valentine’s as they walked in the woods. Valentine had agreed to go on a date. He grinned, his heart thumping wildly at the mere thought of being with her again.
He’d cook her every meal from this day forward and take her to a nice place whenever she felt like it. Hell, he’d make sure to surprise her with dinners in that fancy place in Longborn.
He’d make her happy. He knew he could. This was the woman who had captured his interest through a door. Just being around her, reaching out to brush her hair over her shoulder, holding her hand, kissing her.
That’s what made his heart sing. And if she laughed or smiled or sang along to one of her pop songs, dancing in the cab of his truck, that would send his singing heart soaring.
Nero kissed her temple, inhaling her scent.So damn good.“I know just where I’ll take you.”
“Already planning our date?”
“Love, I’ve been planning dates since I first laid eyes on you.”
Valentine laughed and rolled her eyes, but her cheeks turned pink with delight. She opened her mouth with a teasing grin. “I …”
“Nero!” A loud shout came from across the forest.
He stilled and slid Valentine behind him. She grumbled, “I’m not a defenseless prima donna.”
“That’s Jaymes. Let’s go.”
“He wouldn’t be shouting if it was something bad,” she laughed. “What if the vamps could hear?”
“I’m the sheriff, and Jaymes is one of my deputies. For all I know, he’s calling me for a non-vampire problem.”
“Wouldn’t it be nice if youdidn’thave vamp problems?”
“Not if it meant never meeting you,” he said, leading them through the woods with more speed now. He helped her over branches. “It might be faster if I just pick you up and run.”
She glared at him. “I’m a Half-Blood. I can fend for myself.”
