The Werewolf Prince and I by Marian Tee Page B

her back against his chest.  He sighed again, relaxing. Misty had that effect on him, and it was extremely nice, especially after another bitter exchange of words with his father.
    “Relax, Misty. Get used to this. We’re getting married, remember?” His arm tightened around her waist as he spoke the words. More and more, Domenico was realizing how much her presence meant to him, and it was unnerving. This hadn’t been part of the plan at all.
    Domenico leaned his head back and closed his eyes. When he did, he felt Misty gradually relaxing against him as well, her back curving naturally to his chest.
    “Tell me the joke,” he murmured.
    Reluctance lined her voice when she said, “Are you sure?”
    “Yes.”
    She cleared her throat. “So, there were three guys stranded in the island. Jack, Jim, and John.”
    He smirked without opening his eyes.
    The women he knew would never make a joke like this. It would be something else, something witty, satirical even, and sophisticated. Or naughty – anything to impress him.
    “Now, these three guys were stranded in an island. Bandits had caught them and brought the three to their leader. The leader then orders them to bring him 10 pieces of any fruit.”
    He heard her pushing buttons of her phone and knew she was scrolling down to read of the rest of her joke. Domenico wanted to smile but managed to stop himself in time. Too much smiling would make him weak, and he didn’t want that.
    Misty continued, “Jack was the first one to come back. He brought with him 10 apples. The leader then tells him that each and every one of them would have to be shoved in his butt.”
    Domenico choked.
    Misty was already into the joke and didn’t notice Domenico’s reaction. The chauffeur and bodyguard in front snickered. Then they caught sight of Domenico’s frown through the rearview mirror and coughed.
    “The leader also adds that if ever Jack grimaces or laugh, even just once, they’d cut his head off. Jack got as far as two before he grimaced. And then it was off with his head!” Misty was narrating the joke now like a standup comedian, hands flying in expansive gestures, now completely carried away.
    This time, it was impossible for Meralco to stop himself from smiling. She looked simply adorable.
    “Jim comes back with ten grapes. He’s given the same ultimatum. By the ninth grape, however, he laughs. And it’s off with his head, too!” Misty made a chopping motion.
    “Now, Jack and Jim met each other in Heaven. Jack asks Jim, why did you laugh? You were on your 9 th grape already. One more and you could have been saved.” Misty couldn’t help it and she fell to the seat, laughing. She knew the punch line of course, but it still made her double over literally.
    Domenico nudged her, even as his smile widened at the picture she created. “Finish the joke.”
    She strived to control her laughter. “So Jim replies, I saw John coming back.” She bit her lip to stop her laughter from bubbling over. “And he was carrying 10 pieces of pineapple.”
    Laughter from Misty, Domenico, and the two uniformed men rocked the limousine.
    “Ah, Misty.” She was still doubled over, laughing. She had probably heard the joke at least once before this but it still made her laugh. She was cute…and priceless.
    Domenico pulled her to his lap and hugged her. Tightly.
    That stopped her laughter. She gazed at him, wide-eyed, surprised at his sudden burst of affection. “Wow?”
    He laughed and kissed her on the mouth. “Whoever hired you to work for my company deserves a cash bonus. I was lucky to find you, Misty.”
    She blushed at his words. “I’m lucky to have you, too.”
    He pulled her back and this time, she was able to relax and snuggle close in his lap.
    “Come home with me?” he murmured.
    She closed her eyes. “Yes.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Chapter Three
     
Dear Diary,
Domenico is mad at me.
When I see him furious, sometimes I have this