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“Why, Becca?” Connor asked.
“It’s my birthday next week,” she said, smiling brightly.
Everyone came to a grinding halt.
“What!” Rian screeched.
Kate, Ashby, Nic, and Sebastian looked frantic. Aleks just looked like he had been punched in the solar plexus.
Rebecca looked around confused. “My birthday is November twenty-sixth. Did I forget to tell you?” She tilted her head and looked at her friends.
“Yes!” everyone bellowed.
Connor could see the wheels turning in his brother’s head. His brother had had no idea his mate’s birthday was next week.
Rebecca waved her hand at everyone. “It’s fine, I haven’t really celebrated it since my dad passed away. I’m more excited about Thanksgiving. Uh-oh.” She sighed and rolled her eyes.
“Be right back, hafta potty.” Aleks had to help her off the couch and she disappeared from the screen.
“She would forget about her own birthday.” Madison shook her head. Connor had to agree. Rebecca was selfless like that.
“Surprise party on Thanksgiving?” Rian asked. Everyone quickly agreed.
“Rian I..” Aleks started.
Rian was already nodding. “Everyone email me your gift ideas, I’ll make it happen.”
“You’re a lifesaver, buddy, I owe you.” Aleks released a deep breath.
“If you need any help, Rian, let us know,” Kate offered.
Everyone nodded.
“You bet! I love parties.” Rian had his notebook out and immediately started scribbling plans.
Rebecca came back in time to finish the rest of the movie. After everyone said good-bye, Connor made sure he disconnected everything. Madison was chuckling at him as she carried their popcorn bowl to the kitchen to put in the dishwasher. Connor followed and watched his mate putter around their kitchen. To him it was the best sight in the world.
“I called Baron, about Madelyne.” Connor saw her stop what she was doing and turn to him. He continued. “I told them to start raiding poacher camps looking for a white Bengal tiger. There’s no guarantee, but it’s a fresh perspective. Any case involving a Sentinel’s family member gets top priority, I wanted to make sure her case got reclassified.”
Madison crossed the kitchen and threw herself in his arms.
“I love you! I love you so much.” She jumped up and wrapped her arms and legs around him. He easily supported her weight and headed to the stairs. Her mouth came down on his, and she sucked each of his lips, taking his breath away. When she pulled back they were both breathing heavily. He was surprised he was able to get to the top of the stairs without killing them both.
“I love you, too, my wildcat.” He walked into their bedroom and placed her on the bed. It was true, he loved her feisty nature and that aspect of her personality had been subdued since her rescue. He wanted it back. Grinning, he thought of an idea.
“Baby, you want to try something new?”
Madison paled.
“Connor, I don’t think I can be restrained again, not so soon.” There was a tremor to her voice, and her body immediately slumped down.
Connor was at her side in seconds, taking her hands. “I would never ask you to do anything you were uncomfortable with. Actually, I was going to see if you would be interested in restraining me?”
Her eyes grew wide. “You’d do that?”
“Of course, you’re my mate,” Connor said simply.
Madison looked up at him in wonder before a wicked smile took over her face.