Chapter 33

Bridger gave Nimbus an annoyed look but allowed me to talk him into staying. I made tea, though I felt like my selection was inadequate compared to what Katsuro and Oliver had gotten me used to drinking. I didn’t even try to make coffee. I had instant and that wouldn’t cut it. Even the diner had better coffee than that.

Once we had our drinks, I sat across from Bridger.

“Hey, so, let’s talk about all of this.”

The hunter tilted his head, giving me a quizzical look. “What’s to talk about?”

“Well, for one, thank you for saving me. I’m sorry if your house got damaged in anyway and if I can help fix it, I will.”

That softened Bridger’s expression a little, and his shoulders relaxed some. He took a breath and wrapped his hands around his mug of tea. “It shouldn’t be hard to repair. The werewolves already offered, too. And Clare had some ideas on extra protections. I’m just glad we could keep you safe long enough for the ritual to give you your magic.”

I couldn’t help grinning at that. “Yeah, it’s pretty cool. While, uh—” I almost told him about Twister, but then thought I should keep that to myself. If nothing else, it required too much explanation at the moment. “Sorry. Yeah, I think the seed has completely unfolded, but I’m still learning how to use my magic. I think that will take a while.”

“A lifetime, likely,” Bridger agreed. “But now you have more defenses. You just need to practice. I think that’s something we can all help you with.”

“Thanks, Bridger. That means a lot that you’re still willing to help me.”

He averted his gaze, and his cheeks flushed. “Yeah, well, I still want to keep you safe.”

“Anything else you want?”

That got a sigh. “What else is there, Hannah?”

“This is all really new for me. I didn’t come here looking for anything except a safe place to hide from my past. I feel like I’ve brought all this crashing down on everyone here.” I hadn’t meant to go this route. I wanted to talk about our potential relationship.

“So, you weren’t looking to get laid by mythical creatures?” Bridger winked.

“Uh, no.” I snorted. “I didn’t even know they existed. I just came here because the rumors said this place was interesting, and the FBI said it was safe.”

“It should be safe,” Bridger grumbled. “And before you start blaming yourself again, this conflict has been brewing for a long time. As long as I’ve been around, anyway. It’ll be good to get it over with, honestly. Katsuro can expand his territory into Mayday Hills, and we’ll all be better off for it.”

“Okay.” I clenched my jaw, but a cold nose shoved its way under my hand. I looked down at Nimbus and he perked his ears and wagged his plumed tail.

“See, even Nimbus agrees. Besides, where would he be if you hadn’t come here? And we’d all be in a world of hurt if Vito had actually gotten hold of the cloud dog.”

“They might be in danger still,” I said, remembering what Drake had told us.

“Yeah, all the more reason to get this under control so we can protect the cloud dogs.” Bridger reached over and pet Nimbus on the head. He avoided touching me until the cloud dog shifted slightly, making his hand slide into mine.

A tingle of connection rippled through my fingers and down my arm, driving into the well of energy I’d slowly been learning how to use after my unfolding. Bridger pulled his hand back, rubbing at his fingers as if he’d felt it, too.

Bridger arched his eyebrows, eyes widening. “I’m sorry.”

“That was all Nimbus.” I ruffled his ears again. “But that brings me to my other point. I’m not trying to talk you into anything you don’t want, but um, Katsuro, Davin, and Oliver are all considering you part of the ‘us’ equation, too. Just so you know. You don’t have to be, but, well…” I had no idea how to continue with that. It was awkward enough as it was.

“Why though?”

I reached out, palm up, asking for his hand. After a hesitant moment, he slid his into mine. The same tingle of magic joined us again. I caressed the back of his hand with my thumb and watched as his eyes shuttered.

“I didn’t come here for anything but escape. I’m finding so much more than I expected. I know you’re at least somewhat interested. The guys with the super senses told me, and I was kind of thinking you might be, too. They were just more forward and, well, I haven’t really had a chance to talk to you since I accepted that I might actually be interested in more than just a hook up.”

“If you’re just interested in us because you’re going along with what they want—”

I shook my head. “I’d considered that, because truthfully, other than enjoying the eye candy, I hadn’t been thinking about anything except upgrading my toys when I had a chance.”

That got Bridger’s eyes to widen even more. He cleared his throat.

I grinned. “Don’t be shy, Bridger. Toys are fun, some are even fun for everyone involved.”

He choked a little and his cheeks were flaming. “I’m not experienced with toys, so I’ll have to take your word for it.”

“My last boyfriend opened my eyes to the possibilities,” I admitted. “Unfortunately, we didn’t work out in other ways. Well, maybe fortunately.” I gestured vaguely to my surroundings. “Or I might not have ended up here.”

“So we’re back to being glad you came?” This brought a genuine smile to Bridger’s face.

“Yeah, I guess. If nothing else, the point about saving Nimbus is very valid.”

He grumbled happily in agreement.

“Well, if this conversation accomplishes nothing else, I’m glad I could do that.” Bridger squeezed my hand. I hadn’t let go yet.

“But to address your point, I am interested. I want this. Oliver is a sweetheart. Scary, but sweet. Davin is cool, though we’ve only gone on that one date, but he’s done a lot to help me, and he clearly likes me. I like him, too. Katsuro is intense, but I like the way he melts for me and the way he trusts me, and I trust him. They’re all scary, but they all want me, and I do want them.”

Bridger nodded acceptance.

“Okay, so, on to us. I’m not saying we need to jump in the sack right now, but, like, let’s consider the possibilities. We can go on some dates, see if we like each other.”

Bridger stood, still holding my hand. He tugged me close when I didn’t resist, then cupped my cheek. “I’m going to kiss you, if that’s okay, Hannah.”

“I—”

“I’m only human,” he replied to my surprise. “If nothing else, I’m a lot more likely to get my ass killed in the conflict than any of the rest of you. I want to have at least kissed you.”

“In that case…” I stepped into him, molding my body to his, and tilting my head up.

He lowered his lips to mine, and I melted into his kiss. Bridger was confident, firm but gentle, at first demanding, then soft and giving. I opened for him, and we explored each other. My heart picked up speed, and I pressed more firmly into his embrace.

The tingle of magic built between us, pulling a needy moan from my lips that Bridger drank with his kiss. He tightened his grip on my back, still cupping my cheek with his other hand.

For a time, the magic simply vibrated between us, but then Bridger shifted somehow and accepted what my magic was trying to offer him. I hadn’t even realized I was doing it, but he apparently did.

“I accept,” he murmured into our kiss.

My magic slammed into both of us. It was like an erotic ice pick to my core. Not completely pleasant, but certainly not terrible. My vision swam as my body shattered.

“Fuck,” I gasped as we broke off our kiss and both went to our knees.

“I’m not sure I knew what I was getting into when I accepted,” Bridger gasped.

“I didn’t even know I was doing it.”

“So, since you’ve marked me, what does that mean?” Bridger’s eyes shone with amusement, and I felt acceptance between the bond we’d just forged.

“Well, I think that means I claimed you somehow kind of like Davin and Katsuro want to claim me.”

“You should still let them.”

“You might have to accept their marks, too.”

Bridger tightened his lips but nodded. “Possibly.” Then he grinned. “It’ll kill them that we made our bond first.”

I smiled. “We are all supposed to have a nice group chat about how we’re going to make this work, but we keep getting attacked so we haven’t actually been able to do it.”

“Maybe we can do that tonight,” Bridger replied. “And I am serious. Take their marks. Vito and his gang are no joke and the stronger we are, the better able to face them we will be.”

“What if I don’t want their marks?” I wasn’t completely sold on the idea, after all.

“Then mark them like you did me.” He grinned. “Just glad I got there first.”

That pulled a laugh from me. “Okay. Hey, you’re pretty all right, you know that?”

“Thanks, Hannah.”

I leaned in, brushing my lips against his. He responded, deepening the kiss and crushing me against his chest, unbalancing us. We toppled over onto the floor, laughing and kissing until Nimbus woofed, alerting us to someone at the door.

Reluctantly, we pulled apart and headed to the door.

Davin was on the other side, about to knock again. His nostrils flared when I opened the door, and his expression darkened when he saw Bridger behind me.

Shit, we’d all been on board with this, right? Not that I’d made any sort of commitment to Davin yet, but his expression told me he hadn’t been as prepared as I’d thought to accept Bridger into our group. Or maybe he could sense the bond somehow.

“Hi, Davin,” I said, trying to break his stare.

Bridger came up behind me and put his arms around my waist.

Davin growled.