Page 66 of Drive me Wild (South Island Shifters)

“What is it?” I ask.

“Look in the bag.”

I climb off him and make my way over to the brown bag he’d come back with. Bending over, I pull out the black velvet box. Opening it, I gasp. Inside is a necklace. It’s crescent moon shaped, with diamantes surrounding a moon and a wolf howling in the middle. I look at Declan. “You bought it! I was going to buy it today, but when I went back this afternoon, they told me it had been sold.”

“I wasn’t totally unaware of it. I just acted like I was. The moon is covered in diamonds.” Putting the box down, I hold out my hand to him. “Come with me.”

He arches an eyebrow. “Where are we going?”

“To do what I wanted to do with you this morning.”

He grins and takes my hand as I lead him into the bedroom. Tonight I’m taking the lead and being in charge. I am his. I will do whatever it takes to get his clan to accept me.

* * *

DECLAN

“I like the name of the cocktail bar.Aria’s.It’s elegant,” Winter says as we enter the party.

I smile. “It’s Simon’s wife’s name. She owns the bar. He’s just the investor, but everything is done her way, from the drinks menu to the food. It’s everything she wants and likes.”

“How do you know all this?”

“Because the house wine they serve is CE Estates and Aria asked me for advice a few years ago on how to run a restaurant,” I reply, pulling her closer to me. “Shall we get a drink before we start mingling with the other guests?”

“Please. I want to look at that cocktail list. This is, after all, a cocktail party,” she says as we approach the bar.

I chuckle at her enthusiasm. “Anything for you, my love.”

“Spoken like a man in love,” a familiar voice laughs beside me. I turn to find Simon Billington standing, talking to a bartender. He grins at me with raised eyebrows.

“What’s that grin for?” I ask.

“Oh, nothing really. I just thought it’s nice when my employees take my advice.”

“When we marry, I’ll make sure you get an invitation.”

He chuckles. “I had better be at the top of the guest list.”

“Simon, this is my girlfriend, Winter. Winter, meet Simon Billington, CEO of Billington Industries and the owner of CE Estates Vineyard,” I introduce.

“A pleasure to meet you,” Simon says, holding out his hand to Winter.

She smiles. “I finally get to meet the man he’s in constant communication with.”

Simon, to his credit, laughs. “Oh, so you know about our bromance? Damn, I told you to keep it a secret, Declan.” He glances at me.

I smile. “I had to tell someone.”

He laughs a deep belly laugh. “What do you want tonight, Winter? A glass of CE Estates, perhaps?”

“Well, it is my favourite wine, but tonight I think I’d like a cocktail.” Simon slides the cocktail list over to her. Winter looks it over and points to one. I look down. “You like cosmopolitans?” I ask.

“For future reference, darling boyfriend, they’re my favourite,” Winter says.

“I learn something new about you every day.”

“You and my wife Aria will get on well. What will you have, Declan?” Simon asks.

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