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“Nobody touches my bike. I parked it behind the garage.” When Krys pivoted on his heel, he noticed me and inclined his head.

I stepped out of his way and then found myself alone with the mysterious Lucian Cross.

He stared at the fat candle on the table while clearly aware of my presence.

“Mind if I join you?” I stole Krys’s chair and kicked off my uncomfortable shoes. It was cozy in here with the lights out. “You’re lucky.”

“Why’s that?” He pushed up the sleeves of his white cotton shirt.

“Let’s just say that in my line of work, I’ve seen some pretty dysfunctional families.”

He folded his arms on the table, his dark eyebrows drawing together. “Packs?”

“Now, you know I’m not at liberty to disclose private matters. It’s just a general observation.”

“Did you bring Hope a gift?”

“A colorful glass butterfly she can hang on the window.”

Lucian ran his finger through the elongated candle flame. “That’s a smart gift.”

I jerked my head back. “Why is it smart?”

“Because unless it breaks, it’s a keepsake they’ll have for a long time that’ll always remind them of you.

Something they can pass down. Most of the junk out there the baby will grow out of or chew up.

And don’t get me started on diapers. Congratulations on your bundle of joy.

Here’s something for your baby to shit in. ”

I bit my lip to keep from laughing. It was difficult to tell if he was being literal or trying to be funny, but the truth could be humorous.

He studied me closely. Even though Lucian wasn’t over six feet like most Chitahs, he still put a shiver down my spine with his chiseled features and predatory gaze.

“Have you been avoiding me?” I asked.

“Why do you say that?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I’ve seen the back of your heels more today than your face.”

“It’s been busy around here, and people keep asking me to do things.”

After admiring him for a lengthy stretch, a slow song playing outside, I broke the silence with an observation on a physical attribute I couldn’t stop staring at.

“I never realized how black your hair is.” Maybe that had to do with his complexion being on the pale side, but I didn’t mention that.

“It looks like it’s been shaved for so long it doesn’t know which direction to grow. ”

“It was always wild.”

“Like you?”

When he started to flatten it with his hand, I felt instant remorse and captured his wrist. “Don’t. It’s perfect the way it is.” Bringing his arm down, I kept hold of his wrist. “You have nice hands,” I said while splaying open his fingers with my other hand. “Strong but not callused.”

Lucian’s breath hitched as he stared at our connection.

I traced my finger down the lines that marked his palm like roads on a map. “You have a lot of deep lines, Mr. Cross. It makes me wish I had a book on palm reading.”

He pulled back and put his hands beneath the table.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s not you,” he said quietly. “I’m not used to people touching me. Unexpectedly, I mean.”

“You’d be surprised how impactful a touch can be. I’ve always been able to create an instant connection with people.” I folded my arms, and when I did, I noticed the second hand on my watch had stopped. “Oh no! What time is it?”

“Does your carriage turn into a pumpkin?”

I shot up, and when I did, his nostrils flared.

Lucian read his watch. “It’s nine twenty.”

“I have to go.”

Panicked, I fled from the house so fast that I left my shoes behind. When I jogged up to the garage, horror washed over me. My Mercedes was wedged in so tightly that it would be impossible to open the door.

I’m never going to get out of here.

Lucian coolly flipped on the garage light.

Then he climbed onto the cheaper car beside my Mercedes, put his feet through the open window, and slid inside so easily that it stole my breath away.

A second later, the engine fired up. I walked backward while he slowly pulled out, and as the car passed me, I inspected the paint and didn’t notice a single scratch.

“Sometimes that man is ridiculous.” Lucian poked his head out the window and looked back at the garage.

“I feel sorry for whoever owns the Jaguar in the back. They’ll be here all night.

Don’t worry; I’m sure there’s not a scratch on it.

Hope’s old man owns a few expensive cars and knows how to park.

So does my sister-in-law’s Ghuardian. She’s a Mage. ” He waved his hand. “Long story.”

“Maybe another time. I’m sorry to run off like a lunatic.” After opening the door, I glanced up at the night sky, still hearing laughter and music from the backyard. “I never planned on staying this late, but time slips away when I’m having fun.”

Lucian exited the vehicle. Instead of moving out of the way, he lingered so close that I thought he was about to kiss me good night. Without my heels, we were exactly the same height—five ten.

“Do you need any assistance, female?” The weight of his gaze implied he was reading my emotional scent.

“The time took me by surprise is all. I have things I need to attend to. I’m only sorry we didn’t get to talk longer. Next time try not to hide in a corner.”

He shut my door after I got inside. “Yeah, on that note, I’m going to go hide in a corner until this party’s over. See ya.”

“Tell Hope I’m sorry for running out without a proper goodbye. I hope she doesn’t get offended.”

He stuffed his hands in his jeans pockets. “She’ll understand. You’re a busy lady who has people to incarcerate.”

Though I wanted to argue that arresting criminals wasn’t our sole job, I needed to go home. “Good night, Mr. Cross. Until we meet again.”

He inclined his head.

As I sped down their extended driveway, I stole a backward glance at the mysterious Chitah, who watched me until I was out of sight.

“It’s just a baby shower,” I said aloud.

“What harm could it do? Oh, I don’t know.

Let’s start by the fact I was all but stroking his hand and flirting.

Real smooth. He doesn’t even like being touched, but there I go talking about the power of touch.

What if he complains about it to his Packmaster? ”

The last thing I needed was a report filed on me. This job was the only thing I had.

Well, almost the only thing.