“I’m not a chipmunk, and I already hugged you.”
“Yep, that was hug number one. Hug two is due to your dream druid texting you like I said he would.”
“That bet was for the next day.”
Fenris slowly shook his head. “The bet you agreed to was just that he would message you. You never said the next day.”
I struggled to remember that conversation. Since I couldn’t remember my exact wording, I huffed a sigh. He wiggled his eyebrows as I walked into his embrace.
“I’m not a chipmunk,” I grumbled.
“You’re not small and quick to run away? Come on, spaghetti, wrap those noodles you call arms around me.”
His taunt about running away got to me. Without second-guessing myself, I jumped up, wrapping my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. His eyes widened. It was the first time I’d ever witnessed a shocked Fenris.
“Not a chipmunk,” I said with a grin before hugging him close.
“That’s my girl.”
Those three murmured words stole my humor, and a hunger rose that had nothing to do with my succubus appetite. I craved being someone’s girl with a depth I’d never realized, and hearing it from Fenris hurt. He would have a girl someday. They’d look at each other with a singular focus that would blind them to anyone else. I’d never have that. At least, not the natural way a werewolf pair would. Any person who looked at me with longing would do so as a result of my allure and his growing obsession.
“Do you know why humans own dogs?” Fenris asked randomly. “They claim that petting their canine friends makes them happy. Want to test that theory?”
I pulled back from his hug and rolled my eyes at him.
“I’m not going to pet you, Fenris. Ever.”
“I don’t know. I told you that you’d come running for my hugs one day, and I think we’re getting close. Petting may be in my future.”
Shaking my head at him, I tapped out of his hold.
“You’re incorrigible.”
“And you’ve had a rough twenty-four hours that I’m trying to help you forget. Is it working?”
“A little.”
He sat on his pillow, and I sat with him again.
“You know you can trust me, right?” he asked softly.
I nodded.
“Will you tell me why you’re desperate to find those druids?”
My heart lurched a beat as he watched me expectantly.
“A location spell, remember?”
He nodded slowly, rubbing a finger over his bottom lip. My stomach dipped. I wasn’t sure if it was due to feeling like I was two seconds from being lectured by the most lighthearted person I’d ever known or because he was unintentionally stirring my hunger.
“And you have a more experienced druid offering to help you, but you didn’t take him up on it.”
“And you said he only wanted my number to hook up with me.”
He sighed.
“Fine,” he said softly. “Trust has to be earned. When you’re ready to tell me about it, I’ll be here to help. Until then, let’s see if we can figure out what to do with your lingering sparkle problem.”
