The way he loved Lucy did not feel this way. His heart had belonged to her, his soul had been hers, but now, as he looked into Gwen's icy blue eyes, he felt lost, as if someone had pushed him from a cliff, and he was still deciding on where his body was to land.
Everything about how he felt about her was raw, needy, and totally ridiculous! But there it was. His heart beat erratically when she smiled at him, and when his grandfather had claimed her, he had been so proud that she was marrying him that he wasn't sure if he wanted to smile or break down.
"Where are you taking me?" Gwen giggled behind him as he led her through the trees. It had taken over thirty able-bodied men at least six hours to create the forest in his house. Luckily for him, his house was nearly empty and quite dirty already, all things considered.
"You'll see." He continued to lead her to the back of the house, where the ballroom was located. "Just in here."
She walked in behind him and gasped.
He had to admit to being quite proud at his idea. Hunter had never tried to be romantic before and he was so nervous that she would not like what he'd done that he found himself trembling as Gwen took in the sight.
Candles lit the entire room, basking it in a heavenly glow. In the middle of the ballroom sat a small table with a meal. But his genius did not stop there. He had strategically placed trees around the room in a maze. They had to find their way through the maze in order to get to their meal. Another maze led them to the grand fireplace, where he had fur blankets and dessert waiting.
"Well," Hunter stuttered. "What do you think?"
"I think…" Gwen grinned and let out a small laugh. "I think I underestimated you."
"Music to my ears."
"Of course it is." She rolled her eyes. "How do we make it to the food?"
"The trail, you must stay on the trail." Hunter pointed to the beginning of the maze. "And you must listen to my voice as I guide you."
"Listen? Whatever do you mean?"
Hunter pulled out a blindfold and tied it around her head. "The last time you were here, I blindfolded you. I was a cad, an absolute terror, truly you should have shot me the second you found out, so I aim to earn back a little of that trust."
"By blindfolding me again?"
"Yes." Hunter chuckled. "Trust me to get you to where you need to go — trust me to guide you."
"You are asking me to trust a wolf?"
"I told you I was rewriting the story, remember?"
Gwen sighed and then nodded her head. "Alright."
"What was that?" Hunter whispered in her ear, allowing himself to nip her neck with his teeth.
"I said alright," Gwen said through clenched teeth.
"Good." Hunter sighed into her neck. He wanted to kiss every part of her, hold her close like this and never let go.
"Take five steps and then turn right."
He followed as Gwen did exactly what he said.
"Now take two steps and turn right again."
"Are you sure?" she asked.
"Am I wearing a blindfold?" He laughed.
"No." She took a breath and walked two steps ahead. "Now what?"
"Patience." He kissed her neck again. "We need to pause."
"Why?"
"So I can take down your hair." One by one, he pulled the pins out. Her dark hair cascaded down her back in waves. It was heavy in his hands. He closed his eyes and moaned.
Gwen leaned back against him. He flipped her around and kissed her hard across the mouth, dipping his hands into her thick hair and gently tugging.
"Are we there?" Gwen whispered hoarsely.
"Do you care?" Hunter tilted his head and kissed the side of her jaw, then had to touch her lips again. His tongue trailed her lower lip then his teeth gently tugged it and sucked. Her flavor was so unique he couldn't get enough.
"No." Gwen swayed toward him.
"No, you don't care, or no, the kiss was bad?" Hunter spoke against her lips.
"Hunter." Gwen sighed.
"What?"
"Shut up." Her hands forcefully grabbed his head as she crushed her lips against his. Her arms went around his neck as she forced her body against his. He would happily die this way. He flipped her around and began unfastening her dress.
He fumbled with the buttons and then with a curse finally got one loose. Blazes, how long was this going to take?
Gwen cleared her throat and reached behind her to hand him her dagger.
Clearly he had married a genius. He grabbed the knife and ripped the dress at the seams, not even thinking to ask her if she minded. After all she had provided him with the means to do so.
The dress fell to the floor, leaving yet another battle for him to fight. The corset. Why the blazes did women wear those things?
He sighed in frustration and then pulled Gwen back against him. "I should feed you before I ravish you."
"Should you?" she replied hoarsely.
No. No, what he wanted to do was attack her in the middle of the maze, but he had promised to romance her. Romancing did not include a quick toss with one's wife… besides, he had reason to believe it was her first time.
"Walk ahead three more steps and turn left. It will lead you out of the maze." Gwen stepped out of her dress and walked. He shamelessly watched her hips sway back and forth as she made her way out. Like a lovesick lad, he panted after her and quickly removed the blindfold.
"It's beautiful." Gwen's smile brightened as she looked at the food that had been prepared for them. "But…" Her smile faded. "You are missing something."
"Impossible." Hunter felt panic rise in his chest. "I specifically asked for a full meal. Do you not care for duck? Should I have included soup?" His hands began to sweat as he took in the meal. What was lacking?
"You are missing wolf," Gwen said simply, and shrugged.
"I'm right here."
"Yes. You are." She beckoned him with her finger. Hunter did not have to be told twice. He took a deep breath and then kissed her as softly as he could. Again, he did not want to scare her. Poor thing was probably more terrified, knowing of his reputation.
"Hunter, stop." She pushed him away and leveled him with a glare. "You promised romance."
"I, uh…" Eloquent.
With a grin, Gwen pulled a knife from the table, walked up to Hunter and held it near his throat. "Kiss me, Wolf."
Hunter looked away and then in an instant grabbed the back of her neck, pulling her forward. The knife clattered to the floor. Gwen wrapped her legs around him, and he found that he truly wasn't hungry for food.