“What are you thinking?” he asked.
“How perfect this feels. How things could have turned out differently if I had made a move on you earlier. As much as today will haunt me forever, is it weird that I wouldn’t change it for the world?”
Pushing a wet lock off her brow, he shook his head. “I needed the day to wake up to myself. To find you. To come to the conclusion that leaving Argos is the best thing for my sanity.” What Henry had said made sense and Gunn had wasted too much time using hunting as an excuse to not live when the answer lay right there all along. Plus, it was a start to get back onto the road of recovery from what had happened with Cherri-Anne.
“Really?” Cyra’s question came with a gleeful smile, no trace of uncertainty, only support. “I know you love destroying demons, but I can’t tell you how happy that makes me.”
“I’ve got a friend who’s been pestering me about starting up a motorbike repair shop with him.” His passion was bikes. To be able to work full-time on them gave him new hope. God, he sounded sappy, yet the optimism in his heart promised him the ability to eventually forgive his past mistakes, to forgive himself. And do everything in his power to keep Cyra safe, not push her away.
Cyra stretched forward, brushing her breasts against him, and kissed him softly. “I love that idea so much. But just so you know, I’m going to continue working with my brother at Argos. I want to perfect my magic, and they can teach me.”
“Baby girl, I’d never ask you to stop doing anything, as long as it makes you happy.”
Her mouth pressed against his, more powerful than before. And he took that as her approval. “But there is one thing,” he said, and she gnawed on her lower lip. “You live way too far away from me.”
She cocked a brow, staring at him with that look that gave nothing away. Would she laugh in his face?
“What do you suggest?” she asked.
“It’s up to you, baby girl, but I’d love to have you move in with me. I have several spare bedrooms, so you can have your own space. If you’re more comfortable, Chase is a few blocks away, and I know he’d love to have you live there. Either way, it’s closer than where you are now.”
She gave no response at first, but she stared at him, her eyes glistening. “You want to be that close?”
“Yes! Now bring those delicious lips here.”
She laughed and threw water into his face. “I have a better idea.” Lifting herself off him, she climbed out and grabbed her towel, patting herself dry. “I’ve always wanted to try doggie-style. You up for it?”
“Fuck! Where have you been all my life.” He pushed himself out of the bath, sloshing more water onto the already soaked bathroom floor.
She poked out her tongue at him and darted from the room, her giggle calling him like a siren’s song.
Yep, this was exactly how his life should be. Him chasing down his sex kitten and bringing her to orgasm after orgasm.
Chapter 17
Cyra
4 Days Later
Cyra dragged a duffle bag along the footpath leading up to Chase’s townhouse. Snow covered the front yard and the cars in the street, yet hesitation sat on her chest. But this was the right decision. She’d hated Chase’s protectiveness, but she missed movie nights and cooking together like they used to at Grandma’s. After seeing what the Argos hunters went through, how close to death they came on each mission, she didn’t intend to miss another moment with family. Plus, Gunn lived within walking distance!
“You sure about this? You don’t want to move in with me instead?” Gunn asked, plonking two more suitcases on the front doorstep. He grabbed the bag from her grasp, lugging it up the three steps. He wore gray jeans and a red, long-sleeved T-shirt. The top emphasized waves of muscles across his wide chest. Just staring at him had her drooling.
“I’m sure,” she said. She’d never been more sure of anything in her life. “Chase probably gets lonely, and I miss him, too.” Her landlord happily released her from the lease early, since the old woman had a niece needing a place to stay.
Gunn kissed her. “Chase’ll be ecstatic. He talks about you all the time.”
She nodded, feeling foolish for not seeing that earlier. She stared into Gunn’s gorgeous green eyes and brushed the snow off his shoulders.
“If it’s what you want, I’ll support you,” he said. His words grounded her, filled her with the confidence to face the world.
His hand caressed the small of her back, and warmth engulfed her. Never in a million years would she have guessed she’d fall so hard for him, that he’d desire her as much, or that she’d move in with her brother. But after her first field job, her life had done a complete 180-degree flip. For the past few weeks, she’d told herself she needed no one. That she’d prove to the world she was fine on her own. But now, she didn’t want regrets. After all, when she’d first fallen into Hell, her initial thought had been that she’d never see her brother or grandma—or Gunn—again. Not about how she needed to achieve greatness or prove to everyone how independent she was. When the shit had hit the fan, what had mattered was family and friends.
She stood on her tippy toes and her lips grazed his. Like every single time he kissed her, she floated on clouds, unable to get close enough. A cool breeze blew past and the crunch of tires sounded as cars passed on the street.
“Shall we head inside, then?” Gunn asked.
She pulled back just
