After We Fall (Take the Fall, #3)(41)

That’s right kid, she belongs with me.

To my everlasting shock, she slips her hand in mine before stooping to rub Jake’s head.

She holds my hand the entire time Saylor goes over everything with the forever family. I’m so stunned that I can’t speak. Plus, I don’t want to break whatever spell she is under. The woman can’t be willingly holding my hand, especially not in public.

As soon as Saylor takes Jake away from me and starts to walk outside with the trio, Evangeline gives me a little squeeze. I glance at her questioningly.

“I’m sorry. I know you love Jake,” she says.

“Yeah…I love him.” Since she doesn’t seem to be in a hurry to let go of my hand, I don’t release my grip.

We stand there for a few minutes in uncomfortable silence, but it has nothing to do with her. “I don’t deal very well with loss,” I finally admit, and she leans against me. I want to ask what’s gotten into her but refrain. If she wants to give me affection, then who am I to question her motives?

Except I always question people’s motives.

She’s not a perp, I remind myself.

Evangeline leads me away from the front entrance and into a small office. “Your eye looks better today.”

“No it doesn’t.”

She shakes her head, a smile on her full lips. “It really doesn’t.”

“I’ll be fine. Looks way worse than it feels.” Honestly, it is tender, but the punch to my eye was off-center, putting more damage on my outer cheekbone than anything else. “As long as I don’t touch it, I should be okay.”

“And stop having work-related accidents.”

Guilt pricks at me, but I shove it away. I don’t have time for it and eventually I will tell her. But right now, there’s no need. I’m not actively hiding it from her; I’m merely choosing not to share it.

“There is that.”

“Hopefully, I kept my hands and mouth away from your eye last night,” she says, even as a bright pink blush stains her cheeks.

“Pretty sure you could have given me another black eye and I wouldn’t have minded.” I lean down. “Especially when you were on top. You look f*cking hot riding me.”

Her breath hitches. “Hunter.”

“You brought it up,” I remind her, enjoying this playfulness between us. “I’m thinking a new position for tonight.”

“Now I’m really regretting saying yes to Saylor.”

I give her a stern look. “You made plans without me?”

Just like that, something changes in Evangeline and she lets go of my hand, stepping far enough away that I can’t grab her. “I didn’t…you’re not in charge of me or what I do.”

The harshness of her tone takes me aback. But the panicked look in her eyes tells me everything I need to know. “I was only teasing you, angel. You don’t have to check in with me for anything.”

Her gaze slides away, focusing on something behind me. “I…I’m sorry. For a minute, you reminded me of Pe—not so happy times in my life.”

“No need to apologize.” I take a cautious step forward. “I should have been more thoughtful.”

She shakes her head. “I don’t think that’s possible.” Her white teeth nibble on her lower lip. “You’ve been nothing but thoughtful and kind to me.”

Taking another step, I slowly reach out to touch her face. When she doesn’t flinch, I trace the contours of her high cheekbones. Finally, her pretty ocean-colored eyes meet mine. They’re stormy, full of blues and greens competing for dominance.

“If you want to go out every night of the week, that’s your right. But I would like some warning if it’s with another guy.”

“I don’t want to go out with another guy.”

“I don’t want you to, either.”

“What does this mean for us?”

I weigh my words before saying them. Either I’ll make her run, or I’ll keep her forever. Both scare me, but one option a million times more than the other. “It means that I want to claim you as mine.”

“Do I get to claim you as mine, too?”

“Sure as hell hope so.”

“Then you’re mine.” A smile pushes the curves of Evangeline’s lips up. “When you’re feeling lonely because you’re missing Jake, I want you to come over and let me make you feel better.”

“Seriously?”

She nods. “Seriously. You’ve done so much for me, Hunter, and it’s the least I can do in return.”

“Don’t feel obligated.”

“I don’t. I want to be there for you.”

A fist pump into the air would not only be inappropriate at this time, but I’m twenty-eight, for Pete’s sake. However, the urge to give in is almost as overwhelming as kissing her.

She stands on her tiptoes. “Kiss me before I have to get back to work.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I brush a light kiss against her lips, wanting more but knowing that I can’t expect more. While office sex with her would be hot, I won’t push my luck.

Yet.





Chapter 14


Evangeline


Even though Hunter says he doesn’t care about me going out every night of the week, I still text him before I leave work to let him know where I’ll be tonight. Or maybe I’m texting him because he truly means it.