Kata didn’t say anything for long moments. “Why is it when you claim you’re trying not to control me, you still sound like you’re trying damn hard to do just that?” She shook her head. “Seriously, I don’t know why you’re still here or why the hell what I do matters to you.”
He stepped closer, wrapped an arm around her waist, and pulled her flush against him. Her eyes widened, and he knew she could feel exactly how disinterested he wasn’t.
“Oh, it matters, honey.”
Actions spoke louder anyway, so he captured her lips under his in a taking both ferocious and absolute. Against him, she stiffened and gasped. But seconds after he found her fruity-tart tongue with his own, she threw her arms around him and dove into the kiss with her entire body. She lit him on fire . . . but it was more.
That something he’d felt the moment they’d met plowed through him with a vengeance. It drove him to possess her. It wasn’t enough to say he’d f**ked her. It wouldn’t be enough to f**k her again. Not nearly enough. He wanted the right to see her whenever he wanted, touch her whenever—and however—he wanted. Protect her, care for her. Call her his—always.
There it was, the truth that had been simmering in his consciousness, the reason he was pursuing her so hard. Suddenly, it was crystal. He wanted her permanently.
Reeling back in shock, Hunter ended the kiss, stared down into Kata’s flushed face, her half-closed eyes, her swollen mouth, at the sensual siren that lived under her skin.
No question, he wanted her forever. And right now, she wanted almost nothing to do with him. He had eight days before he’d be returned to active duty. With the flare-up of clandestine activity all around Iran and their race to acquire nuclear weapons, along with the Venezuelan government’s perfect willingness to lend an illegal hand, he had no doubt missions were piling up. If he left without figuring out how to make Kata his . . . she might become Ben’s—or someone else’s—before he could step foot on U.S. soil again.
Unacceptable.
“What is with you?” Kata pushed against him. “You annoy me, start to make up for it with that killer kiss, then pull away? And then you try to pretend that you’re not a control freak? Whatever.”
She turned and blended into a nearby crowd. After a moment of observation, Hunter realized it was a small party. Given one woman’s short white dress and little bouquet of flowers, he’d guess they were preparing for a midnight wedding.
He watched them and smiled. He might be losing the battle right now . . . but the war wasn’t over.
Lunging for her, Hunter grabbed Kata’s arm and spun her around. “I have two questions. Will you answer that much?”
Frowning, she looked as if she was concentrating hard through the alcohol buzz. Hunter thanked her momentary infatuation with Patrón; she’d be more likely to tell him the truth now.
“Then you’ll leave me alone?”
No. “If that’s what you want.”
“Oh.” The slightly confused, crestfallen expression gave him hope. “Okay. What?”
“The sex between us . . . Help me understand why it made you cry.” When she looked ready to object, he leaned forward and whispered softly, “I won’t judge or give you a hard time. I need to know if I hurt you.”
She sighed, her shoulders sagging in defeat as she slurred her reply. “Fine. You win. You were right. It was too powerful. I don’t like feeling weak or needy. Happy?”
Very. Hunter kept his smile to himself. Good to know that his instincts weren’t wrong. “Not weak, honey, human. Last question.” And the more important one. “Are you against long-term relationships? Did you ever picture settling down?”
“What kind of question is that?”
He shrugged, pretending nonchalance. “Curiosity.”
Kata sighed and shook her head. “I don’t want to be alone for the rest of my life, and I love my nephews. I see them . . . and want kids of my own someday.”
“Understandable. Most people want kids at some point, even me.”
“It’s just . . .” She scrubbed a hand across her face. “I keep looking for someone to share life with, someone patient. Not afraid of a mop or the stove. Even-tempered, understanding, not allergic to emotion.” She closed her eyes momentarily. “Someone sweet.”
Hunter stifled a grimace. She was describing a female with a penis. He’d make sure she figured out soon that wasn’t what she needed.
“One who likes antiquing and long walks on the beach?” he said, tongue in cheek.
“Yeah! Instead, I keep running into the party animals. Or, ugh, the ones who think farting contests are good entertainment. I once dated a guy who loved his gaming console way more than he’d ever love a woman. And then there are all the heavy-handed, demanding bastards.” She glared at him.
Hunter held in a laugh, feeling euphorically optimistic. Once she got to know him, she’d see they fit perfectly. He just needed more time with Kata and a way to keep them together. Letting her leave without a fight—taking his heart with her—just wasn’t an option. His father hadn’t had the balls to fight for his woman. After failing to man up, he’d curdled up into a surly, workaholic recluse. Hunter refused to follow in the Colonel’s footsteps.
“You still want to party? There’s a group who looks like they’re having way too much fun to pass up.” He pointed behind her.