She propped herself up on her elbow and laughed.“Whoa, I hope that’s not tomorrow. I know this is moving insanely fast, but…”

Laughing, I pulled her back down to me.“No, I have no desire for that at the moment. Not for a long time, but I was just curious. Being with me means that our kidswill inherit the werewolf gene. Raising a human child is challenging enough, but a werewolf cub is an entirely different ballpark.”

“Ahh,”she went back to tracing the muscle in my chest.“In that case, I think a long, long, ways down the road I’d want that.” She grinned.“If I can handle a grouch like you, then I can handle about anything.”

He laughed.“Touché.”

“Are all werewolves dicks?”

I laughed as I thought about all the werewolves I’d met. Asshole would suit most of them.“Pretty much.”

“Maybe my date for the senior prom was a werewolf then. I’vedated a lot of assholes.”

Grinning, I ran my index finger along her jawbone.“Seems to be a theme.”

She smiled.“Why do you think I’m so smitten with you?”

“Can’t say I really know.” And that was the truth.

“Listen, I was thinking I’d stay here today, and maybe you could close the diner early so we can spend the evening together.”

My eyes narrowed at her.“What do you have planned?”

Pulling her lower lip between her teeth, she shrugged.“You’llsee.”

Sophia

I gave Roosevelt a wave from the front door of his bungalow and watched until the Jeep was out of sight before I set to work. I hated that I was going to waste the morning of the precious time we had left not being with him, but I wanted this evening to be special. I was still on the fence about staying or leaving. This past week had been incredible. But would it be as amazing when the newness wore off and we settled into a routine?

I didn’t think so. But to never see my friends again? Never see my father? Not that I ever saw much of him anyhow. And on top was the anxiety that they’d all go through thinking I was missing.It was selfish.

I felt torn.

But what if we were the ones who broke the curse? What if admitting what I was feeling inside would free everyone?

Damn.

Slapping the door shut in frustration, I closed my eyes, not allowing myself to cry. This was supposed to be a night to remember with the man who I loved. I knew this now, I loved him in a way that I’d never loved anyone before. I just had to tell him.By the way that he looked at me, I knew he was feeling the same way. Curse or not, this town seemed to know what it was doing in bringing the couples together.

“Suck it up, Sophia. Time to make this a day to remember,” I coached myself as I pushed off the door.

There was a special flower, I couldn’t recall the name of it, but it grew only in this magical town. It wassimilar to a red rose, but the petals had an iridescent sheen to it. I’d seen them on our walk through the forest yesterday afternoon. The plan was to pick an armful of them and use the petals to decorate the bed and leave a trail for him to follow when he got home to me, naked in the kitchen, with his favorite meal cooked and waiting for him. It certainly wouldn’t be up to his standards, but he’d appreciate the effort, and he’d love the after-dinner dessert. With his stamina, dessert would last well into the night. Just the thought of him devouring me brought a smile to my lips.

Exiting through the back door, I didn’t bother locking it. Locksweren’t necessary in this town. Crime was virtually non-existent. It was such a nice change. I’d never felt so calm and relaxed. How could I leave this?

As I headed into the trees, the forest floor still glistened with morning dew. I stopped just inside the forest, closed my eyes, and inhaled deeply. The fragrance of dozens of plants filled my nostrils. The air smelled like nature undisturbed by man’s influence. Up until now, I’d lived a life of high-rises, asphalt, and bodyguards to keep me safe. I’d never gotten to experience a life like this. If nothing else, this moment, this week, would stick with me for the rest of my life, filed away in my mindamong my most cherished memories.

“Now where were they…” I murmured to myself as I made my way deeper into the forest. The morning had given way to the afternoon with no luck. I was about to turn back in defeat when I spotted the path that led to the garden of roses.

Rushing down the path, I came to the clearing where the roses grew.

“Perfect.”

Setting to work, I filled the picnic basket that I’d brought with me. Satisfied that I had enough, I was about to turn back the way I came when a chill ran up my spine. I was being watched. Slowly, I scanned the forest around me, but I came up empty.

Gulping down the urge to panic, I disappeared back into the forest, taking the trail I’d come from. But the feeling of being watcheddidn’t let up. It intensified, with every step becoming stronger.

Stopping, I did another scan of the forest around me. I was just about to give up and keep going when I saw movement to my left. Bushes rustled and a group of little birds took flight.