Charming Hannah (Big Sky #1)(57)

“You’re suddenly quiet,” he says.

“I think I’m just tired,” I lie, feeling guilty about it. I’m all pumped up with adrenaline now. “It’s been a long day.”

“So should we skip dessert and go up to the condo?”

“I think that’s a good idea.”

He nods and leads me up to our condo, and once inside, I make a beeline for the bathroom. I lock the door and stand in front of the mirror, staring at myself.

I look not a little scared.

Because I am.

“He just asked you to move in with him and you clammed up,” I whisper to myself and shake my head in disgust. What does that mean? That maybe I don’t love him? That I should break up with him?

I frown and shake my head, dismissing that idea. There’s no need to be rash.

“Hannah?”

“Just a minute.”

I take a deep breath, push my fingers through my hair, and glare at my reflection in the mirror.

Pull it together.

I open the door to find Brad leaning against the wall, waiting for me.

“There are other bathrooms,” I point out and walk into the living room with Brad on my heels.

“What’s going on?”

“With whom?”

“With you.” He grabs my arm to stop me from pacing. “Talk to me. I can hear the wheels turning in that gorgeous head of yours.”

“You threw me,” I reply and pull out of his grasp. “How can you just toss those words out so casually, like it’s nothing? It’s not nothing, Brad. It’s not a little thing.”

“Moving in with me?”

“Yes.” I roll my eyes and pace away from him. “You should move in with me. Like you’re asking me to hike in the park.”

“I may not be good at words, Hannah, but you’re right. It’s not a little thing. It’s the biggest thing in my life.” My eyes fly to his bright ones. His jaw is tight, his hands fisted. “I hate that I only get to see you a few times a week because of the responsibility of our jobs. I don’t want to see you when we can both squeeze it in.”

“So, it would be convenient then.”

“Yes. No. Fucking hell.” He shoves his hands through his hair and stomps away from me and then back again. “You’re infuriating, you know that?”

“Back at you.”

“I love you, goddamn it.” He grips my shoulders and pulls me closer to him. “I don’t want to live without you. I can’t focus on anything but you, Hannah. When I’m not with you, I’m thinking about you. I want you to move in with me so I can see you more, spend more time with you, sleep next to you every night.”

“Brad.”

But he doesn’t let me finish. He scoops me up and hauls me into the bedroom, lifts my sundress over my head and tosses it carelessly on the floor, then guides me onto the bed. He shimmies out of his clothes and covers me completely.

“You always make me feels so small when I’m under you.”

“You are small,” he murmurs and kisses my cheek. “But so fucking strong. Brave. Funny.” He kisses down my neck to my breast and plucks my nipple in his teeth. “Sweet.”

“Oh my.”

“Listen to me.”

“I’m listening.”

I glance down to find him smiling up at me. “I love the hell out of you, sweetheart.”

I swallow hard and let my head fall back, staring at the ceiling.

Don’t cry. That would be so damn embarrassing.

“Look at me.”

“You’re bossy.” But I do as he says. He looks mighty pleased with himself.

“This.” His hand covers my core. “You.” He kisses my navel and then higher on my breast bone. “Are mine.”

I cock a brow and watch as he lays open-mouthed kisses all over my torso, leaving heat and electricity in his wake.

“That’s right,” he continues, not waiting for me to respond. “Your body and your heart belong to me, Hannah.”

“Awfully sure of yourself, Chief Se—”

“Now isn’t the time to be funny,” he growls and covers me again, his face even with mine. “I’m serious, Hannah. You’re mine, goddamn it, and I want you with me.”

“If I’m yours, you’re mine too. It works both ways.”

He frowns as if he’s confused. “Of course. Haven’t you heard what I’m saying to you?”

“Yes. You’re claiming me, and telling me, but you haven’t said anything about being mine, and that’s the only way this is going to work.”

“Baby, of course I’m yours. I told you, I don’t see anything but you.” His fingers gently glide down my cheeks as he sinks inside me, making me gasp in pleasure. “I’m yours completely. That’s why I want you to move in with me. Everything I am, and all that I have belongs to you.”

“I just want you,” I whisper and moan when he begins to move in earnest. “Because I love you too. I’ve wanted to say it for a while, but I thought it might be too soon.”

“If it’s how you feel, it’s not too soon.”

I smile and lift up to kiss him. “You’re not so bad with words, you know.”