Page 56 of The Enemy to the Living
“I know.”
His jaw has a stubborn set to it, and I wonder how no one in the Hunt knows he’s a wolf, but then I think maybe they’re all as stubborn as each other.
“I kissed you,” I point out.
Asher’s cheeks go pink and for a dizzying moment, his gaze drops to my mouth. When he forces it back up again, I can’t help my smile. “I know,” he groans.
“You’re not taking advantage. I just wanted…”
“Wanted what?”
“I haven’t felt that for a while. And then, I did. I wanted to see if I could still feel it.”
“Feel what?”
I lick my lips and swallow before I speak again. Asher traces every movement, attention rapt. “Desire.”
He groans. “Fuck, Quinn.”
“I’m not asking you for anything.”
“I know, pup.”
“But if you’re worried aboutmyage, I don’t know who else you really have to choose from.”
“What?”
My lips twitch. “Well, aren’t you, like, really old? Being a member of the Hunt and all?”
Asher blinks at me, apparently caught entirely off guard, and then a laugh bursts out of him, making the bed shake. I find myself laughing, too, and when the laughter dies, he’s a little closer and he kisses me gently, lips lingering.
“I’m not that old.”
“I’m not worried about it.”
He doesn’t tell me there’s nothing between us. We both know better than that. And this conversation—so far removed from everything that’s been dogging my life for the past year, if not longer—is the exact balm I need. I run my fingers over the stars on his bicep, fingers dancing from one to the next, and he props his chin up on one arm, watching me.
“I know you can’t tell me what happened,” he says and strokes his fingers over my ribs when I go still, “but we’re going to deal with it. With them. They won’t take your wolf.”
I swallow hard. Does this count as talking about it? Maybe not—I’ve said nothing, and it’s not like Asher’s asking me any questions. He already knows all he needs to. He’s smart enough to figure out the rest.
He lies down again, this time pressed up against my side, and when his arm goes around my middle, I sigh. I’m a million miles away from all my worries. That’s where I want to stay.
I doze for a while, turning into Asher’s embrace at some point so my face ends up pressed against his chest. I don’t think he sleeps. His fingers stroke through my hair, gently rubbing my scalp, and he’s careful to avoid the bump on the back of my head that slowly starts throbbing again.
Eventually, my stomach rumbles. My bladder is full, too. I need to climb out of this warm little cocoon we’re in, but I really,reallydon’t want to.
When I sit up, Asher groans. “Quinn…”
I smile down at him, and it already feels flatter than before. He sees it. He kisses my bare shoulder and sits up, too.
“You have to go? I can make breakfast.” He turns to glance at his phone. “Lunch.”
“No, I should go,” I say. I’ll have to be careful to get home without anyone seeing, but at least if Sam senses me pass through the wards, they’ll all know I’m there. I stay out all day, there’ll only be more questions later.
I know I’m running on borrowed time. Kieran’s patience isn’t unending, and it’s his right as my alpha to demand my presence, especially if he’s worried.
Ifhe’s worried.
