"When are we going to have kids?" I finish his sentence for him, curiosity bubbling up inside me.


    "Uh, yeah," he replies with a hesitant nod.


    "So, what happens if there are, say, half a dozen heirs? Does the oldest always take precedence, or do they have topete for it? And what if the eldest happens to be a girl?” I fire off questions, my mind racing with possibilities.


    "Whoa, slow down," he chuckles, shaking his head as I squeeze his knee again. "I''m barely at the starting line trying to figure all this out." Hisughter is warm, but there''s a hint of disbelief in his eyes. "You''ve already got me feeling like I''m one foot in the grave with kids taking over."


    "I told you before, this stuff never really crossed my mind," I admit quietly. “But now, it feels important."


    "Are you done eating?" he interrupts, pulling me out of my thoughts.


    "Huh? Why the sudden change?” I blink, surprised by the abrupt shift in topic.


    "Dance with me," he says simply, holding out his hand.


    I hesitate. “I thought dancing wasn''t really your thing."


    "No, it''s not," he admits with a grin. "But with you? I''m willing to break all my rules. Besides,st time we danced, I was too busy trying not to touch you in that killer dress. Honestly, I don''t think I''ve ever been that stressed in my life."


    Iugh, the sound light and genuine. "I thought you were annoyed because you got stuck with me when everyone else paired off. You held me like we were at a middle school dance, keeping a foot of space between us."


    "Nope,” he says, shaking his head. "I was just trying not to freak you out with my reaction to how stunning you looked. I mean, Danny nearly lost an arm for having it draped over the back of your chair when I walked in." He stands in front of me, offering his hand again. I take it without hesitation.


    He pulls me close, one hand holding mine over his heart, the other wrapped firmly around my back, pressing our bodies together wherever they can touch. I rest my chin on his chest, looking up at him, trying to ignore the curious nces we''re attracting.


    "You never dance, do you?" I ask softly.


    "No," he replies. "I''ve always avoided it. I''ve seen girls take something as simple as a dance and turn it into a deration of being ''chosen.'' I never had the time or patience for that kind of drama. So it just became understood-dancing, parties, even letting someone sit in my truck-were things I''d only do with my mate. I never let anyone sit in my truck, for Goddess'' sake. Not until you."


    We sway only to the slow songs. I suppose even I don''t have enough influence to get Ryker to break out moves to anything upbeat. Still, he lets me dance with Be without too much grumbling.


    When my feet start aching from the heels, Ryker leans in and whispers, "Ready to go? Our ride''s waiting out back."


    I nod, but shoot him a look that says I''m aware of the strange tension in the air. He tilts his head slightly, and I follow suit, silently hoping he''ll mindlink me what''s going on. But it''s clear we''re not out of the woods yet when Ryker, Jeeves, and another warrior-Brian, I think-join us.


    "Ryker? Talk to me. You''re kind of freaking me out," I say, grabbing his hand. He allows it but doesn''t squeeze back; his hand feels stiff, distant in mine. "Mindlink me if you can''t say it out loud." As we slip away from the shadows behind the building, the sun is dipping low, painting the sky with a deep orange glow. I feel irritation bubbling up but remind myself not to risk anything if he''s tracking or listening for danger.


    The atmosphere in the cab is heavy, too tense for me to rx or fall asleep. After what feels like forever, I catch snippets of their mindlink conversation.


    "That was close, boss," Brian mutters, but then silence falls again as they resume scanning our surroundings. Their vignce is subtle; if I hadn''t been so restless, I might never have noticed.


    "Can I get a quick rundown? Or should I start guessing?" I fold my arms, mimicking a child throwing a tantrum.


    "I''ll exinter," Ryker says, his tone calm enough to ease some of my anxiety. Still, I''m frustrated by theck of answers.


    I tug on his arm, coaxing him to lean back in the seat. He looks puzzled, but I return the favor of silence, settling infortably by tucking my legs up and resting my head on his shoulder. He drapes his arm over my knees, and that''s thest thing I remember.


    I blink away sleep as gentle motion rocks me. Taking a deep breath, the scent of rosemary and mint hits me like a jolt of energy.


    "Hey, Sleeping Beauty. Rest up. We just got in," Ryker whispers as I stir, moving to free myself from his embrace.