Page 35 of Whatever It Takes

She nods, nuzzling her cheek to my wrist. It’s such an intimate gesture. I physically ache to pull her into my arms while promising nothing bad will touch her ever again.

At the same time, I can recognize that she needs to prove to herself that she can do it.

“Put your earmuffs back on, pick up the weapon, and find your stance. Once you’re confident, pull the trigger. No one is an expert the first time they pick up a gun. Everything else can be corrected as you go, but if you won’t pull the trigger…” I stare directly into her eyes as I speak. “Then the gun is useless. Do you understand?”

“Yeah,” she whispers breathlessly. “I think I do.”

“Good.” It takes everything in me to step back, but I force myself to do it.

I can’t do this for her.

I can support her through the process, but she has to be the one to take the first shot.

I guide Briar out to my truck with her tucked under my arm. She wanted to buy herself a gun with Easton’s credit card, but I convinced her to let us hook her up with one that’s untraceable. She could spend a few hundred thousand dollars, and it wouldn’t annoy East a bit, but tying a legally purchased firearm to him through the financial transaction would end with him trying to put her over his knee.

Or maybe I’m projecting because I wouldn’t mind having Briar stretched over my lap.

We come to the side of my truck, and I click the button to unlock the doors before opening hers. She moves to climb up into the vehicle, and my hand lands on top of her head to ensure she doesn’t bump the doorframe.

Briar gets settled into her seat, and I prepare to close the door, but she grabs me by a fistful of my T-shirt and pulls me closer.

A smile tips at my lips as she stretches up to reach me. She still can’t reach my mouth, so I lower my head, leaning into the truck. I hover near her face, but she’s the one who needs to close the distance. She’s still vulnerable, and I’m not an opportunistic dick.

I’ve also yearned for her for months now. I’m not about to pass up an opportunity to deepen our relationshipifit’s whatshewants.

Her coconut and honey scent is even more potent after the sweating she did in the range, but that’s only a passing thought as she shoves her lips to mine.

I growl, fighting the urge to climb onto the seat so I can pin her down. Her tongue flicks at the seam of my lips, and I open for her as my hand wraps around the back of her head to keep her in place.

Fucking hell.

My instincts won’t shut the fuck up. My system is screaming to bite her to ensure she can never truly escape, but the way her tongue slides around mine is a solid distraction.

Honey and coconut.

The soft push of her lips against mine.

This is not the most romantic location for a first kiss, but I do my best to show her how badly I want her. She pats my chest, finally releasing my T-shirt as she pulls back to breathe.

The quick kiss was enough to make my shaft rock-hard, but I ignore that and run my fingers through her hair.

“What was that for?” I ask, my voice deep and gravelly with need.

She smiles shyly, fluttering her long, dark lashes. “I just really wanted to kiss you. That’s all.” Her shoulders bounce. “And to thank you for being so patient with me earlier. You’re an excellent teacher, Keir.”

My eyes stay glued to her thick lips, and I nod, clearing my throat. “Anything you need, sweet girl. I’m your man.”

Now I just need to follow through for long enough that she begins to trust my word.

Most of Briar’s purchases will be delivered to Easton’s estate, but the back seat of my truck is filled with the stuff she’ll need sooner, rather than in a day or two when the rest arrives.

We pull into the parking lot at Shadow Security, and I park my truck.

Our building shares this lot with three other businesses. The backsides of all four buildings line up two on each side. They meet at the sidewalk, but the two buildings across the way are only open at night, and the one on our side of the sidewalk is currently unoccupied, so there’s never a fight to find parking.

It’s been a long afternoon and Briar must be as hungry as I am. My plan is to run back out and grab a late lunch while she stays nice and toasty in the office.

Shutting off the truck, I hop out and prepare to head around to let her out, but my phone rings. I tug it from my back pocket, and Calder’s name shows on the screen. I’m already here, so I text him rather than answering.

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