“Hell, yes, it is.”
“Why?” I stare at his retreating form, dumbfounded. “Tell me why, Hunter Sloan, or else.”
He rounds on me, his sexy face hard. “I saw the look on your face when I had my hands around his throat. You were terrified, Evangeline. Fucking terrified, and I was responsible for that. Not going to do that to you.”
“But I am terrified of losing you forever even more.”
“Even after everything’s that happened? Even after seeing me like that?” I can’t believe what I did hasn’t frightened her away.
“I have to admit that it was scary. That seeing you like that was shocking…at times, terrifying, but,” I take a deep breath. It’s not a choice I have to make because I’ve already made up my mind. “I’m more terrified of losing you.”
“Even after what happened?” he repeats.
“Even then.” I grab his hand, trying not to hurt his bruised knuckles. “Please don’t leave me, Hunter. I love you.”
“Thank God.” He slams his door closed.
He wraps his arms around me, crushing my body to his as our mouths unerringly find each other’s. He’s frantic, his hands ripping at my clothes, but I’m just as frantic. Just as needy and just as— “Spread your legs.” He hoists me into the air, spinning me around so that my back is against the island. Bending his knees, he pushes into me with one hard thrust, sending me onto my tiptoes. “I’m not wearing a condom.”
“I’m on the pill.”
“Good.”
There’s no more talking, only touching and kissing and the thrill of him, heavy and huge inside me. Stretching. Filling me up like I’ve dreamed about for days.
His hands are on my hips, his pace brutal as he moves, but my body is so primed for him that I’m seconds away from coming. He grinds his pelvis against me and I gasp his name.
“Come on, angel. Take me with you,” he orders, letting go of one of my hips to insert his hand between us.
He rubs my clit hard.
Bite his shoulder.
Scratch his back.
Finally, I scream his name. My orgasm doesn’t stop, not even as his begins, and my sex clenches at him, trying to pull him deeper.
I whimper at the sensation.
With a roar he pours into me, going so deep that I will feel him for days. I keep riding him, riding the crest of pleasure and desire until it gently lets me fall into his arms once more.
He rests his forehead against mine. “Say you love me again.”
“I love you.” I tip up my chin, kissing him thoroughly. “With all my heart.”
“We’re going to get married.”
“Yes.” It’s not a proposal exactly, but I’ll take it.
“We’re going to have lots of babies.”
My laughter fills the room. “Absolutely.”
“I promise to protect your life with mine.” He gazes into my eyes. “I swear to never harm you, to make you smile, and to give you orgasms every day of the week, plus twice on Sundays.”
I bite my lip as emotions overwhelm me. “I don’t know what to say to that.”
“You don’t have to say anything but I love you, Hunter.”
I swear I melt inside. “I love you, Hunter.”
“And I love you, Evangeline.”
—
One week later, Hunter, Jake, and I are eating tacos by Domingo’s truck. It’s almost like our life is back to normal…with the exception of the investigation of Hunter’s role in forcibly removing Penn from my apartment.
At least Penn’s parents don’t seem to be involved this time because I’m pretty sure that they would have called for someone’s head. Namely Hunter’s.
His phone rings and he picks it up from the picnic table, answering it and slipping Jake the special treat Domingo makes for him.
“It’s Dwight,” he mouths at me.
I want to ask if he has news, but I keep quiet because I don’t want to get my hopes up.
Hunter’s dark brows draw together. “Are you sure?”
My heart starts to pound in my chest so hard that it actually hurts a little.
“Okay, then.” He nods. “I’ll let her know. Thanks for calling me, man, instead of making me wait.”
As soon as he ends the call, I’m half out of my seat. “What did he say?”
“That I acted in self-defense and that your ex clearly violated the restraining order that was in place. He’ll have to go to court for it, and eventually, I will, too, but Dwight says there is nothing we have to worry about.”
A shuddering breath leaves me. “I’m so happy.” Tears pool in my eyes and I grab a napkin to blot them away. “You have no idea how worried I’ve been.”
“I don’t know about that, angel. You tend to wear your feelings where only I can see them.” He smiles gently. “It’s one of the things I love best about you.”
Jake noses between us. “Look who wants more treats from Domingo,” I say with a laugh. “I’ll go get him some more.”
Hunter stops me with a hand on my arm. “He still has two left. Why don’t you feed him one.”