Charming (A Seven World Novel)
Page 19
“Are you serious?” she exclaimed, gripping the collar of his shirt and tugging. “You got me a job working with a PI?”
“I secured you a job as a private investigator, if you want it. You’ll partner with Reno as a temporary situation. He thinks if you help bring in a few of these outlaws that it’ll be substantial enough to get you some cases of your own. Word of mouth is the best advertising, or so I’ve heard.”
Kat kissed his chin, the hard bristles of his short whiskers rough against her lips. “It’s a dangerous job. Sometimes I have to get up in the middle of the night and leave, and occasionally I might go out of town, but not often. Mostly the jobs are local; I’ve known a few PIs, and they told me all about their cases. It’s not all dangerous. Sometimes I’ll be helping abused kids or going undercover to find out if an employee is stealing from his boss.”
Prince kissed her lavishly, his arm encircling her waist. “Make the world a better place, Kat.”
“You’d still want to pursue me despite the dangers?”
His brow arched. “If we’re being honest, then yes, I have a problem with knowing you risk your life every day for strangers. And if any man threatens you in my presence, I can’t promise I won’t blow your cover by snapping his neck.”
She kissed him hard, tasting his conviction in every stroke of his tongue. It was decadent, and the way he handled her was the way every woman dreamed of. She could feel the desire and reverence in the way his hands discovered the gentle curve of her hips, her round breasts, and the soft skin beneath her shirt. Kat had spent her life capturing men, and it looked like one had finally captured her.
She moved her hand down to his pants and decided she despised belts. “Next time I want you in sweatpants.”
A knock sounded at the door.
“Come in,” Prince murmured between kisses.
Since when did Prince become affectionate in public? Suddenly Kat went shy and hopped off the couch, putting distance between them.
Russell poked his head in, his eyes downcast in the dark room. “They’ve baked a roast downstairs if you’d like me to bring up a plate.”
Kat put her hands on her hips, watching Prince from the corner of her eye. “No, tell everyone we’ll be coming down to dine with the pack.”
Prince’s eyes widened. He didn’t socialize with his pack and took most of his dinners in his room while permitting the pack to eat together and bond. One thing Kat knew about the ancients was that they believed becoming too personal with other wolves would make them lose their fear of the Packmaster, and fear was power. But nothing was more powerful than family. It was time for him to change, and Kat was just the person to give him a nudge.
Russell cleared his throat, dismissing Kat’s order and looking at Prince for guidance.
“You heard the lady,” Prince said.
She smiled and gave Russell a smug look of satisfaction before terrifying him with her sad attempt at a Scottish accent. “So shut yer geggie and dust off his chair, because we’ll be dining with the fam tonight.” Kat snapped her fingers, her voice returning to normal. “By the way, I got something for you.”
Kat jogged behind the sofa and reached for a thick box wrapped in red paper. It was about the size of a dictionary. She strolled across the room and handed it to Russell, who had inched farther inside. “It’s just a thank-you gift for all your help with finding Vlad.”
He shook the box and heard several hard objects rattle at once. His expression tightened. “Is this what I think it is?” he said with annoyance, tilting the box and listening to it rattle once more. “I’ll tolerate your Scottish jokes and poor attempt at slang, but this is where I draw the line.”
“Open it.”
He tore the paper away, letting it fall to the floor. Russell’s eyebrows knitted together as he read the writing on the yellow box. “Whitman’s chocolates?”
Kat rocked on her heels, a broad smile on her face. “I never did like Russell Stover. There are two layers in this one, so if you don’t like the coconut or toffee ones, feel free to slide them onto my dinner plate later tonight.”
He laughed heartily and scratched the back of his neck. “Aye, I’m sorry I ever called you a name. You’re a bonnie lass with a big knife, so I’ll say my thanks and go dust off that chair.” Russell closed the door and left them alone.
Kat sauntered toward the sofa and took a seat to Prince’s left. “My father was the same way with his pack; he never ate with them. I’ve never been in a pack of my own, but I know it strengthens the bonds when the Packmaster is there to break bread with his packmates. I think you should consider it. If you’re not comfortable with socializing, then I’m not going to make you change your ways. But if this works out between us and someday we end up mated, then I’ll probably be dining with the pack. I don’t want to segregate myself upstairs so they can live in fear of me. I’m changing my whole life for you, and all I’m asking is for you to try one thing.”
Prince was rather tall in comparison to Kat, so she found herself trying to sit up straighter. He wrapped his arm around her and held her close.
“You’ve made concessions for me, and I will do the same. But I’ll only do what makes me comfortable. If eating with the pack doesn’t go well, then I’ll resume my current routine.”
“I think you should give them a chance,” she said. “I’m sure they’re great people, but that whole mentality of a pack living in fear isn’t the best way to run a house. Well, maybe it’s not about the best or worst way… only that it can work either way. So why not do the one that’s more fun? Don’t you know any Packmasters who dine with their packmates?”
“Yes,” he replied in a husky voice.
“And do you think their packmates respect them less?”
He pursed his lips, his eyes still on the television. She sensed he didn’t want to be proven wrong.
Kat grasped his chin and turned his head to face her. “I know you’ve got a mad crush on Chrissy Snow, but I’m over here.”
Prince reached for the remote and switched off the TV, immersing them in darkness.
Her body dragged down the cushions, and he settled his weight on top of her. Nothing felt better—nothing in the whole world. She lifted her hips, feeling the hard length of him as his heart pounded against her chest in anticipation.
“We’re going to be late for dinner,” she whispered against his ear.
Prince unfastened her jeans, his lips against the soft spot on her neck, his body shaking with desire. “Yep.”
Begin the Seven series with Seven Years. CLICK HERE.
The next book scheduled to release in the series is One Second.
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THE MAGERI SERIES is an exciting urban fantasy romance following the journey of a young woman's claim to immortality, and her own identity. Dark, unique, passionate, and full of unpredictable twists, the Mageri series provides an original spin to an old concept.
THE SEVEN SERIES is a paranormal romance that portrays Shifters living in secret in the modern world. A blend of humor, heartwarming romance, drama, and real-life issues. This series is for those who believe in family, second chances, and finding that person who completes you. Cliffhanger-free.
Note: All my fantasy stories are written in the same universe. Same Breeds, same rules, and may contain character crossovers/appearances.
Sometimes ordinary people are destined for extraordinary lives.
More books by Dannika Dark
Books by Dannika Dark:
THE MAGERI SERIES
Sterling
Twist
Impulse
Gravity
Shine
NOVELLAS
Closer
THE SEVEN SERIES
Seven Years
Six Months
Five Weeks
Four Days
Three Hours
Two Minutes
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