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working on my tan.” His eyes flashed white, and a shiver rippled down my spine. “That’s close enough you can find me if you need to, but far enough away we can each handle business without tripping over the other one.”
    “Fair enough.”
    I bent to collect the scattered papers. “We probably shouldn’t mention this to Mai, though.”
    The front door swung open, and Mai sauntered in wearing tangerine-colored biking shorts and a white sports bra under a long, sweat-stained tank top. Its swirling tie-dyed pattern reminded me of a melting Creamsicle. Her cellphone was strapped to her upper arm in an elastic holster, and earbuds hung from around her neck. She stared at Shaw and me expectantly. “Did someone use my name in vain?”
    Damn fae super hearing.
    “I was just telling Shaw about our vacation plans.” I cut him a back me up here look.
    He made himself comfortable. “Thierry said you’re heading to Daytona for a few days.”
    “We are.” If Mai shifted now, her tail would be twitching. “I guess you’re here for—” she inserted air quotes, “—dinner.”
    He swept his arm out to indicate the food he brought. “You’re welcome to join us.”
    “Kinky.” She curled her lip. “But I’ll pass.”
    “Mai,” I warned.
    “I’m grabbing a shower.” She pointed at me. “Scream if he gets handsy.”
    “Will do.” I saluted her. “Save you a slice?”
    “Or three.” She wiped sweat off her forehead. “Why burn calories if not to replace them?”
    “Why indeed.” I nodded sagely.
    “Tee...”
    “I’m on it.” I snapped my fingers, and the guards reappeared. I cut them each a hard glare. “Remember our little chat, boys.”
    The glacial looks they returned told me they remembered our talk very well.
    After exhaling with relief, Mai edged toward the hall and dipped into her room.
    Shaw raised his eyebrows over her hasty exit, and mine rose at his reaction. Hot chick, tight clothes, starving incubus. I expected passing interest. He showed none. No white clouded his eyes. No claws tipped his fingers. No white flesh rippled as hunger settled into Shaw’s driver’s seat.
    It was a stark reminder of my prime view from the top of his food pyramid.
    Part of me thrilled to know I was the only woman Shaw—and his hunger—craved, but the hollow spot in my chest kept me honest. It wasn’t me he wanted. It wasn’t like he suddenly decided to give us a second chance. He didn’t want to be faithful. He was stuck with me. We were bound together until I figured out how to fix the energy circuit forcing him to feed only from me.
    “She never did like me much,” was all he said.
    Taking pity on him, I confided, “You failed her test on the first day of the academy. That kind of thing leaves a mark.”
    His eyes widened. “She tested me?”
    “She thought you were hot, and I was curious how kitsunes tested their mates.” I folded my legs underneath me, settling in to eat my dinner before it got cold. “So I told her she should go for it.”
    “She asked your permission first?” His brow furrowed. “What if I had passed?”
    Another, sharper pang made it difficult to breathe. “Then you and Mai would be a thing.”
    He took a slow drink from his beer. “You would have been okay with that?”
    No. I would have fought for him. Worse, I might have lost my best friend over a guy. But Shaw was Shaw, and Rook or not, I couldn’t deal with the idea of him being with my best friend.
    “That was then.” I flipped open the box, grabbed a slice of pizza and said in my primmest voice, “I’m married now.”
    “That’s not an answer,” he said softly.
    I felt my guards’ eyes on me. “What do you want me to say?”
    He opened his mouth, shut it, shook his head and then took another drink.
    “I couldn’t have said it better myself,” I muttered.

Chapter Six
    T hat night, after Shaw left and I forced myself to crawl into bed, I dreamed of Rook. I knew our meeting was more than it seemed,