Page 54 of When He Hunts

She was swimming pretty well, but clearly, she did not understand who she faced. He’d grown up on the sugar sand beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama. He’d been swimming before he walked. He had even—once upon a time—thought about becoming a SEAL.

Instead, he’d wound up as a Marine.

Semper Fi.

But he could still cut through the water just like a fish, and he was waiting on the wooden stairs to watch her as she walked from the water. What a sight to see. The white shirt she’d worn stuck to her like a second skin. No bra.No. Bra.The cold had turned her nipples into tight, hard peaks. The shorts clung just as tightly to her. As she exited the spring, water poured down her body.

Nothing had ever been sexier.

He grabbed the handrail. Held it so tightly he was surprised the thing didn’t break apart beneath his grip. “I am going to fuck you so hard.”

She stopped in front of him. Ran her hand down his bare chest. “Promises, promises.”

Yes, it was a promise.

“But you have to catch me, first.” Then she took off. She darted around him, snatched up her discarded shoes, and ran up the stairs. In a flash, Luna flew across the dock.

Oh, he had every intention of catching her. Fucking her.

Owning her.

The last thought drew him up short as he watched her scamper toward the house. She’d left a trail of wet footprints for him to follow.

This isn’t permanent. It’s just pretend. She’s not really mine.

He reached for the gun. She wasn’t really his.

So why did it feel as if she was? Why did part of him wish that the roles were real? He’d never wanted someone of his own before. Not for keeps.

This wasnotfor keeps. Just a temporary assignment. Another undercover mission. Nothing was real. Nothing.

He headed for the house. Entered and pulled the sliding door back into place behind him. He’d expected Luna to flee through the house.

Instead, Luna stood right in front of him. About a foot away from the door. The shoes she’d been carrying were now on the floor beside her. “I didn’t want to drip everywhere.” She bit her lower lip. “Thought I’d just wait here for you.”

“You didn’t want to drip.”

“Didn’t want to make a mess. It’s someone else’s home.”

He sucked on the inside of his cheek. “I don’t think anyone is gonna care.”

“I’ll care. So I figured we could strip here.” Then she reached down and hauled off her wet shirt. And her shorts. And panties. And was completely naked. As his jaw dropped, she carried the items into the nearby kitchen and put them in the sink. “Less mess.”

Fuck the mess.

“Mind putting down the gun?”

He put down the gun. Ripped off his wet sweats. Let them hit the floor. He’d clean the place later. Right then, he had other plans.

His other plans turned and hurried toward the stairs.

He caught her before she could climb the first step. He spun her in his arms. Took her mouth. Not one of the teasing kisses she’d given him in the spring. Harder. Deeper. A kiss that told her—in no uncertain terms—that he would be having her.

Now.

He scooped her into his arms. Didn’t waste time with words. There was nothing to say. He had her, and he wasn’t letting go.

Chapter Twelve

---