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“I’ve always been indifferent about having a child,” she said.

“Okay.”

“But that’s when it was an abstract child, you know?”

“Um, sure.” He’d never thought of it that way before.

“On the other hand, do I wantourchild? The answer’s yes, Ryker. A thousand percent yes.”

“Oh, good.” He closed his eyes as emotion settled heavy on his chest.

“Hey. What is it? If you’re not sure…” Her voice quavered.

“I’m sure. When I imagine being a dad, it makes me really happy.”

She relaxed against him, resting her weight against his arm and shoulder. “Okay.”

“I didn’t know ifyouwere sure,” he said. “And your opinion weighs more, you know?”

“Um, you mean because of the notoriously difficult fertility of female vampires? That’s not really up to me.”

“No, Leslie, I mean what you want for us. About parenthood, I’ve always wanted whatever my future spouse wants. You’re the one who has to be pregnant and give birth, so you get to decide if we try to have a baby. It’s just reasonable.”

Her eyes sparkled with deep emotion. “You totally reasonable, totally good man. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that’s your take.”

“Moot now.” He grinned. “Because we’re going to be parents someday.”

“Weare.” She twined her arms around his neck and kissed him, and he let his thoughts grow quiet while he kissed her back.At last they drew apart, and Leslie said, “When’s the next group of guests arriving?”

“We have about half an hour.”

“Perfect.”

They kissed and talked and kissed and talked. And kissed. He wrapped a lock of soft silver hair around his finger and stroked it with his thumb.

“You really like my hair,” she said.

“I love your hair. I hope you always want it long.”

“Would you really be sad if I cut it?”

“It’s your hair, obviously. If you wanted to cut it, that would be up to you. But I’d miss…”

She laughed. “You’d miss playing with it.”

“Yeah.”

“You’re probably in luck, because I’ve worn it this length since I was twenty.” She shrugged. “Now for a more serious topic.”

“Oh?”

“I’m your eternal, and you’re mine. But we haven’t sealed it yet. But we could seal it…anytime.”

His skin prickled with pleasant ice. Their gazes locked, and her expression spoke of everything he felt. Desire, devotion, eagerness and utter calm. He wanted to be with her in every possible way. But he knew they had time. So much time. Only a few months so far. Barely gotten started.

Didn’t change that he felt ready now for all of it. For Leslie. For day one of their centuries as two eternally bonded vampires.

“Ryker.” She cupped his jaw in her palm. Their eyes didn’t waver from one another. “I want us to seal our bond on the first night we spend together. I want it to be a night we never forget.”