Page 44 of Midnight Hunt

“Violet Jane,” he replied, amusement in his voice despite the awful situation. “Just breathe. That’s all you have to do right now. Breathe.”

I let my eyes flutter shut, using his calming presence to soothe my panic.

As my thundering heartbeats began to slow and my breathing evened, he hummed his approval. “Good girl.”

I sank into his warmth and allowed my nose to lightly brush his. His hold on my neck suddenly tightened, drawing me even closer. As his breath fanned across my mouth, I tensed and opened my eyes. His eyes lifted as well, and the message in them was clear.

“Griff,” I started, whether to warn him or encourage him, I wasn’t sure. Before I could decide, he drew my head down even lower and feathered his lips over mine. Tiny darts of electricity danced over my sensitive skin, and I sucked in a quiet gasp.

Startled by the unexpected kiss, I held still, my eyes wide like saucers. He pulled back a little to study my expression, then firmed his grip on my neck and brought our mouths together again.Hard. This time, the kiss streaked through me like bolts of lightning.

A breathy moan escaped me, and he kissed me again, so deeply that all I could feel and taste was him. My pain and fear melted away, and I was suddenly kissing him back with a desperation that stole the air from my lungs. The moment I did, a violent tremor shook him, his fingers spasming on my neck. He groaned, the sound equal parts pleasure and pain.

I broke the kiss with a cry of dismay. “I’m so sorry. Did I hurt you?”

He peeled his eyes open to blink up at me. “Yes, but you can hurt me like that any time.”

A smile crept onto his face, and I scowled, smacking his shoulder. “Seriously, Griff?”

He grunted but waved away my worried look. “Worth it. You’re feeling better already.”

My scowl deepened. “You kissed me to makemefeel better?”

“It worked, didn’t it? You’re back to your usual bossy self.”

“Bossy?I’m not—”

When he chuckled, I rolled my eyes and changed the subject.

“Let’s get this over with before I start freaking out again.” I reached for him, only to pull back with a sharp hiss.

He immediately sobered, taking in the way I cradled my injured arm against my chest. “That needs to be popped back into place first.”

I nodded with a grimace.

Sure, listen tohim, not me, Sable grumbled.

“It’s already started to heal wrong,” I told him, stiffening when he slid his hand to my injured shoulder joint.

“I’ll be quick,” he said, bringing his other hand up to brace me.

My heart started hammering in my chest again, and I squeezed my eyes shut. “Okay, just do it before I chicken out. No counting or—”Crack. “AAHH! Mother of—”

I swore colorfully as Griff jerked the bone back into place. Seconds later, though, the pain began to fade.

“Need another kiss?” Griff asked as I slowly rotated my shoulder.

“Shut up,” I muttered, even as my lips warmed at the thought of being pressed to his again. Quickly shaking off the thought, I gave him a stern look. “Okay, your turn. Sable and I will do all the work, so don’t even think about trying to be all manly and help out.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it. My life is in your hands. Literally.”

I pursed my lips at his blasé attitude but didn’t comment. Calling on my wolf familiar’s aid, I waited for the partial shift in my arms and legs to finish before reaching for Griff again. When I carefully slid my furry arms beneath him, he obediently kept still.

“Put your arm around my neck,” I quietly instructed, suddenly feeling the weight of what I was about to do. If I pulled him off the tree at the wrong angle . . .

Griff wrapped his arm around me, and the close contact instantly soothed some of my panic.

“I’m gonna need a kiss after this,” he lightly said, but I didn’t miss the strain in his voice. He was starting to panic too.

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