Page 20 of Death and Donuts

“I’ll throw in modest, nun-like behavior with Anchor tonight.”

I glanced over at her to see if she was serious or not. “I don’t think you can do it.”

“Want to bet?”

“No. I want a clause in the offer stating what will happen if you break your promise.”

She thought for a moment. “I will clean the bathroom for the rest of the summer.”

“Deal.” Either way this played out, I came out as a winner. “By the way, you still owe me a week of waking up to confectionary delights and one hot date at Enticed.”

“You’re right. I do. When do you want to go to Enticed?”

“Next Monday if you can get a reservation that soon. Maybe I can research some fae desserts there.”

I parked in front of our house and didn’t expect Shepard to arrive before we reached the front door, but he did.

“Done playing with your favorite vampire?” Vena asked.

“I was getting him in touch with someone who can expedite building permits.”

“Thank you,” I said.

He flashed a small smile at me. “You’re welcome.”

I headed to the kitchen with Shepard trailing behind.

“Don’t forget about the fairy trash,” Vena called as she sat in the living room with her phone.

As I washed my hands, I asked, “So, what’s the update?”

“We’re slowly clearing out nests,” he said.

As I turned for the towel, he took the apron from the hook and looped the top strap around my neck, pulling me toward him to tie the strings behind my waist. The warmth of his arms and body enveloped me, and I felt a hint of his stubble as his jaw slid along mine.

“I’m sorry about earlier,” he said softly next to my ear. “Vampires bring out the wolf in me. And even though I will admit Cross isn’t like the other vampires, it’s not easy to ignore instinct. But I’m trying.”

“I know. And I’m grateful for it.”

He pulled away, ghosting a kiss across my lips before he leaned back against the counter. “You know why I do it.”

I mentally shook off the effect Shepard had on me and began pulling out ingredients.

“You said you were clearing out nests. That’s progress, right?”

“It would be if every nest wasn’t small and only comprised of newly turned vampires.” He ran a frustrated hand through hishair until he caught me watching him. “I wish I could tell you this was close to being over. I wish I could–”

He looked down at the floor. I set aside the ingredients I held and moved closer to him.

“Could what, Shepard?” I asked.

“I want to go on a date with you, Everly. You can pick the place. Wherever you want.”

I considered him, weighing how to decline without hurting him.

“This isn’t about trying to get you to choose between me and Cross,” he said. “This is about you deciding if you like me.

“I’ve been your boss and the alpha wolf keeping peace in D.C., but you’ve never had the chance to know me as just a man. My hobbies. What music I listen to. Who my parents are. Just the basic things a person would learn about the person they might like.

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