Page 47 of Tiger Bitten

This meal with Mars and his brothers and Misty changed something in Ren’s heart.

It broke down walls, and she knew she would tell him soon. Before they returned for the wedding, she was going to tell Mars everything. Not now, but in a few months, and that was a big deal to her. She’d never talked to anyone about it besides her mom.

Sitting here melting against Mars though, as he let her see his raw imperfections through old stories with his brothers, she knew she trusted him.

He was important.

Every instinct in her body said so.

Chapter Fourteen

“I would recommend this,” Ren said as she pulled the sliding barn doors closed for the night.

Mars was staring at the cage in the back. “Hmm?” he asked.

“I would recommend doing a short vacation for new couples to see how they travel together. Just throw them into reality. Are they patient with servers? Are they slobby in the hotel? Do they hog the bathroom? Are they grumpy in the mornings?”

“I am,” he uttered.

“Good to know. I’m a morning person, but I can keep my blabbermouth contained until…what time do you think?”

“Mmm,” he said, narrowing his eyes in thought. “Ten. I’m usually good after a cup of coffee or two.”

“Great.” She led him to the apartment door and pushed it open. “Favorite snacks?”

“On vacation?”

“Yeah.”

“I’m a Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups in the middle of the night kind of guy.”

“Great. Next time we travel, I’ll have us stocked with them,” Ren assured him. “You could find out if they have any weird nighttime routines if a couple travels at the beginning of the relationship. Just get all the red flags out there.”

“Weird nighttime routines like sacrificing bodies during a full moon?” he teased, playing along.

“Exactly. One should know that stuff early on, don’t you think?”

He tugged at her hand in the living room and turned her around, then cupped her hair back from her face. “Do they like staying up and trying to figure out if the firepit outside is connected to a propane tank?”

“That one is oddly specific, but yes, that seems important to you, so—”

“No, I mean, do you want to do that with me? Before we get ready for bed? Since we are the actual couple that is chaotic enough to travel together the first week we meet each other. I like firepits. Do you want to see if it works with me?”

She went a little mushy and slumped her shoulders. “Yes. I would really like that, but maybe after we get ready for bed.”

A soft smile stole his lips. “What do you mean.”

“Pajamas and face masks.”

His bright blue eyes narrowed. “What’s a face mask?”

“It’s part of a good skincare routine.”

“And do you happen to have a face mask?” he asked.

“I actually brought two.”

“Okay, so your plan is to take my man card on night one? Red flag.”