The tiled shower was large and spacious with two shower heads. They took advantage of them, although Alonzo clearly wasn’t playing fair and kept sliding soapy hands over her body, just to help her out. She was laughing even more when she stepped out to wrap her hair with a towel.

“I’ve got to get back to work.” She pulled on a long flowing skirt and a matching peasant blouse. Alonzo had bought both for her. She loved feeling girlie after all the years in the swamp. She didn’t bother with shoes. He hadn’t either.

“Not until Doc gives you the okay. Don’t worry, we’re watching over it. Nothing is going to happen. Besides, I have a surprise for you.”

She raised an eyebrow at him. “I’ve had enough surprises, Fyodor. You’re too generous. Half the clothes in my drawers you bought for me.”

“We’re going to move everything to the master bedroom. I’ve decided to negotiate with Siena for the estate. I’ve got a good amount of money saved and I think I can swing it. I’m not just going to take it from her.”

“Really?” She couldn’t help slipping her arm around his waist and hugging him. “I love this place. My leopard does too. It’s perfect for her. For the both of them to run free and not get into trouble.”

He nodded. “My male let me know your female was crazy about the grounds. It’s defensible and I’ve lived here for years. I know the place inside and out. With you here, it feels like a home.”

“I’ll admit, that’s a good surprise.”

“That’s not the surprise.” He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “We’re getting married. That’s not the surprise either.”

“Whoa. Back up, Fyodor. You’re movin’ too fast for me. I just said I’d move in with you, and now you want to get married.”

“Immediately. I’m not taking any chances with you running off.”

“I don’ run off.”

“You did last night.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “If I ran off, baby, you wouldn’t ever be able to catch up with me. You just think you could.”

“I like that you’re so confident. Keep believing that, malyutka.”

Alonzo swept his arm around her and they went out of his room together. Evangeline wasn’t surprised to see Brice and his friend Reeve in the sitting room along with two uniformed cops. She smiled at them. Alonzo didn’t remove his arm. If anything, he pressed her front to his side, keeping her under the protection of his shoulder.

“How unexpected to see you here, Brice,” she greeted. “Alonzo told me you were a cop working undercover. Where’s Crispin? I’ve never seen one without the other.”