Page 66 of The Huntress and Her Hound

I consider arguing with her, but the sense of unease isn’t worth it. I want her to know she’s safe with me, and whatever that takes, I’ll do it. So, I step back, hands up in a low surrender. “Sorry.”

She eyes me as she removes her shirt, giving me a view of her perky breasts, hidden beneath her white bra. I want her all over again, but I won’t push her. Not right now. Instead, I pull my T-shirt off my head, undressing with her.

“Can I wear that?”

I grin at the way she’s so fucking timid—like I might actually tell her no. “Here. Wear all my clothes, for all I care.”

“Maybe I will.” She giggles, but as I approach her with the shirt, she stills again. Tucking the fabric under my arm, I brush my hand down her bare side and then slip around to her back. “Jude...” Her voice comes out in a warning, but it’s weak.

I brush my nose against her neck and kiss her skin as I unsnap her bra. “All of you is mine, and if I want to touch what’s mine, I can.”

“What if I don’t want you to?” she chokes out as I slide her bra off her and drop it to the floor.

“Then you better start saying something,” I chide her, nipping at her earlobe before pulling away.

“Would it matter if I told you ‘no?’” She asks with an earnestness in her voice. Her eyes search my face as I slide the collar over her head, taking in the sight of her bare breast and erect nipples quickly before letting it drop.

“I guess if you told me ‘no,’ then that would be the answer, wouldn’t it?” I bite down on my lip as I slip my hands under the shirt and tug at the waist of her leggings. She’s not telling me to stop now, and I realize everything is a dance with this woman.

“I don’t know...” She catches her breath as I drop to my knees, taking the leggings with me. She places a hand on me as she slowly wriggles her feet the rest of the way out of them. I toss them to the spot with her bra, leaning into her and kissing her thighs.

Ravenous hunger sears through my body as I catch the scent of us in between her legs. I want to taste every inch of her, claim every part of her right now, but as I kiss my way up, her hands stop me.

“No.”

I don’t know if I’ve hit a nerve, or if she’s testing me...But either way, I need her to trust me. I rest my head against the top of her thighs, and sigh, pushing away the disappointment. “Okay.”

Her hands graze my skin as I stand to my feet, undoing my jeans and dropping them to the floor. Cher’s eyes drop to my rigid cock, but I ignore the way it’s throbbing for her. I flip back the covers and turn the light the rest of the way out, letting the city that never sleeps be the only glow in the room.

“Come on,” I urge her with a soft tone.

She drops her eyes and slips past me, grabbing my hand and taking me with her. I climb into the bed beside her and wrap her up in my arms, once again reminded of just how small she is.

“Thank you,” she whispers in the dark as I rest my cheek against her silky hair.

“Anything for you.” I close my eyes, letting the sound of her breathing lull me to sleep. I still need to see what’s on that phone, but the truth is...

It doesn’t fucking matter in this moment.

Nothing will drive me away from her.

Nothing.

Chapter 24

The Huntress

They don’t come for me. Not a single taunting thought plows through my mind like I expect. However, my ringing phone does jar me from my sleep. My eyes flutter open at the piercing sound, and I fumble, searching for it.

“Here,” Jude’s voice is groggy as he shifts in the bed, reaching over the side and plucking up my phone from the floor. “It’s your brother.”

“Oh shit.” I shoot straight up, now wide awake. “I forgot to text him.”

“Great, I’ll start planning my funeral,” Jude grumbles, rolling onto his stomach beside me and burying his face in the pillow.

I roll my eyes and answer, prepping myself mentally for his anger. “Hey, what’s up?” If I’d have stayed at Sarah’s, I wouldn’t be apologizing to him.

“Where the hell are you?”

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