“That insistence came with a side of implication that I might be wanting to leave soon,” he said.
Misty frowned. “He’s thinking about firing you?” That seemed impossible.
“Not exactly. He was just noticing—you know, the burnout rate for social workers is incredibly high.”
Misty nodded. The turnover of the people she saw in the course of her own job was always surprisingly quick.
“I’ve lasted much longer than the average. Much, much longer. I thought that meant I could stick it out forever, but apparently not. My boss is right—it’s gotten harder. I’m seeing more cynical people, less reason to find joy in the work. And the job hasn’t changed, so much—it’s just harder to see the bright side, these days.” He stroked a hand up her arm. “And it doesn’t help that I never get out of the city anymore, never have happy, healthy kids to play with like I used to. Iris and Steve are off to Hawaii for vacation, and I’m realizing that I poured my whole life into their family, and I didn’t know if I had the strength to keep standing when I was just by myself.”
“You’re not by yourself anymore,” Misty said fiercely. “Still, I could try moving to Los Angeles—”
He shook his head. “No, I want—Misty, I want to be here. Seeing all my old friends together like that, running in the woods like we did tonight...it’s been a total awakening to something I didn’t even know I needed.” He smiled. “And this new community center, helping troubled local kids—that’s exactly the sort of work I’m experienced with. Having me here isn’t just going to benefit me, you know.”
Misty laughed. “What confidence.”
“Confidence is supposed to be sexy, I’ve heard.”
“Well,” she said, leaning in for a kiss. “You’ve heard right.”
***
Ty
Ty could hardly believe that this woman in his arms really belonged to him.
More than that, he could hardly believe that everything had happened just today. When he thought back to the moment he’d first seen Misty, standing unafraid in front of her injured deputy as a wolf prepared to charge her human form, it seemed far away in the past. It was like he’d known her forever.
And now she was his.
Brave, beautiful, determined, achingly vulnerable, wanting nothing more than a pair of strong arms around her and a community to call home...Misty was everything he’d never known he wanted in a woman. In a partner. Because she wasn’t just someone to protect: she’d be out there working to keep the community safe, while he worked to build it up into something everyone could be proud of.
Creating a future for them both.
***
In the morning, of course, they had to face the music.
Well, first, they had to wake up in each other’s arms, and make love slowly in the dawning light through the window. Ty made sure to appreciate every inch of Misty’s body, now that it was bright enough to see her properly. He thought his favorite part was the curve of her hip where it arced away from her stomach, a delicious rise of skin that he loved to stroke his hand over, to taste slowly while she squirmed.
Or it might have been her eyes. Or the hint of teeth as she bit her lip when pleasure first started to overwhelm her.
It was hard to choose.
When they were both satiated, Ty kissed her forehead and said, “You stay here. I’ll brave the wild animals downstairs and bring us coffee.”
“Mmm, coffee,” she sighed, and Ty grinned. He’d never known a police officer who didn’t mainline the stuff.
He took a quick turn in the shower, threw on some clothes—pausing to appreciate the sight of Misty dozing amid the sheets, her long limbs stretched out, her hair a tangle on the pillow—and then made his way slowly and ruefully downstairs.
It was Ken in the kitchen, of course, already holding a mug, giving him the eyebrow.
“Okay,” Ty sighed. “Yes. Out with it.”
“No, I didn’t have anything to say,” Ken said, mock-surprised. “I can’t imagine what you’d think I have to say.”
Ty went to the cabinet to get two mugs. “Whatever you don’t have to say, you’ve got exactly one chance, because after this moment, it’s null and void. And if you say a single word to Misty—”
“Whoa, whoa, I’d never say anything to her.” A beat. “You, on the other hand, I seem to recall saying something about being in LA for life—never once considering going crazy like we did and moving to the wilds of Montana—what’s in the water up there? you asked—”