Page 38 of Kian

“Miss you.” Kian pulled back to look into her eyes. “And that’s no shit bullshit.”

She laughed. “But you know where to find me.”

“I do.” He sighed. “I will also be looking for those two men.”

“Please be careful.”

“I will, sweetheart. I promise. They need to pay though. Not only for what they did to me, but for the wolves they’ve been slaughtering.”

“I just don’t want anything to happen to you.”

“I’ll be safe.”

“Really? Like you were the last time you came upon them?”

“That was a low blow, darlin’.”

“It was. I’m sorry.”

“It’s alright, but I’ll be ready the next time.”

“I hope so.” She moved away from him, picked up her cup, and sipped from it while he made his coffee.

****

Once Kian’s coffee was finished, he leaned against thecounter and stared at Gretchen. He grinned as her cheeks turned pink.

“What are you blushing about?”

Gretchen bit her lip and shook her head. “Nothing.”

“I see. You just blush for no reason.”

She laughed. “Yep.”

Kian chuckled, then took a sip of his coffee. He looked out the window.

“I hope it clears up soon.”

“Are you that anxious to get out of here?”

He looked at her. “Yes and no.”

“I feel the same way.” She sighed. “Kian…”

“What?”

“Nothing. If I say what I’m thinking, you’d hightail it out of here even with snow this deep.”

“No, I won’t. If you were going to say what I think you were, I feel the same.” He stepped close to her and touched her hair. “I think I’m falling for you, Gretchen.” He took a deep breath. “I know it’s only been a couple of weeks but—”

Her lips stopped him from saying more as she pressed hers to his, then slowly raised them and looked into his eyes.

“I’m falling for you too. I just don’t want you to forget about me once you leave.”

“I wouldn’t do that. Besides, you know where you can find me too.”

“I do. I want you to go, so you can see your family again, but I don’t want you to leave me.” Her arms wrapped around his waist. He set his cup down, pulled her tight against him and kissed her forehead.

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