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Really, really happy.

Neither of us mentioned sex as we got to his house. Or as he set the cat down, and we watched Sprinkles dart off.

She wasn’t hissing.

Or scratching me.

So, she definitely seemed to like Bauther’s territory more than mine.

“What are we making?” I asked him, as he opened his fridge.

“French Onion Chicken. Ever tried it before?”

“Nope. I don’t even know what to think it would taste like.”

“Like French Onion Soup, but better.” He was pulling ingredients from the fridge one by one. “Want to help, or watch?”

My first instinct was to admit I’d rather just watch. Sitting down to rest my feet for a bit after spending so many hours working sounded blissful.

I was practically a professional when it came to ignoring my instincts, though.

“I’ll help,” I said.

He studied me for a minute, the fridge still open even though he’d stopped moving.

I bit my lip.

“You don’t want to help,” he said.

“It’s fine,” I insisted.

He closed the fridge and crossed the kitchen. When he reached me, he tucked a finger beneath my chin and used it to tilt my head back so our eyes met.

The touch was gentle, but dominant, in a way that made me hot.

“I want the truth, Si.”

His eyes burned into mine.

I didn’t want to be honest… but I did want to keep up with what we had going. And that probably required at least a little honesty.

So I admitted, “I don’t want to cook. My feet hurt after work.”

“Good. Sit down and watch me cook for you.” He leaned in, and brushed his lips against mine. The kiss was soft, but lingering. Like he didn’t want it to end any more than I did.

But eventually, he pulled away and stepped back.

I did the same.

And when he headed back to the fridge, I sat down on one of the barstools.

We chatted while he cooked.

I told him some of the ridiculous things Love, Tori, and I had done that we’d thought were rebellious back when we were kids living as glorified prisoners with the clan.

He told me how he’d ended up with all four of those master’s degrees. Apparently, he just loved learning. History, in particular. One thing had turned into another when he didn’t want to leave school, and didn’t need the money to.

Shortly after the war ended, he found himself in Wildwood, and reluctantly agreed to be Madd’s beta when the pack started growing. He and Madd had been leading the pack ever since, and he’d found himself in a number of humorous situations because of that.