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I laugh at Nic, shaking my head. He is such a dork. We get to the SUV and stop outside it. When he asks to take me on another date, my stomach gets butterflies again. I look up at Nic, smiling.

”I’d love for you to take me on another date,” I say. ”Just to clarify, restoring a fountain's mystical ties to India doesn’t count as a date?”

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”Ich liebe dich, Nero,” I say. I smile, looking into their eyes and seeing a hundred different lifetimes in them and seeing a hundred different possibilities for us.

”I meant every word I said to Kimiko. You make me feel like I’m alive again. The drifting around the world I do, the things I own, all of it was to fill a void, an emptiness. If I lost everything today, or you asked me to get rid of it all and move into your home instead, I would do it all in a heartbeat.”

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I laugh. ”Pounce on me? And how often has pouncing on supernatural creatures with inhuman strength worked for you?” I asked, my tone all teasing.

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I pretend to think about it. “Hmm, it can count, but only if it ends like this.” I say in a whisper as I turn her towards me and bend down to kiss her on the lips. On arm snakes around her waist and pulls her close against me, my hand splayed across the small of her back while my other hand holds the back of her head.

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I wiggle, knowing full-well that I’m flushed from the sincerity of his words, but otherwise beam up at him. “Should we go find out what’s in the little brown bag?” I ask suggestively. Sure, Kiki had me try on a few things, but she definitely started just throwing things in to buy without me even seeing them. I don’t think I knew what’s in half of the shopping bags.

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I flip him the bird with a playful glare. “I have half a mind to do it right now, you jerk. Also, I have inhuman strength too, thank you very much.” I pick up a pillow and throw it at his head with a laugh.

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I don’t have much time to react to Nic’s words. He pulls me in close, his lips already on mine. My entire body feels like it’s on fire, and I can feel my magic wanting to respond, but I pull it in, knowing we’re in a more public place.

I melt into his hold, letting Nic move me as he wants as I hold onto him, my arms around his neck with one of my hands tangling in his hair. I really hope tomorrow ends like this, too.

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I grin and nod. ”Yes, please,” I said and let them go so they could lead the way. We have a few hours until supper and needed something to do to pass the time.”[/color]

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I laugh more, finding the conversation amusing. I catch the pillow and tuck it behind my head. ”Save it for the ring,” I tell her.

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I deepen the kiss, moving my lips as they capture hers. My fingers get wrapped in the tiny ringlets on the nape of her neck and I have half a mind to pick her up and pin her against the SUV, but I hold back. I pull away to grin lopsidedly at her, moving my hand to trace her blush again.

“I like kissing you.” I confess, my voice a little hoarse.

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Grinning, I shoo the cats out of the music room and close its door behind us as we leave, not wanting to have a cat accidentally damage any of Caden’s instruments. Once out of the room, I grab Caden’s hand and walk with a skip in my step down the hallway, up the stairs, and into the room Caden has called mine.

There are bags covering almost every surface. “I honestly think she just started buying things I so much as touched.” I say before I move to pick up the brown bag and hand it to Caden.

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“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” I tell him with a small laugh. I glance over at him and once again find myself entranced by his muscles. My mind wanders again as I imagine his arms wrapped around me, but not while wrestling.

I blink, ears reddening and focus my attention back on the tele. Why did the idea of it thrill me when just hours earlier I wanted to snap his neck? My mind drifts again, this time his hands around my throat, but not in a violent way. I bury my face in my knees, silently wishing to stop being such a depraved idiot.

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I’m breathless when Nic pulls away from the kiss and brushes my flushed cheeks with his hand. ”I like kissing you too,” I whisper. My hand remains in his hair, twirling it around my fingers. I really wanted to kiss Nic again. I didn’t want it to stop, but I also knew we were in a public place, and we still had to drive an hour home.

”Can we stop somewhere and get some iced tea?” I ask.

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I follow Nero down the hallway, watching the cats run around and follow us as we move up the stairs and into Nero’s room. I stop in the doorway and look around. I’m both impressed and a little surprised about just how many shopping bags there are. Kimiko definitely outdid herself. I have to make sure to get my credit card back from her.

”Very impressive,” I comment. I walk further into the room, seeing some of the names on the bags. At least I know all the clothes, shoes, and bags are of high quality, and I don’t doubt Nero looks amazing in everything.

They hand me the little bag, and I grin. ”Will you put it on under whatever you wear for dinner?” I ask them. I pull out the green number and let out a low whistle, nodding. ”You should strongly consider wearing this so I can take it off later.”

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I look back at Kimiko during the next commercial break, and she is even more curled into a ball than she was before. She’s not very big, but I didn’t think she could shrink her size anymore. My wolf seems to be drawn in by it as well, wanting to comfort Kimiko. I frown and look back at the TV.

I shift my position and stand up. ”Do you want something to drink? I can get you something from the kitchen or something stronger,” I offer, gesturing to the drinks cart in the corner.

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I laugh and kiss her nose. “Of course we can - do you want to see if there’s a place around here that sounds good? I find her little quirks to be absolutely adorable and I want to discover more of them so I can indulge her more. I kiss her forehead before I release her, opening the car door for her with a dimpled smile.

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”I definitely should have stopped her.” I say with a sheepish laugh as I watch Caden look around before he opens the lingerie bag.

The green lace of the fit he pulls out is a deep green, perfect for Caden. My ears flush at his comment, but I still nod enthusiastically. “If you insist. Would you like to pick my outfit for dinner too?” I say with a grin as I start going through some of the bags myself.

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I peek up from my knees, hoping my face isn’t red when I look at Avery. “I would love a something stronger.” I say with an awkward laugh. Only my second day here and already it feels like it’s been weeks. I blame it on the whirlwind of emotions that I’ve been experiencing while here.

Untangling myself from my ball of a position, I stand up from the couch to head towards the cart. ”So, how did you end up meeting Caden?” I ask, a hint of hesitation in my voice. I know he’s private and closed off, but I’m hoping the two of us made some headway today.

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Clearly Nic feels the same way about kissing me. He kisses me twice more before he steps away and I have to let him go. Nic opens the door for me before giving me a heartbreaking smile. I poke his dimple.

”Put that away before you make me kiss you again,” I demand and get into the SUV. I set my bag on the floor and started searching up cafes or shops with good iced teas.

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”I would like that very much,” I say and put the green lingerie back into the bag for now. I find a seat without bags on it and watch Nero go through their spoils. ”We are staying home for supper, if that makes a difference in your outfit choice.”

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I go to the drinks cart and pull out two glasses. I wait for Kimiko to point out what she would like when she asks me how I came across Caden. I'm used to answering these types of questions, so it doesn't bother me.

”Much the same as you, I suppose. Bran and Caden had met years before I came along, but when I did, Bran watched me closely. Wolves don't have a long life expectancy. Bran and his sons are the exception, but even Bran’s youngest struggled with turning savage,” I state and pour myself a glass of water. I don't drink very often.

”My wolf is very dominant but I didn't have a pack. Being a lone wolf is a death sentence on its own. We aren't meant to exist without pack. My wolf took over and I was slated to be killed when Bran decided to go another direction. He called Caden in, curious to see if he could get my wolf under control. So, here I am. Dominant in my own right but Caden is my alpha. We follow all the same pack rules and it's calmed my wolf down enough to allow me the little joys of being human as well.” I finish my water and pour myself another glass before I walk back to the couch and sit down. I don't spread out as much as before and keep my feet on the ground.

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I laugh, enjoying the fact that she likes kissing me too. Closing her door gently, I make a little jog around the SUV to get into the driver’s seat. “Are you saying you’re affected by my charm?” I ask as I turn on the car, teasing her.

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I look up from a bag of just basic tees and pants to glance at Caden. “Well, what are you going to wear?” I ask with a head tilt before I move to the next bag of goodies. This one had mostly stockings.

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I gratefully take the drink from him before I go and sit on the couch to nurse it, tucking my legs underneath me. “I’m starting to understand why Caden keeps insisting we’re similar.” Although, me being an introvert wouldn’t kill me like it would Avery, apparently. I angle my body on the couch so I’m facing Avery more.

“How long is your life expectancy then? Did it change when Caden became your alpha?” I have many more questions I’d love to ask, but I don’t want to overstep.

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I look up from my phone when Nic gets into the vehicle. I look over at him curiously. ”Is kissing a part of your charm?” I look towards the temple, then back at Nic. ”Just what exactly did you do to get all those answers earlier?” I accuse him, my tone laced with suspicion.

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I lean back into the seat, grinning at Nero. ”I was planning to wait and see what you were wearing, then I'd match you.” I say, my voice filled with playful anticipation.

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I angle my body to match Kimiko’s to try and seem more friendly and open to her. I chuckle at her questions. ”Did you pick up your curiosity from Cassiopeia, or is this just a you thing?” I tease her. I sip my water before setting my glass down.

”Some die during the change if they aren’t born. Those of us who are born can live a bit longer, it seems like, but due to our nature, especially if we are dominant and fight more, we can die before we reach a hundred or shortly after. The Marrok, Bran, and his sons are old, Charles being closer in age to Caden, but Charles is a witch born before he was made into a werewolf. He’s the only one of his kind. Samuel is younger, in his hundreds, and there are a couple of alphas in their hundreds, but most of us die off before then. No one knows how old the Marrok is, but there are whispers he was around well before the dragons even ruled. Caden has never confirmed nor has he denied it.”

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I laugh, shaking my head. “Down girl, you’re starting to sound suspicious of me now and I’m worried that’ll affect my chances of a third date.”

“I did not kiss the workers, I promise. If you’d like, I’ll make sure these lips only touch yours from now on.” I throw her a wink, gently squeezing her thigh with my hand before I put it behind her seat to look back while pulling out of the parking space.

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“And if I were to just wear nothing?” I ask cheekily as I gracefully jump over the shopping bags to land near where he sits. It’s not that I would actually do it, though. I didn’t really want to show off my scars to everyone and get more questions tossed my way.

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I shake my head. “Well, I’m curious by nature, but I also work as a private investigator.” I tell him with an amused tone before he moves on to answer my questions.

I listen to him with interest, relieved that we’re finally getting along for once and that he’s being open with me. “Who or what is a Marrok?” I ask, but I’m not able to just keep it to one question.

“Also, how old are you? Do I need to get a life alert necklace for you?” I tease, but the idea seems daunting. I don’t know how long I’ll live for either since I’m only half-kitsune, but I try not to think about it often.

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I grin at Nic, thinking of a good response. I turn my head to inform him of it but all thoughts leave my brain when he puts his hand on the back of my seat to reverse out of the parking spot. My heart skips a beat, and I feel a rush of warmth spreading through my body. I'm momentarily lost in the sensation, forgetting my witty comeback.

”Do you have any idea how unbelievably attractive it is when you do that?” I ask him. My eyes look from Nic’s face to his shoulder, down his arm, and back again.

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”Well I wouldn’t mind it, but I’m sure the staff would think it a hygiene problem. Not to mention Kimiko and Avery might find it distracting,” I say. I don’t think Avery would be particularly offended since he was so comfortable with nudity himself, but if Kimiko or I stared too long at Nero, I think Avery would become defensive. He seemed to really take a protective approach when it came to Nero. I could only guess that was because he felt how protective I was through our pack bond.

I stand up and go to stand behind Nero. I wrap my arms around their waist and kiss their cheek. ”Wear whatever you feel like, but it’s just casual. You could wear one of these T-shirts and pants, or shorts. Whatever you want. Maybe we’ll eat outside. I think it’s supposed to be a nice evening.”

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”Really?” I said not hiding the impressed tone from my voice. I guess it made sense with the Men of Letters background. She would know how to find people anywhere. ”What kind of PI work do you do?” I ask curiously.

Kimiko rapidly fires me with questions about the Marrok and my age. I laugh. ”Breathe,” I tease her. ”I’m a hundred and five. Although physically, I’m currently 32. I still age, but at a slower rate, so I’m not technically immortal like Caden or Cassiopeia is. As for the Marrok, he is the first werewolf, the original, the father. Whatever you want to call him. He is the one who determines the rules we live by and makes decisions that we all have to live by. Ultimately, he leaves pack disputes and things up to the alpha of the area, but he’ll also solve territory disputes between packs.”

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I pause, bemused and I turn my head to look at Cass. “Wait, I’m sorry, what?” I ask with a chuckle.

“Are you saying you’re attracted to how I back up cars?” I raise an eyebrow in question at her as I fight off laughing in her face. I don’t want to kink shame, but it’s definitely something I haven’t heard before.

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I tilt my head back so I can look up at Caden with a smile. “You sure I can’t wear one of your t-shirts?” I ask. I’ll probably go with his suggestion though. I stare at his jaw and reach up to caress it.

“So do you think you have enough room in your closet for all this?” I ask.

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I stick out my tongue at Avery telling me to breathe before I listen to him talk. I lean forward, my legs crossed and my hands holding my ankles. When he finishes speaking, I smile. “Cool, thanks for indulging my questions. I say before I lean sideways into the back of the couch more.

“As for yours, I don’t really have a specialty. I kind of just take whatever’s available in the area I’m in. I’ll probably pick up a few cases while I’m here - big cities like this usually have a lot of things I can easily pick up. All the cheating spouses to find.” I finish with a shrug.

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I bury my head in my hands and peek through my fingers at him. ”Haven’t you ever read those books where the love interest towers over or casts a shadow over top of the main character, and it makes them feel small and overpowered, but in a good way? It’s the same idea as you putting your hand on the back of my seat and leaning over to look behind you. I don’t know, it’s just really hot,” I grumble. I drop my hands and focus on punching in the address for the iced tea shop I want to visit.

For someone talented and powerful, more potent than most supernatural creatures, it was nice to feel overpowered or looked after. With Nic being a human, I didn’t think it would be possible to feel that way around him, yet here we are.

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I chuckle. ”You could wear one of my shirts if you prefer. I would wear pants or shorts with it this time,” I say. I turn my head when Nero touches my chin, and I kiss their hand.

I pull back and survey the bags of clothes, boxes of shoes, and other items. ”Some of it. But if you are moving in here, this will in fact become your room. We can redecorate and rearrange items to fit your more unique taste. For example, we can remove the bed since you won’t be using it,” I say, a hint of a smile playing on my lips. ”I’m sure the cats would love to have their own space to hide in for when we are gone as well.”

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I nod when Kimiko thanks me for answering her questions. I’m sure she has more, but I appreciate being given a break from being the one doing all the talking. I pick up my water glass while she talks and finish it.

”Do you just work with humans or supernatural creatures as well?” I ask. I find it interesting that she chose PI life, not just because of her father, but because she’s spent most of her life tracking her mother. It makes me wonder if Kimiko will stop being a PI once she finds her mom since her longest hunt will be over.

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I can’t hold back my laughter as I shake my head, watching her try and hide. “Stop being so adorable, it’s distracting.” I start before I put my hand on her thigh and pat it as I start driving towards the location she picked.

“Should I grow my hair out, start wearing some loose ‘pirate’ shirts.” I tease.

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I grin, liking the sound of that. “I think that should work well.” I say.

“What will you do with the bed?” I ask, curious as I dig to find clothes to wear. I find a deep red and thin long-sleeved turtle neck and some black cargo pants.

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I nod. “Supernatural as well. Though, I have to be a little picky sometimes when it comes to the supernatural. The kitsune half of me makes me stronger than the average human, but my human half makes me weaker than most creatures.” I explain.

“It’s why I like to keep up with my workout regime.” If I didn’t train, I’d find myself easily beaten. It hasn’t happened in a while, but that’s only because of how strict I’ve been with it.

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”I mean, the clothes from the 1700s were something else with all the layers and the ties,” I sigh again as I reminisce about different times. ”It’s so strange how the clothing evolved. People wear underwear only, it seems, these days. Don’t get me wrong, I love today's fashion, but I’m still prone to layering. I think that’s why I like those old Victorian-era shows. Although, they all make us look like sex addicts. We did do other things, but I guess that’s just what people are into today,” I say with a shrug, watching the world go by.

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I look at the bed and shrug. ”Donate it or put it in storage. I’ll see if one of the staff needs a new bed and mattress or if they know someone who needs one,” I say. I examine their outfit choice and make sure to hand them the little bag so they don’t forget.

”Now, do you want to get dressed now, or do you want me to dress you a little later?” I ask, looking at them suggestively.

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I nod in agreement with her. A good training routine would be ideal for ensuring someone of Kimiko’s size could overpower an assailant of any size.

”That’s good to know. We can incorporate some fight sessions after the regular training sessions. Are you proficient with weapons?” I ask her. I want to tell her it would probably be better if she didn’t work alone, but that isn’t my place to tell Kimiko how to do her job.

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I smile. “You know, there’s been a big movement of people just dressing however they want - even throwing balls. We could go to ones of those if you want.” I suggest, resting my hand on her leg.

“Or there’s always renaissance fairs or conventions.” This I say with a teasing tone.

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I take the brown bag with the lingerie, smirking that he’s adamant about me wearing it. I wiggle as a shiver goes up my spine from Caden’s suggestive tone. “Later please.” I chirp, looking at him with pleading eyes, biting my lip.

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I smile, leaning my head to rest it on the couch’s back cushion. It’s nice to just have this conversation without either of us trying to rile the other up. “I’d appreciate that. As for weapons, darts and throwing knives or really anything that takes aim, but otherwise not many weapons.”

“I’ve always wanted to try and learn that pole technique though.” I don’t know if it’s because of the Walking Dead show, but the way they could use a stick to just incapacitate someone fascinates me.

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”Renaissance fairs, I know, but they make me cringe. I haven’t heard about these balls, though. Have you been to one?” I ask, resting one of my hands over his. I can't help but think about Nic dressed up in either British traditional wear or that of China. I could see him turning quite a few heads from both sexes if he dressed that way.

Of course, I didn't go to many balls when they were prominent. If I went it was usual with Caden. He was of a higher status than I was. Back in those days, if people knew of me, my name was in hushed tones. Sometimes, it was fun; other times, it was lonely. I was grateful I had Caden to walk through those days with; even if he and I hadn't been intimate with each other in the last hundred years, he was still my best friend and longest companion.

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I grin and slide my hand down the side of Nero’s body, over their hip and down their leg, feeling the warmth of their skin under my touch. [color= #006400] "Good choice," [/color] I whisper into their ear, my breath tickling their skin. My hand slides back up, and my arm snakes around their waist to pick them up and toss them over my shoulder. I leave Nero’s bedroom with their mountain of clothes all over and walk back into mine, well, ours now. I make sure the cats are out of the room before I toss Nero onto the bed. I smile down at them as I remove my jacket, feeling a rush of affection for them.

[color=#006400]”You know, I’m really glad I got you a cell phone. Texting you and looking uninterested in what Levi had to say made my pull with the pack better.

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”Okay, we can work in the weapons work with your training. Cassiopeia would be a good one to pull in for throwing knives,” I muse. ”As for the pole technique, I can walk you through the basics and set some simple drills for you to practice on your own. Then once you build strength in it, we can add that into a routine,” I offer.

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I raise an eyebrow at Cass, feeling a small smirk slip onto my face. “In all my free time?” I ask with a chuckle.

“Kat and Jane have gone to them - apparently they’re pretty fun to go to. And since we’re in a big city, there’s usually one going on at least once a month”

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I squeal as Caden picks me up and throws me over his shoulder, giggling as I’m carried and thrown onto the bed. I watch Caden as he removes his jacket, beaming up at him while he talks. “I’m glad you got me one.” Staying on my back, I reach up towards him, wanting him closer to me already.

“I would have loved to see the reaction though.”

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Impressed with how quickly he already came up with a plan, I nod. “That sounds good to me.”

“I think I like us getting along.” I observe with a smile. “Sorry for being such a brat.”

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I rest my elbow on the centre console with my chin resting on my hand and look at Nic. I squint my eyes at him in scrutiny, trying to get an idea of this man.

”Just how busy of a man were you before I stole all your time and attention?” I ask him.

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I chuckle, letting Nero pull me down closer to them once I’ve removed my jacket. My eyes remain locked on theirs, even as I rest my hands on the bed and one knee in between their legs.

”It was quite entertaining to remind them there is something bigger than them in Chicago now,” I said, my voice filled with amusement, and kissed Nero’s lips once. ”Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s the last time I will have to deal with them. Levi is a funny one,” I declare.

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”Oh? I sort of miss waiting to see how you’re going to snap at me next,” I joke half-heartedly and turn my attention back to the TV.

I shrug when she apologizes, not feeling like she needs to. ”You were just defending yourself against my less-than-stellar personality. No need to apologize,” I tell her.

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“The busiest.” I joke, throwing a glance at Cass and the adorable pose she’s taken before I chuckle.

“It’s not so much that I was busy, just that I didn’t ever really put myself first. I made time for Jane and my parents, but I really was a bit of a workaholic.” I stare straight ahead at the road as I think about it. Maybe I never really got over the death of my sister and this was how I tried to heal, only realizing now that working myself to death was a terrible way to cope.

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I pout when he pulls away after only one kiss. “What do you think he’d do? He’d be pretty stupid to try to take on my Kräftiger Drache.” I try to yank Caden closer without tearing his shirt in the process.

“Mein neckischer Drache.” I say as I glare at him, wanting to have more than one kiss.

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“I could start again if you really wanted.” I say, but I turn back to face the television, pulling my legs close to me again as we slip into a comfortable silence while watching the game.