When we reach the clearing, Ivy’s reddish-gray coat glistens as she drinks from the creek. Her tail and ears are completely relaxed. Jericho and Rowen are sitting on a fallen log, talking. I can’t hear what they’re saying, but when Jericho tosses his head back in a laugh, it fills me with unexpected joy. I haven’t truly heard him let go like that since we left.
Rowen is completely naked, his toned stomach clenching every time he laughs. I avert my eyes, still not sure if I’ll ever get used to being around so many naked people.
Judging from the way Jericho eyes Rowen, though, hecould,and that makes my stomach twist uncomfortably. Is he attracted to Rowen?
“Hey!” Red says.
They all turn toward us, and Jericho’s smile grows impossibly wider the moment he sees me. “Hey.”
“Who won?” I ask, gesturing between them.
Rowen rolls his eyes. “Don’t ask.”
I smirk. “I’m going to guess that means Jericho.”
Jericho sits up a little taller. “Damn right, I won. Wolves are no match for a vampire.”
“Oh, I can take a vamp down. Don’t you worry.”
“I believe you,” Jericho says. “You nearly killed me once, remember?”
Rowen and I both flinch.
“And anyway, if I haven’t already been here a few times to hunt, you probably would’ve gotten here first.”
The sun is heaven against my skin as I take a seat next to Jericho, warming me against the wintry chill. I’ve never been a fan of colder temps.
Jericho seems almost unfazed as he continues his conversation with Rowen. Ivy lays down at Rowen’s feet, eyes slitted against the sun. She looks peaceful, happy even.
“Can I… I mean, would it be weird of me to touch your fur?” I ask. “I’m just curious, you know?”
Ivy snorts in a way that I swear is a laugh as she climbs up to sit beside me. I take that as permission and thread my fingers through her silky, thick fur. The red hues shimmer in the light, reflecting off her amber eyes. She truly is beautiful.
“Have to say, I’m a little jealous! If I had fur like this, I wouldn’t be so damn cold right now.”
Jericho chuckles before slipping out of his hoodie to offer it to me.
“Don’t you need it?”
“Nah, I’m burning up. If I get cold, I’ll just run a few laps around the clearing.”
Rowen mutters, “And lose.”
Jericho raises a brow. “What was that?”
“Oh, nothing.”
“Mmhmm. We’ll see about that.”
They both laugh before getting up to run across the clearing. I slip into his warm hoodie, tucking my nose against the fabric and inhaling. It smellsincredible.Notes of leather and vanilla and cedar, and just…Jericho.Did he smell this amazing before he was turned, or am I only now noticing it?
I seem to be noticing everything now. His smile, and the way his hair frames his face. Okay, no. I’ve always loved his hair, but I guess I never stopped to questionwhy.I’ve certainly never noticed any other guys’ hair before. So why him? And so many other things make sense now too. All the private looks he gives me when he thinks I won’t notice. Or the way his gaze lingers on my lips when I talk. The gentle touches. I get it now—his longing.
And I can honestly say, I like it.
An hour passes as we all sit around talking about stupid shit. Movies, bands, and places we’ve been to. Anything but Foxx and the big mess we’ve found ourselves in. It’s nice, being able to kick back and relax.
As the sun begins to touch the tops of the trees, Rowen nudges Jericho. “Think you can beat me back to the house?”
