If that made any sense.
Kareena put her arms around Miles’s waist. “Yes, I’m hungry. I think I burned a ton of calories in bed with you. I need to refuel. I’m making nachos. You want a beer?”
“I could go for nachos. And I’d love that beer. I worked up quite an appetite.”
She let him go then went to the fridge for the beers. She handed one to Miles. He twisted off the cap before he removed hers. Kareena had to admit the cold beer was good going down.
A quick look in the oven showed the food was just about ready. “Another minute and these should be done.” She went about putting the salsa and sour cream into small bowls.
“Once we’re eating,” Miles said as he watched her, “I want to ask you something.”
“Okay. Here take these and put them on the coffee table in the living room,” she said as she handed Miles the bowls once he put his beer on the counter. “I’ll bring in the nachos.”
He took them and walked out of the kitchen. Kareena got out a wire rack and put the nachos on it once she took them out of the oven. She then carried the rack and all into the living room where Miles waited for her on the couch. She made one more trip back to the kitchen to get their beers.
She settled on the couch beside Miles. “So what did you want to ask me?”
Miles turned to face her. “Do you think you can get a couple of days off work?”
“Probably. Human resources has been bugging me to use up some of my vacation time. Why?”
“I have a cottage that borders the Point Reyes National Seashore land. I want to take you there tomorrow for a few days with another couple I know. I really want you to meet them, and I thought you might enjoy the change in scenery.”
Actually, the thought of going away with Miles, even if it wasn’t that far away, was something Kareena was all for. And the chance of meeting some of his friends meant he must have some strong feelings for her as well.
“I was supposed to work Monday, but I can call the head nurse tomorrow and talk to her. She can handle contacting human resources about me having a few days off. I’m sure it won’t be a problem. I’ve covered some shifts for a couple of coworkers recently, so they won’t mind doing the same for me.”
“Great. We’ll leave right after lunch. That should give you enough time to arrange time off.” Miles leaned back and took his cell phone out of the front pocket of his jeans.
“I’ll text Jaden and Leif now so they know when we want to go. They already said they’d come when I spoke to them about it earlier.”
“So you had this all planned before you asked me.”
Miles sent his text then placed his phone on the coffee table. He smiled. “Of course. I had a feeling you’d say yes. Just so you know, I plan to stay the night here with you.
Tomorrow, after you’ve made your phone call and you’re packed, we’ll go to my place so I can throw some things into a bag. I’ll suggest to Jaden and Leif that I drive so we don’t have to take two cars.”
“You really do have this all planned out.”
“This should be fun. I have a feeling you and Jaden will hit it off. She’s also pregnant with her first child.”
“I can’t wait to meet her and Leif.” Kareena leaned in and gave Miles a kiss. “Now let’s eat before the nachos get cold.”
They dug into their food. Kareena turned on the TV to watch while they ate. She didn’t think this night could get any better. She sat next to a man who she was falling for in nothing but his T-shirt. It felt comfortable and right. She could see them doing this very thing on a regular basis for years, just enjoying each other’s company. She already felt closer to Miles than she ever had with her ex, and she’d been with him for eight years. She and Miles being together was meant to be.
The next morning Miles called Jaden while Kareena was on the phone to the hospital. Even though Leif had texted him back the night before to say Jaden and he were fine with the plans, Miles wanted to make sure everything was still a go. Jaden reassured him she hadn’t gone into labor unexpectedly. She also told him she and Leif would be ready when Miles and Kareena came to pick them up.
He’d just disconnected the call when Kareena came into the living room. She’d gone into the kitchen to make her call. “Well?” he asked.
“I have the time off. Actually, I have the whole week off. The head nurse said she didn’t want to hear any arguments about it since I haven’t used up any of my vacation time. So I took the week.”
“That’s great. I just finished talking to Jaden. She and Leif are all ready to go. You need to go pack a bag.”
“I’m on it.”
Miles followed Kareena into the bedroom and sat on the bed to watch her pack what she wanted to take with her to the cottage. He was pleased she had a week off rather than only a couple of days. He planned to tell her about what he was later today. And after he explained what it meant to be his mate, he’d have to tell her that her days as an ER nurse were over. Neither one of them would be able to handle the separation anxiety now that the mating bond was in place, and there was no way he could hang out in the ER department every time Kareena had a shift. It would get a little noticeable after a while.
He hoped like hell Kareena would be able to accept his being a werewolf. Miles thought maybe his mate would have an easier time of accepting it all with Jaden there when he told her. Kareena finished packing, and they headed down to the visitor parking.
A stop off at his penthouse for Miles to change clothes and pack what he needed didn’t take very long. Then they were back on the road to Marin County.
Arriving at the Protectors’ mansion, Kareena said, “Your friends have a nice place.
It’s huge.”
“Jaden and Leif aren’t the only ones who live here. They have what they call their
‘extended family’ living with them as well. There are seven couples, including Jaden and Leif.”
“Wow. Are you friends with the others as well?”
“Yes, and I have family here too. My sister lives here with her husband.”
“I guess I’ll get to meet her before we leave.”
Miles parked as close to the front door as he could get so Jaden wouldn’t have to walk too far. He looked out the window and smiled. “That’s a given since Saskia is standing by the door waiting for us.”
Kareena looked in the direction he’d indicated. “She’s beautiful. And there’s no mistaking you as siblings. You’re both very similar in looks, right down to the same hair color.”
“Saskia is four years older than me.”
“You’d never know it. You both look to be around the same age.”
“That’s a family thing. We tend to age better than others.” Most mortals would be shocked to know Saskia was over a thousand years old and that Miles had just about reached that milestone as well.
Miles and Kareena got out of the car and went to meet Saskia. His sister gave Kareena a big smile as they approached. “It’s nice to meet you, Kareena,” Saskia said.
“Miles came by yesterday and told us all about you.”
“It’s nice to meet you too. I was telling Miles you have a beautiful home.”
“Thanks. Come on in. Jaden and Leif are inside, waiting.” Saskia looked at Miles. “I think inviting them to go away was a great idea. Jaden really needed this, especially with the baby coming soon.”