She didn’t care that there was a bar full of people on the other side of the door. Or that it had literally taken just twenty seconds.
He sat back down, keeping her impaled on his shaft. She felt him still inside her, aroused all over again despite the intensity of that sudden release. She too was insatiable. Needing another ride, another moment of unbearably perfect closeness.
“I’ve wanted this for so long.” He lifted her tee so he could kiss her breasts.
Damn good decision not to wear a bra.
“You’ve had it so many times already,” she moaned.
“Not like this. Not like this.”
Her eyes welled at the emotion in his voice, in his hold, in his eyes.
“Don’t ask me to let you go again,” he said. “I don’t think I could do it.”
Three times she’d asked him that. Three times he’d done it for her. She hated how much she’d hurt herself, but she hated how much she’d hurt him more. “I want to make it up to you. I’ll spend my life making it up to you.”
He shook his head. “Just be with me.”
“Always.” She shuddered as she rode him, her forehead pressed against his so she could see into his gorgeous eyes as she rocked on him in that way that felt so, so good. They were so close and she wanted them to be this close forever.
“But what about—”
“Family?” He read her mind and his shoulders lifted in a gentle shrug. “What is family? We define our own. We build our own, our way.”
She puffed out a breath of love, her arousal climbed higher still.
“What about your family?” He arched, pushing deeper.
“Mom liked you.” She pressed a quick, full kiss to his lips. “I told them I was coming here to find you. And that I was bringing you home more often. I hope that’s okay.”
“That’s okay,” his voice rasped.
“They’re good people.”
“I know.”
She sighed again as the ripples spread within her. This intensely intimate act, paired with this intimate, honest, desperately needed conversation was the most moving moment of her life. She’d never felt as close to anyone. Never felt this connection or this trust.
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “I’ve been such a fool to have turned away from this.”
The horror of what she’d almost missed appalled her.
“You were scared. I know what that’s like. I’ve been scared too,” he said. “I didn’t realize for so long just how special this is.”
“I can’t deny it any more. I don’t want to.”
“We can face anything together, you know,” he said. “Anything. No matter what we face, we face it together.” Valiant. Brave. Loving. “It might be me who gets sick one day. Might be you who has an accident. There’s no easy answer, it’s just life, isn’t it? Either you have the courage to say yes anyway, or you don’t.”
With him she had the courage. “This is so worth it.” The glue holding her together felt stronger.
“Finally.” He smiled up at her as she arched.
“Yes. I love you. I love you so much.” She breathed into his mouth and came with him.
So together. So perfect. So complete.
“You’ll travel with me. A lot of the time it’s not that exciting or dangerous,” he said, rubbing circles on her back a few minutes later. “I’d never put you at risk.”
“I know. And I’m very good at making coffee.” She kissed him.
“And pizza. And cocktails.”
“Yeah, I can pick up some work wherever.”
“And when we do decide to settle, then we can take in that troubled kid,” he said gruffly.
“You’ll be such a good dad.”
He half laughed but she felt his shiver of tension.
“You will,” she said, kissing him again.
Her heart overflowing, she rested with him. She couldn’t believe it.
“Let’s go home,” he said softly running his fingers through her hair.
“Yes please.” She awkwardly slipped off his lap and struggled to fix her clothes.
He looked rueful. “It’s not much of a home. It’s a small, barely furnished single bedroom apartment.”
“I’m going to love it.” She straightened and bit her lip as she brushed down her tee. “But I can’t go out there—I’m a wreck.” She’d bawled her eyes out, and then had the most intense sex of her life and now she was flushed and hot and so, so happy.
Hunter paused from fastening his belt to study her for a second. “You look…” He smiled. “You look loved.”
“You mean disheveled.” And that was putting it politely.
“I mean beautiful.” He walked over to her and threaded his hands in her hair, stroking her tenderly. “I just don’t care. They’re my friends and they’ll know and they’ll be happy for me. We only need to stop long enough to say bye.”
“Anything you want.” These guys were his family, she understood that.
She just hoped they’d be able to forgive her for hurting Hunter. So she was grateful for the way he tightly held her hand as they unlocked Rocco’s small office and threaded their way through the packed bar. The guys were still lounged around that table, but they all turned when Rocco caught sight of Hunter.
“I have this if you want it, Hunter?” Rocco held up a hotel key card.
Hunter smiled. “Thanks, but I’m taking Luisa home.”
It was like damn fireworks were exploding in his chest. He couldn’t wait to get her to his apartment. To his bed. To his private world. That she was here and wanting to share with him? It still blew him away. She’d come for him. She’d fought for him—with all her beautiful, desolate fury. And she had been furious. All her walls had broken down and she’d let him in completely. It was the most touching, most emotional moment of his life.
His friends’ smiles widened. So did their eyes as they glanced over them both.
“That’s great man,” Logan said. “I’m glad you found your way back here Luisa.”
Hunter sent his friend a sharp look but Logan’s expression was unrepentant.
“You want a drink before you guys leave? You look like you might need a drink Luisa.”
He knew she caught the laughing looks passed between the guys. And damn if she didn’t blush. But she was game, his Luisa.
“I do,” she suddenly laughed. “I really, really do.”
He sat her on his lap, not giving a damn about what anyone was gonna say, he just wasn’t letting her get far from him for long. His heart was still skipping alternate beats.
“You’re on the champagne?” Hunter looked at the table. “And who called you in?” He looked at Connor.
“We’re happy for you, man.” Connor cleared his throat. “Long time coming.”
“Not that long at all buddy,” Logan drawled dryly. “We heard your screams over the music and really, too quick.”
Luisa’s flush built.
“You’re not embarrassing me,” Hunter said coolly. “And I won’t let you embarrass her you porn-star fucker. I take absolute joy in being with Luisa again and I intend to be with her until the day I die.” He glanced at her. “And I don’t intend for that to be for a very long time.”
“Leave him alone Logan,” Min suddenly piped up. “You have your own issues to d-deal with.”
“Oh?” Logan’s head whipped around and lit on his girlfriend.
“I’m…” she leaned close and whispered something in his ear.
Logan’s eyes narrowed and then he shot her a look that was so explicit, Hunter had to laugh. Min knew just how to handle Logan.
“Gotta bust a move.” Logan set down his drained glass.