Page 50 of Knight’s Absolution

She pulled the door shut and took the hand he was holding out for her. “I know I will.”

He chuckled, and the tingles and belly flips grew even stronger.

“Your faith in me is humbling,” he said and led her to the elevator.

She squeezed his hand. “I enjoy everything we do together.”

He glanced at her, and his expression grew intense. “Being with you is the very best part of my day.”

Her knees actually wobbled at those words, and heat washed her skin.

Did he really mean it?

They walked on, and he hit the button for the control room.

“How do you feel about flying?” His gaze searched hers.

“Flying? Like in a plane?”

“I do fly a plane, actually, not that I’ve needed to use it in a while, but I meant flying…with me.”

Holy shit. “Really?”

“Do you remember me bringing you here?”

“Not really.”

He squeezed her hand lightly. “All the more reason to give it a go.”

She couldn’t contain her grin. “I’d love that.”

“Good,” he muttered, his eyes glittering.

The doors slid open and he led her from the elevator into the control room and out to the balcony.

He tugged off his shirt and tucked it into the back of his jeans, and Luna struggled to keep her hands to herself and not to run them all over his bare chest. That was something else she was enjoying. Touch. Like her sweater and Gunner’s skin.

Before she came here, her world had been all about the hunger she lived with. She barely noticed the texture of something, the temperature.

Everything was so much brighter now. Clearer.

“You okay with me carrying you, love?” Gunner asked.

She was. It was shocking how much her feelings had changed in such a short time. “Yes.”

He closed the space between them, and with a grin he scooped her into his arms. “Hold on tight.”

She flung her arms around his neck as his wings sprang from his back, instantly moving, catching the air, and lifting them off the balcony.

“Okay?” Gunner asked as they went higher.

She nodded, smiling, but knowing her eyes must have been as round as saucers.

Gunner shot higher, and she clung tighter to him, burying her face in the crook of his neck, and laughed like crazy. She heard and felt Gunner chuckle, and she loved it. Loved the deep, raspy sound. It gave her those same tingles across her skin.

“Look down,” he said gruffly.

She laughed again and shook her head. “You’re trying to scare me.”