Alpha's Vow (Shifter Ops 2)

“Wait.” I can’t process all this. I glance from the paper, to the minivan, to Pantsuit Amy. “Are you moving here?”

Lance steps close. So close, my cells cry out for him to touch me. But he leaves a few inches between us as he murmurs, “I told you, Charlie. You're it for me. And I don't want another second to go by where we're more than a town apart.” He swallows hard, his Adam's apple bobbing. “I mean, I'd rather you be in my bed,” he purrs. Heat flares between my legs. “But if not, I can deal. I figured I could buy a house close to your folks. Or maybe a duplex? You can live on one side; I’ll live on the other. We can share the backyard.”

There’s a knot in my throat the size of a minivan. “Lance, you can't just leave Taos. What about your pack?” I add in a low voice, glancing to make sure the realtor can’t hear. She's walking around the cul-de-sac, chatting on her phone. The blinds over my mom and dad's front bay window are still, but I bet my mom is peeping through a crack. We definitely have an audience.

I step closer to Lance so I can whisper, not because I'm dying to touch him. “Are you really moving here?”

“I told you, Charlie.” His murmur caresses my ears. “You're the only one I need.”

And then I can't wait any longer. I take two steps and launch myself into his arms. He's there to catch me. Like always.

“Lance,” I cry, wrapping my legs around him. He feels so good between them. Like always.

“Baby.” He's kissing my face and my neck, licking and nipping a little too. We're giving the realtor and my parents a show, and I don’t even care.

“I’m sorry if I hurt you. I didn’t mean to, I just was freaked out. I know it was pretty rash thinking I could just up and move here.”

He makes a noncommittal sound. “I might have been a little rash, too.”

“This isn’t rash,” I tell him. “This is perfect.” I’m crying fresh tears now, but this time they’re happy tears. “You came for me. With a minivan!” I shower his face with kisses.

“What do you say, baby?” He nips my ear, his palms on my ass, squeezing hard. “You want to let me in? You want to do this together? Birthdays, first day at kindergarten, Little League games? I'm willing to do it for our kid, but I'd rather do it with you.”

“Oh my God, yes. Yes.”

Lance sets me down gently and goes to one knee and pulls out a pacifier. “Will you be my baby-mama?”

I swat his shoulder. “I'm already your baby-mama.”

“Let's make it official, then.” He slides the ring on the back of the pacifier onto my right ring finger. Then reaches into his pocket and pulls out a real ring, sparkling with a line of yellow gems. My birthstone. The real ring fits perfectly on my left ring finger. It's different. Unique. Just like us.

I lean down and kiss him.

“OMG!” The realtor streaks up the driveaway, holding out her phone and clicking a picture. “Did he just propose? I’m so happy to be here during this special time!”

This is worse than restaurant staff who insist on singing happy birthday. I mouth to Lance: Get rid of her.

“Uh, Amy, can you come back another time?” Lance calls over his shoulder, wincing as she snaps another photo.

“Of course!”

I muffle my laugh against Lance’s shoulder as the click of heels tells me she’s walking away.

“Sorry, baby. Overkill.”

“It’s okay.” I smooth his hair back. “It’s just, we won’t be needing a realtor at all. I don’t want to move here.”

He cups my cheek. “You sure, baby? I’ll do whatever you want.”

“Lance…” My voice hitches. He’s beautiful and he’s here, warm and solid against me. I’m drowning in his ocean eyes. “I’m sure. You’re the one for me. I realized that before you showed up.”

“Don’t cry, Charlie.” Lance kisses away a tear.

“It’s hormones.” I laugh through my tears, holding his face and kissing it, and he turns me in slow circles. “And I’m sure. I want you to take me back to Taos. I miss my other family.”

“Yeah? You sure?” He walks me toward the new minivan and pins my ass against it, pressing into me.

“I’m sure. I made a huge mistake. I missed you so much. And I was wrong about your work. Your missions don't make me vulnerable. They make us safe.”

“I quit,” he tells me. “You were right. I have Little League to coach. And I was thinking about becoming a CPA or something.”

“Stop it!” I laugh, even as my heart aches with how perfect he is. “I don’t want you to quit. I mean, not for me. You don’t need to change anything for me. I was out of my mind when I didn’t think you were the perfect man. I mean, mate. You’re the one, Lance. It’s you, all the way.”