Page 82 of Taming of a Wolf

“Hi, Jamie. I’m—”

Jamie covers his mouth, his chest rising and falling quickly. “Oh my god. You’re L. A. Richardson. But—what—how—”

“Anders showed up at my signing and insisted I come and read for you.” He holds out his hand. Jamie grabs it and shakes. Oh gods, he’s practically panting, and there are tears in his eyes. “Thank you so much for supporting my books. It… it means the world to me.”

“I love your books so much,” Jamie gushes, the words coming out in a breathless rush along with a sudden stream of tears. “T-they saved my life.”

Richardson smiles. “Want a hug?”

“Please,” Jamie squeaks.

He pulls Jamie into a tight hug. “Now, shall we?”

“Yes!” Jamie practically bounces on the balls of his feet, clapping his hands together.

Richardson takes a seat on the couch and says, “Have you read my latest book?”

“No. I didn’t even preorder. I wanted to get a copy from you in person at the reading,” Jamie says, dashing away his happy tears as he sits in an armchair across from him.

“Well, how about this. I’ll read you the first three chapters, and then you can have my copy.”

An inhuman noise escapes Jamie. “No! No, I’m happy to pay for it! I want to support your work.”

Richardson laughs. “Your support of my books means more to me than money.” He opens the book. “Ready?”

Jamie looks over his shoulder, and our eyes meet. “Come and listen,” he says.

Heart soaring, I go and sit on the arm of his chair.

When Jamie leans his head against my side, fingers curling around my wrist, my wolf howls in delight.

“Thank you,” Jamie whispers, squeezing tight.

“Anything for you,” I murmur into his hair.

For the man I love, there is nothing I would not give.

Chapter 21

Jamie

I will never forgetthis evening for as long as I live. How could I? My favorite author read me three amazing chapters of his new book in my favorite series. The shop looks more beautiful than I’ve ever seen it, transformed into a fairyland by the strings of lights swaying overhead. And Anders orchestrated all of this… for me. I can’t believe it. Nobody has ever done something like this for me. I want to speak to him as soon as possible, alone.

When Richardson finishes reading, Jess, Bailey, and I clap for him. He left off on such a good cliff-hanger, I have to know what happens next. Richardson produces a pen from his pocket and signs the inside of the book, then hands it to me. I make an embarrassing squeaky sound, but I don’t care.

Oh my god! I can’t believe I’m holding a book he signed for me. I must protect this copy at all costs. “Thank you so much!” I hug it to my chest.

“It was a pleasure. Meeting you has kick-started my motivation to finish the next book, so thankyou.”

Cracking open the paperback, I take another look at my favorite author’s perfect signature. Tonight has been so unreal, and I have my amazing boyfriend to thank for that. Unable to hold back, I rush over and throw my arms around Anders, squeezing tightly. “Thank you so much.” Emotion thickens my voice, and I hide my face in his chest.

Nobody has ever done something like this for me—I haven’tletanyone put me first like this. Not until Anders came along.

He puts his arms around me, squeezing back. “The night isn’t over, pet.”

Astonished, I jerk my head up to face him. “What?”

When he bares his teeth in a grin, my stomach swoops. “I haven’t celebrated you properly yet. Dinner, remember? And then there’s something I must ask of you.”

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