“Naya, I’m begging. I love you too goddamn much to let you go.”

I smirked and pinched his chin. “Only an uncouth man such as yourself would propose using foul language. I accept.”

“One second, before you go in. I got something for you.”

Wheeler tapped on the trunk and it popped open. He reached inside and pulled out a carrier. I heard a frantic meow and my feet propelled me forward.

“Misha?” I bent down and peered inside. “My princess, oh baby! Mama’s here,” I cried, pushing my finger inside the cage and letting her smell me.

I took the cage and set it by my feet so I could face Wheeler. He was grinning at me with all his teeth—something I didn’t see him do very often. So I slapped that grin off his face and then attacked him with a passionate kiss. His fingers clawed at my back and he growled, pressing my body against the car. His tongue went deep and I moaned into his mouth.

“Oh brother,” Lexi said, getting inside the car and slamming the door.

Wheeler finally broke the kiss, out of breath. “Why did you do that?”

I bent down and lifted the carrier. “I slapped you for putting my baby in the trunk of the car, and I kissed you for saving her life.”

He chuckled. “You’re serious about those punishments, aren’t you?”

“Just wait until you see what I have planned for you later tonight for slapping my panther.”

His eyes hooded and he rubbed his cheek. “I might actually like that.”

“Fabulous. Misha is in need of a good brushing.”

“Hey, now. Don’t you think that’s a little extreme? I was only trying to get your panther to kill me.”

I chuckled and ran my fingers through my hair. “I have a feeling we’re going to be at each other like cats and dogs.”

Wheeler made a sexy, deep growl and waggled his eyebrows. I made my way up the driveway toward the porch. Lynn was waiting for me in the doorway, and for the first time in my life, I felt like I belonged somewhere.

Even more, I felt like I belonged with someone. And that was even better.

Chapter 25

Two days had passed since the night of Wheeler’s rescue. We’d spent all afternoon preparing the house for the costume party, everyone buzzing around like busy bees.

The pack had accepted our arrangement, although we got a few puzzled stares. I decided to remain in the heat house until I figured out how I fit in with the pack. Austin wanted to introduce my panther to the pack, but Wheeler would have to be present since he was the only one she trusted. And I began to trust my animal, realizing that all these years I’d been stereotyping her just as much as everyone else had. Now I knew she wouldn’t harm anyone I cared for, and I felt genuine love for most of the pack. Some of them I hadn’t gotten to know very well, but I had confidence there wouldn’t be problems.