The Mate Challenge (BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance) (Sassy Mates Book 4) by Milly Taiden

gave them a deeper bond. At least he wasn’t talking marriage. That was a whole different can of worms.

ELEVEN
     
     
    Emma woke up with a smile. Mason had once again managed to outdo himself. Her memories of the previous night came back with aches and pain of too much loving. She could hear him in her kitchen. Excitement rushed through her and she stood to go to the bathroom.
    She glanced at herself in the mirror looking for something, anything different. Nothing. She frowned at her reflection. How long would it take for her to know if she was going to change or not? He’d bitten her twice and from what she knew that was once more than most people did to mate.
    Nothing felt different. She didn’t look like her friends with that golden rim around her eyes. What if it didn’t take? What if she was going to be the only one who stayed human? Fucking hell!
    She sighed and took a shower, worrying about whether she’d turn or not was not productive. Besides, she and Mason had to talk. Having been so emotionally distraught the previous night had stopped her from telling him about what he did.
    Once she’d dressed, she headed for the kitchen and found him making toast and coffee.
    “You messed up my surprise,” he said, pulling her to him for a kiss.
    She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him, taking his warmth and loving how protected she felt. “What surprise?”
    “I was bringing you breakfast in bed.”
    She raised her brows and stared at the half-burned toast. “I could have sworn your mother praised all her boys for knowing how to cook. I don’t think you paid any attention when she gave classes.”
    He grinned and her heart melted. Stupid hormones again. Ah, fuck it. He was a sexy god and she loved staring at his face.
    “I did pay attention but I haven’t had much time on my hands to really practice. So I sort of forgot most of it.”
    She squinted, giving him a suspicious look. “Is that why you always want us to go out. Or for me to cook?”
    He nodded, his shoulders slumping. “Yeah. I didn’t want you to know I’m the only one that can’t cook out of the four of us.”
    “Great. How do I end up with the mutt that isn’t domesticated?”
    He grabbed her ass and squeezed. “Careful, or I might have to show you my animal side again.”
    Ah hell. Why did she have to go to work? It was so overrated. “I would love nothing more than to start doggy training you,” she laughed at his frown, “but I have to go to work.”
    She kissed him again and stood there for a second just enjoying him holding her.
    He kissed the top of her head and mumbled. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”
    She pulled away and picked up her bag. When he offered her a piece of the burnt toast she shook her head and scrunched her nose. “No, thanks. I’ll get something on the way to work.”
    At the door, she turn to glance at his hot body one last time. “Don’t pee on my carpet, mutt.”
    “Don’t play with fire, Emma. Unless you don’t want to make it to work.”
    “And don’t bite any of my good shoes!” She added to mess with him a little more.
    “Emma!”
    “Later, mutt. Be a good boy.” The last thing she heard was his growl as she walked out the door, giggling.
    * * *
    Emma was half-way through her work day when she got a text message from Aria.
    I must see you. It is important.
    It had been almost a week since she’d spoken to Aria. Emma knew that whatever it was would be helpful toward her search for Maria. The rest of the day dragged and she wished she could skip out early in order to go meet the vampire. Much good that would do. Aria couldn’t be out in the day time anyway. So even if she could have gotten out of school, Emma would still have had to wait to see her.
    By the time evening rolled around, she was chomping at the bit, counting the minutes. Aria had asked Emma to meet her at the same spot she’d parked by the mansion. She’d readied to leave her house when Barbara