Satia woke up early the next morning, her saber unable to sleep. Even getting in several hours of shopping at the mall and walking from one end to the other and back had not diminished her saber's need to run, but in the city there was no right place for a sabertooth tiger to go for a jog without causing panic or worse, getting herself hurt. So instead she'd gone downstairs and finished organizing the rest of the first floor. By the time Stix emerged from his room she'd cleaned and scrubbed the kitchen, the bathroom, the floors, and baseboards. Dusted every surface. Cleared out all the trash, and put everything she wasn't sure about in a large box in the back bedroom. She'd rearranged the furniture so it fit the space better and had made breakfast.

Stix stood in the front hallway.

Satia shuffled from foot to foot. "Is it too much? I can put the furniture back if you want."

"No, I like it. It gives the place a more open vibe. I've just never seen it that way, so it's different. But Satia, I told you I don't want you cooking and cleaning like a maid."

"I couldn't sleep and I needed to do something."

"Nightmares?"

"No, it's my saber. She wants out."

He nodded. "Tomorrow is the weekend and it's usually the busiest time at the restaurant but I'll have Deacon cover for me, and I'll take you up to my parent's so you can run for a bit if you want."

Her saber purred at the idea. "I don't want to put you out."

"Please, you just did an entire month's worth of cleaning in less than five hours. I seriously owe you. Besides, I want you to meet them."

She swallowed hard. He wanted her to meet his parents? "As long as it isn't an imposition."

"Not at all. I'll ask Deacon when I see him tonight."

She smiled at the thought of running.

"Now," he said. "Let's eat and then I can go through all the stuff you aren't sure what to do with."

The morning passed quickly with them working and talking, and soon Satia was exhausted.

"Do you mind if I maybe lay down for a while."

Stix nodded. "That's a great idea for both of us I think. The nights at the restaurant are long, and these piles can wait a bit longer."

They pulled each other to their feet and stood chest to chest for a moment. Satia stared deep into Stix's eyes. He brushed her hair behind her ear.

For a man as wide and tall as a doorframe he was as gentle as a cub. For a moment she could almost see him as an ursa. Large and dark with paws the size of dinner plates. The idea of running her fingers through his fur sent a thrill straight to her saber who woke up instantly and wanted to be let out, to wrestle with him, to make love to him. Satia cleared her throat as the sudden desire to be with him overwhelmed her. Her heart pounded and sparks lit under her skin. Something shifted inside her, and suddenly there was no denying it. Stix was the man she was meant to mate. At that moment her saber roared inside her and Satia lurched forward. Stix steadied her.

"Whoa, you must be exhausted."

She wanted to kiss him. To have his muscular arms wrap around her. To feel her body join with his and his bite marking her flesh.

She backed up a step as fear ground her thoughts to a halt. Her body wasn't what it had been a year ago. The toll that being a captive had taken on her had been only minimally less horrid than the mental scars.

"I'll see you this evening." She backed out of the room.

He watched her go but said nothing. Satia swallowed hard as she hit the hallway and fled up the stairs, tears flooding her eyes. He looked at her as no man had before. With compassion, caring, and desire- and yet if and when he saw what lay beneath her clothing... the compassion would be replaced by repulsion and that would be the worst heartbreak of all.

* * *

That night Satia and Stix went to the restaurant and she helped him open. It surprised her how much preparation went into getting the food ready before anyone even came in to order. He introduced her to the chef and the kitchen staff and then walked out to show her the bar. The bartender hung up a phone.

"Melinda isn't going to make it tonight; baby's sick."

"Dammit," he said. "I don't have anyone else to cover."

"I can do it," offered Satia.

The last thing he wanted was Satia waiting tables.

"I don't mind. I'm used to serving people. It can't be that hard."

The bartender chuckled. Stix glared at him, and he found his way to the other end of the bar.

He didn't want her out there on her feet all night, he knew how tiring it could get, but he was in a bind.

He pulled a menu from behind the bar and set it on the wood. "Look this over. This is the menu. I'll do what I can to try and help you out for the first couple of hours until you get into a rhythm. I really appreciate you doing this. It's not something I would ask you to do unless we were in a bad spot."

Satia shrugged. "I don't mind. Besides, how will I know if I love it or hate it unless I try it? Not that I think my life's ambition is to be a waitress."

Stix chuckled. She had a unique way of seeing things. "Read over the menu. If you want to try any dishes to see how they taste I can arrange that as well."

She smiled. "I got it."

"Thank you again," he said. "Really. Thank you."

Satia picked up the menu. Stix watched her for a minute and then headed into the kitchen to give them a pep talk about manners toward Satia, given that it would not only be her first day, but her first time waitressing as well.

The first couple of hours were rocky with Satia, but surprisingly she treated everyone with kindness and a smile, so no one complained, and even her tips were better than most.

Deacon arrived about ten and plopped down at the bar in front of Stix.

"I see your new assistant is also the new waitress," he said.

"Melinda's kid is sick, so we needed help."

He nodded, reached over the bar and grabbed a beer from the sink full of ice.

"Are you ever going to pay for those?" Stix asked.

Deacon popped the top and chugged the beer before setting it on the counter. "I don't know. You ever going to pay me to sing in here?"

"I've been thinking actually-"

"No."

"You don't even know what I'm gonna say."

"Sure I do. You're gonna say you want me to play here a few nights a week to draw in more people and the answer is no. I have an agent thinking of signing me, and if he does I won't be playing Mexican restaurants for beer anymore."

"Actually, I was going to say I was thinking about taking the restaurant out and changing things up, so it's only a bar."

Deacon stared at him for a minute. "You're serious."

"Dead serious. Our numbers are down, but we have a perfect location. If we turn this into a modern bar scene instead, we could pull in triple or even quadruple the amount we are now."

"And you've talked to mom and dad about this?"

"They left me the business because they believed I could run it."

"Yeah, run it. Not ruin it."

Stix shook his head. It was a risky move, but he thought if anyone were behind him it would be Deacon.

"Fine. Get your butt up there and earn your beer then."

Deacon shook his head. "Nah. I think I'm going to grab something to eat first." He glanced over his shoulder and smiled at Satia.

Stix's nails dug into the bar. "Stay away from her."

Deacon threw an innocent smile. "I'm just going to have some food."

Stix grabbed Deacon's arm. "You can eat right here just fine."

Deacon's smile widened. "You like her."

Stix was in no mood to tangle with Deacon tonight. Truth was, he didn't like Satia. He more than liked her. Hell, he might even love her. The way his ursa had been mooning over her since first scenting her had had Stix tied up in knots so tight he wasn't sure he would ever unwind. But it was more than that. Not just her beauty, or her scent, it was her kind, caring, devoted, hard-working nature. She was damn near perfect as far as he could tell. Even with her anxiety and panic attacks, he didn't care. They were something he knew how to deal with because of his sister. He was sure that together he could help her see who she was meant to be, which was not merely his assistant.

"Wow," said Deacon. "You must more than like her. I've never seen you that contemplative in your life."

"What would you think if I went back to school?" Stix asked suddenly.

"Uh... why would I care if you go back to school?"

"Because I'd ask you to help out more around here."

Deacon stared at him for a minute. "You're serious."

"I don't know man, I... I'm not sure running mom and dad's business is what I wanted to do with my life."

"Well, what did you want to do?"

"I have no idea. I just figure, I have a lot of years left, and I want to do what I want to do."

"Well, I don't want to run this place. Maybe it's time you talk to them about selling."

Stix shook his head. "They loved this business."

Deacon picked up his beer and drank a huge swig. "No. They love you. They built this business to provide for you. If this isn't where you want to be, you should talk to them about it."

"Would you watch the place this weekend and do the weekly check in with the other restaurant so I can?"

"Wow, you aren't wasting any time are you?" Deacon stared at him for a moment. "Unless you're going for another reason as well. Are you taking Satia?"

Stix picked up a rag and wiped down the bar. "She's been feeling pent up and needs to run. It's not like sabers can run through downtown."

Deacon nodded. "Uh-huh."

"Hey! Get off him!" The sound of shouting filtered across the floor.

Satia bent a man over a table, and his head smashed into a taco bowl and his arm wrenched behind him.

"Get off me, you bitch!"

Stix jumped the bar, rushed over and grabbed the man by his collar and shoved him into the nearest booth. "What did you call her?"

"Dude, we were just goofing around."

Stix lunged at the man, but Deacon caught him around the waist. "You're scaring the customers, bro."

Stix turned to Satia who stood stunned at his side. "What did he do?"

"He grabbed my rear."

Stix's ursa roared to life wanting to be let out to rip the guy limb from limb.

"Unwanted touching isn't tolerated here," said Deacon. "You and your buddies pay for your meal and get the hell out."

"I'm not paying for food I didn't eat." The guy rubbed lettuce from his face.

Stix strained against Deacon's grip.

"You want me to let go of him?" Deacon asked.

The guy's eyes widened, and he shook his head.

"Then apologize to the lady and get your asses out of here and don't ever come back."

Deacon pulled Stix backward, and the guy eased out of the booth. He pulled out his wallet and threw money on the table before glaring at Satia.

"I'm sorry for touching you."

"You're lucky I didn't break your arm." She crossed her arms over her chest, but she shook from head to toe.

The guy nodded to his buddies who they got to their feet and hurried out.

Stix still couldn't see straight after they'd left.

"I want to let go of you before people get the wrong idea about our relationship," Deacon whispered. "But I want to make sure you're under control. Mauling a bunch of customers is usually bad for business."

Satia walked up to Stix and pressed her palm to his chest. "I'm okay."

He wanted to hold her. To touch her and feel her in his arms. Then he wanted to follow the dickheads down the street and break all of their hands.

She moved her face into his line of sight. "Are you all right?"

His body relaxed at the sight of her, and he nodded. "I'm good."

Deacon's grip eased around Stix's waist. Deacon massaged Stix's shoulders as Satia took his hand and squeezed it.

"Thank you," she said. "I've never had a man stand up for me before."

"Then you aren't hanging out with the right kind of men."

She laughed and picked up her tray. "I guess I better clear this food."

"Why don't you take a break. I'll clear it."

She paused for a moment and then nodded.

Stix kept his gaze firmly on Satia as she walked across the restaurant and back toward his office.

"Wow," said Deacon.

Stix picked up the tray Satia had left and started throwing the plates onto it.

"What?"

Deacon chuckled and shook his head. "A mate in less than seventy-two hours. That might be a new shifter record."

Stix didn't look up. "I don't know what you mean."

"Don't play coy with me; we shared a bedroom for ten years. All I can say is, you're one lucky man. She's amazing."

Deacon crossed to the small stage and turned on the mic. Stix's gaze traveled to the back door. Deacon may be teasing Stix about what he only guessed to be true, but Stix was all too aware that Deacon's hunch about his feelings for Satia were spot on. And he had no idea what to do about it.

* * *

Satia fought to make the rest of her shift as pleasant as possible for the patrons even though inside she was frightened as a mouse. She couldn't afford to lose her job and even though Stix had stuck up for her she couldn't take the chance that he wouldn't fire her for the incident.

For the rest of the night Deacon sat on stage, singing a type of music she'd never heard before and kept his eyes on her and the crowd. And every time she looked at the bar, Stix also stood with his eyes on her. At first, she was afraid that they were staring at her to make sure she didn't do anything else to any of the other customers but soon their watchful gazes became a comfort, and she relaxed knowing that they were watching out for her.

By the time they closed the place down Satia was mentally and physically exhausted. She finished wiping down the last table as Deacon cleaned up the stage. Stix crossed to him and she tried not to eavesdrop on their conversation, but it wasn't easy with shifter hearing.

"Thanks for hanging out tonight, bro," said Stix.

"Any time."

"I don't know what I would have done without you to hold me back."

"Maybe I could come in regularly for a week or so until things... settle down."

"I'd appreciate that."

"And who knows, maybe I'll draw in a bigger crowd. Help you see if changing this place up is worth the effort or not."

"Sounds good."

Satia tossed the dirty rag on her tray and headed for the bar.

"Satia," Deacon called.

She turned.

"Way to stick up for yourself. Keep it up, little sister." He winked at her, making her cheeks flush.

"Goodnight, Deacon," she said.

Deacon punched Stix in the chest. "Call me if you need me. I'll keep my phone on."

Stix nodded.

Satia helped Stix close up, and then they made their way to the train that took them to his house. They rode in silence and the tense vibe he gave off made her increasingly uneasy as the minutes dragged on.

By the time he opened the front door, Satia was close to bursting. He walked up the stairs toward his room but Satia stopped at the bottom, watching him go.

"I'm sorry!" she blurted.

Stix turned. "What?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt that guy. He grabbed me and I... flipped. I didn't mean to. It was reflex. I'm so sorry if I embarrassed you or upset you. It was wrong but-"

"Satia." Stix walked down the stairs slowly.

Tears formed in her eyes and her hands began to shake. He stopped directly in front of her. A mix of emotions played over his face.

"I'm not mad at you."

Tears spilled out of her eyes. "You're not?"

He wiped the tear from her cheek. "No. If anything I'm proud of you for putting him in his place. I'm mad at the guy who touched you. That he dared to think that grabbing you was a joke and not assault. To think that he could get away with it without any repercussions. If it had been any other place than my parent's restaurant, I would have held him down and let you rip his arms off. Hell, I would have helped. I'm just so pissed right now that he would dare even to touch you that I want to go track him down and tear him a new asshole."

Without thinking Satia wrapped her arms around Stix and rested her head on his chest. He stiffened and then folded his large arms around her and pulled her tight. Her saber woke and stretched and purred wanting to be as close to him as she was able.

After a moment Satia let go and stepped away. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that. I just... thought we could both use it."

His gaze intensified on her and her breath caught. Suddenly she wanted nothing more than to feel his body on hers. Her tiger lurched forward pushing Satia's lips to his. She stood stunned for a moment, cursing her tiger and unsure what to do but Stix's lips parted hers and his tongue swirled softly in her mouth. Chills ran over her skin as he tangled his fingers in her hair and pulled her close. The sweet scent of his coconut shampoo wafted off him. He walked her backward until she hit the wall and he kissed down her neck with warm wet kisses. Her brain fogged over at the touch of his skin on her skin. She'd never been kissed like that before. And she'd never had her saber respond so forcefully to another. Especially one of another species.

"Stix," she moaned his name as he kissed the tops of her breasts.

He pulled back suddenly and stood breathing heavily. "I'm sorry. I... I didn't mean to..."

"You didn't?"

"I mean I wanted to, don't get me wrong I just... I didn't mean for that to happen then. You're new here, and you came to me for employment I don't want you to think you have to pay me back by..."

"By having sex with you?"

"I don't want you to feel pressured."

"Do you think I'm the kind of girl you could pressure into having sex?"

"I doubt you are the kind of girl that could be pressured to do anything you didn't want."

The air grew thick between them.

"It's been a long day and I think maybe we should go to bed. Not together," he sputtered. "You go to your bed and I'll go to my bed and we can just... go to sleep. Or you don't have to go to sleep. You can stay up or do whatever you want. It's your choice."

Satia smiled. He was so adorable the way he fought to find the right words. She leaned in and kissed his cheek before heading up the stairs. She stopped halfway up and turned back. "For the record, I didn't mean to kiss you either, but it doesn't mean I regret it."

He smiled and ran his fingers over his hair. "Good to know."

She continued up the stairs. "Goodnight, Stix."

"Nite." He waved, and she crossed the landing to Deacon's bedroom.

Satia closed the door and leaned back on it. She'd kissed him. She'd kissed a man. As embarrassed as she was with her boldness, she smiled. It was something neither she nor her saber would have dared to do before. She'd been in New York for only a few days, and already her life was changing for the better.