The Wicked Kiss (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #2)(91)

“I will. Probably sooner than you'd like.” I managed a friendly grin as I disentangled myself from him. I paused to give his hand a squeeze. “I'll tell Kylarai you asked about her. I'm sure she would appreciate it.”

I adore Kale. He is easily one of my most favorite people. But, he had a longing I couldn't begin to dream of and something in me spoke to that yearning need. As I headed for the door, I felt the weight of his gaze upon me. It would be best to avoid feeding those hungers, for both of our sakes.

Chapter Twenty-One

The house was quiet when I slipped in through the sliding door. I was glad to see that the railing had been fixed and looked better than ever. No thanks to Arys of course. Shaz got the credit for taking on the task.

Kylarai hadn't been around when I'd come by the house to go for a much needed four-legged run in the forest. It had been quiet, and when I'd first stepped into the house, it hadn't felt like my home anymore. My belongings had slowly been disappearing, taking up residence at Raoul's. I had been putting off moving my furniture. Raoul's place was fully furnished, and I hadn't the need to do so. It also made me feel like I wasn't completely leaving the house I shared with Ky.

The rush of sexual energy slapped at me when I came inside, pulling my robe closed around me. I padded down the hall towards my room to get dressed when the hush of murmurs and whispers carried to me. Aw, crap. Maybe I could change fast and bail out before I had to hear much more.

Despite closing the bedroom door behind me, I could still hear Julian's animal rutting sounds, and it creeped me right out. They clearly hadn't known I was here or hadn't expected me back for some time.

I got busy jamming my legs into my jeans in a desperate attempt to get dressed and get out. Pulling a t-shirt over my head, I headed for the door with my robe in hand so I wouldn't have to keep wearing Raoul's. I slid my feet along the hardwood floor so that I made not a sound on my way out.

Today they were going at it like bunnies, but three days prior, they had been having a shouting match in the kitchen when I'd arrived. It really was none of my business. I wanted Ky to be happy, but I was starting to appreciate having another place to call home. It was evident that she was enjoying my absence in her own way, as well. Since the beautiful stretch of forest was outside her back door, I would likely be here often enough regardless of where I spent my nights.

I took a moment to admire my car as I approached. After two days in the shop, the damaged driver door was now good as new. My smile turned into a glare when I noticed how close Julian had parked his SUV to my Charger. There was no way he could have gotten out without dinging it with his door. I stalked around it angrily until I was sure that he hadn't scratched my car. It was the principle of the thing.

Raising my face to the fall night air, I inhaled deeply. I couldn't detect anything, but I knew I'd picked up a trace of Zoey's scent while running. I hadn't seen her though.

Raoul's daughter had crossed my mind recently. I'd been asking myself if it would be a bad idea to track her down and try to communicate with her. If that was even possible.

One could only guess as to the state of her sanity. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that I should seek her out … one day anyway.

When I turned onto Raoul's street, my heart soared at the sight of Shaz' little blue Cobalt parked in front of the house. Would my heart ever stop fluttering in anticipation of seeing him? I hoped not.

Arys and Shaz both had a key to the house, but they rarely came by at the same time.

Since Halloween night, when we'd formed the blood bond and the three of us had been intimate not once but twice, they didn't spend much time in close quarters.

I pulled into the driveway and ducked into the garage where Raoul's Jaguar was parked. I made it a habit to check over the property regularly. I couldn't afford not to be careful. I paused to run my hand over the smooth black finish of the expensive car. I hadn't driven it yet, but I intended to use it for my evening hunting excursions. It wouldn't stand out like a bright red beacon the way the Charger did.

Surveying the cold, damp garage, I was again enveloped with the feeling that I was right where I was supposed to be. I was greeted by the heavenly scent of dinner when I entered the house. Shaz called out from the kitchen, and I smiled to myself. He was simply amazing. If the scent of chicken and baked potatoes indicated anything, I was in for a treat.

When he met me at the entry to the kitchen, he held a glass of red wine in one hand and a single long stemmed red rose in the other. Though it was simple, it was easily the most romantic gesture I'd ever received. My heart melted, and I blushed.

“You rock my world, wolf boy.” I accepted the wine glass and took a grateful sip before pulling him close for the hot kiss that I craved. Shaz didn't get many nights off, and I tried to take advantage of every one. “You take such good care of me. Thanks for fixing the railing at Ky's. It looks great.”

He teased me by tracing the outline of my lower lip with his tongue before dipping it inside my mouth to taste me. I pressed against him, careful not to spill the wine. When at last he pulled back, he raised an eyebrow quizzically. “Ky's? Have you officially moved out, or are you still on the fence with that?”

“I'm not sure. I do know that being there when she and Julian are going at it is a nightmare I don't want to face again.”

Shaz chuckled and pressed the rose into my hand. I followed him into the kitchen, watching with admiration as he attended things on the stove. The temptation to rub the soft petals on my face was too strong to resist, and I gave in happily. It was less than an hour later when we were lying in those petals on the living room floor before the fireplace.