by R. E. Butler
He kissed the top of her head as he pulled her close. “I’m glad you have her in your life, and I’m doubly glad that she found Zane, so you two can see each other often.”
“It would be hard to be apart from her, but I’d do it for you.” She tipped her face up so he could look into her eyes. “Being with you is the single greatest thing that’s ever happened to me. Making a life with you…it’s like a dream come true.”
* * *
The following week, Jupiter and Celeste headed to her parents’ home. Her parents had been supportive of her new job, and curious about Jupiter. She was calling him her ‘boyfriend,’ a human term that females gave to males when they were in relationships. He thought the term was kind of silly – he was a man after all and not a boy – but he was doing his best to not roll his eyes every time she talked to her parents and the word came up in conversation.
He wasn’t normally nervous. He was a big cat, after all. There wasn’t a whole lot that worried him. But as he pulled to a stop in front of her parents’ home and turned off the engine, nerves grabbed hold of him and refused to let go. He could admit, at least to himself, that he was definitely concerned about meeting her parents. The roaring part of him didn’t care a bit if her parents liked him, but the rest of him craved their approval. It would make Celeste happy if her parents liked him and were happy for them, and he was determined to do whatever it took to make that happen.
If they were both shifters, he wouldn’t have trouble getting her family to like him. They would be thrilled their daughter was mated to the second-in-command of the pride. But her parents would never know about that part of their lives, so he had to impress them by…being himself.
“They’ll love you,” she whispered as they walked up the sidewalk.
“How do you always seem to know what I’m thinking?”
“Because I love you. It’s natural to be nervous when you meet the parents of the person who holds your heart.”
“Were you nervous when you met my dad?”
“Yeah. Not only is he your dad, but he’s also…you know, the boss,” she said, making a soft roaring sound.
He laughed. “He and my family love you because of what you are to me, but also now because they’ve gotten to know you and think you’re as awesome as I’m always saying you are.”
“The same goes for my parents. I’ve been telling them about you for a week. They know we’re serious, and they accept it.”
She twisted the knob and opened the door, and the scent of roasting meat and vegetables made his cat perk up. Celeste inhaled and sighed. “I miss this about living at home.”
Footsteps moved toward them, and he saw her parents approaching. Celeste stepped away from him, but didn’t release her grip on his hand. She hugged her mom first, and then her dad, and said, “This is my boyfriend, Jupiter Ross. These are my parents, Joanie and Roger.”
Roger stuck his hand out and Jupiter shook it, careful to measure out his strength so he didn’t squeeze too hard. “It’s nice to meet you,” Jupiter said.
Joanie ignored his extended hand and hugged him. “I feel like I already know you, the way Celeste is always carrying on about you.”
“Mom,” Celeste said as she blushed.
“And get used to the hugs,” Joanie said. “I’m a hugger.”
“My dad was a single parent, so I like that you like to hug,” he said as she stepped away.
“I’m sorry. Did your mother pass away?” Joanie asked.
“No, she and my father parted amicably, and he raised me.”
Celeste leaned into him with a soft sigh, and he recognized the action as one she did when she thought something he said was sad.
“Well, it’s a good thing we live close, then,” Joanie said with a smile. “I hope you like pot roast.”
“She’s been cooking up a storm,” Roger said with a chuckle.
The delicious scents increased as they walked down the hallway to the bright kitchen. “I just had your father redo the walls,” Joanie said to Celeste as she shooed them to the large table. “I wanted roosters, but he said we don’t live on a farm. I said that was semantics.”
Celeste chuckled. “Come on, Dad, you argued about roosters?”
He grunted as he sat heavily in a chair at the table. “I agreed to lighthouses in the bathroom and flowers in the bedroom. Can’t the kitchen just be…kitcheny?”
“I’m not sure that’s a word,” Celeste said.
“It’s not,” Joanie piped up as she set a large platter with a glistening roast in the center of the table. “Which is why the kitchen is yellow with roosters. Bam!”
Celeste groaned. “Don’t say ‘bam,’ Mom.”
“Isn’t that what the kids say?” she asked as she sat down across from Roger.
“I have no idea, but it’s weird when you say things like that.”
Joanie winked and clicked her tongue. “I’m just too cool for you, Cellie-boo.”
Jupiter looked at Celeste. Before he could ask about the nickname, she put her hand up and said, “That nickname is for my mom only, under penalty of death.”
Stifling a laugh, Jupiter kissed her on the cheek. “Whatever you say, little love.”
When the food was passed around and the plates were filled, Jupiter found himself surrounded by a family that was immediately accepting. Roger and Joanie trusted Celeste to make her own choices, and they were excited for what the future would bring. He knew then that Celeste had been right in taking things slow with her parents. If they’d shown up saying they were already living together and getting married quickly, they might be suspicious.
“Do you like your new place?” Joanie asked.
“I do. There are three apartments in a converted barn. It’s perfect for me. Plus, I don’t have far to walk to get to work since I’m already living in the park.”
“Do they have a lot of apartments on site?” Roger asked.
“So far just three. The owners wanted to make use of the unused barn.”
“Can we come visit?” Joanie asked when the meal was finished and they were ready to head back to the zoo.
“I’m still unpacking,” Celeste said. “But give me a few weeks and I’ll have you over for dinner.”
“I got you a housewarming gift,” Joanie said.
Roger cleared his throat. “It’s from both of us.”
Joanie rolled her eyes as she stood and pushed her chair in. “Yes, dear.”
She returned a few moments later with a potted plant, setting it on the table in front of Celeste. “It’s so pretty, thank you!”
“You’re welcome,” Joanie said, bending and kissing her cheek. “It’s a money tree. They’re supposed to be good luck.”
The green-leafed braided trunk was a foot tall, in a dark blue ceramic pot. “It would be nice if money really did grow on trees,” Celeste said.
“Maybe someday science will catch up with wishing,” Roger said.
“Thank you so much.”
“How do you like your new job?” Joanie asked as she took her seat.
“I love it. Working for the park is so much fun. Yesterday there was a third grade class that came in for a tour and the kids got their faces painted. I got to help out; it was a blast.” They’d told her parents that she was working in security in the park, and that was partially true. Whenever Jupiter worked in the security office, she sat behind the reception desk and answered the phone. Originally he’d anticipated that worrying over her safety would distract him too much from his job, but he found her presence in the security office comforting. She spent a lot of time working with Adriana on supplying the soon-to-be-opened salon in the market for manicures and pedicures.
“I’m glad you found something you enjoy doing, and it sounds like a very exciting place to work,” Joanie said.
When they’d finished dessert and chatted a while longer, Celeste said, “I think I’m ready for you to take me home.”
Jupiter nodded and went to get their coats, h
olding hers open for her.
“Take good care of our daughter,” Roger said, shaking Jupiter’s hand after Joanie gave him a hug.
“I will,” he promised.
When they were back in the SUV and heading home, Celeste leaned on his shoulder and said, “What did you think?”
“They’re wonderful, but I’m not surprised because you’re pretty amazing yourself.”
“Aw,” she said with a chuckle. “I told you that they’d like you.”
“I’m glad.”
“I think your cat doesn’t care if anyone likes him or not.”
“Not true. He wants you to be happy.”
“I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. You’re a wonderful guy, and I’m a lucky girl.”
“I think we could argue for years about who’s the luckiest one in our relationship. I personally think I’m the luckiest cat on the planet, because I get to go to bed with you every night and wake up every morning with you in my arms.”
“You’re sweet,” she said. “I’m going to make you so happy later.”
He purred as she giggled, and he knew without a doubt who was the luckiest in their relationship – it was him. He’d been hanging out in the paddock, never expecting to find his soulmate, and then she’d been there. Beautiful, sweet, feisty, and all his.
Lucky didn’t even begin to describe it.
The End
Contact the Author
Sign Up For RE’s Newsletter by Clicking HERE!
Website: http://www.rebutlerauthor.com
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @rebutlerauthor
Facebook: www.facebook.com/R.E.ButlerAuthorPage
* * *
Also from R. E. Butler
Wiccan-Were-Bear Novella Series
A Curve of Claw
A Flash of Fang
A Price for a Princess
A Bond of Brothers
A Bead of Blood
A Twitch of Tail
A Promise on White Wings
A Slash of Savagery
Awaken a Wolf
Daeton’s Journey
A Dragon for December
The Wiccan-Were-Bear Series Volume One
The Wolf’s Mate Series
The Wolf’s Mate Book 1: Jason & Cadence
The Wolf’s Mate Book 2: Linus & The Angel
The Wolf’s Mate Book 3: Callie & The Cats
The Wolf’s Mate Book 4: Michael & Shyne
The Wolf’s Mate Book 5: Bo & Reika
The Wolf’s Mate Book 6: Logan & Jenna
The Wolf’s Mate Book 7: Lindy & The Wulfen
The Necklace Chronicles
The Tribe’s Bride
The Gigolo’s Bride
Ashland Pride Series
Seducing Samantha (Ashland Pride One)
Loving Lachlyn (Ashland Pride Two)
Marking Melody (Ashland Pride Three)
Redeeming Rue (Ashland Pride Four)
Saving Scarlett (Ashland Pride Five)
Chasing Cristabel (Ashland Pride Six)
Hyena Heat Series
Every Night Forever (Hyena Heat One)
Every Dawn Forever (Hyena Heat Two)
Every Sunset Forever (Hyena Heat Three)
Every Blissful Moment (Hyena Heat Four)
Wilde Creek Series
Mate of Her Heart (Book One)
The Alpha’s Heart (Book Two)
The Protector’s Heart (Book Three)
The Omega’s Heart (Book Four)
The Scarred Heart (Book Five)
Dancer’s Heart (Book Six)
Saber Chronicles Series
Alaric’s Perfect Mate (Book One)
Slade’s Feisty Mate (Book Two)
Caleb’s Tempting Mate (Book Three)
Galen’s Lovely Mate (Book Four)
Saber Chronicles Volume One (Books One - Four)
Norlanian Brides Series
Paoli’s Bride (Norlanian Brides Book One)
Warrick’s Bride (Norlanian Brides Book Two)
Dex’s Bride (Norlanian Brides Book Three)
Were Zoo Series
Zane
Jupiter
Arctic Shifters
Blitzen’s Fated Mate (Arctic Shifters Book One)
Coming Soon
Win (Were Zoo Three)
Gorilla shifter Win Carlson would love to find his soulmate, the one female on earth perfect for him. Thanks to the VIP Tour tickets that the Amazing Adventures Safari Park has sent out to eligible females in the area, he’s seeing a lot of females on the weekends. But none of them are his soulmate, and he’s finding it hard not to get discouraged.
Curvy baker Alexandra Flynn has won awards for her banana cream pie, but her dream is to have her own bakery. Nothing would make her happier than having a place to call her own, except maybe finding a man to spend the rest of her life with. After winning first place for dessert at a county fair, her car breaks down and she’s stranded on the side of the road. To her surprise, a big sexy guy stops and offers to repair her car. One thing leads to another and she finds herself waking up next to the sexiest guy she’s ever met in her life.
Win isn’t just any guy, he’s a gorilla shifter, and he believes that she’s his soulmate. Lexy never believed in love at first sight until she laid eyes on the sexy mechanic, but she can’t imagine ever leaving his side, even though it means giving up her plans for the future. Win won’t let Lexy’s dreams die just because she’s his soulmate, and he plans to make sure that their life together is just as sweet as her delicious banana cream pie.
* * *
