Page 8 of Beyond the Darkness

Color rose to Connie’s cheeks as he cleared his throat. “Take Kit back, and I’ll bring dinner.”

“Thank you.”

“My pleasure, mate.” Connie winked, then headed toward the front door of the main house.

Hudson didn’t think he would ever get tired of hearing that word in reference to him.

“Come on, you. You’ve growled at enough people today. Let’s get you back to our rooms.” Kit tugged Hudson toward the main house.

“You truly haven’t heard me growl at anybody,” Hudson said. “And I feel I should point out that my bite is definitely worse than my growl.”

“Of that, I have no doubt.” Kit laughed as he hauled Hudson through the front door.

AFTER DINNER, they relaxed with a glass of wine each in the hot tub.

“So, anybody up to talk about venues for the wedding?” Kit asked, nudging Connie, who sat across from him, with his foot. “Got any suggestions?”

“Anywhere you want is fine by me,” Connie said, grabbing Kit’s foot.

“Thanks, but that’s not helpful.” Kit wiggled his toes.

“I guess the first question should be whether you want indoors or out. Isn’t getting married on the beach popular with humans?” Hudson asked.

“I suppose so, but that’s not something I’m interested in. I want it indoors, and I want a big, fancy, and black-tieblow-it-out-of-the-watertype wedding. Any objections?”

“I have none.” Hudson shrugged. “I think Connie and I would both agree that whatever you want, you’ll get.”

“I realize that, but therearethree of us in this wedding. There’s nothing in particular either of you want to add? Nothing?”

“Lots of food,” Connie said, lifting Kit’s foot. He pressed a kiss to the insole, then let it go.

Kit snickered. “Of course, and that tickled.”

“Hmm. I would like to waltz with you,” Hudson said. “It’s a type of dance—”

“I know what it is,” Kit assured Hudson. “I might need to take some lessons, though, because, yeah, that’s not the type of dancing I do.”

“I can see it—the two of you are going to look gorgeous. The waltz is more of Hudson’s dance, but I would also like to dance with you.”

“So, we’re going to have an indoor wedding at somewhere fancy, and the venue needs to be able to host a reception with enough room for dinner and dancing,” Kit mused.

“There are plenty of places like that in San DeLain. Oh, I would ask that we do stay here in the city, all things considered,” Hudson said.

“I agree,” Connie said, sipping his wine.

“I had assumed. My parents are going to want to come, of course,” Kit added.

“We have room here in the compound,” Hudson said. “They can stay either in the main house or at one of the vacant cabins in my territory.”

“Maybe one of the cabins. I’m not really sure I want them in the same house as me on my wedding night. I don’t care where we spend that night,” Kit admitted. “As long as I’m with you guys, that’s all that matters.”

“Don’t humans do something called a honeymoon?” Connie asked. “We could do that later. After the Lennox situation is over.”

“Yup, it’s a thing, and I like that idea. We’ll figure out where we want to go later, then. So, venues?” Kit asked again.

Connie listed a few places, as did Hudson.

“Also, there is the Monarch Hotel,” Hudson added, sipping his wine. “It is very regal.”

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