He shrugged. “I love carrying a gun and telling people what to do.”

She shook her head, not about to be fooled by his light tone. This man had devoted his life to his career. He wouldn’t just toss it aside as if it meant nothing.

“Duncan.”

“Ssh.” He pressed a finger to her lips, something that might have been contentment shimmering in his hazel eyes. “Wolfe has made me a Sentinel. Or at least I’ll be one once I’m done with my training.”

“A Sentinel?”

“It’s perfect,” he assured her. “I still get to use my skills as a cop, and from now on I won’t have to hide my ability to read auras. It’s my best asset.” He smiled with wicked promise. “Well, one of my best assets,” he corrected, his finger stroking the lush softness of her bottom lip. “And more importantly, no one will be your guardian but me.”

She studied his face for any hint of hesitation. As desperately as she longed to have him become a part of her world, she would never forgive herself if he came to regret his decision.

“And this is what you want?” she pressed. “What you truly want?”

He framed her face in his hands, regarding her with a tender devotion that chased away any lingering doubts.

“You are what I want, Callie Brown.”

“Oh, Duncan,” she sniffed, feeling as silly and emotional as one of those girly girls she’d always mocked.

He kissed the tip of her nose. “There is one downside, I’m afraid.”

His teasing tone kept her from freaking out.

“What’s that?”

“The Mave mentioned something about me being a liaison between Valhalla and the civil authorities.”

“I think that’s a brilliant idea.”

He lifted his head with a grimace. “Liaisons are supposed to be diplomatic. I have as much diplomacy as a rabid badger.”

“True.” She reached up to push a strand of golden hair off his forehead. Her touch sheer possession. This man was hers. Hers, all hers. Joy exploded in the center of her heart. “I can give you lessons.”

The wicked smile became downright sinful. “Really?”

“Yep.”

The hazel gaze slowly meandered downward, lingering on the neckline of her oversized gown that revealed the top of her breasts.

“It’s going to take the proper incentive.”

Breathe, Callie, breathe.

“And what incentive would that be?”

He brushed a gentle hand through her hair. “First I’m going to need a place to stay while we work on my lessons.”

“I do have an apartment I would be willing to share,” she offered.

“Perfect,” he breathed, gold beginning to shimmer in his eyes. A sure sign of his arousal. As if the hard thrust of his erection pressing into her hip wasn’t enough of a hint. “And we’ll need a private getaway,” he continued. “Maybe a small cabin in the woods where we can be completely alone.”

Completely alone with this man? Yes, please.

“That can be arranged.” She wiggled until she was lying on her side, her hand slipping beneath his T-shirt to stroke over the hard muscles of his stomach. “Anything else?”

He peered deep into her eyes. “Just one thing.”

“What?”

“Love me.”

She melted into a puddle of goo, wondering how the hell she’d ever survived without this man in her life.

“With all my heart,” she vowed, tears glistening in her eyes.

“Callie. My beautiful Callie.”

With a groan he kissed her with a stark hunger even as his hands stroked her with a gentle restraint, as if she were a fragile object that might shatter at his touch.

On the point of assuring him that she wasn’t an invalid, she was halted when he gave a sudden chuckle, speaking against her lips.

“Oh, I almost forgot.”

She plunged her fingers into his hair, not particularly interested in talking.

“Forgot what?”

“We’re having dinner with my family on Sunday.”

Her shriek could be heard throughout Valhalla.

“Duncan!”