Part 23 (1/2)
”Yes,” man and beast said together, fascinated by the delicacy of the blooms he could see beyond the gla.s.s. ”Give them to me.”
”For a healer?” The florist raised a skeptical eyebrow.
”She's not a healer to me. She's my lover, my mate.” Unlike these hothouse flowers, she was strong. But just like these rare blooms, she was both irreplaceable and beautiful enough to break his heart. ”She's mine to cherish.”
This time, the florist's smile was pure brightness. ”It is as it should be.”
TAMSYN HAD COOKED THE MEAL, SET THE TABLE, AND s.h.i.+mmied into a pretty knee-length dress. She bit her lip and looked in the mirror. The dress was an autumn red-orange that brought out the copper strands in her unbound hair. Shaping her body to the waist, it then flared out in a playful swirl. She'd paired it with heels and a fine gold bracelet.
”I look okay,” she told herself, knowing Nate probably wouldn't even notice. It wasn't as if the dress changed who she was. But it made her feel good.
Taking a deep breath, she went into the front room, ready to fluff the cus.h.i.+ons for the tenth time. She delighted in living with Nate and wanted to make a good home for him, but had to admit she might be going a bit overboard. The man loved her. He couldn't care less if the pillows were skewed or dinner was late.
She smelled Nathan's wild masculine scent before he knocked. Her heart tripped a beat. Thinking he must have his hands full, she pulled the door open. ”Nathan, what-” Her eyes dropped to the flowers in his arms. They were a sumptuous cream color, with gold streaks that s.h.i.+mmered with an almost otherworldly iridescence.
”I thought you'd like these,” he said, the cat in his voice.
She touched a hesitant finger to one perfect petal. ”For me?”
”Of course they're for you.” It was more growl than anything close to human. ”Do you think I go around giving other women flowers?”
Shaking her head, she looked up into the velvet blue of his eyes. ”You think I'm an orchid kind of girl?”
”h.e.l.l yes.” He put them into her arms and wiped away the tear she hadn't been aware of shedding. ”Stop that.”
She sniffed, staring at those precious flowers. Orchids. Nathan had given her orchids. Rare and precious and beautiful...the kind of flowers a man gave to a girl who was all those things. ”Thank you.”
”You can thank me later,” he murmured against her ear. ”When I peel this s.e.xy dress off you.” He was behind her now, his hands caressing her hips as he pulled her back against his body. ”Or maybe I'll leave the dress on and only take off the underwear.”
”You're making me blush.” It was a playful rejoinder-she loved his earthy sensuality.
”A dress gives a man ideas.” He nibbled at her earlobe.
Her smile turned into a full-fledged grin as her heart filled with so much love she thought it would burst. ”What if I took off everything but the heels?”
He groaned. ”Put the d.a.m.n orchids in water.”
”They need tender care,” she murmured, touching another petal.
”Yes.” He kissed the curve of her neck. ”But I want to take care of you. Let me.”
She blinked. No one had ever offered to take care of her. She was the pack healer-she took care of everyone else. But Nate thought she was an orchid kind of girl. She had the wondrous realization that, to him, that was what she'd always been. He saw the woman behind the healer. Another tear streaked down her cheek. ”Always.”
His arms came around her tight.
BY THE TIME CHRISTMAS ROLLED AROUND, SOLIAS KING was a dim memory. The Psy had removed all his equipment from their land, leaving behind only the ornament and Christmas lights. Tamsyn had been more than happy to use them on her tree, though the chosen fir had no lack of decorations-every one of her packmates had added a piece or ten, so that by Christmas Day, that tree was truly the pack's Christmas tree.
Tamsyn thought Shayla would have been pleased. So many in DarkRiver remained damaged by what had happened, but at least this silly extravagant tree had brought some joy back into their lives. They held the Christmas party under its snow-dusted branches and it was there that Lachlan formally acknowledged her and Nate's mating.
”For me, our anniversary will always be the day you gave me orchids,” she said to Nathan as they danced under sparkling tinsel.
He slid his hands down to her lower back. ”I vote for the cabin in Tahoe.”
She laughed. ”What are we going to tell our children when they ask about our mating if we pick Tahoe? Hmm?”
”That DarkRiver looks after its own.” Sadie's, Cian's, and even Nita's interference had been born of the ties of Pack, and Nate accepted it. ”And that their daddy was a stupid idiot, but one who came to his senses in time.” Nate wondered what their cubs would look like. Not that he was going to ask Tammy to have children anytime soon. She was only nineteen...and part of him still wasn't sure she wouldn't regret having mated so young. But on this magical Christmas night, he decided to believe in happy endings. ”Want a replay?”
”Of the orchids?”
It was such an innocent question he almost missed the mischief in her eyes. ”I'll make you pay for that.” He stroked his hand over her bottom.
”Behave,” she whispered with a blush. ”The others will see.”
”So?” He turned her until her back was to the tree. ”I'm just playing with my mate.”
This time, she cuddled into him, her hands sliding up under his sweater. ”I want the replay with cream on top.”
He grinned. ”Why do you think I bought those cans of whipped cream?”
Eyes wide, she licked her lips. ”Me first.”
Epilogue.
Eighteen Years Later: Year 2079 ”WHERE'S THE WHIPPED CREAM?” NATE KISSED HIS WAY down the naked line of his mate's back.
She glanced over her shoulder, beautiful enough to steal his breath. ”Have you forgotten we have guests?”
”They can entertain themselves,” he said, referring to the houseful of packmates who'd dropped by for a family dinner.
”They've already been doing that for an hour.” She moaned. ”Oooh, again.”
He complied, kissing the dip at the base of her spine. ”I suppose I have to go play host.”
”Poor baby,” she teased.
He bit the curve of her b.u.t.tock. ”Don't get smart with me, Tamsyn Ryder. I know all your secrets.” And after eighteen years together, he knew she was his, body and soul. It had taken him almost two years to really believe that truth-but when she'd only gotten happier and happier as time pa.s.sed, it had become impossible not to.
She nuzzled at his neck. ”Stop seducing me. I need to go finish making dinner.”
Rising halfway, he found his gaze caught by a golden envelope on the bureau. ”What's that?”