Even if I couldn't feel his energy, misery's painted all over his face. I can't doubt his words. Titus has never been a player or liar, anyway.
"But that part's done already, so I'm sure as hell hoping I can convince you to keep me around."
"What part's done already?"
"I quit the pack. Told Green you were my mate and he can shove it because I'm sticking with you."
I gasp. "No… Titus."
Alarm creeps into his gaze.
"The pack means everything to you. I don't want you to give it up for me."
He brushes a lock of hair away from my face. "I don't care about the pack. All I care about is you. Please say you'll have me. I won't slow you down, I promise. We'll have to get a bigger RV, but I'll go with you-wherever your free spirit wants to go."
I give a watery laugh. "Titus, no," I repeat and he looks even more alarmed. "I mean no, we don't have to live in an RV. I wouldn't drag you around the country on the craft circuit."
Titus' brows draw together. "I'm not sure what you're saying, sunshine. Please tell me it's that you'll let me be your mate."
I touch the bite mark. "From what I understand, that's already a done deal."
Guilt washes over Titus' face. "I'm sorry. I should've told you. I just didn't want to scare you. I know how you don't like to settle down."
I reach out and touch his face. His silver beard is soft beneath my fingers. "Titus, you have it all wrong. I'd be happy to settle down."
His brows go up. "You would?"
"Yes. With you. Here. Or anywhere. If you're really looking for a mate."
He gives a pained laugh. "I'm not looking for a mate."
I flush. "Oh, I-"
"I already found her."
"You did?" I whisper.
He reaches up to cup my face with both hands. "I did. She's right here in front of me."
"You don't mind that I'm human?" I have to ask. I can't be in this relationship feeling inadequate. I've been there, done that. Not doing it again.
"I fucking love that you're human." He pulls me onto his lap, where I wanted to be all along.
I wrap my arms around his neck. "You do?"
"Hell yes. It means I get to impress you with my massive strength." He flexes his thighs beneath me, making me rise an inch.
I laugh and nip at his lip. "And your tremendous prowess."
His cock gets hard, lifting me some more. "Yes, that."
"And your beautiful silver wolf." I kiss him.
He takes the lead, holding the sides of my face to claim my mouth. "Yes, that, too." His tongue slides against mine, mustache tickles my lips.
"I love you, Sunny Hines."
"I love you, too, wolf-man."
Somehow, he stands up with me still wrapped around his waist.
"Where are we going?" I ask as he carries me out of the guest room.
"To the VW." He lowers his voice to a quiet rumble only I can hear. "I can't fuck you in my son's house. It feels too weird."
I laugh. "I'm sure Foxfire and Tank will both thank you for that."
"I guaran-fucking-tee it," he says. "Especially with how loud I'm gonna make you scream."
"Maybe we'd better drive Daisy a few blocks away, then," I suggest, nipping at his neck.
"A few miles away," he agrees.
EPILOGUE
Sunny
"A TOAST," Foxfire says.
"To what?" Tank sets down the heaping platter on the picnic table. Titus is cleaning the grill, prepping to cook a mountain of meat.
"To love." I grin up at Titus. He's wearing a May I Suggest the Sausage apron with an arrow pointing downwards. I bought it for him at a farmer's market and he swore he wouldn't wear it… until I spent a few nights sampling his meat. Foxfire threatened to blind herself when he came out wearing it.
"Love? Too cheesy," Foxfire complains.
"No wonder I don't have grandbabies."
"Sunny!" She glares at me, then at Titus, and averts her eyes to the sky. "Why me? What have I done to deserve this?"
"Stop being so dramatic. Titus and I are adults with healthy, normal libidos-"
"Do not ever mention your libido to me again."
"-and we're meant for each other. We're making up for lost time." After a few days of sneaking away to the VW bus, we finally broke in the bed in Foxfire's guest room last night. I blow a kiss to Titus. "Love you, man-wolf."
"Love you, too, sunshine."
"Oh my goddess, I just threw up a little," Foxfire mutters.
"I'll get the door." Tank stomps off.
I cock my head. "I didn't hear the doorbell ring-"
The doorbell rings.
"Super senses." Foxfire taps her ear. "Speaking of which, how long are you guys gonna shack up here? It's not that I don't love your gluten-free pancakes, Sunny, it's just that with our shifter hearing we can hear you through the walls."
"Oh, I'm sorry, darling, were we talking too loud?"
"It's not the talking that bothers me."
"Ooooooh." I look at Titus and giggle. "Well, you know how these wolves are. So virile and-"
Foxfire slams her hands over her ears and chants, "La la la."
Titus gently pulls her wrist away long enough to tell her, "We're putting an offer on a house tomorrow. Tonight we'll get a hotel."
"Thanks, Mr. T. You don't mind if I call you Mr. T?"
"I mind," Titus deadpans, but winks at me.
Foxfire chuckles. Tank sticks his head through the doorway. "They're here."
"Ahhh," my daughter squeals, and runs to hug a familiar-looking red-headed woman with a splash of brown freckles across her nose. A hulking man hovers between the redhead and Tank. He gives Titus a suspicious look before jerking his chin up in greeting.