IRRITATION CRAWLED THROUGH Kaspar as he walked back to the living room in search of Jesska. Dalton Moore stood by the window, his phone to his ear, but he ended the call as Kaspar walked in.

“Where’s Jesska?”

Moore crossed his arms. “She left.”

“Where did she go?”

“I have no idea.” Moore smiled. “But she did say something about getting the hell away from you.”

Kaspar’s irritation was quickly replaced with anger. Never in his life had he been surrounded by people uninterested in doing his bidding. He stared at Moore. “Where did Jesska go?”

Moore’s eyes glassed over and he said flatly, “Home.”

“And where is home?”

Moore rattled off Jesska’s address and Kaspar smiled. The man must not have Red Fang anywhere on his person, or Kaspar wouldn’t have been able to put him under suggestion. This fact had possibilities, and the desire to hit the lawman was almost overwhelming... but not enough to keep him from Jesska.

He left Cameron’s apartment and headed toward the elevator. He heard a bellow from inside the apartment as Moore was released from Kaspar’s suggestion. Kaspar couldn’t help another satisfied smile as he slipped from the building and into the awaiting car. He gave Austri Jesska’s address and sat back to figure out how to proceed.

Pulling up to Jesska’s home, he scowled. She appeared to be leaving. When she caught sight of his car, she said something he assumed was a curse, before slipping back inside. Moore must have called her to tell her Kaspar was on his way. He pushed out of the car before Austri could open the door for him, and headed to the front door. He knocked, but although he could hear her breathing behind the door, she didn’t speak.

He dropped his forehead to the cool wood. “Elskan, open the door.”

“No.”

“Please, sweetheart. I just want to talk.”

“About what?” she asked.

“I thought you might want to know what your sister and I discussed.”

A few seconds passed and he heard shuffling, but not much else.

“Jesska?”

“You can tell me through the door.”

He smiled. “No, that’s not the deal.”

“I didn’t make any deal with you.”

“What are you afraid of?” he challenged.

“Oh, I don’t know. You brainwashing me into believing something I don’t?”

Despite her snarky tone, he couldn’t help but smile. “I can’t do that, elskan.”

“Stop calling me that!” she snapped.

He took a deep breath. “Were you going somewhere?”

“No... when?”

“Just now when you walked to your car and then went back inside.”

“Oh, right. Um... yes. I was going to a friend’s house.”

He frowned. “Did Dalton Moore call you?”

“Why would Dalton Moore call me?” The innocence in her voice was forced.

“Jesska.”

“What?”

“Did Dalton Moore call you and tell you I was coming?”

“That’s not really any of your business,” she said. “Now, go away.”

“Please Jesska. Open the door and I’ll explain everything and answer any questions you might have.”

It took several more minutes before he heard the locks turn and the door opened. She peeked through the crack. “You have three minutes.”

He smiled. “Would you like to speak out here?”

“No. It’s freezing out there.” She stepped back, opening the door wider. “You can come in. But not for long.”

He stepped inside, the heat hitting him like a wave, and he stepped back out. “I can’t come in, sweetheart.”

“Why not?”

“Because it’s too hot.”

She glanced behind her. “It’s only seventy-two.”

“I can’t come in unless it’s below sixty-eight. I’m sorry.”

“Good lord, you really are entitled,” she complained. “Give me a second. I’ll turn down the heat.” She stepped over to the thermostat and adjusted it.

Kaspar watched the graceful, elegant way that she moved, something he wished he could film and watch over and over. She was stunning.

“What?” she asked as she closed the distance between them.

“You’re beautiful.”

“Oh,” she whispered, crossing her arms, her need to protect herself emanating from her. “Thank you. I changed the thermostat to sixty-seven. Figured I’d give you that extra degree.”

He almost chuckled at her snarky tone. He could tell she was desperately trying to push him away. What she didn’t understand was that he wasn’t going anywhere.

“Are you coming in or what?”

He nodded. “In a minute.”

“Well, I’m freezing.” She rolled her eyes and moved to close the door.

He placed his hand on the flimsy wood and raised an eyebrow. She huffed and crossed her arms again. Smiling, he stepped inside, kicking the door closed behind him. As he studied her, she bit her lip, sliding her hands into her pockets and shifting from foot to foot. Kaspar reached out and pried her lip from her teeth, running his thumb along her mouth. She let out a small gasp, confirming she wasn’t as immune to him as she’d like him to think.

Because he couldn’t resist, he leaned down and covered her mouth with his.

Þú verður mín að eilífu. (You are my forever mate.)

The bond between them was strengthening, and as he thought the ancient words, he felt her shiver. She pushed against his chest, lowering her head to break the kiss. “What... what is going on with me?”

“We are destined, elskan.”

She looked up at him. “I don’t understand.”

“I know,” he said, and smiled. “I’m happy to explain everything to you, but you are a person who has to experience things. Words don’t really help.”

“Don’t act like you know me,” she said, wrinkling her nose.

“But I do know you.”

“I just met you. You don’t know me.”

He chose not to point out that she was still in his arms and was now running her hand across his chest. “Which part of my statement is wrong?”

She shook her head. “Not the point, Kaspar. You’re probably doing something to my mind to make me believe you.”

He cupped her cheeks and frowned. “Listen to me. I can’t do that. Literally. Not just ‘won’t,’ but ‘can’t.’”

“How would I know the difference?”

Kaspar took a deep, steadying breath. “Why don’t I tell you about my brother and your sister and let you decide what you think?”

“Okay.” She stepped away from him. “But no touching. I can’t think straight when you’re touching me.”

He raised his hands in surrender. “As you wish.”

“I’m going to grab my hoodie,” she said. “Do you want some wine?”

“I’d love some. Thank you.”

She stared at him again for a few seconds before nodding. “I’ll be right back.”

Kaspar glanced around her front room. It was small, but it had a fireplace against the west wall, and a large window looking out on the street, and she could obviously decorate. Tasteful, if not smaller-scale furniture was artfully positioned to take advantage of the view and the warmth. After taking a few photos, he folded his large frame into one of the chairs by the window and checked his phone messages while he waited for her.

“I hope you like red,” she called. “It’s all I drink.”

“Red’s perfect,” he called back.

He managed to reply to a few texts before she returned with two glasses of wine. He stood and took one from her, smiling at the oversized sweatshirt she wore that had obviously seen better days.

“What?” she asked.

“I was admiring your hoodie.”

She blushed and grabbed for the chain around her neck, rubbing the ring attached to it. “It’s my favorite,” she said, and sat on the sofa facing him.

He took his seat again and sipped his wine, surprised it was good. “Excellent wine.”

Jesska smiled and nodded. “I might not make much money, but I just can’t buy bad wine.”

“What do you do?”

“I’m an executive administrative assistant for a human resources and benefits company.” She sighed. “It’s my fallback, I guess.”

“Your fallback?”

“I had planned to go to college. I’d even thought about being a paramedic or a nurse or something noble like that. But life has a way of beating the shit out of you and leaving you to die on the side of the road.”

Kaspar widened his eyes. “Is that why you...?” He nodded to her arm, her scars peeking out from one her sleeves.

“I guess,” she rasped as she pulled the sleeve down to her wrist again.

“Will you tell me why you hurt yourself, elskan?”

She shook her head, rubbing the ring again. “What did my sister say?”

He thought about pressing her, but knew she’d only push back if he did, so he let it go... for now. “She’s still in love with my brother.”

Jesska rolled her eyes. “Well, anyone with a brain could figure that out.”

“Oh?”

“When Megan dislikes someone, she tends to shout it from the rooftops, tell all her friends, strangers, the mailman. But with him, she never mentioned him. Ever. And I remember at the beginning, she cried a lot. But she never ever said a bad word about him. We didn’t even know his name. I figured something really bad had to have happened and that maybe it wasn’t her choice to leave, but then time passed and I grew up... and other stuff distracted me, so I never thought to ask.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “How does your brother feel about her?”

“He adores her.” He sighed. “It’s complicated.”

“Which means?”

“I’ll explain in a minute, but first, will you tell me why you keep tugging on that chain?”

“No reason.” She dropped her hand into her lap. “Tell me what happened.”

“The easy answer is that your sister and my brother fell in love and had three children together, but the complicated part is the first two were stolen from them.”

“Yes, Megan told me. She’s a wreck. What I can’t quite figure out is why they would want to take them.”

Kaspar shrugged. “We are very rich, very important people, sweetheart. We have enemies.”

“And humble,” she retorted as she tucked her feet under her bottom.

He sighed, setting his wine on an end table. “Look, I’m simply stating fact. We are the royal family of our people and we have enemies. I can’t change what I was born into.”

“No, I guess you can’t,” she conceded.

He rose to his feet and made his way to her, sitting on the sofa beside her. “Why do you keep tugging on that necklace?”

She lowered her hand again, shaking her head. He noticed a small diamond ring on her left hand and frowned. “Who gave you this?”

“No one.”

“Are you engaged?”

“No. Not that it’s any of your business,” she said.

He forced himself to stay calm. “Tell me.”

“I can’t,” she whispered, and shifted to face him.

Kaspar took her wine from her and set it on the floor, linking his fingers with hers. “Tell me.”

Jesska licked her lips. “It was Seth’s.”

“Who’s Seth?”

“He was my fiancé.”

Rage flooded him, and she squeaked as she yanked her hands from his and jumped from her seat. She grabbed the necklace again and pressed it against her chest. “Why are you so angry?” she asked. “More importantly, how is it I know you’re so angry?”

“Sorry,” he rushed to say. “I won’t hurt you. Just give me a second.”

Silent tears slipped down her face as he worked to control his jealousy. He desperately wanted to comfort her, but wouldn’t dare in his current state. When he felt he could openly hear her story, he tried to approach her, but she held her hand out. “Don’t.”

“Elskan, I won’t hurt you.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“I know.” He took a deep breath and slipped his hands into his pockets. “Go ahead and tell me your story from there. I won’t move. Who’s Seth?”

“He was my high school sweetheart. We were planning a life together, but then he was murdered by his best friend. Stabbed in front of me. This ring was his promise ring.” She held up her left hand, the same ring on her finger. “It matches mine. And this is the engagement ring he was going to propose to me with. And this”—she tugged on her sweatshirt— “was his.”

“When did this happen?”

“A little over ten years ago.” She covered her face with her hands, sobbing now.

Kaspar couldn’t keep his promise to give her distance as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”

“The worst part is that Jason has been released. His lawyer found some technicality and because of overcrowding, they’re letting him live in some halfway house until they can schedule a new trial.”

“Jason? He’s the one who killed Seth?”

She nodded into his chest. “They told Cam that Jason would be on house arrest, but he should have been given the death penalty! He shouldn’t be allowed to live when Seth’s gone.”

“Shhh,” he whispered as he rubbed her back. “It’s okay.”

She took a ragged breath. “You make me feel safe.”

“You are safe, elskan. I will never let anyone hurt you.”

Jesska slipped her hands under his shirt and stroked his back. Within seconds, she had pulled his shirt from his body and started to pepper kisses across his bare chest. Kaspar was so surprised by her assault, he couldn’t react right away. He could just feel, but that was dangerous, because she was too naïve to understand what was happening, and far too vulnerable to handle it.

Kaspar lifted her chin, wincing when her lips left his body. This was the hardest thing he’d ever done... stopping what was so natural to him. “Jesska, wait.”

* * *

Jesska blinked and then her face reddened. “Oh my... oh, sorry. What the hell is wrong with me?” She stared at Kaspar, his chest like granite, and her body drawn to him in a way it never had been to anyone else. She found herself reaching for him again, his stomach contracting at her touch. “Sorry.”

He smiled. “If you keep doing that, I’m going to bind you here and now.”

She looked at him and then stared at his chest again.

“Jesska?”

“Hmm?” she said distractedly, glancing up at him again.

“I’m going to bind you.”

“I don’t know what that means.”

“I know, which is why I need my shirt back,” he said.

“Huh?”

He chuckled and held out his hand. “My shirt.”

She realized she was holding his clothing and handed it back to him quickly. “Oh, sorry. Right.”

He slipped it over his head, and disappointment flooded Jesska. “Am I doing this because you’re making me?”

“No, Jesska,” he said again, irritation rising. “I can’t make you do anything you don’t want to do.”

“Don’t get all snappy with me! Your brother did it to my sister, so why wouldn’t I assume you could do it to me?”

He took her hand, kissing her palm. “I apologize for biting you.”

She tried not to giggle, but failed. “Snappy, not biting. It’s an expression.”

“Well, I’m sorry for that too.” He smiled. “The reason my brother could use manipulation on your sister was because she had not reached ár mökunar.”

“Ár mökunar?”

“Mating year. When we, the Kalt Einn, turn twenty-five, our gifts come into focus and our partners are shown to us if they are close. He knew your sister was his mate, but he would not have been able to make their union permanent until she reached twenty-five. When she did, she was no longer subject to his manipulation, because she now had all the power.”

“I don’t understand. What gifts? What’s mating year?” She shuddered. “It sounds horrid. What aren’t you telling me?”

“When we reach the age of twenty-five, we know our gifts. Some of us will get inklings earlier of what they are, but for the most part, we come fully into our abilities then.”

“Like witchcraft?”

“No, baby. Nothing like that.” He flicked his wrist, and the wine bottle levitated from the table and poured wine into each glass.

Jesska jumped out of her seat. “What the hell did you do?”

Kaspar reached for her at the same time as he lowered the wine bottle back to the table. “You have nothing to fear, elskan.”

She felt her heart calm at his touch and she blinked a few times, not entirely sure she could believe what she was seeing. “How is that not witchcraft?”

“Because, one, I’m not a practitioner of Wicca.”

She stared at the wine bottle, then up at him. “What else can you do?”

“Let’s ease you into that, eh?”

“Oh, because making the wine fly around the room is so easy to accept.”

“You have a point.” Kaspar laughed. “I bring all of this up to say that since you are twenty-seven—”

“How do you know how old I am?”

“I just do. Because you’re past the age of ár mökunar, it means you have all the power here, sweetheart. I can’t make you do anything you don’t want to do, and I’m at your mercy.”

She licked her lips and smiled. “Oh, really?”

“If you keep doing that, Jesska, I will bind you here and now.”

“Doing what?”

He ran a thumb across her lower lip. “Drawing focus to your very kissable mouth.”

She shivered at his touch. “Maybe you should explain to me what binding is, exactly.”

“Before I do, may I ask a favor?”

She nodded.

“Would you feel comfortable putting on something other than Seth’s hoodie?”

“You’re not jealous, are you?”

“Extremely so,” he admitted.

She stared up at him. She could tell he was battling his emotions and if she was being honest, she’d worn Seth’s sweatshirt as an armor of sorts. There was a pull towards Kaspar that she hadn’t expected. It was strong, and she found herself not wanting to fight it. She smiled. “I will go find something else.”

“Thank you,” he said, and leaned down to kiss her again.

Jesska slid her hands into his hair, sighing against his lips. “Good lord, you can kiss.”

He chuckled. “As can you.”

“I’ll change quickly.” She forced herself to walk away from him, even though she could probably spend the rest of her life kissing him if given half the chance. Once in her bedroom, she couldn’t quite decide what to wear. For the first time in a long time, she cared about what she looked like.

She took a few minutes to run a brush through her hair and clean her teeth, then found her Portland State hoodie and pulled it on. Even though it was a reminder of what she gave up, it fit her perfectly and the color suited her. Most importantly, however, it was warm.

She made her way back to the living room, smiling when Kaspar stood as she entered the room. The old-world charm of him was endearing.

Jesska smiled and held her arms out. “Better?”

Kaspar grinned. “You’re beautiful.”

“Thank you.” She bit her lip. “Will you explain what binding is now?”

He nodded as she sat back on the sofa, and he returned to the chair facing her, settling his arms on his knees. “When we, the Kalt Einn, find our forever mate, there is a private ceremony, words are spoken, vows are made, and then we are joined physically, completing the ritual. It’s a bond that can never be broken.”

“Isn’t that what everyone hopes for? An unbroken bond?”

Kaspar smiled. “In the case of the Kalt Einn, sweetheart, it’s literal.”

“Why?”

“Because we aren’t human.”

“Wait, what?” She gasped and then let out a nervous giggle. “Sorry, I thought I just heard you say you’re not human.”

Kaspar stood and waved toward the sofa. “May I?”

She blinked up at him, not sure if she wanted him to sit next to her or not. “You can’t make me do anything, right?”

“No. You are fully you.”

“Okay, then.”

He sat beside her and linked his fingers with hers. “I want you to know that I’m telling you the truth.”

She nodded, her heart calming at his touch. “Are you really not human?”

“Já. I was born in 1017. My clan emigrated from Norway to Iceland about thirty years before my birth.”

“Wait,” she said. “You’re a thousand years old?”

“In about four weeks, yes.”

“Well, we must have a party,” she retorted.

Kaspar smiled as he ran his thumb over her knuckles. “Take a deep breath, elskan.”

She closed her eyes and did as he suggested, feeling his sincerity as she opened herself to him. She shivered. She’d never felt so cherished in all her life. She knew that this man, a man she’d just met, would go to the ends of the earth to protect her. How she knew, she had no clue, but she felt it in her bones.

When his lips covered hers, she sighed, her eyes still closed as she leaned into the kiss. She looped her arms around his neck and slid her fingers into his hair. He broke the kiss, but kept her close as he stroked her hair. “Are you hungry?”

She nodded.

“I’ll take you to dinner, hmm?”

“I’d like that.” Jesska glanced up at him. “I’ll just change quickly.”

“You don’t need to change, elskan.”

She pulled away from him. “I am not going out in public with you looking like that and me looking like this.”

Kaspar smiled. “You are beautiful.”

Jesska wrinkled her nose. “That would make you blind, then. I won’t be long.”

Kaspar laughed and Jesska ran to her room to change. She removed her hoodie and pulled her see-through, silver sweater over the black camisole she wore. She pulled on black leather knee-high boots over her jeans and pulled her hair into a ponytail, which instantly made her look less like a homeless person and more like she’d put some effort in. A spritz of perfume and she headed back to the living room.

Kaspar smiled and Jesska’s heart raced. He looked as though he’d missed her and was happy to see her, even though she’d only been out of his presence for ten minutes. She still wasn’t entirely sure how much she was going to ask, and if she did ask, how much he would answer, but he was certainly pretty, and right now, she didn’t care how much she knew as long as she could just look at him for a little while.

“Wow,” he said.

“Is this okay?”

He leaned down to kiss her cheek. “Stunning, sweetheart.”

“You did say virtually the same thing when I was in a hoodie, so I’m not entirely sure your judgment is sound.”

Kaspar laughed. “The truth is that I’d find you beautiful regardless of what you wear.”

“Charmer.”

Her phone rang and she grabbed it, seeing Cameron’s name come up. “Hey, Cam.”

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, why?”

“Dalton thought Kaspar might be on his way to you.”

“Um, yeah.” She glanced at Kaspar. “He’s here.”

“I’ll be right there,” Cameron said.

“No, Cam. It’s fine.”

“It’s not fine if the man’s harassing you, Jess,” Cameron ground out.

“He’s not.”

“Jess.”

“Cameron. I’m fine. He’s fine. It’s all fucking fine,” she snapped.

She heard him sigh. “You call me if it starts to not be fine. Got it?”

“Yes.”

“Love you.”

“Love you, too,” she said, and hung up.

“Everything all right?” Kaspar asked.

“Yes.” She forced a smile. “My brother’s just being overprotective.”

He smiled. “Where would you like to go for dinner?”

“Ooh, my choice, huh?” He nodded and she smiled. “If we can get in, how about Portland City Grill. Great food, amazing views, and excellent service. It’s also in this really cool building with pink looking windows.”

“Lead the way, beautiful.”

Jesska grabbed her coat and purse, locked up her duplex, and followed Kaspar to the car. Austri held the door and she climbed in first, securing her seatbelt. Kaspar joined her and linked his fingers with hers as Austri pulled away from the curb and headed to Big Pink.

Arriving at the restaurant, Austri headed to the bar. Kaspar held Jesska’s chair for her, then sat across from her and ordered a bottle of wine.

“So, do you have a kryptonite phobia or anything like that?” she asked, once the server had left.

“What do you mean?”

“For your super powers,” she whispered. “Is there anything that will bring you down?”

Kaspar chuckled. “You’re adorable, you know that?”

“Thank you... I think.” She grinned. “Are you avoiding my question?”

“Why would I do that?”

“Oh, I don’t know. Maybe you’re worried I’m Delilah to your Samson?”

He laughed and reached across the table to squeeze her hand. “Are you saying you want me to grow my hair?”

“Oooh, now that’s an idea,” she joked.

“We have to avoid almonds or anything using the extract, also heat, as you know, and there is a flower native to Iceland called Red Fang. It can be crushed, boiled, any manner of variations, and if administered to us through the skin, food, or drink, it will render us paralyzed.”

She gasped. “Will it kill you?”

He shook his head. “In order for it to kill us, it would take a lot more than most people have on hand, but it will temporarily paralyze us, and then if we are left somewhere hot, that could kill us.”

“Does that happen a lot? People running around dosing each other with Red Fang?”

He shook his head. “No, but we all carry the antidote on our person. It’s like an EpiPen, and will counteract the drug.”

“Good to know.”

The waiter returned with their wine and Kaspar approved it before he poured Jesska a glass. Once they ordered, Jesska kept her connection to Kaspar as she sipped the gloriously rich and delicious red. “You have excellent taste in wine.”

Kaspar tipped his glass towards her. “Thank you.”

She glanced behind her and caught sight of Austri, smiling at him before facing Kaspar again. “Is he okay all alone?”

“Of course.”

“Does he go everywhere with you?”

Kaspar nodded.

She looked at Austri again. “And he’s okay with that?”

“Why wouldn’t he be?” Kaspar asked. “It’s his job.”

Jesska smiled. “It’s all so alien to me, I guess. Security.”

“I’ve never really given it much thought. Someone has been at my back since I was little.”

“What if you just wanted to be alone?”

“That’s what my bedroom is for, I suppose,” he said. “Although, there are always servants close at hand.”

“What’s your living situation like now?” she asked, and sipped her wine.

“I live in our ancestral home in Iceland. It’s isolated enough that most people wouldn’t be able to find it, even if they were looking for it.”

“Do you live alone?”

He shook his head with a smile. “Not in the way you mean. I live without my brothers. However, I have a house full of servants. Although, they aren’t seen until they need to be.”

“Meaning, you forget they’re there until you need them.”

“I suppose, yes.”

“Where does your family live? Your brothers and the like?”

“Ari lives in Reykjavik and Gunnar lives close to me. My parents are no longer living. We have a large clan, and for the most part, they are near me, although folks have spread out in other parts of Iceland.”

“Wow. Mine all live close,” she said. “My father’s parents are long gone, but my mother’s are still alive, and I see them as often as possible. And of course, you know my brother and sister.”

“Are you close to your parents?”

She shook her head.

“Why not?”

Jesska pulled her hand from his and settled it on her lap. Her mind flashed back to her time in the psych ward.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I don’t mean to upset you.”

“No, it’s okay.” She took a deep breath. “Um, no. I’m not close to my parents. I am close to Cameron and Megan, but not them.”

Kaspar smiled gently. “Let’s change the subject, hmm?”

She nodded and took another sip of wine.

He set his wine down. “Tell me about your job. Do you like it?”

“No, not really.” She grimaced. “Actually, I hate it.”

“How come?”

“Because bitches be loco,” she retorted.

He let out a quiet cough. “I’m sorry?”

Jesska smiled. “Don’t get me wrong, I like the work. I’m naturally organized and enjoy that aspect of it, but I’m in the administrative field, which is dominated by women. And unfortunately, women are mean, horrible creatures who will do their best to drag you down if you rise above anything.” She sighed. “If I could get away with doing my job and not having to deal with people, I’d love it.”

Kaspar chuckled. “I quite like women.”

“Well, that’s because they probably grovel at your feet.”

He tilted his head. “Perhaps you are onto something there.”

She smiled. “What about you? Do you have a real job, or do you just sit atop your throne and order everyone about?”

“I have a real job,” he said. “And I work a lot with animals. Horses and dogs mostly... I’m not a fan of cats.”

Jesska shuddered. “Me neither. Horrible little devils.”

Kaspar laughed. “They certainly can be.”

“What do you mean by ‘work’ with them?”

“We have a number of charities run through our main company that rescue and rehabilitate animals. We partner with some human elements, but they don’t know who we are.”

“I would imagine that wouldn’t be something to share.”

“No,” he agreed.

“What’s your main company?”

“I own the third largest oil company in the world.”

“Shut up.”

He smiled. “From that umbrella, I’m able to do things that interest me personally.”

“Do you want kids?”

“Absolutely.”

“Please tell me you’re not one of those people who think animals are more important than children.”

Kaspar laughed. “Absolutely not. We consider having children a great honor. It’s one of the reasons we don’t deal with some of the same issues as humans.”

“Like?” She raised an eyebrow. She thought it was cute he would lower his voice to a whisper anytime he said “human.”

“No child is ever abandoned. If by some rare chance a child is orphaned, I meet with the child, other family members, and our Council to provide a new and safe place for them.”

“You are responsible for that?”

He nodded. “Why?”

“I don’t know. It just seems like a big burden.”

He took her hand again. “Not a burden, sweetheart. A responsibility that I enjoy.”

Jesska smiled. “You’re sweet.”

“Don’t say that too loudly. It will ruin my carefully formed persona.”

She giggled. “Oh, okay. Sorry.”

Dinner was served, and Jesska concentrated on eating. She liked Kaspar. He wasn’t at all what she expected, and she wondered how this was going to play out for her. She wasn’t sure how far she should let it go. He was sweet and attentive, and they had a lot of things in common. He was also gorgeous. Sexier than any man she’d ever known, which wasn’t saying much, since Seth was the extent of her experience, but Seth had been seriously gorgeous and she’d loved him completely.

Her thoughts turned to Kaspar and his “gifts.” She wondered what it all meant. Was he able to time travel? Space travel? Like teleport, not get on a spaceship and fly into space, but turn into mist and just show up on another planet, Star Trek style? Could they shapeshift?

She wrinkled her nose. Ew, did they drink blood?

What about procreation? Did the women have children the normal way? Did the men carry the babies? How would they give birth?

“You okay?” he asked.

“Um, yep,” she rushed to say. “All good. Um...”

He cocked his head. “Are you sure?”

“Hunh-huh. Yeppers.”

He chuckled and gave her hand a squeeze. Jesska stared at her plate and focused back on her food.

At the end of the night, Kaspar took her home, kissed her sweetly on her doorstep, and waited for her to step inside and lock the door. Jesska watched him through her window until he drove away, her heart lighter than it had been in a long time. He’d promised to call her the next day to make plans for another date, and she looked forward to seeing him again.

* * *

Wednesday was Jesska’s ride-share day and Betty’s day to drive, but when Betty had to leave work early to pick up a sick kid, Jesska planned to grab the MAX home. She had a dinner date with Kaspar and couldn’t wait to shower and change. She hadn’t seen him since he took her to dinner the Friday before, but they’d spoken on the phone every night, and the more they talked, the more she liked him.

At just after five o’clock, she walked out of her building to find Kaspar waiting for her, leaning up against the car, a bouquet of roses in his hand. He smiled, and her heart raced.

He closed the distance between them and kissed her cheek. “Hi, beautiful.”

“Hi. What are you doing here?”

“You texted that you were going to take public transportation home, so I thought I could provide something a little more comfortable.”

She grinned, her nose in the bouquet, sighing at the smell. “You didn’t need to do that.”

“It’s my absolute pleasure, elskan.”

He held the car door for her and she slid inside. “I planned to change before dinner, but maybe we can eat now and then head back to my place for a nightcap? I have an early meeting tomorrow that was sprung on me at the last minute.”

“I would love that.” Kaspar smiled as he secured his seatbelt. “Another option would be to grab some American fast-food and eat at your house.”

“You’d eat greasy fast-food with me?”

“I have yet to experience a... what is it called? Driveway in?”

Jesska giggled. His accent was delicious. “Drive through.”

“Yes, that.”

“Burgerville it is.”

“Burgerville?”

“Pacific Northwest staple, my friend. You might have to mortgage your house for a burger, but it’s a damn good burger.”

Kaspar grinned. “Direct the way, sweetheart.”

Jesska gave Austri the address of the Burgerville closest to her, and they loaded up on burgers, fries, and smoothies. It had been ages since Jesska had eaten so badly, but the lure of a Chocolate Monkey was too much to resist.

Arriving home, Jesska led Kaspar inside, flipping on the lights, toeing off her Jimmy Choos, and heading to the kitchen to open wine and put the roses in water. “I’m sorry I don’t have beer to offer. Probably better with burgers, but I rarely drink it.”

“Wine’s fine, sweetheart.” Kaspar said, and set the food on her dining table.

Jesska set glasses and the open bottle of red on the table. “I’m just going to get out of these clothes. I’ll be right back.”

At his nod, she dashed into her room and pulled on black yoga pants and a long-sleeved pink T-shirt, pulling her hair back into a loose bun on top of her head. She rejoined Kaspar and he smiled as he poured the wine.

“What?” she asked.

“You manage to go from sexy to sexier in a manner of seconds, sweetheart. I’m simply amazed.”

Jesska giggled. “And you’re obviously blind.”

He waved a finger over his eyes. “Perfect eyesight. Better than twenty-twenty.”

“Thank you.”

Before sitting, he leaned down and kissed her. “I have missed that.”

Jesska smiled. “I have too.”

“I’m sorry the week has gotten away from us. After tomorrow, I’m yours for the weekend.”

“Oh, Kaspar.” She let out a dramatic sigh. “That doesn’t work for me, I’m afraid.”

“It doesn’t?”

“No. I have plans.”

“You do?”

“Yes.” She grinned. “You see, there’s this man I met recently, and he’s extremely demanding of my time.”

“Is he? That’s all right, then.” Kaspar smiled. “You had me worried for a minute.”

“Just thought I’d keep you on your toes.” She bit into her burger.

Kaspar chuckled. “Baby, you do that without thought.”

Jesska chewed, choosing not to retort, although him calling her ‘baby’ made her shiver... in a very good way.

Once dinner was over, Jesska found herself sitting in the curve of Kaspar’s body on her sofa as they talked. He stayed later than he planned to and she fell asleep on him, but he woke her with a sweet kiss and promised a weekend she would never forget.

* * *

Friday rolled around again, and Jesska and Kaspar were back on her porch after another fabulous and expensive dinner. She’d thought more than once in the last week that she could get used to his seemingly unending devotion and money.

“Do you want to come in?” she asked when Kaspar dropped her home and walked her to her door.

“Are you sure you’re up to another late night?”

She giggled. “It’s the weekend. I’ll crash on Sunday.”

“Then, yes, I’d love to come in.”

Jesska grinned as she unlocked and pushed the door open, leading him inside. “Wine?”

“I’d love some,” he said, and closed the door.

Jesska unzipped her boots and removed them, throwing them into her bedroom before heading to the kitchen to pour wine from the bottle she’d opened earlier.

She poured two glasses and joined Kaspar in the living room.

“First things first,” he said, and took the glasses from her.

“What are you doing?”

He grinned, sliding his hand to the back of her neck and squeezing gently as he leaned down to kiss her. Jesska smiled against his lips and then wrapped her arms around his waist in an effort to get closer.

An urgent banging on her front door startled her and she broke the kiss with a groan of frustration. The banging came again and Jesska made her way to it, pulling it open to find Kaspar’s driver.

He bowed. “I apologize, m’lady.”

“Austri?” Kaspar asked, gently moving Jesska behind him. “What’s the matter?”

Austri handed Kaspar an envelope. “Jesska Shane” was written on it.

“Hey, that’s mine. Why are you giving it to him?” Jesska asked.

“I apologize,” Austri said, glancing at Kaspar.

Jesska frowned. “Where was it?”

“A man left it on your doorstep,” Austri said.

She tore open the envelope and read the first line, her eyes clouding with tears as she recognized Jason’s handwriting. “No.”

Jesska, you need to stop lying. You need to tell them I didn’t do anything wrong and that I would never hurt you. I love you. I love your family and I know that you want me to be a part of it. I can drive your mother to her weekly nail appointment at Oasis Nails, or meet your father for his seven a.m. tee time on Tuesdays at the Portland Golf Club. And Sophia. She’s growing up to be such a beautiful girl and Ms. Mills is a great cheerleading coach, but what if she was sick and Sophia was stranded at school without a car? Would Megan’s court schedule really allow her to drop everything to pick her up? Please tell the police the truth... that this has all been a misunderstanding and that you were angry with me after a simple lover’s quarrel. Forever yours, Jason.

“What’s wrong?” Kaspar asked gently.

“Did you see who left this?” she demanded.

Austri pulled out his cell phone. “I got a photo of him.”

She found herself grabbing for Kaspar as she looked at the photo of Jason. “I don’t understand. He’s supposed to be on house arrest. Cameron said he’d have to wear an ankle monitor. How did he know where I live?” She fell against Kaspar and closed her eyes.