She rolled toward him, setting her cheek on her hand. “Do you regret last night?”
He exhaled, lying on his back, not looking at her. “No.”
“But?”
He shook his head. “I can’t think ofus right now.”
Yeah, but if things went badly when they found his brother, he’d never think of them. He’d drop into grief and guilt, and she’d never get him back. She hated forcing him to face feelings, but everything inside her told her it was now or never. When it came to him, her instincts were good, and she planned to heed them. “That’s too bad, because we are going to think of us. Right hereand right now.”
“No.” He rolled over, turning his back to her.
Oh. He. Did. Not.
She pulled the sheet up, then kicked him square in the ass as hard as she could. Pain ricocheted up her leg, but she didn’t care.
He flipped over, facing her, staring at her like she’d gone crazy. His blue eyes glittered through the darkness, sparking as fury took him over. “What the hell did you just do?”
She shivered. Okay. That might’ve been stupid and over the line. She swallowed past a lump in her throat. “You turned your back on me, refusing to talk about what we need to discuss, so you deserved a kick in the butt.” Man, her mouth would not stop. Why wouldn’t her mouth stop talking?
He leaned up on his elbow, his very muscled arm in full view, his body bigger and stronger than hers could ever be. His mouth set in a hard line. For the first time, she could see the weapon he’d become for the military. “You’ve lost your mind,” he rasped.
Yeah. More than likely. “I don’t care. Talk to me, or I’ll kick you again.” Oh, she didn’tjust say that.
He moved then, flattening her on her back, his heated body over hers. A hot thrill shot through her, sparking each nerve. “If you ever kick me again, I promise you a regret you can’t imagine right now.”
She snorted. Actually snorted. Hunter Holt would cut off his right testicle before he’d harm a woman. “Whatever.”
“You don’t think I’d spank you?” Interest and something darker hinted inhis rough tone.
Her mouth opened but no sound came out. A shiver wound down her body, landing right between her legs. Now that, she wasn’t sure about. He seemed to think it was a fine idea. Her breath quickened, and not an ounce of it was from fear. Maybe anticipation. Okay. Perhaps a littlefear. “Hunter.”
“We’re going to sleep now,Faye. Got it?”
She didn’t want to sleep. Instead, she caressed her hand over his tattoo and down his back, admiring every single muscle. His shoulders, his back, and around his ribs to that six-pack of abs. Even the indents above his butt felt the rub of her fingers. “I don’t want to sleep.” She allowed vulnerability in, because it was the only way they could work. “I’m not letting you pushme away again.”
“You left,” he reminded her, desire darkening his tone.
“We both did,” she said softly. He’d retreated emotionally as surely as she had physically. But it didn’t matter. Not anymore. All she had to give him, no matter what happened, was herself. He had to know that before the next day arrived, in case it was a bad one. It might be. She widened her thighs, letting him rest against her. He was hard and aroused. “I trust you, Hunter. Completely.”
His head jerked just enough to show the impact she’d had. “Don’t trust me.”
“I do.” She reached up and dug her hands through his hair. “I’m not asking for anything from you. Not a thing. But I trust you and I love you. No matter what you do or don’t do. No matter what happens ever. You have me for as long as you want me.” She’d learned her lesson when she left last time. It was so clear to her now. He’d never been given real trust. Neither of them had. Unconditional trust and love. Everyone wanted love. It was the trust they’d never been able to even ask for—from anybody.
He just looked at her, his gaze shielded, the tension in his muscles obvious against her. Resisting her. What she offered.
Protectiveness roared through her. A need to show him that he wasn’t alone. That he’d never be alone again. That he was enough and everything wasn’t his fault. “You’re a good man, Hunter Holt.”
The denial was there in his eyes, on his lips. So she kissed him before he could answer. “You survived childhood, and you did your job in the military. Despite anything you’ve done, anything you’ll ever do, I accept you. I trust you and I love you.” She laid herself bare, because he was worth it. He needed to know the truth—even if he left.
If she’d been in her right mind, she would’ve given him everything before. Now, with time and distance, she could see what he needed. What only she could give to him. Herself.
He fought it hard. She could see resistance on his face and feel the battle in his body. When he shuddered, when he lowered his forehead to hers, her chest hitched. She’d won. All of him. Shecould feel it.
“I love you,” he said, his mouth against hers. “Completely and forever. I trust you, too.”
The words slid through her, bringing tears that filled her soul.Finally. Trust.
She yanked off her shirt while he finished stripping them both. His kiss was frantic, his fingers against her core quick and perfect. “I’m ready now,” she whispered against his mouth, meaning it. She was wet and needy. For him. “Please, Hunter. Inside me. Now.” Only hecould fill her.
