Jaemus was on his hands and knees running a scrub brush back and forth through soapy water on the hardwood floor of Nika’s barn. The floor where a good deal of his innards had bloodied the wide-planked boards last night. He had to get it clean before Nika came down and it reminded her of what had happened, though it wasn’t likely either of them would forget any time soon.

He’d already hauled his ruined couch outside and tossed it in with the rubble of the burned trading post. He’d also scheduled for Reardon and some men from town to knock down the charred skeleton of the post and clear the site for rebuilding. He wanted Nika to focus on her future and know he was serious about his place in it.

He’d been given a second chance at life and he wasn’t going to waste it.

When the red-brown streaks were gone, he threw away the scrub brush, washed the entire barn floor, and stowed his other supplies. The whole space smelled lemony fresh, and the open French doors let in a wildflower-scented breeze, promising another gorgeous August day in Canville.

In his small kitchen, Jaemus set about preparing a breakfast worthy of the first day of the rest of their lives—pancakes, pure Vermont maple syrup, scrambled eggs, bacon, and fruit. By the time Nika came down, he had the spread of food set out on his kitchen table he’d dragged to the patio on the other side of the French doors. The morning sun filtered through the trees and shed flickering golden light over everything.

You’ll earn her all over again with actions like this, warrior wolf.

He chuckled at Flidae’s comment, not minding her intrusion into his head for once. “I plan to earn her every day.”

Ambitious.

He was about to reply, but a floorboard creaked behind him. Turning, he saw Nika walking toward him. Her chestnut hair was pulled back, showing more of her perfect face. Silver dragonfly earrings dangled from her ears and a white stone pendant on a silver chain rested between her lovely breasts. A long, sleeveless, green dress hugged her curves in all the right ways. And though she looked beautiful, the desire to remove that dress exploded inside him.

“Good morning, sprite.” He met her at the French doors, gathering her into an embrace.

“Yes, it is. Despite everything bad that happened last night, today is a good morning.”

She pressed her lips to his, and he was certain every day needed to begin this way. With her in his arms. Her sweet mouth on his. Her scent filling his nose and making him glad to be alive.

“Hungry?” he asked, gesturing to the table heaped with food.

“I seem to have worked up an appetite.” She arched a brow at him, a sexy grin on her lips.

He pulled out a chair for her, pushing it in when she sat. “Aye. Time to refuel so we may repeat that workout.”

“My thoughts exactly.” When he sat opposite her, she held up her orange juice glass and he did the same. “To the future.”

“Our future.” He clinked his glass to hers.

They both dug into the breakfast as Jaemus filled her in on the debris removal.

“We’re on the same page, Wolfman,” she said. “When I got up this morning—and sadly, found you not in bed with me—I wrestled up some graph paper and started thinking about new trading post layouts. I have a few ideas.”

“I can’t wait to see them.” He loved how her cheeks colored over his interest in her ideas and was about to tell her so when Carrie and Zavier jogged across the gravel driveway toward them.

“Nika!” Carrie shouted, a look of relief on her face. “Holy shit, we saw the post and… and…” She bent forward, trying to catch her breath.

Zavier put his hand on her back, breathing just as hard. “We thought you were toast too.”

Carrie nodded, tears in the young girl’s eyes when she straightened.

Nika ran down the patio steps and gathered the girl in her arms. “Oh, Carrie.” She held a hand out to Zavier, pulling him in close. “Zavier, I’m so sorry. So much happened last night, I didn’t think to call you guys and tell you not to bother coming to work.”

“Because work no longer exists.” Zavier pointed to the blackened remains of Maple Ridge Trading Post. “What happened?”

Nika and Jaemus filled the two teens in, leaving out the part where Jaemus, in wolf form, almost died and ending with the glorious news that Robert Senclair was in police custody and wouldn’t be seeing the outside of a jail cell for a good long time.

“Damn,” Carrie said. “It all sounds like something out of a movie.”

“I’m surprised you two didn’t hear about it from someone. The entire town must know by now,” Nika said.

Carrie gave Zavier a look Jaemus wasn’t sure how to interpret, but Nika must have because she let out a whistle.

“You two went out last night, didn’t you?” She tugged the two of them to the table on the patio and pushed them into two of the chairs. Sitting across from them, she put her chin in her hands and gave them her full attention. “Spill. All the details. Right now.”

Jaemus came to sit beside her, unable to take his eyes off the happiness on her face.

Zavier slid his arm across the back of Carrie’s chair, his hand resting on the girl’s shoulder. “I got tired of watching how happy you two were.” He thrust his free hand out toward Nika and Jaemus.

Carrie looked at him, adoration clear in her eyes. “Me too. So I said, ‘Zavier, pick me up at seven.’ To which he said, ‘For what?’” She rolled her eyes as Nika laughed. “Boys are so clueless sometimes.”

“Hey.” Zavier frowned.

“It’s true.” Carrie patted his cheek. “But you’re also sweet, funny, talented… and a whole bunch of other stuff.”

“So where did you guys go?” Nika asked.

“Well, we wanted to keep our first official date top secret,” Carrie said.

“Yeah, so her dad doesn’t kill me.” Zavier shifted in his seat, but he kept his arm around Carrie. “We went to dinner two towns over, then to a movie under the cover of darkness.”

“How did the date go?” Nika asked.

The looks on the teenagers’ faces now were ones Jaemus totally understood. They conveyed the exact feelings he had for Nika, his mate. Love. Adoration. Partnership.

“I think we have our answer,” he said, gesturing to the teens.

“But we didn’t say anything,” Carrie said.

“Didn’t have to.” Nika reached across the table and took their hands. “Tell me you have more dates planned.”

Zavier looked at Carrie, a grin on his lips. “Well, I suppose she didn’t totally piss me off all night. I could hang with her again.”

Carrie shot her elbow into his side, making him jerk away with a laugh. “I suppose if I don’t have anything better to do, I could spend more time with this idiot.”

“Umm, I believe you referred to me as a genius last night. A kissing genius, specifically.”

“OMG, you did not just say that out loud.”

“I did, and I’m thinking of having a T-shirt made.” Zavier planted a wet, sloppy kiss on Carrie’s cheek.

The girl wiped it off, feigning disgust, but even Jaemus could see the delight in her eyes.

“So what’s the plan for the trading post?” Carrie asked, her expression turning serious.

“Rebuild,” Jaemus said.

“Bigger and better. With an even more kickass Wolfman Show.” Nika patted Jaemus’s forearm under the table, her hand wandering a bit and almost making him growl. She smirked when he caught her hand and flattened it under his own on his thigh.

As much as he liked Carrie and Zavier, it was time for them to go. They couldn’t be around for what he planned to do to Nika. If he worked quickly, he’d have time to remind her how much he loved her before Reardon showed up to demolish the rest of the post.

“Why don’t we have a little party tonight, Nika?” Jaemus stroked her hand under the table.

“A party?” Excitement zipped across her face.

“Aye. One to celebrate that good won over evil, that we’re going to rebuild, that we have two of the finest employees right here, that these two employees are dating, that my brother and I have started over, that Robert Senclair got what he deserved.” That Flidae brought me back from the dead and is letting me stay here with you. “You know, a party that says things are good.”

“Yeah, a party. Okay.” Nika clapped and turned to Carrie and Zavier. “What do you say? Are you two in?”

“Definitely,” Zavier said.

“We don’t say no to parties,” Carrie added. “Especially ones thrown by the best boss in the world.”

“Are you two willing to get us some supplies?” Jaemus asked.

“Sure.” Carrie stood as did Zavier.

Nika squeezed his thigh under the table as she no doubt realized he was totally getting rid of the teenagers. “Let me put together a quick list.” She ran inside, leaving the teens on the patio with Jaemus.

He looked up to find Zavier staring at him.

“You’re going to take care of Nika, right? Like even after we’ve gone off to college?”

“I plan to take care of Nika for as long as she’ll let me.” Jaemus held his hand out to Zavier.

Shaking hands, Zavier said, “Good. Nika has always been amazing to us.”

“It’s time someone was amazing to her,” Carrie finished.

“You can count on me.” Jaemus respected the hell out of the concern these two showed for Nika. He loved that she had people like that in her life. People who realized how amazing she was.

Nika came back onto the patio with a piece of paper. “This is a quick list, but if you guys think of anything else, add it.” She pushed the list into Carrie’s hand along with some cash.

“Got it, Boss.” Carrie tugged on Zavier’s hand. “Come on. I need someone to carry the bags.”

“You need someone to make sure you don’t make this an all chocolate ice cream party.”

“This is true. Not that an all chocolate ice cream party would be a bad idea.” With a wave, Carrie led Zavier away.

Nika turned around and chuckled when she found Jaemus had come up right behind her. Wagging a finger at him, she said, “Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to, Wolfman.”

“Don’t pretend you don’t want me to be up to what you think I’m up to, sprite.” He caught her finger between his teeth and gently bit down then soothed the area with his tongue.

Nika closed her eyes. “I have a party to plan now.”

“First part of the party plan is this.” He picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder, hauling her inside and over to his bed in the barn.

After he dropped her in the center of it, Nika pulled him down on top of her, her arms firm around him. “Marathon lovemaking, fabulous breakfast, more lovemaking. A girl could get used to this.”

“So could a man. Even a wolfman.”

****

Nika expected to feel sadder watching the rubble of Maple Ridge Trading Post being carted off. As Reardon, Jaemus, and a few other men from town did the deed, however, only excitement coursed through her. That trading post had been Tato’s through and through. So much of him had been infused in the original building and business. She’d worked there and he’d definitely included her on all important decisions, but for the first time, she’d be building something that was uniquely hers. Custom designed to fit what she thought would draw in customers and appropriately represent the local charm of Canville.

She’d spent a part of the day furiously scribbling notes and diagrams on graph paper as she sifted through the many ideas swirling around in her head. She wanted to capture everything then make a solidly informed decision when it came down to actual design time. Zavier had proven to be super helpful in the brainstorming. As soon as the teens had returned from getting party supplies, Zavier had shown an immediate interest in Nika’s sketches. He’d picked up a pencil himself and offered at least five new ideas Nika never would have thought of on her own.

Carrie gave her suggestions for attracting the teenage crowd that were doable. When these two kids went off to college next year, Nika would need replacements—as much as she would miss Carrie and Zavier—so having a pool of teens around the post would be an advantage. Plus if a spot was popular with teenagers, there was a good chance they’d tell others about it and word would spread that the new Maple Ridge Trading Post was the place to be.

“This batch is done, Nika.” Meredith set a tray of chocolate chip cookies on the counter in Jaemus’s kitchen. She and Brandy and Dylan had come over to help cook as soon as they’d heard Nika was hosting a party. Daisy sniffed around at all their feet, looking to clean up anything sweet that may have dropped during baking. Unfortunately for the pup, the Wendons were the neatest cooks Nika had ever seen.

“Great. I’m sure we have enough desserts now.” She scanned the counter littered with the cookies, a platter of cupcakes, a blueberry pie, and a carrot cake. “The whole town isn’t coming.” In fact, she’d only invited the Wendons, Reardon, Carrie, Zavier, and her Red Riding Hood and Huntsman from The Wolfman Show at Jaemus’s request.

“So we eat sweets for the next week,” Brandy said, grabbing a cookie and taking a bite. “I don’t see a problem with that.”

“Sounds great to me.” Dylan giggled when he stole a cookie and Meredith waved her spatula at him.

“You two and your sweet teeth.” Meredith shook her head, but then stole a cookie for herself. “Oh, now that’s a good cookie.”

Nika couldn’t stand idly by while they all munched on cookies. She picked up one, inspecting the cookie-to-chip ratio and approving of Meredith’s mathematics. The first bite was warm, chewy, and heavenly.

“Holy cow, that’s incredible. We probably don’t need any of this other stuff.” She waved her hand over the veggie and dip platter, the chips and salsa dish, and the condiment tray waiting to adorn some burgers.

“No,” Dylan said. “We need it all.” The boy’s eyes widened as he scanned everything, licking his lips.

Nika peeked out the French doors where the purples and pinks of dusk colored the darkening sky. “We also need Reardon and Jaemus, Carrie and Zavier, Red and Hunty. Where did they go?” She stepped out onto the patio, a gasp escaping when she saw the strings of white lights wrapped around a circle of trees near the barn. “How pretty!”

“We should take a closer look.” Meredith edged Nika down the patio stairs, Brandy, Dylan, and Daisy following behind them.

Mesmerized a bit by the lights, Nika allowed herself to be guided to two benches at the rim of the circle, realizing that the area reminded her of the theater she’d lost. She sat with Brandy and Meredith on either side of her and Dylan on the ground at their feet with Daisy cuddling up to the boy. When Reardon, Carrie, and Zavier joined them on the other bench, Nika craned her neck, searching for Jaemus, Red, and Hunty.

“Where are—” Her question fell dead on her lips when Red and Hunty appeared in the circle of lit trees.

“Welcome.” Hunty bowed low as Red curtsied beside them. “Tonight there will be a special presentation of The Wolfman Show for our esteemed audience.” He arced his arms out to indicate Nika and her gathered friends.

“Relax and enjoy,” Red said as she twirled, letting her red hooded cloak billow out around her as she followed Hunty off stage, so to speak.

The lights flickered out and all Nika could see were some silhouettes moving about the perimeter of the tree circle. A few moments passed and when the lights jumped back on, Red was in the middle of the stage, but instead of her red cloak, she was wearing one of Nika’s dresses, some of her jewelry, and a wig that looked exactly like Nika’s chestnut hair.

Laughing, Nika watched as Hunty came on stage wearing a chin-length blond wig and doing a hilarious Jaemus impersonation. He pretended to see Red-as-Nika for the first time and a bunch of red paper hearts on strings dropped from tree limbs overhead to surround him. When Red-as-Nika saw Hunty-as-Jaemus, a set of lights organized into Xs and Os around her flashed until she started walking.

The pair met each other in the middle of the stage and all the lights changed to red and pink as they joined hands and gazed at each other like lovesick dopes. They shared a dance to Hungry Like the Wolf by Duran Duran.

Nika’s sides nearly split as she laughed and sang along with those gathered around her. Then the lights went out again and she took a minute to catch her breath, which was hard with Dylan still cracking up as he sat at her feet.

When the lights came back on, the Wolfman—her Wolfman—was center stage.

On one knee.

Holding a ring in one clawed hand. The other one pointed at Nika, his golden brown eyes focused only on her.

She flew off the bench and ran to Jaemus. Her arms wrapped around his furred neck and squeezed as if she’d never let go.

Marry me? His voice was low as it whispered in her head.

She breathed one word into his oversized ear. “Aye.”

A low rumble vibrated in his throat, reminding Nika of a purr, and he nuzzled the curve of her neck with his wet nose. She inhaled his woodsy, wild scent then pulled back from the embrace to look into his glowing golden brown eyes.

“I love you, Jaemus McAlator.” And she would love him for all the days of her life and her next life too.

I love you too, sprite.

She enjoyed hearing his deep voice in her head, knowing they were as linked as true soul mates. She didn’t have to be a werewolf like him to feel the bond to Jaemus, but she was curious about how much deeper they could be connected if he were to turn her. Maybe someday she’d find out. For now, she was content with being his fiancée.

And eventually his wife.

“Take off the mask and kiss her!” Carrie yelled from the benches.

That might be a problem, Jaemus said as he dropped the ring into her palm, his wolfman fingers too large to put the ring on her himself.

Carry me off instead. Nika’s eyes widened when Jaemus followed her advice and scooped her into his arms. You can hear my thoughts?

Aye. Flidae has given us this gift. We’re soul mates, sprite. Linked for eternity.

She absolutely loved how it felt to be in Jaemus’s arms and pressed against all his muscles.

His arms tightened in response. This is right where I want you, Nika. Always.

After slipping the ring on, she cuddled up to him as closely as she could manage and hung on when he bowed to the audience, his arms full of her. He bounded out of the circle of lit trees and hustled back to the barn. Taking the stairs inside three at a time, he arrived at her apartment and set her down. He tapped a long claw on the stair railing waiting for her to open the door.

“Impatient werewolf, aren’t you?” she teased.

He swiped his tongue along the back of her neck, making her laugh.

Once inside, Jaemus pushed her away from him a little and shifted back to full human. As it had been last night, watching him transform was a beautiful thing to witness. All that silver fur around his head, shoulders, and back slid under his skin. His claws retracted as did his fangs, and his gnarled knuckles smoothed out to reveal the hands she’d come to love—especially when they were touching her.

The light faded from his eyes, but the look he gave her was still predatory. “That didn’t repulse you?”

Her gaze combed down his naked body, landing on his well-endowed package, tempting her hands to move in and bring him pleasure. “Repulse? Shit no. I told you this before. Besides, have you seen yourself naked, Wolfman? You’re freaking gorgeous.”

In two steps she was in his arms again, dropping kisses on his stubbled chin, along his neck, down to his collarbone. Nipping lightly on his shoulder, she grinned when he moaned and moved the strap of her dress aside to press his warm lips to her shoulder.

“Not half as gorgeous as you, sprite.”

They spent a few moments making out like two teenagers before Nika broke free and shook her head.

“I’m a horrible party host. My guests are fending for themselves while I manhandle you up here.” She rested her forehead against his shoulder.

“In light of the fact that you accepted my proposal,” he brought her hand up between them so the engagement ring was visible, “I think our guests are okay with letting us enjoy this moment.” He teased her lips again, and she wanted the party downstairs to be over so she could start this party upstairs. Now.

“Hey, you didn’t actually ask me to marry you out loud.” She pushed her fist into his taut stomach, loving the way the muscles stacked atop each other.

“I don’t have to.” He grinned, an arrogant tilt to his eyebrow. “You already said yes. Can’t take it back now.”

“I wouldn’t want to take it back. You and I belong together.”

He stepped closer to her, his fingers curling around her wrists and tugging her against his naked body, making her instantly wish she were naked too.

“Marry me, sprite.”

“I’ll think about it.”

He rubbed his erection against her. “Marry me, sprite.”

She reached down to wrap her hand around his length, loving how his eyes closed and his head dropped back. “Still not a question. That sounds more like a command, warrior.”

Jaemus groaned, a mix of frustration and arousal. “Will you please marry me, Nika Skarvinski?” He gathered her dress and hiked it up so he could nudge her panties aside and caress her wet folds.

Nika’s ability to speak temporarily fled as they brought each other to a shuddery orgasm with just their hands. She’d be a fool to say no to this, to him.

She cried out his name as they both crested over the wave, then put her lips right against his ear. “Yes, yes, yes. I don’t know the word no when it comes to you, Wolfman.”

“Lucky for me.” He moved his hands to her shoulders, staring deeply into her eyes, focused on her face. “My life was a foolish cycle of traveling, battling, killing, and collecting riches. I could have been satisfied with that life. But now that I know what having a woman like you is like, I could never go back to that old life. Never. I need you, Nika, like I need oxygen.”

“A good fire needs oxygen. Here’s to hoping we’ll keep this wolf fire burning for a long, long time.”

“Let’s burn some more tonight after our guests have gone.” Jaemus caught her bottom lip between his teeth and bit gently before running his tongue over that lip.

Nika loved the way he tasted and knew she’d never grow tired of his flavor, his scent, his presence in her life. She’d been alone for a long time, but those days were over. Waking up each morning with this amazing man beside her would be the perfect start to each day. Working alongside Jaemus as he continued with The Wolfman Show and helped in the new trading post would make the work hours a joy. Falling asleep beside his warm, sexy body would be what she looked forward to day after day.

Well, maybe not just falling asleep…

Jaemus dropped a kiss on her nose then went into her bedroom. When he emerged, he had jeans and a T-shirt on, his feet bare because his boots were downstairs in the barn.

“You know, for a wolfman, you have cute feet.”

He looked down, wiggling his toes. “I don’t think anyone’s ever referred to any part of me as cute.”

Nika pictured him in full warrior armor, brandishing a sword above his head as he met his opponents. “I hope it doesn’t dent your manhood too much to be called cute.”

“I’m sure you have ways to make sure I still feel like a man.” He ushered her to the door and down the stairs.

At the bottom she turned to face him. “We’ll have to experiment.” She reached up and kissed him until he ended up growling and leaning against the wall by the French doors for support.

“Aye. Experiment. Often.”

She touched her still buzzing lips. Would she ever grow tired of such experiments?

Nope. Never.