“Wait? When did you have three dates? I mean, I know about yesterday, but when did the other two happen?”
“Friday, I went over to show him how to hack into his brother’s gaming system and make sure he’s not getting into trouble.”
“Well, I didn’t expect that… but okay,” Aria said.
“Then yesterday was the gala. And today, when I went to his house after seeing Rosemary, which he said counts as date number three.”
“Yeah, I hate to tell you, but those are not dates,” Voodoo stated.
“He said that if he feeds me and kisses me, then it’s a date.”
“Lord, then I’ve dated a lot of men,” Aria said, surprising the ladies.
“I think this is all so new and it’s your first, so have as many dates as you want. Explore your feelings,” Ivy said.
“Explore his body,” Voodoo chimed in.
“And let him explore yours,” Aria added.
“But,” Ivy said, “only do what feels right to you. There are no rules. We’re past the age of the number of dates equating to where the relationship should be at. You can go on a hundred dates or just four before you take it to the next level. If you aren’t feeling it, then let him know. He might need to up his game.”
“And maybe leave the house with you,” Voodoo said.
“Are you worried about being exposed to the general population? You’re kind of a homebody,” Aria asked.
“No more than any other time. Only, I’m not sure Hunter is ready to hear that there will always be a price on my head. Even if I quit immediately, that price won’t change.”
“And he’s good with your work?” Ivy asked.
“I’m not sure if good would be the right word, but he says he understands how important my job is and that he’s glad to know that there are those out there trying to make a difference and save as many innocent lives as possible.”
“Then it sounds like you’ve got a good man,” Ivy replied.
“I think so. But you guys need to keep an eye out. I don’t want to become any more domesticated than I already am. I don’t want my claws taken away. I don’t want to lose myself and what makes me Byte, just because I have a boyfriend. You have to promise.”
“We promise,” Ivy said, speaking for the entire team. “But I have a feeling you’re too smart to let someone change who you are. You’re one of the strongest, most loyal, and most self-assured woman I know. But we’ve got your six. That you can be sure of.”
“Good, now who’s got the Chunky Monkey?”
CHAPTERFORTY-THREE
Three months later:
Hunter wrappedhis arm around Byte’s waist as she sat on his lap. There was something different with her. From the moment he first touched her hand, he knew there was something there. He tried to fight it. She was everything he didn’t want, and yet she was the puzzle piece that was missing.
He loved knowing that when he held her close, she could hear his heart beating stronger with her there.
She looked up and met his eyes and smiled. He never tired of seeing her smile. She’d had some pretty dark days the past few months, but she let him bring in some light.
“You’re staring,” Byte told him.
“So are you.”
“You were doing it first.”
“Is that so? How do you know?”
“Because I see you.”