Twilight Hunter (The Execution Underground) (28 page)

He cleared his throat and prepared for the worst while hoping for the best. “Knowing I caused you pain hurts me more than you can imagine. This is the thing, Frankie. I don’t want to be enemies. I have to have you. I want all of you, every inch of you. If this ends right here and now, I don’t know if I’ll ever be capable of caring for anyone again. I know I’m not perfect, not even close. I’m more flawed than anyone I know. I’m uncontrollable, stubborn, hardheaded and proud. I smoke, I swear and I drink like a fish. It takes a brave soul to love me. I don’t know how you ever managed it. I sure as hell couldn’t have.”

He drew her closer to him. “Whether you hate me or not, I want to be with you. I need to be with you. Because I don’t care if you’re a werewolf, I don’t care if you’re packmaster or if you were supposed to be someone else’s, because I want you to be mine. The day I marry you will be the happiest day of my life. If you’ll have me, I want to spend a long and happy life with you.”

Tears clouded her eyes and streamed down her cheeks. He brushed one aside. He hoped they were tears of happiness. He didn’t know if he could stand it if she rejected him. He sighed. “I wanted to let you know that I love you more than the world, and I think you are the most beautiful and intelligent woman I’ve ever had the fortune to know. I adore you, Frankie.”

He wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed her flush against his body before she could protest. Leaning down, he kissed her deep, their tongues intertwining in an erotic dance. Relief washed over him when she didn’t pull away. Instead, she melted against him.

When the kiss finally broke, he held her tight in his arms. “Please don’t continue hating me. I want to spend forever with you. I want to be your destined mate.”

She buried her head in the crook of his neck. The gardenia smell of her hair filled his nose. The scent was intoxicating. He could get drunk just from being near her.

She whispered against him, her words and lips brushing over his neck, “I’d like that.” She ran her hand down his chest, and his body stiffened in response. She pulled back and smiled at him, lighting up the room. “I didn’t mean it when I said I didn’t love you, or when I said I hated you. I
do
love you, Jace. I’ll always love you. I’ve wanted you ever since we were first together in your apartment. Since then, I haven’t dreamed of anything else, haven’t wanted anyone else. I don’t want to be enemies again, either.”

He snaked his hand down to her lower back and pushed her hips against his. A soft moan escaped her lips. Before she had time to protest, he scooped her up into his arms and held her close.

A grin spread across his face. “Let’s get you cleaned up before I show you the true meaning of Skinwalker.”

* * * * *

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Wow. I can’t believe I’m already getting to write another one of these—not that I’m complaining. Who doesn’t love to write acknowledgments? I’d like to give huge thanks and my deep gratitude to the following people:

Foremost, thanks to my friend Britt Marczak: thank you for pushing me through the first drafts of this book. You were the very first person to read about Jace and Frankie, and you loved them and this series before anyone else did. Without you, I don’t know if I would’ve pushed through this. You encouraged me every step of the way. I can’t thank you enough for being my friend, my mini-editor, my personal cheerleader, and for dishing out the tough love when I needed it. You’re going to make a fabulous editor someday.

To my friend and agent, Nicole Resciniti: for giving me a chance when no one else would and for making this novel the best it could possibly be. Nic, you changed my life with a single phone call, all because you fell in love with Jace the same way I did. You believed in his story immediately, and there is no way I could ever express my gratitude for all you’ve done to ensure that this book and this series would make it to publication. There aren’t words to express how truly grateful I am. It is a blessing to have you in my life and to always have you by my side, fighting for my best interests. Thank you.

To my editor, Leslie Wainger, and to Tara Parsons, the former head of the HQN line: thank you for pushing this debut author and her little manuscript through acquisitions and for believing in this series. Leslie, thank you for all the hours of work you’ve put in to make sure
Twilight Hunter
debuts at its absolute best and for guiding me through the ups and downs of the publishing process. I’m looking forward to having you in my corner for many books to come.

To my fellow authors and friends Kate SeRine and Cecy Robson: thank you for being the best BFFs around. Thank you for all the support, all the love, and all the shared cursing, hehe. Love you both.

To my whole family: thank you for always being supportive. To my mom and dad: thank you for investing both time and money in the future of my writing career before it could even be called a career. Thank you for always believing in me even in the face of rejection. I love you.

Thank you to my amazing husband, Jon. Writing this book while we were dating was a challenge, but you were the best kind of distraction. You influenced Jace’s character in so many ways, but most importantly, you kept my belief in love and happily-ever-after going strong during a difficult time and in a way no one else could. You always hold me up when I need it most, and I know you’ll always be by my side. I couldn’t ask for a more loving and loyal partner in life. I love you. You’re a true blessing. My heart will always be yours.

And last but not least, thanks be to God, who shows me what grace is every day by treating me like a favorite child.

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ISBN: 9781460318089

Copyright © 2013 by Kaitlyn Ballenger

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