Page 19 of Osiris: The Wolves
“Sigh,” she said with a sigh of her own, “I can’t cook like you do.”
“What about it?” he pulled a fry loaded up with cheese and bacon and popped it into his mouth.
“Well, what if you get home from work and you’re starving, butmybest is a grilled chicken salad or spaghetti?”
He stared at her, trying to decipher where her mind was going.
He wiped his hands on a napkin and took her hands. “You’re my truemate. I think that means we will balance each other really well. If you’re asking about the future, and how we’ll manage a home together, I think it’s incredible that you’re thinking about that. And the truth is, I don’t know what that looks like, but I know that the only thing I really want to do is come home to you. If that means us food prepping for the week and some late-night snacks instead of meals that we can enjoy together? I’m all in.”
She leaned in and kissed him. “You always know just what to say.”
“I’m trying.”
They finished the fries, and then dropped off the plate before heading out to the main room for her drink refill. While Dare made her another soda and cranberry juice, Sigh took her out to the deck that was being remodeled.
“Hey,” a deep voice called out from the shadows.
“Hey Luke,” Sigh said, as the big bear came into view. “This is my mate, Juliette. This is Luke. He works for the construction company in town and they’re doing the deck for us.”
“I forgot my tool belt,” he said, holding it up. “Nice to meet you, Juliette. See ya around.”
When they were alone on the deck, he told her about their plans for the summer concerts and outdoor seating. She stood in his arms and stared across the river, where the lights of Mill Creek were visible.
“It’s really a beautiful view.”
“I never noticed until now. I think it’s because I’m with you.”
She tilted her head back to rest against his chest. “You’re so sweet, Sigh. You make my heart happy.”
He kissed the top of her head with a happy grumble from his wolf. “You make mine happy too.”
“I like when you call me your mate.”
“Because it’s the truth.”
“I thought it would feel strange. We just met last night.”
He chuckled. “When you know, you know.”
She rested her hands on his arms. “I didn’t understand the pull to you last night, and I still don’t totally get everything about our connection. But I think I don’t have to understand it totally, I just have to live it.”
Turning in his arms, she placed her arms around his neck and went onto her toes.
“I’m right there with you.”
He lost himself in the kiss with his mate for long enough that he very nearly tossed her over his shoulder and rushed her home for the rest of the night. But he wasn’t going to abandon the kitchen, and he had Juliette to keep him company.
Breaking the kiss, he said, “I can’t wait to get you home.”
“How soon after ten can we leave?”
He grabbed the door to the main room and laughed. “It won’t be fast enough that’s for damn sure.”
Juliette was not the least bit surprised when there was a knock at the door just minutes after she and Sigh had gotten to her house Thursday morning. Sigh opened the door and Juliette saw Cass, hands on hips, exasperated look on her face.
“I’m glad you’re not dead.”
Juliette snorted. “Thanks, I guess.”
