Page 34 of The Vampire's Werewolf Bodyguard

Six Moons Later

Giant wolves make perfect backrests. Simon settles comfortably on the picnic blanket, supported by Cody’s fluffy bulk. The waning moon paints their lawn in ethereal silver. Like a mural, and the finishing touch is laughter.

It’s an odd sort of picnic. Only a few participants have actually eaten from the basket—Cody before he transformed, and the excitable humans Kimiko brought as snacks. The humans currently wander the garden under Andrea’s cranky supervision, while Simon, Cody, and Kimiko lounge on the blanket.

Kimiko isn’t dressed for a picnic, but she carries herself resplendently as ever. Tonight’s corset is laced tight enough to be troublesome if she actually needed to breathe. Her red feather boa sparkles in the moonlight.

“Aren’t you worried about fleas?” Kimiko asks, wrinkling her nose .

“It’s very sexy when he gives me fleas,” Simon lies, immediately and confidently. “We have a routine. First, we strip completely naked. Second, we sensually pick them off each—”

You’re an idiot , Cody says in his head.

“He says I’m an idiot,” Simon conveys dutifully. He’s the only one who can hear Cody, thanks to the mating bond. It’s only polite to include Kimiko in the conversation.

“You’re right and you should say it.” For all Kimiko’s snark, she shows Cody the respect of addressing him directly. She reserves the friendly taunting for Simon. “Over a century of friendship, and this is the first time you’ve invited me to your house.”

“I’ve only had this house for thirty years!” Simon protests.

Kimiko stares balefully above the feathers. “Thirty. Years.”

That’s longer than I’ve been alive, Cody adds unhelpfully.

Great. They’re ganging up on him. Simon elbows Cody in the ribs. Gently. “Stop making me feel ancient.”

“Ugh, cute couple telepathy.” Kimiko feigns a shudder. “This is going to be insufferable.”

Oh. Simon’s lips curl in an involuntary smile. He and Cody can also gang up on her. There are perks to the mating bond.

Simon has always held friendship at a distance. Relationships are built of boundaries, favors, and debts. If even his sire could leave him for decades, how could Simon trust a friend without obligation?

But as long as he has someone to come home to, venturing out doesn’t feel so frightening. Kimiko doesn’t owe him any more favors, and maybe fostering more friendships is worth the risk.

“Any plans for tomorrow night?” Kimiko asks .

Fostering friendship doesn’t mean being less obnoxious, though. “I think I’ll stay in and get railed by a giant werewolf.”

“Insufferable,” Kimiko repeats, sheltering her eyes—as if she has any modesty left to preserve.

Maybe , Cody chimes in, his mental voice rumbly with amusement. If you’re a good boy.

Simon musters a dramatic sigh. “I’m never a good boy.”

“God, I need a drink.” Kimiko sways gracefully to her feet, then wanders towards Andrea and the humans.

Her question about plans was fair. Tonight is the last night of Simon’s house arrest—part of his sentence for covering up Lawrence’s death. The killing itself was self-defense, as permitted by the treaty. Six months of house arrest is a slap on the wrist for a vampire, of course. More significantly, Simon owes the treaty council a favor.

He hates being indebted, but he doesn’t mind this obligation. The council expects his help uncovering any more of Dima’s co-conspirators. One has already been taken into custody—the witch who brewed the poisons that weakened Simon and drove Cody mad. The council also uncovered Dima’s records on the hunter who killed Tania. A no-name hunter from a tiny guild that never knew one of theirs was responsible for the ensuing chaos.

As for Dima’s enthrallment victims, Erica and Lawrence’s families have been compensated from Dima’s estate. The parts of the estate the council has found so far, anyway.

Tobias is doing better than Simon expected. Then again, he took ‘my college roommate is a werewolf’ in stride, so maybe that shouldn’t be so surprising. Cody visited him, Aditi, Princess, and the new baby for a weekend last month. Their friendship seems stronger with Cody taking a perhaps permanent leave from Atwood Security.

That weekend was surprisingly free of the despair Simon always felt when Dima left. Near-constant text messages and calls helped. As did the way Cody more than made up for the trip afterwards. But most of all, Simon trusted Cody would return.

I have a surprise for you, Cody says now, in the serene moonlight.

Simon curls around, resting his cheek on Cody’s plush shoulder. “What is it?”

It’s a surprise. I brought it in while you were sleeping today . Cody’s mental pause fills with wordless wickedness. Maybe you can wear it out sometime, now that your house arrest is over.

Intriguing. “Is it lingerie? Lace is fine, but I don’t like thongs.”

Cody falls silent, contemplative. Not lingerie, but that’s good to know .

Simon jumps to his feet and calls out to Kimiko. “We’ll be right back! Behave yourself!”

“I won’t!” Kimiko calls in reply.

Inside the house, Cody’s massive wolf form crowds the hallways. Simon isn’t surprised by how much he likes that anymore. Cody’s dark gray bulk is reassuring. Comfortable. Kind of sexy. Cody has spent more time as a wolf these past few months, as the security of the mating bond settles in. His relief is so apparent, Simon sometimes wishes they had bonded earlier, so Cody didn’t have to suffer as long.

Not that they’d waited very long at all, Cody often points out.

To Simon’s surprise, Cody leads him to the guest room. The one that was Cody’s, before they moved both a bigger coffin and an actual bed downstairs. Simon hasn’t entered this room in weeks, which explains why he didn’t notice the white cardboard box on the bed.

Cody nudges Simon’s arm. Open it .

Simon ruffles Cody’s head first. Then he peels away layers of rustling tissue paper.

The leather hits his nose before his fingers reach the buttery softness. The jacket is well worn, its straps and buttons instantly familiar. Almost identical to the jacket that was ruined when Cody got shot.

More than almost identical.

“This is your jacket,” Simon says.

The air twists in Simon’s peripheral vision. A moment later, Cody’s naked human form surrounds Simon from behind. “It’s your jacket now,” Cody says, lips hot against Simon’s ear. “I had it cleaned and got the lining replaced.”

Simon lifts the jacket as strong arms wind around his waist. Sure enough, the plain lining has been replaced with bright red fabric—patterned with little black bats. A patch covers the bullet hole in the upper arm—a gray wolf howling in front of a moon.

The jacket is still sized for Cody’s larger frame, but it’s been styled for both of them.

“I want to see you wear it,” Cody says, in a voice that makes Simon want to strip naked instead of putting more clothes on. Possessiveness radiates from every breath and touch.

“Is this a gift for me, or for you?” Simon asks.

“Yes,” Cody answers shamelessly.

Simon can be shameless, too. He pushes the jacket into Cody’s hands. “Then put it on me yourself.”

Cody growls into Simon’s hair and obeys. Each confident touch covers Simon more completely than the jacket itself. The silk lining is comfortable, the baggy weight perfect for lounging in. Styling plans are already taking shape. Simon could pair the jacket with his red leather pants or stupefy Cody with short shorts and fishnets.

A kiss heats Simon’s neck, right where the bond mark gleams. The silver scar is sensitive. Simon isn’t sure which of them likes the proof of Cody’s claim more. Like the jacket, the scar makes Simon feel treasured. Wanted. Protected.

“Can I drink from you tonight?” Simon asks, nuzzling into Cody’s neck.

Cody’s breath hitches. His cock hardens against Simon’s backside. “My blood is yours, sweetheart.”

Simon has broken all his personal rules for Cody. No first-timers. No repeats. No werewolves. But sometimes healing means breaking free of old habits. Eternity looks brighter with Cody at his side.

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