Because of my connection to this man, who I knew as a boy. Who I’ve always lov…
I cut off my own train of thought, nearly biting my tongue in the process.
I don’t love Hunter Storm.
He’s helping me out. He’s being a good friend. That’s it.
“Fucking hell, Winter.” His hot lips land on my sweaty neck. “You’re so goddamned sexy. You know that?”
“With you,” I murmur into his shoulder. “With you, I feel all those sexy things you say I am.”
“With or without me,” he says firmly. “But I prefer with me.”
I raise my head to look at him.
“Just wanted to make that clear,” he says, his voice rough.
I suck in a breath, unable to break the eye contact. I want to be with Hunter Storm for a lot longer than this temporary timeline we’ve put on whatever it is that we’re doing. I just don’t know how to make that work or how to tell him.
All I can say is, “I feel the same.”
* * *
Hunter
After reuniting last night with Winter, followed by this morning when she blew my mind in bed, I’m feeling slightly less edgy about what I’m about to do.
I still want to take a bat to whoever killed my father, but having Winter beside me as we walk across the parking lot of the police station calms me in a way I don’t want to think too hard about.
I take her hand in mine as we get near the front door, and we’re just about to enter when I hear, “Storm.”
Still holding Winter’s hand, I whip around.
Jared and Max are striding toward us. Their faces are grim.
“What are you two doing here?” I ask in shock.
“You seriously think we wouldn’t come to try to ID our father’s murderer?” Jared scowls at me.
Clearly trying to break the tension, Max grins at Winter. “Must be because Hunt’s the youngest. He never seems to know as much as Jared and I.”
Winter smiles, but she squeezes my hand, and I know she’s letting me know that she’s on my side.
Like he’s just noticing, Max’s gaze goes to our joined hands. “You two together now?” He raises an eyebrow.
“Seriously?” Jared says before Winter or I can answer. “You two are finally…”
“No,” I say firmly. “I don’t know,” I add, and both my brothers crack up. “Shut up and focus on why we’re all here.”
At that moment, Liam peels into the parking lot in the black SUV he bought after Lulu was born.
He hops out of the driver’s side and shuts the door behind him. The SUV beeps as he flicks his remote to lock the doors.
“Hey, Hunt. Winter.” Like my other brothers, Liam’s gaze immediately goes to Winter’s hand wrapped in mine. “About time you two made it official. Or are you both going to deny it?”
“If no comment is a denial, then yes,” I say curtly. “Like I’ve already said, let’s stay on topic today.”
Liam gives me a chin tilt before turning to Jared and Max.
