Total pages in book: 186
Estimated words: 176552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 883(@200wpm)___ 706(@250wpm)___ 589(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 176552 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 883(@200wpm)___ 706(@250wpm)___ 589(@300wpm)
“Being here brings it all back,” I said softly.” I still have it, the ring.”
That fragile stem sat in a frame on my nightstand, surrounded by photos of us, different than the ones on my wall. A lifetime of memories mapped out around one promise.
“I know you do.” He ran a hand through my hair. “I think we both knew even then that this was special,” he said, his voice low, threading through me like a dark current. “We didn’t just grow up together, we became pieces of each other.”
I turned those words over in my head, and found they were spot on. “That’s a good way of putting it.”
“You know I’m obsessed with you, right? I’ve wanted you so long it’s poisoned every other part of me.” His fingers brushed across my cheek like he was memorizing me. “I don’t take a single breath without you on my mind. I know you’re scared to let yourself feel this. I know trusting me doesn’t magically erase all your doubts, but I’ve been playing the long game with you, Sass.”
“The long game?”
“It means that I would sooner tear myself apart and hand you every piece before I ever broke your heart.” His forehead pressed to mine. “Our new normal will be a beautiful thing, baby. I won’t let it hurt you,” he promised, his voice dark and sure.
How was I supposed to fight against something like that?
He looked at me like there was no air in the world unless it passed through me first. Hearing him proclaim his obsession out loud should have terrified me. It should have sent me running. It had the opposite effect and made me never want to walk away. Even if it was messy, even if it was twisted and poisoned at the edges… it was ours.
“You’re insane, but I think I might be just as gone for you.”
I kissed him, and he reacted instantly, his hands threading into my hair, pulling me closer until there was no space left to think. I melted into him, my hands sliding up his chest as his tongue swept into my mouth. I pulled back before we could get too carried away, knowing our time was limited.
“We have to talk about The Hunt still,” I rasped, smothering a laugh.
The look on his face was comical. “Sass, your timing is horrendous.”
“Let me finish.”
“I was going to.” His grin deepened as he shifted beneath me, pressing me down harder against him. My breath caught, my hands pushing at his chest even as my thighs instinctively tightened around his hips.
“Rye,” I warned. “Unless you want us to be at risk of public indecency, you’ll stop and listen.”
He chuckled. “I’m listening. Keep talking.”
I sucked in a shaky breath. “What if… what if my main Huntsman is actually a Huntswoman?”
His expression turned thoughtful. “Explain how you came to that conclusion.”
“It’s hard to,” I admitted. “I have this gut feeling now. It’s obviously someone close. Someone who knows my routine. I can’t pinpoint who.”
“Or your Huntsman is a man, and a woman close to you is feeding him everything he needs.”
My stomach twisted at that, and I made a face. “Okay, but I like my theory better. Yours creeps me out ten times more.”
He began rubbing my back. “Ferret would do it.”
“You think Layla dislikes me that much?”
“I don’t think she dislikes you. I think she wants to be you.”
The way he said it left no room for denial.
“But she’s so…” I started, shaking my head, struggling to put it into words.
“She’s one weird bitch.”
“Ryder!” I snapped, half-laughing, half-scolding. “You can’t say that.”
“Why not?”
“We don’t call women that word unless—.”
“I don’t see her as a woman,” he interrupted, amused. “So, there’s no issue. You know her mom isn’t wrapped too tight either. It’s probably hereditary.”
I frowned. “My mom did say she saw her the other day… said she didn’t look well. I think that she’s a demon, but maybe she just needs help. I find that sad. She didn’t always used to be like this, you know? She used to help people.”
He stared at me, his expression switching back to unreadable. “I know.”
Oh. Right. He would know. He’d been to her practice years ago. I hadn’t meant to bring that up. I flinched as something wet hit my cheek, breaking the moment. I looked up, startled.
“Did you feel that or was it just me?”
“Drizzle,” Ryder murmured, his own head tilting back as a drop hit his skin. “It got me too. It wasn’t supposed to rain today.”
I glanced at the barely touched basket beside us, guilt pricking at my ribs. “I’m sorry, Rye. You did all this…”
His hand came up, warm against my jaw, gently turning my face back to him. “Don’t ever apologize for telling me how you feel,” he said, his voice low and steady, the conviction in it like a pulse against my skin. “I want to know every bit of happy, sad, angry, and petty you’ve got, Sass. This? This is something small. I plan to do a million times over.”