Page 143 of New Nebraska Heat

He stroked my hair. “Couldn’t hurt. You went to a human doctor?”

“Well no. He was an elemental, but he was a human specialist. But he did ask me about paranormal relationships, and I said that wasn’t a possibility.” I let out a sheepish laugh. That sounded so stupid now. “That would be incredible, if this helps.”

He drew me tight into his chest, enveloping me in warm, hard muscle. “Either way, I’m so glad this happened with you.”

“It never happened before?” I asked.

“No. Not with anyone else.” He kissed me, then pulled back. “It’s because you’re my one true mate. The knot is another way my jaguar chooses you. The way he claims you as his forever partner.”

I tried not to let my hopes fly too high, but little Hunters and Daggers were already running around my mind.

“Thanks, my jaguar,” I choked out around a giddy half-laugh.

He dabbed my wet eyes with a tissue from the bedside and kissed me, brushing a palm over my crown. “You’re welcome. From both of us. Just glad you’re not upset about it”

I snuggled into him, my head resting on his bicep. “So, how long does this knot thing last?”

Shrugging, he grinned. “Two or three hours? So I’ve read anyway.”

I pecked a kiss on his lips “Then let’s sleep.” I nuzzled in close and brushed my nose against his. “You tuckered me out.”.

Hunter

Dagger tilted his beer up to his lips as we watched two human men on TV do their version of fighting, at Madison Square Garden, New York. A place I’d been to once, but of course, would never be allowed to go to again. Unless we managed to sneak out of New Nebraska like I promised Serenity. Cheered and applauded by a packed arena, the humans bobbed and weaved with their daft puffy gloves and weak attempts at punching.

It was lame, but entertaining.

Even more entertaining to listen to our jaguars’ swapping commentaries on how they’d win the fight.

“Never thought our animals would be bonding like this again.” Dagger glanced at me, as if wanting to gauge my reaction.

“Yeah, feels good.”

“Yeah.”

“All thanks to Serenity”

“Yes. And ournew family.”

“Our new family.” Dagger shuffled on the couch, nodding. “Feels good, right? Thank God for Serenity.”

I drained my own beer and walked over to the kitchen, tossing the empty bottle in the bin before coming back to recline. “I knew she was special from the moment she walked into my club. But I never thought she’d connect us like this. I think she wants to connect physically with us all too…”

Pinching and fidgeting with the couch arm’s cloth, he replied, “That’ll happen when she’s ready for it. Whenever she says.”

I studied him, sympathy gripping my chest. He was the only one she hadn’t completed the mate bond with. I hadn’t given her my mark yet, but my jaguar considered the bond complete with the knotting, and she’d been in my bed the few nights since.

If it didn’t happen for Dagger soon, he’d be the odd man out. Bryce had accidentally marked Serenity with his fire power, and Seb had made his when she’d allowed him to feed.

“I really don’t think you’ll have to wait long. But I admire the new patience,” I told him, and he quirked one corner of his mouth.

“Thanks, I’ve been working on it. Figure I’ve got to make some changes to live up the family man role, yeah?”

“Hey, not too many changes. I don’t want a new brother. I just got my old one back.”

Dagger’s smile grew, but his reply cut off when a Midas News bulletin interrupted the boxing match.

“It’s your number one fan,” I said from the side of my mouth as I perched forward, trying to focus on whatever that crazy Monique woman was saying and not how much I hated her face. “You ‘grubby little street grunt.’”