Page 20 of Hunters and Hydrangeas

“I would have thought the other bit would have caught your interest first.”

“Cassian texted me about Alfred and Larissa earlier.”

I nod, distracted. My eyes stray back to my boyfriend’s throat, and I swallow. Noah’s pulse thrums at a steady beat, but it’s getting faster. Just like mine.

Drawn in by it, I step a little closer.

Watching me, eyes slitting like a contented cat’s, he murmurs, “Careful.”

“I am,” I answer absently. But my fangs press against my gums, annoying and persistent.

My hunger changes to something else, something a little more familiar. “Cassian said my fangs might not come in until I bite someone.”

Noah makes a noise in the back of his throat.

“But you didn’t have to, right?” I ask. “You said you’ve never bitten anybody.”

“I haven’t.” His voice has grown darker, deeper.

“So…how did that all get resolved for you?”

He steps back, avoiding my eyes as he rubs his neck. “Are we really having this conversation?”

I cringe, wishing I hadn’t asked. But I did, and now it will eat at me if I don’t know. “Did youalmostbite someone?”

“Yeah.”

“Because you were hungry?”

Noah chuckles like this is getting absurd. “No.”

“Oh.” I turn around, feeling weird. “Okay.”

He steps up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and setting his chin on my shoulder. “You’re the only girl I plan to bite, Piper.”

Heat pools in my stomach. Because my knees are feeling a little wobbly, I casually grasp the counter. “I’m sure that’s what all the vampire guys say.”

Noah chuckles and turns his head, brushing his lips over my neck. “We’re not in a hurry. I’m here for the long haul. Maybe I can help a little, though.”

I go still, my eyes fluttering closed as the warmth of his lips travels my skin.

“Can you feel your fangs now?” he murmurs.

“Yeah,” I breathe, clutching the counter a little harder.

His mouth travels to my pulse point, warm and soft, and his hand moves to my side. “Do they hurt?”

“They ache,” I admit.

He kisses my neck, making my skin tingle. “Do you want to?—”

But I’ll never know what Noah’s about to ask because hisfreaking phone rings.

He pulls back to check it. Looking at the screen, he says, “It’s Daniel. I’m afraid I have to take this.”

I nod, swallowing.

He clears his throat before he answers the call. “Hey, Daniel. What did you find out?”

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