Chapter 43: Almost Kiss

When training ended, they made their way back to the house. Nova headed straight for her room but stopped when she noticed Rune following.

“What do you want?”

He shrugged. “I can’t leave you alone with a bloodsucker on the loose.”

“He’s not going to get me in my room,” she reasoned.

Rune brushed past her and stepped inside without a second thought. “I’ll stick around. My wolf is restless.”

Nova stood in the doorway, unsure what to feel. He’d entered her room a handful of times before, but never so casually. Her body was already tingling from the proximity.

“Well, I need to bathe and change.”

Rune sat on the edge of the bed and nodded. “Go on.”

“I can’t do that with you here.” Heat crept up her neck.

His gaze held hers. “Why not? I’m your mate and husband.”

Nova squirmed under the weight of his stare. Why was he suddenly being so possessive? Before, he’d always kept a respectful distance, enough for her to resist the pull she felt toward him. But if he kept this up, how long could she last?

“Nudity is common for werewolves. There is nothing to be shy about.” He added, a faint smirk tugging at his lips.

“Well, I’m not a werewolf, so that doesn’t matter to me.” She crossed her arms, trying to look more imposing. His gaze flicked over her, unhurried, and she could tell he wasn’t the least bit fazed.

She gave up. He wasn’t leaving.

She slipped into the bathroom and shut the door behind her, exhaling hard. He was driving her insane.

She showered quickly, her eyes drifting to the door more than once to see if he would come in. He didn’t. She shook her head, shaking thoughts of him from her head.

She was supposed to be mad at him right now, not fantasizing about him.

When she finished, she padded into the closet and changed into shorts and an oversized shirt. The heat called for something light.

She stepped out of the closet.

A low growl stopped her cold.

Rune stood by the window, his gaze locked on her bare legs. His jaw was tight, his hands curled at his sides, like he was fighting something.

Nova marveled at the effects she had on him. As a wolf, she knew he felt the bond ten times stronger than she did. He must be fighting demons every day.

“What? You’ve never seen a woman’s leg before?” She said just to rub salt on his wounds.

Rune met her eyes. “Don’t tease me.”

She shrugged and moved to the vanity to dry her hair.

He followed, hovering behind her like a second shadow. Gently, he took the dryer from her hand.

“I’ll do it.”

Their eyes locked through the mirror. She looked away first. He began working through her damp hair, his fingers weaving through the strands, the dryer hummed softly between them. Every time his skin brushed hers, a shiver traced down her spine.

His fingers drifted lower, grazing the curve of her neck, trailing sparks across her skin before settling there. It felt so good she almost moaned.

She lifted her eyes to his in the mirror. “What are you doing? Stop.”

“Why?” His voice was low, amused. “You don’t like it? I can feel you trembling.”

She tried for nonchalance. “I’m cold because you’re taking so long with my hair.”

He chuckled, clearly unconvinced. “Really?” His fingers traced from her neck down to her collarbone. She shivered again. He smirked. “Sure.”

Nova scowled but said nothing. When he finished, she stood, making sure to brush against him as she rose. Two could play this game.

Rune’s breath caught at the brief contact. She smiled.

“I’m going to take a nap now. You should leave, unless you want to stare at me like a creep again.” She let the memory of his wolf at her door hang in the air.

He didn’t move.

Instead, he took a slow step forward, trapping her against the vanity. His gaze traveled her face unhurried, finally settling on her lips.

She swallowed. “W-what are you doing?”

He didn’t answer. He leaned in until she could feel his breath warm against her skin. Her hands came up to his chest, to push him away, but the moment her palms met his bare skin, she melted.

His voice was rough. “You smell so fucking good.”

He moved closer until the tip of his nose brushed her skin, then buried his face in the crook of her neck, inhaling deeply. She tried to shift away, but his hand found her waist, holding her in place.

“Don’t move or my wolf will lose control.” He murmured against her throat.

She went still. His hand slid beneath her shirt, tracing the bare skin of her waist, while the other settled on her exposed thigh. The sensation was overwhelming. She bit her lip to stifle a moan as his lips grazed her neck, pressing a soft, chaste kiss there.

“R-Rune…” she breathed, barely a whisper.

His hands squeezed her thigh, and he lifted his head to meet her eyes. His gaze dropped from hers to her lips, and he leaned in.

Just as their mouths were about to meet—

A sharp knock shattered the moment.

“Come out, you mutt. It’s lunchtime. I need food.”

Rune’s growl rumbled through the room. He crossed to the door and yanked it open to find Lucien leaning against the frame, looking insufferably smug.

The vampire’s gaze flicked from Rune’s murderous expression to Nova, who stood frozen in the middle of the room, face flushed.

“Oh.” Lucien’s eyebrows rose with theatrical innocence. “Was I interrupting? My deepest apologies. But a guest must eat.” He turned and strolled away without waiting for a response.

Rune glared at his retreating back, knowing full well the interruption had been deliberate.

He dragged a hand through his hair in frustration and turned to Nova, who was pointedly avoiding his gaze. The moment was gone.

“I’ll freshen up and start lunch,” he said, his voice strained. “Come down when you’re ready.”

He left, closing the door behind him.

Alone, Nova sank onto the edge of the bed and pressed her hands to her burning cheeks. They had almost kissed again, and she had wanted it.

She was really going crazy.