My dick instantly went hard again. I forced myself to swallow the lump in my throat as I nodded. “Yes.”
The corners of Bella’s mouth turned up in the most adorable smile. “Can I stay with you tonight, Hunter?”
My heart instantly started to beat faster, and I tried like hell not to bounce in my seat. “Of course, you can. You never have to ask.”
She chewed nervously on her lip. “And you’ll let me touch you…and you won’t be upset if you can’t touch me back?”
I moved in my seat and wiped at my forehead. “Are those heaters up too high for you?”
She glanced up at one of the heaters and slowly shook her head. “No.”
Wiping at the back of my neck, I said, “Christ, it’s hot. It’s so hot in here.”
Another wicked smile appeared on her face. “You didn’t answer my question, Hunter.”
Grabbing a napkin, I blotted at the sweat on my forehead. “Will you let me kiss you?”
“Yes.”
I wasn’t sure if I was panting like a dog, or if it was all in my head. Clearing my throat, I somehow managed to speak. “Yes, Bella, I’ll let you do whatever you want to me. But just know, I think I might pass out if we keep talking about this.”
She laughed and picked up my water and handed it to me. Then she went back to eating like she hadn’t just made me horny as hell.
The rest of lunch was filled with small talk, thank God. My dick had finally gotten the hint that nothing was happening right then, and the cool breeze from outside that drifted under the curtains into the gazebo helped cool me off.
Once we were finished, we packed up everything, put it in my truck, and headed back into the house to warm up.
“That was amazing. I’m stuffed,” Bella said.
“I am too. I’m going to have to ask Candace to make up a lasagna for me to freeze.”
Bella glanced around the kitchen again and then looked back at me. “This kitchen is truly beautiful.”
Looking around, I nodded.
Our eyes met, but I couldn’t read what was in hers. “I hope you don’t think I’m pushing you, Bella. By bringing you here and all. I’m not going to lie to you, though. When I bought this place, I had you in mind. A future with you. I still want to marry you and have a family, and I know…I know now is not the time to talk about things like that. I just…I love you so much, and I wish I could take all your pain and hurt away.”
A tear rolled down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away as she walked up to me. “Before…before the…the…”
I took her hands in mine. “Before you were raped.”
She swallowed hard. “Yes. We had dreams of a life together. I’ve never stopped wanting that life with you—I simply didn’t think it would ever be possible.”
Dropping her hands, I cupped her face and lifted her chin until our eyes met. “It is possible. And if you allow me to, I swear to God, I’ll make every single one of your dreams come true.”
Smiling, she whispered, “I believe you. And I still want to marry you, Hunter. And I really, really want to move into this house with you and start a family.”
I leaned down and softly kissed her lips. She wrapped her arms around my neck as I pulled her body to mine.
When we both needed air, we broke the kiss. Bella looked up at me. “Do you have plans for the rest of the day?”
“Spending it with you. And then I thought we could go out tonight and go dancing.”
She chuckled. “Dancing? I haven’t been out since college.”
“I know. Kyle, Brighton, Bishop, Abby, Greer, and Hudson are all going to Brew’s Place tonight. Naturally, Willa and Aiden declined, with the new baby and all. I want us to go. Will you?”
“Of course, I’ll go! I’d love to.”
“Really? Perfect. I’ll let everyone know we’re in.”
She nodded. “I need to swing by my place to pack a bag for tonight.”
Jack barked, and I couldn’t help the smile that spread over my face. “That sounds like a good idea.”
Jack barked again and nudged himself between us, causing us both to laugh.
I reached down and gave him a good scratch behind his ears. “Jealousy doesn’t become you, buddy.”
Jack barked once more and then ran around both of us and to the front door.
“Looks like he’s ready to leave.” I said.
We headed toward the door. By the time we got in the truck and were headed back to my place, my body was practically humming. It was going to kill me not to touch Bella tonight, but if her having control helped in any way, I would do whatever she wanted.
Right as I pulled into the driveway of my house, my work beeper went off. I could see the look of disappointment on Bella’s face.