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She heard what I didn’t say.
There was no judgement in Freya’s voice. “One where you got to be a kid instead of a caretaker.”
“We still turned out okay,” I said and smiled. Reluctantly, she mirrored my expression.
“Yeah,” she said and looked at Cadence. “And she’ll be okay too.”
We sat in comfortable silence, only filled by our steady breaths and the crackling fire. It didn’t seem quite so jarring anymore. I couldn’t believe only days ago, Freya and I were enemies.
I couldn’t believe there was no one else I’d rather be next to right now.
Freya leaned her head against me, and I slung my arm over her shoulders without a thought. She stiffened, and I wondered if I should move. Just as quickly, she relaxed and casually rested her hand on my thigh. Suddenly, my comfort was replaced by heat. Flashes of our kiss rushed back. Thoughts of what could’ve happened, if not for Ryder’s damn interruption, were even more potent.
Get a grip, I told myself. She’s not interested.
Her fingers trailed shapes on my leg, and I tried to ignore the images of where else her hands could touch me. Freya was exhausted and lonely. Though she put on a brave face, grief was a heavy thing to burden. She would’ve sat with anyone to avoid being alone in her dead mother’s home. Just thinking about it made me feel like an ass for wanting to kiss her.
And I’m back to thinking about kissing her.
“Witches don’t believe in romantic love,” she said softly, “did you know that?”
I cleared my throat. “No. That sounds lonely.”
“I never thought so before,” she replied.
Before?
“Not,” she rushed to say. Her hand quit moving. I wasn’t sure if I was relieved or disappointed by both her answer or her actions. “Not that I think differently now. I just…I was wondering what you thought about it. That’s all.”
“About love?” I asked.
Freya nodded. Seeing her soft and sleepy was doing something to me. I didn’t want to make stupid jokes and or change the subject. I wanted her to know me, like she was letting me know her. With my thumb resting on her arm, I softly kneaded her skin. I couldn’t allow myself to try to know her body. I’d indulge her thoughts instead.
“I don’t know,” I answered honestly. “I always figured I’d find someone someday, but seeing how losing my mom destroyed my dad? It hasn’t put me in any rush to give myself over to someone like that.”
Another question came to mind. “Is that why you don’t talk about your dad? Your mom was never really…with him, with him?”
“Yeah,” she said. “The only role he’s played in my life is sperm donor. I don’t even know his name.”
“Do you know what he is?” I asked.
“Human,” she answered with confidence. “Hybrids are rare between werewolves and witches, plus I don’t have the characteristics of them. Vampires can’t father children.”
“Could he be a witch?” I said.
She chuckled and patted my leg. “Of course not. There are no male witches.”
“Silly me,” I muttered.
Our conversation trailed away, but neither of us got up. I rested my chin on top of Freya’s head. My breath brushed past her ear, and she shivered. That reaction lit my whole body with awareness. Freya turned her face to mine.
What the hell?
Did she actually want me to kiss her?
Giving her plenty of time to turn away, I slowly leaned closer. Freya’s gaze flicked to my lips, then back to my eyes. She tilted her head toward mine. Her breath was warm against my skin. I savored the journey to her lips, determined not to screw it up this time.
Cadence jolted, and I snapped back into reality. Cold water wouldn’t have been as effective. Freya’s breath caught, and she pulled away. I released her from my hold. I hadn’t even realized I’d gripped her waist. Cadence relaxed once more and continued to rest blissfully unaware, but the moment was gone.
