Page 92 of Believe It or Knot: Part Two

“Treat every firearm as if it’s loaded,” she recited, voice muffled behind the thick material of her coat.

“Good. Next rule?”

“Always be aware of where your muzzle is pointed.” She rubbed her hands together to keep her fingers warm.

I nodded my approval, and she rattled off the third rule without my prompting while I paced in front of her like a drill sergeant, hands clasped behind my back, combat boots kicking up dust along the outdoor gun range at the back of our property.

“Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot.”

“Good girl,” I praised, and a genuine smile lit up her entire expression. “Two more.”

“Don’t aim at anything you’re not willing to destroy, and last, know your target and what’s behind it.”

One corner of my mouth hitched up as I drew to a stop in front of her. “You’re a quick learner.”

She tugged down the edge of her jacket, exposing her grin. “I have a good teacher.”

It was the flirtiest thing she’d said to me in days, and I drank it in like a man dying of thirst.

This was exactly what we both needed. Time out of the house.Together.

But more importantly, she needed to feel in control again.

I wanted to help her take back her power.

Gripping her hand, I led her over to the pavilion, showing her the variety of guns I’d brought with me from my personal arsenal. There were several more expensive options, but I picked up the Hi-Point 9mm.

“This may not be the fanciest option, nor the most attractive, but this gun is nearly indestructible and will stand up to all types of abuse.”

“You think I’m going to abuse it?” She arched her eyebrow, sending me a skeptical look.

“No, but it’s better to have a weapon that can be chucked, dropped, run over, or buried in the sand and still fire when you get it back. Reliability is key. Besides, this one has an external safety.”

Demi bit her lip, gazing at the black handgun I held. “And that means…” she hedged.

I chuckled and showed her the switch. “As long as this is engaged, it won’t fire. I find it’s an important feature if you want to keep your sidearm loaded and chambered. In a life or death situation, not having to chamber a round can save you critical seconds.”

She hummed her assent as if she understood what I was talking about, though two little lines formed between her brows as she stared at the weapon like it might bite her at any moment. “Function is certainly more important than style.”

I grinned. “This is a 9mm, which means it takes one of the most common types of ammo. That’ll benefit you. If you ever run out, you can just pilfer someone else’s.”

“Right, right.” She nodded, pursing her lips.

“Does it help if I tell you it comes in sparkly pink or pink and purple camo?”

Her eyes lit up. “I do like pretty things.”

This time, I outright laughed. “I know you do, Sunshine. We can get you a pretty version. But for today, we’ll practice using this one.” Little did she know I’d already bought her a present, but that was a surprise for later.

I spent the next half hour showing her all the moving parts, teaching her how to drop the magazine, check if the gun was loaded, and how to take it apart and put it all back together again. Walking through it a dozen times helped set her mind at ease until her shoulders relaxed and her movements became more fluid. I placed the unloaded gun in her hands and studied her as she ran through the motions, gently instructing her along the way.

When I felt like she had a handle on it, I stepped up to her back and wrapped myself around her petite frame. Her scent blanketed me like the warmth of a fire on a cold, blustery day. Smooth, sweet honey and sugared berries that made my mouth water and my cock twitch to life.

I took a moment to breathe her in before I made myself focus past the allure of her signature and the temptation of her soft body against mine.

My arm came alongside hers and I covered her hand with my larger one.

“Never fire until you’re absolutely ready,” I murmured against her ear.

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