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over her mouth to keep from laughing. Only Burke would think to shift and scare them away. Those
poor people.
It s safe now, he telepathed.
Tasha slipped on her shoes. Picking up his clothes, she stepped from behind the tree, and then
halted. He was still in bear form and eating her fish!
She didn t want it now anyway, but still. Normally, she would have gotten mad, but Burke looked
too damn cute. She ambled over to him, set down his clothes, and waited for him to finish the meal.
As soon as he was done, he shifted back to human form.
What happened? she asked.
I didn t need them to see me, so I scared them away.
I figured. She shook her head. I feel sorry for them.
Them? What about me?
She walked up to him and wrapped her arms around his neck. You re a big boy. You can handle
it. She scrunched up her face. You ate our fresh catch.
He grinned. I did, didn t I?
* * *
NOT WANTING TO have anyone else come upon them, Burke suggested they pack up and head out.
I never got to use my new pole. Tasha gave him a fake frown, but he doubted she really cared.
He wiggled his brows then glanced down. I got to use mine.
She burst out laughing. Oh, boy.
Don t worry. There will be plenty of other weekends. We ll come again.
Excitement zinged through her. She wagged a finger. Okay, but no sex next time. I don t want to
chance anyone finding us.
No sex. Got it. Like that would happen.
More than ever, he was convinced Tasha was his mate. His sixth sense told him she wasn t as
sure. As difficult as it was, after ravishing her twice today, it might be better if she dropped him off at
the library and he kept his distance for a day or two. He didn t need her to get sick of him before he
could convince her he was the one for her.
Was he in love with her? No, but that would come. At the very least, he could say he was highly
attracted and intrigued by her. Let s head back.
The trip down the trail seemed to take only minutes, as did the drive to town. When he pulled into
the library parking lot, he half expected her to suggest they go back to her place, but she kept quiet. He
angled her car next to his dad s old truck and pushed open the door. I d suggest I shower at your
place, but I know I wouldn t be able to keep my hands off you.
She smiled and placed a palm on his thigh, shooting streaks of heat straight to his cock. I
appreciate your concern. I would like to be able to walk into work on Monday.
He laughed. Got it. Dad asked me to help him with some things around the house tomorrow, but
maybe Monday?
Sure.
He leaned over and kissed her quickly before jumping out. He didn t trust himself in the least. He
grabbed his pole from the back and strutted over to his truck. Fearing he d change his mind, he slid in,
and cranked up the engine, all the while recognizing just how amazing Tasha was.
His biggest fear was if she decided he wasn t the type of man for her. She might have little
interest in someone who rarely read fiction. In the past, he d spent all of his time either working or
trying to get into a woman s pants. Man, he sure was a piece of work. For Tasha s sake, maybe he
should head back to Pennsylvania sooner rather than later.
Not needing to dawdle, he drove back to his parents house.
As he stepped inside, his dad approached. How was the fishing?
He smelled of fire and river water a scent his father was sure to detect. Tasha caught one. I
didn t.
Hmm.
He waited for more questions, but his father donned his reading glasses and picked up the book on
his lap. Burke must be the only one alive who wasn t a reading enthusiast. He had building codes to
study and architectural magazines to pore over. He didn t have time for fiction. Tom, too, had taken
up a lot of his time. Excuses, excuses. Man up. Perhaps he was just that shallow.
Burke climbed the stairs to his room, and the euphoria from this afternoon dimmed in the light of
reality. Burke should have set a better example for Tom. Well, damn.
* * *
NO SOONER HAD Tasha arrived at work on Monday, than her boss, Mary Cripp, rushed up to her and
clasped her arm. Can you come into my office?
Tasha s stomach tumbled. Someone must have spotted Burke climbing out of her car and
suggested it wouldn t look good if she dated someone so wild. Well, tough shit, if they had. The more
she d thought about Burke and considered all of his actions, the more she realized he d changed.
Tasha refused to think he was just using her. Sure, she should have asked if he d ever told another
woman that he thought she was his mate, but she wasn t ready for the answer if he said yes.
No one seemed to know how this mate thing really worked, anyway, but she doubted whoever
was in charge would worry about things like looks or perfect bodies. She and Burke got along, and
that should be good enough.
Have a seat, Tasha. Mary sat behind her desk and steepled her fingers. This couldn t be good.
I received a call about an hour ago that my mother had a stroke.
Tasha slumped. I m so sorry. Mary and her mom were close. What can I do?
I have a three o clock flight to Michigan to see her.
The pieces fell into place. What about the conference you ve been looking forward to?
That s where you come in. This conference would be perfect for you. There will be a ton of
panels on what s new in children s literature, and the authors will be signing their books. She
opened her desk drawer and retrieved a pamphlet. Here is the list of events. Would you be able to
go in my place?
Excitement raced through her. I d love to. The idea of discussing what was new and upcoming
in children s books thrilled her. The only downside was being away from Burke when their
relationship was just getting off the ground.
Perfect. I ll cancel my flight now. Can you call and switch the hotel reservations?
Absolutely. Don t worry about a thing.
Mary stood, came around her desk, and hugged her. Thank you.
Hope your mom s recovery is quick.
Thanks. Buy whatever books you think we could use.
Really? This was better than she could have hoped for. Once Tasha left Mary s office, she
stepped into the break room and made some calls. Tasha was fortunate enough to get a flight out
Wednesday at noon to Parkersburg, West Virginia, which was the nearest airport to Clemsworth a
remote town in the Ohio Valley. She d have to rent a car, as the conference was at a retreat center, a
good hour and a half from there.
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