Hunting Tess by Kathryn Summers (best novels to read in english .TXT) 📗

“Hit him,” Eliza whispers as he rejoins his group. “You’re going to hit him, right? Wait, let me look ahead. Oh shoot, the barista calls the cops. Well, maybe if you hit him outside.”

“Not helping.”

The bell attached to the door jingles when we exit into the warm sunshine. I didn’t know Nathan had started trying to protect himself. A cross won’t work, but if the symbol is made from pure silver it might be enough to make them hesitate. If I hadn’t been so keen on avoiding him since our one and only date, I might have had the chance to help before the school year ended.

Eliza and I pass our reflections from the multiple shops lining the street. While others go to The Point Cafe for coffee, I go for hot chocolate. I can never make it with the same perfect silky texture. And I’m a firm believer that hot chocolate is for any time of the year.

“Hey!” a voice calls from behind. Feet pad against the sidewalk as I turn to see Cece. She gives Eliza a once-over before stopping in front of us. “I’m not stupid, okay? I know something is going on.”

Her flirtatious attitude is absent, replaced by a wariness I haven’t seen her exhibit. “Nathan tries to play it off, but I know something happened the night you two went out. And my guess is that it has something to do with that guy Dmitri. He spent the whole evening trying to get information from me about you, but he spoke as if he already knew you.”

She pauses, waiting for me to confirm or deny her theory. I do neither. “Fine. I’m sure you already know this, but I think Dmitri is dangerous.” Now I feel a little guilty at wishing she had been eaten. It doesn’t undo all the animosity she’s displayed over the past year, but at least she’s trying to act like a decent person.

Before she turns away I give her a piece of advice, letting her make of it what she will. “Something silver isn’t a bad idea.”

“Well that was awfully generous,” Eliza comments after we continue on our way. “I’m still of the opinion you should have slugged that guy.”

“Rupert’s harmless. An idiot, but harmless.”

“If you moved you wouldn’t have to see any of them again.” Her not so subtle way of convincing me to live closer is a frequent occurrence.

“It’ll happen soon enough,” I say, looping my arm through hers. Taking a peek at my phone to check the time I groan. “We should start heading back or my warden will come looking for us.”

“I don’t know why Parker asked both myself and Caleb to keep tabs on you.” After giving her a significant eye roll, she amends, “Alright, ‘keeping tabs’ is a little spruced up to what he actually said. I know I’m just here to distract you from all the doom and gloom.”

“And a fine job you’re doing,” I encourage, taking a sip of my wonderfully rich beverage.

The ride back is far too quick for my liking. Ascending the winding secluded path towards our hideout from the real world, the last of the trees fall away to reveal a new car sitting in front of the garage. As my car’s tires stop the front door opens and a very tired looking Ben steps out.

“I love you, but I am totally going to go inside so you two can talk. Just breathe.”

Leaving Eliza sitting frozen in the passenger seat, I give Ben’s arm a gentle squeeze as I pass. Then I think twice and give him the keys to my car in case Eliza locks him out.

Caleb sits in front of the T.V. with his arm wrapped around Lorelai. “I thought I would have to come find you.” His statement would have been more believable if his eyes had left the Dodgers as they beat up the Red Socks.

“And miss this action?” I quip sarcastically. Baseball has never drawn my eye though my father did his best to make an appeal. My lips tug in a sad smile while my heart aches when thinking about him. I wonder if there will ever come a point where I can savor the good without feeling the bitter.

“Welcome back!” Lorelai’s cheerful greeting brings me back to the present. Parker stands a foot away with a charming grin.

“Deep thoughts?” he questions as I leap to my feet, moving quickly to wrap him in a hug. His clothing smells like travel, the same scent every passenger carries when journeying all day. Pressing against the small of my back he pulls me closer until I’m flush up against him.

“You’re back early. Not that I’m complaining.”

His breath tickles the sensitive skin beneath my ear right before placing a kiss. “I have some news about our case. But first of all, why are Eliza and Ben making out on your car?”

“On my car?” While I’m certainly over the moon about their mutual affection, couldn’t they have used a different vehicle? Like one of their own?

Parker chuckles in my ear before tugging me toward the front door and out of sight of Caleb and Lorelai. Keeping a firm grip of my hand down the hallway, he stops just short of the door. Daylight spills through the glass and as I’m about to question his pause he cups the back of my head, leaning down for a kiss. My lips tingle at the contact and I wrap my arms around his back, stroking the taut muscles parallel to his spine.

He moves forward, pressing me into the security of the coats hanging from the rack. Some part of my mind acknowledges the fabric rubbing against my face and arms, but when Parker’s breathing grows labored even that minor sensation disappears for a much stronger reaction.

His hand sends a trail of fire blazing across my neck as he brushes the strands aside. My breathing hitches when his soft lips reclaim the spot beneath my ear and I have to suppress