You seemed a little distracted today,” Jane told Tasha as they were slipping on their coats at the end of a long shift. “And you look real tired.” She gave her a sardonic smile. “Such a polite way of telling me I look like shit.” “Come on, tell me what’s wrong. You’re supposed to confide in me and make me feel important and special.” When she didn’t, she hit her in the chest with her own purse. “Spill.” Hanging the purse over her shoulder, she frowned at her. “Hey, I don’t harass you about your private business. If I was going to do that, I’d say shame on you for flirting outrageously with another one of your clients.” “I wasn’t flirting. I was being particularly nice to a particularly hot.” “Uh-huh. Just try not to sleep with this one, okay?” Her mouth fell open. He followed behind her, spluttering, as she headed for the door. “I did not have sex with him.” “No, of course not.…He ha

Finding again waiting by his car with a Starbucks coffee for her the next morning, Tasha thought he looked a lot calmer. She, by contrast, wasn’t so calm. “You know, you and Trevon are unbelievably alike. Neither of you can take a hint, and neither of you pay any attention to what other people want.” She still snatched one of the coffee cups, though. As always, Onyx and his wolf were amused by the snippy side of her nature. “Such charming manners.” When he tucked a stray curl behind her ear, she predictably slapped his hand away. Tasha went to take a sip of the coffee but then stopped. “Wait, this isn’t the one you’ve been drinking out of, is it?” “You ask that like I have an infectious disease or something.” She shrugged. “I just don’t like sharing straws or glasses or cups with other people.” “Really?” “It’s one of my quirks.”

As Tasha once again looked at the gift Onyx had sent her, she resisted the urge to groan. He hadn’t bought her flowers or chocolates—things she could have rolled her eyes at, considering how little thought and creativity would have gone into the gifts on his part. Nor had he written her a soppy poem or a lovey-dovey card—corny things she could have scoffed at. Nor had he bought her jewelry or perfume—expensive stuff that would have given her an excuse to claim he was trying to buy her. No…he’d bought her something funny, something that would make her laugh. Something that Jean was again playing with, making her want to snatch it back. So she did. “Hands off.” “Ooh, possessive.” Jean chuckled and went back to tidying the salon, ready to close up. “I think this is hilarious.” “What’s funny about a Public Toilet Survival Kit?” In truth, the only reason she wasn’t chuckling with her was that she was annoyed—Onyx was being nice, something h

Two hours later, Onyx was still arguing with his mother about his decision to hold back certain details from Onyx. Yes, Kate had a valid point in saying that it was wrong for there to be secrets or lies between mates. And, yes, a lie of omission still counted. And, yes, it would be far easier to make Tasha forgive him if he told her the truth. But Tasha was worth the hard work. Plus, he’d never know if she’d given him a chance because she felt sorry for him or because she wanted him—he needed it to be the latter. “You won’t make me change my mind,” he told his mother. “Let it go.” Her eyes held his, staring at him to the point where he began to feel uncomfortable. Kate Loup had a way of making people feel guilty even when they hadn’t done anything wrong. When his dad had been alive, she’d been an expert at getting him to apologize for something when the fault really lay with her. She was also extremely good at getting her own way—usually by

Missing me? Though she had promised herself she would never, ever, ever reply to his texts and encourage what she should consider annoying behavior, she had found herself responding:Sadly, yes, my aim seems to be off lately—either that or I need a new rifle. Then she had waited in anticipation for a response—irritated about the whole “anticipation” part but unable to help it. She’d soon received one:I’d ask how you’re doing and if you’ve been busy today, but these new binoculars work great—a “must-have” for all intense investigators.And, once again, she was fighting a smile. Once again, she failed. What further irritated her was that when he turned up at the salon at lunchtime, she was pleased to see him. Apparently, so was Danna, because she was immediately at his side, trailing along as he made his way to Tasha. “Are you here to book an appointment, sir, or were you hoping to—” Onyx looked at