She crossed her arms in front of her chest and braced her legs apart. Big-footed bastard.

He walked in and closed the door. He ambled over to her with that Viking grin plastered all over his face. “So whatcha want, baby?”

She gritted her teeth. Could he sound any more smug? “You’re just lucky they took my gun.”

He slid his arm around her waist and leaned down to whisper in her ear. “You wouldn’t really hurt me, would ya?” He nipped her earlobe and a delicious bolt of heat ran down her entire body. “Wouldn’t you rather fuck all night until we can’t walk?”

His hand slid under her sweatpants and she pulled herself away from him, scrambling across the room. He took a step toward her and she held her hand out. “Stay!” He smiled at her. The most beautiful smile she’d ever seen. She loved him. She hated him. She couldn’t imagine her life without him.

“I don’t get you, Viking. Why are you so happy?”

“’Cause I love you, Mik.” She warmed at his statement. “And because I won.” Then she became hot.

Miki growled. “You did not win.”

“I so won.”

He wanted to play that game? Fine.

She smiled. “So you think you won?”

“I know I did. I love you. You love me. And I get to keep ya.”

Miki nodded. “Did I ever tell you that the FBI has a corkboard with my picture on it? Actually, it has me, Amy, Craig, Kenny Liu, and Ben. And our pictures are in this pyramid shape, but I’m at the top. I heard the agents throw darts at it.” His smile slipped a little. “The CIA still calls me every six months to ask me if I want to work at their…and I’m quoting…‘labs’. They never get very specific, but you’ve seen the kind of stuff I can create so do the math. And there are several states in this country that I’m not really allowed in for…ya know…ever. And for the next forty or fifty years you’ll be busy trying to stop me from saying something rude or inappropriate, or you’ll be trying to stop someone from killing me because of something rude or inappropriate that I said that you didn’t stop me from saying.” She grinned. “So tell me, baby. What exactly did you win?”

Sure. He could have gone for a nice, normal girl. Or at least a girl who could shift into something other than human. But no, he had to fall in love with Miki Kendrick. Hacker. Scientist. Nut case. Great lay.

His mate.

The woman who would be driving him crazy for the rest of his natural-born life—if he were lucky. She smiled at him. And he realized she was as much a Viking as he was. No wonder she saw through his bullshit. Nope, he was getting just what he deserved. Who knew the gods liked him that much?

“Whatever. Let’s fuck.” He moved towardher and she backed away from him.

“First some ground rules.”

He growled. “Such as?”

“I don’t make breakfast. I don’t clean. I don’t involve myself in any clubs or associations that use the word mommy on their letterhead. At some point I’ll actually know what I want to do career-wise which means the demon spawn I’m breeding will be pretty much yours to deal with until he or she is sixteen. By then they’re ready for the SATs and that’s when I step in. Now, of course I’ll talk to him or her before then if I must. And no, this deal does not involve breast milk. I’ll make sure to take care of that myself. Now, of course, this is all subject to change if their IQ is higher than 140. Then I’m on deck when they’re five. After the baby is born, we can discuss marriage. But I’m not changing my name and the word obey will not be used in the ceremony.”

“Is that it?”

She smiled. Yup. There it was. A big ol’ Viking grin. “If I stay, I want a concealed weapons permit. And good luck with that since I’m sure all my federal friends will be fighting you tooth and nail on that one.” Her smile softened. And it was a smile for him and him alone. “And I do love you, Viking. Just don’t try and use it against me.”

Yeah. He was definitely the luckiest man in the world. “Now are you done?”

“Yes.”

“Good.” He proceeded to untie his boots, tug them off, and toss them across the room. She watched him for a good while before she finally said anything.

“What are you doing?”

“Getting naked.” He pulled his T-shirt over his head, then he moved to his jeans.

“Why?” She backed away from him, a smile threatening to spread across her beautiful face.

“So I can have my filthy, dirty, Viking way with you.” He kicked his jeans away. “So I can keep everybody awake all night and show ‘em how you’re a screamer.” He walked toward her, and she slammed up against the nightstand. “So I can make you come and come and come until you don’t even remember your name.”

“That’s a hell of a plan.” Cool. She was panting again. He loved when she did that.

“I like it.” He stood in front of her. “Now here are my ground rules.”

Miki tore her eyes away from his cock to look him in the eye, her arms again crossing in front of her chest. “Which are?”

“When we’re in here. You’re naked. I don’t care if we’re ninety. You’re naked.”

“I don’t—”

“Did I argue during your ground rules? Quiet.”

She fell silent, but not before growling.