Free Dare to Believe by Dana Marie Bell Page A

ears?” Ruby giggled. She hadn’t felt like this since she was a teenager.
    “And other places?” His puppy-dog hopeful expression had her hiding her face in his shirt, overcome with the giggles.
    He picked her up easily and carried her into the shower. “Let’s conserve water, shall we?”
    “Mmm-hmm.”

    Leo slipped quietly out of the room. She’d been too tired to make love before nodding off. His kitten was totally exhausted. She’d slipped on a tiny, silky little cream colored thing that she swore was a nightgown and he swore was a wet dream come true. She’d crawled into bed and passed out soon after dinner, curled up around him like the kitten he’d named her. The shower gymnastics he would have loved to indulge in had been interrupted by his pest of a sister, banging on the door and yelling for all she was worth that dinner was ready and he’d better get his Fae butt down the stairs before his mother came up for him. Perhaps it was just as well. He doubted she would have lasted long enough to eat if they’d made love.
    He’d just have to make sure he took better care of her from now on. He didn’t like it when his little kitten was all tuckered out for the wrong reasons.
    He hadn’t understood why Ruby had glared at his sister when they’d finally headed down, until he’d heard her mutter under her breath that his butt was fine, thank you very much. He’d nearly burst out laughing.
    Dinner had been a unique mixture of tension and curiosity. No mention was made of Shane or his kidnapping at the table. Instead everyone had focused on Ruby. They’d done their best to make her feel welcome, but there’d been no denying the gentle inquisition his parents had put her through. But his kitten was tough. She’d answered each question with dignity and a light touch of humor that had won over both of his parents. He hadn’t needed to see his father’s nod of approval or his mother’s smile to know they’d both liked her tremendously.
    Moira, however, seemed to be reserving judgment. Oh, she liked Ruby, and made that plain. Yet in that odd sisterly sort of way she’d managed to convey that she wasn’t certain that Ruby was good enough for him. He wondered if he’d be as big a pain in the ass when she brought her mate home to meet them one

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    Dana Marie Bell
    day, and shuddered. The thought of his baby sister letting a man touch her made him want to punch something.
    His family was waiting for him in the kitchen, Mom making a pot of coffee, Dad chatting quietly with Moira. They all looked at him when he entered, and suddenly he knew how Dad, and to some extent Shane, felt during these family meetings. Each of them was staring at him like he could somehow make everything right. He took his seat, accepting the coffee his mother handed him with a small smile.
    “Is Ruby settled in then?”
    The lyrical notes of his mother’s tongue flowed over him, soothing something in his spirit he hadn’t even realized had been abraded. “Aye, Mum. She’s sleeping peacefully.” The language, so long unused, came to him easily, surprising him.
    “You’re sure she’s the one, then?” Moira’s question, though not unexpected, still grated.
    “Aye, I’m sure. Everything about her calls to my senses in a way no other woman ever has.”
    The confidence in his voice had Moira sitting back, nodding thoughtfully. “Does she know of us?”
    “You mean does she know that when we aren’t glamoured we sprout pointy ears and speak in Sidhe?
    No, I haven’t told her that yet, considering I just finally got her into my bed last night.”
    Moira unconsciously fingered the delicately tapered point of one ear. “When do you plan on telling her? Before or after the ceremony?”
    “Moira. Enough.” Sean’s voice was stern. “Ruby’s human. Leo will need to lead her up to it.”
    “Rent Lord of the Rings first, it might help.” Moira grinned at him, that cheeky one that never failed to