Page 64 of This Mate Thing

For some reason, I've lost my ability to speak, so I nod again.

"Mom, let him go."Boris sounds exasperated.

Maia's grin turns wicked."Nah, I think I'll keep him.I could use a man around the house."

Boris snorts, stomps into the kitchen with his boots on, and tugs me away from her.Then he nuzzles her cheek like he's done me so many times."Talk tomorrow."

"Be safe."

She gives my arm one last squeeze before we leave the kitchen.

I get in the car in a daze, only remembering to check Ira is safely strapped in when Boris gets the car started.

"Beantopia next, then?"

Ira squeals in delight.

It takes about fifteen minutes before Boris parks outside Beantopia, and Ira rushes ahead of us inside.I'm about to call him back when I hear a chorus of 'Ira' coming from inside.I glance at Boris, who smiles at me.

We step over the threshold, and I spot Ira on the lap of Oswald, sitting by a table with a group of big men."Eh..."I look at Boris, who shrugs.Conan smiles at us.

"Hi."I nod at him.

"Hi."He nods back, but there is a grin playing on his lips.

Boris steps closer."Mom said Rieka would be here."

Conan points a thumb over his shoulder, which I take to mean she's in the kitchen, but Boris hurries into the serving area and then disappears out of sight.

"All good, Simon?"Conan wipes the counter, but he's looking at me.

"Yeah, we've been to see Maia."

"And she allowed you to leave?"He grins.

"She threatened to keep me."

He chuckles."She's great."

I nod.I don't know her, but...

Boris reappears shortly after.His motions are graceful but predatory, and his smile takes my breath away.Before I have a chance to move out of his way, he wraps an arm around me."I'll go grab the cookies."

I nod, and he slants his lips over mine before stepping away.I'm a bit stunned by the public display, and Conan can most likely tell because he huffs a laugh when I look at him.

"He's staking his claim."

"What?"

The amusement is clear in his eyes."He wants the world to know you're his."

"But I'm...not?"Way to go, Simon.Turn it into a question.

Conan only chuckles and shakes his head."You don't stand a chance, man.Do us all a favor, yourself included, and succumb."

I stare.Succumb?Accept all the werewolf shit, the soulmate stuff, the...pack life crap?Can I?

I take a deep breath and walk over to the men who are caught up in an animated conversation with Ira about...the stupidity of basketball.I sigh.He sounds more and more like Boris with each passing day.