It was up to her to tell him the news.
Sitting down, he picked up the book he'd been reading and tried to focus on it. He couldn't. All he kept doing was thinking of what his life would be like without her in it.
And he knew the answer. He'd been living that way for centuries.
The door opened to his room. He glanced up to see Susan coming in with a glum look on her face.
This was it. She was going to tell him and then pack. Bracing himself, he watched as she moved to the side of the bed and handed him her latest article. No doubt this one would solidify her as a legitimate reporter again.
He forced himself not to betray his hurt as he picked it up to read and his heart slid to his stomach.
IMARRIEDTHECATMANOFSEATTLE
So my husband has a litter box. At least he doesn't stray at night...
"What the hell is this?"
"My article."
"I don't understand."
She laughed. "I have to turn it in to Leo. I just called and he told me that I can have my old job back."
"I thought you hated that job."
"Not anymore. I just realized that I can have a lot more fun working for him than I ever could writing for the Post or Wall Street Journal. Not to mention, I get to cuddle up with the best-looking catman in town."
Ravyn still couldn't believe it. "You're staying?"
"Are you deaf, kitty? Yes. Now are you going to make an honest woman of me, or what?"
Ravyn laughed as he pulled her to him and dissolved their clothes. "Yeah, baby. I intend to make sure that you never stray, either."
Susan shivered as the cool air caressed her skin, followed immediately by the warmth of Ravyn's hand as he glided it down her spine. His hair pulled itself back from his face into a ponytail so that he wouldn't cause her to sneeze too much.
She laughed at his consideration. Pressing herself against him, she pulled his head down so that she could taste his lips. It was still hard for her to believe that after this she would never be alone again.
Ravyn would be here for her.
He was her family. So was Leo, and even Otto and Kyl. They were more like her homicidal cousins, but they were family. It was more than she'd ever hoped for.
No, Ravyn was more than she'd ever hoped for. How could Mr. Wrong, be so right? It didn't make sense and yet he was. She couldn't imagine ever being this comfortable with another man. He fit her perfectly.
The more she learned about him, the more she loved him.
Ravyn's senses whirled as he tasted the sweetness of her mouth. In all these centuries, he'd never thought to have another mate and yet here she was.
Susan. Soft, irritating, beautiful. She was more than he'd ever dreamed of. Pulling back, he lay his cheek against hers and inhaled the floral scent of her hair...
At least until she sneezed.
He smiled before he turned her in his arms.
"What are we doing?" she asked.
"The ritual," he breathed in her ear. He held his marked hand out before her. "Put your marked palm against mine."
Susan did, then he laced his fingers with hers and nuzzled her neck with his whiskered cheek. She loved the sensation of his skin scraping hers. It sent chills all over her.