But I’m already thinking about the nicotine gum stashed in my truck.
“I chose raspberry filling.” We walk toward the vehicle. “You seemed to like that one.”
She’s right.
“You didn’t have to pick something for me.”
“It’s your wedding, too. I’m getting the flowers, and I’m guessing you’ll let me pick the music.”
“Don’t care about that. No country though.”
Her laugh loosens some of the tension in my shoulders.
At the truck, I open her door. She smiles, and I lean in to brush my lips against hers.
Fuck being a weakness. My fingers curl against my thigh. I want to touch her. Pull her into my lap. Mark her so every man who looks at her knows. She’s becoming an obsession.
She climbs in, and I let my gaze drag over the curve of her ass before I round the truck and slide behind the wheel.
When I glance over, she’s watching me with a thoughtful expression.
“I was going to ask if we could go to a flower shop,” she says. “But I can go later. Better selection at the market anyway.”
I sigh. Now she thinks I don’t want to spend time with her.
“I’ll take you if you want.”
“Actually, I have a better idea.” Her smile turns secretive. “Let’s take a break from wedding planning.”
“What do you have in mind?”
That smile again. “Follow my directions.”
She pulls out her phone. I follow her instructions until we pull up to a shooting range.
I turn to her with a question in my eyes.
“I’ve been thinking about this all day.” She meets my eyes. “I want you to teach me how to shoot a gun.”
“After yesterday?”
“Especially after yesterday.” Her jaw sets. “I want to take my power back.”
I can’t argue with that logic. It’s why I turned to violence in the first place. Control the chaos before it controls you.
“Good idea.”
The words come out rough. My first real response all day.
I want to keep her safe myself. But I’m a realist. If something happens and I can’t protect her, she needs to be able to protect herself.
I open my door and pause.
“Brace yourself, Sunshine. You’re going to be sore later.”
22
SIERRA
