Page 83 of Fanged Desire
No. Not yet.
There was too much to do, too much of my life still in shambles. My sister needed me. My own world needed rebuilding. This wasn’t the time, no matter how much my heart ached for it. Behind me, Ethan pulled up in the rental cab, honking the horn to let me know he was ready to go. Penelope was waiting for me.
Hunter’s expression softened and I knew she saw the hesitation in my eyes. Her lips curved into a sad smile, and I could see the flicker of pain behind it. She held me a little tighter for a moment, like she was reluctant to let go, but then her grip loosened and she stepped away.
The loss of her warmth was immediate, but I forced myself to meet her gaze.
“I’ll – uh – catch up with you later,” I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.
Hunter nodded, her expression still unreadable, but her posture more guarded now.
“Yeah,” she said, her voice just as soft. “Take care of yourself, Addison Moore.”
I nodded back, then turned away before I could lose my nerve. Every step I took felt heavier, like I was leaving a part of myself behind.
Chapter 29
Hunter
The office was quiet. The small space looked the same as it always did, but it felt empty in a way it never had before. I sat at my desk, staring at the polished surface, shivering at the ghost of Addison’s touch. It was impossible not to remember what we’d done there.
Weeks had passed since Penelope’s rescue, since Cathy had fallen to my claws. Addison, I heard, had thrown herself into the role of caretaker, helping her sister get back on her feet – which was exactly what I’d expected her to do. What I hadn’t expected was the gnawing ache in my chest that was magnified by every acknowledgment of her absence.
We hadn’t agreed to keep in touch. I’d convinced myself it would be better if we didn’t. Addison deserved a clean slate, a chance to rebuild her life without the complications of… well, me. But it hurt. Checking my phone to no new messages, willing away the hours in this achingly empty office. It hurt.
I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling. Maybe this was how it was supposed to end. Quietly. Cleanly. I should be grateful that she was safe, that her sister was safe. That should be enough.
But it wasn’t.
A knock at the door jolted me out of my thoughts. I lolled in my chair, frowning at the sound. It was late, and I wasn’t expecting anyone. And if it was Maxine coming to gloat about her impeccable detective skills again, I may have had an aneurysm.
With a pointedly loud groan I got to my feet, strode to the door and peered through the glass panel – and blinked, once. The sound that emerged from my lips was a strangled gasp, and I hurriedly cleared my throat.
She was standing out there, in her usual faded jeans, her hair loose and falling around her shoulders. In her hands was a bouquet of flowers, the kind you’d buy from the street vendors, and when she saw me her face broke into the brightest smile I’d ever seen.
When I opened the door Addison looked up at me, her smile faltering slightly when I could do nothing but stare.
“Hey,” she said eventually. Sheepishly. “I, uh… I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“No I was just – you know…” I shook my head, still trying to find my voice. “What are you doing here?”
She bit her lip, glancing down at the flowers in her hands. “I came to… I mean, I wanted to–”
She let out a frustrated laugh, thrusting the bouquet at me like a fragrant battering ram. “I’m here to formally ask you out on a date.”
I looked at the flowers, then back at her, the words not registering at first. “A date?”
“Yes. A date. We could go watch a movie or get dinner… Okay maybe not dinner, I know you don’t eat, but maybe–” She cut herself off, blushing furiously. “This isn’t coming out right. Look, I just – I’m sorry it took me so long to show up. Things have been hectic with Penelope, and I wanted to make sure she was okay before I–”
I didn’t let her finish.
The flowers fell to the floor as I pulled her into my arms and kissed her.
After what was technically our first official date at one of Jordan’s fancy establishments, I drove us back to Addison’s place. I’d chatted her ear off all evening, catching her up on everything that had happened during her absence.
All of Cathy’s associates had been officially rooted out, Jordan’s business was flourishing, and peace had finally settled between the vampires and the elves of the city. Despite my underhanded tactics of late, Jordan let me off the hook with a grin and a shake of her head, though the rest of the Leyore woman got to teasing me relentlessly for my reckless behavior, poking and prodding for all the juicy details of what went down between me and Addison.
I risked a glance in her direction. She was staring out of the window and she looked happier than I’d ever seen, a serene smile subconsciously curving her lips. By bringing Penelope home and discarding the mask she’d worn through those harrowing months trying to find her, Addison had come alive again. This version of her was whole, happy, free from burden – and still she had chosen to stay by my side.
