Page 27 of A Hunter Cursed
“Come on up,” she said, turning to show him the way.
He followed, his eyes drifting down to the enticing sway of her hips as she led him up a narrow set of carpeted stairs. She was dressed in what looked like two tank tops, a white one over a dark pink one, cut off denim shorts that displayed lithely muscled legs, and flip-flops on her feet. His mouth went dry at the amount of smooth-looking, strokable skin on display. Swallowing the growl of approval that wanted to rumble out, he quickly shot his eyes elsewhere and he caught sight of some markings carved into the doorjamb as she opened the door to her apartment. Stepping over the threshold, he wanted to ask what the marks were for as he traced one with his fingers, but the smells hitting his nose distracted him.
He inhaled. The tantalizing aromas of tomato sauce, garlic, and oregano had his stomach grumbling. He couldn’t hold back his groan of pleasure. “Lasagna?” he asked, nearly whimpering at the very thought. “I may never leave,” he breathed, moving deeper into the apartment.
Keegan chuckled, her eyes twinkling as she admitted, “Honestly, I can’t cook, so don’t get your hopes up. That’s a frozen lasagna.” She held up a finger and added, “But I get bonus points for baking it in the oven instead of just heating it up in the microwave.”
“If I was home, I’d probably be having grilled cheese and SpaghettiOs, so trust me, if it tastes as good as it smells, you still may have to physically throw me out if you want me gone.”
Placing her hands on her hips, her head cocked to the side adorably, she told him, “Don’t threaten me with a good time, mister.”
With a mock growl, he grabbed her and pulled her into his arms for a kiss that threatened to blow the top off his head. His arms wrapped snugly around her, as his mouth danced with hers in a series of kisses that moved between sweet, chaste pecks, and deeper, more sensual contact. His next growl was very real as the timer on the stove buzzed to break them apart.
“Hold that thought,” Keegan told him, slightly breathless as she moved from his arms with a tinkling laugh of joy that had his chest puffing out even further. Man, she made him feel incredible. He was just so fucking happy around her, and the fact that she seemed happy with him? It was like champagne bubbles, and puppies, and birthdays when he was a kid, all rolled up into one.
Clearing his throat and discreetly adjusting himself in his pants while she pulled the lasagna out of the oven, Jeremiah took a look around. The apartment wasn’t overly large, but the open floor-plan saved it from feeling cramped.
The kitchen was along one wall, separated from the main living space by a breakfast bar. There was a small, round dining room table tucked in one corner with two chairs and two places set. A couch took up most of the space, with a small coffee table in front of it and a large, framed print hung on the wall over it. A small flat-screen TV was on the wall opposite next to a bookcase that had a few books on the top shelf, the remaining shelves holding thick pillar candles, assorted jars and bottles, as well as a large decorative bowl.
On the other side of the living room, opposite the kitchen, there were three closed doors, though the middle door was narrower than the other two leading him to believe it was a closet. The other two were most likely the bedroom and the bathroom.
“I’ll just throw the garlic bread in the oven and then we can eat.”
That done, she joined him in the living room and unable to resist, he pulled Keegan back into his arms, loving the feel of her body pressed to his. “How was your day?” he asked. “Archer said you were at the meeting he went to.”
He felt her nod against his chest. “It was both frustrating and amazing,” she told him.
“How so?”
Tipping her head up, she looked at him. “Did Archer tell you about the man we met today?”
“The angel?” he asked with a scoffing sound. “Yeah. Archer wasn’t impressed.”
Her brow popped up. “He wasn’t?”
Leaning back slightly, he grinned down at her. “I take it you were?”
Her eyes were twinkling and Jeremiah had the sudden thought that his Keegan had a happy secret to impart, but she shook her head. “First, tell me why Archer wasn’t.”
Jeremiah raised his shoulder in a shrug. “The guy’s advice was along the lines of look for mood swings or aggressive behavior and call him.” He rolled his eyes. “He’s obviously never been around a pack of wolves before. That’s pretty much our standard.”
Keegan snorted a laugh and Jeremiah grinned before he asked, “So, why frustrating?”
Her previous smile morphed into a scowl. “He knew me – the angel – but he wouldn’t tell mehow. It was annoying. He just compared the knowledge to Pandora’s box, and pretty much told me to leave it alone.”
That had Jeremiah frowning thoughtfully. “If he didn’t want you to know, then he should have played dumb to knowing you in the first place.”
Keegan’s face brightened. “You know, you’re right. He started it, he should damn well finish it,” she said, stiffening her spine as if preparing for battle. God, she was adorable.
Chuckling at her show of gumption, Jeremiah tucked her closer so his chin rested on the top of her head. “But not tonight,” he said. “You can beard the lion in his den tomorrow. Tonight, you’re mine.”
Her hand rose to the nape of his neck, her fingers scratching lightly over his skin making his eyes roll closed in pleasure. “On the contrary, Mister Durand, you’re inmylair. So, that makes you mine tonight.”
“Are you going to have your wicked way with me, Miss Bishop?” he teased, though inside he was holding his breath and chanting, please say yes, please say yes…
Her fingernails skimmed down the side of his throat, making him shiver as she replied, “I just might.”
He was smiling as he cupped her face between his palms and leaned in for a kiss. Their lips met, once, twice, before he pulled back and said, “Now, tell me what was amazing.”
