Page 16 of Sworn to Defend
He sat there for a moment contemplating what Collin had said. He’d run it by Hannah and see what he was missing as far as the circle thing. Maybe it was a place or code for something. The bed creaked as he stood and he flipped on the sensory night light that cast the room in a blanket of calming stars. He gave Collin one last glance before quietly shutting the door to his room and walking down the hall. There was a rustling noise in the kitchen. Sure enough Hannah was standing at the sink. She’d thrown on a sweatshirt and unbraided her hair so it fell loose and wavy over her shoulders.
“I was burying my embarrassment in the rest of my milkshake.” She lifted her chin toward the paper takeout cup. “I just…that was unexpected.”
“What was?” He tried to tamp down the smile.
“You’re laughing at me.” She pouted. He stalked into the kitchen, and all those sensations she’d sparked on the couch came rushing to the surface.
“Not laughing. Smiling because you’re gorgeous and cute as hell at the same time.” He started across the space. She looked cozy in her relaxed clothes, and he couldn’t wait for a time they could unwind together at the end of each day. Maybe it was soon to be thinking that way, but he knew exactly where he wanted this relationship to go, and that was all the way.
“I should go talk to Collin now.” A line formed between her brows, her gaze focused intently on the countertop. “It should’ve been me to follow him. Instead I was a big chicken.”
Now he laughed outright. “No, baby. You. Are. Brave. Remember? Collin’s out cold.” He took a step closer and fingered the smooth tips of her hair.
“You were brave. I was a wimp.” She puffed out a breath.
“We’re a team.” He smoothed his palm over her cheek. “Bravest together. We’re going to have times when we’re not at our best. When we need to borrow each other’s strength. Times the other will need to fill the gaps one of us can’t. That’s healthy and good.”
She looked up at him under those thick auburn lashes. “I like that. Bravest together. I don’t have examples of what a solid relationship looks like, but I know when we’re together, it feels right.” She covered his hand with her own, and leaned her cheek into his touch. “The only thing my parents shared was living in the same estate and the mutual interest in their reputations.” She tugged at her bottom lip with her teeth. “Was he confused? Upset?”
“No.” He moved his thumb back and forth over her soft skin. “He said he wasn’t surprised by it. And something about a blue circle?”
“What did he say about it?” She absently spun the revolving spice rack to the side of her.
“He said you were in my blue circle and you and me were in his blue circle.” He studied her expression for some meaning.
Her big, beautiful eyes glazed with tears. “Circles is the curriculum Mr. Bloom uses with his class. It divides people in your life into circles and helps set clear boundaries about what’s appropriate and not.”
“Why’s that making you cry?” A tear tumbled down her cheek, and he caught it.
“The blue circle is the people you love the most. The people you can tell and trust with anything. It’s the family circle, but it’s also where your romantic partner is, too. I think Mr. Bloom calls it the space for a someday sweetheart. I knew Collin loved you, but hearing it like that…it means a lot.”
His heart thudded and the breath he’d just taken burned into his lungs. Collin had accepted him into the fold. Didn’t care that he was with Hannah. “That’s a gift. One I’m going to handle with care.” He’d never had feelings so big for anyone like he did for Hannah and Collin. “So, what was unexpected? Collin walking in? The kiss?”
He stepped closer, put the shake on the countertop, and lifted her up beside it. “What was it, baby?”
He loved how her pupils instantly dilated at the intimate position. He was standing between her open legs, her core pressed against him. She opened her mouth to speak, then closed it again. “How it felt. That’s what was unexpected.”
“How did it feel, Hannah?” God, she was killing him.
“Like my brain shorted out. I forgot we were in the middle of my living room. It was…overwhelming. Like I’d die if I didn’t get you inside me. Clearly I didn’t and I’m still alive.” She rolled her eyes, looking adorably put out.
He laughed at that, but her words alone made him harden to the point of pain. “I think it’s me who’s gonna die.” He dropped his head, nuzzling her neck, coating his lungs with her sweet scent. “If I kiss you again, I’m not going to be leaving until morning and you can’t pull a twenty-four-hour shift on no sleep. I’m changing our flights. We’ll leave Wednesday night so you’ll have the day to pack. I’ll run errands. Help with whatever you need. Is Collin staying with Brynn and Ransom?”
“Yes. I’ll get him on the bus in the morning and he’ll get off at Jacob’s house for a sleepover. Hopefully, I can get in touch with Vivienne before my shift starts. I can’t thank you enough, Hunter. Never mind pay you back anytime soon for the flights, the hotels, the inevitable date-change fees.” She pulled in a breath, then slowly released it.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve taken a vacation. Plus, I might not be rolling in it like Ransom, but I have more than enough to spoil you and Collin. Why don’t you text Vivienne my number? If something comes up while you’re on shift, at least I’ll be able to send her a response.” He should back away from the counter and give her space to rest before her shift.
“Thank you,” she whispered, but she was looking at his lips now.
“Never have to thank me for taking care of you.” He stroked her cheekbones with his thumbs as he buried his hands into her long hair.
He lowered his voice, all too aware of his thundering heart. Of the mild pain in his chest that had nothing to do with his health and everything to do with the feelings expanding the organ. “I said I wasn’t going to kiss you again, but I can’t get enough.” He met her eager lips, and like the time before the feel of her slammed into him, nearly knocking him to the ground. She was everything he wanted in a woman. He caught her wrists when he felt those petite hands dipping under the hem of his shirt. “Meant it when I said you needed sleep, but fuck if I don’t want to keep you up all night.”
“I’m not tired. Not at all.” Her smile left him light-headed.
He briefly touched his forehead to hers. “You’re lethal. If your safety wasn’t involved or I could convince you to call out in the morning, I’d have these clothes off of you in a millisecond but I know that’s not going to happen.” He kissed her mouth hard and lowered her to the floor. They said their goodbyes at the door, and as soon as he got outside he dialed Ransom’s number.
He answered on the first ring. “These late-night calls are becoming a pattern,” he grumbled.