****
Kiera inhaled sharply at the scar-faced giant headed her way with those long, confident strides of his. Her fury with the thieving wolf evaporated into thin air.
Beast knew his exact place in the world, and that was at the very tippy-top of the food chain. Every time she saw him, he caused a stronger chemical reaction between her legs than he had the time before.
This time was no different. Kiera squeaked and clamped her legs closed.
His face was serious, his mouth set in a grim line, eyes blazing gold. He was a beautiful hellion come to earth. His wide shoulders pushed perfectly against a white cotton long-sleeved shirt. Holy heaven, the man could wear white.
Kiera pulled to a stop on the side of the dirt road and cut the engine and headlights.
She got out and opened her mouth to explain she was just here to get her stuff that Dustin stole, but Beast held his hand stiffly out for a shake. “I want to hug you, but those fuck-faces won’t let me live it down, so…” Beast’s lip twitched up in a snarl, then lowered again.
Baffled, Kiera slid her palm against his and shook it. He canted his head, and his nostrils flared as he sniffed. “Have you been crying?”
“No,” she lied.
He arched one blond brow up high. “Bullshit. Who made you cry?”
She let off a soft laugh because he was still shaking her hand. “Kane, actually.”
Beast looked furious in the moment before he glanced back over his shoulder at the Blackwing Crew gathered around a long table and filling plates with food. The Blackwings were pretending not to pay attention, but every one of them were casting her and Beast sideways glances.
“Do you want me to challenge him?” Beast asked.
Kiera blinked slowly. “You want to challenge the End of Days?”
Beast’s fair brows lowered to a scowl as he gave his attention back to her. “I didn’t say I’d survive it.”
Kiera tried not to laugh, really she did, but he was so earnest in his question to avenge her tears. So ready to brawl.
Beast yanked his hand away from hers. “You’re laughing at me.”
Kiera lurched forward and hugged his waist. It was like embracing a stone statue. “Kane didn’t do anything mean. He just gave me stuff to think about. Hard stuff. I cry too easily right now.”
Dustin let off an ear-piercing cat-call whistle from near the pretty, lit-up gazebo.
Beast sighed a defeated sound and wrapped his arms gently around her shoulders. “You cry easy because you’re sick? Or because you are human?”
“Both, kind-of.”
“I made you meat.”
Kiera bit back her smile. “What kind of meat?”
His heart was hammering so hard against her cheek. “Ribs. And baked potatoes. And orange slices and salad because Dustin gave me this stupid list of what human women like and apparently you like to watch your figures.”
“I’m not watching my figure.” Baby wouldn’t allow it.
Beast heaved a sigh. “Good, because watching you eat rabbit-food would be gross.”
A laugh bubbled up her throat, and suddenly she felt better than she had…well…since the last time she’d seen him. Beast had this uncanny ability to make her forget her problems.
Beast sniffed the top of her head. “I like your purple hair. You smell like tears and vanilla, and I like vanilla. And you look really nice in your baggy sweater.”
She had eased back so she could watch his face while he gave her weird compliments. He was looking up at the star-speckled sky.
“Was that on the human list?” she asked.
“Yeah, Dustin said complimenting is good. And also presents.” Beast handed her a stick.
Kiera took it gently. The shape was familiar, but she was completely baffled why he would give her a branch with a red bow on it.
“I looked everywhere for it. That’s the one Gray Dog stole from you.” Beast inhaled deeply and shrugged. “And now that I’m thinking about it, a stick is a really dumb present.”
Stunned, Kiera looked at the stick against her palms. It was the one she and Beast had held together. He’d tracked it down? For her? This might be the sweetest thing a man had ever done. “No, Beast. This is a really good present. I’ll keep it always.”
“Yeah?”
Throat tight, she nodded.
“Good. Don’t tell Dustin I read the list, though. He’ll be an obnoxious asshole for the rest of my life about it.” Beast cleared his throat and shifted his weight side-to-side. “I’m…you know…glad you like it.”
“I really like it. And the ribs smell really good,” she murmured, completely smitten and amused by this man who could walk like he owned the earth but who stumbled over his words around her.
Beast ran his hand up the back of his head and gave her a self-deprecating smile. “This is the first time I’ve cooked for the crew. I wanted to be the one to feed you tonight.” He swallowed hard and shook his head, and now he wouldn’t meet her eyes.
Kiera squared up to him again and cupped his face. His whiskers tingled against her palms. “It’s just me, Beast.”
He pressed his palms over her hands to keep her touch on his face. In a whisper, he said, “That doesn’t help.”
“Why not?”
“Because you feel like everything. My chest feels so tight, and I’m fucking everything up because I’m not good at words like Logan or Kane or Dustin, and I can’t stop thinking about you still. Or talking apparently.”