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Ben was going to flip out. Tegan took a steadying breath before hefting the box of her stuff and moving to the front door.

“Hey, let me help you.” He met her in the living room, taking the box and kissing her. The house smelled spicy and savory. “I just opened a bottle of wine. Where do you want this box? I’ll put it there while you change into the clothes I left on the bed.”

“It’s a box of clothes so the bedroom I suppose. Hmm, you’re going to dress me up?”

He laughed, following her into their room and putting the box off to the side. She saw the beautiful emerald green kimono style robe lying on their bed.

“I’d like to.”

She turned to face him, saw the look in his eyes and a shiver worked down her spine.

“Okay. It’s lovely.” She drew her fingertips over the cool, smooth silk.

“Like you. I saw it last week. Yes, while we were fighting. I had to have it because I knew you’d look beautiful in it.”

“I suppose now would be a good time to establish whether or not we start this part of our lives and drop everything from the outside or whether we fight first and then fuck.”

Sighing, he sat on the bed. “Well now, that doesn’t bode well. I suppose I’d say we deal with the outside first and then move to the other. I prefer for the other stuff, our sexual life, to be totally separated from any strife. So go on, tell me.”

It probably would have been easier if she’d been wearing some slinky robe. She began to move about the room, putting her weapon away, unpacking the box of clothes.

“I’ve been chosen to go to the National Council meeting.”

“You have not!” He jumped up and moved to her. “You are not going to that meeting, Tegan. It’s dangerous.” He crossed his arms over his chest and gave her his bad cop face.

“At the risk of channeling Nina, duh. That’s why I’m going. Recall our conversation yesterday and this morning about the whole danger thing being part of my job. I’m very good at what I do, it’s why Lex is sending me. I know it upsets you and I’m sorry for that. But I’m not sorry I was chosen to go, it’s an honor my Enforcer thinks so highly of me. Just like you being chosen to go means your boss thinks highly of you.”

Thank goodness she’d spoken at length about this with Nina earlier. Nina had explained Ben would be mad and attempt to be bossy but cautioned Tegan not to lose her temper. Nina had been right that Tegan would keep the upper hand if she let Ben blow off steam but never let it be a question of her going.

Nina was positively, delightfully evil that way. No wonder Lex walked around confused but very happy most of the time. It was a matter of letting the dude be all bossy and pissy but never letting the argument be about something she’d never change her mind on.

“Why are you being so calm about this?” Ben thundered.

“I know you’re upset. I know you’re worried. But you’ll be there too, we won’t have to be separated, which is nice, don’t you think?”

He snorted and began to pace. “You’re avoiding the subject, Tegan. I won’t have you putting yourself in harm’s way like this.”

She ignored that last statement. “No I’m not. The subject is not whether I’ll go. I’m going. The subject is your feelings about it. I know you’re pissed. I’m sorry for it. I don’t want you to be upset.”

“Then stay the hell here and be safe!”

She laughed. He was really quite adorable when he got this way. She moved to him, placing herself in his path to halt the pacing and slipped her arms around his shoulders.

“We’ve already gotten past that. It’s going to happen, you know it. I’ve let you rail about it and it’s over unless you want to have sex with your hand and talk to yourself because I’m done now. I promise I’ll look way better in that green silk than your hand will.”

“Tegan, please. This is insanity.”

She kissed him softly. What was insane was the fact that she was a freaking werewolf and he was a human. He was the weaker one but he worried for her. So sweet, this gruff man.

“It is. But it’s my job and you have your job and we already discussed that very salient point and agreed to work through it. This falls into the category of my world. This is wolf business and this fucker has harmed my family and he threatens my people. He’s got to be stopped.”

His spine lost its stiffness and she knew she’d won.

“Fine. You’re going to drive me to an early grave. Should of found myself a woman who listened. Who was all nice and took orders. Oh no, had to get a bossy one who shoots guns and likes hand to hand,” he mumbled as he undid the button of her jeans.

“You love it and you know it.”

He harrumphed and pulled her shirt up over her head.

“I do love that you wear sexy stuff under your work clothes.” He kissed her pulse, his tongue filling the hollow of her throat just a phantom of a moment before moving away.

“Victoria’s Secret but I know it’s there. Makes me feel sexy.”

“How could you feel anything but? You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Stubborn woman. There’s a card with instructions on it beneath the robe. I’ll be in the dining room when you finish.”

He spun after one last, hard kiss and left the room. Wicked man to leave her hanging and breathless.

The card bore the embossed stamp of a red wolf at the top. Made her slightly dizzy that he’d put so much energy into that small detail.

Going into the bathroom, she undressed and showered, using the gel soap he’d indicated, ginger and vanilla. She smelled like gingerbread but in a totally hot way. Who knew?

She brushed her hair out and left it down. It gleamed in the light. She applied red lipstick, the perfect red for a redhead so he’d looked in her makeup bag because it was her shade. A shade she’d bought on a whim just before she’d met him. Always made her feel daring and wanton.

Thong panties the same green as the robe went on before she slid the silk against her skin and belted it at the waist. The color brought out the pale cream of her skin. He’d chosen well and, as she stood there looking at herself, she’d never felt more beautiful.