Page 28 of Hacker Identified

Hannah’s head swiveled, and a moment later, laughter filled the cab of the SUV. “I can guarantee that man who looks old enough to be my grandfather isn’t staring at me, because he thinks I’m hot. Instead, he’s trying to figure out what the hell the former President is doing with a woman in the car. I’m serious. This is all a mistake, and you might end up hurt or even dead before you decide to walk away from me.”

My plan was manipulative, but if she married me, I would never walk away from her. However, I wasn’t about to blab my long-term plan to her.

“The moment I was born into the Tucker family, I was in danger. We didn’t only have nannies growing up. We had bodyguards. Even though I’m no longer the president, I still receive death threats. because someone hated a policy I implemented during my four years. Honestly, all that matters is I like you, Hannah. We have a connection, but I also realize I bulldozed my way into your life. So here are your options. I can call my pilot and have him meet us at the airport, and we head to the U.S. Marshals headquarters in D.C., where you can return to your old life, or we can grab the license and head to the church.”

I held my breath as I waited for her answer.

Her brown eyes narrowed in my direction. “How come there is no middle ground with you? Those are extremes on both sides.”

“When it comes to you, I don’t have a middle ground, because your safety is the only thing that matters. If you have an idea that will keep you safe, I’m willing to hear your plan. What do you want to do if you don’t have another option at present?” My right hand jumped to her face, and I cradled her cheek as I stared desperately into her eyes, looking for a hint that she would choose me. “But…before you make your decision, can I have a kiss?”

The tip of her tongue darted out to run across her bottom lip. “Do you think a kiss will make me choose you?”

“No,” deep down, I knew she would choose D.C. I only wanted one last time to feel my lips against hers and to remember what it felt like before I had to let her go.

Her brows furrowed. “You think I’m going to choose D.C., don’t you?”

For a moment, I considered the option of driving her back to the U.S. Marshal’s office off the table, but she had to choose to stay.

“I know,” I told her, rubbing my thumb against her cheek.

She grabbed my left hand and placed it against her chest. “Is your heart beating as fast as mine thinking this will be our last kiss?”

Instead of answering her, I pressed my lips against hers, hoping it wouldn’t be our last kiss.

Her arms snaked around my neck and pulled me in closer. I’d lost track of the number of times I gazed at her lips and imagined kissing her. Since the meeting, we’d only kissed a couple of times, and sleeping in bed with her strengthened my attraction.

I wanted nothing more than to turn around and head home. Spend the rest of the day exploring her body.

Our tongues tangled together as I threaded my fingers through her long locks. A blaring car horn caused Hannah to pull back. Her lipstick smudged from the kiss. My cock was rock hard from our embrace. I took a deep breath and rested my head against the headrest. “I need an answer, Hannah.”

“I’m sure this will all blow up, but I want to stay. If you’re serious about all of this, my heart is telling me to stay, but my brain says run.”

I bit the inside of my lip to stop myself from shouting from the rooftops.

“No backing down now. Let’s grab the certificate and head to the church. My sister Georgia and her husband Travis are excited to meet you and she can be our witness.” I shot her a smile and hopped out of the vehicle.

Georgia and Travis arrived back in town a few hours prior and had originally planned to meet at the house before the wedding, but I texted her the change of plan.

Hannah climbed out of the SUV before I could reach her side. I held my hand out and relaxed when Hannah grabbed it. The older gentleman on the bench nodded at us as we walked by.

“I swear when I look in your eyes, I tend to agree with everything you say,” Hannah grumbled. “You gave me an out, yet I agreed to this life-altering plan.”

I pulled open the glass door to the municipal building and waited for Hannah to walk through. “Can’t back down now. You had your chance, and I’m not going to give you a second time to run.”

We had only made it a couple of feet into the building when a blonde woman with a pixie haircut and black frame glasses came running down the hall. Her heels clicked loudly against the marble floor.

“Zack!” She yelled before she wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. Hannah tried to yank her hand from mine, but I tightened my grip. The hug from my old friend was awkward, to say the least.

“I couldn’t believe my ears when Georgia came in and asked me to prepare a marriage license for you,” Milly said as she pulled back. “And for you to marry Hannah.”

Hannah squeaked as Milly wrapped her in a hug.

“I’m confused. Do we know each other?” Hannah asked.

Milly pulled back, “Sorry—I’m Milly. I should have explained that first. I’m PopTarts I gave you all the information on that horrible zone change Zack put in place.”

I held up my hands. “Hey! Occasionally, I make mistakes…and this one, I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to Hannah.”

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