Page 18 of Kendrick

Jonas sighed. “I almost wish I could go out there with you. I told Clay and Rowan that I didn’t want to be a hunter, and Idon’t, but I don’t like the thought of you going out there without me to protect you.”

“Is it because I’m human?”

“In part, but I would’ve been worried even if you weren’t. You’re my mate, and I’m always going to worry about you. I’m always going to wish I could do more to protect you. The fact that you’re a hunter makes things harder, but I understand why it’s important to you. It’s important to me, too, even though I don’t hunt.” He leaned forward and squeezed Kendrick’s hand harder. “Just promise me you’ll be careful. I know you can’t promise you’ll come home, and I won’t ask you to, but I need to know you’ll remember that you have a home.”

“How could I ever forget that? Having you here will give me even more reasons to return. I’ve always been careful, and that’s not going to change, but I’ll do everything I can not to hurt you. That means being more careful so that I’ll always come home to you and that I won’t break your heart.”

Jonas nodded. “That’s all I ask.” He huffed. “It’s going to take a while to get used to all of this. I don’t know about you, but I’m not one for relationships. I feel I’m going to mess up everything if I say the wrong thing.”

“As long as we talk to each other, I think we can muddle through all of this and find a way to be together. That’s how relationships work, isn’t it? By talking and communicating.”

“That’s great because I’m good at communicating. I’m less great at sitting at home without anything to do, but I’ll deal with it.”

Things were looking good. Kendrick hoped they would continue that way. He wouldn’t allow anyone to ruin this for him, not even Kudlaks.

Especially not them.

Jonas let go of Kendrick’s hand and got to his feet. Kendrick watched as he walked around the table, wondering what hismate was up to. He didn’t have to wonder for long. When Jonas reached him, he pushed Kendrick’s chair away from the table—with Kendrick still sitting on it. Kendrick knew Jonas was strong because he was a Krsnik, but the show of strength, especially coming from someone so small, made him feel hot all over.

He couldn’t help but wonder if Jonas would be like this in bed, too. He was assertive in his everyday life, and Kendrick hoped it extended to the intimacy of his bedroom. He couldn’t wait to find out, but at the same time, he was also happy having deep conversations with his mate.

And watching him climb into his lap like he was doing now.

Jonas landed lightly and settled in. Kendrick grabbed Jonas’s hips, even though Jonas wasn’t going anywhere. He was stuck between Kendrick’s body and the table, and he seemed pleased by that.

“What are you doing?” Kendrick asked, amused.

“I thought it was obvious. I’m done talking about Devon and your brother. What will be will be when it comes to them, and the only thing we can do is wait and see. I happen to know a good way to spend time while we do that.”

“Oh? And what way would that be?”

Jonas leaned closer and rubbed their noses together. “You’re about to find out.”

Find out, Kendrick did, when Jonas leaned forward and pressed their lips together. He smiled into the kiss, already enjoying the way Jonas had found to amuse themselves. His mate had great ideas.

Kendrick couldn’t wait to find out what else Jonas would come up with.

Chapter Four

Jonas stuffed a fry into his mouth, still snickering. “I’m sorry, but no.”

Kendrick pointed at him with one of his fries. “There’s nothing better on fries than mayo. You have to try it.”

“Ketchup all the way.”

Things had been easy between him and Kendrick. They didn’t have the ghost of Devon hanging above their heads anymore, and they’d been spending a lot of time together. If Jonas had had any doubts that Kendrick was his mate, he wouldn’t anymore. Kendrick was the perfect man for him, and he’d tell that to anyone who asked.

They had fun. There wasn’t much to do at the village, but thankfully, Whitedell wasn’t far. They drove there every time they had a date, which so far had been three. Jonas couldn’t wait to see how the next ones would go, but he already knew that by the end of it, he and Kendrick would be bonded.

They were taking things slow, but Jonas was fine with that. They had the rest of their very long lives to rush ahead, think about the future, and all of that. He was enjoying the dating, and he thought that Kendrick was, too. He seemed lighter, as if spending time with Jonas was helping him smile more, and Jonas hoped that was true.

Kendrick’s phone started ringing. For a moment he looked like he was thinking about not answering, but Jonas waved at him. He didn’t care if their date was interrupted. If Alexis or Caroline called him, he’d answer, and he didn’t expect Kendrick not to do the same with his friends.

Kendrick took out his phone and frowned at the screen. “I don’t recognize the number.”

“Maybe you should answer, then. It’s the only way to find out who it is.”

Kendrick rolled his eyes, but he did as Jonas said. “Yes?”

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