Heartless Hunter (Crimson Moth, #1)

by Kristen Ciccarelli

“I remember the sound of your laugh,” he said as the back door of the house came into view. “It pulled me like a magnet toward the beach, where I found the most beautiful girl in the world standing on the shore.”

But it wasn’t only her physical attributes that had him spinning. It was her kindness. Her thoughtfulness. Her wildness. It was her willingness to argue with him. If he wasn’t careful, he might fall in love with her.

He could do that. Those were small prices to pay for the luxury of going on long walks in the woods with her. Or the privilege of arguing with her. Or the rare gift of seeing that wild girl she kept hidden beneath the surface.

He continued, trailing kisses across her bare shoulder. “Every night after dinner, we’ll take a long walk through Wintersea, and I’ll pick you a bouquet of wildflowers, and we’ll talk … or be silent. I don’t really care, as long as you’re next to me.”

“Would you attend some of my parties?” His hands palmed up her bare back. “All of them.” She pulled away a little, glancing at him. “But you hate parties. I don’t think you’re fond of my friends, either.” “I can learn to like them.” His arms locked around her waist and dragged her back to him. “I can be civil.” She raised an eyebrow, as if to say, Can you? For you, yes. She bit down on her lip again, thinking. “And you’ll dance with me?” “That’s a given.” “What if we fight all the time?” “I’d rather fight with you than do most other things.” Her forehead pinched in surprise. “You would?” “Yes.” He dragged the bridge of his nose across her cheekbone, breathing in her soapy scent. “And after we’re done fighting, I’ll take you to bed, and we’ll reconcile. In fact, I think we should fight every day just so we can make up every night.”