Five years later…
The crickets were loud. Very loud. But it was nice. Like nature had its own music in mind for the night. The weather was perfect, too. Not a cloud in the sky. The stars had an extra special twinkle to them. Down at the main house there was a bonfire that smelled great.
“Bourbon?” Rhysa came up beside me, holding out my favorite glass.
“You read my mind.” Then I pulled her into my lap.
“It’s not a very hard mind to read.”
“I do make it easy, don’t I?” Life had moved slowly since the war, which was very nice. Rhysa had gotten to spend a lot of quality time getting to know her mother and extended family. We got married above Blood Falls and even though she hated it, she jumped with me.
“Well, we have shared a mind from time to time.”
I offered her a sip, but she declined. “More for me.”
“That week is burned into my brain forever. Why do you ask?” We had an amazing, exhausting, relaxing time at Midnight Manor, but I had no desire to return. It was special because it was unique.
“Oh, I was just reliving some old memories.”
I finished off the bourbon and set the glass on the deck. “Want to go down to the bonfire?”
Her eyes twinkled. “Maybe in a bit. Leena and Atsila brought the baby and I don’t want to miss the chance for snuggles.”
She’d have to wait in line. Everyone wanted snuggles. I swear that baby had some sort of magic spell on my whole family. Atsila too. The male was an alpha at all times, except when holding the baby. Then he was as mushy as the rest of us. “Waiting a bit sounds wise. While everyone is standing in line we can enjoy the night…and each other.” I stole a kiss and a nip.
“So there’s a reason I was thinking about Midnight Manor.”
I didn’t really think it came out of nowhere. “Oh?”
“You remember all the sweet moves we learned? All the tricks?”
Where was she going with this? “Yes…why?”
“Because,” her voice dropped to a whisper as she kissed my throat, eyes dancing, “I’m entering my fertile window and you’re going to need every one of them.”
I froze. “You’re fertile?” She had one two years ago that almost broke my back, but not any since. My heart started to beat faster and faster.
She nodded. “Yep. I would guess we have two more days, then bam.”
“We need to stock up on food and supplies.” My mind began to spin out on me. Images of last time mixed with the week at Midnight Manor. I needed rope. There was definitely not enough rope in the house.
“Dray.” She kissed me full on the mouth.
“Hmm?”
“We have time. Stop thinking so much.”
“We can start bringing up extra food after the bonfire.”
She kissed me again. “I knew I shouldn’t have told you.”
I growled and pinned her wrists. “It is good you told me. I like to plan all the ways to pleasure you.”
She grinned, nibbling on her lower lip. “And I like finding ways to surprise you.”
Which was all I ever dreamed of. “You’re the perfect female.”
“No. But I am the perfect female for you. Now kiss me.”
I stopped just before our lips touched. “Always.”
