He spun me around, and I felt a wall against my back. “Okay?” His breath was hot against my neck. “Don’t…want to…scare you.”
“I’m good.”
“I want you so bad right now.”
A jolt of panic zipped through me, but as quickly as it came, it fled, chased away by Hunter’s kisses.
“No sex…just…Need to touch you more.” He shoved his hand up my shirt, and I offered my arms. He whipped my shirt off and stared at me with wide eyes. “Black lace.”
“Was hoping you’d see…” My chest heaved with excitement. “More of me tonight.”
“Shouldn’t be here, though.”
Heat coiled up my core and tightened around my chest, making my lungs feel two sizes too small. This time it wasn’t from fear…it was from excitement. Hunter treasured me. Respected me. There was no dominance involved, only a sense of tenderness, wanting to be closer.
“I love you, Lina,” he said as he kissed a trail down my neck and pulled me flush against him. “Thank you…for this.”
“Show me what to do, Hunter. I trust you.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Hunter
“You’re not staying for the green beer?” Drey asked me.
“Please. I don’t even drink beer when it’s normal color, let alone green. Besides, you’re not Irish.”
“Who the hell cares? It’s an occasion to drink!” Drey smacked my shoulder. “Your girl coming down here or what?”
“No. I’m heading to her,” I said, then finished the last of my Coke.
“Cool man.” Drey drained his fourth beer. “I’ll down a few for ya.”
“You do that. I’ve got some green drinks lined up for Lina.”
“You got the ring?” Bill leaned back to see me around Drey.
I patted my front pocket. I’d taken it out of the box becausehello bulgewould give it away.
“I can’t believe you’re popping the question on St. Patrick’s Day.” Drey shook his head.
“I’m not popping the question tonight. Just picked up the ring.” But for how nervous I felt, I would have thought I was proposing tonight. “You know. Taking the next steptowardproposing.”
Drey scoffed. “That makes no sense.”
Might not to him, but it did to me. It wasn’t like I could propose to Lina when I still hadn’t told her about the witness protection program. I mean, come on.
But tonight was the night I was going to tell her.
She’d come so far in her treatment and I knew she could handle it. I knew I could trust her with it. She was so strong. I’d wanted to tell her for so long, but Marshal always shot me down.
But no more. I had Mom’s blessing, too.
So, this ring would soon be on Lina’s finger. But first, I was going to tell her everything. Tonight.
“You’re lucky as shit you know that?” Drey said, staring at his now empty mug.
“Of course he does!” Bill stood while Drey swiveled on his bar stool, so we all faced each other. “Don’t you, boy?”