The Werewolf Meets His Match (Nocturne Falls Book 2) (34 page)
Read The Werewolf Meets His Match (Nocturne Falls Book 2) Online
Authors: Kristen Painter
Sam grinned. “That would be great. Any chance Bridget’s going to be there?”
Hank frowned. “I just thought of another condition for you living here.”
“Hank.” Ivy gave him a look. She loved the idea of Bridget and Sam. So long as Bridget could see herself with a Kincaid. Maybe she’d get Birdie working on it. There wasn’t anything that woman couldn’t accomplish.
Hank managed a slim smile. “See you for dinner.”
“See you,” Sam said. “Bye, sis.” He made his way out, leaving Ivy and Hank alone.
Hank leaned back in his chair. “That went well.”
She tipped her head. “Did you really make his immunity conditional on him moving here?”
“No. But I figured you’d like it.”
She smiled. “Very much. Thank you. I love you more than I can adequately express right now.”
He grinned. “In the words of Charlie: I know.”
Having Sam over for dinner turned into having Birdie, Bridget, Titus and his girlfriend, too. Charlie was in heaven surrounded by his new fan club. After dinner, the whole lot of them went for a run, ending up at the waterfall.
Ivy stood proudly at Hank’s side as Charlie splashed in the water. She nuzzled Hank’s neck, almost undone by the happiness filling her. One thought repeated over and over in her head.
Life is good.
It sure is.
She looked at Hank.
I heard your voice. In my head!
He woofed a soft bark and gave her a wolfy grin.
That makes us bonded mates. There’s no getting rid of me now.
She returned his wolfy grin.
Good because you’re stuck with me, too.
Charlie came up to them and shook, spraying them both with water. Hank butted his head against Charlie’s side and took off, inviting him to follow.
Charlie went after him, and the rest of the family joined the chase. By the time they reached the property line and shifted back to their human forms, they’d all worked off dinner.
Birdie patted her hair. “I don’t know about you all, but I’m ready for that peach cobbler and vanilla ice cream.”
“Me, too,” Charlie piped up. “Can I, Mom?”
“After that run? I’d say we’ve all earned it. Go with Aunt Birdie and see if she needs any help.”
He grabbed Birdie’s hand. “You need help, Aunt Birdie?”
Ivy laughed, and Hank shook his head.
“I’ll help, too.” Bridget looked at Sam. “You any good in the kitchen?”
Looking a little starry-eyed, Sam nodded. “Yeah, I can, uh, scoop the ice cream.”
“C’mon, then,” Bridget said.
Sam went after her with the same enthusiasm Charlie had shown for cobbler.
Hank and Ivy walked slowly, holding hands, letting Titus and his girlfriend, Zoe, get ahead of them. Hank released Ivy’s hand to slip his arm around her waist. He hugged her close and his eyes flickered with something halfway between amusement and consternation. “I know what you’re up to.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Then you’re not trying to fix my sister up with your brother?”
Ivy shrugged but didn’t dare look at him for fear her eyes would give the truth away. “Don’t blame me, blame nature. I can’t help it if Merrows are naturally attracted to Kincaids.”
He snorted. “Well, if that’s the case, any chance you have a non-criminal uncle you could introduce Birdie to?”
She laughed and finally looked at him. “As a matter of fact…”
“Oh no, you don’t.” He picked her up, and she let out a surprised whoop, which only made him look more pleased with himself. “You’re one of a kind, Ivy.”
She put her arms around his neck. “And aren’t you glad for that?”
He nodded. “I am. I’m also glad I’m the one who ended up with you.” He kissed her, a brief but promise-filled seal of their love. “I hope there’s whipped cream.”
She made a face. “Whipped cream
and
ice cream on your cobbler? Really giving that shifter metabolism a workout, huh?”
“Oh, the whipped cream isn’t for the cobbler, my love.” Wicked intent gleamed golden in his eyes as he brought her closer for a kiss. “It’s for later.”
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About the Author
Kristen Painter likes to balance her obsessions with shoes and cats by making the lives of her characters miserable and surprising her readers with interesting twists. She currently writes paranormal romance and award-winning urban fantasy. The former college English teacher can often be found all over social media where she loves to interact with readers:
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Other books by Kristen Painter
URBAN FANTASY
The House of Comarré series:
Forbidden Blood
Blood Rights
Flesh and Blood
Bad Blood
Out For Blood
Last Blood
Crescent City series:
House of the Rising Sun
City of Eternal Night
Garden of Dreams and Desires
PARANORMAL ROMANCE
Nocturne Falls series:
The Vampire’s Mail Order Bride
The Werewolf Meets His Match
Sin City Collectors series:
Queen of Hearts
Dead Man’s Hand
Double or Nothing
Stand-alone books:
Dark Kiss of the Reaper
Heart of Fire
All Fired Up
Nothing is completed without an amazing team.
Many thanks to:
Cover design: Janet Holmes
Interior formatting: Author E.M.S
Editor: Joyce Lamb
Copyedits/proofs: Dana Waganer
Beta reader: Leslie Wolf Barnes
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