Page 19

W hile the men were all out readying for the rodeo, which was taking place the following Sunday, I was busy going over the final checklist needed for my Holiday Film Festival.

A newsletter went out to my subscribers, of which there were over a thousand, I was proud to say. And I even printed out a few flyers and had the boys who worked for me, George, Adam, and Steven, hang them in a few local stores and the post office.

The only thing different about all this was I was not freezing my butt off back in my doublewide on the drive in property.

Rather, I was sitting comfy and cozy in the makeshift office a couple of the Crew had assembled for me inside of Emmet’s cabin, where apparently, that beast of a man had them deliver all of my worldly possessions without even asking me.

Okay, so I wasn’t mad. Not really. I mean, I loved Emmet, and after this morning, well, I knew he loved me too.

Sure, it was fast and crazy, but that was just the way it was sometimes. Life was unpredictable, and if there was anything being able to communicate with shades taught me, it was that nothing was guaranteed.

Speaking of which, I still could not believe Emmet had just accepted everything I told him about what I’d seen and heard while I’d been unconscious. Not only that, but he promised to help me anyway he could.

If I wasn’t already head over heels in love with the man, that would have sealed the deal for me. I grinned as I finalized the movies I would be showing and set up the schedule for the films, emailing it to George so he would know what to expect.

The fantastic thing about running a drive-in theater in this day and age was I could order the movies via streaming service. The projection system I had was a good one, and the quality was amazing for the cost.

The convenience of running things this way meant I could offer more options and create festivals like this one where everyone’s needs could be catered to. For example, my Saturday matinee showing started early and would feature PG holiday classics.

After dark, it was no holds barred. Yes, I was talking about Die Hard . The other movies were all good feels and laughter. And okay, one late late night showing of Bad Santa just because George begged me.

But it was more than the movies. The drive-in was a place where people came to remember the good old days. The twinkling fairy lights strung around the snack bar added a whimsical touch, creating a cozy, inviting space where patrons could mingle and grab some delicious goodies before the show.

I could not wait to smell freshly popped corn dripping in butter as it wafted through the air, mingling with the sounds of laughter and chatter.

The drive-in was the one place I got to be a part of the community without the taint of my curse, well, I supposed now that calling it a gift was more apt. Especially when I saw how Emmet looked at me when I explained what I thought I had to do.

His expression was one of complete adoration. Oh, that man knew how to get me. He did it with such ease. Like it was second nature.

He made me feel so special. And even more, he made me feel like maybe I could do something good with what I had been given. At the very least, I was determined to try.

Before I could fall down the rabbit hole of mooning over Emmet, my mate and fiancé— eek! I still couldn’t believe it —someone knocked on the door.

“Hello?” Penny called out before bustling in with a stack of boxes in her arm.

“Avery, shut the door,” she said as I stood to greet the pair of women, smiling when I noticed Rosie was with them.

“Hi, Auntie Jezebel. Can I watch TV?” the little girl said shyly, and I grinned.

“Oh, um, of course,” I muttered shocked and delighted.

“You don’t mind, do you? I just figured since Auntie Penny here is a fixture at the ranch and you are going to be too, it made things easier to have her call you Auntie, too, but I can ask her not to if you don’t like it—” Avery blurted.

I shook my head and nodded, unable to speak for a moment. I had never been anyone’s auntie.

“No, it’s fine. I mean, I’m honored you would have her call me that,” I replied, taking the boxes Penny offered me.

“Great! Now, let’s eat something. I am starving!” she exclaimed.

I started the coffee and smiled to myself, grabbing creamer, sugar, and some plates and forks. Whatever Penny had brought from her bakery smelled divine and I was hungry, too.

The sounds of a familiar Disney cartoon played in the background as I rejoined the women.

“How long till coffee? I swear I’ve been going through physical exam paperwork all morning and I am so beat,” Avery moaned.

She was a nurse at the local school, so I just assumed she meant work.

“It’ll be just another minute,” I told her.

“Yes! I think I love you, Jezebel,” Avery said and slumped back in her chair.

Of course, that was when Emmet and some of the guys walked in.

“Damn, I think I just walked in on a fantasy of mine!” Kian said, grinning widely.

“What?” Dante asked.

“A couple of good looking women professing their love for each other, bro. Am I right?” he asked, looking for a high-five, but the big Bear cuffed him on the head instead.

“Ignore them, Angel,” Emmet murmured, coming straight towards me.

He cupped the back of my neck with his callused hand, and I loved the feel of his skin on mine however he handled me. It was always just so perfect.

He squeezed my neck gently, and I leaned back, my gaze glued to his mouth. I was completely obsessed with the man’s lips. Couldn’t wait to feel them.

“You see something you like?” he asked, and I heard amusement in his tone.

“Stop teasing and kiss me already,” I said, growing bold in my need for him.

He didn’t say anything else. Just slammed his mouth to mine, and I reveled in the ferocity of his passion. The entire world seemed to disappear the second he kissed me.

It was just me and him. In our own little bubble. And Demon, of course.

With my hand pressed against his chest, I felt his Wolf's ever-present growl reverberating through to me.

The steady tremble should have been frightening, but I loved every facet of this man and his dual nature. Demon was a part of that, so it was perfectly logical and reasonable that I loved him, too.

My mate. My Wolf.

“Okay, break it up,” Penelope moaned, tossing a napkin at us.

Emmet grinned and caught it before it could connect, but he never stopped kissing me.

“Hush! You know, Pen, just because you have your own man doesn’t mean we all do. Some of us have to live vicariously through others,” Avery lamented.

I giggled and Emmet slowed the kiss until it was just his lips brushing mine. Then he stood up, rubbing his hand over my head, and down my hair that I left long for him today.

“Get some work done today?” he asked.

In the background, Penelope handed out goodies to the others, and Avery went to grab the coffee. I was dimly aware of Dante going over to sit on the floor with Rosie in front of the TV.

Something about the way that big rough Bear was just so gentle with that child seemed very right to me. When I’d looked at the little girl earlier, I thought I saw the shadow of a Bear following her and I wondered if that had anything to do with him.

Something for me to ask Emmet about later. Right then, my vision was full of my mate, and it was all I could do to keep a straight thought inside my head.

“Yeah. I did,” I told him, and explained my plans for the film festival.

“I can’t wait,” he replied. “I am only sorry I’ll miss Sunday’s matinee because of the rodeo,” he frowned.

“Oh, that’s okay. I plan on taking off during the matinee to come see you. It’s mostly families and children who come to that showing anyway and George assured me he could handle it,” I told him, unable to keep the surprise in any longer.

“Yeah? You want to see me riding a big ol’ bull?”

“Baby, didn’t I tell you about the Marlboro Man crush I had when I was a kid? I’ve got my very own cowboy now and I am not going to miss a moment of you all geared up to do whatever it is cowboys do—ooh!”

His face went still, and I wondered if I messed something up. Before I knew it, Emmet had dragged me to my feet and was lifting me off the ground.

“Um, I guess he has something to tell her,” Penelope stage-whispered, and a gaggle of giggles erupted soon after.

“Emmet! Put me down,” I whisper screamed, my pulse racing.

He did, but not all the way. Having carried me to our bedroom, Emmet pressed me against the door, the hard bar of his arousal pressing against me.

“Say that again?” he demanded.

“What? That I had a crush on the Marlboro Man?”

“Fuck no. I don’t want to hear about other men?—”

“Made up men,” I mumbled.

“Call me that again.”

“That? Oh,” I said, licking my lower lip.

“Yeah,” he growled, his green eyes glowing in the dimness of the room.

“Baby,” I whispered, and my face hurt, I was smiling so wide.

“Fuck,” he groaned, flexing his hips and rubbing his dick on me.

“Emmet. Baby . Oh, I want you so bad,” I moaned as he licked into my mouth with his expert tongue.

It was a good thing my super strong sexy as hell mate was holding me up because my knees were positively weak at that point. If he let go, I would have melted into a puddle of needy goo at his booted feet.

“If we didn’t have a full house, I’d strip you bare and fuck you right now, right here, up against the door. But I won’t,” he said, and I whimpered.

Emmet smiled and squeezed my throat, bringing my attention to his face.

“I won’t because if anyone else hears those sexy little sounds you make when I’m loving on you, I’d have to kill them, Angel,” he growled, nipping my lower lip between his teeth.

I believed what he said. And I knew, deep down, it was wrong. But it was also so fucking hot.

Holy Shit.

It was official. I was a complete slut for my mate.

His kisses were my kryptonite.

I supposed that made it a good thing he was my real life Superman.

All mine.