by T. S. Ryder
"Daddy!" Evie shouted. "You're home!"
Simon picked her up while Elaine scrambled up to his back. "Where's Mommy?"
"She's washing the kitchen," Elaine told him with a giggle. "Evie spilled milk aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaall over!"
"At least I didn't pee in the bathtub again."
Before they could really start arguing, Lana came into the room. Her golden hair was wound into a messy bun at the back of her head and her skin had a healthy glow to it. She looked somewhat tired, but she still beamed at him and kissed him.
"How was work?"
"Crazy. Not as crazy as it was here, apparently."
Lana sighed as she looked at the mess. "I think they need to go for a run."
"Aunt Kari brought a present," Evie said. "Mommy, where is the present?"
"I've got it here." Lana handed him a box.
Simon's brow pulled as he opened the box. As he did so, the scent of cedar wafted up. Inside the box was a green-tinted soap, shaped like a wolf. Simon smiled as he picked it up. It was carved with fine detail, translucent. Clearly, a lot of time had been spent on it. Lana's sister was finally accepting him.
"Girls, I need you two to go upstairs and get ready for a run," Simon told them, letting both girls slide to the floor.
There had been something else that had been bothering him all day and he needed to ask Lana about it. He didn't want to bring it up in front of the girls, though. Now that they were four years old, they were much more observant. He waited until they had charged up the stairs, now arguing about where they were going. He took Lana's hands in his.
"Sorry I wasn't able to call. It was crazy today. How was your appointment?" His heart thudded against his chest, waiting for the answer. He had hardly been able to get to the bathroom as they were so slammed with work. He had been tempted to hole up in his office to call her, but, unfortunately, there were just too many patients waiting for him.
Lana stretched to her toes and pressed another kiss to his mouth. "It was good. There's no sign of cancer. One year down. Everything is really good. White blood cell counts, muscle tone, recovery, everything."
Simon wrapped his arms around her and swung her in a circle. A laugh bubbled up in Lana's throat, making him grin even wider. Her green eyes flared in delight and he couldn't stop himself from kissing her again. Lana lifted her legs around his waist. He grasped her hips, backing her against the wall, and kissed a little harder while keeping an ear out for any sound of the girls coming back down the stairs.
When the first thumps sounded, he set her back down. Her cheeks were flushed and lips were swollen. He wanted to lift her over his shoulders and run to their room, but there was no time for it right now. He never thought that he would ever find love again after Katie, but here he was. A beautiful woman who loved him and two darling girls full of life and energy. What more could he ask for?
"Elaine won't put on her hat," Evie shouted down from upstairs. "Not even if it rains!"
Simon glanced outside at the bright, sunny day.
"She doesn't have to, sweetie," Lana called. She shared a look with Simon that had him laughing. The twins could be quite particular at times. "You should probably take off your suit jacket so you can be ready when they come back down."
Given how impatient their little girls got when things weren't done exactly when they expected, Simon had to agree. They were going to have to learn how to handle such situations, of course, but today wasn't a day where he wanted to argue with them about anything. It was too important, too special. He smiled nervously at Lana as he pulled off his jacket.
Lana bent down and picked something up from the floor. "What's this?"
Simon looked at what she held, and his hand immediately went to his pocket. It was empty. He reached for the nondescript box, but Lana opened it before he could stop her. Her eyes widened and she dropped it. Simon caught it before it could fall again. The diamond ring nestled inside had hardly shifted. He smiled sheepishly as Lana pressed both of her hands to her mouth and looked up at him with a stunned, awed expression.
"I was going to get the girls to help me ask you when we got home from the cemetery," he said, ducking his head. "You weren't supposed to find out like this. I had everything planned, I wanted to involve the girls and—"
"You're going to propose?"
Simon gave her another smile. "Yeah. But since you've already seen the ring, it's not going to be a surprise like I planned. I'm sorry, Lana. I wanted it to be a special story that we could tell everybody about—"
She caught his face and kissed him deeply. Her tongue swept across his lips, causing him to groan. Simon gripped her hips and pulled her closer as fire built in his core. He loved the effect she had on him. It was something that he would never tire of. His arms snaked around her waist as he pulled her closer, grinding himself briefly against her. With a gasp, she pulled away. Her head turned towards the stairs.
"Sorry," she said. "I thought I heard the girls."
Simon slanted his lips across hers again. "Speaking of which . . . what do you say we just plop them in front of the TV for an hour so we can go upstairs?"
A pink flush rose in Lana's cheeks. She swatted his arm. "You brat."
"If you don't want to—"
"You know very well that I want nothing more." She let out a heavy sigh. "Ugh. I wish we could. But I have a house to clean and you were taking the girls for a run. They need to burn off energy, I can only imagine what sort of mischief they'd get into in an hour."
Simon glanced around. "The house isn't that bad. If you want to come with us, I'll help you clean up when we get back."
Lana kissed him again. "That's sweet. But in case you've forgotten, I don't have four legs. I can't run like you. Besides, you planned this for you and the girls. I've already visited Katie's grave. I think it's time you tell the girls about her, and I think it would mean more if it were coming from you."
Simon's stomach knotted again. He had been putting this off for a while, not entirely certain how to explain to children so young about his first wife. They didn't really understand death, not the way he and Lana did. Mostly, he was afraid of scaring them. He didn't want his girls to be afraid that their mother would die too.
Thump, thump, thump.
"We're ready," Evie called. "Let's go!"
Lana kissed him lightly once more. Elaine giggled, while Evie pulled a face. Both girls were wearing swimsuits, which were the only garment that would somewhat fit both of their forms without being ruined. They raced around, howling with their heads thrown back. Simon quickly ran up the stairs to change into something more appropriate himself. By the time they were done, they were Wolves. Simon shifted halfway down the stairs, and Lana opened the door to let out the whirlwind.
"Be back before supper," she called to them.
Simon turned back and nodded to acknowledge her, then raced off again. The girls ran tight against him, nearly tripping him more than once until they were away from the street and into the park that they normally ran through. He barked at them when he broke away from their normal track. Evie turned to follow him at once, but Elaine needed a second, sharper bark to bring her back to his direction.
As they neared the cemetery, the knots tightened. All the same, a well of gratitude rose in him. He had lost Katie, but she had given him such joy. Now he had Lana. He had Evie and Elaine. He never thought he'd find a mate again, but he did, and he had a family as well.
They made it to the cemetery within an hour. Both twins were panting by then and had stopped their roughhousing. He'd have to call Lana to come pick them up. The girls would sleep well that night, though. Simon smiled as he shifted once more and led them towards the place where Katie lay to rest.
"Where are we going, Daddy?" Elaine asked. "My feet are hurting."
"Mine, too," Evie whined.
Simon smiled at them. "We're right here." He crouched beside Katie's headstone. "Before I met your mother, I was married to a woman named Katie. She was beautiful
and kind, like your mother. I fell in love . . . "
Both girls crowded in next to him. Evie rested her head against him, her eyes sober. Elaine chewed on her thumb as he told them about Katie – and the story of how he and Lana had been brought together all those years later.
*****
THE END
About T.S. Ryder
If you’re in for hot-as-hell vampires and shifters, you’re my girl. There’s nothing paranormal that I don’t like or write and I’ll give it all I’ve got to bring beasts and hot men (preferably both :) ) to life for you.
I love writing stories about sexy and protective alpha males and the strong women they love. My stories are always full of steam and I generally throw in a fair amount of action.
So kick back, get comfortable, grab some chocolate and tea and fasten up your girdles for some extra smoldering hotness. Enjoy!
Please check my author page for the latest news and releases.
Selected Other Books by T.S. Ryder
The Shifter's Catch
A Dragon who needs an heir. A girl who needs money. Sounds like a match made in heaven. Unless they end up dead…
Prince Edan never wanted a mate. But now that his brothers are killing each other, he’s the only one who can produce an heir. So when he meets a woman who makes his fires burn blue, he doesn’t think twice.
His Dragon spreads its wings and flies her away to his kingdom.
Isobel has only one dream. One that costs money she doesn’t have. So when she meets a rich stranger who offers her a job, she’s ready. Except she doesn’t realize that the job is to have his babies…
But the vibrations of the universe have spoken. And by the way, it’s pretty difficult to say no to the delicious hunky Dragon and the sheer dominance that radiates from him.
What Edan doesn’t know is that Isobel has a gift: She can see the ghosts and demons that are threatening the kingdom.
But as the feelings between Isobel and Edan deepen, can she still see?
And will he unleash his flames for her when she becomes bait?
Selected for the Vampire King
Love is weakness. Humans are fragile. Can this vampire King resist his heart’s desire?
Tindra isn’t looking for love. All she wants is a day off work. And that’s exactly what signing up for the vampire-human matching program gets her. What she didn’t expect is to be chosen by the vampire prince, Thor, which could be a dream come true…
Except she’s more interested in the king…
Vampire King Rollon has been alone for centuries. But when he smells Tindra’s intoxicating scent, he wants to do nothing more than sink his fangs into her, taste her blood… and engage in other forbidden pleasures.
Tindra’s off limits though. She belongs to his son.
Not that it matters. Humans are too fragile, too short-lived to get involved with.
But Thor has a surprise in store…
And an old enemy resurfaces…
Can Rollon keep his dark desires to himself?
Will Tindra survive when she becomes the enemy’s target?
Can there be a future for a human and a vampire king?
The Shifter's Secret Son
He needs a queen. She wants revenge. Let the game begin . . .
Julia is on a mission: Seduce the crown prince and then rip out his heart. Why, do you ask? He unknowingly impregnated her best friend Cynthia and destroyed her life. After Cynthia dies and with the baby now in her care, Julia swears to seek revenge.
But his highness, with his stormy eyes and smoky scent, makes her knees buckle and turns her into a drooling puddle. That wasn’t the plan.
Benjamin is prince playboy. The giant Dragon warrior is under stress though. He’s supposed to get married, because a Dragon king without a mate is nothing. Unfortunately, he doesn’t do forever. He needs some pant-dropping to distract him. Who’s that new servant girl?
But what begins as an innocent flirt soon spirals way out of control.
Between a pushy queen trying to claim him and an assassin waiting to strike, Benjamin and Julia are slowly falling for each other. She’s the one making his flames scorch his throat.
As feelings deepen, Julia has to ask herself whether Benjamin is really the monster she thought he was.
Has she bitten off more than she can chew?
Will he love her when he discovers her secret?
When he discovers he has . . . a son?
Sold to the Shifter
A curvy Panther Shifter with a secret PLUS the baddest Lion Shifter in the pack PLUS one, no TWO evil enemies with no mercy…
Panther shifter Jamie has grand ideas of love and romance. Until her manipulative mother sells her to a lion shifter. He’s hot, he’s huge, he’s all muscle. Hmm, how to make the best out of a bad situation?
Ryan is the biggest, baddest shifter in the Alpha’s Guard. His job is to protect the pack. He doesn’t have time for dating nonsense. So an arranged marriage seems practical.
What he’s not prepared for is how her delicious curves make his heart stutter in his chest. How she makes his protective instincts kick into high gear. She’s his. His alone.
But Jamie has secrets.
And the pack is in danger.
The enemy is coming.
Forget trials or justice. Ryan’s out for blood.
Can he protect his mate?
The Shifter's Hostage
A curvy gal with hidden powers PLUS an insanely sexy dragon shifter PLUS dangerous creatures looking for their next target…
Lydia is a curvy restaurant manager who doesn’t need unfriendly customers. Least of all the arrogant, but unfortunately extremely sexy billionaire who keeps sending back his food.
But when she’s suddenly attacked by a bunch of demons, the billionaire might just be the only one who can save her. Even if that means he has to keep her hostage in his fancy mansion. Just her luck…
Ian Orkney a.k.a. “The A**hole” wants everything to be done exactly his way. But behind his self-built wall is a man who has lost everyone he loved.
What he really wants is a mate and children. But that means he’d have to reveal the secret he’s been keeping for almost three hundred years: He’s the last of the dragons. His job is to protect the world against demons. And his newest project involves a human. An incredibly sexy one.
Not that that matters.
He could never love a human.
Right?
The Shifter's Secret Baby
A curvy gal with a secret love child PLUS an impossibly hot werewolf Alpha PLUS a vampire coven getting ready to flash some fangs…
Eric Civery is scorching hot, filthy rich and the powerful Alpha of a werewolf pack. His gobs of money and killer abs can get him anyone he wants. But he isn’t interested. He gave his heart away a long time ago.
Kayla thought that she would never see Eric again. Three years after their passionate affair, all she has from him are memories… and a little daughter he doesn’t know about.
But the past comes rushing back when Eric and Kayla meet again. She knows she has to forget about him—it will only end up being a big mess. But why on Earth does the guy have to be so freaking hot?
And as the same intense passion that was Eric and Kayla’s undoing years earlier reaches a boiling point, a vampire coven threatens to attack Eric’s pack.
Eric has to ask himself one question: Can he keep his mate and child alive? Is he prepared to risk everything for them?
The Vampire King's Captive
A curvy virgin paying off her debts PLUS a jealous vampire king looking for a donor PLUS enemies who will do anything to destroy him!
Aria Taylor wakes to her biggest nightmare when Gavin, the vampire king, drags her out of bed in the middle of the night. Aria’s father owes him money and Gavin has come to take him away.
There’s only one way out: Aria has to become Gavin's blood donor to pay off the debt. Too bad that she hates her bloodsucker. What right does t
his possessive beast have to be so handsome and yet so cruel?
Gavin is more than happy with his new blood donor. Her full curves drive him crazy and he can’t wait to pierce her skin with his fangs. The thought of teaching this virgin all the pleasures of the body stirs fires inside of him…
But Gavin has enemies and things take a turn for the worst when Aria suddenly disappears. Where is she? Gavin knows one thing for sure. No matter what it takes, he will get her back.
He’s coming for her.
The Shifter's Vampire
A vampire virgin who’s given away PLUS a huge shifter protecting his pack PLUS an ancient war about to escalate…
Curvy Yuliana is a low-born vampire who’s never been with a man. So she’s terrified when the vampire king asks her to make a sacrifice for the kingdom… to become the mate of the Alpha of one of the most powerful shifter packs in existence. The only thing she knows about shifters is that they are huge and dangerous…
But when she sees her new mate, all she wants to do is wrap her legs around his hips.
