Page 314 of The Christmas Wife

"It’s all thanks to Debs and the team who founded this charity and have kept it going for ten years." I jerk my chin in Debs’ direction.

The parents leave with their kids, and we head into the classroom next door.

"Don’t forget to fill out the feedback forms before you leave. It helps us in tracking the progress of our athletes." Debs points toward the tablets on the table near the doorway. "Thanks everybody, that was a great session."

Samira and I fill out the feedback form for Tracy. Then I say goodbye to the rest of the volunteers, pick up my bag and retrace my steps to the front door of the school. I step out, and my gaze instantly zooms in on him.

49

Hunter

She steps out of the school entrance, and her gaze widens. Her body tightens, then she squares her shoulders and heads in my direction. Her scent teases my nostrils, then she walks past me. I follow her out of the school gates then down the sidewalk until she comes to a coffee shop. She walks inside with me in tow. I take the seat opposite her. She ignores me and scans the menu. When the waitress comes, I order her a chai tea latte and a black coffee for myself.

After the other woman leaves, she narrows her gaze on me. "Is there no part of my life that you don’t know about?"

"I didn’t know you were volunteering with children with special needs."

She glances away, then locks her fingers in her lap. "How did you find me? Did you bug my phone? Is that how you tracked me down?"

When I don’t reply, she jerks her gaze in my direction. She spots the expression on my face and her jaw drops. "No way."

"I had to make sure you were safe."

"What did you think was going to happen to me? We live in a first-world country, or have you forgotten?"

"You forget, you are involved with me. The media attention on me is only going to grow, and it’s going to bring all kinds of people out of the woodwork. I had to make sure you were protected at all times, which is why I have eyes on you. As long as you are fine, I can focus on my work."

"I assume you also have security on me?"

I tilt my head.

She draws in a breath, then squeezes the bridge of her nose. "This is so fucked up, Hunter. Have you heard yourself? You’re obsessed with me. You’re stalking me, and you’re possibly the next leader of this country."

I set my jaw. "As long as you are kept from harm, I can focus on other things."

"So, you bug my phone and, I assume, my computer, as well? What about my apartment and my office?"

I raise a shoulder.

Her eyes widen. “You bugged my apartment and my office?”

“I have cameras on you, yes.”

She stares at me, then holds up her hand. "You’ve lost it."

"I have. I can’t think. Can’t focus on my campaign. Can’t sleep at night unless I jerk off to images of you under me. Can’t eat unless I recall the taste of your pussy when you come all over my tongue."

Her breath hitches. Her eyes flash.

"I compare every woman I meet to you and find them all wanting. Your grit, your tenacity, and your strength fascinate me. I always knew you had a big, giving heart, and what I saw today only confirmed that I have been right all along. There’s no one for me but you, Fire. I’d rather spend my days loving youthan spend my time pursuing a calling that feels meaningless unless you are by my side."

Our gazes catch and hold through the interval when the waitress arrives and places our drinks on the table.

"I should resent you for intruding into my life. I should hate you for leaking that photo of us and destroying my reputation. I should" —she bites the inside of her cheek— "abhor you for how you fucked me so hard, you’ve spoiled me for anyone else, how you manipulated me into a place from which the only way out is to join forces with you, to accept your proposal… And yet, I can’t find it in myself to do so." She glances between my eyes. "Why is that, Hunter?"

I hold out my hand, palm face up. "You know why."

She swallows, then places her hand in mine. I weave my fingers with hers, and a sense of rightness grips me. A sense of peace envelops me. A sense of…never wanting to let go of her makes me tighten my hold. She squeezes my hand, and my heart stutters. That iron band around my chest—the one I hadn’t been aware of—loosens. I draw in a breath, and the rush of oxygen to my lungs makes my head spin.

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