Page 55 of Haunting the Hunter

“I only take what’s mine. I’m not a thief.”

“Oh, but you can steal money out of my wallet?”

“What’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is yours, pretty girl,” he teases, and I roll my eyes.

“Your perception is sorely mistaken.”

“I was only trying to—” He trails off, not finishing his sentence, his expression unreadable.

“If this is an apology for last night, I’ll accept it on one condition.”

He looks at me curiously, sauntering over and dropping to kneel in front of me. Even on his knees, he towers over me. I lift my chin to make eye contact, mustering all the courage I can to keep my cool.

“You trying to make a deal with me, pretty girl?” he purrs.

“You won’t possess anyone I care about again.”

He takes a moment, scanning my face.

“As I said, I have no intention of hurting you, or the people you care about.”

“Then whatareyour intentions?” I ask.

He continues staring at me, as if searching for something. The look in his eyes makes my chest heat up, and suddenly I feel nervous. This feels… intimate.

Looking at him like this—he’s beautiful and terrifying. His sharp glowing eyes bore into me, his long white hair falling in his face,wrapping around his massive horns. Without thinking, I reach up and touch them, running my fingers along them gently. He doesn’t move, allowing me to feel them. They’re cold and smooth to the touch. I look at him. Without realizing it, he’s leaning toward me, and I close my eyes. I can feel his breath on my cheek. Chills spark all over my body, and I’m lost in the moment. His lips gently graze my cheek, softly moving closer to my mouth.

I meet his with my own.

The kiss is soft, delicate. He wraps his fingers in my hair, pulling me closer—firmly but gently. I feel his tongue begin to explore my mouth as my lips part. It feels softer than it looks, moving with precision. I should stop this… but…

I wrap my hands around his waist as his lips make their way down my neck. I moan into the air, head tilting back as he yanks the neckline of my shirt down my shoulder—with his teeth—tearing a hole in it.

He pulls away for a moment and gazes down at me as my eyes flutter open. They scan his beautiful body and wander lower…

He’s hard, and… Oh Gods…

That doesn’t look normal.

“Fuck.”

CHAPTER 19

CADE

Ilean my elbow against the window of the truck, rubbing my temple, when I notice movement. I watch as Allen is released, his clothes in disarray. He looks confused, lost, his eyes bloodshot. Good. It’s five p.m.—they definitely took their time letting him out. According to Jack, he got the bare minimum, but that doesn’t matter now.

He won’t be of this world much longer.

While I waited, I scouted the few chosen locations suitable for the night’s endeavors. About ten miles into the middle of nowhere sits an old abandoned mining facility. No one will hear him there, not even with what I have planned.

I keep my eye on him as he hops into a taxi—most likely headed to the impound lot to retrieve his car. I tail him, staying a few cars back, knowing I need to be patient. Despite my body being still, the adrenaline has already hit me. I try to steady myself with long breaths, but they do little to calm me.

Until you.

That subtle feeling is there again. I haven’t felt it all day, and the fact that I’d go so far as to say I missed it… is ridiculous. I can feel my resolve starting to give. Maybe Calli was onto something. Maybe it doesn’t matter if it’s real or not. Maybe it’s about the comfort that comes from believing.

Frustration creeps in. It’s not real. No, it’s not.