Page 78 of Princess

“Well, I was trying to do right by you and not take advantage. I didn’t know you wanted me too.”

I pull his head down so I can kiss him. “I know. And I do think it was probably best that you waited. But I do want you, and that’s never going to change.”

“Good.”

We kiss for a while, but it doesn’t go any further than that since we’re surrounded by other people.

I’m smiling again as I finally pull away. “Since you’re in a sharing mood, maybe you can answer one more question for me.”

“Anything.” It took me a long time to be able to read him right, but I can see now that he really means it.

So I ask, “What’s your first name?”

EPILOGUE

Eight months later

I’ve been planningto wait up for Grant, but I’m so exhausted by eight-thirty that I end up climbing in bed with a book. He’s been on a scouting trip with Mack for the past four days, and I’m ready for him to be home. It’s much safer out there than it used to be. Taking down the Wolf Packs cleared out most of the hostiles from our immediate surroundings, but I’ll always be anxious when he’s away, and I doubt that will ever change.

I used to go with him most of the time, but we’ve agreed that’s not a great idea right now. Several months ago, a bullet grazed my arm as we were protecting a caravan of relief supplies. It wasn’t a serious injury, but we don’t want to take any risks right now, so I stayed home instead of joining Grant on this trip.

Despite my intentions to read until he shows up, I fall asleep instead.

I’m groggy and disoriented later in the evening when I feel the mattress moving. Smell the familiar, earthy scent of him. Sense a draft of air as he climbs under the covers with me.

“I’m not sleeping,” I mumble, aware enough to know that he’s silently laughing. “I’m waiting up for you!”

His laughter breaks the surface, his warm chuckle filling the room. “Sure you are. You look wide awake to me.” He leans over to kiss me in a series of light, quick presses on my lips.

“Took you forever to get back.” I wrap my arms around him and squeeze. Then notice that he’s still got his regular clothes on. “Why are you still dressed? Aren’t you coming to bed? I’m not too sleepy for sex, you know.”

“I’m very glad to hear that, but I have a present for you first.” He’s still smiling as he kisses my mouth again. Then my jaw. Then the pulse in my throat. Then he moves all the way down to my belly, and he plants a kiss there.

I’m smiling too as I run my fingers through his thick hair. “What’s my present?”

“You need to get up to come see it.”

“What? I’m all comfy in bed right now. I don’t want to get up.”

“It can wait ’til tomorrow.”

“But I want my present now. Can’t you bring it to me?”

He’s still laughing as he rubs his cheek against my stomach and then moves back up my body to kiss me again. “It’s too big.”

“Really? What is it?” My curiosity is overcoming my sleepiness now. I push him back enough to sit up.

“You have to come see.”

I make a face, but his expression is so fond and amused that it’s impossible to feel annoyed. I swing my legs over the side of the bed and heft myself up. I’m wearing soft gray pajama pants and a tank top. There’s a strip of skin exposed at my belly between the bottom of the shirt and the top of my pants. “Do I need to put on more clothes?”

“No. It’s probably fine. If anyone is around and tempted to ogle your gorgeous body, I’ll block you from them.”

Giggling helplessly, I put on a pair of flipflops and follow Grant down the hall and to the elevator.

He hits the button for the pool and gym level, which is confusing. “Why are we going there?”

“You’ll see.”

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