Page 63

“I call it astute observation. It never hurts to know your surroundings.”

Her laugh rings out around us, and it’s contagious, my own joining and mixing with hers. The lightheartedness I feel in this town has me feeling like a completely different person than I was only a few weeks ago. I haven’t worn a single rhinestone or sequin since, and although I still love shiny, pretty things, it’s nice not to have to put on a show every minute of every day.

Our lunch progresses easily, we order our food and I covertly watch Hunter from the corner of my eye. His conversation doesn’t seem to be going well. The man who was originally sitting with him gets up and leaves, but the man with the long black hair who entered behind me remains. His posture relaxed, confident. While Hunters seems tense, but he too leans back in his seat hands resting loosely on his strong thighs. A concealed fury resting just below the surface.

Ginger excuses herself to go to the restroom and I don’t think I’m going to get any better opportunity today to speak with Hunter. I thought about going into his office in town hall but was too nervous to interrupt him at work. Popping by to say hello while at lunch is far more casual and easy. Even if he’s currently frowning.

I stand, and as steadily as possible, make my way over to his table. He doesn’t notice me until I’m practically on top of him, his conversation with the other man cutting off abruptly as his eyes flash to mine.

“Hi, Hunter.”

“Lottie. Hi,” he responds a little nervously.

“I hope I’m not interrupting.” I look at the man across from Hunter, hopefully relaying my apologies.

“No interruption at all, beautiful. We’re just having a friendly lunch. Discussing a few . . . personal matters,” the man answers coolly, the picture of laidback nonchalance, a wide smile spreading across his thin lips. “I’m Vincent, by the way. And you’re . . . Lottie?”

Vincent extends his hand out, tilting his head in question as he says my name.

“Yes, that’s right.” Extending my own hand in answer it’s quickly intercepted by Hunter’s. His long fingers curl possessively around mine as he pulls my hand out of Vincent’s reach.

“Did you need something, Lottie?” Hunter draws my attention away from Vincent’s polite but flirtatious smile. His own smile pulls at the corner of his mouth, his eyes soft and inquiring.

“Oh, I was wondering if you would like to join me for a run this evening?”

Hunter’s eyes widen, and his lips part in surprise. The hand still holding mine tightens ever so slightly but loosens just as quickly. His thumb rubbing small circles against my skin mindlessly.

“I remember you said you like to run, and I haven’t run in a while and thought it might be nice to have someone who knows the woods to run with so I don’t get lost,” I ramble tryingto explain away my sudden invitation without sounding like a weirdo or too eager to spend more time with him.

Hunter’s eyes shift between mine and momentarily flash to Vincent, narrowing before returning to me. Those lips, that I now know from personal experience are soft and perfectly kissable, pull into a flat line.

“I don’t know if I’ll be able to. I have . . . a lot of work to attend to.”

“Nonsense,” Vincent cuts in. “The lady wants to go for a run safely through the woods. She needs a guide. We wouldn’t want anything to happen to her. She’s so sweet and lovely. Perfect prey for a hungry predator.”

That low guttural growl that surprised and enticed me on Saturday night when Hunter carried me to the cabin emanates quietly from his chest. Sometimes I think Hunter is more beast than man when he makes sounds like that. And my traitorous heart and pussy only like him the more for it.

His eyes immediately return to me, the growl cutting off abruptly. His words softer than expected when he speaks.

“Maybe some other time. But please don’t go running in the woods alone. He’s not wrong about predators.”

The edge of my lips quirk, and I try to hide my grin. “I’m not afraid. I’m the beast whisperer, remember?” I joke.

Hunter pulls me closer still holding the hand he intercepted speaking softly. “That may be, Nightingale, but still. Humor me.”

Since it appears to mean so much to him that I don’t go running in the woods alone I acquiesce to his request with a slight nod.

“Good.”

Reluctantly, he releases my hand which tingles with heated pinpricks in his wake. A hand threading through my limp arm at my side makes me jump with surprise as Ginger appears next to me, an absurdly broad smile on her face.

“So sorry for the interruption, boys. We’ll let you get back to your conversation and lunch.” Ginger pulls on my elbow trying to gently guide me back to our table. “Come on Lottie. Our foods getting cold.”

Awkwardly, I wave at Hunter, barely able to squeak out a goodbye as Ginger drags me back to our table. Looking over my shoulder, I see Hunter and Vincent watching our retreat. Both interested for different reasons. Although I have no idea who Vincent is, his gray eyes linger on me. A knowing and unpleasant glint gleaming there. A shiver runs across my skin and down my spine so forcefully I turn away with jerky movements. Returning to our table and cooling food.

~Hunter~

“What a juicy little peach that one is. All honey and sugar.” Vincent licks his lips while stile ogling Lottie as she sits at her booth with Ginger, tasting her lingering emotions as elves do. To them, instead of scenting emotions like shifters, they taste them on their tongues. If he had managed to touch her, he could have altered her emotions with his slimy magic and he would no longer be breathing and smirking across the table at me.