Flirting Under a Full Moon (24 page)

“Yup. Same place. I kind of hate to move it and risk losing my spot.”

“So, you’re saying you haven’t moved it in weeks?”

She gave him a sheepish grin. “Not so much.”

The wind blew and she shivered. “It’s starting to get cold.”

“Do you want to go back to your apartment for a coat? The wind off the water is apt to be even colder.”

“Actually, I have a wool shawl in the car that would serve just fine.”

As they rounded the corner onto Revere Street, he dropped her hand and wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “I’ll keep you warm until we get there.”

“Thanks, honey.”

He grinned. “That’s the first time you’ve used an endearment.”

“It is?” Brandee sounded incredulous, but Nick was pretty sure it was true.

“I like it,” he said.

“I-I like it when you call me sweetheart too. I’m sorry I never called you anything but your name until now.”

He shrugged. “It’s no big deal. I think I fell in love with you faster, but I’m glad you’re catching up.”

“Me too.”

They stopped just long enough to share a tender kiss. At last they arrived at her car and she dug the keys out of her bag. In a few moments, they were in, although Nick’s knees hit the dashboard and he had to push back the seat. The engine coughed and sputtered a couple times, but eventually it turned over.

Would
you
like
to
practice
telepathy
while
we’re driving?
Nick asked.

“Sure. What do you want to ‘talk’ about?”

How
about
your
photographs. Taken any good ones lately?

“Oh, yeah. I forgot to show them to you. I guess I got distracted. Are there any other surprises I should expect?”

From
telepathy?

“Or from falling in love with a werewolf. I still can’t get used to the idea that I’m actually dating a character from horror movies.”

Hey, we’re sensitive about that, you know.

She glanced over at him and said out loud, “Really? I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

Nick laughed. “I’m kidding. Not much bothers me. I’d be more apt to get upset if someone was speaking to you in a derogatory way.”

“I like that about you.”

The drive to the ship’s parking lot was uneventful, thank goodness. Nick was afraid the car would give out in the middle of some busy intersection and their night would be spent getting a towing company to rescue them.

So far, his plan was unfolding pretty much the way he’d imagined it. Maybe better. The unexpected transfer of thoughts he’d worried about hadn’t happened. Konrad made it sound as if he and Roz had a hard time learning how to control the telepathy. Brandee hadn’t
said
anything he didn’t want to hear…yet. And as far as he knew, he hadn’t either.
Whew.
It might be hard keeping his proposal a secret otherwise.
Speaking
of
hard, my cock gets stiff every time I look at my lover.

Brandee giggled as she was getting out of the car.

Uh-oh. Did she hear me thinking about my hard cock?

“Yes, she did.”

Damn. I’ll have to watch my thoughts more carefully.

“Or not. I like knowing that looking at me turns you on.”

He swept her into a tight embrace and kissed her passionately, right there in the parking lot. They’d had to wait a while before developing telepathic communication, but maybe that was a good thing. When Konrad and Roz said it was hard to control, he expected more slips of the mental tongue. But the other couple had it thrust upon them so quickly, they barely knew each other.

Perhaps because he and Brandee had been able to deepen their relationship first, it wasn’t as difficult to filter thoughts the other might not want to hear. Regardless, Nick couldn’t be happier to know beyond any doubt he’d found his mate at last.

***

The cruise around Boston Harbor had been wonderful. The ship’s dining room could rival the most elegant restaurant in the city. The fact that they could lean on the railing and watch the city lights float by just added to the experience.

Brandee felt so lucky to have found love at last, and her heart swirled. Just like she did in the arms of her amazingly graceful dance partner.

Nick rose and held his hand out to her again. She happily jumped at the chance to dance with him once more.

As the slow beat began, she asked, “How did you become such a good dancer, Nick—I mean, honey?”

He smiled. “Are you surprised I know how?”

“Not really. Just amazed you’re so good at it. Big guys like you aren’t usually agile.”

“Well, sweetheart, I’ve stepped on my share of toes, but I had to keep practicing so I could function at the policemen’s ball each year.”

“Oh, I forgot they had those.”

“It’s usually a good time. I wish I could have taken you just to show you off.”

“That’s okay. I’m sure you showed off plenty just by bringing a different girl each year.” Had he really been such a player? Brandee knew intellectually that he had, but she’d never have guessed by the way he treated her. He never looked at another woman and never talked about any of his past conquests. She
almost
felt secure. She wondered if she ever would, completely.

She thought she heard him say something.

“What did you say?”

“Huh? Oh, nothing. I was thinking too loud, I guess.”

“Are you sure? I thought you were wondering about the time.”

Suddenly he stopped dancing. Holding on to her hand, he led her back to their table. Brandee found it amusing that every time they got up, the waiters refolded their napkins. It was as if the napkin fairies had been there when they weren’t looking.

He pulled out her chair for her but angled it so she’d face him instead of the table. She thought it a little odd, but maybe he just wanted her to be able to watch the dancers and talk to him at the same time.

To her shock, Nick pulled a small box out of his suit jacket and dropped onto one knee.

“Brandee Hanson. You’re the love of my life. I want and need you by my side always. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?” He opened the box, revealing the most beautiful diamond ring she’d ever seen.

At first she couldn’t speak. All the air had rushed from her lungs. Then, as if on cue, the music stopped and she exclaimed, “What are you, nuts?”

People all around them stopped what they were doing to watch the scene. Nick’s smile disappeared. A blush crept up his neck.

“Of course, I’ll marry you!” she cried and threw her arms around his neck.

Everyone applauded, but Nick seemed slow to hold her.

Nick, this is so sudden. Are you sure you want to do this—now?

“Absolutely. I couldn’t be more positive, but
you
don’t seem sure.”

I’m sure I love you. I just hadn’t thought about marriage yet. Perhaps we should have a long engagement.

“If it will make you feel better.”

She leaned back and held out her hand, allowing him to slip the ring on her finger. It sparkled like sunshine on snow and took her breath away.

Nick rose, angled his chair to face her, and took his seat. She glanced around to be sure people had gone back to minding their own business and they wouldn’t be overheard.

“Oh, Nick. It’s beautiful, and I
do
want to marry you, but we only started dating in September. It isn’t even Halloween yet.” She lowered her voice. “By the way, is there anything funky about Halloween for you guys?”

He chuckled but seemed hesitant. “Not for wolves. But there is one more thing I have to tell you. It’s not about the paranormal. Just about me. I’ll tell you later.”

Can’t you tell me now?

“I’d rather wait for the right time.”

She sighed.
Please? I hate these surprises. Knowing there’s another one will drive me crazy.

He took both her hands in his and smiled. “This news isn’t going to upset you. At least I doubt it will, but I had to be sure you’d marry me
for
me
before I told you this one last secret.”

“Okay. So now that I proved myself, out with it.”

He sighed. “All right. Brandee, I’m rich as shit. I only work because I’d be bored stiff if I didn’t. I liked police work and I enjoy being a private investigator even more. I don’t want to quit, even though I could.”

Her jaw dropped. “But you were a cop. How—I’m sorry, but I know cops don’t make much money. How did you get rich?”

He stroked her cheek. “I’ve always been good about managing my finances. I made a couple of smart investments, my brother and I sold our company, and voila. I’m a millionaire. You don’t have to waitress anymore if you don’t want to.”

“You’d be okay with my concentrating on my photography career full time?”

“Absolutely.”

She laughed. “Un-freakin’-believable. It’s about time you hit me with some
good
news for a change.”

***

On the way home, Brandee’s car began to sputter.
Oh, no.
“Don’t give out on me now, Clara,” she mumbled.

“Clara?”

“Yeah. I know it’s silly, but I name my cars. I should have named this one Christine.”

Nick snickered. “Pull over under that streetlamp. I’ll take a look at it.”

“No, we’re almost home. I think she can make it another few blocks.”

Brandee continued on, but the long, steep hill and her car had other ideas. The sputter turned into a choking noise and it died.

“Crap. Right in the middle of the street.”

“Don’t worry, sweetheart.” Nick opened his door and hopped out. “Stay there and steer.”

He leaned into the open door and pushed with all his might. The car edged forward.

“Jeez, Nick. Don’t have a heart attack pushing this junk heap uphill. It’s not worth it.”

“Don’t worry about my heart. I’ll be fine.”

“Just help me get her off to the side. I think we passed a parking space back a ways. I’ll let her roll downhill and maybe you can help guide her into it.”

Nick held the car still and looked over its roof. “Yeah. I see it. Let me get behind her in case the brakes give out too.”

“Oh, hell no. I don’t want to run you over.”

“I won’t let that happen. I’ll just brace myself against the trunk and walk downhill so it doesn’t roll too fast.”
“I’m plenty strong, sweetheart. I could push Clara home if you wanted me to.”

“Are you sure, honey?”

He leaned down and smiled at her. “I’m positive.” He took off his suit jacket and tie, and tossed them onto the passenger’s seat.

Reluctantly, she agreed and kept her foot on the brake until he jogged around and braced himself against the trunk.

“Okay, sweetheart. Let her go,” he called out.

She let up on the brake very slowly.
Please
tell
me
if
it’s too much and I’ll step on the brake right away, all right?

“I will.”

She heard him grunt a couple times as they rolled slowly down the hill. Eventually, the car was even with the truck parked in front of the empty space.

“How are you with parallel parking?”
Nick asked telepathically.

I
have
to
parallel
park
all
the
time. You can let go and I’ll steer her in.

“I’m not letting go, but I might need to move when we get close to the car below.”

Brandee wished he’d move onto the sidewalk just in case. She’d rather hit a parked car than pin her lover between the bumpers.

She applied the brakes lightly and steered Clara into the spot as best she could. If her car were running, she’d go forward a couple feet and straighten out.

She rolled down the window and called out, “I think that’s good enough. At least she’s out of the way.”

When Nick didn’t answer, she panicked. “Nick? Are you all right back there?”

“Roll up the window and don’t get out.”

Why? What’s wrong?

Brandee set the emergency brake and turned around. Nick stood on the sidewalk with another guy, and it took a moment before she noticed the gun pointed at Nick’s midsection.
Oh, my mugging.

“Stay where you are, sweetheart. I’ve got this.”

Shit.

The guy moved up to her window and yelled, “Get out of the cah.”

She unlocked the door.

“No,” Nick shouted.
“Stay there and distract him.”

Distract
him?
How was she supposed to do that? Stick out one shapely leg at a time and hope he liked what he saw?

Can
you
transform
or
shift
or
whatever
you
call
it? That ought to distract the hell out of him.

“Not in front of a human unless I have a vampire handy to erase his memory. Otherwise, I’d have to kill him. Think of something else.”

“Hey, dipshit. We just got engaged and you’re ruining our beautiful memories of this night,” she said. It wasn’t poetry, but it got the job done.

The guy inched closer and said, “Lemme see the ring.”

Oops, that I didn’t count on.

“Let him see it. It’s the distraction I need.”

As much as she hated to think the robber might try to grab it off her finger, she trusted Nick’s reflexes. She gripped the steering wheel, allowing the man to see the ring on her left hand but making it difficult to take it off her finger.

He took his eyes off Nick to look at the diamond, and before he could say, “Hand over the rock,” Nick had grabbed his wrist and twisted it hard.