“Sounds amazing,” I said, excited by this prospect of a real girl’s day. “I’ve never had an adult playdate with girlfriends. I can add it to the new experiences board.”
“Yes!” Cora fist-pumped the air, and I noted that she was also in jeans and a pale blue, knitted sweater, the color lovely against her complexion. “I’ve been desperate for some good old-fashioned girl talk. I need to live vicariously through?—”
Kassidy snorted, and Cora swallowed her laughter. “Okay, through one of you at least. The one with multiple mates. I know all about a single bond already.”
Neither Hunter nor Slade appeared upset that I might share any of our lives with my friends. Which was good, since I had a lot to catch them up on—even if there were only three of us currently participating in the quintet bonding.
“Well, I’m ready to go,” I said, snatching up two more sandwiches and wrapping them in a napkin. “Lead the way.”
By the time Hunter dropped us off at the boutique chain of stores that we apparently had free run of, I’d finished my breakfast and was pumped as hell for this date. Despite the Christmas season coming to an end, there was still a tree and twinkling lights in the center of the store window, and I found myself grinning stupidly at their pretty decorations.
“You wear the most adorable expression whenever you see decorations,” Hunter said, standing close enough that our bodies touched, and I was warmed from his energy.
I shrugged. “It’s like winter. The snow covers everything until it’s just a pretty expanse of white. It hides all the sins. Christmas feels like that too, like the lights and trees and presents are all so pretty and harmless that they shadow the bullshit out there. I wish it went for longer.”
He leaned over and brushed his lips against the side of my head, until butterflies took off in my stomach. “We’ll leave the decorations up at home for a little longer,” he murmured, kissing me once more, before he led me where my friends waited near the entrance.
“Okay, I’ve set up an account instore,” he said, addressing everyone. “Go crazy and buy whatever you want.”
Kassidy fist-pumped. “I’m a strong independent shifter, you know that, but I will never turn down free clothes.”
Hunter shook his head. “I’ve been trying to get you to accept my money for years, sister. Apparently, all it took was one girl’s day and wine to seal the deal. I’ll keep that in mind.”
She patted his chest and batted her eyelashes. “See that you do. Now scurry away and leave us to our female shenanigans, big bro.”
Hunter looked like he was barely restraining himself from an eyeroll. “I’ll be in the car, and Slade is patrolling with his enforcer squad.”
I touched my pocket, relieved I’d remembered my phone. “I’ll text when we’re finished.”
Hunter’s chest rumbled. He leaned down and this time his kiss landed on my lips, and I forgot my name for a few minutes. “See that you do, baby girl.”
I almost wished he would come in with us, but I needed this time with my friends. Maybe I’d even get some advice about what was happening with my pack.
“Love you,” I whispered, and the stare he gave me in return burned through my soul.
“I love you, little mate. Now go and have fun.”
He slapped his big hand on my ass, themineflashing as he pulled away, and I tried my best to ignore the tightening of my lower half.
That bastard knew what he was doing, andfuckif I didn’t like it.
CHAPTER 45
EMME
“Okay,” Cora said, as we made our way into a department store filled to the brim with not only clothing but bags, shoes, makeup, and accessories. “We need to know everything that’s happening in your life. What’s going on with you and the delectable Reeves pack?”
She pulled a dress off the rack, holding it up against herself.
“There’s a lot going on,” I admitted, “and I have no idea where to start to make it all make sense.”
Kassidy leaned over a pile of jeans and waggled her brows at me. “So, you’re happily bonded to Hunt and Kellan, but they mentioned a third bite this morning. Which one?”
Oh fuck. Were they aware of Talon’s existence? I wasn’t sure what information was out in the shifter cities.
“One second,” I said, whipping out my phone and shooting off a text to Hunter.
Emme: Are the girls aware of the new dragon in our midst? Can I tell them?
