Page 60 of Visions, Paws, and Claws

Saul pointed to Eve. “Go on. Take a good sniff.” When Hashtag didn’t move, Saul gave him a mock glare. “Consider it an order from a superior, soldier.”

Hashtag rolled his eyes. “Fine.” He turned to Eve. “Ma’am? Do you mind if…? I mean, is it okay if…? Aw fuck.”

She chuckled. “I do like a man who understands consent.” She tilted her head. “Yes, go ahead.”

He leaned in closer to Eve and sniffed.

Holy fuck.

Her scent made him shiver and sent all the blood rushing south. He ached to touch her, kiss her.

Protect her.

He swallowed. “What the fuck is happening to me?”

Eve’s eyes glistened. “Then it’s true.”

“What’strue?” he demanded.

She smiled. “You’re my mate.”

What in the holiest fuck of fucks was she—

Then he froze as her words sank in, something unfurling deep in his belly, sending heat racing through him, along with a voice that was yelling one word over and over again.

Yes. Yes. Yes.

Hashtag forced himself to breathe deeply, portraying a calm exterior.

Inside, he was torn between doubt, denial, shock—and exhilaration.

“If you say so.” How he kept his voice from trembling, he would never know.

Eve seemed to have recovered her self-control. “I do.” She stood tall, her eyes level with his. “So let me put all my cards on the table right now, because I don’t want there to be any misconceptions.”

“Me neither.” That voice in Hashtag’s head was telling him to stop talking andkissher, for fuck’s sake.

“I’m not one to defer toanyone, do I make myself clear? I’ve lived my life by my rules, taken care of myself, and Irefuseto allow anyone to think they can control me.”

Lord, she was magnificent when she was determined. Even her voice was a turn-on.

Hashtag smirked. “I have no problem whatsoever with you controlling me.” What shocked him was how quickly his mind assimilated this new situation.

I have a mate.

Then he reconsidered.Just the one? Oh dear Lord.

She erupted into a coughing fit. When it stopped, she glared at him. “I’m not talking about sex.”

He smiled. “Neither am I.”

Eve widened her eyes. “You’re not serious.”

“I certainly am.” Hashtag grinned. “And if we haveanothermate out there? I hope it’s a guy.”

“You what?” Crank hollered.

Hashtag twisted to look at him. “I’m bi, baby.”

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