Wild Invitation

simple as the child in Annie had always believed. Perhaps with that one man who mattered, there
was
no choice, no protecting yourself against the inevitable end of the dream. “Yes,” she said again. “You get to unwrap me.”
    “Then I’ll be on my best behavior.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Let’s go, Angel.”
    She was already used to the nickname. Strange as it was, it felt as if he’d been calling her that forever…as if it was
right
. Walking up to the door, she held that sense of rightness to her like a talisman. “Here we go.” She pressed the doorbell.
    Her mother opened it a couple of seconds later. Dressed in a severe black dress accented with a discreet string of pearls, her dark hair twisted into a sleek knot, Kimberly Kildaire looked what she was—a successful, sophisticated professional. No one could’ve guessed at the deep vulnerability that Annie knew lay beneath the polished surface.
    “Angelica.” Her mother leaned forward to allow Annie to peck her on the cheek.
    After drawing back, she said, “Mom, this is Zach Quinn.”
    Her mother’s expression didn’t change, but Annie knew that Kimberly would have noted everything about the man by her side, from his black suit, to his sleek silver belt buckle, to his crisp white shirt. Open at the collar, it looked both formal and relaxed. She’d about swallowed her tongue when she’d walked out of the bedroom and seen him waiting for her by the door. Zach wild was enough to blow her mind, but Zach playing at being tame…wow.
    “Mr. Quinn,” her mother now said, holding out her hand—Professor Kildaire might not think particularly highly of changelings, but no one would ever criticize her manners.
    “Professor Kildaire.”
    Releasing his hand, Kimberly stepped back. “Do come in.” She led them through the hallway and into the sunken living room off to the right.
    There were far more people mingling below than Annie had expected. “I thought this was supposed to be a small dinner?”
    Her mother’s smile did nothing to warm the cool disapproval in her eyes. “I invited some university people. I thought your…friend would feel more comfortable if it wasn’t just family.”
    It was a very subtle insult. Professor Markson was worthy of a family dinner. Zach wasn’t. Temper spiked, not so much at the slight against Zach—he was tough enough to take care of himself—but because Annie couldn’t believe her mother would try to sabotage her and Zach’s relationship with such calculated rudeness.
    But before she could say something she might not have been able to take back, Zach squeezed her hip lightly, and said, “I’m honored you went to so much trouble to put me at ease.” His voice was smooth whiskey and effortless warmth. “I know how close Annie is to you, so I’m delighted by the welcome.”
    Annie saw her mother’s expression falter for a second, but Kimberly Kildaire was nothing if not quick on her feet. “Of course. Come, I’ll introduce you.” She led them into the knot of curious people below.
    Caroline was the first to come over. Though she told herself not to, Annie found herself tensing up as she waited to see Zach’s reaction to her cousin. Caro was one of her favoritepeople in the world. She was also quite impossibly stunning. Annie had never before been jealous of the way her cousin drew men to her like moths to a flame—no man had ever mattered enough. But Zach did.
    She saw him smile at Caroline’s exuberant welcome…but it was the same kind of smile he’d shared with his sisters. “Congratulations on your baby,” he said, his voice gentle.
    Caroline beamed. “Can you tell? I’m not showing yet. I can’t wait to get big and Madonna-like! Oh, and I want the glow everyone talks about—I so want the glow!”
    Zach’s lips quirked. “I don’t think you need to worry. You already glow.”
    Caroline laughed. “You’re a charmer, aren’t you?” She looked to Annie. “I like him, Annie. He’ll give you beautiful babies.”
    “Caro!” Annie didn’t know whether to blush or thank her cousin for breaking the ice so completely. Several people laughed, and Zach sent her a teasing smile, his eyes heating in a way they hadn’t for Caro.
    “How did you know?” her mother asked pointedly. “Caroline is right—she’s barely showing. Even most women don’t notice.”
    “Her scent, Professor Kildaire,” Zach replied with open candor. “Changelings always know when a woman has a