Page 8 of My Boyfriend Marks Trees

“Every kid needs a tree, and I don’t get the impression Charlotte’s got any cash to spare.”

“Do they have decorations?” Mom asked.

“We made some, and Greta had a princess doll for a topper.”

“I’ve got some extra stuff if you think they could use more,” Mom offered. “I’ll put together a box for you to run over.”

He almost kissed his mom for giving him the perfect excuse to visit.

“That would be awesome. I was thinking of grabbing them some outdoor lights. Maybe even taking over Rudolph since we don’t put him out.” As kids, they’d loved seeing their plastic reindeer with its red nose lighting up the front yard. However, they didn’t decorate much anymore, something that might change once Athena popped the baby.

“Oh yes, you should.” Mom’s expression brightened. “And I’ll make a pie. Two pies, apple and sugar. Also be sure to grab a jar of honey.”

It occurred to Ares that not only was he planning to return but his family assumed he would. Could they sense his interest?

Selene arched a brow. “Since everyone’s donating, does the kid want a rabbit?”

“She’d probably love it, but I don’t think Charly has the extra funds to care for it.”

“As if I’d give her one without food,” Selene scoffed.

“You know what, before I show up with a live animal, let me run it by Charly first.”

She’d probably say no. Heck, she’d probably glare at him when he showed up bearing gifts again. How to explain this wasn’t charity but just how his family was?

Dinner talk turned to the upcoming trip. Mom and Selene would be leaving in a few days. Their excited chatter filled his moments of silence when his mind strayed to Charly.

Why couldn’t he stop thinking of her?

Because she smells just right.

Which meant what exactly? And why his wolf’s interest? It had never cared much before about the other women he dated, except for Alice. With her, his wolf had said right from the beginning:Trouble.Ares should have listened, as Alice went full-on psycho after two dates, calling him constantly, freaking if he didn’t answer—his explanation of being at work not enough to satisfy. Luckily, she’d latched onto another guy who didn’t mind the stalking.

Told you she was bad.

Sometimes he wondered what it would be like to be alone in his head. There’d been a time he’d thought himself crazy for hearing that other voice—after all, his sisters never mentioned their wolves talking—but his dad, before he died, had explained some had a closer bond to their beasts than others. Ares, for example, like his dad, didn’t need a full moon to shift. It took barely any kind of effort to flip into fur, unlike Athena, who struggled, and Selene, who needed to be really pissed to do it without moonlight.

Being a lycanthrope made him special, but it also led to issues, such as trusting people with his secret. Mom knew, of course. As did Derek and Derek’s grandparents. Their knowing was kind of hard to avoid, given the whole mad-doctor-kidnapping thing where Ares had to go furry to help save his sisters and mom. However, not everyone would be as accepting as they had been. Ares had to be very careful, not just to protect himself but his family, which meant dating had to be done cautiously. His dad had told him that Aunt Jane—Dad’s sister—had to kill her husband when he found out because he thoughther a monster and pulled a gun on her. Ares hoped to never be put in that position.

Which led to Ares realizing no matter his attraction to Charlotte, he should probably stay away. She was a nice woman, with a great kid. She deserved better than a man with a furry secret.

A thought that led to a restless night.

The next day was Sunday, and since Ares had no markets to attend for selling cheese or trees, he found himself puttering. He fixed a loose handrail going upstairs. Vacuumed. Changed the furnace filter.

Selene finally looked at him after lunch and said, “Dude, would you just go over and see her already?”

“Who?”

“Do not play dumb. It’s obvious you’re jonesing to see her.”

“Am not.”

“Says the guy who can’t sit still for two seconds.”

He frowned. Last night he’d decided that it was best to stay away, but would it really hurt to drop off some extra decorations? Greta would probably enjoy having the plastic Rudolph currently collecting dust in storage.

“Isn’t it too soon for me to just show up again?” He’d never been on more uncertain ground.