Page 84 of Bright Dark Curses

“Ian,” I whispered.

I ran to him and jumped into his arms.

He caught me easily and hugged me close as my legs wound around his hips.

“Ian,” I repeated into the crook of his neck, inhaling that wonderful mix of soap and sweat and Ian. “You’re back.”

“I was going to surprise you,” he murmured into my ear. “Drop my things, change my clothes, and drive straight to the shop.”

“I love surprises.” His warmth wound around me, and I reveled in the strength of his arms, his vitality, the beating of his heart next to mine. “I missed you so much.”

“I missed you too.” He nuzzled my neck, his strong hands running up and down my back. Then his lips found my cheek, my jaw, my mouth. “Hope,” he murmured between soft kisses. “Hope. My Hope.”

I squeezed him closer. “I want to be your mate.”

“You already are,” he whispered roughly.

Leaning back, I stared into his wonderfully bright eyes, the emotions strong enough to be visible in the shadows. There was tenderness there, exultation, and a conviction so deep it went all the way to the bone.

“Ian, I want to be your mate now.”

He flashed his white teeth with the bit of pointy fang that melted my insides, and there was so much heat in his expression that it took my breath away. “I want that too.”

He repositioned my legs more securely around his waist and kissed me so deeply I forgot who I was.

Then he carried me into the house and up the stairs to his room.

TWENTY-FOUR

Waking up in Ian’s arms was everything. The night had been everything. The way he’d held me like I was the most important thing in the world, like I was the only thing that mattered now and forever.

I welcomed the feeling, no longer scared of it, and returned it as hard as possible.

The morning dawned bright and crisp, and we reluctantly made our way down to tend to the dogs and get the day started.

Luckily, Ian’s fridge was still stocked with a few basic necessities, so I told him to sit while I prepared breakfast. It gave me something to do with my hands other than run them all over him, which is what they really wanted to do.

Memories of our night together flashed through my mind, making me blush furiously and yearn for a repeat. Many repeats. If only the day was done already! Or maybe during lunch break? If he could come by the shop…

I pushed the thoughts away and concentrated on cooking the best breakfast ever. He deserved it. Carefully buttering a slice of bread, I put it on the preheated pan and inhaled the delicious scent of browning butter.

“What, no pancakes?” he joked.

Who would’ve thought Ian was hiding such a playful personality?

“This is way better than pancakes,” I assured him. Going through the familiar actions of layering ham and cheese and flipping the sandwich when it was done on one side made my brain begin to focus on other things.

Like sabotage and murder.

I’d told Ian the whole story while we’d snuggled after waking up. I figured if I was going to tell it to Officer Brooks, I was free to tell Ian as well.

Ian didn’t say much as I rattled off my theories and recounted what we had done so far to find our UNSUB. I could feel the gloomy mood from yesterday slowly settle around my chest, and perhaps he could too, because when I went to sit by his side, he tugged at my hand and pulled me onto his lap.

I sat with a laugh, repositioning myself until we were both comfy. “I’m in the way.”

“No,” he said very seriously. “You’re perfect.”

A ridiculously happy grin spread across my cheeks, and I kissed his unshaved cheek. “So are you.”

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