Page 67

“Okay, angel. We have a house full of people waiting for us. We have to get you ready.”

He shook her shoulder and froze when she growled at him.

“Stop it, panther, or you’ll lose that hand.”

His head tilted to the side as his eyes scanned her face and sighed when he found her eyes closed.

“I know you’re tired angel, trust me, we have all night and all day tomorrow to sleep. But your mom is at Liv and Kai’s introducing Tajo and Jack to the group of assassins. Thalia demanded I have you there in,” he looked at the clock, “forty-five minutes for dinner or else she’ll cut off my balls.”

She blinked open her beautiful silver eyes and squinted for a moment, getting used to the dim light from the hallway, before she focused on his face.

“Yeah, I can see her doing that. Okay.” Neri slithered closer to the side of the bed. She huffed as she swung her legs to drape off the edge before placing her elbows on her knees, holding her head between her hands.

He moved the coffee in front of her and she reached for it with one hand, the other still cupping her head. Despite the scorching liquid, she took a sip and then tipped it back enough to gulp the entire cup.

“More.”

Hunter handed her the second cup, and she didn’t even wait before downing that one too.

He vowed to himself he would take better care of Neri from now on. Zahava and Damian were a priority, but not if it hurt Neri.

She stood and stretched her arms behind her back, standing on her tiptoes until she heard the distinct crack of her back as she worked out the kinks. With more grace than Hunter believed, Neri strode toward the bathroom and straight to the shower. Waiting for the hot water, she rubbed her eyes similar to how Silas did when he was ready for bed and stepped in.

After she washed and dried her hair, she turned to him and smiled. “I’m sorry I threatened your sexy-as-sin body with harm.”

Hunter opened the door and kissed her. “I know you’re tired. But we’ll have a good time tonight, I promise.”

“The two cups of coffee helped. Is there more?”

He nodded. “In the kitchen.”

Neri shut off the water and after a few moments, stepped out with a towel wrapped around her body. She placed a warm hand on his chest and lifted herself on her toes to kiss him.

“Thanks for letting me sleep.”

Unable to stay away from her, he pulled her close and devoured her mouth, needed to taste her. Before he pushed them, he broke the kiss and captured her gaze as his chest heaved.

“I love you, angel.”

She smiled at him, dropped her towel, and sashayed her way over to the closet. Hunter bit his lip to prevent the groan from slipping out as his gaze dropped to her perfect ass, the curve of her waist, and her beautiful long silver hair as it brushed against her back. The heel of his hand pressed down on his already hard cock, groaning as the cold zipper pressed against his hot, hard skin as he tried to control his reaction to her wicked smile and gorgeous body.

“And I love you, too, panther.”

He closed his eyes as Neri rooted around in her closet for the clothes she would wear. He inhaled, taking deep breaths, and controlled his need for his mate by the time she walked out in well-worn jeans, a beautiful pearl white chunky sweater and her running shoes.

She left her hair down, framing her beautiful face, and when she noticed him standing in the same spot, she laughed.

“Ready?”

“Yeah, angel. I’ll try to control myself.”

Neri winked at him. “Only until after the party.”

And with that she hugged him close, laying her head on his chest, and teleported them in the middle of Liv’s living room, unaware of what he had planned.