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“Your first mistake is you didn’t hear my car pull up,” Lucian blurted while holding the refrigerator door open.

“If you don’t want cameras, I can install motion-sensor alarms that let you know when someone’s crossed your property line.

Cameras are essential if you want to identify trespassers.

” He turned his gaze up to the window. “I didn’t see any motion-sensor lights outside. What’s your budget?”

I put the mayonnaise in the side door. “Not a million dollars. I want good security but not cheap. I’ve got money to spend, within reason. Can you come up with a few proposals and send them to me?”

“Whatever you desire, female.”

I studied his expression.

Is he being facetious? And why do I like the way that sounds rolling off his tongue? Get it together, girl.

He shut the fridge door and leaned against it like a magnet. “I’ll need to walk around your property and have a look before I leave.”

“No problem. I’ll send you the map that shows my property line in case you need that.” I put the canned food in the pantry and then assembled the apples, bananas, and oranges in a wooden bowl.

“How long have you lived with your father?”

“About five years now.” I stood across from Lucian and leaned my butt against the cabinet.

“I’m his caretaker. His health was deteriorating, so Milly’s giving him supplements and an exercise routine to keep him mobile.

I’d love to be home and make sure he actually sticks to it, but my hands are tied with work.

He’s healthier than when he first moved in, but not enough to take care of himself. So I guess this is the new normal.”

“You don’t have any siblings who can take him?”

“He’s not a stray cat. That man loved and raised me. The least I can do is give him a safe place to live. And that hasn’t been easy. So help me… if anyone ever puts a finger on that man, an army of demons couldn’t hold me back.”

He nodded.

Boy, was it satisfying unloading my troubles on someone besides my coworkers. While the other Councilmen knew about my struggles, they didn’t pry, which made me less comfortable sharing my innermost concerns.

“That’s why I was on a date the other night,” I added. “My father wishes me to find a mate, preferably a Shifter who meets his standards.”

“Why?”

“Because his opinion is everything.”

Lucian’s eyebrows drew together. “But that prick you were dating was a Mage.”

I smiled. “I knew it was a waste of time, but he was persistent when he heard I was on the market. Maybe I was a little curious what his motives were.”

“It’s pretty clear what his motives were,” he grumbled. “So you’re getting mated for your dad?”

“You’re probably wondering why an independent woman isn’t making her own choices, but I am.

No one’s forcing me to do this, and he’s not picking my mate.

I’m just speeding up the inevitable. My father moved the world for me, so I want to honor him.

Plus he’s right. I should be mated by now.

Life would be easier with a partner who can share the load. ”

Lucian’s biceps pushed out when he crossed his arms. “Your respect for family is similar to the way Chitahs are raised.”

“Yes, except that you have kindred spirits, so you always know who you’re meant to be with.” I looked down at my bare feet. “You’re lucky.”

“Yeah,” he said, averting his gaze. “Lucky.”

I picked at an eyelash threatening to go into my eye. “Not everyone mates for love. Those who do are lucky, like in your pack. The rest of us have to make a power play.”

“Why the rush?”

I lowered my voice. “He’s not getting any younger.”

“Based on the men you’re picking, you’ll wind up living alone with thirty cats, thousands of books, and getting drunk on wine.”

I stepped forward and touched his chest. “Don’t threaten me with a good time.”

Lucian gripped my arms, and my heart did a quickstep. “Close your eyes.”

“Why?”

“Don’t argue.”

Unsure where this was going, I closed my eyes and listened to him draw in a deep breath. Lucian gently blew on my cheek, then followed that with a hard puff of air.

I blinked my eyes open. “What was that about?”

He licked his lips before releasing his hold. “Eyelash.”

“Well, if that’s how you handle eyelashes, I’d love to see what you do with splinters.”

He frowned. “It was hanging on your lashes. Blowing is more effective than poking your eye out.”

“Be right back.”

Not only did his touch leave me hot and bothered, which had me needing to put space between us before he picked up my scent, but there was also a plastic bag in the laundry room filled with junk that needed to be set by the road.

After lifting the bag, I squeezed through the doorway and turned simultaneously, causing the bag to get hung up on the doorjamb.

When a hook scraped my thigh, I cried out.

“Ow!”

I dropped the heavy bag. One of the coat hangers had poked through the plastic and scraped my thigh pretty deep, but not enough to bleed. Just enough to turn blue and swell.

Irritated I couldn’t heal myself with company around, I went to the kitchen to dampen a rag.

“What happened?” He sniffed the air as I passed him.

“Why is it you always hurt yourself doing the dumbest thing?” After wetting a dish towel, I pressed it to my inside thigh. “This is what I get for procrastinating about hauling that bag of junk to a donation center.”

“Show me.”

When I moved the towel away, I frowned at the swelling. “I’ll shift after you leave.”

Lucian dropped to his knees and clutched my hips in a way that made me flush all over. “I can heal you, female.”

“Are you a doctor?”

He flashed me a crooked grin.

Oh yes. He most certainly was.

Chitahs possessed a healing agent in their saliva that could heal superficial wounds. I opened my mouth to protest, but as soon as he wet his lips with that pink tongue, curiosity overruled any objection.

Lucian’s nose brushed against my leg. He drew in a deep breath before his tongue glided up my thigh. I gripped the counter behind me, that luscious heat sparking incendiary thoughts.

While my brain knew that this was purely procedural for his species, my body knew no such thing when I saw his tongue sliding up my leg. Lucian unlocked a dark hunger inside me that needed satiating, and the second his golden eyes flicked up, my heart thumped wildly against my chest.

Lucian reexamined the spot and wiped his hand over the faint discoloration. My pain had miraculously vanished. His touch sent shivers down my spine, and the sensation of his tongue sliding up my thigh lingered long after.

I tunneled my fingers through his beautiful black hair. “Thanks,” I breathed.

Lucian shot to his feet, and when a purr rumbled in his chest, he stalked off. “Sorry.”

Sorry? He’s apologizing for unlocking a new fantasy I didn’t know I had?

Still feeling the phantom sensation of his tongue on my thigh, I collected my thoughts and realized that only a tranquilizer could slow my heart.

I haven’t been with a man in so long.

Years.

“Are you leaving?” I asked in disbelief when he gripped the screen door handle.

“I need to survey the house.”

“Well, I’m about to make lunch. If you’re hungry, come back inside.”

“I better not,” he replied, one foot out the door.

“It’s Chinese food, if you change your mind.”

Lucian poked his head back inside. “Did you say Chinese?”

“Stir-fry. I’ve got chicken thawed out and leftover rice, so…”

He chewed on his lip and looked torn.

“If it’s the whole Councilwoman thing, I’m off the clock. I’ll just warn you in advance—my dad says whatever’s on his mind, but mostly he’s full of jokes. You can’t take him too seriously.” I stroked the base of my throat, intimidated by the way he was watching me. “Well?”

“Maybe.”

“Hey, Shoe Bandit—pass me more of that rice before you eat it all,” my dad said to Lucian.

Lucian didn’t take my father’s quips seriously and passed him the bowl.

“Dad, I haven’t seen you eat this much since last Thanksgiving. What’s gotten into you?”

“Fresh air. That’s what’s gotten into me.” He dumped a spoonful of fried rice onto his plate. “So you’re gonna fix this place up like a jail. Is that right?”

Lucian swallowed his chicken stir-fry, and I couldn’t help but notice he had scooped all the onions out of the skillet and onto his rice. “That’s the plan.”

“A woman shouldn’t be a prisoner in her own home. Don’t you think?” My father gave me an admonishing look.

Before I could answer, Lucian countered. “Security isn’t a prison to keep you in. It keeps the jackasses out.”

My father chuckled. “Well, that’s one way to look at it. Eden, if you find a rich man, you won’t have to worry about this nonsense.”

“Even rich men need security, Dad.”

“Yes, but they’ll have money left over. Don’t settle. You are a strong, intelligent, beautiful woman, and you can choose any man you want. Don’t waste your power on someone who doesn’t deserve you.”

I wiped my mouth with a napkin. “Do you want to go anywhere special today? We can drive to the bar, the hardware store, the bookstore, or even take a ride into the next town and sit at that local park you like.”

My father shook his head. “Straight to bed after I finish up. Gonna take me a long nap. Yes, I am.”

He looked utterly exhausted, but I could tell he enjoyed having a guest in the house to break up the monotony.

Lucian didn’t talk as much as usual, which my father delighted in since he was a professional storyteller.

I had a feeling Lucian might be holding back.

Maybe he didn’t enjoy our company, or maybe it was awkward dining with the local Council.

I didn’t know him well enough to read him.

“Chinese is my favorite food.” Lucian dumped another helping onto his plate.

I nibbled on a red pepper. “I bet Bear makes an excellent pack chef. I’m envious. Sometimes I bring home lunch from the bar. His food is a hit in this house. Before he came along, the only way to get a quick meal was to order ahead at Dragonfly’s, and they’re pricy.”