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"You didn't have to defend my honor, but I appreciate the impulse," I say as I brush my hand on Wyatt’s arm.
He snatches it when I go to move it away, and holds it almost reverently, gratitude and promise shining in his stormy eyes.
"Trust me, the pleasure was all mine." Behind his refined mask, something dangerously primal stirs. "Kathryn..." My name spills like a fervent prayer from his lips and I shiver. "We need to-"
"Kitty-Kat!" My dad's voice booms out suddenly, shattering the charged moment. Wyatt steps back swiftly, mask sliding back into place though banked heat still smolders in his eyes.
I take a steadying breath, pressing my palms to my heated cheeks before turning to face my father.
"Hey, Dad," I manage, hoping my racing pulse isn't obvious. Dad pulls me into a quick hug, eyes crinkling.
"Didn't mean to interrupt," he says knowingly, glancing between me and Wyatt. "Just wanted to remind you all that the scavenger hunt is starting soon."
I summon a breezy smile, though my nerves still hum. "Wouldn't miss it.”
And as we’re all led outside to where the scavenger hunt is supposed to start, I find myself distracted by the look in Wyatt’s eyes. It seemed to be like a…confession. Like he reached some sort of decision after deliberation. And I’m not sure if I’ll like the answer.
Wasn’t it just yesterday that they all told me that they called a truce? That we’re just going to see where this all takes us for now?
How could that change in such a short amount of time? And to what end will it lead?
Fuck. I’m not sure if I want to know.
Chapter 40
The bright sun glints off the white sand, nearly blinding me as we all gather on the beach for the start of the scavenger hunt. Kat stands beside me, radiant as always. I have to resist the urge to pull her into my arms and capture those tempting lips once more.
Nearby, Wyatt and Wilder lounge with deceptive ease, though I sense the undercurrent of possessiveness towards Kat simmering within them too. We three have weathered a storm of the century together in such a short amount of time. We’re inexorably bound now, whether we want to admit it or not.
She is ours. This unexpected twist of fate has awakened something dangerously primal within me. I find myself craving belonging and intimacy for the first time in my life. A pack of my own that isn’t made up of fur and claws.
Kathryn's father steps up holding a box overflowing with envelopes and grins around eagerly. "Each team has their own unique hunt to go on, so it’s impossible to cheat or cut corners.” He shoots a mock-glare at a group of giggling teenagers before chuckling. “The first team back here with their treasure is the winner of the grand prize–a luxury trip to Vegas, baby!”
Laughter rings out at Roger’s enthusiasm before his face turns into faux seriousness. “Alright Sharpe Clan, who's ready to hunt?”
A chorus of cheers rises up and I glance around warily, still unsure of their strange customs. But Kat taps my arm playfully, eyes dancing.
"Try to keep up, big guy. My family doesn't mess around when it comes to scavenger hunts." She pauses, eyes twinkling before she chuckles musically. “Or…anything really. But you could probably guess that by now.”
Ah, now here is familiar ground. A test of skill and wit. And with Kat by my side, I don’t intend to lose.
Roger divides up the chaos of eager participants into teams of four and passes out envelopes containing cryptic clues. Kat snatches ours, her turquoise eyes scanning the paper eagerly.
I enjoy watching her clever mind work, deducing and strategizing. She really is a queen among peasants, too bright and fiery for most men to handle. But not us.
"Alright team, let's do this!" Kat rallies us with determined enthusiasm. Even Wyatt and Wilder straighten at her rallying cry.
"Hmm...Art is formed where land kisses sea. Yet by dawn, none can be seen." Kat ponders over the first cryptic clue, brows furrowed adorably in concentration. “Land kisses sea. That’s obviously the beach. But which one?” She bites her lip as she thinks aloud. I peer over her shoulder, caught up in the vanilla scent of her windswept hair.
"Art! Art! Art!” Wilder starts whooping and we all turn to him.
“What are you, a seal?” Wyatt’s tone is dry, but his lips quirk up in amusement. Wilder grins at him before snatching Kat up and spinning her around.
“It’s the sandcastle buildin’ area from before. Duh!" Wilder proclaims excitedly. Kat giggles and rewards him with a dazzling smile that makes my gut clench. Is that jealousy or simply appreciation for how her face seems almost radiant when she smiles?
"Nice work, Cowboy. You're more than just a pretty face after all," she teases, swatting at his shoulder playfully as he places her back on her feet. Wilder grins and leans in closer to whisper something in her ear that makes her laugh aloud.
I clear my throat gruffly. "Let's get moving then."
