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“Embarrassing,” Abby says, cutting in. “Does that happen every time?”
Ryan shakes his head. “The chemistry between true mates is so intense that I forgot to lock down my thoughts until some had already leaked out.”
I nod. Ryan had told me we shouldn’t have pleased each other orally when we were together in the rain. I’m still concerned about what Abby promised to do for Kevin, but I know her well enough to understand that she won’t back down over my protests.
I walk over to Abby and pull her into an embrace. “Thank you.”
After a moment, Abby steps away. “Not a problem. I got you into this mess, and now I’ve gotten you out of it.” She glances at Ryan and smirks as she walks toward the door. “I’m going to leave the two of you alone to date.”
When she opens the door, Ryan says, “Thank you, Abby. I really appreciate it.”
“Sure thing.” She nods and leaves.
The door clicks shut behind her.
Ryan gazes at me. “Relieved?”
I nod. “I’m sorry. I know you were ready.”
“But you’re not, and I’m willing to wait, Charlie. Marriage needs to be a decision both of us are comfortable with.” He winks. “You’ll get there.”
I chuckle, because the idea of marrying Ryan has already grown on me. But worry for Abby still lurks. “What do you think she has to do?”
“I’m not sure, but she’s a loyal friend.” He studies me for a moment. “You humans have surprised me. The relationship you have with Val and Abby is like mine with my pack.”
It is true that my friends and I would do anything for each other, which is why I can’t let Abby pay for my mistakes.
“Hey,” Ryan says. “I’m sure it’s not that bad.”
“Maybe not, but?—”
“You can’t let her take your punishment.”
“Exactly.”
He steps away from me and moves toward the door. “I’ll fix it.”
“Wait. I’m coming with you.” I smile and head toward Ryan. Keeping Abby from an obligation she doesn’t want isn’t the only reason I can’t let her go through with her deal with Kevin. I know in my heart that I’m going to marry Ryan.
“Val was right,” I say, grabbing his hand and threading my fingers through his. The warmth I feel is more than his internal temperature. It’s a hint of the connection we’ll have once we’ve bonded, and right now, I want nothing else. “I’m ready for tonight. Let’s do this.”
“Charlie.” Ryan inhales deeply and lets out his breath slowly as a grin lights up his face. “Thank you.”
I return his grin. “Thank you for being patient enough to let me come to this decision without pressure.”
“That’s how it should be.” Then his eyes widen. “Rings.”
I splay out the fingers of my left hand and gaze at them. “I’m going to need something very shiny.”
Ryan tugs me into his body. “And big.”
I chuckle as I rise up on my tiptoes and clasp my arms around my huge mate. “Very big.”
Chapter Eleven
“So many lilies,” I say to Val. The scent from the gathered pink and white Stargazer lilies is strong in the conference room of Kevin Black’s office building, and I wonder how the werewolves in attendance are dealing with it. “Did you rob a cemetery?”
“I had nothing to do with it.” Val holds up her left palm to shield her right index finger as she points to the scowling giant leaning on the wall with his arms crossed, looking like someone’s bodyguard. She mouths the words, “But I think he did.”
