Prince of Wolves - Tasha Black Page 0,13

you must promise to tell me next week if I got enough chips in my cookie recipe this time. I’ve got to make cookies for the mayor’s birthday next month, so I’m counting on you to help me make sure they’re just right.”

That earned her a dozen smiles.

Then the kids took off for the big stone building and the three women were left alone again, with Varik looking on.

“Is this your boyfriend, Ashe?” Mrs. Cortez asked, looking Varik up and down.

Ashe opened her mouth and closed it again.

“You’re welcome to help us next week,” Mrs. Cortez told Varik, not waiting for an answer. “I can see you like children. And what an unusual dog you have.”

“He’s full of energy,” Varik replied, smiling fondly down at Ronan.

Mrs. Cortez bent to pat the pup on the head.

He sat down politely for his patting, as if he knew it wouldn’t be acceptable to jump on her and lick her as he had with the children.

“Well, ladies, it looks like I brought extra cookies,” Mrs. Cortez said, straightening. “You’ll each have to take one for the road.”

Delilah smiled at Ashe, who smiled back, in silent appreciation of Mrs. Cortez.

They packed up the table and Mrs. Cortez was locking up the building before half an hour had passed.

“I know it’s a quick job,” Mrs. Cortez said. “But you can see how important it is that there are three of us to welcome them and to make sure that if they want to chat with a friendly grown-up about their day, they have the opportunity. They should each feel like a special guest when they pick up their backpack. You both did such an excellent job. Will I see you again next week?”

“Yes,” Delilah said.

“Absolutely,” Ashe replied, glancing at Varik.

He would be disappointed to hear it, but she loved being mortal so far.

“If you ever need to take a day off just text me,” Mrs. Cortez said. “That way I can be sure to have another volunteer stop by.”

“We will,” Delilah assured her, then turned to Ashe. “That was really fun. I’m kind of new around here, so stuff like this is a great way for me to meet people. We should totally get together sometime. You really have to meet my husband. You’d love him.”

“That sounds nice,” Ashe replied sincerely.

She had a warm feeling at the thought. It had never really occurred to her in the fae realm, but Ashe had never had a real friend before.

Maybe this mortal life would work out after all.

7

Varik

Varik drove in silence, thoughts in his head racing faster than the light traffic.

“Is everything well with you?” Ashe asked, concern in her voice.

Ronan licked her nose and she nuzzled him back.

Varik glanced over, but the sight of the dark-haired beauty beside him only worsened the storm in his head and heart.

He’d underestimated her resiliency. Nothing about this mortal life seemed to get her down. In fact, helping others seemed to lend her strength.

Of course, helping others was meant to be her part of her role in Faerie, but she had shrugged it off.

“Want a bite?” she offered, holding out the large cookie the backpack lady had given her.

You’re a bad ass fae bounty hunter, you’re not here to share snacks.

“Sure,” he said.

His hand brushed hers as he took the cookie and he was afraid he would crash her little car as his heart skipped a beat.

Her eyes widened and then she looked down at Ronan, as if to distract herself.

Varik took a bite of the cookie to give himself something else to focus on. It was rich and sweet. Clearly made with love.

“Good?” she asked.

“So good,” he had to admit as he handed it back.

“Mm,” she moaned as her lips closed around it.

By all the hells, she was going to drive him crazy.

And he was going to drive them both into a tree.

“Are you hungry for more than a cookie?” he asked.

Ashe coughed around her bite of cookie.

“Do you want dinner?” he clarified.

“Yes,” she said. “What do we do if we want dinner? Willow seems to be very lacking in servants.”

He fought the urge to smile.

She had been raised a spoiled fae princess, after all.

“When mortals want food,” he explained, “they have to pay for it at a restaurant or cook it themselves.”

“I’ll have you know,” she said proudly. “I purchased food on my own just this morning.”

“Serving girls can’t afford to eat at a restaurant for every meal,” he explained. “You’ll need to cook.”

“Well, I don’t know how to