Just One Bite by Barbara Elsborg Read Free Book Online

okay, I can see that wasn’t going to
work.”
    “What could I say? What was the perfect way to break this to
you? Go out with you for a few months and then tell you the truth? Believe me,
Liv, I’ve had a long while to think about this. I know it’s a shock. I know you
don’t feel it’s what you want, but give me time to show you that it is.
Please.”
    Cal dropped his arms and held out his hand. “We have a
lifetime to talk. Dinner’s getting cold.”
    “Turn round,” Liv said.
    “Why?”
    “Do it.”
    The moment his back was turned, Liv bent and bit him as hard
as she could on the backside.
    “Yow!” Cal lurched forward, and then turned to face her.
    The glare on his face faded and changed back into a smile.
    “That makes you mine, doesn’t it?” she asked. “Though not
sure I drew blood. I’ll try again later when you’re not expecting it.”
    Liv grabbed his hand and pulled him back to the dining room
where her father was putting dishes on the table.
    “We can honeymoon in Vegas,” Cal said.
    “Have I said yes to getting married?”
    “Not yet but we’ll honeymoon in Vegas.”
    “Hawaii.”
    “Hawaii’s fine.” Cal shrugged.
    Liv coughed.
    “Hawaii’s perfect.” He bit back his smile.
    She sighed. “I’ve never been to Vegas.”
    “We can do both. Can we eat now?”
    Liv harrumphed and sat down.
    “We’ll talk later,” Cal whispered, and slid his hand onto
her knee.
    She slammed her knees together and trapped his fingers.
    “I cooked your beef separately,” her father said, and slid
three slices of well-done meat onto her plate.
    “Thanks, Dad.”
    Liv averted her gaze from the plates either side. Both her
father and Cal were eating beef that looked as though the grill had given it no
more than a chaste kiss.
    “You still like your meat well done?” Cal asked.
    Liv glanced at his plate and heaved. “Appears so.”
    He sighed. “Remind me to take a disposable BBQ when we go
hunting.”
     
    After lunch, Cal drove her back to his place. It turned out
to be a pretty cottage on the edge of the Sussex downs. He tugged her straight
through the house without giving her the chance to look around, picked up a
blanket from a chair and led her out into the garden and down the path into a
wood.
    “I own the land around too. The pack comes here to run.
You’ll meet them all tonight.”
    “What if they don’t like me?”
    “Stupid question, but they wouldn’t dare not like you.” Cal
sighed. “Have you forgiven me yet?”
    “I’m thinking about it. I might have to do some more
biting.”
    He smiled. “By the way, I did need directions yesterday
morning.”
    “Oh yes, where to?”
    He tilted his head to one side. “To your heart.”
    Liv grinned. “That is so corny, but I’m a sucker for a man
who’s not too pig-headed to ask for directions.”
    Cal pulled her into his arms and Liv snuggled against him.
When his hands slid down her back, she pulled them higher.
    “Why do you smell of mint chocolate chip ice cream?” she
asked.
    “Life mates smell of your favorite things.”
    “Then why don’t you smell of Jimmy Choo shoes?”
    He rolled his eyes, slid his hands toward her butt and Liv
yanked them up.
    Cal made a sound of exasperation. “I know about your tail.”
    “How?” she squeaked.
    “Saw it poking out the top of your pants. Since I already
know you’re not that hairy down—”
    “Stop right there. I want it to go,” Liv wailed.
    “I have just the cure.” Cal spread out the blanket and
started to strip.
    Liv had taken off her blouse before she realized what she
was doing, but when Cal stood there, all long and lean and luscious, she
slipped out of the rest of her clothes.
    “Have you ever known anyone just to keep a tail?” she
whispered.
    “Er…”
    “If you want me to say yes when you ask that question I want
posed in the most romantic possible way, don’t lie.”
    “No. I’m sure it will go when you shift again.” He pulled
her down onto the