The Hunt (By Kiss and Claw #2) - Melissa Haag Page 0,38
saw. I promise.”
Instead of pulling away, I returned the hug and buried my head further.
“Want to go outside?” he asked.
After my nod, he lifted me just enough so my feet didn’t touch the floor and walked us out the doors. With relief, I breathed in the crisp winter air.
“Thank you.”
He lowered me to my feet and licked the tip of my nose as I backed away.
“Your forms of affection are weird. By the way, I warned Megan and Oanen you’re going to be hugging them. Good luck trying to get Oanen again.”
“Challenge accepted. He won’t see me coming.”
I laughed, unable to help myself. Months ago, I’d been witness to the spontaneous hug that Oanen had given Fenris. While it’d been done to throw off Aubrey—Fenris’s crazy, she-wolf stalker—from smelling Megan on Fenris, I could still remember Fenris’s shocked expression. Fenris might like hugging, but Oanen was far from a hugger.
“I bet you don’t even get close to him,” I said without thinking.
A gleam lit Fenris’s gaze.
“Two minutes of scratching if I win.”
“I don’t care what you want scratched; I’m not doing it.”
He stared at me a moment, his grin slowly widening.
“You’re thinking about where to scratch me, aren’t you?”
“I’m thinking about how I want to go home.”
He huffed a pouty sigh then opened his arms.
“Fine. You can go. I’ll just collect my payment before you do.”
I took one step toward him before I stopped myself.
“Wait a minute. I’m paid up for today. We hugged in the diner, again after I danced, and just now inside. That’s three.”
“The second two don’t count. You didn’t hug me back in the woods, and the one just now was an escape hug.”
“You can’t start adding rules now. My arms were around you on the third hug. It counts.”
“Gods, you’re stingy with your hugs. Come on. Just give me another.”
He got down in that playful pose he had, like he was ready to catch a jump hug, and wiggled his fingers at me.
“I’m not hugging you, Fenris.”
“Fine. Then I’m stealing one.”
He launched himself at me and, before I could react, had me crushed against his chest.
“You really need to find your mate,” came out as, “Boo eeddee deed do ind uh ade.”
The rumble of his laughter vibrated through me.
“Come on, spaghetti. Use those arms.”
I hugged his waist then pulled my head back enough to get some breathing room.
“Your need for constant affection will stifle someone.”
“Doubt it.” He leaned his cheek against my head and inhaled deeply.
“Are you sniffing my hair?”
“Are you going to question everything I do? Where’s the unconditional trust?”
I rolled my eyes, well aware that everything was once again in sharp focus.
“I get that you like to push boundaries, but I can’t afford to lose any more friends because of my lack of good judgment.”
He pulled back and cupped my face, his expression intensely serious.
“You will never lose me, Eliana. No matter what you say…no matter what you do…I will always be here for you.”
My chest ached at the sincerity in his words, and my eyes started to water.
“Thank you.”
He leaned in and pressed his lips to my forehead. My pulse stuttered then raced. Without meaning to, I pulled him closer. He tightened our embrace as he exhaled heavily, and his sweet scent wrapped around me, hinting at chocolate with creamy notes. As soon as I thought creamy, I felt myself going down that dark path of hunger and need.
“Let go,” I rasped.
Fenris immediately released me.
I swallowed hard and stared up at him with an intense longing I shouldn’t feel.
“Please walk away.”
His gaze swept over my face. He gave me a sad smile, then went inside. The urge to follow him rode me hard as I turned around and walked down the sidewalk.
Just as I reached my car, another one parked on the other side of the road. Eras and his friends got out. Laughing about whatever had been said in their car, they didn’t notice me. I watched them go inside then grabbed my phone.
Me: Eras just walked in. You should probably leave.
Fenris: Probably, but I’m in the mood for a little trouble.
Me: Then go feed Elbner for me. He can throw a shoe at your head to knock some sense into you.
With a growl of frustration, I got into my car.
Fenris: I’ll feed your vertically challenged rage machine, but you’ll owe me a non-contact favor in the future. Do we have a deal?