by Donna Kunkel
He touched the neckline of her dress. “It’s the only suit I own. I guess I’ll have to get another one so we can go out. I like how you look all dressed up.”
She smoothed the front of his jacket. “You look good in a suit. It’s so different from how I’m used to seeing you.”
He took her arm and headed for the door. They went to a nice upscale restaurant. The waiter seated them and he ordered some champagne. “I can’t wait to tell you all about school. It was great there. Nothing like I’d ever been to before.”
The waiter poured the champagne and Steve held up his glass. “To Alex. You changed my life.”
Alex hesitated. “For the better or the worse?”
“Definitely for the better.”
Alex lifted her glass and clinked it with his. They both drank and she held up her glass. “To Steve. Who convinced me I hadn’t found the right man until him.” They touched glasses and drank again.
Steve picked up his menu. “You know, I think I’ll have chicken tonight.”
Alex giggled. “Ginny is going to hate you.”
Steve smiled. “I hope so. That’s what she gets for deserting me. I looked for that hen for a week. I was afraid she’d gotten eaten.”
“You could have called me to ask.”
He looked down. “I know. I didn’t know what to do.”
Alex watched him. “Do you now?”
Steve looked up and looked directly into her eyes. “Definitely.” He reached over and took her hand in his. “I want to talk about that after dinner.” He released her hand and concentrated on his menu.
They ordered and talked about how everyone in the valley was doing while they ate. Alex hardly touched her food. He was avoiding talking about them. After they’d finished, they headed back to her apartment. She opened the door and went in.
“I’ll be right back. I left something in the truck,” he said and strode back down the hall.
Alex went inside and closed the door. She waited against the door for him to return. Within a few minutes he tapped on the door. She opened it and let him in. He didn’t say a word but took her hand and led her into the bedroom. He stopped and she ran into him. She edged sideways to see why he’d stopped.
His eyes remained glued to her bed. “What the hell is that?”
She dropped his hand, maneuvered around him, and placed her hand on one of the four knobby bed posts. “My bed.”
“It’s so…so…ornate.”
She slid her hand down the post and trailed her finger over the intricate turnings that formed the foot-board. “It’s a family heirloom. My great-great-grandmother got this as a wedding present. It’s been passed down through the generations.”
He walked over to inspect it more closely. He ran his hand down one of the six-foot-tall posts that was covered in knobs with turnings at the top and bottom. “And you plan on keeping it for future generations.”
“Of course.”
He touched the footboard that was made up of more knobby spindles that connected a straight board on the bottom to a turned board on top. He moved up to the headboard and ran his fingers over the intricate leaf scroll-work. “How long does it take you to dust it?”
“A while,” she answered.
He pressed down on the mattress. “Is it safe?”
“Of course it is. I sleep on it every night.”
“But is it strong enough to hold both of us?”
She giggled. “It was strong enough for my parents.”
He flung his body onto the mattress. He bounced on his back once, but the bed-frame remained silent. “Remember when you collected the crystals for me and you passed out in the hotel?”
She nodded.
“I didn’t tell you, but I called Principal Vale. He mentioned a way to get your power back faster.”
She approached the bed and reached out to hold a post near him.
Steve watched her every move. “He said that by having unprotected sex I could transfer some of my power to you.”
“But you didn’t do it.”
“No, because he mentioned two side-effects of doing this.” He clasped his hands together on his stomach. “The first part is that by doing this, it will bond two wizards together.”
“And the second?”
“That you might get pregnant.” He sat up. “That was a risk I didn’t want to take.”
Alex moved to the edge of the bed, positioning herself in front of him.
Steve placed a hand on her leg and eased it up along her thigh.
Her skin felt alive wherever his fingers touched her.
He kept looking into her eyes. “But I’m really interested in the first side-effect. I was thinking we might want to evoke that type of bond tonight.”
“Why?”
“Because I love you. I’ve loved you for months now. I want you to be mine forever. I was afraid of putting you in danger.”
“What about now? Is the bear still awake?”
“I took my potion. It allows me to shift only if I want to. If you haven’t noticed…it’s night and I’m still human.”
“Sorry, I was distracted by your call. I’m not used to worrying about you shifting. We spent most of our time together in the winter when it wasn’t a problem.”
“Are you using your magic again?” he asked.
Alex nodded. “I no longer have to choose only one world. I can be a part of both. I’ve finally found a balance.”
“Not still searching for someone normal?”
“No. I want to be with you.” She took his face in her hands. “I love you.”
“Then bond with me tonight.”
She released her hands and let them fall to her side. “What if I get pregnant?”
“It won’t matter. We’re getting married next week during the full moon.”
“What?”
“Oh yeah, I forgot.” He reached in his pants pocket and worked a ring box free. He held it out to her.
Alex took the box and cracked it open, almost afraid of what was inside. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and opened the box all the way.
Ginny popped onto Alex’s shoulder. “Oh, how pretty. You gotta see this.”
Alex shooed Ginny away and opened her eyes. A large emerald-cut aquamarine stone sat in the middle of the setting with swirls of small diamonds outlining it. She reached out and touched the stone. “Is this from your claim?”
He nodded. “It’s a stone that I collected last year. I held on to it as my best specimen.” He pulled the ring out and slid it on her trembling finger. “I know it’s not the traditional diamond…” Steve paused, “but I thought this might mean more to you.”
“I love it.” She held up her hand to look at it more closely. The light danced among the facets. “This means so much more. It’s special.”
“Will you marry me?”
Alex nodded. “Yes, oh yes.”
“Will you do me the honor of becoming my mate, for life?” He held out his hand to her.
She wrapped her left hand around his and he pulled her down onto the bed next to him.
He wrapped his arms around her.
“Are you sure?” Alex asked.
“I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life. I want to have a whole pack with you. They won’t have to suffer through their adolescence like I did.”
“But what about the full moons. The neighbors might begin to ask questions if they see a pack of bears wandering around.”
“I’ll just take them up into the mountains on those nights.”
“And I’ll be alone in the cabin?”
“I’ll make it up to you.” He pulled her closer. “Are you up to the challenge?”
“I can’t wait.” She placed a hand along his cheek.
“I want to be bonded to you from this night until forever. I love you,” he whispered.
“I love you,” she answered.
A word about the author…
Donna Kunkel is a paranormal romance a
uthor. Within the pages of her tales you can visit with witches, wizards, shape-shifters, and other fantasy creatures. Figurines of the magic realm surround her computer for inspiration. She lives at the edge of the Colorado mountains with her husband of many years and her two dogs. When not writing, you can find her browsing the fabric shops for her next quilt, stitching Japanese embroidery, or curled up with a good book. She enjoys spending time in the mountains, at Lake Tahoe, or relaxing on a beach in Hawaii.
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