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My gaze dropped to his throat, covered with stubbly hair. It bobbed, a strangely mesmerising movement.

“So, it feels okay for you?” he asked softly.

“Yes. It’s intriguing. And also kind of scary.”

“Scary?” Nikolai scrunched his nose. “It shouldn’t feel scary to be hugged, maybe it’s better if—”

“No.” I interrupted him again. “Please. Good scary.” I tightened my hold, painfully aware of how warm and solid his body felt.

He smells so good.

“You want me to keep hugging you?”

“Yes!” I said it with so much enthusiasm it made him chuckle, his chest moving against mine.

“Okay. Tap me on the shoulder when you want me to let go, yeah?”

I nodded against his collarbone. “Not going to lie, but I needed a hug, too, Jules.”

“Did you have a bad day?”

“I had a few intense weeks,” he explained.

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s not your fault. Feels good to be here, finally,” Nikolai whispered next to my ear.

“I agree. It’s nice to have you back.”

“You know, nobody has told me that in a long time. People are usually happy to see me go.”

“Why?” I couldn’t keep the anger out of my voice.

“Because I am a grumpy asshole, Jules. Nobody likes that.”

“I like you.” The words left my mouth before I could stop them.

Letting go of him, I took a step back and focused on straightening my clothes to give myself a moment.

“Can I offer you something to eat or drink back at my house? Or both?”

“Yeah, that would be great. I came here straight from training. I’m…” He gave me that half smile again that made my stomach drop. “I was going to stop at a bakery and bring some stuff. But I forgot. I was too excited to see you.”

“You’re hungry? Come on, Bunny. Let me feed you.”

Something flickered in his eyes. If I didn’t know better, I would have said it was lust.

“You don’t have to, I’m alright. I can eat when I’m back home. It’s my fault. I drove straight here like I was on autopilot or something.”

“I want to feed you.” I beckoned for him to follow me. “It’s difficult to explain, and I am not saying this so you feel sympathy for me, yes? But I have only ever fed myself and my animals. It is good to do this for you. It makes me happy.”

“I want you to be happy.”

I stopped dead in my tracks. My shoulders dropped away from my ears. I tilted my head at him.

This beautiful human is so utterly adorable.

“I want you to be happy, too, Bunny,” I said. “Come.”