Page 68 of Live Love Lasso

She cocks her head to the side. “Why?”

I point to a spot on my chest that’s free. “I always kept this pec open in the event that I one day found my person. And my person is having the shittiest of days. So I want you to know that, no matter what bullshit your family pulls with you, you’re always my number one, Lemon. No matter where you go or what you do, you’ll always be with me.”

The tears come again, but I chuckle and squeeze her tighter. “Sorry, sweetheart. If you’d rather go home and snuggle, we can do that instead.”

She shakes her head. “No. I…I’ll be fine. It’s just been a few weeks since I had to deal with my dumb family, and it’s been really nice not being Lemon of House Denton. Plain old Lemon Knox is a whole lot more fun.”

“All your versions are perfect,” I correct. “But I’m gonna have a word with your father when I meet him.”

She blanches. “Gods, Furyon, I don’t know if you wanna open that can of worms.”

I don’t want her to worry, so I nod my agreement. But what they did to her tonight ain’t gonna fly, not while I’m here to protect her.

She’s silent on the way to High Moon tattoo parlor on the outskirts of town. It’s a short drive. When I pull into the parking lot and find a spot in front, she marvels at the row of chromy motorcycles parked next door.

I gesture toward them. “I haven’t even shown you this part of the Gulch, baby. Cairn’s pack owns High Moon and the garage. They build custom bikes but pretty much do all the auto and Mabel maintenance. In fact, if you go around the corner, you’ll see a track for Mabel that leads right into the back of the building.”

She looks, but it’s clear she’s still upset and fighting back tears.

I get outta the truck and move for her door, but she beats me to it, stepping elegantly out as she smooths down her skirt. Pushing her against the back door, I growl into her ear, “I know you had a shitty day, and I’m gonna do something about that, but let me take a moment to remind you how fucking perfect you are, mate.”

She sighs and rests her cheek against mine. “I missed you since I saw you earlier.”

I move back just enough to stare deeply into her eyes. “That’s ‘cause you love me, Lemon Knox Denton. And I love you, which is why I sulked miserably at my office and then at home. You weren’t there, and I needed you to be.”

Her eyes go wide as she bites at her lip. But then those soft lips part. “I do love you, Furyon. Gods, I didn’t expect it, and it happened so fast that I still can’t believe it’s real.”

I wrap my fingers lightly around her throat. “Say it again, that I’m yours.”

Dark lashes flutter against her high, round cheekbones. “I love you, mate.”

Everything inside me tightens and ratchets up at her words. Something breaks loose in my chest…the heavy, hot need to show her my big form, something I’ve never shown anyone, not even the Seattle coven. I need to have her fangs in my throat. To beg her to claim me fully. To show her the version of me that’s twice as tall, three times as wide and one hundred percent deadly.

“Maybe this tattoo was a bad idea,” I grumble. “Because words like that give me bedroom ideas, Lemon.”

“I didn’t tell my family,” she says morosely. “I was so wrapped up in their bullshit and I had a chance to, but I didn’t.”

Hurt for her fills me and I hold her close. “I don’t give a fuck about that, Lemon. Their opinions don’t matter to me in the slightest.”

She shudders out a sigh. “I just don’t want secrets between us and I don’t want you thinking I’m not proud to be yours because I am.”

“Good,” I reassure her. “Let’s get this done, then, and I’ll take you home for fuckery and food in whatever order you want it.”

“Perfect.” Her tone is full of delicious promise, her white eyelid flashing over her crimson irises. “After this, you’re mine, mate. I’m feeling a little violent, if you must know.”

My eyes roll into my head as a needy groan echoes from my throat. “I need that, little mate. Need it bad. This won’t take long. Cairn’s a pro.”

Lemon follows dutifully, sailing through High Moon’s front door when I open it. She halts inside, spinning in place as she takes in the darkly rustic decor. Cairn, the shifter alpha, glances up from his spot behind the desk, a pair of reading glasses perched on the tip of his nose. He runs a hand through his blond waves and stands, smiling at us.

“Wasn’t expecting company, Furyon. This the little lady we’re doing tonight?”

Lemon blanches and looks slowly between us.

Cairn snorts out a laugh. “Sorry, honey, that sounded like…errr, something else. I guess maybe Furyon hasn’t told you much about this tat?”

She shakes her head as I hold back laughter. Fact of the matter is she’s a vampire. If she wanted us to take Cairn to bed, it wouldn’t be out of character for her kind.

I can almost see the wheels in her head spinning.