Free Dirk's Love by Marisa Chenery Page A

how he was going to tell her about being his mate, and get up the nerve to do it. She’d accepted him last night when he’d said he wanted to keep her forever, and he didn’t want that to change once he revealed what he truly was. The one thing he knew was he had to do it before Tyler came home the next day.
    Now with the mating bond firmly in place and growing stronger each time they made love, neither he nor Ryann would be able to stand to be apart. That meant he’d have to move his new family into the Protector’s mansion as soon as he could manage it. And as for his protection duties, they’d have to be worked out as well. Having a son meant Dirk no longer could do any of the evening shifts. Ryann would have to come with him so they didn’t suffer the separation anxiety that all mated couples had to avoid. And wherever Ryann would go, so would Tyler.
    It was late in the afternoon and Dirk and Ryann were sitting in the living room, watching TV. They’d already made love a couple of times since returning, once in the shower and the other time on her bed. Not really paying too much attention to the show on the screen, they talked about anything and everything.
    During one such conversation, Ryann’s telephone rang. She picked it up and looked down at the Caller ID. She scowled. “It’s Mack. I’d better take it.” Ryann pressed the talk button. “Hello, Mack. What’s up? Is everything okay with Tyler?”
    With his hearing, Dirk could easily hear Mack’s response.
    “ Tyler’s fine,” Mack said. “Since your new boyfriend mentioned he was taking you out for dinner tonight, I thought I’d call and find out what time and where you’ll be going.”
    “ Why?” Ryann asked. “If you need to get a hold of me, I’ll have my cell phone.”
    “ Can you just tell me? That way, if your cell dies or something, I’ll still know where you are.”
    Ryann sighed. “Fine, if it’ll get you off my back. Hold on, I’ll ask.” She covered the mouthpiece with her hand and looked at Dirk. “Mack wants to know where you’re taking me out to dinner tonight and what time we’ll be there.”
    “ I was thinking around six. I’m going to take you to this small out of the way place called King Crab, that is, if you like seafood.”
    “ I love it.” Ryann pulled her hand away and relayed that info to Mack. After finding out how Tyler was doing, and getting the assurance that her ex would drop off their son around lunchtime the next day, she hung up.
    The rest of the day sped by and Dirk still hadn’t told Ryann about him being a werewolf. Since it was already close to six, and they were getting ready to go to the restaurant, he figured he’d wait until after they returned to the apartment to come clean.
    Arriving at the restaurant, Dirk pulled into the parking lot at the back of the building and chose a spot farthest away from any other cars.
    “ I hope you don’t mind the walk,” he said to Ryann. “I don’t like parking near anyone. I’d rather a hike than have someone ding my car with their door.”
    She chuckled. “I don’t mind. If I had one like yours, I’d be doing the same thing.”
    Another car drove into the lot and parked four spots over as Dirk and Ryann got out of the BMW. He didn’t think anything of it and waited for Ryann to meet up with him on his side. Once she did, he took her hand and got them walking toward the restaurant.
    They’d only taken a few steps when Ryann stiffened and came to a complete standstill. Dirk stopped and looked at her. “What’s wrong?”
    She nodded in the direction where the other car was parked. “It’s Mack, and he’s not alone.”
    Dirk swung his gaze over to where Ryann indicated and saw she was right. It was her ex, along with two large men. All three of them walked toward Dirk and Ryann, looking none too friendly.
    “ Mack, what the hell are you doing here?” Ryann asked as they drew near. “And where’s Tyler?”
    Not sparing her a glance, Mack