Page 59 of The Huntress

The second he formed before her, she threw herself into his arms and kissed him.

“Let’s make this quick so I can show you how muchmyheart’s involved.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him again. “Why do I need you, Gabe? Why do I become giddy at the thought of seeing you, kissing you? You haven’t used your pheromones on me, even though it feels like you have. I’m crazy addicted to you. You know that, right?”

“Callie,” he said into her mouth, peppering her bottom lip with kisses. He liked her blend of honesty and streetwise sass, but he adored her innocence.

She placed her hands on his shoulders and gave him a gentle push. “Feed me first. Then we can do…whatever.”

“Whatever? That’s a bit disrespectful.” His lips curled into a teasing smile as he laced his fingers through hers and tugged her against him.

He opened the door for her but didn’t release her hand. Warm air greeted them, along with the aroma of fresh coffee, fried bacon, and sweet maple syrup. He led her to a booth, unable to contain his excitement. He was once again a young lad with his first woman. All because of syrup and the sweetness of her smile.

A waitress took Callie’s order, raising her eyebrows when he only ordered coffee. She slid her pencil into her shirt pocket and went to place their order. A huge grin split his face. He couldn’t remember forming it, but for now, he would let it remain.

“You can see me when I shroud. How is that possible?” he asked, adoring her features like a man obsessed, and he embraced the insanity of it. There was a delicious sinful feel to it, potent and addictive.

“You’re like a reflection, a partial. I don’t know why or how your shrouding doesn’t work on me. It became obvious to me when a woman went down on Syl at the mayor’s ball. No one else noticed. I can’t believe how blatant you suckbloods are.”

“Ah, yes, the ball, where you met Leo.” Itstillirked him at the way Leo had looked at Callie—his expression sad yet admiring.

“You’re not jealous, are you?” She gave him a worried look. “I met him on the balcony and again at the bar. He came to my apartment, but I kicked him out. That’s about it. No kissing, no touching, nothing.”

“He wanted to.”

“Yes, he mentioned that in your hall, but I didn’t know, Gabe. Honestly.” She stretched her arm across the table to clasp his hand, trying to convey her sincerity.

She didn’t have to. Her innocence spoke for her—her inability to milk his jealousy for her own gain or enjoyment.

“I suppose you can’t help being this irresistible sex goddess,” he teased.

She chuckled and shook her head. That he believed what he said was something he’d save for later when he could worship her at his leisure.

“Yeah, right, that’s so me. Let’s talk about the stalking.” Her grin was one of teasing, understanding, and something else he couldn’t recognize.

“Stalking?” He flipped his hand and caught hers, lacing their fingers. Since they’d discussed this already, he assumed she was teasing him.

“Yes, watching your girlfriend’s every move? Textbook stalking.”

“Girlfriend?” He repeated the word with a sigh. “Callie, you’re more than my girlfriend.”

“It’s not yet official. Until then…” She shrugged, revealing her uncertainty.

“Fine, fiancée, at least.” Would she want a wedding ceremony? He didn’t like that she remained unclaimed in the eyes of her human world.

Every time, her fellow officers admired her curves, blinding fury consumed him, and he’d hated the helplessness that lingered. Two centuries ago, he’d have ripped their throats out. With no consequences. He flicked his fingers and held up a white gold ring with a large center-round cut diamond. He slid it on her trembling finger, and of course, it was a perfect fit.

“I don’t want to know where you were hiding that,” she said with a tremulous smile.

“Everything I need comes from within me and the elements.”

Her breath hitched, and he gave her a look that communicated which emotions she summoned within him. She was his world now. He wanted to be hers, but he couldn’t force it.

“You can make diamonds out of the ether?” she asked then clamped her mouth shut when the waitress slid a heavy-laden plate onto the table. Callie peered up to the server with mischief coating her features. “I’m sorry, I’ve received a call out. Could you pack this to-go?” She grabbed a slice of bacon before pushing the plate back across the table to the waitress.

“Yeah, of course. Anything for our girls in blue.” She smiled and ran off with the meal.

He surveyed Callie’s face and sparkling eyes. “What’re you doing?”

“You need to taste me after every bite. You can’t do that here, right?” She glanced around the busy diner with an assessing eye.

---