The last thing that Maya Berenger said to him before they left rang in Sarge’s ear. “The ball’s now in your court.”

“I think you mean the puck is on my side,” he corrected, trying to fake he had his shit together when everything in him wanted to smash and tear something apart.

Tate had no clue how close he’d come to being a smear on the ground in front of Griff’s house. Sarge knew that the man that gave up Tamsin had to be a shithead, but that guy took being an asshole to new levels. Thoughts of going after Tate and threatening him within an inch of his life riled him up.

But Tamsin needed Sarge to be the calm in her storm that night, and dammit, he’d do anything for that magnificent woman. Watching her take control and take down her ex in such spectacular fashion stole his heart and sealed the deal. She wasn’t a woman to run away from. She was a girl to fight for.

When he'd gotten her in the car, he prepared himself to find her affected by her ex’s dumbass move. Crying might happen. Or maybe she’d explode in anger. But her still silence worried him.

She was stuck in her head, mulling over what that asshole had said. How could somebody who'd been with her for so long not see her? Sarge had seen her bright and shining the second he’d laid eyes on her. She sure as hell saw right through all his bullshit and straight to his core.

And why the fuck had he been running away from someone so strong? He’d found someone who wasn't just his match. She was better and brighter. Griff's mother was right. He could either fuck things up by denying himself the best thing to come into his life or do his best to make sure neither one of them would ever fight alone again. He knew the better choice to make.

Not knowing his way around, Sarge stuck to the main roads, complying with her last request and not pushing. He’d drive her around until he ran out of gas. And then he’d get out and carry her if she wanted.

The island wasn't that big. She’d told him to drive, and he had no idea aware he should take her. To her parents’ house? Back to his cabin? He wished she would give them a sign so that he knew how to help her.

She shouted, her finger pointing, “Turn right here.”

He almost lost control of the car and slammed on the brakes. With enough force to make his tires squeal, he made the turn and drove his SUV onto the narrow road.

Even at night, Sarge recognized where they were. “Isn't this the way to Monty’s?” Had Tamsin’s ex-husband broken her enough that she wanted to spend time with that lone shifter?

“I’m not that far gone. Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

Her chuckle eased some of his concerns. And he drove down the dark road, waiting for her next direction.

“Wait. Stop. Back up.”

He followed orders and reversed his car until she patted his arm. “Pull off here.” She pointed at a dirt road.

As soon as Sarge rolled the car to a stop, Tamsin opened the door. Sarge trusted that she knew what she was doing, although he watched her with care. Turning the engine off, he got out, too.

Without any modesty or embarrassment, Tamsin stripped off her jacket and sweater with her back to him. She unclasped her bra, slipping the black lace down her arms. Turning around, she revealed her magnificent orbs in the moonlight. Sarge and his bear perked up with the same thought at the same time. Mine.

“I don't know about you, but I need to burn off some energy. You coming or what?” Grinning, Tamsin unbuttoned her pants and pulled both them and her panties down, standing in the night air stark naked.

Sarge’s instincts had already kicked in before his head caught up, his shirt already tossed on the ground. Leaving his clothes piled up next to the car, he walked in front of the warm engine and stood beside her. “Lead the way, boss.”

Tamsin swatted his naked ass, the shock waves of the exquisite sting of her palm making his dick stand at attention. With a grunt and groan, she gave into the change, and he rode the same electric current until he landed on the dirt road paws down.

As bears, they raced through the woods as fast as possible, not paying attention to where they headed or if they crossed the paths of other animals. He noticed nothing but her. Galloping behind her, he enjoyed the view of her backside.

They changed course toward a clearing up ahead, and she picked up her pace. Determined not to lose, he pushed his body to maximum speed, almost catching up to her.

At the last second, she maneuvered to the right, and he saw it too late. With all of his momentum, he charged full speed into a lake, floundering in the icy water. He spluttered and splashed about, attempting to regain balance. When he managed to get all four paws on firm ground, he trudged back toward the shore. Tamsin stood at the edge, already shifted and naked, her cackles at his expense pealing into the night air.

Unable to let her get away with her joke with no repercussions, he plodded out of the water in her direction. Getting close enough, he shook out his fur from head to tail. Water sprayed off of him and soaked her. By the time he shifted back, they were both drenched.

“Crazy woman,” he called out. “We don't have any clothes or towels.”

Tamsin’s shoulders shook in amusement. “Totally worth it. You should have seen you, splashing about.”

“I hope you can find your way back to my car. Or else we’ll both freeze.” Sarge didn't even want to think about the shrinkage going on down below.

“Relax and trust me. Not my first time shifting on Shay.” Her feet crunched on the dry, frost-crusted leaves. She made her way to an old dilapidated wooden structure hidden out of view. She pointed at the knot in the tree next to it. “Secret hiding place.”

She took a key from the hole in the tree, and Sarge heard to the clink of metal and chains as she opened the shed.

“Are you done for the night and want to go back? Or do you want to stay for a bit?” she asked.

Her choices puzzled him. “Whatever you want to do. Why?”

“Because your answer makes a difference as to what I pull out from the magic closet.” When Sarge didn’t reply, she reassured him. “It’s stocked with basic necessities for any shifter in need. We just have to clean or replace whatever we take. So…stay or go.”

“Lady’s choice.” Whatever made her happy would more than satisfy Sarge.

The heat from shifting and running evaporated in the cold air. Goosebumps covered his entire body, and he shivered, hoping she had at least a pair of sweatpants in there. And something to dry off his hair would be nice.

Like a genie out of a bottle granting him his wish, Tamsin tossed a towel into his face. She held a huge bundle of fabric in her hands.

“What are those?” he asked.

“Sleeping bags. I’ve got two.”

An idea popped in his head. “Here. Give me one.”

Taking one of the down-filled bags from her, he unzipped it. Finding a level area on the ground covered with a cushion of fallen leaves and pine needles, he spread it out with the soft flannel side facing up.

Catching on, Tamsin unzipped her sleeping bag and laid it flannel-side down on top of the other. “Great idea.”

Sarge crawled in between the two warm layers. He held open the top cover and waited to see if he made the right bet, patting the space next to him. “Join me?”

Without hesitation, she crawled underneath. Her skin touched his, and all bets were off.