Diesel had to admit Gunnar had picked one smart cookie for a mate.

  “Nope, I would never…” Diesel heard Gunnar say agreeably. It was weird to hear the strongest, most powerful basilisk he knew act tame around anyone, but that was just how mates were, Diesel supposed.

  He understood it, thinking about Morgan. She was definitely the one person he felt most comfortable around.

  Then another deep voice tuned in. Ajax. Are we giving dating advice? If so, I would like to hear it.

  April’s on the phone, you muttonhead. You’ll have to come upstairs if you want advice, Gunnar replied.

  Ajax snorted. Good, I will. You weren’t the one I wanted advice from anyway. You may be our leader, but you’re also denser than a layer of bedrock.

  Gunnar swore at that, but Ajax ignored him as his next words came to Diesel. You found someone? he asked.

  Yup, Diesel replied.

  Ajax was quiet for a second. Then he spoke. Be patient and take every chance to show her how you feel.

  The words stunned Diesel.

  Where had Ajax learned to think like that?

  He was about to ask but quickly felt his basilisk friend receding and detaching from the conversation.

  Gunnar also seemed to be stunned into silence. Then Diesel heard talking over the phone, and April reappeared.

  “Gunnar just told me what Ajax said. Do that too.”

  “Okay, I will.” Diesel paused, then was about to thank them for their advice when he spotted an unsettling scene out of the corner of his eye.

  Clark was inside the store, talking to Morgan. Seeing Clark talk to his mate was infuriating beyond all reason.

  “Gotta go,” he muttered, closing his phone and tucking it back into his pocket.

  He would think about how to ask her on a date later, but for now, he had more important things to think about.

  Like how much better he would feel once he kicked Clark’s sorry ass out of the store.

  10

  Morgan frowned as she stepped to the side to grab Clark’s usual order of roses.

  He sure was laying the charm on thick today, and that was saying something, even for him. He was leaning against the counter, wearing his denim jacket and fancy jeans, as he tried to schmooze her.

  “You know, I don’t think I’ve really thanked you enough for always having my flower orders ready,” he said.

  Morgan laughed. “Nothing to thank me for. You paid for them fair and square.”

  When she went to hand the roses across the counter, he leaned in a little closer than usual, his eyes gleaming with something Morgan wasn’t sure she liked.

  “You know, you could be the one I get flowers for every day,” he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

  “I told you I’m not interested.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Have you been drinking?”

  He shrugged and shot her his million-dollar smile. “Not a drop. I don’t need alcohol to tell the truth. You’re a beautiful woman, Morgan.”

  “Thanks…” she replied, feeling slightly more uncomfortable by the moment. Clark had never been this forward before.

  He leaned even farther over the counter. “You have no idea the things we could do together, how perfect it would be. All the things you’re missing out on.” His smile was a little unsettling as he spoke. “But I do.”

  Morgan took a step back, eyes narrowing as if truly seeing Clark for the first time. She had always regarded him as an amusing oddity at best and slightly annoying at worst, and he’d never made her feel unsafe or really uncomfortable before.

  Until now, that was. Now she wasn’t so sure.

  “Like I’ve told you a million times, Clark, not interested,” Morgan said, shaking her head.

  Displeasure flickered across Clark’s face. “Now wait a minute. I have—”

  But he didn’t get to finish the thought as a large shadow appeared out of nowhere and was now glaring down at him like he was lower than a pile of shit.

  Diesel.

  “Leave. Now,” Diesel grunted out, his hands clasped tightly into fists by his sides.

  Morgan’s eyes widened as she took in his expression. He looked like he was ready to commit murder.

  “I’m a paying customer. And I’m not finished yet,” Clark retorted, oddly confident in spite of Diesel’s glower.

  Diesel stepped forward, cocking his head to the side and cracking his neck. “Wanna bet?”

  Anger flickered over Clark’s expression, but then he seemed to think better of it. Instead, he covered it with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Then he grabbed his flowers and shot Morgan a look over his shoulder as he exited the store, leaving Morgan and Diesel in silence.

  “Well, that was—” But she didn’t get to finish as Diesel leaned over the counter, grabbed the tickets Clark had left the other day, and tore them into a million pieces before staring angrily at the door.

  Deep down, a part of her loved how masculine and intimidating Diesel was being. But now the reality that he had possibly scared away her best customer was beginning to settle in.

  She sighed. “I had it handled. You didn’t need to do that.”

  “He was getting too close.”

  “He didn’t mean any harm.” But even as she said it, Morgan wasn’t one hundred percent sure. Clark had been coming into the store for years now, and he had never been like that before.

  Diesel cocked an eyebrow. “So you were okay with it?”

  Morgan frowned. Could she have heard him right? It almost sounded like he was jealous. Her eyes went wide at the thought.

  Did he honestly think Clark was competition?

  “No, I wasn’t okay with it, but… he’s a nice person and good customer,” she said finally.

  Diesel just huffed. “He deserves worse than he got.”

  Morgan had never seen him so enraged or flustered before. Sure, he had been angry the other day when he had thrown out the cult people, but even then, this seemed different.

  He could be so cool, calm, and stoic at times. Then at others, like right now, she understood how he could defeat huge monsters.

  As she watched him, she could have sworn his deep-blue eyes flickered red in the afternoon glow, but that must have just been a trick of the light.

  Either way, her heart warmed at the fact that both of the times he had become enraged, it had been when he was trying to protect her, and that made her feel even safer with him.

  Finally, after several moments, he spoke. “Go out with me.”

  “What?” Morgan froze, unsure that she heard him right.

  “A date. I want to date you.”

  “Date? Me?” She couldn’t help laughing at the absurdity of the situation, just how forward he was being. But that was just how he was, she supposed.

  Diesel turned around and folded his arms, his impressive forearms and biceps peeking out of his shirt as he cocked an eyebrow at her.

  “Yes, I would like to go on a date with you. Isn’t that how humans ask each other out?”

  “I mean, yes, pretty much…” She trailed off, feeling a blush coming on. He just looked too hot standing there staring at her intently.

  Then she remembered the kiss from last night and reddened even further. If a date could lead to more of that…

  Goodness, when he had asked her what she really wanted last night, it was like he had unlocked something within her. She wanted romance. She wanted adventure. She wanted to live and feel the excitement of the moment and, just for a second, not worry about the past or the future.

  But most of all, she wanted him. And it had been a long time since she had wanted something or, more specifically, someone this badly.

  Looking at it that way, how could she possibly say no to him?

  She bit her lip. “When?”

  “Tomorrow?”

  “But tomorrow’s Halloween.”

  He remained undeterred. “Tonight, then. Go out with me tonight.”

  A thrill of excitement went through Morgan at the thought. This could actually work. Grace was staying over at a friend’s place for the night, so it kind of lined up perfectly.

  Almost like it was fate or something.

  “Okay, yes, I’ll go out with you tonight,” she said, suddenly breathless.

  He smiled, looking satisfied as the sides of his mouth turned up in a smirk. “Good.”

  “Where are we going? How should I dress?”

  He shrugged. “Don’t worry. I have a plan, and I don’t want to spoil it.”

  She was about to ask him another question, but with that, he walked across the store and began to open and stack boxes of merchandise.

  Dang, he really was something else.

  As anticipation began to well up in her stomach, Morgan couldn’t help thinking that maybe this time was different. Maybe this attraction, this adventure, wouldn’t leave her alone, wouldn’t yank the person she loved away from her.

  Maybe this was a fresh chance to open her heart just a little bit to this sexy man. After all, Adam and Diesel were just about as different as two men could be, and Diesel just seemed so strong, so indestructible sometimes.

  She smiled, enjoying the gleam of hope for a second and watching him across the store as he worked.

  Tonight, she would take another step forward.

  11

  Morgan couldn’t stop her heart from racing, or her head for that matter, as she hopped into Diesel’s truck that evening for their “date.”

  Grace was over at the Pollers’ for a sleepover, and Morgan made sure they had her cell number handy in case of emergency.

  But as Diesel helped her into the seat, then got in himself and began to drive deeper into the Crater, she couldn’t help wondering a million things.

  After all, the Crater wasn’t that large of a place. There were only so many things to do here, though because of time constraints, she still had yet to explore all of its many different corners over the years.

  Diesel was silent, grinning to himself as he effortlessly palmed the wheel of the truck.

  Apparently, he’d noticed she had a strong aversion to motorcycles, and the other day, one of his friends had brought this truck over for him to use instead, which was very thoughtful.

  Aged trees still clinging to their orange and yellow leaves flew past, along with the rest of the quaint town, in a matter of minutes. And in no time at all, they were pulling up to a small building made of hewn logs that looked nonetheless well-kept and modern.

  Heller’s Rest Hot Springs, a sign out front said, and Morgan gaped for a moment.

  “What? We’re going here?” she asked in amazement.

  The hot springs were famous statewide for their seclusion and location, which made them surprisingly hard to get into, even for locals. Especially at certain times of year like in the fall and spring.

  She’d always wanted to come here, perhaps by herself or with Grace, but because of the limited space, it was surprisingly exclusive.

  Diesel looked over at her, and she noticed he’d trimmed his beard to look a little more sharp and rugged.

  Long or short, he was handsome as all get out either way.

  “Is this all right? We can go somewhere else if you’d like.” The hint of worry in his eyes made her reach forward and put a hand on his for a moment.

  Yup, still electric.

  “No, no, this is amazing. I’ve wanted to come here for a long time actually. But how did you get an opening and on such short notice?”

  His worry faded immediately, replaced by that winning smile. “I just called in a favor. Told the owner I saved the town from being a pile of ash and rubble. I think you’ll like what I’ve got planned.” When he finished, he got out and grabbed two duffel bags and slung them over his shoulder (one his, one hers), then came around and helped her down out of her seat.

  That explained why he’d said to pack a swimsuit, she supposed.

  Even the nonsexual contact of his hands on her hips as he lifted her from the passenger seat of the lifted truck made her body buzz with anticipation. And when she insisted on carrying her bag, he just growled, “Nope,” took her hand in his, and gently pulled them into the lodge and to the front desk.

  A young man in his twenties greeted them. And when Diesel introduced himself, the man pulled out a gift basket from the back and handed it to Diesel.

  “The deluxe private springs package. And this, on the house. A thank-you from the owner,” he said.

  There were strawberries, chocolates, and two bottles of champagne with flutes, among other things, all wrapped up. And before Morgan could gawk at the sudden extravagance of it all, Diesel was taking a pair of keys from the young man and following the direction he’d pointed out to a door to their right and into a new area that was closed off from the rest of the town.

  Once they were outside, fresh autumn air that smelled of mulch and pine and burning log fires mixed with the warm aroma of clean, steaming water all around them.

  The hot springs itself seemed to be built naturally into the side of the Crater, and she saw mist rising in the air from several areas as she spotted little log cabins scattered along the side of the hill in front of them.

  “I guess being a basilisk has its perks,” she said nervously, clutching Diesel’s hand a little tighter.

  For a grown woman, she was oddly nervous about this whole thing.

  Then again, it had been a long time since—

  “It does. But they only matter to me if it’s something my ma… I mean, my future partner would like.” He corrected suddenly.

  She didn’t know what to say about that. Every time he brought up his dating life, it seemed like he was looking for much more than a casual fling or a roll in the hay.

  She’d be lying if she said she wasn’t looking for a partner too.

  Though, there was something much hotter, much more erotic, that she was looking forward to with Diesel at the moment than just a “partner.”

  They walked a bit over paved flagstones surrounded with moss. And when they reached a long staircase, she read with dismay a sign that read Deluxe Suite with an arrow pointing upward.

  Oof.

  After a long day of standing and walking in the store, another long walk didn’t seem like great fun, though she’d do it.

  If for no other reason than to see Diesel in his swimsuit. That thought got her going immediately.

  Diesel seemed to notice, though, and he looked down at her with a curious glance. “Want to go the fast way or the slow way?”

  She looked around. She supposed it made sense such an old place as this wouldn’t have an elevator or anything. “I mean, fast sounds nice. Though, I’m not entirely sure how—”

  She didn’t have time to finish her sentence before Diesel picked her up in his arms, holding her close to him as he placed the gift basket over one arm.

  There wasn’t even time to enjoy the feel of his hard body before, suddenly, the ground disappeared before her as Diesel leaped into the air with incredible speed.

  Morgan screamed, both in terror and delight, as he covered the entire length of the staircase in one jump. And with a surprisingly gentle landing, they hit the ground even as her shocked yelp continued for a second longer.

  Her heart was thudding against her chest, but she was entirely safe. And with a quick glance, she spotted a small log cabin, big enough probably for a single room and a bathroom, off to their left.

  She wasn’t sure if she never wanted to do that again or if she wanted to go back down the staircase just to feel that sudden rush once more, carried in Diesel’s arms.

  “You all right down there?”

  She nodded, her excitement rising even faster now that she could see a pool of dark-blue water and feel the warm mist drawing her toward it.

  They went inside and got changed. Once she was ready, Morgan appraised herself in the bathroom, wearing a swimsuit she’d bought several years ago but had yet to use because the chance hadn’t presented itself.

  In spite of being curvy all her life, it had been a good while since she’d really looked at herself like this.

  The blue bikini fit a bit tighter than she remembered, and she was a little softer everywhere now. But if Diesel’s hungry gaze had shown her anything in the past few days, it was that she was beautiful just as she was.

  But as she put her hair up into a bun, hoping to not ruin her recent dye job completely with the water, every cell in her body felt nervous tension as she grabbed a towel and wrapped it around herself to go outside.

  Diesel was already busy setting out glasses of champagne on a little stool for them both, and her heart jumped at just how sweet, how caring he’d been.

  Then she got a look at Diesel shirtless for the first time and had to clench her legs together as sheer want for him raged through her core.

  If he was devastating in flannel and jeans, he was downright wicked to look at like this.

  The bulging muscles of his pecs and shoulders were even more accentuated than she’d pictured, with defined ridges that came down to washboard abs that went into the double digits there were so many of them. And the tattoos she’d seen on his arms came across his chest and back, swirling in intricate patterns everywhere, making his appearance even more masculine and tough.

  She found herself licking her lips as she looked down the sides of his hips and the defined Ken-doll lines that trailed down beneath the front of his red swim trunks, which did nothing to hide the bulge of his powerful thighs.

  Though, his legs weren’t the only bulge his swimsuit couldn’t hide…

  Diesel looked up at her right then, and nothing could hide his interest as she pulled her towel away, leaving her just in her bathing suit.

  “What do you think?” she asked, trying to not let her nerves get the best of her.

  Diesel’s eyes went wide as he glanced down her body, and she tried to suppress a shiver at how immediate and obvious his reaction was.

  If he’d been subtle before, he was the very opposite of subtle in that moment.

  He came forward almost in a blur and picked her up in his arms. And just her bare skin against his, his hands clutching her legs and hips and back, made her shudder.