Page 10 of Deadly Panther's Fake Fiancée

“All of them?”

Garrett nods and not a muscle twitches as he answers. “Every single one.”

Billy actually gulps. “Um, ...”

“Are you suggesting it’s too big a job for you, probie?”

“No, Sir!”

“Then get to it.”

Billy runs off and Garrett shakes his head chuckling. “Look at Bambi go. Sometimes it’s just too easy.”

Billy is a deer shifter, but really nowhere near to Bambi. When he shifts, he’s hulking, more like an elk or caribou and twice as large as a natural one. He’s the first one, though, in this company, and honestly, not a lot of us have had dealings with them. They tend to be very insular as a community. You can understand why when they’re surrounded by natural predators.

“Well, Isaac, I’ll let you get to it.” He looks in the direction of where Billy took off. “I guess I’ll go ahead and send him some help.”

I laugh and the day starts.

I check my equipment and we go on a small run that turns out to be nothing much, but the whole day I’m distracted. I run the dinner through my head over and over, trying to plan for every scenario and every possible question.

It’s not like me to feel so unsure about a situation. It just irritates the hell out of me.

So, though my day started great with the news of the King Cobra, by the time I’m clocking out, I’m practically hissing and spitting.

The drive home helps to settle my nerves a little. Then, I walk through my door and see Katrina. I wasn’t expecting to see her here, and it feels like someone has splashed refreshing cool water on my face.

“Welcome home, honey bunches. I went shopping.”

She pulls out a cat toy, the kind with the fluff ball on a fishing pole. A grin lights up her whole face as she jiggles it up and down.

My God, she’s just so beautiful. And smart. And funny.

“Wow, I ought to just ...” I take a few steps her way and then, she jumps up and we play chase until I catch her and she’s in my arms and we’re kissing and, well, dinner very much seems a waste of time, even if it’s my parents we’d be standing up.

But, like I said, she’s one smart cookie. She wriggles free and waggles a finger at me as she heads for the door. “Uh huh, no time. This dinner is way too important for you to blow it off. I’m going to head home and get ready. You need to do the same, Mr. Fireman.”

She blows me a kiss and then, she’s out the door and gone.

I sigh and head for the shower. She’s right, of course, but it doesn’t mean I don’t wish we could avoid this whole charade.

But this whole charade is what gives me time with a girl I never thought I’d be spending this kind of time with, so the trade is acceptable.

I eventually get my head in the game and about an hour later, I collect Katrina, who is now stunning in a strapless, form-fitting, shimmering silver dress that makes her look like starlight took human form. “You got the money I sent for the dress,” I say. I was worried she’d be uncomfortable.

“No,” she says, “I just have six-hundred-dollar dresses in my closet.”

“Oh, okay.”

“Dummy! She laughs. Of course, I got the money and it bought you this.”

We head to the restaurant. It’s in the city an hour and a half outside our town because noting here met the standards of my regal parents.

We pull up and Katrina gives a low whistle. “Maybe I should’ve worn the Tom Ford dress in my closet.”

I look at her. “You look beautiful in this one.”

She laughs. “Tom Ford is a famous clothing designer.” She leans in and whispers, “It was a joke. I only have this one you bought for me.”

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