Ben looked up at Tracy Warden’s face and she smiled. “I miss you too. We’ll be home tonight.”

“Good. I took my vitamins today.”

Tracy laughed. “I love you.”

Gabe returned the sentiment and hung up. The rest of the wolves got up and made for the door.

“It’s near quitting time, Tee. Why don’t you head home for the day? Inner Circle will want to meet tomorrow anyway. I’ll double the shift.” Lex touched his sister’s shoulder and she leaned into him. Ben noticed they touched each other a lot but he was still glad the Pacific Pack Enforcer had kept his distance.

“You sure?”

“Yeah, you have some bed shopping to do, I hear. Nina would chew my ass if I made you come back to the house for twenty minutes. And anyway, you deserve a life.”

Tegan hugged her brother, rubbing her face along his jaw. “Thanks, Lex. And thank Nina too.” She turned to Tracy and hugged her baby sister and Nick as well. Josh laughed, winking at her and then Ben before nodding his head and leaving the room.

“I’m going back to my office. I’ll talk to you tomorrow, Ben, about travel arrangements. Nice to meet you, Tegan.” Benoit took Tegan’s hand, shaking it.

“Congratulations, by the way. When’s the wedding?”

“We have to work out those details. You’ll be invited.” Ben put his body between them and Tegan laughed softly.

When the room emptied out, he pulled her against his body, breathing her in. His system calmed, nerves smoothed. “Hi there.”

“Mmm. Hi to you too. Are you near quitting time? I borrowed one of Cade’s trucks to move the bed so you can come with me to shop for it.”

“I have a few things to do. I did make you a set of keys though.” He handed her a ring. “I’ll try to hurry up or you can wait here. I have to meet with another officer on a case. I may be an hour or so.”

“Nah.” She kissed his jaw. “I’ll go now. Am I sleeping at your place tonight?”

“Our place and I sure hope so. Don’t even think about moving stuff without my help.”

“Ben.” She writhed against him, firing those quieted nerves and igniting his need for her. “I’m a werewolf. I can move a bed. Seriously.”

“I’ll call you when I’m done.”

He walked her to her borrowed truck and kissed her again before she left.

Chapter Ten

But one hour had been six as something broke on a case Ben was on and he didn’t get home until after she’d gone to sleep. She registered his body sliding against hers during the night and his murmured I love you .

She woke up the next morning and showered as silently as she could. Still getting used to being in his place. Her toiletries took up half the counter now and she liked the way it looked. Liked her stuff in his house.

Her wolf had been satisfied at the lack of any woman’s scent but Tegan’s as well.

She made herself breakfast and was sipping a cup of coffee when he stumbled into the kitchen.

“I’m so sorry,” he said as she came into his arms.

“Ben, you’re a cop. I get that your hours aren’t going to be nine to five every day.

It’s okay. You called. I’m not mad. Shouldn’t you be sleeping?”

“I have to go in this morning and interview some witnesses. The new bed is nice.

Where’s the old one?”

She poured him a cup of coffee and he helped himself to the eggs and bacon on the table, settling in next to her.

“In the garage. I covered it all but you’ll want to get to it or it might get wet out there.”

“I don’t have any sentimental attachments to it. It’s just a bed I picked up a few years back. There’s a domestic violence shelter I work with from time to time, I’ll give ’em a call today and see if they need one. You want to make a date for dinner tonight?”

“Lex called last night, the Inner Circle is meeting at eleven today. It should be over by the time my shift is up. I should be home by five thirty or so.”

“Good. Because I have something I want to try on you.” One of his eyebrows rose and she laughed, blushing.

“Well then, I’ll rush home.” She rose, rinsing off her plate and putting it in the dishwasher. “I’ve got to go. I’ll see you tonight.”

He walked her to the front door, kissing her soundly before she left, leaving her brain in a muddle the whole drive over to Cade’s.

Ben was going to flip out. Tegan took a steadying breath before hefting the box of her stuff and moving to the front door.

“Hey, let me help you.” He met her in the living room, taking the box and kissing her. The house smelled spicy and savory. “I just opened a bottle of wine. Where do you want this box? I’ll put it there while you change into the clothes I left on the bed.”

“It’s a box of clothes so the bedroom I suppose. Hmm, you’re going to dress me up?”

He laughed, following her into their room and putting the box off to the side. She saw the beautiful emerald green kimono style robe lying on their bed.

“I’d like to.”

She turned to face him, saw the look in his eyes and a shiver worked down her spine.

“Okay. It’s lovely.” She drew her fingertips over the cool, smooth silk.

“Like you. I saw it last week. Yes, while we were fighting. I had to have it because I knew you’d look beautiful in it.”