“Not in the least.” He pressed a kiss to my forehead. “I love being here with you. Showing you off to my friends.”
“You’re pretty well liked around here.”
“It’s like a second family, almost. I’ve never had anything like this.”
“Because of your dad. Was it a rule like the no women?”
“Not that I follow my rules.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “But yeah. I…Lina, I never let myself get close to anyone for two reasons. First, yeah, was my dad. Second, if I don’t care about anyone, I won’t snap if they get hurt.”
“Snap. As in your temper.”
“Exactly.”
“It’s really that bad.”
“Isabella is proof of that.”
“It wasn’t your fault.”
He grunted.
“You’re a different man, now.” I pressed my forehead to his neck. “You’re the most gentle, kindest, and selfless person I know.”
“Because of you.”
“I might help bring that out a little, but it’s still you.” I tapped his chest as the slow song bled into another.
He hugged me tight and touched feather-light kisses along my neck. It ignited a subtle hum in my abdomen that swirled with sparks of electricity tingling below the surface. I lost myself in the gentle sway he settled into and hugged him tighter, needing to be closer to him.
Everything else disappeared. There wasn’t anyone around us, no sounds, no nothing. In our own little cocoon, nothing could touch me but him. No memories. No pain. No history.
Just us and our future.
We could have one. I was bound and determined to have one. My doubt tried to leak in earlier when I saw him with Sarah and steal this moment, but no more.
“If you keep that up, I’m going to have trouble keeping my hands off you much longer,” Hunter whispered into my ear as he drew the lobe into his mouth.
It was then that I realized my hands were in his back pockets, and I was practically grinding against him. “Oh my gosh.” I went to step back, but he kept me close, locking me to him.
“Don’t. I like you exactly where you are.” He slid his hand to my lower back and pressed me closer. “You’re so sexy. And I’m so proud of you. If we were at your place, I’d show you just how proud.”
A thrill shot through my chest. “Is there…someplace here we can go?”
He leaned back, and his eyes were wide as if questioning what I’d said. Heck, I was too, but I wouldn’t mind being a little closer to him right now either. My heart jumped to race pace as he looked at me with a heated stare.
“Are you sure, Lina? It’s—that’s a big step.” His voice was deeper, raspy. I’d recognized that sound before. He really did want me, didn’t he? It was weird how much that empowered me. Gave me strength.
“I’m feeling brave…and a little turned on,” I whispered.
“Lina…” He grabbed my hand and hurried me off the dance floor. I glanced over my shoulder and was stunned by how many people had been dancing. I’d not even noticed, and even now, I didn’t care how many people were around me. It was so freeing not having the weight of anxiety or panic attacks on my chest. I felt like I could face the world right now and beat back every demon with my bare hands.
My heart picked up, and my face warmed at the thought of being close with Hunter again. I’d never pictured myself as someone who’d escape to a dark corner of a bar, but—
Hunter stopped in front of a door markedemployees onlyand pushed it open. It was a small room that had a toilet on the far end and a row of lockers on the joining wall with a bench in front of them. Further back was a small shower stall.
He closed the door, clicked the lock, then turned to face me. “Lina—”
I pushed up and silenced him with a kiss as I threaded my arms around his neck. A guttural moan vibrated through his body and filtered into my chest. That only hitched up my excitement even more.