“Isn’t this dangerous?” Wasn’t it reckless to show up exactly where the king lived? I understood Hunter’s point that the king wouldn’t expect it, but that didn’t make it any less dangerous.
Hunter put his arm behind me. “Probably, but it makes sense right now. I already have a contact taking care of all the details for us. We’ll be fine.”
“I’ve never been to New Orleans before.”
“Well, that makes it even better. I’m sure it will be an eye opening experience for you.”
I leaned back against his arm. “I’m not sure I’m ready for any more eye opening experiences.”
“Too bad, Firefly.” He ran his hand down my arm. “You’re going to have a lifetime full of them.”
“Lovely.”
“What? You don’t enjoy new experiences?” He drove around in the forest behind the house. I assumed there was a road for us to use. At least I hoped there was. I wasn’t sure how Hunter expected me to sleep with all the bumping from being off road.
“I do in moderation.” I spoke loudly to be heard over the noise of the snow crunching underneath us.
“Moderation, huh?” He eventually pulled out onto the smooth pavement of a country road that had been plowed.
“If that bothers you, maybe you should have spent more time getting to know me before claiming me as your mate.”
“Who says it bothers me?” He glanced in the rear view mirror. He was probably double checking to make sure the other vehicles were right behind us. “I’m just trying to make sure I understand.”
“There isn’t much to understand. I like things calm when possible, although I don’t mind shaking things up once and awhile.” There had to be a better way to explain it, but I figured it didn’t really matter.
“Who did you date before Gage?” He kept his eyes on the road, but I could tell it took him effort not to look over.
“No one worth telling you about.”
“Because they weren’t worthy men for you, or because there were none?”
“Why? Would a lack of a dating history make me more or less desirable to you?”
He laughed. “I’m going to pretend I’m not offended by your attempts to get rid of me.”
“How can you be so concerned with my dating life at a time like this?”
“A time like what? You think this is the first time we’ve had to leave with no notice?”
I shifted in my seat trying to get comfortable. “I’m guessing it isn’t.”
“We move every year or so. Usually we aren’t in such a rush, but it’s happened before.”
“Wait. You’d been on that property less than a year?”
“Does that surprise you?” He watched me.
“It lowers the probability that I’d have ever run into you. What were the chances?”
“We were in Boston before this, but I take it you weren’t there yet?”
“No. I just started. Gage was there all last year though.”
Hunter nodded. “I’m so disappointed I never met him while I was there.”
It was my turn to laugh. “I’m sure you are.”
“Are you ready to tell me? Any other men in your past?”
“Not really. I dated one guy for a while in high school.”
“He’s who you lost your virginity to.”
“Yes.” I hadn’t thought about my high school boyfriend in a while. Our relationship hadn’t ended badly, but we really didn’t have any reason to stay in touch.
“And then just Gage?”
“I went on a few dates.”
“With Gage?”
“No. With some other guys.”
“When was your first date with Gage?”
“Why do you care?” I sighed. “How can any of this possibly matter to you?”
“Because I want to understand your relationship with him. I need to be able to keep him in line as his Alpha, and part of that requires understanding exactly how deep things go with you two.”
“What does it matter? You’re not going to let me be with him anyway.” I stretched out my legs. Cold, tired, and stressed, I couldn’t get comfortable.
“It matters. I need to understand.”
I played it safe, hoping it would be enough for him. “I’ve already told you we’ve known each other for years.”
“Yes. I understand that, but how long have you been romantically involved?”
“It hasn’t been official for long.”
“But you’ve been seeing each other a long time?” He paused. “Unofficially?”
I could feel the blood rushing to my face. “You could say that.” Did dreams count?