Page 103 of Hunter

“So,” he says, voice rough but smiling, “want to see the wolves? Or should we go back to your place and continue this conversation somewhere more private?”

I pretend to think about it, then rise up to kiss him once more, quick and teasing.

“Wolves first,” I say against his lips. “Then my place. I want the whole date… and then I want you.”

Chapter 41

Hunter

Butterflies. That’s the feeling in my stomach. Huge ass butterflies that are flapping their wings in time to my heartbeat.

Charlie glances back at me and tugs my hand around his waist as he leans against me. I rest my chin on top of his head, breathing him in, and watch the wolves pace their enclosure in front of us. They’re not as flashy as the snow leopard cubs, but they’re still my favorite. Solid. Steady. Survivors.

They sort of remind me of him.

I tighten my arm around his middle, palm flat against his stomach under the hem of his cropped hoodie. His skin is warm, and I feel the small hitch in his breathing when my thumb strokes just under his belly button.

“You’re really into wolves,” he says. “Didn’t think you’d actually have a favorite.”

“You mean the wolf emoji in your phone didn’t give it away?” I laugh.

“I mean…hindsight is 20/20.”

I press a kiss to the top of his curls. “They remind me of you. Tough. Loyal. Pretty when they’re not trying to rip your throat out.”

Charlie lets out a surprised laugh that turns into a shiver when I drag my thumb lower, tracing the waistband of his jeans.

“That’s… disturbingly romantic,” he says, tilting his head back against my shoulder so I can see the grin on his face. “You calling me pretty and feral in the same breath?”

“Accurate description.” I nip at the shell of his ear. “You’re cute when you’re sweet. Dangerous when you’re mean. Perfect either way.”

“You’ve never seen me when I’m mean.”

I shrug even though he can’t really see it. “I can imagine.”

He turns in my arms, chest to chest now, and looks up at me with his pretty eyes. “Keep sweet-talking me and we might have to skip the rest of the zoo.”

I slide both hands under his hoodie, palms spreading across his lower back, feeling the dip of his spine. “Are you complaining?”

He swipes his tongue over his lips and smiles. “I would never complain about sweet-talk. It’s one of my favorite things.”

“Good, because I have a load more that I can say.”

Charlie’s eyes sparkle with challenge and heat. “Yeah? Let’s hear it then.”

I lean down, lips brushing the shell of his ear as my hands slide further under his hoodie, palms flat against the warm, smooth skin just above the band of his jeans.

“You’re so fucking pretty when you get all flushed like this,” I murmur. “Makes me want to push you up against this railing and kiss you until you forget your own name.”

He shivers against me, fingers curling tighter into my shirt.

“Keep going,” he breathes.

I smile against his ear. “You’re dangerous when you’re being sweet. Lethal when you’re being a brat. And right now, you’re doing both, so I’m trying really hard not to drag you into the nearest bathroom and show you exactly how much I missed you.”

Charlie lets out a shaky laugh that sounds like a half-moan. He turns his head just enough to catch my mouth in a quick, filthy kiss before pulling back with a wicked little grin.

“You’re evil,” he whispers. “Talking like that when we’re supposed to be looking at wolves. And in public no less.”