Hunter

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Nineteen:

I open my eyes to find Joel just waking up before me. Now that everyone knows about our relationship, we've been able to spend more time together without worrying about what people will think. Joel leans forward, extending his arm. He brushes my hair out of my face and presses his lips onto mine softly. I crawl onto him, deepening the kiss and tangling my fingers in his hair with pure hunger. His hands rest on my bare back, and fire spreads from his touch. Joel mentally laughs, and I pull away quickly.

'What's so funny?' I ask him via our connection.

"You're so cute when you're vulnerable," he tells me, chuckling out loud. "It makes me feel amazing when I understand just how much you need me. I love you so much, Kate, but sometimes I get scared that the feeling isn't mutual."

"Of course it is, Joel. Don't be silly." He kisses my nose, and a barely noticeable blush creeps into my cheeks.

"Are you blushing?" he asks, eyes widening. "Oh my God, you are! Breaking news: Katelyn Joyce blushed!" I flush even warmer now, and cover his mouth with my hand.

"Joel, shut up. Come on, it's not funny." He reaches up and rubs his thumb below my lower lip, a gorgeous grin on his face.

"Kate, stop pouting," he tells me. His beautiful natural dimples come into view, and I can't help giggling. He's so adorable! "Don't do that either. It's not... normal. It's weird when you giggle. Cute, but weird." I sit up and reach over the side of my bed to grab my shirt, but Joel takes a hold of my arm.

"Kate, come on. Five more minutes. Besides, it's a break day today. Relax a bit."

"I have a call to make, Joel," I tell him regrettably. "I wish I could stay, but I need to do something." Joel throws me his shirt, and I shrug, pulling it on and reveling in his musky scent. I pick up my mobile phone along the way, dialing Alec's number. He called eight times last night, but my phone was off so that Joel and I weren't interrupted or woken up. He didn't leave any messages, but he texted me, saying he needed to speak with me urgently. So, as I leave the room, I hear the repetitive ringing sound, and I pray that he answers the call.

"Kate?" he breathes, the moment he picks up.

"What is it?" I ask, trying to sound nonchalant. It's still hard for me to hear his voice and not have his arms around me. I miss him, especially seeing him.

"I've been asked to go on a Hunter's mission," he tells me. "Look, I want to ask you before I give them my answer."

"You have to say yes," I hiss. "This is a big opportunity, Alec."

"It's not that big a deal," he mutters. "I get this all the time. However, the reason I want to ask for your permission is that they want to station me in London, as the head of your group." My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth, and I have trouble breathing. He's going to be in charge... of me? He's going to come to London? I'm going to see him? I finally manage to speak, slightly unsteady, my tongue still not functioning properly.

"Y-you, come... here? Me? Joel? Alec?" I stumble over my words, and so I clear my throat, repeating myself with actual coherent words. "You're going to come here with Joel and I? Like, the three of us all together in one place?"

"This is your choice, Kate. I mean, obviously there's a reason why they want me there."

"I can't let you pass up this opportunity, Alec."

"Kate, do you want me to be there?"

"I-I... you have to take the job, Alec. Besides, they might really need you here. Anyway, what's the worst that could happen?"