Page 68 of Winter's Thaw

“I’m telling you to play it cool with Laura. You need to romance her. Convince her you’re not just after her for her body.”

“Well, I kind of am.” He gave a grin he could feel was goofy, not surprised when Julia conked him in the head again. “Okay, okay.” He laughed, feeling so damn good. “I’m not freaked out about this at all. Why is that?” He should feel nervous. He’d just joined his soul to another person.

“Because you know, deep down, that she’s it for you.” Julia’s expression softened. “That’s how it feels when you find your soulmate. Laura’s your One. I had a feeling about you two, but you’re both hard-headed. Telling you would do nothing. You had to find her for yourself.”

“So I’m supposed to be thanking you for sending her over at your party?”

“Yes. I want a raise.”

He laughed.

“I’m kidding. But I do want you to romance my best friend. She deserves it.”

“Fine, fine. But she’s going to know we’re a pair when she smells me.”

“She won’t with that hunter’s mist. It kills scent.”

“Ah, I know. I’ve been using it when delivering her presents so she won’t know it’s me.” Though he’d forgotten this morning.

“That’s right. But it’s not that easy to scent the mate bond when it’s new, not on yourself. Other people will notice, which is why I sent Ty over there first thing to spray her down.”

“You what?”

“Just go with it. I’m trying to help you find love.”

“Fine, fine. But she’s still going to have to pass the Colleen test. When my mother realizes we mated… I didn’t ask permission.”

She sighed. “When they kick you out of the clan, you have a home with us and Burke’s cats.”

“Great.” They were a nutty group but fun, he supposed. Would Laura like it there? Or would she prefer to stay with the bears? They didn’t have a problem with other animals joining up.

“Now fix yourself so you’re presentable. Harry and Linc will be in soon to go over the eagles’ case against the McKays. It’s going to get ugly.”

“Great. Nothing like a clan war to liven up the holidays.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Laura glared at Ty.

“What? I’m sorry. My finger slipped.”

The knucklehead had sprayed the heck out of her with some stupid cologne that Julia had bought him. “But why spray it on me?”

“To test it. Look, I’m spraying myself now.” He spritzed himself. “I figured if I didn’t like the smell, I’d just pretend to lose the bottle. But now that I know it smells nice, I can use it.” He gave himself another dose of the faint scent.

“That makes no sense but whatever.” She sniffed herself but smelled nothing but sandalwood, oddly enough. “I smell like a dude.”

“A pretty sheriff’s deputy dude,” he said, smiling.

“Whatever. Let’s get to work, I suppose.”

“Don’t forget your present.”

She glanced at the discreet bag near the door. She tucked it inside, wishing Gerald had bought it for her instead of her mystery friend. But hey, she had two people looking out for her lately. The thought was nice.

Liar! It’s beyond nice, because that crush you were keeping in check for the sexy fox is now out of control! You might L-word him and all because he was great at sex and affectionate afterward. You’re weak!

She continued to reprimand herself at work until hours later, Ty took her aside. “Hey, are you okay? You seem a little off today.”

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