Gentry (Wolves of Winter's Edge Book 1)(60)

“It’ll be fine,” Gentry said, sliding his hand over her thigh. “There won’t be any humans in there tonight, so if you lose it a little, it’s no big deal.”

She’d prepped for this by Changing earlier and letting her wolf run wild for a few hours, but she still wasn’t confident in her ability to control the animal side of her. It had been two weeks since Odine had raised her wolf and saved her life. Two weeks tucked away and hidden in Hunter Cove until she had more control. Two weeks of begging her boss to let her work from home and explaining to Ashlyn she hadn’t been kidnapped, but that she found a place she wanted to stay. Blaire grinned. Two incredible weeks of getting to spend time with Gentry fixing the inn and cleaning up Winter’s Edge. Two weeks of nights curled up against him in his bed. Her old life felt so far away now. It felt as if she’d ditched all the parts of herself she’d grown disappointed in and clung to the pieces she liked. She was the best version of herself here in Rangeley. Stronger, more confident, more capable of enjoying the moment and not focusing on losing herself in work just to make it to the next day.

Here, with Gentry, she was ardently happy.

But she couldn’t remain hidden in the Hunter Cove Inn for the rest of her life, so tonight was the first night of her new life.

Blaire narrowed her eyes on the Four Horsemen with determination and sighed to expel the rest of her nerves. “I’m ready.”

“About time,” Roman said, shoving his phone into his pocket. “I’ve been trying to annoy you out of the truck for half an hour. I need a drink.”

Asher was already out of the truck and making his way to the tavern, his hands shoved into his pockets. Roman slammed the door and jogged after him. He clapped Asher on the back, which got him a hard shove in the shoulder from the quietest of the Striker brothers. So, everything wasn’t perfect. The brothers still fought like cats and dogs, and not a day went by where they didn’t end up in a fist fight or a wolf-fight, but at least they wouldn’t kill each other now. Probably.

Gentry helped her out of the truck, but he didn’t lead her inside right away. Instead, he pulled her against his chest and buried his face against her neck. “Are you happy?”

“Silly wolf, of course I’m happy. Can’t you feel it?”

“Not tonight.”

Oh. Blaire slid her arms around his neck and held him tight, scratched the back of his neck gently as she stared up at the starry sky. “I’m nervous right now, but I’ll be okay again when I don’t feel like there is this huge weight hanging over us. Odine said my lifeline is long and strong now. And yeah, I didn’t believe in that stuff before, but everything is different now. I’m here, with you, where I’m supposed to be. Now we just need to go secure my place in this town.”

Gentry eased back and gripped her waist, leveling her with a look. There was promise in his voice when he murmured, “I won’t let anything happen to you, Trouble.”

And she believed him. How could she not? She’d watched him fight the Bone-Rippers for her life at the risk of his own. He would have her back always, just like she would have his. His devotion rang clear as a bell through their bond, and she fell in love with him even more.

Gentry leaned into her, pushing her back slowly until her shoulder blades hit the side of his truck. And with a wicked smile she found so sexy, he kissed her. This one was a soft one, where their lips moved slowly against each other. He angled his face the other way and brushed his tongue against the closed seam of her lips as he cupped her neck and touched her cheek with his thumb. Gentle Gentry, a beast in war, a fighter, a protector, but with her, he was tender. Hard where he needed to be for his family and for this town, but easy with her.

She didn’t know how she’d gotten this lucky, but she would work to make him feel her devotion back. Odine had once said she was meant to guide him to his potential, and that witch was right most of the time. But Blaire couldn’t help but feel like it was Gentry who was leading Blaire to hers.

Gentry pushed his tongue against hers in gentle strokes that made her melt into his warmth. She would never get tired of this feeling of safety he always enveloped her with.

A sharp whistle sounded from the Four Horsemen, and Gentry growled against her mouth before he rolled his head toward Roman, who was standing impatiently in the open doorway of the tavern.

Roman arched both eyebrows up and glared at them. “That’s just great that you’re both making out while I’m in here trying to keep Asher from murdering everyone.”

“Right. Business first, making out later,” she teased. Asher probably would murder the Bone-Rippers if they pushed him enough.