Page 74 of Sweet Silver Bells
“There’s our car,” Elaine said, pulling Celia towards the vehicle. She nearly ran toward it, missing Elaine’s touch altogether. Elaine turned back. “Do you want a ride, Olivia?”
“She’s with me,” Hunter nearly growled at the offer. He was surprised at how personally he took that. Elaine was a girl's girl; he knew that. He should be thankful that someone else was looking out for Olivia.
“Are you sure?” Elaine ignored Hunter, his blood boiling a little more, but the pent-up anxiety leaving his chest as Olivia nodded.
“I’m sure I’ll see you again,” Olivia said, urging the two to get in the car and leave.
“My ride is almost here too,” Darius said, pulling out his phone to check his app.
“Mind if I join?” Sadie asked. “I live just a few blocks down from you.”
More cars pulled up until no one from their small runaway group was left. Hunter and Olivia were back on his front lawn, staring at the grave and the tree.
“You lied.” Olivia turned to him. “You lied to protect me. Why?”
“I think it’s self-explanatory,” Hunter said.
“Tell me anyway.”
Hunter let silence fall between them as he took her face, lips, and jawline. She was so beautiful.
And lethal, like holly at Christmastime.
“Because every second since you came into my life has changed me. You've made me want to become someone better—someone who can hold you when you cry, who wipes your tears gently enough that the plants won’t feel the need to protect you so fiercely. When you touch them and feel joy, when you smile … that brings me peace, too.
You’ve lived so long in the dark—hiding in a forest where even the sky was out of reach. But you don’t have to hide anymore. I know what that feels like. I’ve done more than my share of it.
I’ve never met anyone I wanted to bring light to, not until you. And if you’d let me, I’d spend every day—every moment—finding new ways to heal your heart. Because you deserve more than darkness, Olivia. You deserve everything.”
Olivia’s lip quivered before she bit down on it.
“You have to kiss me now,” she said.
And Hunter did.
He kissed her so deeply that he might never come back up for air again.
20
CHAPTER TWENTY.
Olivia’s back was pushed against the back of the front door as she let out a slight yelp, followed by a giggle. Hunter thought he might lose his mind. He loved those noises that slipped out of her. A glimpse into her mind, her soul, every burst of air that pushed sound out of her beautiful mouth was a declaration to him that she was his as he was hers.
Hunter didn’t have the time or will to question what spell was cast over him, why he was irrevocably obsessed with her, why he would change everything about himself to be stronger for her. It had only been a few days, but he even noticed the tone of danger that developed deep in his throat.
It was her kiss. That was the danger. That kiss whispered seductive hymns of conquering immortality, and that he would have to protect her along the way.
I will.
He knew that. Did she know that now, too?
Hunter fumbled around in his pockets. Olivia’s hands seemed to be doing the same. Except she wasn’t exactly playing with his pockets. He was stiff as her fingers stroked the shape of his tip.
“Fuck,” he nearly nipped at her, burying his face into her neck as he pulled out his keys and, by the grace of God, got it into the keyhole for the first time.
Olivia’s right hand moved to the door handle, pressing down as both their bodies, tangled around one another, came tumbling down to the floor. Hunter caught himself, his arm holding himself up in a one-handed plank, the other wrapped under Olivia’s head.
“I’ve been waiting for you to be on top of me,” she said, a fire beneath her words that drove Hunter into absolute madness.
