Holding Layla in his arms like this was the most precious thing in the world. Hunter would never forget this moment next to the flowerbed, one hand cupping her face, one resting at the small of her back.
When she whimpered, his world tipped on its axis. There was no sweeter sound. Her scent permeated him. He was completely undone from a kiss. Clothed. Outside. Where anyone might be watching. He’d never wanted anyone so badly in his life. Nor had his cock ever been this hard.
Hunter knew he would do anything for her, including give her whatever time she needed to come around to his way of thinking.
Layla was the one to finally end the kiss, moaning as she yanked her lips from his. “Jesus.” She released his waist and flattened her hands on his chest before taking a step back, finally breaking contact.
He hated that separation and wondered how long he would feel that horrible disconnect that always happened when they stopped touching. The pull was powerful when he touched her. Like he entered another dimension in which no one and nothing existed but the two of them. The world felt aligned and right when he held her.
The loss was palpable, and he suspected she knew it too. She stumbled back several steps.
He wanted to reach out and grab her elbow to keep her from falling, but he thought it best to keep his hands to himself. She needed a moment. Luckily, she didn’t trip. She found her footing and then turned and meandered around to the back of the house. To anyone else, she would look a bit drunk.
Hunter followed, not sure if he should speak.
Marge had an amazing deck off the back of the house. It was only a few feet above the ground, level with the back door. Instead of taking the few steps up to sit on one of the deck chairs, Layla plopped down on her butt next to the house, drew her knees up, and leaned against the brick.
Hunter hated seeing her in distress. Everything in his being wanted to fix this for her, speed forward a week to a time when she would understand better and be more willing to accept their fate. The dance they were about to embark on would be awkward and stressful.
He lowered himself to the ground next to her, leaving a few inches of space, setting his elbows on his knees. At least it was less likely any neighbors were watching them. Marge didn’t have a fence, but her house backed up to a wooded area, and the neighbors on both sides were not outside.
He let the silence hang, thinking it prudent to let Layla speak when she was ready.
Finally. “Most of it’s true then, isn’t it?” she whispered, her face tipped toward her knees or the ground. She didn’t glance at him.
Hunter licked his lips. “If you’re talking about the draw toward each other, yes.”
“So my grandma wasn’t crazy.”
“Your grandma wasn’t crazy, but she probably didn’t fully understand. She made assumptions, and then they grew into a bit of a fable.”
Layla jerked her head to look at him. “But Marge did actually stay here in Canyon Springs because she met a man and he drew her in like a magnet. You’re not denying that.”
Hunter took a slow breath. He needed to choose his words carefully. “Your aunt had free will, but yes the pull is strong. It’s a misconception to think I’m personally causing it though. I’m doing nothing. All I did was meet you. The rest was Fate. She’s powerful. She knocked me on my ass the same way She is doing to you.”
Since Layla was still staring at him, not running or fighting him, he decided to continue. After all, she looked almost resigned. “We don’t lure people in. Not intentionally. I didn’t choose you. Fate did. I’m under the same instinctual pull as you, though mine is stronger and started with the first scent I had of you before you rounded that corner yesterday and stepped into view.”
She blinked. “You do realize how ridiculous that sounds.”
He tipped his head to one side, fearing every word he spoke might push her away but needing to say them anyway. “Did you not feel the pull? Are you not leaning away from me because you’re scared of the way you feel when you touch me?”
His heart fell when she scooted several more inches away from him. “Don’t test me. I’m fucking confused.”
“I know,” he whispered softly. “I’m just trying to help you work through it.”
“Well, I’m trying to make it not even exist.”
“Is it so bad, really? I mean I know it’s a shock to the system. But Layla, people meet and fall in love and spend every moment together. Humans do it. No one faults them.” He paused. “Okay, people do fault them. Everyone loses their shit when humans meet and announce they are spending their lives together within days or weeks. But why? Maybe some non-shifters also feel drawn to each other and just know.”
She closed her eyes and lowered her face again.
He continued, trying to keep his voice soft. “So what if your aunt stopped here, met a man, and spent her life with him? She loved him more than anything in the world. I have never once in my life seen or heard of Fate getting it wrong. She’s damn smart, if you ask me. She matches people perfectly. No one ever thinks, ‘ah, shit, my mate is an ugly dog.’”
Layla might have fought the small smile, but a chuckle escaped. “You used that word last night too. Mate. That’s just…weird.”
He shrugged, glad he was making progress. “That’s just what we call our other half. Mates. Fate gets it right every time. And I’ll tell you something else. Shifters almost never leave their mates. We don’t have divorce. Our love is stronger than regular humans. More…perfect, I guess. Fate doesn’t make mistakes.”
Layla sighed and ran a hand down her face.
“You’re attracted to me, right?” he prompted.
She turned her face toward him and narrowed her eyes. “You know I am.”
He shrugged. “Then what’s the big deal? It’s a lot to take in, but don’t try to digest it at all. Just spend time with me. Let time show you I’m right.”
She swallowed. “You’re not controlling my mind?”
“No. I promise. I’m not doing it. We’re just meant to be together.”
Her next words shocked him. “Do you realize how badly I want you to fuck me right now?”
Hunter’s spine straightened. She was serious. “Yes.” Her arousal wafted through the air, the scent increasing by the second. His dick pressed furiously against the zipper of his jeans. “About that…” He hated what he needed to say next.
Chapter 9
Layla didn’t like the sound of Hunter’s voice at this particular moment. Usually his words wove into her and calmed her. Those last two made the hair on the back of her neck stand up.
“It would be remiss of me not to let you know that every shifter I’ve ever spoken to has told me the temptation, or lure as you like to call it, will increase tenfold after we have sex.”
Her entire body jerked, and for some reason, instead of taking him seriously and running into the house and locking the door, her instinct was to laugh. It just burst out of her. Deep laughter that brought tears with it.
Hunter stared at her, an awkward half smile on his lips. It wasn’t until she finally pulled herself back together, wiping the tears from her eyes, that he spoke again. “I’m not sure how to respond. Dare I ask why you’re laughing?”