Surrender to Me(41)

In an instant, she made him hard. Stifling his urge to kiss her until she was clinging and wet, then sink deep into her pu**y so he could connect deep into her, he settled for a light touch, brushing the hair from her face. “I’ll come around and get you. Gather up your stuff.”

Finally, his words seemed to register, and she sat up and grabbed her purse.

Hunter hopped out of the truck, vaguely irritated with the muggy night, then circled around the vehicle to open her door. Before she could protest, he scooped her up in his arms.

Her eyes flew open. “You can put me down.”

“You’re not taking away my fun.”

The amusement she tried to hide bled through her exhaustion. “Carrying me can’t be fun.”

“You’re wrong. I like you right here.” He raised his arms, lowered his head, and pressed a soft kiss to her mouth.

Her kiss was flavored with peppermint and a hint of the vanilla milkshake he’d finally plied her with a hundred miles ago. And sin. She always tasted like it, was made for it, and he wanted to share it with her again.

“I’m perfectly capable of walking,” she insisted, even as she wound her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder.

“Yes, and I love the way you walk, hips swaying, ass swinging. Hmm . . .”

She sighed. “Nice to know that you watch my ass so closely.”

A moment of sweet harmony flowed between them, and satisfaction settled into Hunter’s belly as he laughed. “I watch your everything closely, honey. Trust me, it’s my pleasure.”

Logan’s front door loomed ahead. On the little porch, Hunter reluctantly lowered Kata to her feet. His younger brother wasn’t due home for at least two days, and Hunter would be lying if he said he wasn’t looking forward to the privacy with his bride. As honeymoons went, this sucked. But on his next leave, he’d make it up to her.

For now, spending time together here would have to do.

As he retrieved his key and inserted it in the lock, he hesitated, hoping that Logan’s taste in décor had improved since last year. But Hunter wasn’t betting on it.

The lock turned, then he entered the code on the keypad that controlled the dead bolt. The second trigger for that catch, a thumbprint scan, was located just under the doorbell. A green laser and a ding later, the door finally opened.

“Oh my God. Is your brother paranoid?”

He stifled his smile. “He’s a SEAL, too. In our line of work, honey, you make enemies. It pays to be cautious.”

“Guess he doesn’t have anyone watering his houseplants while he’s gone.”

Hunter stifled a smile. “Logan doesn’t allow strangers into his domain.”

Kata shrank back from the door. “Then he won’t appreciate me being here.”

“You’re family now. Inside.”

Pressing a guiding hand to the small of her back, he ushered her over the threshold into the pitch-black room. One step in, a shrill beeping assaulted his ears. He grabbed her elbow, pressed her to the wall, then locked the door behind them. “Stay here. He’s armed the motion sensors.”

The warning chime of the interior alarm played hell with the headache developing at the base of Hunter’s neck, but he zeroed in on the little backlit pad and punched the appropriate code. The high-pitched screech stopped immediately. Finally, blessed silence.

“Is there a light in this place?” Her voice trembled.

Hunter reset the exterior alarm and reached for Kata, wrapping his arm around her waist and leading her through the dark living room. He intentionally left the lights off. She’d see plenty of this place tomorrow. No need to add one more shock to her already-crazy day.

“Not necessary. Just stay near me. I’ll get you settled.”

She walked hesitantly, digging in her heels. “Wait! I’m going to trip and—”

“You’ve got to trust me, honey. Do you think I would let anything happen to you?”

Kata hesitated. Hunter knew the instant she realized that, if he was protecting her from killers, he’d keep her from hurting herself while crossing the dark room.