The Hunt (By Kiss and Claw #2) - Melissa Haag Page 0,9

hands smoothed over my back, and he pressed me tight to his chest. I really enjoyed Fenris’s hugs. Far more than I should. They just felt so…good. Welcoming. Comforting.

“I could do this all day,” I admitted.

“Hug me or hide in this room?”

My phone buzzed with a new message, saving me from having to answer. Fenris released me with a wink. Ignoring him, I stood and read the message from the unknown number.

Unknown: Just checking in to see if Anne called you yet.

Me: Who is this?

Unknown: Anne’s brother, Tegan. We met when you stopped by looking for her.

I looked up at Fenris, excited that I might have a real lead.

“It’s Tegan. He’s asking if Anne called me.”

Me: I haven’t heard from her yet and am getting a little desperate. Can you let her know?

Tegan: I’ll try calling her again. The reception is spotty where they are so it might take some time for her to get back to me. I’m happy to help in her place too. Just let me know.

I wrinkled my nose as I read that last bit, and the phone suddenly disappeared from my hands.

“Fenris, give it back.”

He ignored my stern warning and read my messages while holding the phone just out of my reach.

I kicked him in the shin. But, he laughed and hopped out of the way for my second attempt.

“You’re only angry because I won,” he said.

“Of course you win when you’re a foot taller than me.”

“Not that,” he said, handing the phone back to me. “This.” He opened his arms wide and wiggled his fingers at me. “Get in here, chipmunk. It’s time for another huggle.”

“Did you just call me a chipmunk?”

He squatted down and kept wiggling his fingers. When it came to hugs, his patience was endless. I’d never met a needier werewolf.

“I’m not a chipmunk, and I already hugged you.”

“Yep, that was hug number one. Hug two is due to your dream druid texting you like I said he would.”

“That bet was for the next day.”

Fenris slowly shook his head. “The bet you agreed to was just that he would message you. You never said the next day.”

I struggled to remember that conversation. Since I couldn’t remember my exact wording, I huffed a sigh. He wiggled his eyebrows as I walked into his embrace.

“I’m not a chipmunk,” I grumbled.

“You’re not small and quick to run away? Come on, spaghetti, wrap those noodles you call arms around me.”

His taunt about running away got to me. Without second-guessing myself, I jumped up, wrapping my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. His eyes widened. It was the first time I’d ever witnessed a shocked Fenris.

“Not a chipmunk,” I said with a grin before hugging him close.

“That’s my girl.”

Those three murmured words stole my humor, and a hunger rose that had nothing to do with my succubus appetite. I craved being someone’s girl with a depth I’d never realized, and hearing it from Fenris hurt. He would have a girl someday. They’d look at each other with a singular focus that would blind them to anyone else. I’d never have that. At least, not the natural way a werewolf pair would. Any person who looked at me with longing would do so as a result of my allure and his growing obsession.

“Do you know why humans own dogs?” Fenris asked randomly. “They claim that petting their canine friends makes them happy. Want to test that theory?”

I pulled back from his hug and rolled my eyes at him.

“I’m not going to pet you, Fenris. Ever.”

“I don’t know. I told you that you’d come running for my hugs one day, and I think we’re getting close. Petting may be in my future.”

Shaking my head at him, I tapped out of his hold.

“You’re incorrigible.”

“And you’ve had a rough twenty-four hours that I’m trying to help you forget. Is it working?”

“A little.”

He sat on his pillow, and I sat with him again.

“You know you can trust me, right?” he asked softly.

I nodded.

“Will you tell me why you’re desperate to find those druids?”

My heart lurched a beat as he watched me expectantly.

“A location spell, remember?”

He nodded slowly, rubbing a finger over his bottom lip. My stomach dipped. I wasn’t sure if it was due to feeling like I was two seconds from being lectured by the most lighthearted person I’d ever known or because he was unintentionally stirring my hunger.

“And you have a more experienced druid offering to help you, but you didn’t take him up on