I couldn’t believe I’d just negotiated a lifetime of sex with Bane.

I mean, yes, we were being forthcoming, but I’d never been that brazen before in my life. Still, it was a question that needed to be asked, because, hello, we were talking about the rest of our lives here, and even after only knowing him for mere minutes, I’d known I wouldn’t be able to pledge my life to him and Sloane and then watch as he went off with other women.

That wasn’t what I wanted out of marriage.

I mean, sure, there wouldn’t be love, but by golly, there was going to be sex.

The problem? Now that we’d talked about it, sex with Bane was all I could think about.

I noticed his forearms when he gripped the menu, the deep tinder of his voice when he talked to the waitress, and how tight his ass had looked in his jeans as I’d walked behind him. I was so turned on, I was practically panting, and what was he doing?

Ordering a burger and fries and smiling at the waitress.

Ugh.

Get ahold of yourself, Katja.

“Can I get the house salad with grilled chicken and the dressing on the side, and a water, please?” I asked when it was my turn.

“Coming right up,” the waitress replied, and then we were once again alone.

“So, you said after this you’re going to show me around?” I asked, needing to get my mind out of the gutter.

“Yeah, I figured I’d show you the town, then we can stop by Yonaweti, and then I’ll take you to the house. Tomorrow, I was thinking I’d take you on a hike and we could camp out. I’ve got this week off from work, so we may as well make the most of it.”

“That sounds fun,” I said, but all I could think about was Bane and me, under the stars, maybe naked? I shook my head to get the mental image out and added, “I may need to pick up some supplies.”

“I probably have most of what we need, but if not, we can use my discount and get the rest at Yonaweti.”

“Awesome,” I said with a grin.

Our food was delivered, and as we tucked in to eat, Bane asked, “Have you always been a Nanny?”

“No,” I replied as I dipped my chicken in my dressing. “I had odd jobs as a teenager… gas station attendant, cashier at a drug store… and I have my business degree. After I left my ex I needed a change of pace, that’s when I saw the ad for the live-in nanny. It seemed like the perfect escape, so I applied. When they moved, I rented a room monthly, and she ended up getting engaged, so there went that… then I started the profile on the dating app, and here we are… What about you? Have you always wanted to be a guide?”

He was chewing, so it took a few seconds for him to answer.

“I’ve always loved outdoor sports and activities, although when I was with Sarah, I had a more active role in the pack. When she died, I left those duties behind and needed to find something different, something for me. So, I turned my love of hiking, camping, and fishing into a job. I love what I do, and it gives me the autonomy to be there for Sloane. I do have a couple ladies who watch her when I need them to, but for the most part, it’s been just the two of us.”

“Do you think she’ll be okay… with me, or someone else, coming into your lives and sharing that parenting role with you?” I asked, curious about Sloane.

“Yes, I honestly do. Sloane is a special little girl. She loves everyone she meets, is open and funny. She’s never had an issue with anyone, and always goes out of her way to be sweet and kind.”

Bane’s face lit up when he talked about his daughter, which only endeared him to me more.

“I can’t wait to meet her,” I said, hoping I wasn’t being presumptuous. “Where is she now?”

“With my brother, Gray.”

“Does he live here in town?” I asked.

Bane shook his head.

“Nah, he’s got a farm about an hour away. He moved there years ago and never leaves. When we want to see him, we go to him. He used to be part of the pack, but that was when he was much younger. Now, he prefers to be alone.”

“Oh,” I replied, unsure of what to say.

“If we stick it out until the second week, I’ll go get Sloane alone, just so you know. My brother won’t meet you until the claiming ceremony is complete. Kind of like Sloane, I don’t want to cause him undue stress if we aren’t going to make it the distance… I hope you understand.”

“Sure, of course,” I said, although I really didn’t. But, I supposed if Bane’s brother didn’t want to meet strangers then that was his business. “What about your parents, do they live nearby?”

“No, both of our parents have passed.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“How about you? Are your parents in Florida? Any siblings?” Bane asked, popping his last fry in his mouth.

I shook my head.

“My parents divorced when I was little, and I never really knew my dad. He’s in Virginia with his new family. My mom remarried while I was in college and lives in Puerto Rico with her husband, so I rarely see her. No brothers or sisters.”

“Puerto Rico, that sounds fun. Have you been to visit?”

“Once, but it was awkward. I don’t really know my step-dad, and he has children of his own, so… it just seemed better to stay away.”

Bane nodded, but didn’t say anything else about my depressing home life.

“Ready to get out of here?” he asked.

“Let’s do it.”