Page 9 of Ensnared By the Stone Freak

“Yes,” I agreed, my voice a rough growl that made her shiver, goosebumps chasing down her spine and rising along her delicate shoulder. “Yes, I want that. You’re not crazy;you’re my mate. You’re in my world now, Cammy. This is how it works. Does that scare you?” I held my breath as I waited for her answer, but hersoft sigh, the way her body relaxed, said it all.

“Okay. When does the Carnival leave? I’ll need to pack some of my things, put my furniture in storage…say goodbye to Lis,” Cammy said as she raised a hand and began ticking off fingers. I laughed, folding my hand around hers and pressing it against my heart. So practical, but those concerns would come tomorrow.

“You are certain about this? I can find a job in town.I have more skills than turning people to stone, you know.If you’d rather stay here, I can make that work.” It would be hard to find a place that would allow me to keep Hogzy, but not impossible. My pet would hate not being as free to roam about, but I’d make certain he waspampered wherever we ended up living.

Of course, I should have known that Cammy, who had leaped with her eyes closed more than once, wouldn’t be satisfied with city life. No more than I would. She propped herself up on her elbow to glare at me in the dark, but her lips curved into a smile. “No, I want to travel with you. I want to help people wherever we go, and I want tolive—not be buried in contracts and fine print. I want this.” I wasn’t about to argue with that, so I lifted my head and kissed her.

“Good. I don’t think I would have liked city life, and with you at my side, maybe this curse is finally over.” She raised her eyebrowandpointed at my unshielded eyes.“The uncontrolled turning-to-stone thing. I used to be able to do that only if I willed it, but using it every night in my act… I think that turned it ‘on’ permanently. Except it doesn’t work on you. So maybe the curse is gone.”

She nodded seriously, nibbling on her bottom lip. “You know what’s funny? They were calling me ‘Ice Queen’ behind my back, the lady with the heart of stone. Because I refused to date… And now I’m with the Stone Freak, the one person hecan’tturn to stone. Fitting, don’t you think?” It was very fitting, but I was still going to teach those guys who’d given her the nasty nickname a lesson. She’d withdrawn to protect them. She did not deserve their scorn. My Cammy was all fire and passion, and to prove it, I eagerly fanned the flames.

“I do believe I promised you chocolate, didn’t I?” I drawled. And then I set out to eat dessert right off her skin.

THE END

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