I hug her right back. “It’s good to be back.” Memories assail me, and I stiffen and pull back and meet Bryce’s eyes. “Is it okay that I’m back?”
“Yes,” Hunter says from behind me. It doesn’t escape my notice that he’s really close, like his front is glued to my back, kind of close. “She’s not going anywhere,” he growls out from behind me.
Bryce doesn’t look at his moody enforcer. “Sherese, I already told you; you’re a member of my pack. You’ll always have a place here in our pack and with our family.”
His words literally gut me. I don’t even know what to say. A hand snakes around my waist, and Hunter pulls me against him. I find myself so grateful because everything is feeling really unsteady right now. The alpha of the Northwoods Pack comes over to stand next to Bryce. “I know this is really poor timing.” His gaze goes over my head for a moment, and I know he’s eyeing Hunter. “We need to get back to our pack, but I’d like to talk through things while the events are fresh in everybody’s mind so we can make a plan moving forward.”
Everybody seems to be watching Hunter and me. I shrug. “That’s fine with me.”
“You don’t have to if it’s too much,” Sage adds quietly. “I mean, you were dead just a little bit ago.”
Hunter growls fiercely behind me, and that hand on my waist tightens. I wonder why he’s acting the way he is, and then I suddenly remember his words while we were in that room together. I remember him telling me that he chose me. My breathing speeds up, and I don’t know what to do now. I realize belatedly that everybody is still staring at us, and I finally get that they’re waiting for Hunter’s approval. “Hunter?” I ask. I don’t get more than a grunt from him. “Is that good?” He says nothing, and I turn in his arms.
Those dark eyes lock on mine, and I am keenly aware that the arm that was wrapped around my stomach is now tight on my back. I see the almost glowing eyes and know his wolf is riding him hard. “How about we go and give you two a minute?” Ava asks.
“Thank you,” I call out to her without taking my eyes off Hunter. When it’s quiet, I stare up at him. Words suddenly fail me. This is the guy who came back for me. He risked everything...for me. Tears dot my vision, surprising me.
A hand cradles my cheek. “What is it, Love?” His voice is gruffer than usual, and I know it’s the presence of his wolf.
“You came back for me.” There’s awe in my voice; I’m not sure I’ll ever get over it.
“Always.” He leans forward slightly. “I will always come back for you.” Then he leans even closer, and I go still.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Shh.”
“I don’t think—” I start.
“Don’t think,” he says in a low voice. “Just feel.”
And then his lips touch mine. Shock rolls through me, and I don’t move a muscle. The kiss is soft and so incredibly gentle. And over fast. “What was that?” I demand as soon as I’m able to talk.
He smirks at me, that smirk that always turns my insides out. “We call that a kiss, Love.”
“Don’t get smart with me,” I warn him.
“Never,” he says right before he lowers his lips again. He kisses me gently. Once, twice, three times. When he pulls back, I stare up at him.
“You know, for as tough an enforcer as you are, I really thought your kisses would be more.”
He arches a brow. “More what?”
“I don’t know. More...aggressive, passionate, sexy—”
I don’t get to finish my thought before those lips are on mine again. This time, it’s completely different. His kiss is rougher, and his arm behind my back pulls me tight against his chest. His passion ignites my own, and it’s impossible not to respond. I finally kiss him back. He groans low in his chest and pulls me impossibly closer. I reach up and wrap my hand around the back of his neck, allowing myself not to think...just to feel. And boy, do I feel. I feel his kiss all the way to my toes. I'm not sure how long we kiss, but I lose sense of everything except being wrapped up in his big, strong body and arms and the feel of his lips on mine. Finally, he pulls back, and we’re both breathing hard. “I have to stop,” he whispers against my lips.
“What if I don’t want you to?” I ask as I nip at his lips, feeling completely undone and put back together by him. He groans and kisses me again.
“You are going to be the death of me,” he says as he runs a hand down my spine, causing me to shiver.
I grin up at him, feeling more lighthearted than I have in a long time. “But what a way to go,” I say, using the words he used when I sat on his lap in that room.
He smiles, and it’s so dark and sexy, my stomach clenches. “Yeah, Baby.”
I glance over my shoulder in the direction everybody went. “We should probably get inside.”
“Yeah. I guess, but only because I have plans for after the meeting.”
