Page 58 of The Hunger
“He’ll come around eventually, just like my dad.”
Fenris’s confidence was one of his most endearing and frustrating qualities.
“He will,” I agreed.
Turning myself around in his arms, we lay facing each other.
“Now what do we do?”
Fenris’s brows shot up.
“I think I’m misunderstanding the question.”
Based on the lust flooding the air, I knew he was.
“I mean, we told our parents and we agreed to take things slow. What does that mean for us? What’s the next step?”
He grinned.
“The next step is to have fun and enjoy each other’s company.”
“What does that mean?”
“So suspicious. It means doing just what we’re doing now. Talking. Spending time together. Eating. Hopefully lots of eating.” His stomach growled, so I knew he was talking about himself as much as he was talking about me.
“Want to sit up and eat the rest of your sandwiches?”
“I’d rather stay just like this. I don’t know how long you’re going to give me until you kick me out for the night.”
Although he said it with a smile and humor laced into his tone, I could feel his underlying despair. It was etched into the way his hold twitched around me and how he leaned in to inhale my scent.
I gently ran my finger down his nose and remembered all the times he’d supported me when I’d been upset. How he’d rushed to me for my meeting with Tegan because he’d known what would happen. How he’d stopped me from feeding on Eras to spare me from feeling guilt. How he’d stayed up all night, trying to feed Elbner, who didn’t even deserve that level of consideration.
And finally, I remembered our talk in the hot springs just after the location spell had been removed. He’d tried to tell me then that I was his mate, but I’d been too afraid to hear it. He’d waited so long to hear me acknowledge I was his mate.
“What if I invited you to stay the night? Would you get up and eat then?”
He closed his eyes. The tremors which had gradually faded during our conversation returned in full force.
“I will take whatever you’re willing to give, even if it’s given out of pity.” He opened his eyes, his gaze locking with mine. “For you, I have no shame or guilt.”
“So, is that a yes to a sandwich?”
“In a minute.” He burrowed closer and took one of my hands to wrap around his waist. “Doesn’t count unless you’re hugging me back,” he mumbled into my neck.
I shivered and fed again when I felt his teeth nip at my skin.
Eventually, he calmed enough to release me.
While he ate his sandwiches, I used the bathroom to get ready for bed. I was a little nervous about having Fenris overnight, which didn’t really make sense. It was a given that I would feed in my sleep, and I rather liked the idea that he would probably hold me all night long. I trusted him to stop me if I got carried away while feeding in my sleep. So what was the problem?
I identified it the moment I emerged from the bathroom, wearing my modest pajamas. Fenris already lay in my bed. The bare expanse of his muscled chest drew my gaze. I followed the indent between his pectorals to his abs and lower until the blankets over his hips stopped me.
Ravenous hunger slammed into me, and I fed where I stood, too afraid to close the distance. His pupils dilated, and his breathing sped ever so slightly. But he wasn’t overwhelmed by whatever feeding made him feel. He tilted his head and studied me for a moment.
“Why are you afraid?”
“You tempt me, Fenris. Seeing you in my bed and wondering if you’re wearing anything under those blankets? All the things I’ve been trying so hard not to feel for you surge up and make it hard to breathe.”
