He turned off onto a dirt road. I tensed.
“Relax, you’re in good hands.”
“Easy for you to say.”
“Do you really think I’d let anything happen to you?” He looked over at me.
“Eyes on the road please.”
“Then, answer me.”
“I don’t know. I still barely know you.”
“I will never let anything happen, Firefly. Protecting you is my job.”
“No. Your job is to help the Dires come out of hiding. I’m this little side item along for the ride.”
“Side item?” He brushed away my hair and ran his fingers over the back of my neck. “You’re mistaken. You will always be the main entree.”
“Entree? You better not be planning to eat me.” Was he trying to make me nervous? Things were getting weird again.
“Why? Does the thought of my mouth on you that way bother you?”
I could feel the blood rushing to my face. “You know what I mean.”
“Do I?”
“Hunter. Stop. I’m nervous already.”
“You tell me to stop a lot.”
“Because you frustrate me so much.”
“I’m glad I evoke strong feelings in you.”
“Even if they’re bad ones?”
“Bad? No. Passionate. Passionate feelings aren’t bad.”
“What does passion even mean? Just strong feelings?”
His hand wrapped around the back of my neck. I shivered, but it wasn’t from fear, and I knew it. “I’ll make sure you know what passion is.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
“Yes it will be. It’s essential.”
“Essential?”
“Yes. I promise you’ll understand later.”
“You’re making a lot of promises about things I’m going to find out later.”
“I’d love to show you them all now, but it’s not the right time or place.”
“Because we’re meeting your associates.”
“Does it shock you that I know people outside my pack?”
“It doesn’t surprise me that you know people. It surprises me that you’d call them associates. That’s such a business term.”
“You don’t think I understand business?”
“Do you?” I wasn’t going to apologize for my assumptions. I’d done much worse.
“How do you think we’ve managed to live without holding jobs?” He moved his hand. “One of these days you’re going to stop underestimating me.”
“One of these days you’re going to tell me things before I am forced to make erroneous assumptions.”
“The same could be said for you.”
“What haven’t I told you?”
“What have you told me on your own accord?”
I sighed.
“Not to mention all the things you haven’t shown me.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m lost.” Was he being cryptic?
“I may be different, but I’m still a man.” His lips quirked into a twisted smile.
“Oh. Hunter. Stop.”
He laughed. “That again? I can’t wait until you start saying ‘Hunter, start’.”
“That’s not going to happen.” I crossed my arms. “I’ve agreed to be your mate, but remember I’m only doing it because I have to.”
“That’s not true, and we both know it.” He patted my arm. “But your secret is safe with me.”
“You’re unbelievable.”
“Glad you’re finally seeing that.”
“That’s not the kind of unbelievable I meant.”
“I know what you meant.” He brought my hand to his mouth and kissed it. “You’ll get used to my sense of humor one—”
“Of these days. Right? Add it to the list.”
“Let me say it again, you’re a great passenger.”
I pulled my hand back. “Keep driving us to your associates.”
“We’re almost there.”
“Great.”
“Don’t sound so excited.”
“The very fact that you’re calling them your associates keeps me from getting excited.”
“Does associate equate shady in your world?”
“For a backwoods wolf, yes.” I put a hand over my mouth. Had I just called him that?
“Glad to know how you really feel.” He kept his eyes focused intently on the road.
“Sorry.” I bit my lip.
“Don’t take this out on your lips. I want them in good shape.” He ran his finger over my bottom lip. “And don’t tell me to stop. We can both agree that you’ve overused that line.”
“Fine. I won’t say anything.”