I’m starting to think nothing about him will surprise me anymore.
“Can you give me a hint?”
“Skyler is looking into getting something for me, that’s all.” And I really, really hope she can find it.
Gabriel releases my hand, wrapping his arm around me and holding me to his side. “Will I ever get to find out what it is?”
I glance at him, my lips kicking up. “Maybe. If you’re good.”
He squeezes my shoulder. “All right, little bird. Keep your secrets. I trust you.”
My chest warms, and I lean against him as our destination draws near, barely believing how far he and I have come in a single season. I hated him when the winter began, and now...
Well, I’m not sure how to classify what I feel for him, but I can confidently say it isn’t hate.
In some ways, hating Gabriel had been easier. My feelings had been more clear-cut, and I could wrap my mind aroundthem. No one would blame me for hating him—after all, he was hunting me.
But now, my stomach flip-flops when he calls me Birdie, warmth runs through me when he touches me, and fire burns inside me when he kisses me.
All these point towards something that is definitely not hatred. Especially when I consider the not inconsequential fact that he’s brought me to climax every night this week, without asking for anything in return...
No, I certainly don’t hate him.
I’m saved from having to put a label on my feelings when our destination appears through the trees. Set on the other side of camp from our cabin, the small building is nestled in a grove of evergreens. The early springtime air is filled with the scent of cedar and new growth, and my step is lively as we walk up the rickety steps and onto the porch.
“We’re here,” I announce, reaching into my pocket and withdrawing the silver key Skyler gave me this morning.
I unlock the door, but before I can head inside, Gabriel sidesteps me.
“Let me check it out, Wren,” he says, brushing past me.
I raise a brow at his back. The building is a glorified storage closet, smaller than our cabin and filled with shelves and boxes, not to mention that it was locked until a moment ago. I don’t think there’s a hidden danger, but Gabriel’s concern is sweet, and who am I to deny him the chance to look around?
Crouching, I scratch Mist behind the ears and murmur quiet praises as we wait for her master’s return. We’re not left waiting for long—Gabriel is back a minute later.
“It’s clear,” he says.
I would’ve been shocked if he said otherwise.
“Thank you for checking.” I ruffle Mist’s head. “Stay here, okay?”
The panther looks up with silver eyes, brow raised as if she’s sayingWhere else would I go?
So cheeky. It’s no wonder Gabriel loves her so much.
I brush my nose against Mist’s and grin. “Good kitty.” Straightening, I pull the door closed behind me and meet my Hunter’s gaze. “It was sweet of you to make sure the cabin was empty.”
“Sweet?” Gabriel ambles towards me. “I don’t think anyone has ever called me ‘sweet,’ little bird.”
A smile teases on the edge of my mouth. “Haven’t they?”
“No.”
“Well, you know what they say. There’s a first time for everything.” I grin up at him, basking in his amusement, before turning in a circle, taking in the space.
Two windows are on opposite sides of the cabin, letting in shards of sunlight. Dust waltzes in the air, tumbling to the ground. A bench sits against one wall, along with an empty chair. The rest of the space is taken up by wooden shelves filled with lidded crates, knickknacks, and trinkets. Some of the boxes are small and can be tucked under an arm, while a few are big enough to require two people to carry them.
I run my finger along the edge of the nearest shelf, and dust billows into the air. I cough into my sleeve.
