Hunter Mourned (Wild Hunt Book 3) (16 page)

He
had
been waiting for her. Happiness quickened her pulse and brought a smile to her face. “Sleeping is refreshing. I always feel a little calmer when I wake. You should give it a try.”

“I’m surprised you started embracing the habit. You used to hate sleeping or being alone. How many times did you hunt me down when our siblings were busy?”

“You’re right. I used to hate being alone. Unless I was doing something, my thoughts wandered to Kai. I tried to avoid it. Thinking about him depressed me.”

Zeph directed their younger brothers to take one of the bigger packages. Once they’d slipped back into the house, he faced her. “You’ve been saying your dead mate’s name more often.”

“I’m healing.” Thanks to Trevor.

“I’m glad. You deserve to finally find some peace.”

“I’d say so. I’ve shed enough tears. The curse ensured that. It’s time to move on.”

“With Trevor.” Zeph’s lavender eyes held a knowing glint.

He’d caught her with Trevor. It didn’t take a genius to figure out who’d managed the impossible feat of helping her overcome the loss of Kai. She wasn’t foolish enough to think she’d healed completely, but she was getting there.

“Trevor is special.”

“He’d have to be to tame your bad mood.”

“I suppose so.” She turned toward the house. The desire to seek out Trevor was stronger than ever. “I’m heading in. See you at nightfall.”

“Hey.” Zeph grabbed her arm.

“What?”

“I’m sorry about the other night. Interrupting you and Trevor. I just never expected you’d…” He rolled his neck. “The two of you would get together like that. In an alley.”

She nodded in acceptance of his apology. His words weren’t necessary, though. Getting caught was one of the risks of having sex in public. “Spur-of-the-moment thing. I don’t regret it.”

“Are the two of you involved now?”

“Yes, but I’m not positive he wants everyone to know. Have you told anyone what you saw?”

“No. It’s not my place to say anything.”

“Good. He wants to earn his right to ride based on his skills, not because of me.”

“It’s not going to happen anytime soon. Calan doesn’t want to take the chance Arawn will reject Trevor because of what happened with Ian. Our father is too unstable right now.”

Not after her visit to Arawn. Trevor would become a rider, but that wasn’t something she wanted to share with Zeph, not until all the details were finalized. “Our father is not unstable. He’s hurting.”

Zeph shook his head. “He has no right to get pissed at Minerva. He cheated on her first.”

“She broke a promise to him. You know what that means to us.” Vows were sacred. To break one damned a person. All immortals upheld that belief. Fate was real. No one wanted to influence theirs by breaking a promise.

Zeph gazed off into the distance. A worn, tired expression slackened his features. “Yeah, I know all about broken promises.”

“What promises? What are you talking about?” As far as she knew, Zeph had never been involved with anyone romantically. He’d favored a few lovers over the years before the Huntsmen were imprisoned, but none of those women had captured his heart.

He hefted a long box onto his shoulder and turned toward the house. “I want to get this treadmill assembled before nightfall. A nice long run sounds good right about now.”

The avoidance stirred her curiosity a second time, but she wanted to shower and change before Trevor woke. Discovering the meaning behind Zeph’s words would have to wait. She followed behind him and took the stairs while he maneuvered the box into the kitchen. There was another set of stairs leading from it to the basement where Trevor had mentioned setting up a gym.

The large home had several bedrooms on the second level and two more on the third floor. It wasn’t nearly large enough to house her entire Teulu, but only sixteen of them had survived the time spent in the fairy realm with their minds intact enough to function. Out of those, only eight could control their rage enough to ride. The rest were healing, though not quickly enough to meet the threats of the fairies’ creatures. Sluaghs were becoming a growing problem. Plus, there’d been an increase in the number of brutal deaths over the couple of months since she’d been free.

She pushed away the unsettling thoughts. They’d defeat their enemies and overcome their challenges. No other option was acceptable. She was doing her part, and it involved Trevor.

She paused by his door. The urge to go to him and wake him in the naughtiest way possible was hard to deny, but it wouldn’t be right to disturb him. For the moment, he was mortal. He needed sleep. When he woke, though, they’d talk, and maybe more. Making love to him in a bed would be heavenly, especially if he held her afterward. Kai always had.

No.
She rubbed at her eyes.
No. Don’t compare them.

Trevor might be Kai’s reincarnation, but he wasn’t the same man. Dozens of lifetimes had changed him. Those experiences left their mark on his soul, just as the years had done to her. She wasn’t anywhere close to being the same woman she’d been when she’d first met Kai.

This is part of my challenge. Part of healing myself. That’s what the Triad wanted. For me to heal my damaged soul.

Slow, deep breaths eased the tightness in her chest. Trevor. She would focus on discovering Trevor, the male who’d reminded her there were other things in life besides hunting.

With her thoughts strengthening her, she walked past Trevor’s door and slipped into her bedroom. The moment she entered, the scent of leather and man wrapped around her. Trevor slept on her bed. His back was to the wall, and a welcoming space remained on the queen-size bed next to him.

He’d come to her. The knowledge that he’d wanted to see her enough to sneak into her room brought a smile to her face.

She closed the door behind her with a soft click. Trevor didn’t stir. His breathing remained steady. She hadn’t woken him. That was a good thing. He did need his sleep. It also gave her a moment to sear the image he made to memory.

A sheet covered him from his chest to his feet. His exposed upper body revealed lean muscles and tan skin to tease her imagination. Was he naked underneath? Or did he have on a pair of sleep pants? Either appealed to her. Stripping him out of his clothes offered its own special reward. She’d get to reveal the body of the male who’d pulled the mourning veil off her soul. She couldn’t wait, but didn’t want to rush the moment.

She continued her visual worship. His hair was mussed, and a slight growth of beard dusted his jawline. The stubble appealed to her. She’d enjoyed how it had felt under her fingertips the other night in the park. He’d shaved afterward. It was unfortunate he couldn’t keep it one length always. He looked sexy when he left himself a little unkempt.

She focused on his parted lips. It’d be so easy to slip her tongue past them and urge him into a kiss. His lips were the softest she’d ever tasted, and he knew how to turn a simple kiss into a passionate experience.

Lust wrapped around her as completely as his scent had done. The desire to feel his rigid length push past her lower lips and fill her completely grew by the second. Trevor might’ve come to her room because he’d missed her, but by doing so, he’d assured they’d have sex. She couldn’t resist him. All it would take was his hand on her hips and his heated brown eyes on her. Oh yes, they’d have sex again, and it’d be wonderful. At the moment, however, she wanted to cuddle with Trevor.

She glanced from the attached bathroom to the bed. The need to curl against Trevor’s side overruled her desire for a shower. She undressed. Naked except for her gloves, she tiptoed to the bed. Carefully, she knelt. The mattress dipped with her weight, finally stirring him.

Trevor opened his eyes enough to look at her from behind his long lashes. A grin spread over his face. “You’re home.”

“Yes. I’m sorry I missed breakfast.”

He skimmed his gaze over her body. Lust slid into his eyes, turning the drowsy look he’d woken with into the sexiest expression she’d seen since…
No. Don’t compare them.

“It’s okay. We’ll do it another time. Now, come here.” He lifted the sheet, giving her another teasing glimpse of his upper body. “I want to hold you before we have to pretend like we’re not involved.”

“You’re in my room. I’d say we’re way past pretending.”

He patted the bed. “Come here, Rowan.”

The tone he used skipped through her, leaving heat behind. She swept her hair off her suddenly heated skin. The long strands settled against her back. He kept his gaze locked on hers. The demand was clear. He wanted her obedience. Part of her wanted to resist. He hadn’t earned her submission yet. She’d said herself she wouldn’t compare Trevor and Kai. They were two different men, even if they shared the same soul. She couldn’t bring herself to deny Trevor, however.

She crawled toward him. Her breasts swayed with her sensual approach, and his gaze drifted to the heavy flesh. He licked his lips, and his nostrils flared. The look in his eyes spoke of raw need. It ignited an equal desire within her. She wanted to embrace it. Understanding his words came first.

She stopped a few inches from where he’d indicated. “Why do we have to pretend not to be together?”

He shifted his attention from her chest to focus on her face. After a moment, he pushed up on his elbow and stretched his other hand toward her. His knuckles brushed the tips of her breasts, sending sparks of awareness through her. He didn’t toy with her nipples, though. He hooked his arm around her waist and dragged her to the spot he’d originally pointed at, right next to his chest.

Before she could lie down, he cupped one of her breasts and massaged the achy flesh. Her womb clenched. “Because I’ve been thinking about us and my goal to be a Hunter. You know I want to ride. That’s no secret.”

“Yes, but Zeph already caught us together. Our involvement isn’t a secret either.”

“No, it’s not.” He tapped her arm. “Lean over me.”

The way he focused on her breasts told her exactly what he wanted. She ignored him and bent so she could look into his eyes. “So why the need for secrecy? It doesn’t make sense. You’re in my bed.”

“Yes, I am. It felt so damn good to rest my head on the same pillow you use. Your scent is on the sheets too. When I pulled the top one over me, I could almost pretend you were with me.”

He was ignoring her question. People usually did that to hide something unpleasant. “Explain yourself, Trevor. You’re confusing me.”

Trevor grasped her arm and lifted it over him, scooting under her at the same time and putting her into the position he’d wanted her a moment ago. Her heavy breasts hung over his face. He dropped a hand to her hip to hold her in place and used the other to massage first one breast, then the other.

“It’s not that I don’t want your brothers to know.” He shifted lower on the bed, placing his mouth below one tip, and licked the erect bud. “It’s just that I don’t want to flaunt it or have my relationship with you be the reason why Calan invites me to ride. I want him to join me to the Teulu because he thinks I’m worthy of the title.”

“Not because you’re my lover.”

“Yes. Exactly.”

Hadn’t she thought the same thing when talking to Arawn?

“I’m going to corner Calan when he returns and find out once and for all why he keeps ignoring my request to join the Hunt.”

“You can, but I have the answer.” She straddled him, but he stopped her from settling where she wanted, with his cock between her legs. He held her over his stomach with his palms splayed on her ass.

“And that would be?”

“He’s worried Arawn will reject you because of what happened with Ian. It has nothing to do with your worthiness. Calan thinks you’re ready.”

“I have to wait until Arawn gets over his bad mood, then.” He flexed his fingers on her bottom. “Great. From the way your brothers talk about him, I’ll be waiting forever.”

“No, you won’t.” She slid her hands over his chest. “Just until Calan gets back from his trip.”

“What have you done?”

The angry tone didn’t bode well for her, but she wouldn’t lie to Trevor. “I talked to Arawn about you.”

“Dammit, Rowan.”

He lifted her, but she grabbed his shoulders, stopping him.

“No, wait. I didn’t mention anything about us. Arawn brought the topic up.” Of course, she might’ve pushed him in that direction, but he’d broached the subject first. “He asked my opinion because he said Calan had spoken highly of you.”

“He did?” Trevor narrowed his eyes as if he didn’t quite believe her.

“Yes. Calan’s going to give you the first half of the mark, the hound, when he returns.”

“Then Arawn will judge me.”

“And he’ll see the same thing I do.” She stroked her fingertips along his jaw. The stubble there tickled her fingertips. “A man of integrity.”

He snatched her wrist, stopping her exploration before she reached his chin. “How exactly were you able to talk to him? Last I heard, you didn’t have an open communication pathway with Arawn. You physically had to go to the Underworld.”

She glanced away from the accusation displayed in his gaze. He wouldn’t have approved of her visit any more than Rhys had. Lucas’s interest in her wasn’t a secret. Her brothers had been contemplating the reasons behind Lucas’s actions for weeks.

“You went to Hell, didn’t you?”

“Yes. That’s the only way I can talk to anyone who resides there.”

“Which brother went with you?”

“None. I—”

He lifted her off him and sat up. “You went to the Underworld, knowing Lucas wants you. Why would you take that risk?”

“I had to talk to Arawn and Minerva.”

“Did you see Lucas while you were there?”

“Briefly, but we weren’t alone. I told him I wasn’t interested and that I was involved with you.”

He laid a hand against her cheek. “I could’ve lost you, Rowan. Being with the sex demons is addictive. Ian told me that. He also told me you were involved with Lucas. If he’d gotten you alone…”

She covered his fingers. Warmth slipped through her, not the sexual kind that left her body humming, but the kind that sent butterflies to flight in her belly and left her smiling like a fool. “Things are different now. Lucas has no power over me.”