“He’s all heart.” Cassandra laughed. “I supposed I could at least look into it. I like the idea of helping kids find a vocation and learn a useful set of skills.”
“You have to watch out for Joe,” Cody warned her, taking her hand in his and interlacing their fingers. “He’s always a few dozen steps ahead of everybody else. He’s probably been planning this pastry shop thing ever since he found out you’d bought this old place. Speaking of which…” Cody turned to face her, keeping hold of her hand. “Being mates means we should be together.”
“Are you saying you want to live together?” She wasn’t sure what he was proposing. Or if he was proposing at all. He might be a werewolf, but she was human, and she had certain expectations about committed relationships. Marriage was a big part of that.
“I could move here, if you want to stay. Megan can have the family home to herself. She’d probably like that, actually. We’re both used to having our own space, now that we’re older, and I can work from anywhere. All I need is a little office space and a few computers. I can have one of my techs come out and install what we need whenever you say.”
Damn. He sounded so enthusiastic, but so far, she hadn’t heard what she really wanted to hear.
“This all sounds good, and I do want to stay here, if you’re sure you’re okay with it, but there are a few things we still have to iron out,” she began, but he leapt in and started talking again.
“We’ll have to tell Rich and Emma who I really am. I haven’t really figured out how I’m going to handle that yet. Maybe use the eccentric billionaire ploy? It’s worked in the past for me,” he mused.
“Billionaire?” she repeated, surprised.
Cody looked at her and grinned. “I’ve done pretty well, you know. Billings Industries crossed into the billions a few years ago, and I still own the vast majority of the stock. Megan has a little, and Joe has some from when he gave me seed capital to start me off, but most of it’s mine.”
“And here I thought the ten million I got for my bakery business was a lot,” she said, thinking aloud. “Got any more bombshells you want to drop on my head, Cody?”
“Just one more,” he whispered, taking her other hand, so that he held both while he was looking deep into her eyes. She could easily see amusement dancing in their depths, and…was that a bit of fear? He took a deep breath then spoke. “I love you, Cassandra.”
Suddenly, it was all so simple. She didn’t have to think hard about her response.
“I…I love you, too, Cody.”
He smiled, relief in his gaze. “I figured that out when you came into the barn and seduced me.” He released one hand to brush back a strand of hair from her face. “When you gave me your trust, I knew I also had your heart.”
“Am I that transparent?”
“Only to me, Cass, and I love it. As much as I love you.” He kissed her with slow deliberateness, breaking away, only to drop to one knee in front of her, still holding one hand as he looked up at her, the late afternoon sun gilding his handsome face. “Will you marry me?”
Cassandra’s pulse leapt, and her mouth went dry. Relief washed through her to know that Cody wanted a visible commitment between them. He wanted forever. Happily, she’d give it to him. Whatever he wanted was his already. She’d love no other man the way she loved him.
“Yes.” Happy tears leaked down her face as he stood and swept her into his arms. They kissed and kissed and only broke apart when the noise from the front yard finally penetrated.
The hands were whooping and hollering. There were wolf whistles and clapping as everyone who worked on the ranch watched them.
“We’re getting married!” Cassandra called out, and the cheers intensified. “And you’re all invited!”
“But first…” Cody told her, standing and lifting her into his arms as he carried her into the house, much to the crowd’s amusement. He walked right up to her bedroom, carrying her all the way.
“First, I’m going to make love to my mate,” he said, once he’d placed her on the bed.
“Oh, I really like the sound of that,” Cassandra agreed and smiled invitingly as he joined her on the wide bed.
They made love all afternoon, only rousing to raid the fridge long after dinnertime had come and gone. Nobody disturbed them until the next morning, when Emma called Cassandra by phone to ask if everything was all right. Cassandra just laughed and told her everything was perfect.
*
Thanks for reading Perfect. If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving a review. If you’re looking for more Big Wolf, a few of my Howls Romance titles are set in and around the town and I’m currently writing the first full-length novel in the series.
A complete list of all of my books, separated by series, follows. You can also check out my website at WWW.BIANCADARC.COM. Or you can sign up for my newsletter to be alerted when new books are released.
About the Author
Bianca D’Arc has run a laboratory, climbed the corporate ladder in the shark-infested streets of lower Manhattan, studied and taught martial arts, and earned the right to put a whole bunch of letters after her name, but she’s always enjoyed writing more than any of her other pursuits. She grew up and still lives on Long Island, where she keeps busy with an extensive garden, several aquariums full of very demanding fish, and writing her favorite genres of paranormal, fantasy and sci-fi romance.
Bianca loves to hear from readers and can be reached through Twitter (@BiancaDArc), Facebook (BiancaDArcAuthor) or through the various links on her website.
Other Books by Bianca D’Arc
Paranormal Romance
Brotherhood of Blood
One & Only
Rare Vintage
Phantom Desires
Sweeter Than Wine
Forever Valentine
Wolf Hills*
Wolf Quest
Tales of the Were
Lords of the Were
Inferno
Tales of the Were ~ The Others
Rocky
Slade
Tales of the Were ~ Redstone Clan
The Purrfect Stranger
Grif
Red
Magnus
Bobcat
Matt
Tales of the Were ~ String of Fate
Cat’s Cradle
King’s Throne
Jacob’s Ladder
Her Warriors
Tales of the Were ~ Grizzly Cove
All About the Bear
Mating Dance
Night Shift
Alpha Bear
Saving Grace
Bearliest Catch
The Bear’s Healing Touch
The Luck of the Shifters
Badass Bear
Loaded for Bear
Crossroads: Bounty Hunter Bear
Crossroads: Storm Bear
Crossroads: Bear Meets Girl
Spirit Bear
Lion in Waiting
Crossroads: Black Magic Bear
Tales of the Were ~ Were-Fey Trilogy
Lone Wolf
Snow Magic
Midnight Kiss
Tales of the Were ~ Lick of Fire Trilogy
Phoenix Rising
Phoenix and the Dragon
Tales of the Were ~ Howls Romance
The Jaguar Tycoon
The Jaguar Bodyguard
The Jaguar’s Secret Baby
Tales of the Were ~ Big Wolf
A Touch of Class
Perfect
Tales of the Were ~ Gemini Project
Tag Team
Doubling Down
Deuces Wild
Tales of the Were ~ Gifts of the Ancients
Warrior’s Heart
Future Past
A Friend in Need
Guardians of the Dark
Simon Says
Once Bitten
Smoke on the Water
Night Shade
Shadow Play
Epic Fantasy Erotic Romance
Dragon Knights ~ Daughters of the Dragon
Maiden Flight*
Border Lair
The Ice Dragon**
Prince of Spies***
Dragon Knights ~ The Novellas
The Dragon Healer
Master at Arms
Wings of Change
Dragon Knights ~ Sons of Draconia
FireDrake
Dragon Storm
Keeper of the Flame
Hidden Dragons
The Sea Captain’s Daughter Trilogy
Sea Dragon
Dragon Mates
The Captain’s Dragon
Science Fiction Romance
StarLords
Hidden Talent
Talent For Trouble
Shy Talent
Jit’Suku Chronicles ~ In the Stars
The Cyborg Next Door
Heart of the Machine
Jit’Suku Chronicles ~ Arcana
King of Swords
King of Cups
King of Clubs
King of Stars
End of the Line
Diva
Jit’Suku Chronicles ~ Sons of Amber
Angel in the Badlands
Master of Her Heart
Starcrossed
Futuristic Erotic Romance
Resonance Mates
Hara’s Legacy**
Davin’s Quest
Jaci’s Experiment
Grady’s Awakening
Harry’s Sacrifice
Contemporary Romance
Irish Lullaby
Bells Will Be Ringing
Wild Irish Rose
* RT Book Reviews Awards Nominee
** EPPIE Award Winner
*** CAPA Award Winner