who couldn’t handle you as you are, just like my virus refuses women who don’t meet his criteria.”
“Your virus has criteria, too? Like what? Vicious huntresses? I may have a scarred face, but I am excellent as hunting, on two feet and four.”
“That is definitely a turn on. I like competence and skill. So does my virus. You top the charts on the competence and skill chart. And if I could purr, I would have been in that sewing shop when you took out that wolf.”
“I was the queen of cool, calm, and collected on that hit. I’m so proud of myself.”
The elevator opened, and Sebastian checked the brochure we’d been given, which gave us a map of our floor, along with the information we needed to enjoy our visit to the spa. He pointed to the left. “Our room is about twenty miles that way. Also, your general behavior during a hit is part of why the CDC likes hiring you. Cool, calm, and collected is also highly professional.”
“I’m still surprised the CDC assigned you to me, especially considering we’re unmated lycanthropes.”
“Were, not are. We were unmated. We’re now happily mated. The CDC hires a lot of observant, competent people. My boss is particularly observant and competent. My boss recognized I was moodier and crankier than normal, so he started watching my file to figure out what was making me less moody and less cranky. Through the powers of deduction, and reports of me roaring at you over the phone, he concluded that despite appearances, which involved me being forced to the point of roaring from frustration, my conversations with you made me significantly less crabby. So, he sent me here in the hopes I would become happily mated to you. Let me note that there is a very strong emphasis on happily. I’m very happy today. I am sending my boss a nice Christmas present this year, and once I convince you to marry me, an invitation to our wedding.”
I considered my savings account, and assuming we pulled off the job, I could easily afford a wedding. A nice one, where I got to show off a pretty dress in front of all of my brothers and parents. And I could invite my uncles and their families, too. We could even do it at an actual venue rather than in the yard. “How big is your family?”
“Not as big as I would like, but it’s big enough. Lions don’t like staying unmated for long, and while most lionesses limit things to a child every fifteen to eighteen years, we’re long lived and tend to mate early. I’m considered to be a holdout, but that’s because after the first time I met you, I decided I would be keeping a close eye on you, which means I really didn’t have interest in other women. At the time, I hadn’t been planning on mating with you, but I had an interest.”
“My reaction to people flinching at my face?” I guessed.
“That was a big part of it, yes. I didn’t flinch, but when I saw you, I wondered what sort of hell you had endured to emerge with so many scars. I’d guessed a car accident rather than a fire. I hadn’t guessed your whole body is likewise scarred. And since the scars are a sore point, and I would only discuss them after you brought it up, I wasn’t going to ask. Nothing I had on you implied it was a result of domestic violence or an attack, so I tried not to worry about it much.”
“My family would not react well to anyone raising a hand against me. Unless we’re actively mating, in which case they’ll cheer me on and tell me to kick your ass so hard you retaliate and show me a good time. Because we’re lynxes, and that is encouraged.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. And make sure I swat you a time or two while a lion. To establish my physical superiority and goad you into indulging with me. Honestly, I’m liking general lynx behaviors. Lions are needy and indulge often, and it’s looking like my little lynx is in dire need of attention and indulgence.”
“I think you’re right. Lonely lynxes don’t purr often. I have been a very lonely lynx.”
“Those days are over, although I am hoping I’ll get some of your growls and hisses, too. I’m a lion, not a completely pampered prince. I like the whole package. The purrs are nice, but I