35
FAITH
My heart is pounding so hard I’m sure he can hear it.
"I love you," I say again, quieter now, like it’s a secret I’ve been carrying for too long.
Hunter just stares. His eyes are locked on mine, like he’s seeing me for the first time and all over again.
For a second, no words come. The whole world feels like it’s holding its breath. And so am I.
He steps toward me. His hand comes up to the side of my face, fingertips brushing along the edge of my face.
I reach up with trembling fingers and take off his mask, now, too.
His eyes are so blue, so full of fire and vulnerability it nearly drops me to my knees.
We stand there, bare-faced. Exposed.
No more masks. No more pretending.
The silence between us stretches and tightens until it’s nearly unbearable. I’m vibrating with nerves and want and something that feels a hell of a lot like hope.
Please say something. Please say everything.
And then he does.
“I fucking love you too, Faith,” he growls. “So fucking much.”
My lungs collapse. My knees almost buckle. And when his mouth crashes down on mine, it’s not a kiss—it’s a claiming.
I moan into him, all breath and teeth and tongue. His hands grip my waist over my trench coat like he’s anchoring himself to the earth.
“God,” he breathes, breaking just enough to gasp. “You have no idea what you do to me.”
“I might,” I pant, dragging my fingers up into his hair. “Come with me.”
His eyes flare. “Where are we going?”
I grin. “I booked a private room.” I lower my voice, right next to his ear. “Did you know they come with a hot tub?”
He groans, deep in his chest, and I take his hand, leading him past the curtain-lined hall toward the suite tucked at the end of the corridor.
“How did you know I was going to be here?” He asks.
“What, you think Ty just randomly decided to bring you here tonight?” I tilt my head. “Come on, Hunter. You might be able to conjure up a VIP truck in a field. But I can pull off some things, too. Give me some credit.”
He grins. “So you incepted this. I like it.”
I open the door and pull him inside.
Soft lighting. Plush seating. A tub big enough for six bubbling quietly in the corner.
I turn to him, standing in the center of the room, the trench coat still wrapped tight around me.
“I’m yours,” I say, barely breathing. “I’m totally yours, Thor.”
I bite my lip.
