“Why?” I was almost scared to ask for fear he’d shut down again.
“I’m just not…safe.”
“How can you say that? I’ve never felt safer around anyone in my entire life. Even my parents.”
He let out a long, slow breath. “I have…an anger problem.”
I held his gaze, searching it for his true meaning. I’d seen his temper flare a couple times, but everyone got annoyed sometimes.
“Fighting…that world, well, it didn’t help things.” He looked out over the skaters. “I’ve hurt people.”
“Comes with the territory of Ultimate Fighting, I would think.”
“It sure does.” He cleared his throat. “Are you getting cold? Should we head out?”
“Sure, we can go.” I pushed up and touched my lips to his. They were tight, but instantly softened beneath mine. He brought his hand to my face and pulled me closer. Tilting my head slightly, he brushed his tongue along my bottom lip.
A thrill of electricity zipped through my chest, but he pulled away. “You’re making it so difficult for me to resist you.”
“Then don’t.”
“I’m scared for you if I don’t.” A flash of darkness dulled his bright eyes. “But, I’m also scared at the thought of life without you.”
It was then I decided he needed me as much as I needed him. I could save him as much as he’d saved me.
Chapter Nineteen
Hunter
“Are you taking me to your club?” Lina asked, her eyes wide, as I steered my truck onto the highway.
“For your first major outing more than five miles from your house, you think I’d take you to that wild place?”
She laughed. “True. That might be one for a later adventure.”
I loved how relaxed she was. To think when I’d met her a couple of months ago, she was a bundle of anxiety not able to take more than a few floors down from her house. And now she was on her way, not even knowing the destination…She was my inspiration.
Or she just made me into a big mushy wuss who’d lost his Man Card. Every moment I thought of her, it always calmed me down. Even at work now that I was allowed back since I started working with Jenna.
The anger didn’t rise as easily after only two weeks of sessions. They were every other day sessions, but still. Christmas Eve was tomorrow, and I wanted to do something special for Lina. Maybe even tell her about my past life some more.
She should know about what was going on with my dad since she was so involved now. Not to mention how attached to her I’d gotten. There was no way I’d be able to up and leave like Mom and I usually did if Dad showed his face in town. I’d only recently admitted it to myself, but Lina was my anchor. If I had my way, I’d never leave her.
Hell, I was even toying with telling her about the witness protection even though Marshal, our handler, would have my ass when he found out. But how could I not tell her? Was I supposed to stay Hunter Amos forever? Even though that wasn’t my given name?
Then again, this name, I felt most comfortable with it. Like it was more me than any other name.
That mostly had to do with Lina, though, I was sure of it.
“What’s got you so quiet over there?” Lina skimmed her gloved hand over the leather seat and poked my ribs.
“Nothing.” I smiled and snatched up her hand. “Ready for the Christmas Eve dance tomorrow?”
She nodded. “My dress was delivered today. Lizzie was gushing over it. I can’t wait for you to see it.”
“Maybe I might get to come into your house to see it?”
She grinned. “Maybe.”