Page 77 of Luna

He stood and drew her to her feet and into his arms. In need of a distraction from her attraction to him—her need to be held and loved by him—she leaned back and looked at him in the twilight. “Why do you call me that? Luna Moona?”

“Luna means moon, doesn’t it?” Hunter asked, tracing the line of her jaw with the tip of his index finger. His touch sent a delicious shiver gliding along her spine.

“It does. So you’re calling me my name twice?”

“No, it’s just a nickname. For fun. Because I like you. A lot.” Hunter sighed and pointed to the sky where the moon was moving into view. “Whenever I look at the moon, I think of you, Luna. I think of your beautiful eyes and your smile full of light, and your sweet face. I think of how you make me feel in here.”

He took her hand and placed it over his heart. She could feel it pounding, just like her own thundering wildly in her chest. “Luna, you have to know by now how I—”

She couldn’t bear to hear him say more. If he told her he loved her, she’d never find the strength to leave, and that was exactly what she needed to do. Luna didn’t belong in a home like the one Hunter would soon live in, filled with costly things.

She was plain Luna, who grew up in a small apartment with four siblings and her parents. The nicest thing they owned was a clock her parents received as a wedding gift. They didn’t have jewels or fancy china or leather furniture. Mostly, what they had was each other.

So, rather than allow Hunter to say something she’d never be able to forget, she stood on the tips of her toes, pulled his head to hers, and kissed him. Kissed him like it was the last time she’d ever feel his lips on hers. The last chance she had to be loved. The last moment she’d ever experience such ardent bliss.

Hunter took control of the kiss, wrapping his arms around her and lifting her off her feet. Luna had no idea she could feel so much all at once. It felt like a door to her heart had been thrown wide open, and now that it was, it would be impossible to ever shut it again.

She had no idea how long they kissed, but she knew how deeply she felt connected to Hunter. It was a connection that would never fade, never be severed, no matter how far she ran from him.

Yet, she wouldn’t and couldn’t stay.

Abruptly, she broke off the kiss and lifted her head. “It’s time for me to go home, Hunter.”

“I know. I sure wish it weren’t, though.” He set her back on her feet and then surprised her when he gave her a hug so tender she felt as though it allowed their souls to touch. He moved back and took her hand in his. “Let’s get you home before I decide to keep you here forever.”

His tone was teasing, but Luna wished the words weren’t meant in jest.

Hunter locked the back door, then they walked around the porch to the front, and he locked the door. He led her out to his automobile and started the car, and soon, they were pulling up in front of Tony and Ilsa’s home. Luna was chilled completely through, having forgotten her jacket at Hunter’s house, but she kept it to herself.

“I guess this is good night,” Hunter said as he dashed around the auto and gave her a hand as she got out.

“Your fingers are like ice, Luna,” he admonished, took her hands between his, and blew warmth on them, weakening her resolve to never see him again.

Hunter wove their fingers together and led her up the front walk and porch steps. “I sure enjoyed the afternoon and evening with you, Luna Moona. Thank you for coming.”

“Thank you for letting me dig through your treasures, Hunter. I …” The lump that lodged in her throat threatened to choke off her airway. She swallowed hard and forced herself to speak. “I’ll never forget today, Hunter, or you. Goodbye.” She kissed his cheek, opened the door, and closed it quietly behind her, knowing she’d just closed the portal to the last of her hopes and wishes.

“Luna, is that you?” Tony called from the parlor.

“Yes. I’m filthy from digging through Hunter’s attic. I’m going to take a bath and head to bed. Good night.”

“Night.”

Luna raced upstairs and took a bath, washed her hair, then sat by her window staring at the moon long after she should have been asleep. She finally climbed into bed and pulled up the covers, knowing it was her last night of sleeping in luxury.

When she awakened in the morning, she hastily packed her trunks, dressed in her traveling suit, and rushed down to the kitchen.

“Good morning,” Ilsa said with a bright smile as she sat at the table, sipping from a cup of hot tea. “Did you have fun yesterday?”

“I did,” Luna said, absently rubbing the pendant Hunter had given to her.

“What’s that?” Laila asked as she skipped into the kitchen, then stopped to admire the necklace.

“We found it yesterday. Hunter insisted I keep it.”

Ilsa rose and walked over to look at the beautiful purple stone. “It’s lovely, and it suits you so well, Luna.” Ilsa gave her a curious look, then took in her attire. “Are you taking a trip somewhere?”

“Yes, actually, I am. Is Tony still here?”

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