Page 97 of Moon Tamed

“If you want help moving your things to Calden’s place, ask. You do not have to sneak over in the middle of the night to transfer things on the sly. You have been caught.”

“But who caught me?” I asked, raising a brow.

“Your mother.”

As my mother would pursue the issue until I confessed, I did as ordered. “I’m going to need some hot chocolate and book time, Calden. My parents are out for my blood today.”

“I think they’re more out for your pride and dignity, as there has been a notable lack of bloodshed tonight. But as for the hot chocolate and book time, I do think I can help you with that.” He got out of the vehicle, leaned inside, and said, “Thank you for the ride, Mr. Patten.”

“You’re welcome. Try not to lose my daughter to her books. She needs to be supervised or the books win.”

“I’m sure she’ll be fine.”

Before either of our fathers changed their minds about setting us free, we hurried into Calden’s townhome.

“We need to change the locks,” Calden announced as soon as we were inside and he closed the door. “Or move. We could move somewhere in secret, right?”

“Your father would cry, and not only would he cry, he would have a meltdown. He handles your kidnappings fairly well, but if you actually ran away and moved, you’d break him. You’re going to have to suffer through his affections. But we should change that lock. We can figure out a system of how to maintain some privacy.” I winced. “Maybe.”

“In reality, we might win a day or two of respite before the whining and whimpering became most severe. Expect my father to come over in ten minutes to make sure we are not going to perish, as we were obviously incapable of handling any affairs while camping.”

I snickered. “At least not of the domestic nature.”

“He’s probably hopeful but resigned to my determination to not date until now.”

“Sarai would very much like you to start dating so she can date somebody else,” I informed him.

“Why couldn’t she just date somebody else?”

I stared into his eyes and smiled, “You were obviously a hurting man and might need her love to heal you, according to everyone.”

Calden snorted, and then he laughed. “That’s ridiculous.”

“Do you need to be healed, Calden?”

“I could use some time on a couch with some hot chocolate and someone to read a book with. Does that count as healing?”

“It absolutely does.”

“I’ll handle the hot chocolate, you pick the books.”

TWENTY-THREE

I’m taking you home.

Aware I needed to score as many points as possible to conquer Calden’s father, I made certain to arrive at work first each day of the week, and I ambushed people as they headed for the elevator, shooting them in the back. As the Hunters admired my tenacity and laughed over my determination, they played the game, keeping me supplied with balls until I had tagged everyone on their way in, including the Stephans.

Calden’s expression promised retribution, and he glowered at me. I responded with my sweetest smile. He pointed at his eyes before he pointed at mine and announced, “I’m coming for you, woman.”

As he stood still for me, I aimed at his chest and fired at point-blank range, splattering him with baby blue. “When should I expect you?”

“And ruin the surprise? I think not. But know this, Miss Patten, you’re going down.”

I could think of numerous enjoyable scenarios involving his vague threat, and I liked the entire spectrum of possibilities. “At your leisure then, Mr. Hot Shot.”

At the end of a busy day, which I spent frantically working on ferreting out every one of my boss’s sins with zero progress, serving my feathered office mates, and shooting my new co-workers with paintballs, I learned a valuable lesson.

If he wanted, Calden could pick me up, toss me over his shoulder as though I weighed nothing, and carry me off at his whim. For at least a minute, I blinked, wondering how he’d done it, faster than I could resist or run, not that I had any real desire to do either. “What are you doing, Calden?”

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