Page 25 of Hunted

“That’s Japanese, right?”

“You know it’s Japanese, but you don’t know what tonkatsu looks like?”

Abigail looked shyly down at her plate, taking a bite. “Back home, I got to study and teach a lot about the world, and I loved foreign languages,” she said. “But I haven’t really been outside the country, orseenmuch.”

“I get that.” Dominic nodded. “Sorry. Wasn’t meaning to give you a hard time. Just surprising is all.” He laughed a little. “You’re full of surprises, aren’t you?”

She could feel herself blushing as she shoveled more food into her mouth before looking at the television. “Are they really airingIt’s a Wonderful Life?It’s summer!”

He smiled at the television and then looked back at her. “You want me to change the channel?”

“No… it’s okay.”

She didn’t know how to tell him that no matter how many times she’d seen it, she never really got tired of the movie. It took her back to a simpler time in her life. She wanted to bore him with exhaustive trivia about the movie but restrained herself. She didn’t want to scare him away.

But why did she care so much? A week ago, she felt she owed him for taking her in, but she didn’t care what he thought of her. Now why? She knew he was attractive, and that had always been a plus.

She looked at his face—all the little details and imperfections she had missed before. Every freckle, blemish, and scar meant so much more now. She found comfort in them. She was gradually beginning to feel safe with him—not intimidated by his good looks or his kindness and generosity. She was simply happy to be around him. She wanted to linger in this moment because it was the happiest she’d been in a long time. She didn’t feel confined or limited or in danger.

After finally getting to teach again, even for a nanosecond, she was safe with a man who treated her well and put his own interests aside to care for her. And she knew now it wasn’t because he felt like he owed her.

It was because he liked being with her.

She wanted to stay awake with him, but she could feel herself falling asleep, and she gently rested her head on his shoulder. She expected him to wake her up and move her. But as her thoughts clouded over, becoming less logical as a dream state took hold, she was unmoved.

Her eyes flickered open, and her head had somehow fallen onto his lap.

She looked up in embarrassment, but as the TV regurgitated infomercials, his eyes were closed, too. He was even snoring a little.

She went back to sleep, not moving an inch, with a giddy smile on her face.

And she had much better dreams, lying there with Dominic.

Chapter 12

Dominic

Dominicwasgladtosee that Abigail was settling in as well as she was.

They were in a busy period in the pack with a lot to do as the seasons changed, and Abigail was fitting in well. All Dominic could feel was relief at this.

What he also felt were growing feelings for Abigail.

Realizing this prompted him to take her out one day. It was completely unplanned, but they both had time off from their respective duties.

“Hey, let’s go out for a while,” Dominic offered as he looked in on Abigail.

She was in the study in his home, doing some lesson planning for the week ahead.

He looked out of the window as Abigail gave an emphatic yes.

It was going to be a beautiful day. The sun was out—bright, sharp, and warm. The sky was the kind of blue that only existed in books, and the little wind that blew was warm, balmy and sweet.

Dominic turned his gaze to Abigail, who was packing away her work things carefully. She looked perfect today, as she always did.

Her lithe curves were clothed in a pair of jeans that looked as though they had been painted on. She wore a white shirt with blue trim and blue sandals that showed off her pretty feet.

“Where are we going?” she questioned as she meandered to him.

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