The Hunt (By Kiss and Claw #2) - Melissa Haag Page 0,24

to work with your sister.”

His eyes lost some of their shine.

“Direct and smart.” He sighed. “Let me return the courtesy. I know who you are, Eliana, and helping you will make me noticeable in the eyes of the Council. This is a lucrative move, that’s all. I want the location spell job that they’re interviewing for.”

My hope shriveled even as relief flooded me. Had he been interested in me, this meeting would have been uncomfortable, but maybe I could have persuaded him to share his sister’s location. Knowing that he’d come here with no intention of sharing that information, but rather to win me over as a client, changed everything.

“I’m sorry, Tegan. It’s not you I need, but your sister. We were in the middle of something that she and her friends need to finish. It’s nothing you can help with. But, if you tell me their location, I’d be more than happy to mention your name to the Council—”

“We both know that name dropping won’t do anything. Do you know how many druids of my age and experience are vying for the job? Please, let me help you. It’s the only way to make myself stand out. Plus, it’ll prove my discretion and my abilities.”

Since we were debating this in a public place, I highly doubted he even understood discretion.

“My answer is firmly no.”

“Then, unfortunately, so is mine.” He started to get up.

Angry and desperate, I grabbed his arm without thinking. The contact electrified me, changing something inside. The desperation shifted, growing bigger. Hungrier.

So, so hungry…

Tegan stilled. His gaze fixed on me. A hint of lust perfumed the air, and my hunger unfurled. Loosening my hold, I trailed a finger over his wrist.

“I’m offended you want to leave already.” A sexual purr laced my tone, but I couldn’t stop myself. “Sit and drink your wine, Tegan.”

His pupils dilated slightly, and his lips parted. Despite those physical signs, I could feel his resistance to me.

“I cast a protection spell before I came. You can’t influence me.” Yet, each word he spoke had been a struggle.

“I’d prefer that you stay, but it’s your choice.” I forced myself to remove my hand from his skin even as need crawled through me.

Our gazes held, and slowly, he sank back into his chair. Triumph filled me.

“I understand need,” I said softly. “You need the Council job and the recognition it will bring. I need your sister’s location. Will you ease my need, Tegan?”

He groaned lightly, and the sexual energy inside of him expanded.

“Please?” I whispered huskily.

He exhaled his agreement even as he shook his head.

“Stubborn man. Your lips are mine, but not your mind.” I purposely let my gaze drop to his mouth. “I wonder what else your lips are willing to do that your mind is not.”

Another groan escaped him, and I could sense his weakness as well as the swell in his sexual energy. He was so close to giving me everything. I smiled seductively, unwilling to settle for any less than everything.

A drop of sweat rolled from Tegan’s hairline. The rightness of it resonated with me in an awful way. It was a physical acknowledgment of his fear at denying me. A sign of his impending submission.

It was the mark of my downfall.

I blinked, and the thing inside of me shrank.

Tegan gave a shuddering exhale, and his eyes began to water.

“Don’t stop. Just a little more, and I’ll give you what you need,” he promised.

Bile filled my throat, and I turned my head away as the door opened.

Fenris strode in, shirtless and winded. Our gazes collided.

“Please,” Tegan begged.

I didn’t look away from Fenris as Tegan took hold of my hand. A tear slipped free and slid down my cheek. Fenris’s gaze softened, and I closed my eyes against his pity and against what I’d done.

“You’re crying. Oh, gods, don’t cry.” Tegan released my hand, and a chair scraped against the floor.

“Hold up.” A grunt followed Fenris’s words. “Do you really think rushing to her side is going to make her happy? You know why she’s crying. Make it right.”

I opened my eyes in time to watch Fenris shove a phone in Tegan’s hands.

“Where are they?” Fenris asked.

While Tegan distractedly used the phone, Fenris gently turned him toward the door and started walking with him.

Glued to my chair, I watched the pair leave. My mind dwelled on how quickly my hunger had taken over. I’d been me. Then, in a blink, I hadn’t been. I hadn’t even realized I’d given into that