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She glanced back at her twin, who shooed her away. “I suppose I could. Where would you like to go?”

Far away from here.Although he didn’t say as much out loud. “I have a place.” He held out his hand. “If you’d like to join me, that is.”

“Why, all of a sudden?” She stared up at him with such openness and understanding. “Is it because of Jackson?”

“Maybe a little because of him. He will be there too, watching over us,” Christoph said, hoping to cajole some of her worry.

“Okay.” She took his hand. “I talk to you later, Zoe. Don’t do anything stupid.”

“Isn’t that my line to you?” Zoe arched a brow, then laughed. “Have fun, you two. I’ll let the others know.”

Bell rolled her eyes. “So where is this place you’d like to go?”

“Someplace we can be alone, but it’s a bit of a drive first.” Christoph led her out of the room and into the brisk night air. It was perfect to him, not too hot and not too cold. His lion inhaled, drawing in the fresh scents of fall and the subtle sweetness of strawberries and cream wafting from his tiny mate beside him.

“Tonight was interesting,” Bell whispered. “I’m glad we could help so many people.”

The little bits and pieces he’d learned about her family over the last few weeks, he liked. They were good people. Kind. They wanted to help their community, not like his father, who’d be happy to tear people apart. He wished he could have grown up with Bell. Maybe then his life would have been different. “Me too. From what I’ve heard, your aunts and mom are doing a good thing there in Window Rock.”

Pink tinged her cheeks, allowing her freckles to stand out in relief against her ivory skin. “Thank you. They’ve worked so hard since we were little. I am sure they will put all the donations we’ve raised to good use.” She smiled at him, and his heart skipped a beat. She was gorgeous. Perfect, even if she didn’t see it yet.

“This is me.” When he came back to the states, he’d had enough money to buy a truck. He didn’t know why he got the gas guzzler, but it fit him. Perhaps he also used it to hide all of his scars, too. He unlocked her door, then helped her in. When she was settled, he came around the front, then got in behind the wheel. “It’ll take us a minute to get there. Jackson will be right behind us.”

“So you said.” Bell smoothed out the skirt of her satin dress. “Why is he going to follow, again?”

“This is me apologizing to you for everything I’ve fucked up on. I didn’t want us to be interrupted by those she-beasts.” Christoph started his truck before backing out of his spot. “I have to explain everything to you, and I hope when I do, you won’t hold it against me.”

“All of us have our secrets,” she murmured. “Even me.”

He didn’t believe that for a second. She was too pure. Too happy, even if she was shy. There wasn’t a mean bone in her body, and she could hurt no one. No, she didn’t have skeletons in her closet. “Well, well. I guess you’re not as prim as you act.” He went for teasing her, hoping to drop the tension a notch or two.

She laughed. The melodic sound did nothing to cool the excitement filling him. “I guess you’ll have to find out.”

Fuck. That was a dare.

He didn’t know what to say after that. Christoph worried if they continued with their playful banter, they’d end up on the side of the road, fucking like cats in heat. He didn’t want their first time in the cab of his vehicle.

When they pulled up to the hotel, the valet greeted them, handing Christoph a tag for his truck. He could bypass the front desk as well, since he had the card in his wallet. He took Bell’s hand and guided her to the bank of elevators against the back wall. While they waited, he stared at their reflection in the mirrored surface. He could see the hunger painted across his features and the nervousness in hers. He needed to take his time. Go slower. He’d been so worried or perhaps caught up in the fact he didn’t want to be interrupted. He hadn’t considered what Bell might have felt, too.

The elevator chimed. He stepped inside and removed the card from his pocket. Bell joined him seconds later, and he swiped the key, giving him access to the rooms on the top floor. He didn’t have tons of money, as it was his father’s pride was almost bankrupt, but he did side work when he wasn’t in class or practicing. Three weeks’ pay went to the room, and he didn’t regret it at all. When they arrived on their designated floor, he allowed Bell to go first and followed her.

“I hope you like it.” He held the keycard to the door handle, then turned it when the screen turned green.

“Christoph...” Bell breathed. “Did you do all this for me?”

“Well,” he said with a shrug, locking the door behind him, “for us. All three of us.”

“So, you’re saying Jackson will join us?” She peered up at him with such appreciation and surprise. Christoph didn’t want to be a jerk about it.

“Jackson said he would be here, but he wouldn’t interfere unless you were okay with it.” Christoph shrugged. Going over to the balcony, he pulled the curtain so she could experience the view just as Jackson, in his dragon form, arrived. “Told you.”

She gasped then giggled as she stared after Jackson. “You’ve both thought of everything.” She went to her tiptoes and kissed Christoph. “Thank you for getting me out of there. I was going stir crazy.”

“My pleasure.” Christoph wrapped his arms around Bell’s middle, tugging her closer to him. “I want to make tonight special for us.”

She dipped her chin, nibbling on her bottom lip. “If you’re expecting me to be a virgin, I’m not.”

He hadn’t even given it a second thought. What Bell did before him was her business, not his. Definitely not Jackson’s either. “Good to know. Neither am I.” He glanced out the balcony door. “How about you, Jackson?”