CHAPTER THREE Emma

HUNTER'S ARMS SWEEP around me as he pulls me from his truck. I instinctively wrap mine around his neck. "Hunter, this house is too much," I say. It is definitely too much for me. I am not a mansion girl. I wasn't raised well off; we always had enough, and I liked my small cabin. This place is at least ten of my cabins in one.

"Nothing is too much for you, Emma," he says as he carries me up to the front door, which is no less than twelve feet tall.

"Hunter, how are you going to open this door and carry me."

"Don't you worry, sweet girl, I could do many things with you in my arms, and opening a door is easy," he says as he looks down at me. The hand behind my back shifts to grab the handle and turn the knob. "Like I said, easy." Almost of its own volition, the giant door swings into the most beautiful front entry I've ever seen.

Carrara white marble floors are accentuated by dark wood beams and an imperial staircase that leads to the second floor. The rug that flows down the stairs is a pale blue and white floral design. I don't want to escape Hunter's arms, but I must see the rest of this house. What does the kitchen or a bathroom look like if this is just the entryway?

"Can I?" My eyes flick to Hunter.

"Yes, yes, go see your new home. We have time for consummating all night." He winks as he puts me on my feet.

"Oh my gosh, Hunter."

"Come on, Mate, let me show you."

He leads me between the staircases into a large cozy living room with a giant U-shaped sofa and what must be the largest mantle and fireplace ever built. I swear. I could walk inside the thing; it’s that big.

"Is the fireplace big enough?" I joke.

Hunter considers my question. "It's alright. We considered making it bigger, but I like having the windows on either side so we could watch the seasons change by the fire."

"Could you be any sweeter?" My question is drawn out. I wrap my arms around his large body and squeeze him. His mouth comes down to the top of my head kissing me reverently. His hand trails down my back over my ass and gives it a squeeze.

“Hunter!”

His eyes heat as his smile grows. He holds up the cake, "I could be sweeter, do you want a taste?"

"Maybe in a bit big guy." I push at his chest as I turn around to take in the other half of the room. "Oh my," I whisper. The kitchen is one you see in those fancy home shows. The rock backsplash accentuates a gas double stove top double oven that is white with gold handles and knobs. My hands drag along the counter over the stove. This is too much. "Hunter, you know I can't cook. Why did you get this giant oven."

He shrugs, "it looked fun."

I roll my lips in and try to hide my smile as I turn in the room, "Where is the fridge?"

"Oh, that's the best part.” He walks over to a very large cabinet with a gold bar handle and pulls open the largest refrigerator I have ever seen. “This is the main fridge, and then we have an extra one in the butler's pantry."

"Hunter, you are insane, we don't need this…"

He lets the handle go, and the door slides shut. He stalks forward, "Emma, Mate, sweet girl…" He takes three more steps towards me, and the gleam in his eye is predatory. "I think you underestimate my prowess."

I trip over my feet as I take two steps back.

"Don't run, Mate." His words are a low growl.

I'm going to run. I want him to chase me. One step backward, his eyes shift, so his wolf stalks me. His head starts to shake slowly. I am trying to hide my smile or any clue that I am about to book it out of here.

"Did you see that?" I point towards the kitchen window that is at least six feet long along the opposite wall by the sink. His head turns, and so do I, sprinting back to the entryway. My feet slide on the marble floors as I swing around the banister and throw myself up the stairs.

"Emma!" I hear the laughter in his voice as his feet follow me. Chasing me.

I am at the top of the stairs and need to decide whether to go right or left. The decision costs me time as his big body starts up the stairs. Right, it is. The hallway has doors on either side, with what looks like a smaller staircase at the end of the hall. I hit the wall as I slow down to run up the narrow stairwell.

This is the only part of the house that isn't lit, and I regret this decision as I push open the door at the top. It's a deck with soft cushions and a telescope, and there is no escape.

The door doesn't get a chance to close as Hunter follows me, "Oh my, where to now, little fawn?" His wolf's growl is laced with instinct as he slowly walks closer to me.

My feet hit the padded cushions, tripping me. I land softly in the cozy nest of throws and pillows.

"It's funny how your instincts took you to my favorite part of the house. Now, let's see how well our stars compare to the galaxies surrounding us."