I wasn’t thinking about the future, or what any of it would mean in the light of day. I was so hot for him, so desperate to feel good, then I got a taste of being on top for once… and for the first time in my life, I was in complete and total control.
And I fucking loved it.
I hear Kit’s step in the hall and quickly pick up my phone to hide the fact that I’m having a severe freakout. I even manage to look relaxed as he strolls into the kitchen and picks up the coffee I made for him.
“It’ll be cold by now,” I say, amazed by how smooth my voice is.
“I don’t mind,” he answers gruffly, sitting down across from me.
When I glance up over the edge of my phone, he’s looking at me, but the second my eyes meet his, he directs his gaze straight to the table. I try to think of something to say, but nothing comes to me, so I just look at my phone again.
Then the damn thing buzzes in my hand, and I jump so high I almost drop it. The banner flickers across the top of the screen, and I tap it to take me to my texts.
“Who is it?” Kit asks.
“It’s Cass,” I reply, staring at the screen. “She says they’re doing some planning today, and I should go in to help.”
“You should. It will be good for the pack—and for you.”
I look over the edge of my phone, a hard look in my eye. “Don’t tell me what’s good for me, Kit.”
“I’m sorry,” he says. “I wasn’t trying to tell you what to do, but it is important for you to be involved in the pack business.”
I hold in an exasperated sigh and close my eyes for a second to give myself strength. “You’re right,” I agree. “Should we head to town?”
“Yes, let’s go,” he answers, getting up a bit too fast. “I’ll have council duties, too.”
Standing up, I slip my phone into my pocket and head outside. I can hear Kit’s footsteps behind me, and I have to force myself to keep walking and not look back.
I am not going to spend the day sneaking glances like an infatuated schoolgirl! Been there, done that.
When we pause by the truck, Kit looks towards me, and I manage a casual smile. He takes a breath, and an expectant silence hangs in the air for a second, but then he just unlocks the truck and gets in, shaking his head a little.
Please don’t say anything…
While we drive to the hall, his scent slowly drifts over to me, and I have to fight the urge to throw myself into his lap.
By the time we reach the hall, my muscles are locked up with the effort of sitting still. As we get out of the truck, Kit reaches out as if to take my hand, then quickly steps back and tries to hide the gesture.
“I’m going to the rec hall,” he says. “Cade’s over there. I’m assuming the girls are out the back of the church in the study. Do you know where it is?”
“Yeah, I’ll be fine,” I answer, not actually having a clue. “Thanks.”
Kit waves and walks off around the front of the church to head to the hall, and I follow the little path around the edge of the building to the garden out back.
Attached to the main church is a small house made of very old stone. I shove the wooden door, and immediately, I hear cheerful laughter from down the hall. I follow the sound.
Warm air and the scents of sugar and butter drift towards me as I approach the end of the hall. The sound of laughter gets louder, and when I knock hesitantly on the door and stick my head inside, I’m desperately hoping I’m in the right place.
Surely an official meeting wouldn’t be so informal?
“Lexa!” An excited shriek tears through the laughter, and an incomprehensible blur streaks right at me, throwing me against the wall. The second I put my arms around her, I know who it is, and my eyes sting with tears.
“Kate,” I whisper, hugging her so tight, I feel like I might crush her. My old friend is giving as hard as she gets, though. It feels like my ribs are about to break.
“Where the hell did you go?” she practically screams, pulling back to grip my upper arms and shake me. Her expression is a mess of confusion, relief, joy, confusion… and fear.
“I… uh, had to leave,” I say, knowing my words are woefully inadequate. “I will explain everything, I promise. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you I was leaving.”
