Page 97 of Betrayal

“For a split second, I did,” he confessed.“But I’m not strong enough to send you away again.”

“It takes strength to stick.”

“I love you, Anna.I can’t believe how lucky I am you chose me.”He wrapped her in his arms and gently rocked her.

“Then we might start to move these lovely people along, so you can show me.”Anna traced his upper lip with her tongue, while walking her fingers down his chest.

“Are you going all X-rated with a room full of people?”He caught her hand before she went lower.

“Just providing extra incentive.”She kissed his chin.

“Fifteen minutes.You start near the door, I’ll work from the back.”

Anna hugged Kate, who, with Liam, was among the stragglers.“Thanks for coming.I didn’t think you’d want to leave Lily so soon.”

“Mary couldn’t wait to have her granddaughter all to herself for a bit.And I wouldn’t have missed this for worlds.Hunter’s a good man, Anna.He’s the one.”Kate hugged Anna.

“I think so.”Anna smiled through her tears.

“Talk later,” Kate said, then left, Liam’s fingers linked with hers.

Turning, Anna found Hunter at her side.

“We’ve done it.”Hunter closed, locked the door, then leaned back against it, pulling her into his arms.“We brought him down.”He nuzzled her throat.“I love the way you smell.”He brushed his lips across her temple.“And taste.Hot chocolate as a nightcap?”

“Maybe later.”She took his hand.“Are we going home now?”

“You make everything so easy.”He tucked her under his arm and turned toward to staircase.

“I understand you pushed me away because you wanted to keep me safe.”Anna watched for a Hunter-withdrawal special.

“Then you’re more understanding than a lot of people.Cas told me if I ever did anything like that again, he’d renounce me as his blood brother.”

“He’s a smart man.You should listen to him more.”

“I love you.I love who you are, what you’ve made of yourself, and the future you dream of.”He picked her up and swung her in a circle before dropping onto the sofa with her in his lap.“Most of all, I love that you’re here, now.”

She wriggled around until she straddled him.“I’ve worked out the marriage vows—with this ring, I promise thee I’ll always talk to you—and a few other details.”She brushed her lips across his.

“Loving you is not a detail.”He closed his eyes.“It’s everything.”

“Another good answer.”She lowered herself to his chest, her ear pressed to his heart.Steady, maybe racing a little when she gave another wriggle.

“You smell like home.Blame it on my upbringing, but I need you to be safe.”

“I was safe when you kissed me on the beach, when you bought a sick old man a coffee, when you cared for me after Lily was born.When you locked me out, I became unsure of my ground.You told me you loved me with everything except words, and without you I was adrift.”

A ripple undulated through his body.

“I love you, Anna Turner, and I want to make love to you.”

“That can be arranged.”

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