Page 70 of Embraced at Seaside
His smile made her laugh, despite her tears, as he rose to his feet.
“Yes, a doorknob for a coded entrance. No key necessary. I want to come home to you every night and eat you for breakfast every morning.”
She felt her cheeks heat up as he aligned their bodies from head to toe, causing the rest of her to heat up, too.
“You can dance as dirty as you want, as long as the only body yours physically touches is mine.” The restraint in his voice told her how difficult that was for him to say. “I’ll be your bodyguard when you’re in the zone and your lover when we’re home. I can’t promise I won’t be a Neanderthal sometimes, but I can promise you that even if you need to take ten steps backward for every step forward, I will be here waiting when you’re ready.”
“But you won the competition.”Oh no, this is too hard.She forced herself to continue, though her voice was barely above a whisper. “And you’re going to LA, and traveling. I won’t hold you back from that.”
His eyes warmed. “How did you know I won?”
“I…” Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. “I was there. I didn’t want to miss it…and…and I heard—” She couldn’t manage another word. It hurt too bad.
“Jana, I won the competitionbecauseof you.” His smile widened. “But going to LA and traveling was never part of the plan. I would never leave you.”
“But—”
He brushed his lips over hers and whispered, “Do you ever stop arguing? Grayson can travel. You’re the only thing I want to win, and I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to show you just how much I want you. I know you’ll test me in every way known to man. I’m not leaving you, Jana. Not now, not six months from now, not ever. No matter how many obstacles you put in our way.”
“But I don’t want the doorknob,” she confessed through more tears. “I want you to have the key.”
“I love you.” He sealed his lips over hers and she pushed at his chest.
“What, pretty girl? What could youpossiblyhave to say now?” The fierceness in his voice rivaled the desire in his eyes, making what she was about to say even more important.
“Just…” She paused to gain control of her emotions. She didn’t want to leave anything out. “Thank you for loving me for who I am. Thank you for loving me through my insecurities and helping me put my ghosts to rest. I want you, Hunter. Only you. I love you.” His loving smile pulled more tears as she said, “I don’t want just the opening act. I want the main event, the encore, and a standing ovation.”
She saw a question fill his eyes and said, “Don’t ask. Just kiss me already.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
JANA STOOD ON the front stoop of her studio with a silk tie covering her eyes—the tie Hunter had used to bind her wrists the night before. She’d been surprised when he’d confessed that he’d showered, shaved, put on cologne, and changed into his suit to see her,afterthe celebratory dinner he had attended last night. And after they’d talked, they’d made love well into the morning. Clark was right; there was a world of difference between making love to a woman you adored and having sex.
Hunter stood behind Jana now, guiding her by the shoulders. When Jana had said she loved him, he felt like the luckiest guy on earth. He knew their relationship would probably always have its ups and downs. They were both stubborn, after all. He didn’t claim to have all the answers, but he had the only answer that mattered. He loved Jana, and he vowed to spend the rest of his life making her happy.
“Just promise me that if you don’t like what I’ve done, you’ll tell me.”
She laughed. “Has thateverbeen a problem for me? Just because you have me blindfolded doesn’t mean my mouth doesn’t work.”
“You do have a smart mouth.”
“You love my smart mouth.”
He moved in front of her and pulled her body against him. He couldn’t resist brushing his scruffy cheek to the sensitive skin just beneath her ear.
“Hunter…” Her needy voice sent a rush of heat straight through him.
He sank his teeth into her neck and wrapped his arm around her waist, catching her as her knees wobbled. “You look so tempting, blindfolded and wearing that slinky little miniskirt and tight frilly top. I can’t believe you’re mine. Tell me again.” He’d been teasing her all morning about finally admitting she wanted him.
She sighed dramatically. He could practically see her rolling her eyes. “Hunter Lacroux, I want you.”
He ran a hand along her waist and over her rib cage. “Tell me like you mean it,” he teased.
“Why would I do that?”
He tore the blindfold off, and her eyes blazed with desire.
“Because you mean it.” He tugged her tighter against him.
