“Oh, wonderful. Invite them in.” Dawn’s voice called from somewhere inside.
“Were they expecting us?” Kelly muttered.
“Maybe,” Hunter whispered back.
Before Hunter could stop him, Garrett’s arms were pulling him into a big hug, the preferred way of greeting for Garrett. When he’d finally let Hunter down, Garrett looked down at Kelly.
“And, Kelly, a pleasure to see you again,” he said, offering his hand eagerly, which she took.
“Get in here already. You’re late, and we’re hungry.” Grayson’s surly voice interrupted them.
They followed Garrett inside, Hunter noticing that already, Dawn had put a few pictures on the walls. Several of her and Garrett and another of Garrett and Hunter and Grayson from a couple years ago when they’d been working a job a couple states over.
But when they walked into the dining room, now full of people, Hunter could sense Kelly tensing beside him. Garrett already had his arm around his mate, Dawn. And seated at the table, Grayson was teasing a stray strand of April’s hair back, making her giggle. Kelly, on the other hand, moved a little closer to Hunter, perhaps wary of so many people all in one place.
Hopefully this didn’t turn out to be a bad idea after all.
Kelly was surprised by the tension in her chest as she was greeted by a room full of new and barely familiar faces all at once.
There’d been a time not too long ago when she’d loved every opportunity to meet new people. She was the woman who liked to make new friends, liked to make fresh connections and enjoy the company of other good people.
To her surprise, the curvy little woman nestled into Garrett’s side separated herself from her humongous husband and came up to her, making the first move.
She had soft gray eyes and pale skin, and her delicate features were accented by flaming red hair that was currently tied into a loose bun at the base of her neck. “I’m Dawn. It’s so nice to meet a new face around here.” She extended a hand, which Kelly took.
Such genuine kindness radiated from her that Kelly was taken aback for a moment, forgetting what she should say in response.
Dawn continued somewhat nervously in the wake of Kelly’s silence. “Not that I don’t appreciate the ones I already see, but it’s just nice. You know, small town, not a lot of new people…”
“Right,” Kelly said, taking a deep breath and steeling herself to be less awkward. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Kelly, and your home is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
Dawn glowed with satisfaction, and Kelly was glad she’d come up with the right remark. “That’s all thanks to my husband.” She looked over at him with obvious admiration. “He built us the perfect little place.” She walked to a chair across from Grayson and his lady and pulled out a chair for Kelly. “Please, make yourself at home.”
Kelly sat down awkwardly, and Hunter helped push her chair in behind her.
“I’m April,” the woman with Grayson said, reaching across the table for Kelly’s hand. She had soft, shiny brown hair that was perfectly straight and deep-green eyes that were striking. Kelly shook her hand as well.
“It’s nice to meet you, too.”
“And I’m Grayson,” Grayson said flatly, giving her a casual wave and trying to look pleasant in a way that utterly failed. She guessed he was the type who took a while to warm up.
“Yes, I remember. From the house.”
He nodded quickly, then turned his eyes to Hunter, narrowing them to slits. “Your date was going to make us starve if he took any longer—”
Hunter interrupted him. “This isn’t a date. We’re just friends. I thought it would be nice to meet other women that live here in town.”
For the first time, Hunter seemed to be struggling for patience as he took off his hat and hung it on a nearby coatrack. As he took a seat next to her, Kelly felt odd warmth at his nearness.
Not even she was certain what was going on between them. She just knew she was grateful to have him around.
Grayson pulled April in closer to him, and she scolded him, muttering, “Be nice,” just loud enough to be audible.
Thankfully, the sound of plates moving around as Garrett and Dawn brought fresh-grilled burgers, buns, and a variety of sides onto the table interrupted the awkward silence. Hunter got up to help, too, bringing glasses and filling them with lemonade before sitting back down.
It all felt so… normal.
Yet something about this was not normal. Like the fact that nobody seemed to be wearing wedding rings. But perhaps they weren’t needed, given the fact that they lived out in the middle of nowhere.
Plus, she doubted anyone would try to hit on these women with Garrett or Grayson around. They were similarly gigantic like Hunter, all three standing out like sore thumbs compared to the wide array of men that Kelly had met and known back home.
“Just ignore him if he’s being a bully,” Dawn whispered into Kelly’s ear, taking the other seat next to her. “Besides, it’s not every day I get to have lunch with a famous artist.”
Kelly laughed inwardly. “Ha, I’m not famous at all. If I was, I wouldn’t have needed to buy a place like the one Hunter’s currently fixing.”
“Hey, it’s got character,” Hunter said.
Grayson scoffed.
“Oh, you know what I mean.” Dawn continued as Garrett started to construct two burgers on his plate beside her, handing one over when he was done. “And on the art front, I think it’s cool that you get your stuff displayed in galleries and such. I’d love to come see it sometime.”
“I’d love that, too.” April chimed in. “I love anything outdoors, especially artwork depicting it.”
Kelly couldn’t remember the last time someone had cared to get to know her. Maybe because all of her friends and family had either run or estranged themselves from her in the wake of the deluge of rumors that had surrounded her and the bear stalking her back home.
It was nice to have people treat her like a normal human being again.
“Maybe we can all meet at my place once it’s fixed up,” she offered, and Dawn clapped her hands in excitement, April nodding eagerly in agreement as well.
“Eat up. You were working all morning.” Hunter interrupted, setting a plate down in front of her. Without her even noticing, Hunter had constructed a burger for her as well, with literally every topping possible, the bun piled high. How did such a big man manage to be so sneaky sometimes?
“Thanks,” she said, taking a big bite. Mouthwateringly fresh produce and fluffy bread mixed with thick, juicy burger meat in her mouth. When the bite didn’t go down easily, Hunter handed her a glass of lemonade to wash it down.
As they ate, Kelly inquired further about how Garrett and Dawn met, and Dawn excitedly regaled her of the mysterious contractor she’d hired to build her a home on her grandfather’s land. When they’d met, it had been love at first sight, and the rest was history.
Grayson was more than a little tightlipped about his story, so April filled in the details of their relationship and how he’d been her guide as she’d explored the area, looking for gray wolves. And even though she hadn’t discovered what she was looking for, she’d found the love of her life in the process.
Even Grayson couldn’t hold back a small grin by the end as April cuddled into him, reminding Kelly of the few couples she’d come across that had somehow clicked in spite of their starkly different personalities.
When they were done, the men cleaned up the dishes as April and Dawn asked Kelly about her place and what her plans were. Kelly told what she could but mostly kept out the part about being afraid of needing to leave. The last thing she wanted to do was give them something to worry about.
Afterward, they all headed outside, following Dawn and Garrett and coming to a small pond a stone’s throw away from the house. Near the pond’s edge, several logs and a few camp chairs were set up, and the other two couples arrayed themselves as Dawn handed out ice cream sandwiches from
a little cooler they’d brought.
Hunter offered Kelly a particularly large, comfy-looking camp chair. She sat in it, feeling comfortably swallowed by the oversized thing as Hunter pulled up a little camp stool to sit next to her. Nearby, Grayson sprawled out on a patch of grass, April lying at his side, chatting with Dawn about some soon-to-happen local event.
Seeing Hunter sitting by himself on a camp chair while his friends fawned over their wives made something ache in Kelly.
She felt for him. She’d been in that position before, single amongst a group of friends. That was back when she’d had friends to begin with. But even now, her situation only made her further relate to the loneliness that he surely must be feeling, even if he did a bang-up job of hiding it.
Light from the still water before them reflected off Hunter’s face, casting bright streaks across his skin. His blond hair caught the wind, waving a little behind him as he sat pondering something.
Was this what Hunter wanted with Kelly, what his friends had?
Kelly had to admit that it looked nice. Having someone to love, someone to love you in return. Someone to be your best friend yet also to be more than just friends with.
But she couldn’t yet. She’d been burned too hard by her last relationship. And the dark shadow that had loomed over that failed time in her life was still following her.
Even if she was safe, for now, she didn’t see how she could put her guard down and risk disaster all over again.
Lazy hours passed by as she and Hunter munched on snacks, skipped rocks, and talked extensively about her rise to mediocrity as a mildly successful painter with zero notoriety. Nearby, the others napped or shared in the conversation as well, curious to know about her, as she was them. At one point, Garrett produced several small fishing rods, and they took turns trying their luck in the serene pond, getting no attention from the seemingly sleepy aquatic life.
Before Kelly knew it, the sun was beginning to set over the forest, casting a golden glow over the tops of the trees, and Hunter informed his friends that he wanted to get her back before nightfall. With cheery smiles and warm good-byes, Kelly’s new friends bade her adieu, and she and Hunter got back into his truck and headed to the cabin. Back home.
And in her heart, Kelly could feel an unfamiliar pull as the two of them drove alone through the evening haze. Something she hadn’t felt since before her life had gone to shit. A longing that could only mean one thing.
There was far more between her and Hunter than she’d ever expected.
Chapter 7
Kelly had been so happy with Hunter’s friends that he could immediately sense her nervousness as he pulled up to drop her off at her house.
It was dark outside, and as he parked and came around to open the door for her, she had a slight scowl as she stepped out.
She also surveyed the landscape carefully, as if looking for something, but then seemed to steel herself to go back inside.
He could sense she didn’t want to be alone here, but he had no idea how to offer without sounding like a cad. After all, he’d known he’d be in the neighborhood anyway, whether it was in cat form prowling the mountains and keeping watch or human form in her home.
When they got to the door, she jingled her keys awkwardly, looking up at him with brown eyes that were luminous in the moonlight.
Despite the beautiful smell of fresh pine out here, he could still make out that slight spicy vanilla scent that drove him wild.
He wanted to put his fingers in her curls, pull her close… do so many things he had no business doing, not when he’d promised to protect her and that was all.
She put her hand on the door but paused, sighing. “Um. You don’t have to go home yet, if you don’t want. You could maybe come in for a movie?”
He perked up at that. It wasn’t begging, but it also didn’t sound like the kind of offer he could pass up. He didn’t have anything else to do, after all. “Sure.”
She led the way into the house, and he did the deadbolt behind them.
He was already starting to feel this place was more cozy than rundown, but that could be because it was full of her scent, and he associated it with her presence.
Yes, it needed things fixed, but once it was in better shape, it would make a hell of a home.
The image of him curled up with her in front of the fireplace (once he fixed it) was still stuck in his mind.
She’d set up a small table for her TV, and there was a small worn couch in front of it. She gestured for him to sit down as she shrugged out of her coat and left it on a nearby chair.
He sat on one side of the couch, putting his arm over the arm of it and getting comfy. It was older but nice.
To his surprise, she sat down right next to him, close enough to touch. He could feel the silk blouse she’d been wearing all day. It smelled like the adventures they’d had by the pond, the lunch with friends. But mostly, it smelled of her. Hunter wanted to bury his nose in it but resisted.
Good kitty.
If he got too much closer to her, he might not be able to resist purring, and that would be a hard thing to explain.
She grabbed the remote and pulled up the channel list. They settled on a movie that was playing on one of the local stations, but he could tell neither of them was paying much attention as the tension in the room began to build.
She was so beautiful sitting next to him, smelling wonderful—probably would feel wonderful.
But Hunter kept his hands to himself, knowing any advance was probably unwelcome.
He was surprised when, moments later, he felt her gently lift his arm so she could cuddle up. She propped her back against his side and let his arm drop around her waist, holding her close.
Then she let out a happy little sigh that touched his heart as she put a hand on his chest and relaxed, her legs tucked up on the couch beside her.
For a moment, it was hard to talk. It felt so good to hold her. Her waist felt amazingly soft, and her breasts were just above his fingers.
Don’t think about it, Hunter.
“I thought this was just business,” he croaked out, adjusting his arm to make sure it wasn’t in a risky location.
She sent him a furtive smile, then blushed. “I guess it didn’t feel like business when you took me to your friend’s for a date.”
“Was it a date?”
She pressed her lips together. “Hunter, there were two other couples and us.”
He swallowed. She had him there. He’d only meant to make her feel welcome, but hanging out with couples, it had been hard not to feel like they were one as well. “I guess so.”
“Is that a problem?” She raised her eyes to his curiously, looking vulnerable as she waited for his response. “I thought that’s what you wanted.”
“It’s not a problem, but I told you I wasn’t going to take advantage of you. And helping you out is still my first goal. You said you didn’t want romance.”
She pulled his arm tighter still and cuddled in even closer. “I guess I’m beginning to change my mind. I came out here planning to stay single, but it’s turning out to be harder than I thought.”
“Yeah,” he said, throat still tight.
“And I mean, I wasn’t planning for anything, but there’s a difference between that and letting things happen naturally. I like spending time with you. I’m okay with seeing how this goes.”
He sighed, secretly relieved. “I’m glad you aren’t blocking me out.”
She looked up at him. “Grayson was right. You’re incorrigible. I might as well give in.”
“Only if you want to.”
Her hands rested on his arm, soft and warm. “I guess I do, a little, for now.”
He tried not to grin stupidly and told himself to just focus on the movie. But hearing her say that made him happier than he’d ever been. It made the cat in him want to purr, and it made him want to rub his cheeks against hers, marking his territory.
But he would settle for holding her i
n his arms, watching a movie and knowing she was safe by his side.
Kelly was still surprised by her own audacity at cuddling up to Hunter on the couch.
She’d had such a warm, awesome day with great people that coming home had felt dreadful and cold.
She’d been glad when he accepted her invite to see a movie and glad when he’d been patient with her cuddling under his arm.
She’d told herself no romance, but something about the way he gave her all the space in the world while teasing her with an irresistible warmth made it so she wanted to break her own rules.
So when the movie ended and she still had no excuse to keep him there, her heart sank like a rock in a pond.
She hadn’t had any reason to feel unsafe here, yet, but she also didn’t want to be alone now that she remembered how good it felt to have someone by her side.
Besides, she hadn’t seen any sign of the bear, so Hunter should be safe still.
She wasn’t trying to bring anyone else into her problems, but it had been so long since she’d found someone she could trust. New friends along with him even.
It all seemed too good to be true, but it felt real at the same time. As if there was definitely a reason she was meant to move out here. As if these people would be a continuing part of her life.
But maybe that was just wishful thinking. Maybe Hunter really would just fix her house and move out, on to his next adventure.
He was so warm and fun that she imagined it was hard to keep him around and entertained. Could a quiet painter like her really do it?
He certainly seemed to like being by her side.
He stretched, yawning, and then looked at her expectantly, as if waiting for her to suggest what was next.
If he stayed… would he expect something to happen? Would she mind if it did? A part of her didn’t feel ready yet, but another part just wanted that hot man in her bed and didn’t care.
“Um, if you stayed, you wouldn’t have to drive over in the morning,” she said, resisting the urge to put her palm over her face in embarrassment at how transparent it sounded.
Built Fur Love Box Set Page 35
